Nitric oxide-induced AtAO3 differentially regulates plant defense against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato in Arabidopsis thaliana

Murtaza Khan,Qari Muhammad Imran,Muhammad Shahid,Bong-Gyu Mun,Byung-Wook Yun 한국농약과학회 2018 한국농약과학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2018 No.10

Remediation of arsenic-contaminated water using agricultural wastes as biosorbents

Shakoor, Muhammad Bilal,Niazi, Nabeel Khan,Bibi, Irshad,Murtaza, Ghulam,Kunhikrishnan, Anitha,Seshadri, Balaji,Shahid, Muhammad,Ali, Shafaqat,Bolan, Nanthi S.,Ok, Yong Sik,Abid, Muhammad,Ali, Fawad Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2016 Critical reviews in environmental science and tech Vol.46 No.5

<P>Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater reservoirs is a global environmental and health issue given to its toxic and carcinogenic nature. Over 170 million people have been affected by As due to the ingestion of As-contaminated groundwater. Conventional methods such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and electrodialysis are commonly used for the remediation of As-contaminated water; however, the high cost and sludge production put limitations on their application to remove As from water. This review critically addresses the use of various agricultural waste materials (e.g., sugarcane bagasse, peels of various fruits, wheat straw) as biosorbents, thereby offering an eco-friendly and low-cost solution for the removal of As from contaminated water supplies. The effect of solution chemistry such as solution pH, cations, anions, organic ligands, and various other factors (e.g., temperature, contact time, sorbent dose) on As biosorption, and safe disposal methods for As-loaded biosorbents to reduce secondary As contamination are also discussed.</P>

Quality Assessment of Images Projected Using Multiple Projectors

( Muhammad Umer Kakli ),( Hassaan Saadat Qureshi ),( Muhammad Murtaza Khan ),( Rehan Hafiz ),( Yongju Cho ),( Unsang Park ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2015 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.9 No.6

Multiple projectors with partially overlapping regions can be used to project a seamless image on a large projection surface. With the advent of high-resolution photography, such systems are gaining popularity. Experts set up such projection systems by subjectively identifying the types of errors induced by the system in the projected images and rectifying them by optimizing (correcting) the parameters associated with the system. This requires substantial time and effort, thus making it difficult to set up such systems. Moreover, comparing the performance of different multi-projector display (MPD) systems becomes difficult because of the subjective nature of evaluation. In this work, we present a framework to quantitatively determine the quality of an MPD system and any image projected using such a system. We have divided the quality assessment into geometric and photometric qualities. For geometric quality assessment, we use Feature Similarity Index (FSIM) and distance-based Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). For photometric quality assessment, we propose to use a measure incorporating Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Intensity Magnitude Ratio (IMR) and Perceptual Color Difference (ΔE). We have tested the proposed framework and demonstrated that it provides an acceptable method for both quantitative evaluation of MPD systems and estimation of the perceptual quality of any image projected by them.

Structural and magnetic studies on Zr doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor

G. Murtaza,R. Ahmad,M.S. Rashid,M. Hassan,A. Hussnain,Muhammad Azhar Khan,M. Ehsan ul Haq,M.A. Shafique,S. Riaz 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.2

In this study, Zirconium doped Zn1xZrxO (with x ¼ 0.00e0.10) samples have been prepared by formal solid-state reaction technique. The Zr doped ZnO samples annealed at 1100 C and characterized by different characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The Xray diffraction (XRD) used to study the structural properties. XRD pattern showed that lattice parameters, “a”, “c”, unit cell volume and ZneO bond length increase with doping content (x 0.04) where as these decrease with x > 0.04. On the other hand, reverse trend observed with lattice distortion. The crystallite size decreases with increasing doping content of Zr. FTIR employed to investigate functional chemical bonding properties of different elements and compounds present in materials. The low, medium and high frequency absorption bands observed at 630, 1500 and 3435 cm1, which were the common features of ZneO, HeOeH and OeH bond respectively. SEM used to study surface morphology and measured grain size of specimen. The surface becomes dense and grain size decreases with increasing degree of Zr contents. The SEM micrograph also shows the presence of spherical micro size particles and formation of pores in samples. Magnetic properties were obtained using VSM. The samples exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism. The magnetic hysteresis loops show variation in the value of magnetic parameter. The saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity (Hc) decrease, while remanence magnetization (Mr) shows gradually increasing trend with Zr content. VSM measurement reveals that sample Zn0.96Zr0.4O show better result as compared to x ¼ 0.06e0.10.

Arsenic removal by Japanese oak wood biochar in aqueous solutions and well water: Investigating arsenic fate using integrated spectroscopic and microscopic techniques

Niazi, Nabeel Khan,Bibi, Irshad,Shahid, Muhammad,Ok, Yong Sik,Shaheen, Sabry M.,Rinklebe, Jö,rg,Wang, Hailong,Murtaza, Behzad,Islam, Ejazul,Farrakh Nawaz, M.,Lü,ttge, Andreas Elsevier 2018 Science of the Total Environment Vol.621 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this study, we examined the sorption of arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) to Japanese oak wood-derived biochar (OW-BC) in aqueous solutions, and determined its efficiency to remove As from As-contaminated well water. Results revealed that, among the four sorption isotherm models, Langmuir model showed the best fit to describe As(III) and As(V) sorption on OW-BC, with slightly greater sorption affinity for As(V) compared to As(III) (<I>Q<SUB>L</SUB> </I> =3.89 and 3.16mgg<SUP>−1</SUP>; R<SUP>2</SUP> =0.91 and 0.85, respectively). Sorption edge experiments indicated that the maximum As removal was 81% and 84% for As(III)- and As(V)-OW-BC systems at pH7 and 6, respectively, which decreased above these pH values (76–69% and 80–58%). Surface functional groups, notably OH, COOH, CO, CH<SUB>3</SUB>, were involved in As sequestration by OW-BC, suggesting the surface complexation/precipitation and/or electrostatic interaction of As on OW-BC surface. Arsenic K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy indicated that 36% of the added As(III) was partially oxidized to As(V) in the As(III) sorption experiment, and in As(V) sorption experiment, 48% of As(V) was, albeit incompletely, reduced to As(III) on OW-BC surface. Application of OW-BC to As-contaminated well water (As: 27–144μgL<SUP>−1</SUP>; <I>n</I> =10) displayed that 92 to 100% of As was depleted despite in the presence of co-occurring competing anions (e.g., SO<SUB>4</SUB> <SUP>2−</SUP>, CO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>2−</SUP>, PO<SUB>4</SUB> <SUP>3−</SUP>). This study shows that OW-BC has a great potential to remove As from solution and drinking (well) water. Overall, the combination of macroscopic sorption data and integrated spectroscopic and microscopic techniques highlight that the fate of As on biochar involves complex redox transformation and association with surface functional moieties in aquatic systems, thereby providing crucial information required for implication of biochar in environmental remediation programs.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Arsenic removal efficiency of Japanese oak wood biochar (OW-BC) was explored. </LI> <LI> Langmuir model provided the best fit, with a greater <I>Q<SUB>L</SUB> </I> for arsenate than arsenite. </LI> <LI> XANES spectroscopy indicated redox transformation of arsenite⇔arsenate on OW-BC. </LI> <LI> FTIR spectra revealed arsenite/arsenate association with functional groups on OW-BC. </LI> <LI> OW-BC efficiently removed As (92 to 100%) from drinking well water. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Geometric Correction for Uneven Quadric Projection Surfaces Using Recursive Subdivision of Bézier Patches

Atif Ahmed,Rehan Hafiz,Muhammad Murtaza Khan,조용주,차지훈 한국전자통신연구원 2013 ETRI Journal Vol.35 No.6

This paper presents a scheme for geometric correction of projected content for planar and quadratic projection surfaces. The scheme does not require the projection surface to be perfectly quadratic or planar and is therefore suitable for uneven low-cost commercial and home projection surfaces. An approach based on the recursive subdivision of second-order Bézier patches is proposed for the estimation of projection distortion owing to surface imperfections. Unlike existing schemes, the proposed scheme is completely automatic, requires no prior knowledge of the projection surface, and uses a single uncalibrated camera without requiring any physical markers on the projection surface. Furthermore, the scheme is scalable for geometric calibration of multiprojector setups. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is demonstrated using simulations and via practical experiments on various surfaces. A relative distortion error metric is also introduced that provides a quantitative measure of the suppression of geometric distortions, which occurs as the result of an imperfect projection surface.

Investigation on the effect of alkyl chain linked mono-thioureas as Jack bean urease inhibitors, SAR, pharmacokinetics ADMET parameters and molecular docking studies

Larik, Fayaz Ali,Faisal, Muhammad,Saeed, Aamer,Channar, Pervaiz Ali,Korabecny, Jan,Jabeen, Farukh,Mahar, Ihsan Ali,Kazi, Mehar Ali,Abbas, Qamar,Murtaza, Ghulam,Khan, Gul Shahzada,Hassan, Mubashir,Seo, Academic Press 2019 Bioorganic chemistry Vol.86 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The increasing resistance of pathogens to common antibiotics, as well as the need to control urease activity to improve the yield of soil nitrogen fertilization in agricultural applications, has stimulated the development of novel classes of molecules that target urease as an enzyme. In this context, the newly developed compounds on the basis of 1-heptanoyl-3-arylthiourea family were evaluated for Jack bean urease enzyme inhibition activity to validate their role as potent inhibitors of this enzyme. 1-Heptanoyl-3-arylthioureas were obtained in excellent yield and characterized through spectral and elemental analysis. All the compounds displayed remarkable potency against urease inhibition as compared to thiourea standard. It was found that novel compounds fulfill the criteria of drug-likeness by obeying Lipinski’s rule of five. Particularly compound <B>4a</B> and <B>4c</B> can serve as lead molecules in 4D (drug designing discovery and development). Kinetic mechanism and molecular docking studies also carried out to delineate the mode of inhibition and binding affinity of the molecules.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A new family of 1-heptanoyl-3-arylthioureas (<B>4a-4j</B>) was synthesized in excellent yield. </LI> <LI> The synthesized 1-heptanoyl-3-arylthiourea family were evaluated for Jack bean urease enzyme inhibition activity. </LI> <LI> Particularly compound <B>4a</B> and <B>4c</B> can serve as lead molecules in 4D (drug designing discovery and development). </LI> <LI> Kinetic mechanism and molecular docking studies also carried out to delineate the mode of inhibition and binding affinity. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Influence of Re-growth Interval on Chemical Composition, Herbage Yield, Digestibility and Digestion Kinetics of Setaria sphacelata and Cenchrus ciliaris in Buffaloes

Mahr-un-Nisa, Mahr-un-Nisa,Khan, M. Ajmal,Sarwar, Muhammad,Mushtaque, M.,Murtaza, G.,Lee, W.S.,Kim, H.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.3

This study examined the influence of re-growth periods on chemical composition, biomass production, nutritive value and digestion kinetics of Setaria sphacelata (SS) and Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls. Two re-growth intervals i.e. clipping every month ($CI_1$) and clipping after every two months ($CI_2$) were compared with the control (clipped after 4 months). Mean values of leaf to stem ratio in SS and CC grasses were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. The lowest leaf to stem ratio was recorded in control plots of both grasses. In both grasses, increasing growth period increased the concentrations of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) and decreased crude protein (CP). Mean dry herbage, OM and CP yields of SS and CC were increased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. Ruminal DM and NDF digestibilities of SS and CC were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing interval. Ruminal rate of DM and NDF disappearance was higher while the ruminal lag time of these nutrients was lower with monthly than with bi-monthly clipping interval. The results from present study imply that SS and CC clipped after every two months is more beneficial than when clipped every month or every four months in terms of optimal biomass with adequate nutritional value for buffaloes.

Opto-electronic Response of Spinel SiZn2O4to a Modified Becke-Johnson Potential

Manzar Ali,Saleh Mohammad,Hayatullah,Muhammad Haneef,Mahmood Khan,G. Murtaza 한국물리학회 2013 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.63 No.5

A first-principles technique capable of describing the nearly excited states of semiconductors and insulators, namely the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) potential approximation, is used to investigate the electronic band structure and the optical properties of the spinel oxide SiZn2O4. The band gap predicted using the mBJ approximation is significantly more accurate than those previously proposed theoretical works using the common localized density approximation (LDA)and generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Band-gap-dependent optical parameters, like the dielectric constant, index of refraction, reflectivity and optical conductivity, are calculated and analyzed. The result for the dielectric constant shows that the numerical value of the static dielectric constant, after dropping at the steady rate, becomes less than zero, and the material exhibits a metallic behavior. The refractive index also drops below unity for photons higher than 18 eV,which indicates that the velocities of the incident photons are greater than the velocity of light. However, these phenomena can be explained by the fact that a signal must be transmitted as a wave packet rather than a monochromatic wave. This comprehensive theoretical study of the optoelectronic properties predicts that the materials can be used effectively in the optical devices.

Chromium(VI) sorption efficiency of acid-activated banana peel over organo-montmorillonite in aqueous solutions

Ashraf, Anam,Bibi, Irshad,Niazi, Nabeel Khan,Ok, Yong Sik,Murtaza, Ghulam,Shahid, Muhammad,Kunhikrishnan, Anitha,Li, Dongwei,Mahmood, Tariq Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2017 International journal of phytoremediation Vol.19 No.7