Friday 22 September 2017

Universityof

Mauritius

Faculty of Science“Inclusive Science for Societal Progress”

18 September - 22 September 2017

UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

RESEARCH WEEK 2017(10th Edition)

AgricultureEngineeringInformation, Communication and Digital TechnologiesLaw and ManagementScienceSocial Sciences and HumanitiesInnovative and Lifelong Learning

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LT1, New Academic Complex, University of Mauritius

TIME Opening and Keynote Address

Chairperson: VS Neergheen-Bhujun

8.50 – 9.10 Registration of Participants

9.10 – 9.15 Welcome Address by Dr V S Neergheen-Bhujun

Chair, FoS Research Week Organising Committee

9.15 – 9.20 Address by Assoc Prof S Dyall

Acting Dean, Faculty of Science

9.20 – 9.45 Keynote Address by

Dr M Atchia

9.45 – 10.00 TEA BREAK

TIME Ocean Studies

Chairperson: S Mattan-Moorgawa

10.00 – 10.15

Chlorophyll a Variation and Fish Abundance at Three Fishing Banks and Two Islands in the EEZ of Republic of Mauritius: Implications for Fisheries Management

M Soondur1, R Boojhawon1, R Lowe2 and R Bhagooli1, 1UoM and 2University of Western Australia

10.15 – 10.30

Ocean Literacy: An Ocean State Perspective

D Bolaky1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

10.30 – 10.45

Public Perception of Marine Protected Areas in Mauritius

J I Mosaheb1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

10.45 – 11.00

Thermal Stress Tolerance of Isolated Symbiodinium from the Giant Clam Tridacna maxima

S Ramah1, N Taleb-Hossenkhan1, P A Todd2 and R Bhagooli1,3, 1UoM, 2National University of Singapore and 3Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

11.00 – 11.15 DISCUSSION

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LT1, New Academic Complex, University of Mauritius

TIME Ocean Studies

Chairperson: D Kaullysing

11.15 – 11.30

Stakeholders Perception on Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management in Mauritius

O Gooroochurn1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

11.30 – 11.45

Assessing the Blue Economy Concept in the Fisheries Sector of Mauritius

M Gukhool and C Appadoo, UoM

11.45 – 12.00

Public Perception on Coastal and Marine Non-Living Resources: Implications for the Blue Economy

Z M Chaumun1, R. Bhagooli1,2 and S Mattan-Moorgawa1, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

12.00 – 12.15

Perception of Coastal Aquaculture in Mauritius and its Implications on Blue Economy

P Nirsimloo1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

12.15 – 12.30 DISCUSSION

12.30 – 13.30 LUNCH BREAK

TIME Biosciences

Chairperson: F B V Florens

13.30 – 13.45

Camera-Trapping on a Threatened Island-Endemic Plant Reveals New Flower Visitors and Ecological Interaction Patterns Helping to Elucidate the Species’ Decline

P Bissessur, Y Bunsy and F B V Florens, UoM

13.45 – 14.00

Is the Mauritian Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) a Potent Pollinator of the Mauritius Endemic and Endangered Liane Rousseau (Roussea simplex)?

Y A Bunsy1, P. Bissessur1, D. Ramdonee1, C. Baider2 and F B V Florens1, 1UoM, 2Mauritius Herbarium

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14.00 – 14.15

Disproportionately Large Ecological Role of a Recently Mass-Culled Flying Fox in Native Forests of an Oceanic Island

F B V Florens1,2, C Baider3, V Marday1, G M N Martin1, Z Zmanay1, R Oleksy4, G Krivek5, C E Vincenot6, D Strasberg2 and T Kingston7, 1UoM, 2Université de la Reunion, 3MSIRI, 4Ecosystem Restoration Alliance, 5Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 6Kyoto University and 7Texas Tech University

14.15 – 14.30

The Foraging Ecology of the Mauritian Fruit-Bat, Pteropus niger: the Role of Native Habitat Quality and Implication for Conservation

G Seeburrun and F B V Florens, UoM

14.30 – 14.45

The Influence of Invasive Alien Plant control on the Foraging Habitat Quality of the Mauritian Flying Fox (Pteropus niger)

G Krivek, Norwegian University of Life Sciences

14.45 – 15.00

Foraging Ecology and Conservation of Mauritian Fruit Bats (Pteropus niger): The Role of Native Plant Species and Tree Size

J Babajee and F B V Florens, UoM

15.00 – 15.15 TEA BREAK

15.15 – 15.30 DISCUSSION

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LT2, New Academic Complex, University of Mauritius

TIME Bio-Based Polymers and Applications

Chairperson: H Li Kam Wah

10.00 – 10.15

Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Nanotechnology Research and Innovation at CBBR (Pole of Research Excellence)

A Bhaw-Luximon, UoM

10.15 – 10.30

Polysucrose-Based Copolymers and Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Applications

Y Jugdawa, A Bhaw-Luximon and D Jhurry, UoM

10.30 – 10.45

Polysaccharide-Based Blend Scaffolds: Enhanced Biomineralization and Improved Osteogenic Differentiation

N Goonoo1, A Bhaw-Luximon1, D Jhurry1 and H Schönherr2, 1UoM and 2University of Siegen, Germany

10.45 – 11.00

Polysucrose-Based Scaffolds for Skin and Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

I Chummun, A Bhaw-Luximon and D Jhurry, UoM

11.00 – 11.15 DISCUSSION

TIME

Bio-Based Polymers and Applications/

Computational Chemistry

Chairperson: P Caumul

11.15 – 11.30

Combination of Nanomicelles Proves to be More Efficient Against Cancer Cells in vitro

A Veeren, A Bhaw-Luximon and D Jhurry, UoM

11.30 – 11.45

Sugar-Cane Bagasse Derived Cellulose Blends with Polylactide and Polydioxanone Electrospun Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

H Ramphul, A Bhaw-Luximon and D Jhurry, UoM

11.45 – 12.00

Improvement of Solar Cells for Hydrogen Production by Water Splitting: A Theoretical Study

M N Jundoo and P Ramasami, UoM

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12.00 – 12.15

Automation with Spreadsheet Packages: Insights for Industry and Society

J Z A Laloo, N Laloo, L Rhyman and P Ramasami, UoM

12.15 – 12.30 DISCUSSION

12.30 – 13.30 LUNCH BREAK

TIME Computational Chemistry

Chairperson: M Bhowon

13.30 – 13.45

Research Highlights of the Computational Chemistry Group (Pole of Research Excellence)

P Ramasami, UoM

13.45 – 14.00 Cu(I)-Catalysed [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction: A DFT Study

D Hallooman, L Rhyman and P Ramasami, UoM

14.00 – 14.15

Theoretical Insight into Azamacroyclic Complexes of Alkaline Earth Metal Azides

H Bhakhoa, L Rhyman, P Ramasami and J M Dyke*, UoM and *University of Southampton, UK

14.15 – 14.30

Anionic and Ion-Pair SN2 Reactions at Aliphatic Carbon – A Theoretical Approach

N Savoo, J Laloo, L Rhyman and P Ramasami, UoM

14.30 – 14.45 DISCUSSION

15.00 – 15.15 TEA BREAK

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G1, New Academic Complex, University of Mauritius

TIME Mathematics, Financial and Economic Modelling

Chairperson: Y D Tangman

10.00 – 10.15

The Mathematical Base of the Finance Industry (Pole of Research Excellence)

M Bhuruth, P Nunkoo-Gonpot, N Sookia, Y D Tangman, N Thakoor and J Narsoo, UoM

10.15 – 10.30 Lattice Methods for Pricing Interest Rate Derivatives

T Caullechurn, D Y Tangman and N Thakoor, UoM

10.30 – 10.45 Fast Valuation of Options with Discrete Dividends

D Thakoor, UoM

10.45 – 11.00

Numerical Solution of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equations in Finance and Insurance

C Russeeawon, N Thakoor and D Y Tangman. UoM

11.00 – 11.15 DISCUSSION

TIME Mathematics, Financial and Economic Modelling

Chairperson: N Thakoor

11.15 – 11.30

Modelling the Consumer Behaviour of a Large-Scale Fast Food Enterprise

D D M Chundunsing, N Sookia and B Ramasawmy, UoM

11.30 – 11.45

Pricing Generalized Variance Swaps using Partial Differential Equation Methods

M Dilloo and D Y Tangman, UoM

11.45 – 12.00 Option Pricing under the Regime-Switching Model

G Tour, N Thakoor and D Y Tangman, UoM

12.00 – 12.15

Sparse Grid Quadrature in High Dimensions with Applications in Finance

K Permalloo, N Thakoor and Y D Tangman, UoM

12.15 – 12.30 DISCUSSION

12.30 – 13.30 LUNCH BREAK

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TIME

Mathematics, Financial and Economic Modelling/Astrophysics

Chairperson: G Beeharry

13.30 – 13.45 Global Solar Radiation Modelling and Analysis for Mauritius

J R S Doorga, S D D V Rughooputh and R Boojhawon, UoM

13.45 – 14.00

Mauritius Deuterium Telescope

V Prayag1, G K Beeharry1 and M Inggs2, 1UoM and 2University of Cape Town

14.00 – 14.15

Assessment of Chlorophyll-a and Sea Surface Temperature Variability around Nazareth Bank (Mascarene Plateau) using Satellite Information

V Ramchandur1, S D D V Rughooputh2, R Boojhawon2 and B A Motah1, 1Mauritius Oceanography Institute and 2UoM

14.15 – 14.30

Fluctuations in the Air and Vapour Concentrations Governed by a Multi-Phase and Multi-Component Flow Model in a Porous Medium

Y Poorun, M Z Dauhoo, M K Elahee and A Gopaul, UoM

14.30 – 14.45

The Riemann Least-squares Finite Difference Scheme for Inviscid Fluid Flow Problems and Numerical Simulations for Traffic Flows

M Mungur, M Z Dauhoo and M K Elahee,, UoM

14.45 – 15.00 DISCUSSION

15.00 – 15.15 TEA BREAK

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G2, New Academic Complex, University of Mauritius

TIME Health Sciences/Medicine

Chairperson: A Jodheea-Jutton

10.00 – 10.15

Mauritius Drug Formulary Mobile Application: A Tool to Improve Drug Safety

A Jheelan-Ramchandur, A Jodheea-Jutton and L Nagowah, UoM

10.15 – 10.30

Fatty Liver Infiltration Correlates Best with Triglyceride Levels in Mauritian Female Adults

M Manraj1, A Hebe1, L D Genevieve1, A Jeawody1, N Sem Fa1, S Lee Kwai Yan1, S Jankee1 and A Manraj2, 1UoM and 2Nouvelle Clinique du Bon Pasteur, Rose Hill

10.30 – 10.45

Improving Cancer Surveillance for Better Cancer Control in the Republic of Mauritius

M Koon Sun Pat1, M D Manraj1 and S S Manraj2, 1UoM and 2Ministry of Health and Quality of Life

10.45 – 11.00 The Human Gut Microbiota: How Human Are We?

S Dyall, UoM

11.00 – 11.15 DISCUSSION

TIME Biosciences/Health Sciences/Medicine

Chairperson: S Biranjia-Hurdoyal

11.15 – 11.30 The Molecular Life Sciences Pole of Research Excellence

S Dyall, UoM

11.30 – 11.45 Expert Opinion on Polypharmacy in Mauritius

A Jodheea-Jutton and A Jheelan-Ramchandur, UoM

11.45 – 12.00

In Vitro Screening of the Antagonistic Effect of Fungi against Pathogens

B M Rakhal and R Jeewon, UoM

12.00 – 12.15

A Study on the Development of HLA Antibodies in Multiply Transfused Male Patients in Mauritius

V R Nalaya, UoM

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12.15 – 12.30 DISCUSSION

12.30 – 13.30 LUNCH BREAK

TIME Ocean Studies/Biosciences

Chairperson: S Jawaheer

13.30 – 13.45

Sustainable Marine Biodiversity of the Republic of Mauritius (Pole of Research Excellence)

R Bhagooli1,2, C Appadoo1, R Bholah3, D Kaullysing1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and N Taleb-Hossenkhan1, 1UoM, 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and 3Mauritius Institute of Education

13.45 – 14.00

An Assessment of Coastal Community Perception on Marine Living Resources and its Management: Implications for the Ocean Economy

D Dhurmea1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

14.15 – 14.30

Screening of Processed Seafood in Mauritius Combining Molecular Technique and Label Analysis

A Y Erriah, B R Pirbacosse and S D Dyall, UoM

14.15 – 14.30

Effect of Encapsulation on Antioxidant Activities of Pomegranate Peel Extract

A Hip Kam, A Jheelan-Ramchandur, V S Neergheen-Bhujun, UoM

14.30 – 14.45

Pomegranate Mesocarp: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Roles against AGEs in Preadipocytes

P Ramlagan1, P Rondeau2, C Planesse2, V S Neergheen-Bhujun1, S Fawdar1, E Bourdon2 and T Bahorun1,, 1UoM and 2Université de la Réunion

14.45 – 15.00 DISCUSSION

15.00 – 15.15 TEA BREAK

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Poster Sessions

Venue: Students Study Area (ex-Raised Plaza), University of Mauritius

1. Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Bioactive Fractions of Leaf Extract of

Terminalia bentzoe, a Mascarene Endemic Medicinal Plant

N Rummun1, T Bahorun1, W-W Li2 and V S Neergheen-Bhujun1, 1UoM and 2Keele

University

2. Biomining the Prophylactic Potential of Mauritian Edible Mushrooms

S Ramsaha1, V S Neergheen-Bhujun1, S Verma2, A Kumar3, R K Bharty2, A K

Chaudhary2, P Sharma4, R K Singh4, P H Futty Beejan5, Kang Kyung-Sun6 and T

Bahorun1, 1UoM, 2Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, 3Deen Dayal Upadhyay

Gorakhpur University, 4Banaras Hindu University, 5Food and Agricultural Research and

Extension Institute and 6Seoul National University

3. Assessing Marine Molluscan Density and Diversity at a Protected and a Non-

Protected Intertidal Site around Rodrigues Island, Republic of Mauritius

D Kaullysing1, N Taleb-Hossenkhan1, B G Kulkarni2 and R Bhagooli1,3, 1UoM, 2The

Institute of Science, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai and 3Universiti Malaysia

Terengganu

4. Synthesis, Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Aromatic and Cyclic Amino

Acid Based Surfactants and their Potential Applications in Detergent Formulations

N Joondan, S Jhaumeer Laulloo and P Caumul, UoM

5. Consumption Pattern, Nutritional Values, Phytochemical Content and Biological

Activities of M. oleifera Lam from Rodrigues

M L Ravanne and V S Neergheen-Bhujun, UoM

6. Chemical and Cellular Antioxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam

Y Pem, R Beesoo and V S Neergheen-Bhujun, UoM

7. The Distribution, Ecology and Conservation Strategy of the Endemic Mauritius Free-

Tailed Bat (Mormopterus acetabulosus)

C L D Ayady1, F Taylor2, R Z Oleksy1,2,3 and F B V Florens4, 1Ecosystem Restoration

Alliance Indian Ocean, 2University of Bristol, 3Tel Aviv University and 4UoM

8. An Investigation of the Habitual Food Intake among Mauritian Female Vegetarians

M M M Cango and Z Toorabally, UoM

9. Spatio-Temporal Differences in Expression of hsp70 and hsp90 Genes in the

Branching Coral Acropora muricata

Y D Louis, R Bhagooli and S D Dyall, UoM

10. Antibacterial and Antibiotic Potentiating Activities of Tropical Marine Sponge

Extracts

R Beesoo1, R Bhagooli1, V S Neergheen-Bhujun1, W-W Li2, A Kagansky3 and T

Bahorun2, 1UoM, 2Keele University and 3University of Edinburgh

11. Marine Molluscs of Mauritius: Discovery of Phenolic Chemicals with Potential

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

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A Gopeechund, R Bhagooli, V S Neergheen Bhujun and T Bahorun, UoM

12. Characteristics of Annual Extreme Rainfall Events in Mauritius between 1950 and

2013

R H Seebocus1, M R Lollchund1 and M Bessafi2, 1UoM and 2Université de la Réunion

13. Aeroacoustics of a Boeing 737 Aircraft Wing for Aircraft Noise Estimation

K Murday1, L Chokkan2, K Sooben2, T M Cunden2 and R Lollchund1, 1UoM and 2Université des Mascareignes

14. Assessing Mangrove Replantation Initiatives, Techniques and Success by Non-

Governmental Organisations and their Impacts on Fishers

N Pyaneandee and C Appadoo, UoM

15. Awareness Level of Local Residents along the South West Coast of Mauritius on the

Goods and Services of Mangrove Ecosystems

S Abib and C Appadoo, UoM

16. Scientific Community and Marine Resource Users’ Perception on Coral Bleaching and

its Socio-Economic Implications in Mauritius

D Bhunjun1, S Mattan-Moorgawa1 and R Bhagooli1,2, 1UoM and 2University Malaysia

Terengganu

17. Stakeholder Knowledge and Perception of Coastal Natural Hazards and Protection

Measures in Mauritius

S Munnaroo, C Appadoo and S Mattan-Moorgawa, UoM