Meta-analysis contrasting freshwater biodiversity in forests and oil palm plantations with and without riparian buffers.

The expansion of oil palm plantations has led to land-use change and deforestation in the tropics, which has affected biodiversity. Although the impacts of the crop on terrestrial biodiversity have been extensively reviewed, its effects on freshwater biodiversity remain relatively unexplored. We reviewed the research assessing the impacts of forest-to-oil palm conversion on freshwater biota and the mitigating effect of riparian buffers on these impacts. We searched for studies comparing taxa richness, species abundance, and community composition of macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and fish in streams in forests (primary and disturbed) and oil palm plantations with and without riparian buffers. Then, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the overall effect of the land-use change on the 3 taxonomic groups. Twenty-nine studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. On average, plantations lacking buffers hosted 44% and 19% fewer stream taxa than primary and disturbed forests, respectively. Stream taxa on plantations with buffers were 24% lower than in primary forest and did not differ significantly from disturbed forest. In contrast, stream community composition differed between forests and plantations regardless of the presence of riparian buffers. These differences were attributed to agrochemical use and altered environmental conditions in the plantations, including temperature changes, worsened water conditions, microhabitat loss, and food and shelter depletion. On aggregate, abundance did not differ significantly among land uses because increases in generalist species offset the population decline of vulnerable forest specialists in the plantation. Our results reveal significant impacts of forest-to-oil palm conversion on freshwater biota, particularly taxa richness and composition (but not aggregate abundance). Although preserving riparian buffers in the plantations can mitigate the loss of various aquatic species, it cannot conserve primary forest communities. Therefore, safeguarding primary forests from the oil palm expansion is crucial, and further research is needed to address riparian buffers as a promising mitigation strategy in agricultural areas.

Metaanálisis contrastando la biodiversidad de agua dulce en los bosques y las plantaciones de palma de aceite con o sin bosques ribereños Resumen La expansión de las plantaciones de palma de aceite ha derivado en cambios en el uso de suelo y deforestación en los trópicos, afectando a la biodiversidad. Existe una revisión extensa del impacto de este cultivo sobre la biodiversidad terrestre, pero sus efectos sobre la biodiversidad de agua dulce todavía no están muy documentados. Revisamos las investigaciones que han evaluado el impacto de la conversión de bosque a plantación de palma de aceite sobre la biota de agua dulce y el efecto mitigante que tienen los bosques ribereños sobre este impacto. Buscamos estudios que compararan la riqueza de taxones, abundancia de especies y composición comunitaria de los macroinvertebrados, anfibios y peces en los riachuelos de los bosques (primarios y perturbados) y los sembradíos de palma de aceite con y sin bosques ribereños. Después realizamos un metaanálisis para cuantificar el efecto del cambio de uso de suelo en los tres grupos taxonómicos. Veintinueve estudios cumplieron con el criterio de inclusión. En promedio, las plantaciones carentes de bosques ribereños albergaron 44% y 19% menos taxones que los bosques primarios y perturbados. Los taxones en los sembradíos con bosques ribereños fueron 24% menos que en el bosque primario y no difirieron significativamente del bosque perturbado. Como contraste, la composición comunitaria del riachuelo difirió entre los bosques y los sembradíos sin importar la presencia de los bosques ribereños. Atribuimos estas diferencias al uso de agroquímicos y las condiciones ambientales alteradas en las plantaciones, incluidas los cambios térmicos, condiciones hidrológicas alteradas, pérdida de microhábitats y reducción de alimentos y refugios. En general, la abundancia no difirió significativamente entre los usos de suelo porque el incremento de especies generalistas en las plantaciones contrarresta la declinación poblacional de los especialistas de bosque vulnerables. Nuestros resultados revelan un impacto significativo de la conversión de bosque a plantación sobre la biota de agua dulce, particularmente la riqueza de taxones y la composición (pero no la abundancia agregada). Aunque mantener los bosques ribereños en las plantaciones puede mitigar la pérdida de varias especies acuáticas, no puede conservar las comunidades del bosque primario. Por lo tanto, es crucial salvaguardar los bosques primarios de la expansión del aceite de palma, además de que se necesitan más investigaciones para abordar los bosques ribereños como una estrategia prometedora de mitigación en las áreas agrícolas.

Facile fabrication of next-generation sustainable brick and mortar through geopolymerization of construction debris.

Waste from construction and demolition (also known as CDW) is one of the most harmful environmental issues. This study's primary goal is to produce new mortar and brick materials from recycled concrete powder (RCP) and recycled brick powder (RBP), two of the most popular CDW. Geopolymeric mortar and brick samples were produced by passing RCP and RBP through sieve No. 50 (with sand filler if necessary) and combining them with an alkaline solution made of water glass (WG) and NaOH. In this study, the mixture was then cured for three days at 80 °C in an oven. The effects of filler, RBP amount, WG amount, and the concentration of NaOH alkaline solution on the samples' strength were examined. Additionally, XRF and SEM/XRD tests were performed to verify the materials' composition and microstructure. The mechanical strength of the samples showed an increase with the increase of RCP values, so the brick sample with filler showed the highest compressive strength, measuring 59.53 MPa. The study's samples exhibited strong mechanical properties. Additionally, all of the bricks' water absorption fell within the standard range. In summary, according to different standards, both waste concrete and waste brick can be used to produce geopolymer materials especially bricks for construction and paving purposes.

A Foreign Body Aspiration Leading to Pneumothorax: A Case of Airway Emergency.

Foreign body (FB) aspiration is a matter that should not be taken lightly. The presence of a foreign object might lead to hazardous complications, particularly in the pediatric population. These complications depend on the type and location of the aspirated object as the tracheobronchial tree has a very small diameter, and foreign bodies become stuck in the upper airways of children, causing stridor and sudden difficulty in breathing. Impaction of a foreign body in the right bronchial tree is more frequent due to the relatively straighter alignment of the right mainstem of the trachea, as opposed to the left side. Herein, we present a 10-year-old Malay boy who accidentally aspirated a pencil cap. An urgent computed tomography (CT) of the thorax revealed a suspicious intraluminal FB in the bronchus leading to pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. He underwent a right bronchoscopy and a successful FB removal.

Facile preparation, characterization, and investigation of mechanical strength of Starchy NaCl-binder as a lightweight construction material.

Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as salt, is a substance that is utilized in a variety of businesses, including the tourism and construction industries. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to accommodate a salt-based building material called NaCl-binder for tourist and industrial applications. By utilizing salt mortar with varying grain sizes, food-grade corn starch as an exclusive binder agent (without using any non-starch binder), and water under microwave-cured conditions, environmentally friendly hydrophobic hybrid NaCl-binder samples with low bulk density were successfully produced. The fabrication of these samples involved an inventive utilization of small quantities of starch. This study evaluated the impact of microwave exposure time on the strength of salt samples, particle interconnectivity and chemical composition using SEM, XRD, and XRF analyses. The compressive strength of the samples showed a remarkable increase, with a 600% improvement when using 0 to 1% corn starch, and a 137% increment when using 1 to 10% corn starch, indicating a lower rate of increment with higher starch consumption. A key aspect of this research is the significant reduction in starch consumption compared to other corn starch-based materials during the manufacturing process of the incorporated materials, highlighting its novelty and importance.

Silent Killer in the Nose: Two Cases of Nasal Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adults.

We report two cases of nasal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) in adult patients from our center who presented with local mass effect and systemic involvement. Our first patient had spontaneous unilateral epistaxis. Her blood investigation showed severe thrombocytopenia, and the bone marrow biopsy result showed bone marrow infiltration by non-hematopoietic malignant cells. Nasal endoscopy showed a mass arising medial to the left middle turbinate. Our second patient presented with right eye proptosis, associated with blurring of vision. Nasal endoscopy showed a right whitish nasal mass arising lateral to the middle turbinate. Both patients were diagnosed by immunohistochemical analysis showing ARMS, a soft tissue malignancy uncommon in adults. RMS in adults has a worse prognosis. Hence, the management is challenging. Early diagnostic workup is essential for the commencement of early treatment for better oncological outcomes.

A Red Flag: A Case of Oropharyngeal Cancer Masquerading as an Ulcer of an Infective Origin.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent neoplastic condition. The incidence rate in Malaysia is rising, with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection being recognized as a significant contributing factor. Hence, it is paramount for physicians to effectively diagnose and identify significant indicators that may indicate a malignant etiology. In this study, we present a case of a middle-aged Malay male who presented with the primary symptom of persistent right throat discomfort for one month. The preliminary presentation, blood parameters, and initial histopathological examination (HPE) findings indicate the presence of an infection. However, despite undergoing several medical treatments, the patient's symptoms remain, albeit with only minor clinical improvement. Subsequently, the patient underwent a biopsy under general anesthesia, which subsequently yielded a report indicating the presence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with a negative p16 status. Therefore, it is imperative for clinicians to possess knowledge of warning flags and exercise vigilance when encountering a patient who fails to respond despite thorough and precise evaluation. If there is a strong suspicion of malignancy, it is imperative to do a comprehensive clinical investigation and regular monitoring.

Air pollution, governance quality, and health outcomes: evidence from developing countries.

While studies have demonstrated that air pollution can be catastrophic to the population's health, few empirical studies are found in the economic literature because a considerable proportion of the evidence comes from epidemiological studies. Because of the crucial role of governance in the health community, good governance has been a contentious issue in public sector management in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effects of air pollution and the role of governance on health outcomes. This study employed the generalized method of moment (GMM) estimation techniques to analyse panel data for 72 developing countries from 2010 to 2017. The empirical results confirm that higher PM2.5 and CO2 levels have a detrimental influence on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, whereas the role of governance has a positive impact on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Furthermore, the findings show governance quality plays a role in moderating the negative effect of PM2.5 on health outcomes. The ongoing rise in air pollution has had a significant impact on the health of developing countries. It appears that governance quality has improved health outcomes. The findings have important policy implications, such that strengthening governance can reduce air pollution emissions in developing countries. However, to reduce the health effects of air pollution, developing countries must implement effective environmental development policies and track the implementation and enforcement of such policies.

Freshwater fishes (Actinopterygii) of Kenyir Reservoir, Peninsular Malaysia: Updated checklist, taxonomic concerns and alien species.

Background: A total of 87 freshwater fish species from 30 families were recorded from the Kenyir Reservoir, Peninsular Malaysia, where 75 are native and 12 are introduced species. Few species still have unstable taxonomy identities which urge further studies. Most of the species were categorised as Least Concern (LC) and two were threatened species; Endangered and Critically Endangered (EN and CR). One introduced species, Gambusiaaffinis is widespread in the human-associated area, while other introduced fish species can be considered low in numbers. New information: Twenty five fish species are recorded for the first time in the Kenyir Reservoir.

A decade of amphibian studies (Animalia, Amphibia) at Sekayu lowland forest, Hulu Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia.

Amphibians of Sekayu lowland forest have been studied more than a decade, with discoveries of new records of species showing no sign of abating between the years 2003 to 2020, indicating the remarkably rich diversity of anurans in this forest. Despite ceaseless anthropogenic activities in this area, this study successfully recorded 52 species of amphibians from 32 genera in the lowland forest of Sekayu. The species composition consisted of a single species from the family Ichthyophiidae and 51 species of anurans of 31 genera and six families. The number of species recorded has steadily increased especially during more recent surveys from 2015 to 2020. This study augments the total number of amphibian species recorded from Hulu Terengganu by ten additional species, increasing the total to 70 species for the district.

Fire risk management in Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 2009-2019 experiences.

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (THBC) is one of the historical monuments of Iran. It has been registered in the list of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. However, the destructive power and frequency of fires are the main threat to this bazaar. This research examined the factors affecting the fire in THBC and the key components affecting the fire risk management based on the 2009-2019 experiences. The obtained findings showed that 25 components in economic, physical, socio-cultural, technical, and managerial dimensions were effective in the occurrence of fire in this bazaar. There were many fires during national-religious ceremonies. The highest rate of fire in leather shops was during carpet sales. Also, the highest rate of fire was from 22 to 3 at midnight, especially in winter. The results also showed that out of 26 components affecting fire risk management, 10 components were vital factors, the most important of which were modern equipment, control of electrical equipment, and night guards and activity monitoring. Finally, according to the obtained results, practical suggestions were offered to focus on modern equipment and the use of patrol forces.

How deep is deep enough? Analysis of sea turtle eggs nest relocation procedure at Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary.

Sea turtle eggs incubation involves natural and artificial incubation of eggs, and indeed the depth will be varied and presumably affect the development of hatchlings. For nest relocation, the researcher needs to decide on the depth to incubate the eggs. Sea turtle eggs clutches may vary between 40 and 120 eggs for the green turtle, thus using a single value as the standard procedure might affect the quality of hatchlings. Here we quantify the dimension of the natural (in-situ) nest constructed by the nester and the artificial (ex-situ) built by our ranger during nest relocation. We suggest a linear regression calculation of Y = 0.2366X + 59.3267, better predict a more accurate nest depth based on the number of eggs to imitate the natural nest.

Checklist of herpetofauna in the severely degraded ecosystem of Bidong Island, Peninsular Malaysia, South China Sea.

A herpetofaunal inventory was conducted on Bidong Island, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. It incorporates data from a recent herpetological survey conducted from 1 to 3 April 2019 with reptile records from previous publications. Specimens were collected with drift-fenced pitfall traps and taxa were recorded with visual encounter surveys (VES). In total, 18 species of reptiles and amphibians were recorded, including three species of frogs, 12 species of lizards, and three species of snakes. Six species from the present survey are new records for the island.