Prediction of salinity intrusion in the sheltered estuary of Terengganu River in Malaysia using 1-D empirical intrusion model

Generally one dimensional （l-D） empirical salinity intrusion model is limited to natural alluvial estuary. However, this study attempts to investigate its ability to model a sheltered alluvial estuary of the Terengganu River in Malaysia. The constructed breakwater at the mouth of the river shelters the estuary from direct influence of the open sea. The salinity density along the estuary was collected during the wet and dry seasons for scenarios before and after the constructed breakwater. Moreover, the freshwater discharges, tidal elevations and bathymetry data were also measured as model inputs. A good fit was demonstrated between simulated and observed variables, namely salinity distribution and intrusion length for both scenarios. Thus, the results show that 1-D empirical salinity model can be utilized for sheltered estuarine condition at the Terengganu Estuary, but with an appropriate determination of an initial point. Furthermore, it was observed that the salinity intrusion in the study area is largely dependent on the freshwater discharge rather than tidal elevation fluctuations. The scale of the salinity intrusion length in the study area is proportional to the river discharge of the -1/2 power. It was appeared that the two lines of the 1-D empirical salinity model and discharge power based equation fitted well to each other, with the average predicted minimum freshwater discharge of 150 m^3/s is going to be required to maintain acceptable salinity levels during high water slack （HWS） near the water intake station, which is located at 10.63 km from river mouth.

Recent snow cover variation in the Upper Indus Basin of Gilgit Baltistan, Hindukush Karakoram Himalaya

Mountainous basins like the Upper Indus Basin(UIB) of Gilgit Baltistan(GB) are dependent on seasonal snowmelt and glacier melt. Monitoring of the snow-covered area(SCA) is not only vital for the overall hydrology of the Indus basin but also important to the sustainable agriculture and hydropower system. The snow-covered area in the UIB of GB was investigated for changes over the last 18 years using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) snow product. The study area was divided into five elevation zones ranging from 877-8564 meters above sea level(m ASL). In contrast to the global cryosphere related studies, SCA in the UIB is slightly increasing. Elevation based SCA analysis also indicated that SCA is slightly increasing in each elevation zone. However, a significant amount of snow is concentrated in areas above 5000 m ASL. Due to the strong correlation between SCA and precipitation, the precipitation data also follow a similar trend. Analysis of the climatic data suggests a statistically significant increase in total monthly precipitation and relative humidity, a slight decrease in mean monthly temperature and a significant upward tendency in monthly solar irradiance data. All these trends in combination with the increasing trend in global precipitation, winter westerly disturbances and orographic precipitation are the important factors behind the slightly increasing SCA in the study area. Our results though constrained by short observation period mainly contribute to the understanding of advancing snow cover and glaciers in Hindukush Karakoram.

An assessment study of absorption effect:LED vs tungsten halogen lamp for noninvasive glucose detection

Noninvasive gluoose monitoring development is critical for diabetic patient continuous moni-toring.However,almost all the available devices are invasive and painful.Noninvasive methods such as using spectroscopy have shown some good results.Unfortunately,the drawback was that the tungsten halogen lamps 1usage that is impractical if applied on human skin.This paper compared the light emitting diode(LED)to traditional tungsten halogen lamps as light source for glucose detection where the type of light source plays an important role in achieving a good spectrum quality.Glucose concentration measurement has been developed as part of noninvasive technique using optical spectroscopy.Small change and overlapping in tungsten halogen results need to replace it with a more convenient light source such as LED.Based on the result obtained,the performance of LED for absorbance spectrum gives a signifcantly different and is directly proportional to the glucose concentration.The result shows a linear trend and scucssully detects lowest at 60 to 160 mg/dL glucose concentration.

Exploring dynamic biomedical algorithm of Eurycoma longifolia Jack and its bioactive phytochemicals: A review of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic implications and future prospects

Eurycoma longifolia Jack(E.longifolia) is a well-recognized traditional herbal medicine that offers a wide dynamic range of biomedical applications including anti-osteoporotic, anticancer, anti-proliferative, anti-malarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antiinflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-diabetic, anti-rheumatism and anti-ulcer properties.This review aims to overview the pharmacokinetic and a pharmacodynamic algorithm of E.longifolia and its bioactive components.Analysis of pharmacokinetic profile revealed that E.longifolia exhibit higher bioavailability, high volume of distribution, slow elimination rate, and does not show inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.E.longifolia has been used, alone or in combination with other pharmacological agents, in the form of crude extracts, standard extracts, or decoctions of different plant parts(i.e., herbs, shrubs, stem, leaves, and roots) for the treatment of various ailments in animals and humans.Among various bioactive constituents, eurycomanone has been found to be the most remarkable, super-stable, versatile, and most potent phytochemical(isolated or extracted from root extracts) against various types of animals and human diseases.Based on its well-established pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, we suggested that E.longifolia can be a well-accepted complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of different types of human ailments.

Evaluation of antidepressant activity of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Acorus calamus L.rhizome through tail suspension test and forced swimming test of mice

Objective:Acorus calamus(AC)L.(Araceae)is an annual semi-aquatic and aromatic plant found in Europe,North America and Asia.Its rhizomes are often used by Native Americans,Americans,and Chinese as well as by other cultures.Ethnobotanical studies and documents have shown their use in various disease treatments,such as insomnia,mental disorders,diabetes mellitus,epilepsy,inflammation,asthma,neuropathic pain,and diarrhea.In this study,the antidepressant activity of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of the AC rhizome part in mice was investigated.Methods:Three doses of methanolic extract of AC rhizome(MEACR)(25,50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt),three doses of hydroalcoholic extract of AC rhizome(HAACR)(100,200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt),and standards(imipramine,15 mg/kg b.wt and fluoxetine,20 mg/kg b.wt)was daily oral administration to the mice for consecutive 14 days.The extract effect on the immobility time was monitored by a tail suspension test(TST)and a forced swimming test(FST).Monoamine oxidase(MAO)levels were also analyzed using standard methods.Results:The optimum antidepressant activity was viewed at 100 mg/kg b.wt of MEACR extract and400 mg/kg b.wt of HAACR extract with 23.82%and 20.59%immobility period reduction,respectively.Besides,the extracts weakened the FST-induced elevation of MAO activity significantly and returned to near-normal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.100 mg/kg b.wt or above of MEACR extract significantly prevented the MAO-A and MAO-B activities in mice brain at a dose-dependent fashion.But,just 400 mg/kg b.wt of HAACR extract prevented the activity of MAO-A and MAO-B.Fluoxetine and imipramine showed a tendency to prevent the activity of MAO-A and MAO-B.Conclusion:This study suggests that AC rhizome extract mediated antidepressant activity by modulating the central neurochemical and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in response to FST and TSTinduced stress.Therefore,AC rhizome extract can be used as a valuable plant supplement to treat depressive disorders.

Unveiling the potential of space syntax approach for revitalizing historic urban areas:A case study of Yushan Historic District,China

Historic urban areas are a crucial component of urban heritage,embodying the collective memory of urban development and possessing distinctive urban textures and cultural attributes.However,the growing impact of globalization on the urban environment poses challenges to historic urban areas,including diminishing social recognition,aging infrastructure,loss of vitality,and cultural erosion.To address these challenges,this study proposes a novel approach to revitalizing historic urban areas by employing space syntax methodology.The study focuses on Yushan Historic District in China as a case study and uses spatial models within space syntax to describe,analyze,and interpret its urban morphology.The objective is to enhance urban vitality while preserving the heritage fabric of historic urban areas.Additionally,it aims to contribute to the advancement of space syntax research,specifically in the context of urban renewal and revitalization of historic districts.The findings reveal the spatial factors that contribute to the generation of vitality within the district,identify areas requiring intervention,and provide strategies for revitalizing historic urban areas.This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing a space syntax approach in urban revitalization,providing valuable guidance for effectively conserving urban heritage within the context of urban renewal.

Spray Pyrolyzed TiO2 Embedded Multi-Layer Front Contact Design for High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells

The photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)can be improved by utilizing efficient front contact.However,it has always been a significant challenge for fabricating high-quality,scalable,controllable,and cost-effective front contact.This study proposes a realistic multi-layer front contact design to realize efficient single-junction PSCs and perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells(TSCs).As a critical part of the front contact,we prepared a highly compact titanium oxide(TiO2)film by industrially viable Spray Pyrolysis Deposition(SPD),which acts as a potential electron transport layer(ETL)for the fabrication of PSCs.Optimization and reproducibility of the TiO2 ETL were discreetly investigated while fabricating a set of planar PSCs.As the front contact has a significant influence on the optoelectronic properties of PSCs,hence,we investigated the optics and electrical effects of PSCs by three-dimensional(3D)finite-difference time-domain(FDTD)and finite element method(FEM)rigorous simulations.The investigation allows us to compare experimental results with the outcome from simulations.Furthermore,an optimized single-junction PSC is designed to enhance the energy conversion efficiency(ECE)by>30% compared to the planar reference PSC.Finally,the study has been progressed to the realization of all-perovskite TSC that can reach the ECE,exceeding 30%.Detailed guidance for the completion of high-performance PSCs is provided.

An Optimal Framework for SDN Based on Deep Neural Network

Software-defined networking(SDN)is a new paradigm that promises to change by breaking vertical integration,decoupling network control logic from the underlying routers and switches,promoting(logical)network control centralization,and introducing network programming.However,the controller is similarly vulnerable to a“single point of failure”,an attacker can execute a distributed denial of service(DDoS)attack that invalidates the controller and compromises the network security in SDN.To address the problem of DDoS traffic detection in SDN,a novel detection approach based on information entropy and deep neural network(DNN)is proposed.This approach contains a DNN-based DDoS traffic detection module and an information-based entropy initial inspection module.The initial inspection module detects the suspicious network traffic by computing the information entropy value of the data packet’s source and destination Internet Protocol(IP)addresses,and then identifies it using the DDoS detection module based on DNN.DDoS assaults were found when suspected irregular traffic was validated.Experiments reveal that the algorithm recognizes DDoS activity at a rate of more than 99%,with a much better accuracy rate.The false alarm rate(FAR)is much lower than that of the information entropy-based detection method.Simultaneously,the proposed framework can shorten the detection time and improve the resource utilization efficiency.

马来主流文化在世界上的现状与未来（英文）

马来语是世界上第五大语言,马来文化是世界文化的一部分。整个东南亚国家,尤以马来西亚和印度尼西亚为甚,都具有马来社会的特征。马来文化在很大程度上受其他文化的影响而形成,因为马来群岛曾有过相当长时期的殖民地历史。作者把马来文化置于全球化的背景下,审视了这种文化的现状和未来,认为能否在道德现实中扮演有意义的角色,决定了这种文化能否具有可持续发展的未来。

哈马克论经济不平等与世界正义（英文）

哈马克（1908~1981年）是马来西亚著名的自学成才的社会哲学家。尽管有关他的研究很多，但到目前为止，尚无人从全球化视野下的经济平等与正义视角关注过他的学说。当我们不得不面对全球化挑战的时候，为了提高个人和社会的能力来获得经济效益，我们就总是需要一种整体战略。换句话说，正义和经济成就同个人和社会都有密切关系。它包括言论自由、反性别歧视、反对贩卖人口、少数人的权利、经济危机、文化恐惧、国内暴力，食品短缺以及财富分配等。不过，上述列举尚未穷尽所有内容。本文试图运用哈马克的观点及其相关著作来分析与上述问题有关的一些案例。

Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies

Eurycoma longifolia(EL) has been well recognized as a booster of male sexual health. Over the past few decades, numerous in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials have been conducted across the globe to explore the promising role of EL in managing various male sexual disorders, which include erectile dysfunction, male infertility, low libido, and downregulated testosterone levels. The aim of the present review is to analyze and summarize the literature on human clinical trials which revealed the clinical significance and therapeutic feasibility of EL in improving male sexual health. This systematic review is focused on the following databases: Medline, Wiley Online Library, Bio Med Central, Hindawi, Web of Knowledge, Pub Med Central and Google Scholar, using search terms such as "Eurycoma longifolia", "EL", "Tongkat Ali", "male sexual health", "sexual infertility", "erectile dysfunction", "male libido", and "testosterone levels". Notably, only human clinical studies published between 2000 and 2014 were selected and thoroughly reviewed for relevant citations. Out of 150 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of articles included were randomized placebo-controlled trials, multiple cohort studies, or pilot trials. All these studies demonstrated considerable effects of EL on male sexual health disorders. Among them, 7 studies revealed remarkable association between the use of EL and the efficacy in the treatment of male sexual disorders, and remaining 4 studies failed to demonstrate sufficient effects on male sexual health. In summary, there is convincing evidence for the prominence of EL in improving the male sexual health. The review also substantiates the use of current methodology in the development of novel and more rationale natural herbal medicines for the management of male sexual disorders.