Production of Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotubes from Methane

Zein, Sharif Hussein Sharif,Mohamed, Abdul Rahman,Sai, P. Sesha Talpa,Zabidi, Noor Asmawati Mohd 한국공업화학회 2004 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.10 No.6

The decomposition of methane to produce hydrogen and carbon has been investigated experimentally using 15 ㏖% M/20 ㏖% NiO/TiO₂catalysts (where M = MnO_x, FeO, CoO, and CuO). The physical properties of these catalysts were obtained and their performances were evaluated for the conversion of methane and the CO and hydrogen yields. These catalysts were used in the experiments without any pretreatment. XRD patterns and TEM images of these catalysts show the morphological changes that are due to dopant addition. The results indicate the remarkable influence on the catalytic activity provided by doping. While different types of filamentous carbons are formed on the various Ni-containing catalysts, attractive carbon nanotubes were observed on the Mn/Ni/TiO₂-based catalyst. TEM studies on the used catalyst suggest that its stability depends on growth rate and the morphological structure of the formed carbon.

N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine Kinase Interacts with Dynein-Lis1-NudE1 Complex and Regulates Cell Division

Sharif, Syeda Ridita,Islam, Md. Ariful,Moon, Il Soo Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2016 Molecules and cells Vol.39 No.9

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (GlcNAc kinase or NAGK) primarily catalyzes phosphoryl transfer to GlcNAc during amino sugar metabolism. Recently, it was shown NAGK interacts with dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) and upregulates axo-dendritic growth, which is an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical structural role. The authors examined the distributions of NAGK and NAGK-dynein complexes during the cell cycle in HEK293T cells. NAGK was expressed throughout different stages of cell division and immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed NAGK was localized at nuclear envelope, spindle microtubules (MTs), and kinetochores (KTs). A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and DYNLRB1 revealed NAGK-dynein complex on nuclear envelopes in prophase cells and on chromosomes in metaphase cells. NAGK-DYNLRB1 PLA followed by Lis1/NudE1 immunostaining showed NAGK-dynein complexes were colocalized with Lis1 and NudE1 signals, and PLA for NAGK-Lis1 showed similar signal patterns, suggesting a functional link between NAGK and dynein-Lis1 complex. Subsequently, NAGK-dynein complexes were found in KTs and on nuclear membranes where KTs were marked with CENP-B ICC and nuclear membrane with lamin ICC. Furthermore, knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA was found to delay cell division. These results indicate that the NAGK-dynein interaction with the involvements of Lis1 and NudE1 plays an important role in prophase nuclear envelope breakdown (NEB) and metaphase MT-KT attachment during eukaryotic cell division.

Theoretical fabrication of Williamson nanoliquid over a stretchable surface

Sharif, Humaira,Hussain, Muzamal,Khadimallah, Mohamed Amine,Ayed, Hamdi,Taj, Muhammad,Bhutto, Javed Khan,Mahmoud, S.R.,Iqbal, Zafer,Ahmad, Shabbir,Tounsi, Abdelouahed Techno-Press 2022 Advances in concrete construction Vol.14 No.2

On the basis of fabrication, the utilization of nano material in numerous industrial and technological system, obtained the utmost significance in current decade. Therefore, the current investigation presents a theoretical disposition regarding the flow of electric conducting Williamson nanoliquid over a stretchable surface in the presence of the motile microorganism. The impact of thermal radiation and magnetic parameter are incorporated in the energy equation. The concentration field is modified by adding the influence of chemical reaction. Moreover, the splendid features of nanofluid are displayed by utilizing the thermophoresis and Brownian motion aspects. Compatible similarity transformation is imposed on the equations governing the problem to derive the dimensionless ordinary differential equations. The Homotopy analysis method has been implemented to find the analytic solution of the obtained differential equations. The implications of specific parameters on profiles of velocity, temperature, concentration and motile microorganism density are investigated graphically. Moreover, coefficient of skin friction, Nusselt number, Sherwood number and density of motile number are clarified in tabular forms. It is revealed that thermal radiation, thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameters are very effective for improvement of heat transfer. The reported investigation can be used in improving the heat transfer appliances and systems of solar energy.

The Wormhole Routing Attack in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)

Sharif, Lukman,Ahmed, Munir Korea Information Processing Society 2010 Journal of information processing systems Vol.6 No.2

Secure routing is vital to the acceptance and use of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for many applications. However, providing secure routing in WSNs is a challenging task due to the inherently constrained capabilities of sensor nodes. Although a wide variety of routing protocols have been proposed for WSNs, most do not take security into account as a main goal. Routing attacks can have devastating effects on WSNs and present a major challenge when designing robust security mechanisms for WSNs. In this paper, we examine some of the most common routing attacks in WSNs. In particular, we focus on the wormhole routing attack in some detail. A variety of countermeasures have been proposed in the literature for such attacks. However, most of these countermeasures suffer from flaws that essentially render them ineffective for use in large scale WSN deployments. Due to the inherent constraints found in WSNs, there is a need for lightweight and robust security mechanisms. The examination of the wormhole routing attack and some of the proposed countermeasures makes it evident that it is extremely difficult to retrofit existing protocols with defenses against routing attacks. It is suggested that one of the ways to approach this rich field of research problems in WSNs could be to carefully design new routing protocols in which attacks such as wormholes can be rendered meaningless.

An Open Science 'State of the Art' for Hong Kong: Making Open Research Data Available to Support Hong Kong Innovation Policy

Sharif, Naubahar,Ritter, Waltraut,Davidson, Robert L,Edmunds, Scott C World Association for Triple Helix and Future Stra 2018 Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia Vol.17 No.2

Open Science is an umbrella term that involves various movements aiming to remove the barriers to sharing any kind of output, resources, methods or tools at any stage of the research process. While the study of open science is relatively advanced in Western countries, we know of no scholarship that attempts to understand open science in Hong Kong. This paper provides a broad-based background on the major research data management organisations, policies and institutions with the intention of laying a foundation for more rigorous future research that quantifies the benefits of open access and open data policies. We explore the status and prospects for open science (open access and open data) in the context of Hong Kong and how open science can contribute to innovation in Hong Kong. Surveying Hong Kong's policies and players, we identify both lost research potential and provide positive examples of Hong Kong's contribution to scientific research. Finally, we offer suggestions regarding what changes can be made to address the gaps we identify.

Efficacy of Chemical Preservatives to Control Perilla Rust

( Sharif M. Al-Reza ),( Cher Won Hwang ),( Sun Chul Kang ) 한국환경농학회 2010 한국환경농학회지 Vol.29 No.4

The rust fungi are biotrophic fungal pathogens that cause serious disease on Perilla leaves in Korea. The effect of some commonly used chemical preservatives (sorbic acid, D-sorbitol, propionic acid and benzoic acid) against Perilla rust was investigated in this study. Results of this investigation showed that all the preservatives were effective against Perilla rust except benzoic acid. There was no growth of rust spores on the Perilla leaves treated with 0.1% of preservative even after 21 days of preservation. However, 0.01% of preservative also showed remarkable reduction of rust spores on the Perilla leaves as compared to the control groups. Thus, the results of this study indicated that the chemical preservatives used might be useful to control the growth of rust fungi on Perilla leaves.

Nutritional Evaluation of Distillery Sludge and Its Effect as a Substitute of Canola Meal on Performance of Broiler Chickens

Sharif, M.,Shahzad, M.A.,Rehman, S.,Khan, S.,Ali, R.,Khan, M.L.,Khan, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.3

The study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of distillery yeast sludge and its inclusion in broiler diets to replace canola meal. Raw distillery yeast sludge was washed with water using water and sludge in the ratio 6:1, respectively. Proximate analysis of raw distillery yeast sludge and washed distillery sludge was carried out for crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), ether extract (EE), ash, acid insoluble ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) determination. Mineral contents and amino acid profile of raw distillery yeast sludge and washed distillery sludge were also determined. After chemical evaluation, four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous broiler starter and finisher diets were prepared in mash form using 0 (control), 4, 8 and 12% levels of washed distillery sludge replacing canola meal. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 12 experimental units in such a way that each diet was offered to three experimental units, each comprising of 10 chicks. It was observed that washing affected the nutrients either by decreasing or increasing their concentration. It decreased the total mineral contents whereas CP, TP, EE and NFE contents increased. Washing also increased amino acid profile. Average feed intake and weight gain were higher in birds fed diet containing 8% washed distillery sludge and lower in birds fed diet containing 0% washed distillery sludge. Feed cost per kg live weight gain decreased significantly as the level of washed distillery sludge was increased in the diet. Average heart, liver and pancreas weights decreased with increased level of washed distillery sludge in the diet. The study revealed that after washing, distillery yeast sludge can be used successfully in broiler diets up to the level of 8% without any adverse effect on broiler's performance.

N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine Kinase Is a Component of Nuclear Speckles and Paraspeckles

Sharif, Syeda Ridita,Lee, HyunSook,Islam, Md. Ariful,Seog, Dae-Hyun,Moon, Il Soo Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2015 Molecules and cells Vol.38 No.5

Protein O-GlcNAcylation, dictated by cellular UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) levels, plays a crucial role in posttranslational modifications. The enzyme GlcNAc kinase (NAGK, E.C. 2.7.1.59) catalyzes the formation of GlcNAc-6-phosphate, which is a major substrate for the biosynthesis of UDP-GlcNAc. Recent studies have revealed the expression of NAGK in different types of cells especially in neuronal dendrites. Here, by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunonucleochemistry (INC) of cultured rat hippocampal neurons, HEK293T and GT1-7 cells, we have showed that NAGK immuno-reactive punctae being present in the nucleoplasm colocalized with small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associated protein N (snRNPN) and p54NRB, which are speckle and paraspeckle markers, respectively. Furthermore, NAGK IR cluster was also found to be colocalized with GTF2H5 (general transcription factor IIH, polypeptide 5) immuno reactive punctae. In addition, relative localization to the ring of nuclear lamin matrix and to GlcNAc, which is highly enriched in nuclear pore complexes, showed that NAGK surrounds the nucleus at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear outer membrane. By in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) we confirmed the colocalization of NAGK with snRNPN in the nucleus and in dendrites, while we also verified the interactions of NAGK with p54NRB, and with GTF2H5 in the nucleus. These associations between NAGK with speckle, paraspeckle and general transcription factor suggest its regulatory roles in gene expression.

Effect of Achyranthes japonica extract on growth, digestibility, microbiota, gas emission, and meat quality in broilers fed different protein diets

Sharif Uddin Khan,조성보,In Ho Kim 한국축산학회 2024 한국축산학회지 Vol.66 No.3

Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE) is a multifuctional products that express anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of AJE addition to standard and low crude protein (LCP) diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta bacterial count, excreta noxious gas emissions, breast meat quality, and organ weight of broiler chicken. A total of 340 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers [initial body weight (BW) of 43.10 ± 1.46 g, 5 replicate cages per treatment, and 17 birds per cage] were randomly distributed into 1 of 4 dietary treatment groups for a 35 day trial. The diets were provided based on three age stage of the broiler. In the starter stage broiler were fed basal diet. Experimental diet were fed to broiler from day 8 to 35. In growing (days 8–21) and finishing (days 22–35) stage broiler were fed: Standard crude protein (SCP) diet and LCP diet with 0.025% and 0.05% of AJE supplementation respectively. Here, the SCP and LCP diets were 21.50% and 20.86% CP during days 8–21 and 20.00% and 19.40% CP during days 22–35, respectively. The SCP diets with 0.025% AJE supplementation resulted in higher (p < 0.5) BW gain (BWG) at finishing stage and a tendency to lower feed conversion ratio and BWG in the overall period compared to LCP diets with or without AJE supplemenation. Moreover, dry matter and nitrogen digestibility were increased with SCP diet along with 0.025% of AJE. No significant difference was found in meat quality parameters except for pH. Interestingly, the NH3 gas emission to the environment was found to be less with different levels of CP and AJE supplementation. Therefore, we concluded that the addition of 0.025% AJE to the SCP diet improved broiler growth performance and nutrient digestibility with low fecal NH3 emissions.

A physically consistent stress-strain model for actively confined concrete

Sharif Shahbeyk,Mahshid Z. Moghaddam,Mohammad Safarnejad 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.20 No.1

With a special attention to the different stages of a typical loading path travelled in a fluid confined concrete test, this paper introduces a physically consistent model for the stress-strain curve of actively confined normal-strength concrete in the axial direction. The model comprises of the five elements of: (1) a criterion for the peak or failure strength, (2) an equation for the peak strain, (3) a backbone hydrostatic curve, (4) a transient hardening curve linking the point of departure from the hydrostatic curve to the failure point, and finally (5) a set of formulas for the post-peak region. Alongside, relevant details and shortcomings of existing models will be discussed in each part. Finally, the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model have been verified in a set of simulations which compare well with the experimental results from the literature.