Residual effects of monoammonium phosphate, gypsum and elemental sulfur on cadmium phytoavailability and translocation from soil to wheat in an effluent irrigated field

Qayyum, Muhammad Farooq,Rehman, Muhammad Zia ur,Ali, Shafaqat,Rizwan, Muhammad,Naeem, Asif,Maqsood, Muhammad Aamer,Khalid, Hinnan,Rinklebe, Jö,rg,Ok, Yong Sik Elsevier 2017 CHEMOSPHERE - Vol.174 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in agricultural soils is one of the major threats to food security. The application of inorganic amendments such as mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), gypsum and elemental sulfur (S) could alleviate the negative effects of Cd in crops. However, their long-term residual effects on decreasing Cd uptake in latter crops remain unclear. A field that had previously been applied with treatments including control and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% by weight of each MAP, gypsum and S, and grown with wheat and rice and thereafter wheat in the rotation was selected for this study. Wheat (<I>Triticum aestivum</I> L.) was grown in the same field as the third crop without further application of amendments to evaluate the residual effects of the amendments on Cd uptake by wheat. Plants were harvested at maturity and grain, and straw yield along with Cd concentration in soil, straw, and grains was determined. The addition of MAP and gypsum significantly increased wheat growth and yield and decreased Cd accumulation in straw and grains compared to control while the reverse was found in S application. Both MAP and gypsum decreased AB-DTPA extractable Cd in soil while S increased the bioavailable Cd in soil. Both MAP and gypsum increased the Cd immobilization in the soil and S decreased Cd immobilization in a dose-additive manner. We conclude that MAP and gypsum had a significant residual effect on decreasing Cd uptake in wheat. The cost-benefit ratio revealed that gypsum is an effective amendment for decreasing Cd concentration in plants.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Residual monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and gypsum reduced the Cd uptake in wheat. </LI> <LI> Amendment of residual elemental sulfur (S) increased Cd uptake in plants. </LI> <LI> Gypsum had the highest cost-benefit ratio compared with MAP and elemental S. </LI> <LI> Gypsum may be used to enhance crop production in Cd-contaminated soils. </LI> </UL> </P>

A Multi-layer Parallel Crack Extension Model for Deformational Response of Post-installed Anchor

Muhammad Saleem,Asad Ullah Qazi,Asif Hameed,Muhammad Aun Bashir 대한토목학회 2013 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.17 No.5

A simultaneous crack extension pull-out model for post-installed anchor bar is presented. The anchor bar is such that used in various strengthening techniques to strengthen reinforced concrete structures. The properties of the infill material used for postinstalled anchor bar are characterized by a nonlinear interface between the surrounding concrete and the anchor bar. This is a new type of anchor-infill assembly in which the infill material is divided into two layers for the purpose of providing a larger failure path length resulting in increase of the energy absorption and pull-out load capacity. The mechanical properties of the infill layer are different from the surrounding concrete. Therefore the existing pull-out model of deformed bars cannot be applied directly in this case. The interfacial de-bonding is examined by the strength criterion expressed in terms of interfacial shear stress. Pre-existing cracks representing artificial notches are assumed at the top of infill layers for identifying crack location and stabilizing its propagation direction. All the possibilities associated with two-cracks in the close vicinity have been investigated in detail. The objective of the analysis is to predict a set of material properties which result in simultaneous crack extension at the two interfaces and also to identify a simultaneous crack extension length which results in increasing the pull-out load capacity, increase in energy absorption and increased failure path length but achieved at lowest increase in pull-out deformation thereby proving the effectiveness of two-layer model. Limiting the pull-out deformation is desirable from the point of view of limiting damage.

Distributed SDN Based Network State Aware Architecture for Flying Ad-hoc Network

Muhammad Saqib,Asif Mehmood,Adeel Rafiq,Afaq Muhammad,Wang-Cheol SONG 한국통신학회 2020 한국통신학회 APNOMS Vol.2020 No.09

Flying networks are resource constraints while the nature of nodes’ mobility is very dynamic and unpredicted. Therefore, these networks are very prone to link failure and performance degradation. By considering the existing limitations, this work proposes a new approach consists of proactive and reactive network failure mitigation techniques that have been named as a hybrid approach. In the proposed architecture, the SDN controllers are distributed where each one controls its local domain nodes. The controller node continuously monitors the network state information and proactively adjusts the near-future changes to the topology. Each local domain also contains a sink node that directly connects to the controller. The sink node is used to forward the network state information to the controller and keep the controller defined flow rules for local domain nodes. The sink node can also request a new path in case of any link failure or any topology updates cause by nodes’ movement. Besides, a distributed routing protocol also runs on domain nodes to establish connectivity toward the sink node.

Mobile Services Personalization Evaluation Model

Muhammad Asif,John Krogstie 보안공학연구지원센터(IJUNESST) 2013 International Journal of u- and e- Service, Scienc Vol.6 No.2

Exploring the Role of Core and Infrastructure Quality Management Practices in Ambidexterity

( Muhammad Asif(phd. ) ),( Muhammad Usman Awan(phd) ) 한국품질경영학회 2015 한국품질경영학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of core and infrastructure Quality Management (QM) practices in ambidexterity. The paper discusses how these QM practices contribute to ambidexterity and develops propositions about their unique roles in ambidexterity. Methodology/Approach: Based on a review of literature this conceptual paper explores the role of core and infrastructure QM practices in ambidexterity. The paper then develops propositions about the modus operandi of each type of QM practices in causing ambidexterity. Findings: Core and Infrastructure QM practices can support exploitation and exploration and therefore contribute to ambidexterity. Core QM practices have a direct positive role in ambidexterity; whereas infrastructure QM practices have an indirect positive role in ambidexterity through core QM practices. Research limitations: Being a conceptual paper the propositions developed in this paper need empirical testing. Cross-sectional research such as surveys based on large sample size should investigate the relations proposed in this study, i.e., relationship between QM practices and ambidexterity. Originality/Value of paper: The key contribution of this paper is two folds: first it elaborates the role of core and infrastructure QM practices in ambidexterity. Given the fact that the role of QM in ambidexterity is an emerging topic, a discussion on this role is a genuine contribution. Second, the development of propositions is an important milestone towards developing a theory of ambidexterity through QM.

Diet Ontology for Healthier Life

Muhammad Asif Razzaq,Sungyoung Lee 한국정보과학회 2015 한국정보과학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2015 No.6

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors of Overweight and Obesity among Pakistani Adults

Muhammad Asif,Muhammad Aslam,Saima Altaf,Saima Atif,Abdul Majid 대한비만학회 2020 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.29 No.1

Background: Obesity is a serious public health problem that is growing alarmingly worldwide. The main objective of this study is to examine the current prevalence of overweight and obesity among Pakistani adults and to identify the sociodemographic factors that are associated with overweight and obesity. Methods: Secondary data from a population-based household survey (the Pakistan Panel Household Survey) were used for this study. A total of 10,063 participants (3,916 men and 6,147 women) were included. Overweight and obese individuals were identified using the World Health Organization-recommended cutoffs for body mass index (kg/m2). Along with descriptive statistics, the Pearson chi-square test was used to investigate the association among categorical variables. Odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using univariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the most significantly associated risk factors for overweight/obesity. Results: The mean age and body mass index of the participants were 38.2 years and 22.9 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 22.8% of the participants (23.9% of the women and 21.1% of the men) were overweight, and 5.1% (6.3% of the women and 3.2% of the men) were obese. Sociodemographic factors, such as sex, marital status, and residential area, were significantly associated with body mass index categories. Women (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23–1.47; P<0.01), ever-married individuals (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.70–2.16; P<0.01), and individuals living in urban areas (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12–1.35; P<0.01) were more likely to become overweight/obese than their counterparts. Conclusion: We have found the excess weight problem to be quite high in the Pakistani adult population. The government and other health agencies should take initiatives in launching programs about nutritional awareness for adults to prevent obesity.

Numerical Study of NOx Abatement Using Ozone Injection Integrated with Wet Absorption

Asif, Muhammad,Kim, Woo-Seung Taylor Francis 2014 Ozone: science & engineering Vol.36 No.5

A Review of Physics-based Models in Prognostics and Health Management of Laminated Composite Structures

Asif Khan,Muhammad Muzammil Azad,Muhammad Sohail,Heung Soo Kim 한국정밀공학회 2023 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.10 No.6

This article reports on the physics-based models for the diagnosis (detection, isolation, localization, and quantification of damages) and prognosis (prediction of the future evolution of damages) of laminated composites. The model-based and data-driven prognostic strategies are compared, followed by a summary of the most common failure modes and the failure mechanisms of laminated composite materials. Then, an overview is provided of the measurement-based empirical/phenomenological and finite element-based damage evolution models for composite materials. The techniques reviewed in the former are Paris’s law and its modified versions, stiffness degradation models, Bayesian framework (Particle filters, Bayesian inference, dynamic Bayesian networks), and minimum strain energy theory. The finite element-based models overviewed failure criteria (Hashin, Puck, stress failure criteria) and damage propagation criteria (B-K criterion, equivalent strain/displacement criterion, strain rate-dependent damage model, cohesive zone modeling, De-Cohesive Law). Due to their complex failure modes, there is no generalized global solution for the diagnostics and prognostics of composite materials. The article will serve as guidelines for the physics-based prognostics and health management (PHM) of composite materials.

Mid-upper-arm circumference as a screening measure for identifying children with elevated body mass index: a study for Pakistan

Asif, Muhammad,Aslam, Muhammad,Altaf, Saima The Korean Pediatric Society 2018 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.61 No.1

Purpose: Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) is considered an alternative screening method for obesity. The aims of this investigation were to examine the ability of MUAC to correctly identify children with elevated body mass index (BMI) and to determine the best MUAC cutoff point for identification of children with high BMI. Methods: Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and MUAC) from a cross-sectional sample of 7,921 Pakistani children aged 5-14 years were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients between MUAC and other anthropometric measurements were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal MUAC cutoff point for identifying children with high BMI. Results: Among 7,921 children, the mean (${\pm}$standard deviation) age, BMI, and MUAC were 10.00 (${\pm}2.86years$), 16.16 (${\pm}2.66kg/m^2$), and 17.73 (${\pm}2.59cm$), respectively. The MUAC had a strong positive correlation with BMI. The optimal MUAC cutoff points indicating elevated BMI in boys ranged from 16.76 to 22.73, while the corresponding values in girls ranged from 16.38 to 20.57. Conclusion: MUAC may be used as a simple indicator of overweight/obesity in children, with reasonable accuracy in clinical settings.