Judul: Membran Komposit Kitosan-Natrium Alginat untuk Aplikasi Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Abstrak: Composite of chitosan and sodium alginate can be utilized as base material of proton exchange membrane (PEM). The composite membranes were produced by various concentrations of chitosan-sodium alginate, namely 3:3, 3:4, 3:5, 3:6, 4:3, 5:3, and 6:3 (% b/v). The composites were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and were tested for the performance as PEM from the proton conductivity obtained by using impedance spectrometer. The FTIR spectrum indicated the NH3C group at 1637.29 cm-1 and symmetrical COO group at 1253.68 cm-1 indicating interactions between chitosan and sodium alginate. SEM micrographs showed that the composite membrane was nonporous. Composite membrane with 3:5 chitosan-sodium alginate composition had the highest proton conductivity, namely 9.594 × 10-7 S/cm. Based on this research results, chitosan-sodium alginate composite membrane can be applied well in direct methanol fuel cell system.
Keyword: 

Judul: Membran Komposit Kitosan-Zeolit untuk Aplikasi Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Abstrak: Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a fuel cell that utilize methanol as the fuel source. The electrolyte membrane used in the DMFC system in this research was chitosan-zeolite composite membrane. The composite membrane was synthesized with chitosan-zeolite composition variation of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 2:1. The membranes were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope, and for the specific gravity. Membrane performances were tested with methanol uptake, methanol permeability, conductivity, and potential difference in the DMFC system. The FTIR spectrum showed no formation of new functional groups inducating that the composite membrane was a result of physical mixing. Morphological analysis showed that the membrane was nonporous. Chitosan-zeolite 1:3 composite membrane had the highest specific gravity and methanol uptake, 1.4226 g/mL and 41.44%, respectively. The highest proton conductivity was showed by the 1:2 chitosanzeolite composite membrane, namely 7.2946× 10-7 S/cm. Based on this research results, chitosan-zeolite composite membrane can be applied in DMFC system.
Keyword: 

Judul: Prevalence of Bird Lice on Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) in 99Wonderland Park, Selangor, Malaysia
Abstrak: Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) have coexisted with humans for thousands of years and are used for various purposes such as food and in sports. Rock pigeons may have the potential to be infested with a wide range of ectoparasites, which can have a significant impact on their life cycle. This study aims to measure the prevalence of Columba livia with bird lice in 99Wonderland Park, Selangor, Malaysia in the year 2020 and to ascertain the impact of bird lice on the health of these infested birds. Data were collected from clinical records for the month of January to December in the year 2020 from 99Wonderland Park, Selangor, Malaysia. Lice were identified in 42 of the 80 Rock pigeons examined so, the overall prevalence of lice infestations was 52.5%. The prevalence of ectoparasites was found to be higher in young Rock pigeons (60.4%) as compared to adult Rock pigeons (37.4%). Columbicola columbae (wing lice) and Colpocephalum turbinatum (body lice) are two species of lice that have been detected. Body lice were more prevalent in young Columba livia birds at 47.6% whereas wing lice were more prevalent in adult Columba livia birds at 16.7%. Most of the lice were found in the thorax and abdomen area followed by the head and neck area., Merpati Batu (Columba livia) telah hidup berdampingan dengan manusia selama ribuan tahun dan digunakan untuk berbagai keperluan seperti makanan dan olahraga. Merpati batu dapat terinfestasi dengan berbagai ektoparasit, yang dapat berdampak signifikan pada siklus hidup mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prevalensi Columba livia dengan kutu burung di 99 Wonderland Park, Selangor, Malaysia pada tahun 2020 dan untuk memastikan dampaknya terhadap kesehatan burung yang terinfestasi. Data dikumpulkan dari catatan klinis dari bulan Januari hingga Desember tahun 2020 dari 99Wonderland Park, Selangor, Malaysia. Kutu diidentifikasi pada 42 dari 80 merpati batu yang diperiksa sehingga, prevalensi keseluruhan infestasi kutu adalah 52,5%. Prevalensi ektoparasit ditemukan lebih tinggi pada merpati batu muda (60,4%) dibandingkan dengan merpati batu dewasa (37,4%). Columbicola columbae (kutu sayap) dan Colpocephalum turbinatum (kutu badan) adalah dua spesies kutu yang telah ditemukan. Kutu badan lebih banyak ditemukan pada burung Columba livia muda sebesar 47,6% sedangkan kutu sayap lebih banyak ditemukan pada burung Columba livia dewasa sebesar 16,7%. Sebagian besar kutu ditemukan di daerah dada dan abdomen diikuti daerah kepala dan leher.
Keyword: Columba livia, prevalence, ectoparasite, wing lice, body lice, Columba livia, prevalensi, ektoparasit, kutu sayap, kutu badan