Objectives: To provide an overview of the three major deadly coronaviruses and identify areas for improvement of future preparedness plans, as well as provide a critical assessment of the risk factors and actionable items for stopping their spread, utilizing lessons learned from the first two deadly coronavirus outbreaks, as well as initial reports from the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Wuhan, China.

Globalization has altered the way we live our lives and earn a livelihood. Consequently, trade and travel have been recognized as significant determinants of the spread of disease. Additionally, rise in urbanization and the closer integration of the world economy has facilitated global interconnectedness. Therefore, globalization has emerged as an essential mechanism of disease transmission . This paper aims to examine the potential impacts of COVID-19 on globalization and global health in terms of mobility, trade, travel, and countries most impacted. The effect of globalization was operationalized in terms of mobility, economy, and healthcare systems. The mobility of individuals and its magnitude was assessed using airline and seaport trade data and travel information. The economic impact was measured based on the workforce, event cancellations, food and agriculture, academic institutions, and supply chain. The healthcare capacity was assessed by consideration of healthcare systems indicators and preparedness of countries. Utilizing a technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) we calculated a pandemic vulnerability index (PVI) creating a quantitative measure of the potential global health. The pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the world's economy, healthcare, and globalization through the travel, events cancellation, employment workforce, food chain, academia, and healthcare capacity. Based on PVI results, certain countries are more vulnerable than others. In Africa, more vulnerable countries include South Africa and Egypt; in Europe, they are Russia, Germany, and Italy; in Asia and Oceania, they are India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey; and for the Americas, they are Brazil, USA, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. The impact on mobility, economy, and healthcare systems has only started to manifest. The findings of this study may help in the planning and implementation of strategies at the country level to help ease this emerging burden.

The removal of carbon dioxide from the flue gas of fossil-fueled power plants can be achieved using adsorption separation technologies. In this study, the breakthrough adsorption of CO2 on fixed beds of commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) and ammonia-modified GAC (OXA-GAC) adsorbents was measured. The breakthrough curves were acquired from dynamic column measurements at temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 °C with a feed gas flow rate that varied from 50 to 100 mL min–1 and a total pressure of 1.0 atm. An earlier breakthrough time and lower dynamic adsorption capacity were observed with increasing temperature, increasing feed flow rate, and the use of the GAC adsorbent. The largest CO2 equilibrium dynamic capacity (0.67 mol kg–1) and breakthrough time (10.9 min) over the range of operating conditions investigated were obtained using OXA-GAC adsorbent at 30 °C under a 50 mL min–1 feed flow rate. To predict the breakthrough behavior of the fixed-bed adsorption of CO2, a simple model based on mass balance was developed. This model consists of an Avrami equation to describe the kinetics of adsorption and a semiempirical Toth equation to represent the gas–solid equilibrium isotherm. The Avrami equation was selected because it provided the best fit with the experimental kinetic curves for both adsorbents, with average relative errors of less than 2% over the temperature range of 30–60 °C. The resultant set of coupled differential equations was solved using a numerical approach based on the finite element method implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The findings showed that the model predictions successfully fit the experimental data over the studied range of feed gas flow rates and adsorption temperatures.

Haze is a common phenomenon afflicting Southeast Asia (SEA), including Malaysia, and has occurred almost every year within the last few decades. Haze is associated with high level of air pollutants; it reduces visibility and affects human health in the affected SEA countries. This manuscript aims to review the potential origin, chemical compositions, impacts and mitigation strategies of haze in Malaysia. "Slash and burn" agricultural activities, deforestation and oil palm plantations on peat areas, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia were identified as the contributing factors to high intensity combustions that results in transboundary haze in Malaysia. During the southwest monsoon (June to September), the equatorial SEA region experiences a dry season and thus an elevated number of fire events. The prevailing southerly and south-westerly winds allow the cross-boundary transportation of pollutants from the burning areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, to Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, respectively. The dry periods caused by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) prolong the duration of poor air quality. The size range of particulate matter (PM) in haze samples indicates that haze is dominated by fine particles. Secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA, such as SO42-and NH4+) and organic substances (such as levoglucosan, LG) were the main composition of PM during haze episodes. Local vehicular emissions and industrial activities also contribute to the amount of pollutants and can introduce toxic material such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Haze episodes have contributed to increasing hospital visits for treatments related to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, upper respiratory infections, asthma and rhinitis. Respiratory mortality increased 19% due to haze episodes. Children and senior citizens are more likely to suffer the health impacts of haze. The inpatient cost alone from haze episodes was estimated at around USD 91,000 per year in Malaysia. Almost all economic sectors also experienced losses, with the heaviest losses in the agriculture and tourism sectors. This review suggests several ways forward to reduce haze episodes in SEA and Malaysia. These include economic approaches, research collaborations and science-policy interface. Improving forecasting capabilities can help reduce response time to burning events and subsequently reduce its impacts. Lastly, commitment and involvement by individuals, government agencies, and the entrepreneurial private sectors are crucial to reduce biomass burning (BB) and haze episodes in SEA.

The rapidly increasing uptake of e-cigarettes in Malaysia as of late demands a study to identify factors leading to its increased popularity and user intentions to quit smoking e-cigarettes. A convenience sample of e-cigarette smokers visiting e-cigarette retail shops in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur was recruited. The majority of e-cigarette smokers were youth in colleges or universities (39 %), and young professionals and managers (36 %). The main reasons for using e-cigarettes were to help the user quit tobacco cigarettes (88 %), the perception that e-cigarettes are not as intrusive as tobacco cigarettes (85 %) and can be used in public areas (70 %), the perception that e-cigarettes are healthier than tobacco cigarettes (85 %), and its relatively lower cost compared to tobacco cigarettes (65 %). A total of 65.3 % of respondents expressed intentions to quit e-cigarettes. In a multivariate analysis, the respondents who earned monthly income of RM1000 or less were significantly more likely to intend to quit smoking e-cigarettes [OR 1.551; 95 % CI 1.022-2.355; p = 0.015] compared to the respondents who earned a monthly income of more than RM2000. The respondents who disagreed with the statement 'Smoking e-cigs is relatively cheaper compared to tobacco cigarettes' were significantly more likely to intend to quit smoking e-cigarettes [OR 1.548; 95 % CI 1.045-2.293; p = 0.027] compared to respondents who did not agree. e-cigarette preventive interventions should target areas related to the identified main reasons for using e-cigarettes, namely as an aid for quitting tobacco cigarettes, the perception that e-cigarettes are not as intrusive as tobacco cigarettes and can be used in public areas, the idea that e-cigarettes are healthier than tobacco cigarettes, and its relatively lower cost compared to tobacco cigarettes.

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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.

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