A national research and development blueprint for sustainable lake basin management in Malaysia

The deterioration of water quality in lakes resulting from unsustainable catchment practices requires concerted efforts to address them, in the form of cooperation among government agencies and institutions, private bodies and the community‐at‐large. Research that provides an understanding of a lake's ecosystem is an important aspect of making informed decisions for sustainable management and governance of lakes. The present study describes the findings of literature reviews on Malaysian lakes, and the national efforts made to establish an agenda for lake research and development in Malaysia directed towards integrated lake basin management (ILBM). The main findings and outcomes of the National Lake Research Blueprint workshop in April 2014 on the issues facing lakes and reservoirs are highlighted. Seven research themes were identified, namely (i) ecosystem services and socio‐economic development, (ii) governance, (iii) water quality and pollution, (iv) eco‐hydrology and basin management, (v) biodiversity and natural products, (vi) physical limnology and hydrodynamics and (vii) technology. The goal is to enhance research and development on sustainable lake basin management directed to conservation and development targets. The findings of this study provide an integrated research framework that can support ILBM governance elements (pillars) elsewhere, and to call for researchers to participate in much‐needed research areas.     

A review of ionic liquids as catalysts for transesterification reactions of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate production

Biodiesel production has been rapidly increasing due to the strong governmental policies and incentives provided leading to an oversupply of its by-product, glycerol. Therefore, finding ways of utilizing glycerol is essential to increase the net energy and sustainability of biodiesel. Ionic liquids have been used successfully as catalyst for both the production of biodiesel and the conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate. These catalysts are relatively environmentally friendly as they have the potential to enable sustainable processes. Herein, the prospect of using ionic liquids to catalyze transesterification triglycerides for the production of biodiesel and the conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate will be discussed. Elucidation of the reaction mechanism is expected to provide an in-depth understanding of the process with respect to the effects of cation and anion based on the reactions of interest.     

Socio‐economic and institutional assessment of Malaysia's first biosphere reserve: Chini Lake

Despite being designated the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia, the Chini Lake Basin experiences continuing management challenges attributable to existing sectoral management practices and differences in demands of multiple stakeholders. Accordingly, a socio‐economic survey and stakeholder consultative process were undertaken, involving relevant stakeholders in the lake basin. The consultative process involved: (a) identification and prioritization of relevant stakeholders; (b) assessment of their socio‐economic activities and perceptions; (c) organization of focus group discussions between basin stakeholders; and (d) development of management recommendations in collaboration with stakeholders. The results of this study indicated the local community's way of living has changed from traditional occupations to a wage economy. Overlapping functions and lack of communication were among the major identified challenges facing by Chini Lake. Multiple strategies were proposed to promote environmental protection and good governance of Chini Lake, including formation of special area plans and strengthening institutional arrangements to sustainably manage the Chini Lake catchment. An effective authority also is necessary to improve communication and coordination of programmes by the various basin agencies and communities.     

Lakes of Malaysia: Water quality,eutrophication and management

The present study was undertaken to evaluate and verify the water quality status and trophic state of 15 major lakes and reservoirs in Malaysia. The lake water quality assessments were based on the National Water Quality Index (NWQI), while the trophic state assessments were based on Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI). The findings of this water quality assessment, based on data collected between September and October 2012, indicated that a majority of the lakes were classified as Class II (Clean) waters suitable for recreational use. The results of the trophic state assessments, however, indicated that all of the lakes were eutrophic, meaning they were nutrient‐rich, they could experience algae blooms or macrophyte problems, and they were likely to exhibit poor water quality. Sustainable management measures and strategies are suggested to address the eutrophication problems of Malaysian lakes and reservoirs, with the national responses on lake and reservoir management also being discussed.     

The Prognostic Impact of Retinoid X Receptor and Thyroid Hormone Receptor alpha in Unifocal vs. Multifocal/Multicentric Breast Cancer

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the steroid hormone receptor expression, counting the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and thyroid hormone receptors (THRs), on the two different breast cancer (BC) entities: multifocal/multicentric versus unifocal. The overall and disease-free survival were considered as the prognosis determining aspects and analyzed by uni- and multi-variate analysis. Furthermore, histopathological grading and TNM staging (T = tumor size, N = lymph node involvement, M = distant metastasis) were examined in relation to RXR and THRs expression. A retrospective statistical analysis was carried out on survival-related events in a series of 319 sporadic BC patients treated at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Ludwig-Maximillian’s University in Munich between 2000 and 2002. The expression of RXR and THRs, including its two major isoforms THRα1 and THRα2, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and showed to have a significant correlation for both BC entities in regard to survival analysis. Patients with multifocal/multicentric BC were exposed to a significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS) when expressing RXR. Patients with unifocal BC showed a significantly worse DFS when expressing THRα1. In contrast, a statistically significant positive association between THRα2 expression and enhanced DFS in multifocal/multicentric BC was shown. Especially the RXR expression in multifocal/multicentric BC was found to play a remarkably contradictory role for BC prognosis. The findings imply the need for a critical review of possible molecular therapies targeting steroid hormone receptors in BC treatment. Our results strengthen the need to further investigate the behavior of the nuclear receptor family, especially in relation to BC focality.     

Integrated lake basin management and its importance for Lake Chini and other lakes in Malaysia

This report discusses the concept and progress of IWRM/IRBM in Malaysia, with a subsequent focus on the problems and challenges facing Lake Chini, one of the two largest freshwater lakes in the country. Lake Chini is located within the Pahang River Basin, the largest river basin in Peninsular Malaysia. The lake is a popular tourist destination, and the various infrastructure developments needed to enhance its marketability have resulted in degradation of the natural environment, as well as infestation of aquatic plants over most of the lakes' surface area. This report also discusses the need for integrated basin management as the logical approach for holistic management of the entire Pahang River Basin, in order to ensure the management of Lake Chini for sustainable use, including retention of its importance, not only for eco-tourism, but also as the source of the livelihood of the indigenous people living in the lake ecosystem and catchment area.