| 1. |
- Asaf, Sajjad, et al.
(författare)
-
The complete chloroplast genome of wild rice (Oryza minuta) and its comparison to related species
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-462X. ; 8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oryza minuta, a tetraploid wild relative of cultivated rice (family Poaceae), possesses a BBCC genome and contains genes that confer resistance to bacterial blight (BB) and white-backed (WBPH) and brown (BPH) plant hoppers. Based on the importance of this wild species, this study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationships of O. minuta with other Oryza species through an in-depth analysis of the composition and diversity of the chloroplast (cp) genome. The analysis revealed a cp genome size of 135,094 bp with a typical quadripartite structure and consisting of a pair of inverted repeats separated by small and large single copies, 139 representative genes, and 419 randomly distributed microsatellites. The genomic organization, gene order, GC content and codon usage are similar to those of typical angiosperm cp genomes. Approximately 30 forward, 28 tandem and 20 palindromic repeats were detected in the O. minuta cp genome. Comparison of the complete O. minuta cp genome with another eleven Oryza species showed a high degree of sequence similarity and relatively high divergence of intergenic spacers. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on the complete genome sequence, 65 shared genes and matK gene showed same topologies and O. minuta forms a single clade with parental O. punctata. Thus, the complete O. minuta cp genome provides interesting insights and valuable information that can be used to identify related species and reconstruct its phylogeny.
|
|
| 2. |
- Kamran, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
-
Hydroquinone; a novel bioactive compound from plant-derived smoke can cue seed germination of lettuce
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Chemistry. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2646. ; 5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant-derived smoke has been known to play an important role in distribution and growth of vegetation. Using a proficiently designed furnace, we extracted smoke from the leaves of four plant viz. Helianthus annuus,Aloe vera,Ginkgo biloba, and Cymbopogon jwarancusa. Smoke dilutions obtained from these plants were obtained in different concentrations to identify potential lettuce growth promoting smoke solution. Results revealed that smoke obtained from G. biloba significantly enhanced the lettuce seed germination. This solution was then partitioned into ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, n-hexane, chloroform and ether fractions. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to be potent to enhance seed germination. This fraction was subjected to column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques to obtain compound 1. This compound was identified as hydroquinone using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. At low concentrations (5, 10, and 20 ppm), compound 1 enhanced the lettuce seed germination; however, higher concentrations inhibited its growth as compared to control.
|
|
| 3. |
- Danish, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
-
An efficient catalytic degradation of trichloroethene in a percarbonate system catalyzed by ultra-fine heterogeneous zeolite supported zero valent iron-nickel bimetallic composite
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Applied Catalysis A. - : Elsevier. - 0926-860X .- 1873-3875. ; 531, s. 177-186
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Zeolite supported nano iron-nickel bimetallic composite (Z-nZVI-Ni) was prepared using a liquid-phase reduction process. The corresponding surface morphologies and physico-chemical properties of the Z-nZVI-Ni composite were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) adsorption, wide angle X-ray diffractometry (WA-XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated high dispersion of iron and nickel nano particles on the zeolite sheet with an enhanced surface area. Complete destruction of trichloroethene (TCE) and efficient removal of total organic carbon (TOC) were observed by using Z-nZVI-Ni as a heterogeneous catalyst for a Fenton-like oxidation process employing sodium percarbonate (SPC) as an oxidant. The electron spin resonance (ESR) of Z-nZVI-Ni verified the generation and intensity of hydroxyl radicals (OH center dot). The quantification of OH center dot elucidated by using p-chlorobenzoic acid, a probe indicator, confirmed the higher intensity of OH center dot. The transformation products were identified using GC-MS. The slow iron and nickel leaching offered higher stability and better catalytic activity of Z-nZVI-Ni, demonstrating its prospective long term applications in groundwater for TCE degradation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 4. |
- Nizami, Abdul-Sattar, et al.
(författare)
-
Energy, economic and environmental savings by waste recycling : A case study of Madinah City
- 2017
-
Ingår i: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APPLIED ENERGY. - : Elsevier. ; 142, s. 910-915
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), millions of worshippers come from across the globe to perform religious rituals of Pilgrimage (Hajj) and Umrah. Madinah-tul-Munawara is one of the holiest city, where pilgrims come after performing rituals in Makkah. In this city, most of the collected municipal solid waste (MSW) is disposed of in the landfills after a partial recycling of paper, cardboard, and metals (similar to 10-20% of total MSW). The Saudi's government has recently launched a new policy of Vision 2030, which outlined the safeguard of local environment through increased efficiency of waste recycling and management, pollution prevention strategies and generating renewable energy from indigenous sources, including the waste. Currently, the recycling practices in KSA are mainly regulated by an informal sector through waste pickers or waste scavengers. This has led to the need of recycling schemes, especially in the holiest cities of Makkah and Madinah through a public-private partnership (PPP). Huge amounts of energy can be conserved, that would otherwise be spent on raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing of materials, through recycling into the same materials. Around 10,009 TJ of energy can be saved through recycling of 24.21% of MSW in Madinah city, including glass, metals, aluminum, cardboard, and paper. It is estimated that around 10,200 tons of methane (CH4) emissions and 254,600 Mt center dot CO2 eq. of global warming potential (GWP) can also be saved. In addition, carbon credit revenue of US $5.92 million, and landfill diversion worth of US $32.78 million can be achieved with a net revenue of US $49.01 million every year only by recycling 24.21% of MSW in Madinah city. The waste recycling doesn't require high technical skills and labor, and complicated technologies for large-scale implementation, and therefore, can be implemented easily in the holiest cities of Makkah and Madinah to achieve multiple economic and environmental benefits. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
|
|
| 5. |
- Nizami, Abdul-Sattar, et al.
(författare)
-
Waste biorefineries : enabling circular economies in developing countries
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Bioresource Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0960-8524 .- 1873-2976. ; 241, s. 1101-1117
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper aims to examine the potential of waste biorefineries in developing countries as a solution to current waste disposal problems and as facilities to produce fuels, power, heat, and value-added products. The waste in developing countries represents a significant source of biomass, recycled materials, chemicals, energy, and revenue if wisely managed and used as a potential feedstock in various biorefinery technologies such as fermentation, anaerobic digestion (AD), pyrolysis, incineration, and gasification. However, the selection or integration of biorefinery technologies in any developing country should be based on its waste characterization. Waste biorefineries if developed in developing countries could provide energy generation, land savings, new businesses and consequent job creation, savings of landfills costs, GHG emissions reduction, and savings of natural resources of land, soil, and groundwater. The challenges in route to successful implementation of biorefinery concept in the developing countries are also presented using life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 6. |
- Tofique, Muhammad Waqas, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
-
ECCl/EBSD and TEM analysis of plastic fatigue damage accumulation responsible for fatigue crack initiation and propagation in VHCF of duplex stainless steels
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Fatigue. - London : Elsevier. - 0142-1123 .- 1879-3452. ; 100, s. 251-262
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fatigue test data of duplex stainless steel grades, LDX 2101 and 2304 SRG, in the Very High Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) regime is presented. Fatigue testing was conducted using ultrasonic fatigue test equipment operating at 20 kHz under fully reversed tension-compression load condition. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis of the fracture surfaces and external surfaces of failed specimens was conducted. Electron Channelling Contrast Imaging (ECCI) and Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) studies of the axially cut surface of the failed specimens was done to analyse the accumulation of plastic fatigue damage and fatigue crack growth in the grains adjacent to the external surface and crack initiation site. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis of thin foils cut from failed specimens of LDX 2101 was carried out to examine the effect of fatigue loading on dislocation structure. SEM studies of the Crystallographic Growth Region (CGR) showed features like grain boundaries and fatigue striations on the fracture surfaces. SEM analysis of the external surfaces of fatigue loaded specimens showed inhomogeneous accumulation of plastic fatigue damage. ECCl/EBSD analysis showed Persistent Slip Bands (PSBs) in ferrite grains in LDX 2101 grade but no PSBs were observed in any grains of 2304 SRG specimens. The barrier effect of grain and phase boundaries on short fatigue crack propagation was observed. TEM analysis of thin foils cut from the failed specimens of LDX 2101 showed stacking faults in austenite grains and they were seen to stop at the grain and phase boundaries. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 7. |
- Waqas, Muhammad, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Assessment of the Food-Swallowing Process Using Bolus Visualisation and Manometry Simultaneously in a Device that Models Human Swallowing
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Dysphagia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0179-051X .- 1432-0460. ; 34:6, s. 821-833
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The characteristics of the flows of boluses with different consistencies, i.e. different rheological properties, through the pharynx have not been fully elucidated. The results obtained using a novel in vitro device, the Gothenburg Throat, which allows simultaneous bolus flow visualisation and manometry assessments in the pharynx geometry, are presented, to explain the dependence of bolus flow on bolus consistency. Four different bolus consistencies of a commercial food thickener, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 Pa s (at a shear rate of 50 s −1 )—corresponding to a range from low honey-thick to pudding-thick consistencies on the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) scale—were examined in the in vitro pharynx. The bolus velocities recorded in the simulator pharynx were in the range of 0.046–0.48 m/s, which is within the range reported in clinical studies. The corresponding wall shear rates associated with these velocities ranged from 13 s −1 (pudding consistency) to 209 s −1 (honey-thick consistency). The results of the in vitro manometry tests using different consistencies and bolus volumes were rather similar to those obtained in clinical studies. The in vitro device used in this study appears to be a valuable tool for pre-clinical analyses of thickened fluids. Furthermore, the results show that it is desirable to consider a broad range of shear rates when assessing the suitability of a certain consistency for swallowing.
|
|
| 8. |
- Waqas, Muhammad, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
In vitro models for simulating swallowing
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Medical radiology. - Cham : Springer International Publishing. - 9783319685717 ; , s. 549-562, s. 549-562
-
Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This chapter gives an overview of the in vitro models that are currently used for studying swallowing. The focus is on the construction, geometry, and performance of mechanical models. Swallowing simulations and mathematical modeling are also considered. The in vitro models that are concerned with the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing linked to bolus properties are discussed. The pharyngeal phase is given special consideration, as it is involved in both food transport to the stomach and air transport to the lungs, and therefore constitutes the most critical phase of swallowing.
|
|
| 9. |
- Waqas, Muhammad, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Shear and extensional rheology of commercial thickeners used for dysphagia management
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of Texture Studies. - : Wiley. - 1745-4603 .- 0022-4901. ; 48:6, s. 507-517
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- People who suffer from swallowing disorders, commonly referred to as dysphagia, are often restricted to a texture-modified diet. In such a diet, the texture of the fluid is modified mainly by the addition of gum or starch-based thickeners. For optimal modification of the texture, tunable rheological parameters are shear viscosity, yield stress, and elasticity. In this work, the flow properties of commercial thickeners obtained from major commercial suppliers were measured both in shear and extensional flow using a laboratory viscometer and a newly developed tube viscometry technique, termed Pulsed Ultrasound Velocimetry plus Pressure Drop (PUV + PD). The two methods gave similar results, demonstrating that the PUV + PD technique can be applied to study flow during the swallowing process in geometry similar to that of the swallowing tract. The thickeners were characterized in relation to extensional viscosity using the Hyperbolic Contraction Flow method, with microscopy used as a complementary method for visualization of the fluid structure. The gum-based thickeners had significantly higher extensional viscosities than the starch-based thickeners. The rheological behavior was manifested in the microstructure as a hydrocolloid network with dimensions in the nanometer range for the gum-based thickeners. The starch-based thickeners displayed a granular structure in the micrometer range. In addition, the commercial thickeners were compared to model fluids (Boger, Newtonian, and Shear-thinning) set to equal shear viscosity at 50/s and it was demonstrated that their rheological behavior could be tuned between highly elastic, extension-thickening to Newtonian.Practical applicationsThickeners available for dysphagia management were characterized for extensional viscosity to improve the understanding of these thickeners in large scale deformation. Extensional deformation behavior was further explained by using microcopy as corresponding technique for better understanding of structure/rheology relationship. Moreover, the major challenge in capturing human swallowing process is the short transit times of the bolus flow (
|
|
| 10. |
- Nyström, Magda, 1984, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of rheological factors on perceived ease of swallowing
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Applied Rheology. - 1430-6395 .- 1617-8106. ; 25:6, s. 40-48
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study is a contribution to the understanding of how rheological properties of a fluid influences swallowing, especially people suffering from swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Our hypothesis was that fluid elasticity contributes to safe and pleasant swallowing. In the present study three food grade model fluids with specific rheological properties were developed and used: a Newtonian fluid with constant shear viscosity, an elastic Boger fluid with constant shear viscosity and a shear-thinning fluid which was elastic and had rate dependent shear viscosity. By comparing the swallowing of these model fluids the specific rheological effects could be distinguished. Sensory analysis of the perceived ease of swallowing was performed by a panel of healthy individuals, and by a group of dysphagic patients. The swallowing of the latter group was also characterized by videoflouroscopy and the transit times in the mouth and pharynx were determined. The hypothesis was confirmed by dysphagic patients who perceived swallowing easier for the elastic model fluids. A sensory panel of healthy individuals could not distinguish differences in swallowing, likely because their swallowing functions well and is an involuntary process. Quantitative videofluoroscopic measurements of swallowing transit times for the dysphagic patients suggested that fluid elasticity contributed to easy and safe swallowing, but the effect was not statistically significant due to the large spread of type of swallowing disorder.
|
|
