| 1. |
- Ahmed, Saad, et al.
(author)
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Intermittent Computing with Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling
- 2020
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In: EWSN '20. ; , s. 97-107
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present D2VFS, a run-time technique to intelligently regulate supply voltage and accordingly reconfigure clock frequency of intermittently-computing devices. These devices rely on energy harvesting to power their operation and on small capacitors as energy buffer. Statically setting their clock frequency fails to achieve energy efficiency, as the setting remains oblivious of fluctuations in capacitor voltage and of their impact on a microcontroller operating range. In contrast, D2VFS captures these dynamics and places the microcontroller in the most efficient configuration by regulating the microcontroller supply voltage and changing its clock frequency. Our evaluation shows that D2VFS markedly increases energy efficiency; for example, ultimately enabling a 30-300% reduction of workload completion times.
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| 2. |
- Aziz, Anam, et al.
(author)
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Preparation and Evaluation of a Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System for Improving the Solubility and Permeability of Ticagrelor
- 2024
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In: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 9:9, s. 10522-10538
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ticagrelor (TCG) is a BCS class IV antiplatelet drug used to prevent platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary syndrome, having poor solubility and permeability. The goal of this study was to develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of TCG to improve its solubility and permeability. The excipients were selected based on the maximum solubility of TCG and observed by UV spectrophotometer. Different combinations of oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) were used to prepare TCG-SNEDDS formulations, and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were plotted. The nanoemulsion region was observed. Clove oil (10–20%), Tween-80 (45–70%), and PEG-400 (20–45%) were used as an oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant, respectively. The selected formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6) were analyzed for ζ potential, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ size, self-emulsification test, cloud point determination, thermodynamic studies, entrapment efficiency, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro dissolution, ex vivo permeation, and pharmacodynamic study. The TCG-SNEDDS formulations exhibited ζ potential from −9.92 to −6.23 mV, a ζ average of 11.85–260.4 nm, and good PDI. The in vitro drug release in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 from selected TCG-SNEDDS F4 was about 98.45%, and F6 was about 97.86%, displaying improved dissolution of TCG in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8, in comparison to 28.05% of pure TCG suspension after 12 h. While the in vitro drug release in 0.1 N HCl from F4 was about 62.03%, F6 was about 73.57%, which is higher than 10.35% of the pure TCG suspension. In ex vivo permeability studies, F4 also exhibited an improved apparent permeability of 2.7 × 10–6 versus 0.6708 × 10–6 cm2/s of pure drug suspension. The pharmacodynamic study in rabbits demonstrated enhanced antiplatelet activity from TCG-SNEDDS F4 compared to that from pure TCG suspension. These outcomes imply that the TCG-SNEDDS may serve as an effective means of enhancing TCG’s antiplatelet activity by improving the solubility and permeability of TCG.
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| 3. |
- Irshad, Muneeb, et al.
(author)
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Electrochemical evaluation of mixed ionic electronic perovskite cathode LaNi1-xCoxO3-delta for IT-SOFC synthesized by high temperature decomposition
- 2021
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In: International journal of hydrogen energy. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0360-3199 .- 1879-3487. ; 46:18, s. 10448-10456
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cobalt doped perovskite cathode material LaNi1-xCoxO3-3 (x = 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) synthesized by cost effective high temperature decomposition is investigated as mixed ionic electronic conductor (MIEC) for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). LaNiO3 is known for its high electronic conductivity and to introduce more oxygen vacancies for enhancing its ionic conductivity, Ni at B site is substituted by Co. XRD analysis showed perovskite structure for all samples with no additional phases, which was also confirmed by FTIR results. Microstructure analysis revealed well connected and porous structure for LaNi1-xCoxO3-3 (x = 0.6) compared to other compositions. The elemental analysis using EDX confirmed presence of lanthanum, nickel, and cobalt within all samples. No prominent weight loss was observed during TGA analysis. The highest value of conductivity was obtained for LaNi1-xCoxO3-3 (x = 0.6) due to its porous and networked structure of sub micrometric grains. The superior performance is attained for the cell based on LaNi1-xCoxO3-3 (x = 0.6) cathode with maximum power density of 0.45 Wcm(-2) compared to other composition which can be attributed to its well connected and porous structure that caused enhanced electrochemical reaction at triple phase boundary (TPB). It was therefore deduced that LaNi1-xCoxO3-8 (x = 0.6) is promising composition to be used as MIEC cathode for IT-SOFC. (c) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Irshad, Muneeb, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of BaZr0.8X0.2 (X= Y, Gd, Sm) proton conducting electrolytes sintered at low temperature for IT-SOFC synthesized by cost effective combustion method
- 2020
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In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA. - 0925-8388 .- 1873-4669. ; 815
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In present work, perovskite structured proton conducting electrolyte materials BaZr0.8Y0.2 (BZY), BaZr0.8Gd0.2 (BZGd) and BaZr0.8Sm0.2 (BZSm) synthesized by cost effective combustion method are investigated for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). The synthesized BZY, BZGd and BZSm materials are sintered at low temperature (1150 degrees C) and the effect of low sintering temperature on electrolyte properties are also explored. Microstructure, surface morphology, elemental composition, functional group and weight loss are studied using different characterization techniques like XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR and TGA. XRD shows cubic perovskite structure of all synthesized materials. Secondary phase of Y2O3 is observed in BZY while BaO is observed in BZGd and BZSm due to low sintering temperature. SEM micrographs reveals dense microstructure of BZSm compared to BZY and BZGd. EDX analysis confirms the required material composition within all samples with no impurities. FTIR shows the presence of hydroxyl group and metal oxides and it is observed that BZY exhibit more structural symmetry compared to BZSm and BZGd. Highest conductivity observed (2.2 x 10(-3) S/cm) for BZY due to its structural symmetry and characteristic to prefer B-site of perovskite. Also significant power densities of 0.34 Wcm(-2), 0.24 Wcm(-2) and 0.32 Wcm(-2) for BZY, BZGd and BZSm electrolytes based cells at 650 degrees C implies that BZY, BZGd and BZSm can be used as IT-SOFC electrolytes. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Irshad, Muneeb, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of densification effects on the properties of 8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte synthesized by cost effective coprecipitation route
- 2021
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In: Ceramics International. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0272-8842 .- 1873-3956. ; 47:2, s. 2857-2863
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the current work, properties of 8YSZ powder synthesized by co-precipitation method and sintered at 1200 degrees C, 1300 degrees C and 1400 degrees C are investigated. XRD analysis shows that all 8YSZ samples exhibit cubic phase and increased crystallite size is observed with increased sintering temperature. The relative density measurements show increased densification due to increased sintering temperature and relative density >96% is obtained for 8YSZ sintered at 1400 degrees C. SEM micrographs also confirm that structure becomes denser with increase in sintering temperature. EDX analysis confirms the elemental composition of 8YSZ and no impurity is observed while thermal analysis reveals weight losses within different temperature ranges. High ionic conductivity and maximum power density of 0.41 Wcm(-2) is obtained for cell having 8YSZ electrolyte sintered at 1400 degrees C owing to its compact, dense and gas tight microstructure.
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| 6. |
- Mubeen, Iqra, et al.
(author)
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Formulation of Modified-Release Bilayer Tablets of Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe : An In-Vitro and In-Vivo Analysis
- 2022
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In: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 14:18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this work was to formulate co-loaded bilayer tablets containing ezetimibe (EZB) and atorvastatin (ATC). ATC loaded in the immediate-release (IR) layer is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, while EZB, added in the sustained-release (SR) layer, is a lipid-lowering agent. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of polymer on the formulation and characterization of bilayer tablets, as well as the therapeutic impact of the concurrent use of both drugs having a sequential release pattern. To obtain the optimized results, four different formulations with variable compositions were developed and evaluated for different parameters. The drug release studies were carried out using a type II dissolution apparatus, using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of 1.2 pH for IR of EZB for an initial 2 h, followed by 24 h studies for ATC in PBS 6.8 pH. The IR layer showed rapid drug release (96%) in 2 h, while 80% of the ATC was released in 24 h from the SR layer. Locally obtained, 6-week-old female albino rats were selected for in vivo studies. Both preventive and curative models were applied to check the effects of the drug combination on the lipid profile, atherosclerosis and physiology of different organs. Studies have shown that the administration of both drugs with different release patterns has a better therapeutic effect (p < 0.05), both in preventing and in curing hyperlipidemia. Conclusively, through the sequential release of ATC and EZB, a better therapeutic response could be obtained.
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| 7. |
- Qamar, Azher Hameed, et al.
(author)
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Where Medicine ‘Fails’: The Evil Eye and Childcare Beliefs among Rural Saraiki Mothers in Punjab, Pakistan
- 2021
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In: Social Medicine. - 1557-7112. ; 14:2, s. 87-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study aims to explore the evil eye belief practices among Saraiki mothers in a village in South Punjab, Pakistan. This study unfolds three aspects of the evil eye phenomenon; first, the ‘diagnosis’ of the evil eye that constitute the ineffectiveness of the available modern medicine, second the socio-cultural nexus of folk medical system and unmanageable or unexplained threats, and third the protective and remedial practices that disclose indigenous healthcare culture. Using semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis, five interviews were conducted and analyzed. Findings revealed the perceived failure of the available modern medicine when the evil eye effects are diagnosed. People religiously believe in the evil eye and relate it with the feelings of envy that bring harm to the child by resisting the effects of any medicine and internal immunity. The study concludes jealousy, hatred, and deprivation as primary causes, and religious and folk remedial practices provide a magico-religious shield allowing the effectiveness of other medical interventions. This study brings to light the need for cultural competence of medical professionals while working in indigenous communities where modern medicine cannot work if it is not gradually replacing or working in-line with the folk medical beliefs.
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| 8. |
- Rasheed, Usman, et al.
(author)
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One stone two birds: Recycling of an agri-waste to synthesize laccase-immobilized hierarchically porous magnetic biochar for efficient degradation of aflatoxin B1 in aqueous solutions and corn oil
- 2024
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In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 273
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination of oils is a serious concern for the safety of edible oil consumers. Enzyme-assisted detoxification of AFB1 is an efficient and safe method for decontaminating oils, but pristine enzymes are unstable in oils and require modifications before use. Therefore, we designed a novel and magnetically separable laccase-carrying biocatalyst containing spent-mushroom-substrate (SMS)-derived biochar (BF). Laccase was immobilized on NH2-activated magnetic biochar (BF-NH2) through covalent crosslinking, which provided physicochemical stability to the immobilized enzyme. After 30 days of storage at 4 °C, the immobilized laccase (product named “BF-NH2-Lac”) retained ~95 % of its initial activity, while after five repeated cycles of ABTS oxidation, ~85 % activity retention was observed. BF-NH2-Lac was investigated for the oxidative degradation of AFB1, which exhibited superior performance compared to free laccase. Among many tested natural compounds as mediators, p-coumaric acid proved the most efficient in activating laccase for AFB1 degradation. BF-NH2-Lac demonstrated >90 % removal of AFB1 within 5.0 h, while the observed degradation efficiency in corn oil and buffer was comparable. An insight into the adsorptive and degradative removal of AFB1 revealed that AFB1 removal was governed mainly by degradation. The coexistence of multi-mycotoxins did not significantly affect the AFB1 degradation capability of BF-NH2-Lac. Investigation of the degradation products revealed the transformation of AFB1 into non-toxic AFQ1 while corn oil quality remained unaffected after BF-NH2-Lac treatment. Hence, this study holds practical importance for the research, knowledge-base and industrial application of newly proposed immobilized enzyme products.
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