Universiti Sains Malaysia

About: Universiti Sains Malaysia is a education organization based out in George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Ring (chemistry). The organization has 23231 authors who have published 39356 publications receiving 655434 citations. The organization is also known as: USM & University of Science, Malaysia.

Removal of lead, zinc and iron by coagulation–flocculation

Abstract: Aluminium sulfate (alum), polyaluminium chloride (PACl) and magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) have been used as coagulants with Koaret PA 3230 as the polyelectrolyte to determine the effectiveness of coagulation method for the removal of heavy metals (Pb, Zn and Fe). The maximum removal of Pb(II) was observed in different distinctive pH ranges: 6.2–7.8 for alum, 8.0–9.3 for PACl and 8.7–10.9 for MgCl 2 , regardless of types of solution. PACl is the most effective among the coagulants used in this study. The coagulant dosage required to achieve more than 99% removal in the mixed solutions containing Pb(II) and Zn(II) increased with the initial concentrations of Zn(II), whereas, the presence of 25–45 mg/L of Fe(III) in the mixed solutions containing Pb(II) and Fe(III) reduced the coagulant dosage used for more than 99% removal of Pb(II). The concentrations of Zn(II) and Fe(III) in the mixed solutions were always below the standard discharge limits. The flocs settling time was decreased by the addition of coagulant aid and the flocs settling time was found in the sequence of MgCl 2 > PACl ≥ alum.

Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Meta-analysis of 27,492 Patients.

Abstract: Objectives/hypothesis Olfactory dysfunction has been observed as one of the clinical manifestations in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Study design Systematic review and meta-analyses. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies published between 1 December 2019 and 23 July 2020. We used random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran's Q test. Robustness of the pooled estimates was checked by different subgroup and sensitivity analyses This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020183768). Results We identified 1162 studies, of which 83 studies (n = 27492, 61.4% female) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients was 47.85% [95% CI: 41.20-54.50]. We observed olfactory dysfunction in 54.40% European, 51.11% North American, 31.39% Asian, and 10.71% Australian COVID-19 patients. Anosmia, hyposmia, and dysosmia were observed in 35.39%, 36.15%, and 2.53% of the patients, respectively. There were discrepancies in the results of studies with objective (higher prevalence) versus subjective (lower prevalence) evaluations. The discrepancy might be due to false-negative reporting observed in self-reported health measures. Conclusions The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients was found to be 47.85% based on high-quality evidence. Due to the subjective measures of most studies pooled in the analysis, further studies with objective measures are advocated to confirm the finding. Level of evidence 2 Laryngoscope, 131:865-878, 2021.

COVID-19 and therapy with essential oils having antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties.

Abstract: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat. Unfortunately, there are very limited approved drugs available with established efficacy against the SARs-CoV-2 virus and its inflammatory complications. Vaccine development is actively being researched, but it may take over a year to become available to general public. Certain medications, for example, dexamethasone, antimalarials (chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine), antiviral (remdesivir), and IL-6 receptor blocking monoclonal antibodies (tocilizumab), are used in various combinations as off-label medications to treat COVID-19. Essential oils (EOs) have long been known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, bronchodilatory, and antiviral properties and are being proposed to have activity against SARC-CoV-2 virus. Owing to their lipophilic nature, EOs are advocated to penetrate viral membranes easily leading to membrane disruption. Moreover, EOs contain multiple active phytochemicals that can act synergistically on multiple stages of viral replication and also induce positive effects on host respiratory system including bronchodilation and mucus lysis. At present, only computer-aided docking and few in vitro studies are available which show anti-SARC-CoV-2 activities of EOs. In this review, role of EOs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is discussed. A discussion on possible side effects associated with EOs as well as anti-corona virus claims made by EOs manufacturers are also highlighted. Based on the current knowledge a chemo-herbal (EOs) combination of the drugs could be a more feasible and effective approach to combat this viral pandemic.

Mobile taxi booking application service’s continuance usage intention by users

Abstract: The long-term development of a mobile booking taxi application service depends on the continued use of its passengers. The aim of this study is to investigate the determinants of the mobile taxi booking application service’s continuance intention, using the technology continuance theory by including the perceived risk and subjective norms. The data were collected by surveying 387 users of the mobile taxi application service. The data were analysed by applying the partial least squares technique. The analysis showed that the technology continuance theory has extensive power to explain the continuance intention to use the mobile booking taxi application. Subjective norms also have a significant effect on the attitude of mobile booking taxi application users which represents an important contribution to technology continuance theory extension. The theoretical and practical significances of the study have been discussed.