Nasrin Aghamohammadi
University of Malaya
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Publication
Featured researches published by Nasrin Aghamohammadi.
Journal of Environmental Management | 2016
M.Aghajani Mir; P. Taherei Ghazvinei; Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman; Noor Ezlin Ahmad Basri; Sanaz Saheri; Noor Zalina Mahmood; A. Jahan; Rawshan Ara Begum; Nasrin Aghamohammadi
Selecting a suitable Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method is a crucial stage to establish a Solid Waste Management (SWM) system. Main objective of the current study is to demonstrate and evaluate a proposed method using Multiple Criteria Decision Making methods (MCDM). An improved version of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) applied to obtain the best municipal solid waste management method by comparing and ranking the scenarios. Applying this method in order to rank treatment methods is introduced as one contribution of the study. Besides, Viekriterijumsko Kompromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) compromise solution method applied for sensitivity analyses. The proposed method can assist urban decision makers in prioritizing and selecting an optimized Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) treatment system. Besides, a logical and systematic scientific method was proposed to guide an appropriate decision-making. A modified TOPSIS methodology as a superior to existing methods for first time was applied for MSW problems. Applying this method in order to rank treatment methods is introduced as one contribution of the study. Next, 11 scenarios of MSW treatment methods are defined and compared environmentally and economically based on the waste management conditions. Results show that integrating a sanitary landfill (18.1%), RDF (3.1%), composting (2%), anaerobic digestion (40.4%), and recycling (36.4%) was an optimized model of integrated waste management. An applied decision-making structure provides the opportunity for optimum decision-making. Therefore, the mix of recycling and anaerobic digestion and a sanitary landfill with Electricity Production (EP) are the preferred options for MSW management.
Journal of Environmental Management | 2016
Amin Goli; Ahmad Shamiri; Amirreza Talaiekhozani; Nicky Eshtiaghi; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua
The extensive amount of available information on global warming suggests that this issue has become prevalent worldwide. Majority of countries have issued laws and policies in response to this concern by requiring their industrial sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2. Thus, introducing new and more effective treatment methods, such as biological techniques, is crucial to control the emission of greenhouse gases. Many studies have demonstrated CO2 fixation using photo-bioreactors and raceway ponds, but a comprehensive review is yet to be published on biological CO2 fixation. A comprehensive review of CO2 fixation through biological process is presented in this paper as biological processes are ideal to control both organic and inorganic pollutants. This process can also cover the classification of methods, functional mechanisms, designs, and their operational parameters, which are crucial for efficient CO2 fixation. This review also suggests the bio-trickling filter process as an appropriate approach in CO2 fixation to assist in creating a pollution-free environment. Finally, this paper introduces optimum designs, growth rate models, and CO2 fixation of microalgae, functions, and operations in biological CO2 fixation.
Current Environmental Health Reports | 2016
Yien Ling Hii; Rafdzah Zaki; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Joacim Rocklöv
Background & ObjectivesDengue is a climate-sensitive infectious disease. Climate-based dengue early warning may be a simple, low-cost, and effective tool for enhancing surveillance and control. Scientific studies on climate and dengue in local context form the basis for advancing the development of a climate-based early warning system. This study aims to review the current status of scientific studies in climate and dengue and the prospect or challenges of such research on a climate-based dengue early warning system in a dengue-endemic country, taking Malaysia as a case study.MethodWe reviewed the relationship between climate and dengue derived from statistical modeling, laboratory tests, and field studies. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and the World Health Organization publications, and assessed climate factors and their influence on dengue cases, mosquitoes, and virus and recent development in the field of climate and dengue.Results & DiscussionFew studies in Malaysia have emphasized the relationship between climate and dengue. Climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity are associated with dengue; however, these relationships were not consistent. Climate change projections for Malaysia show a mounting risk for dengue in the future. Scientific studies on climate and dengue enhance dengue surveillance in the long run.ConclusionIt is essential for institutions in Malaysia to promote research on climate and vector-borne diseases to advance the development of climate-based early warning systems. Together, effective strategies that improve existing research capacity, maximize the use of limited resources, and promote local-international partnership are crucial for sustaining research on climate and health.
Separation Science and Technology | 2017
Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh; Shaliza Ibrahim; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Abdul Rahman Mohamed; Hadis Zangeneh; Parviz Mohammadi
ABSTRACT Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is a colloidal suspension with 2–4% suspended solids. About 50% of the suspended solids are cellulosic compounds, which are not degraded in the typical biological treatment systems. Chemical (polymer-induced coagulation) and physical (settling) pretreatment methods were examined to remove the suspended solids in this study. A novel physicochemical treatment with high water recovery and sludge compressibility including three cationic polyacrylamides (C-PAM; as coagulant) and three anionic polyacrylamides (A-PAM; as flocculant) with different molecular weights and charge densities was used. The coagulants used were biodegradable. The combination of a C-PAM (Chemfloc1515C) with medium molecular weight and charge density and an A-PAM (Chemfloc 430A) with high molecular weight and charge density at doses of 300 and 50 mg/dm3 showed the best total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (96.4 and 70.9%, respectively). The optimal condition was found at pH 5, rapid mixing at 150 rpm for 1 min, and slow mixing at 40 rpm for 30 s. As a conclusion, the physiochemical pretreatment using biodegradable coagulants was a promising alternative to effectively separate TSS (96.4%) with high water recovery (76%).
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | 2016
Li Wong; Haridah Alias; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; I-Ching Sam; Sazaly AbuBakar
Perceptions about illnesses may influence self-care and preventive health behaviours. Illness perceptions of the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection were investigated under the framework of the Self-Regulation Model of Illness. Illness perception differences between ZIKV and dengue fever were also examined. Lastly, associations between illness perceptions of ZIKV with mosquito prevention practices were studied. Samples were drawn from landline telephone numbers using computer-assisted telephone interviewing in Malaysia. A total of 567 respondents completed the survey between February 2015 and May 2016. The median and interquartile range (IQR) for the total six dimensions of illness perceptions score was higher for dengue (23.0 (IQR 17.0–28.0)) than ZIKV (20.0 (IRQ 11.0–28.0)), p < 0.001. Respondents who planned to have children (OR 1.670, 95% CI 1.035–2.694 vs. no intention to have children) and had friends or acquaintances who died of dengue (OR 2.372, 95% CI 1.300–4.327 vs. no friends who died of dengue) were more likely to have a higher total score for six illness perceptions for ZIKV compared to dengue. Multivariate analysis indicated that the best predictors for mosquito control practices after the ZIKV outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, in descending order, were causes, control, timeline, and consequences dimensions of illness perception. Understanding the context in which a person perceives ZIKV may contribute to developing interventions that influence prevention behaviours.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | 2016
Li Ping Wong; Haridah Alias; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Sima Aghazadeh; Victor Chee Wai Hoe
Despite its popularity, shisha smoking practices, reasons for its use, attitudes, detrimental health effects and intention to quit among shisha users in Malaysia have never been investigated. A total of 503 shisha users responded to a cross-sectional study conducted between July 2015 and March 2016. The majority of users were young people aged 21–30; a small minority were underage. The reasons for shisha use were its growing popularity as a favourite pastime activity and the perception of shisha use as cool and trendy. Just over half (57.3%) agree that shisha use exposes the smoker to large amounts of smoke and the majority were unsure about the health risks of shisha smoking compared to tobacco smoking. The three most common detrimental health effects reported by the study respondents were dry throat, headache and nausea. Regular shisha users have significantly higher detrimental health effects compared to no-regular shisha users. Shisha users with a duration of smoking of 6–12 months (odds ratio (OR) 3.212; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.651–6.248) and 6 months and below (OR 2.601; 95% CI 1.475–4.584) were significantly more likely to have a higher proportion who intend quitting smoking than shisha users of more than 12 months duration.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research | 2018
Logaraj Ramakreshnan; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Chng Saun Fong; Awang Bulgiba; Rafdzah Zaki; Li Ping Wong; Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman
Seasonal haze episodes and the associated inimical health impacts have become a regular crisis among the ASEAN countries. Even though many emerging experimental and epidemiological studies have documented the plausible health effects of the predominating toxic pollutants of haze, the consistency among the reported findings by these studies is poorly understood. By addressing such gap, this review aimed to critically highlight the evidence of physical and psychological health impacts of haze from the available literature in ASEAN countries. Systematic literature survey from six electronic databases across the environmental and medical disciplines was performed, and 20 peer-reviewed studies out of 384 retrieved articles were selected. The evidence pertaining to the health impacts of haze based on field survey, laboratory tests, modelling and time-series analysis were extracted for expert judgement. In specific, no generalization can be made on the reported physical symptoms as no specific symptoms recorded in all the reviewed studies except for throat discomfort. Consistent evidence was found for the increase in respiratory morbidity, especially for asthma, whilst the children and the elderly are deemed to be the vulnerable groups of the haze-induced respiratory ailments. A consensual conclusion on the association between the cardiovascular morbidity and haze is unfeasible as the available studies are scanty and geographically limited albeit of some reported increased cases. A number of modelling and simulation studies demonstrated elevating respiratory mortality rates due to seasonal haze exposures over the years. Besides, evidence on cancer risk is inconsistent where industrial and vehicular emissions are also expected to play more notable roles than mere haze exposure. There are insufficient regional studies to examine the association between the mental health and haze. Limited toxicological studies in ASEAN countries often impede a comprehensive understanding of the biological mechanism of haze-induced toxic pollutants on human physiology. Therefore, the lack of consistent evidence among the reported haze-induced health effects as highlighted in this review calls for more intensive longitudinal and toxicological studies with greater statistical power to disseminate more reliable and congruent findings to empower the institutional health planning among the ASEAN countries.
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry | 2018
Nasim Karami; Parviz Mohammadi; Aliakbar Zinatizadeh; Farzaneh Falahi; Nasrin Aghamohammadi
The biomass concentration of conventional activated sludge (CAS) process due to low sludge sedimentation in clarifiers is limited to 3000 mg/L. In this study, high-frequency ultrasound wave (1.8 MHz) was applied to enhance the CAS process performance using high Mixed Liquor Suspended Solid (MLSS) concentration. The study conducted using a pilot scale CAS bioreactor (with and without ultrasound) and their performance for treating a hospital wastewater were compared. Experimental conditions were designed based on a Central Composite Design (CCD). The sets of data analyzed, modeled and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The effect of MLSS concentration 3000-8000 mg/L and hydraulic retention time (HRT) 2-8 h are considered as operating variables to investigate on process responses. The obtained results showed that high-frequency ultrasound was significantly decreased the sludge volume index (SVI) 50% and effluent turbidity about 88.5% at high MLSS. Also, observed that COD removal of both systems was nearly similar, as the maximum COD removal for sonicated and non-sonicated systems were 92 and 92.5% respectively. However, this study demonstrates that the ultrasound irradiation has not had any negative effect on the microbial activity.
Archive | 2018
Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Marzuki Isahak
Air pollution due to anthropological activities and natural disasters are the major challenges for environmental issues for last few decades. Human activities and population growth aggregate the atmospheric composition and damaged Earth’s atmosphere. Southeast Asia (SEA) is facing with natural disasters such as flood and tsunami that are challenging international attempts to address these issues for climate change. Transboundary haze is one of the significant environmental issues in SEA since 1983. The transboundary haze pollution has adverse impacts on environment due to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions as well as ecosystem and biodiversity which caused climate changes in recent decades.
Informatics for Health & Social Care | 2018
Li Ping Wong; Sharina Mahavera Mohamad Shakir; Wen Ting Tong; Haridah Alias; Nasrin Aghamohammadi; Kulenthran Arumugam
ABSTRACT Medical students’ use of online medical journals as a source of information is crucial in the learning pathway to become medical doctors. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among University medical students between December 2012 and March 2013 to assess their awareness, perceived usefulness, practices, and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals. The response rate was 67.53%. The majority of the students knew of the availability of online academic databases and medical journals. The mean score for awareness (4.25 of possible 11.0), perceived usefulness (13.95 of possible 33.0), and practice (10.67 of possible 33.0) were low. The mean barrier score toward using online academic databases and medical journals was 25.41 (of possible 45.0). Multivariate findings showed that significant barriers associated with overall usage of online databases and medical journals were 1) not knowing where or how to locate databases and 2) unsureness of using the Boolean operators. Availability of full text subscriptions was found to be an important factor in using online databases. Study findings highlighted the need to increase awareness of academic databases’ availability and increase training on ways to search online academic databases and medical journals.