Muhammad Ahmed

Electric power is a fundamental necessity in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. Consequently, any break in electric power is probably going to affect the general activity. To make the power supply smooth and efficient, a smart grid network is introduced which uses communication technology. In any communication network, security is essential. It has been observed from several recent incidents that adversary causes an interruption to the operation of networks. In order to resolve the issues, it is vital to understand the threats and vulnerabilities associated with the smart grid networks. In this paper, we have investigated the threats and vulnerabilities in Smart Grid Networks (SGN) and the few solutions in the literature. Proposed solutions showed developments in electricity theft countermeasures, Denial of services attacks (DoS) and malicious injection attacks detection model, as well as malicious nodes detection using watchdog like techniques and other solutions.

In this paper, a formal procedure to evaluate the operational value of ancillary services provided by battery energy storage systems is presented along with a methodology on how to schedule the battery considering maximum benefits. The ancillary services considered are photovoltaic (PV) power output smoothing, voltage support and energy time shift (ETS). The benefits provided by energy storage applications are quantified in terms of monetary value. First, the issues related to such value studies are mentioned and a method has been proposed to resolve these issues. Second, utilizing the value information, an optimization method is developed to modify the algorithms for energy storage applications. It has been concluded that monetary value of different energy storage applications provides additional information that can be used schedule energy storage applications to yield maximum cost benefit of the applications. Results obtained using the field validated simulation model show the potential of proposed method.

Recent progress in deep learning has led to accurate and efficient generic object detection networks. Training of highly reliable models depends on large datasets with highly textured and rich images. However, in real-world scenarios, the performance of the generic object detection system decreases when (i) occlusions hide the objects, (ii) objects are present in low-light images, or (iii) they are merged with background information. In this paper, we refer to all these situations as challenging environments. With the recent rapid development in generic object detection algorithms, notable progress has been observed in the field of object detection in challenging environments. However, there is no consolidated reference to cover state-of-the-art in this domain. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first comprehensive overview, covering recent approaches that have tackled the problem of object detection in challenging environments. Furthermore, we present the quantit...

In this era a number of latest trivial software development process methods have been developed. Agile software development is one of them. Agile is a time-dependent approach to software delivery. Scrum is the agile software development methodology process that is extensively utilized today in many of the software companies. It is an agile technique to handle a project, usually in agile software development. Agile software development by way of Scrum is frequently perceived as a methodology; however than showing Scrum as methodology, consider of it as a framework for handling a process. This paper will initiate with the background, it will cover the characteristics and definition of agile software development and highlights the major different agile software techniques. Various agile techniques will also elaborate in this paper. The core aim of this paper is to identify risk on agile development and improve the quality of the software by using agile methodologies.

To enhance the performance of a low-noise microwave GaAs MESFET an appropriate doping profile is required. The I-V characteristics of a microwave GaAs MESFETs with graded channel doping have been simulated by using a non-linear model. It has been shown that a device with a graded channel doping may give transconductance, gm at least 4 times greater than the uniformly

Audience Response System, (ARS), has proven its values as a tool to enhance students' engagement and participation in the classroom. Since 2011, the author was working on to creating a web based application, Click2Text, to incorporate cell phones and smart phones in traditional and online classes to replace ARS. Several web-based solutions were tested and launched, however, it was hard to convince fellow faculty members for its adoption. It is also a known fact that most academic researchers in universities and college have little or no previous knowledge of entrepreneurial process nor do they possess the entrepreneurial mindset and related skills. So, when in the winter of 2016, the author was presented with an opportunity to participated in the NSF I-Corps introduction to customer discovery course, boot camp at Wayne State University, it was seen as a great opportunity to learn entrepreneurial process and skill. This paper documents how I-Corps boot camp helped in refining aut...

The validity of any system can be determined by the soundness of its principles and its success can be determined by how effective and efficient it is in achieving its stated goals in any given environment. What is the goal of any political economy? Has today’s existing system satisfied the people? Or are the recurring cyclical depressions and recessions inherent in the capitalist system taking its toll? Does Islam have a system to offer that could possibly cater to the needs of the modern times? What principles of political economics was t he 2nd Caliph of Islam following that created a community where there were no “poor” people left? Can Islam really eradicate poverty? How is piety related to a political economy? This paper will address the details of the Islamic Political Economy, how it proved to be a successful model in the past and how it has become relevant once again today.

Terrorism and extremism is a non-traditional security threat and is on its peak after September 9/11 in Pakistan. The attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon divided the world into two blocs’ supportive and nonsupportive ally of United States. Pakistan being a supportive ally of the US has to face more negative security implications than positive. The security situation of Pakistan turned and is still worsening day by day. In this critical situation it is difficult to define national security of Pakistan. There is a need to eradicate threats of terrorism and extremism. By adopting multiple ways through which Pakistan can improve its security.

Cotton production is highly vulnerable to climate change, and heat stress is a major constraint in the cotton zone of Punjab, Pakistan. Adaptation is perceived as a critical step to deal with forecasted and unexpected climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to standardize and authenticate a cotton crop model based on climate and crop husbandry data in order to develop an adaptation package for cotton crop production in the wake of climate change. For the study, the data were collected from the cotton-growing areas of Punjab, viz. Bahawalpur and Khanewal. After the calibration and validation against field data, the Cropping System Model CSM–CROPGRO–Cotton in the shell of the decision support system for agro-technology transfer (DSSAT) was run with a future climate generated under two representative concentrations pathways (RCPs), viz. RCPs 4.5 and 8.5 with five global circulation models (GCMs). The whole study showed that a model is an artistic tool for examining the tem...

Density Functional Theory (DFT) is used to investigate the phonon properties of CoFeCrZ (Z[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Al, Si, Ga, Ge) equiatomic Quaternary Heusler Alloys. These alloys crystallize in face centered cubic (FCC) structure and have three crystal structures Y-Type I, Y-Type II and Y-Type III on the basis of their atomic positions. For CoFeCrZ (Z[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Al, Si, Ga, Ge), Y-Type I is the most stable structure found in the literature, so phonon dispersion curves for this structure are obtained with the help of norm-conserving pseudo potentials in Quantum ESPRESSO. Absence of negative frequencies in phonon dispersion curves proves the dynamical stability of all these alloys. Phonon dispersion curves are further used to obtain Reststrahlen band, a region where light reflects 100%. The calculated Reststrahlen bands for CoFeCrAl, CoFeCrSi, CoFeCrGa and CoFeCrGe are 4.179 THz ([Formula: see text]m), 4.30 THz ([Formula: see text]m), 3.35 T...

Since the superior properties of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) could improve numerous devices such as electronics and sensors, many efforts have been made in investigating the growth mechanism of MWCNT to synthesize high quality MWCNT. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is widely used for MWCNT synthesis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are useful methods for analyzing the structure, morphology and composition of MWCNT.Temperature and pressure are two important growth parameters for fabricating carbon nanotubes. in MWCNT growth by CVD, the plasma assisted method is normally used for low temperature growth. However, a high temperature environment is required for thermal CVD. A systematic study of temperature and pressure-dependence is very helpful to understanding MWCNT growth. Transition metal particles are commonly used as catalysts in carbon nanotube growth. It is also interesting to know the how temperature and pressure aff...

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been seen in more than 15% of Pakistani population. For the treatment of this infection, only two medicines, interferon, and ribavirin were approved in 1998. The concerned physicians evaluate side effects of these two antiviral drugs only during the treatment period. The long-term extra hepatic side effects are being neglected. This retrospective study was conducted with reference to induced infertility in HCV treated 40 male patients from the period 2008-2015. Possible effects of interferon therapy on fertility hormones and seminal parameters were assessed. Level of fertility hormones like serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and testosterone was measured. For seminal parameters, guidelines from World Health Organization (WHO) were followed. Among forty cases of HCV patients who received interferon, only 14 (35%) have children and 26 (65%) could not conceive (p = 0.0372). After HCV treatment, HCV positive pati...

Many investigators reported the amount of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement. However, the work on fluoride release from GIC containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite is scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the amount of fluoride release from Glass ionomer cement containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite. The study was conducted in the Department of Materials, Queen Marry University of London. A total of 108 samples equally divided in to three groups namely fluoroapatite added GIC, Hydroxyapatite added GIC as an experimental group and unmodified GIC as a control group. The specimens were prepared by mixing powder and liquid in the ratio of 1:1. Amount of fluoride released was measured by Ion electrode method at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. On day 1, the combination of FA +GIC showed the highest amount of fluoride release followed by the control group (GIC) whereas the combination of HA+GIC released the least amount of fluoride. On day 7, the amount of ...

Selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD). Enhanced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons to apoptotic cellular death are the leading pathogenetic mechanisms. Chrysin is an active flavonoid. Its neuroprotective effects have been reported. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of chrysin in ameliorating the dopaminergic neuronal degeneration and motor behavioral changes in rotenone model of PD. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into three groups: Control, rotenone-treated, and rotenone+chrysin treated groups. Rotenone was given at a dose of 3 mg/kg daily intraperitoneally, and chrysin was given at a dose of 50 mg/kg daily intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Using five neurobehavioral assessment tests, evaluation was done weekly to record the motor behavioral changes. After 4 weeks, animals were sacrificed, brains were removed, and section from striatum and substantia nigr...

Dengue is a major global disease requiring improved treatment and prevention strategies. The recently licensed Sanofi-Pasteur Denvaxia vaccine does not protect children under the age of nine and additional vaccine strategies are thus needed to halt this expanding global epidemic. Here, we employed a molecular engineering approach and plant-expression to produce a humanised and highly immunogenic Poly-Immunoglobulin G Scaffold (PIGS) fused to the consensus dengue envelope protein III domain (cEDIII). The immunogenicity of this IgG Fc receptor targeted vaccine candidate was demonstrated in transgenic mice expressing human FcγRI/CD64, by induction of neutralising antibodies and evidence of cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, these molecules were able to prime immune cells from human adenoid/tonsillar tissue ex vivo as evidenced by antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation, IFN-γ and antibody production. The purified polymeric fraction of dengue PIGS (D-PIGS) induced stronger...

While investigating the growth of knowledge management in academic literature and in consultancy firms Wilson (2002) in his article “The nonsense of knowledge management”, argues that the fields of information science and information systems, should clearly distinguish between the term “information” and “knowledge” in order to assure their respective importance within organizations.The purpose of this article is to analyze the evolution of the knowledge management as a field of study that clearly differentiates itself from the information system. It investigates the integration of technology in knowledge creation and identifies progress made in KM on the subject of business using information system with the successful utilization of tacit knowledge concepts.The study consists of a systemic review of articles on knowledge management from Web of Science and Esearch databases since 2003. The study used three search strings “knowledge management”, “knowledge management” and “tacit”, and...

The education sector of Pakistan has progressed tremendously during the last 15 years,with the number of researchers and research papers increasing by 248 percent and 687percent respectively. However, the quality of Pakistani research is still of uneven quality,partly due to the inexperience, incompetence, and corruption of faculty at nationalhigher education institutions. Revising faculty hiring criteria, establishing a plagiarism-free research culture, enhancing training on research ethics, and involving morePakistani scholars trained abroad in research are key steps toward preserving highereducation in Pakistan.

Natural products and their semi-synthetic derivatives are an important source of drugs for the pharmaceutical industry. Bacteria are prolific producers of natural products and encode a vast diversity of natural product biosynthetic gene clusters. However, much of this diversity is inaccessible to natural product discovery. Here we use a combination of phylogenomic analysis of the microviridin biosynthetic pathway and chemo-enzymatic synthesis of bioinformatically predicted microviridins to yield new protease inhibitors. Phylogenomic analysis demonstrated that microviridin biosynthetic gene clusters occur across the bacterial domain and encode three distinct subtypes of precursor peptides. Our analysis shed light on the evolution of microviridin biosynthesis and enabled prioritization of their chemo-enzymatic production. Targeted one-pot synthesis of four microviridin types encoded by the cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822 identified a set of novel and potent serine protease inhi...

Lime or dolomite is commonly implemented to ameliorate soil acidity. However, the impact of dolomite on CO2 emissions from acidic soils is largely unknown. A 53-day laboratory study was carried out to investigate CO2 emissions by applying dolomite to an acidic Acrisol (rice-rapeseed rotation [RR soil]) and a Ferralsol (rice-fallow/flooded rotation [RF soil]). Dolomite was dosed at 0, 0.5, and 1.5 g 100 g(-1) soil, herein referred to as CK, L, and H, respectively. The soil pH(H2O) increased from 5.25 to 7.03 and 7.62 in L and H treatments of the RR soil and from 5.52 to 7.27 and 7.77 in L and H treatments of the RF soil, respectively. Dolomite application significantly (p ≤ 0.001) increased CO2 emissions in both RR and RF soils, with higher emissions in H as compared to L dose of dolomite. The cumulative CO2 emissions with H dose of dolomite were greater 136% in the RR soil and 149% in the RF soil as compared to CK, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass c...

In bulk phase, liquid crystalline molecules are organized due to non-covalent interactions and due to delicate nature of the present forces; this organization can easily be disrupted by any small external stimuli. This delicate nature of force balance in liquid crystals organization forms the basis of Liquid-crystals based sensing scheme which has been exploited by many researchers for the optical visualization and sensing of many biological interactions as well as detection of number of analytes. In this review, we present not only an overview of the state of the art in liquid crystals based sensing scheme but also highlight its limitations. The approaches described below revolve around possibilities and limitations of key components of such sensing platform including bottom substrates, alignments layers, nature and type of liquid crystals, sensing compartments, various interfaces etc. This review also highlights potential materials to not only improve performance of the sensing sc...

This study aims to evaluate the perception of medical teachers toward the integration of simulation-based medical education (SBME) in undergraduate curriculum and also identify contextual barriers faced by medical teachers. This cross-sectional observational study included medical teachers from three universities. A questionnaire was used to report teachers' perception. SBME was perceived by medical teachers (basic sciences/clinical, respectively) as enjoyable (71.1%/75.4%), effective assessment tool to evaluate students' learning (60%/73.9%) and can improve learning outcome (88.8%/79.7%). Similarly, (91.1%/71%) of teachers think that simulation should be part of the curriculum and not stand alone one time activity. Teachers' training for SBME has created a significant difference in perception (p < 0.05). Lack of teachers' training, time, resources and the need to integrate in medical curriculum are major perceived barriers for effective SBME. Results highlight the positive perception and attitude of medical teachers toward the integration of SBME in undergraduate curriculum. Prior formal training of teachers created a different perception. Top perceived barriers for effective SBME include teachers' formal training supported with time and resources and the early integration into the curriculum. These critical challenges need to be addressed by medical schools in order to enhance the integration SBME in undergraduate curricula.

As the energy storage systems (ESS) are highly utilized in the micro-grids where renewable energy resources are interconnected with ESS in the distribution level, PV/wind power capacity firming application becomes very important issue to be achieved as it will further allow the renewable energy resources to be one hour dispatchable electric power resource. This paper proposes a PV power capacity firming algorithm using least squares minimization (LSM) technique taking into consideration of PV power reference and different objective functions. The main purpose of this approach is to try to minimize the error between the targeted smoothed Point of common coupling (PCC) power and the smoothed reference curves. An optimization algorithm using PV historical data for a typical 1 MW PV farm tied with 250 kW/750 kWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) is designed and evaluated. Results show that the proposed methods achieve acceptable firming levels including mostly cloudy days.

We report the findings present in 49 postmortem specimens from patients with so-called heterotaxy, concentrating on those found in the extracardiac systems of organs. Also known as bodily isomerism, we suggest that it is important to segregate the syndromes into their isomeric subtypes to be able to make inferences regarding likely extracardiac and intracardiac findings to allow for proper surveillance. We demonstrate that this is best done on the basis of the atrial appendages, which were isomeric in all the hearts obtained from the specimens available for our inspection. The abdominal organs do not demonstrate isomerism, and they show variable features when compared to the isomeric atrial appendages.

The objective of this study is to determine role of packaging on consumer’s buying behavior. The purpose of this research is to examine the essential factors, which are driving the success of a brand. This research also identified the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. This is the primary research and data has been collected through questionnaire and for analysis purpose SPSS software has been used. In this study samples of 150 respondents has been collected and tested the reliability of the model. According to the finding of the research study, it has been observed that the packaging is the most important factor. It is further concluded that the packaging elements like its Colour, Packaging material, Design of Wrapper and innovation are more important factors when consumers making any buying decision. Finally it has also been concluded that the Packaging is one of the most important and powerful factor, which influences consumer’s purchase decision.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of respiratory tract infection in humans. S. pneumoniae colonizes human nasopharyngeal mucosa, and carriage is common in young children that may account for the high incidence of pneumococcal disease in this age group. Pneumococcal carriage rate in humans decreases with age due to natural immunity. However, the immunological factors responsible for the clearance of pneumococcal carriage remain undefined. Recent studies in mice suggest Th17 is important in host clearance of S. pneumonia. We have studied the relationship between numbers of mucosal Th17 and T regulatory cells (Foxp3+ Treg) in human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and age and their association with pneumococcal carriage in children and adults. Numbers of Th17 and Treg in adenotonsillar tissue were significantly higher than in peripheral blood (P < 0.01) in both children and adults. There was a negative correlation between numbers of Th17 and Treg in adeno-tons...

ABSTRACT Background: Pneumonia is the world’s number one killer of children, accounting for approximately 2.6 million <5 children death each year, nearly half of them are attributable to pneumococcus. The available pneumococcal vaccines have limitations like high cost, low efficacy, and narrow serotype coverage. Pili of pneumococcus play important role in its virulence and may therefore be an effective vaccine candidate. Aims and Objectives: To investigate whether natural colonisation of pneumococcus primes for immunological memory to pili protein antigens (RrgA and RrgB) to protect against pneumococcal carriage and the potential of these proteins as mucosal vaccines in children. Methodology: Culture of nasal swab for pneumococcal carriage; culture of immune cells with or without pneumococcal concentrated culture supernatants (CCS); and appraisal of antigen-specific helper T cell activity by flow-cytometry and memory B cell responses using ELISPOT assay; measurement of pilus protein antibodies in serum, cell culture supernatants and saliva by ELISA; and detection of specific serum antibodies by Western Blot. Results and conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that natural immunity to RrgA protein antigen develop early in childhood, and there is an age-dependent increase in levels of anti-RrgA and RrgB IgG antibodies. In adults, levels of anti-RrgB antibody are higher than anti-RrgA. Results also show memory B cell response to both RrgA and RrgB protein antigens in some subjects. Nasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococcus is common in children whereas it is infrequent in adults. Association of T and B cell immunity to RrgA and RrgB protein antigens will be analysed in future studies.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality around the globe, even after 3 decades of 23-valent polysaccharide (PPV23) and one decade of 7-valent conjugate vaccines (PCV7) have been available in the market. Pneumococcal pilus plays an important role in their adherence to host respiratory epithelium. Pilus proteins were found to be associated with increased bacterial colonization, invasiveness and a heightened inflammatory response in the host. Aims and Objectives: To investigate the B cell response to pilus proteins (RrgA and RrgB), developed in consequence to natural colonisation of pneumococcus; whether this priming can sufficiently induce immunological memory to protect against pneumococcal carriage and the potential of these proteins as mucosal vaccines in children. Methods: Adenotonsillar tissues, peripheral blood and nasal swabs were collected from patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Nasal swabs were cultured for pneumo...

Gallstone ileus is rare following an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreaticography (ERCP). We present a case where gallstones caused ileus and perforation of small bowel after a therapeutic ERCP. There was no previous history of instrumentation of the papilla or a cholecystoenteric fistula. This case points out a serious morbidity of therapeutic ERCP for large common bile duct stones.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used. They are easily and rapid deployed, low cost, low power, self-organized, cooperatively collect the environmental information and realize the integration of the physical world and communication network. However, for most WSNss the open nature of the wireless medium an adversary can easily eavesdrop and replay or inject fabricated messages. Different cryptographic methods can

Pneumococcal pilus antigens are shown to be important in pneumococcal pathogenesis and induce protective immunity in animal studies, but data in humans are limited. We aimed to investigate serum and mucosal immune responses to pilus-1 proteins (RrgA and RrgB) and their relationship with pneumococcal carriage in humans. Serum and salivary antibodies to RrgA and RrgB in children and adults were analysed by ELISA and immunoblotting. Induction of B cell antibody responses to RrgA and RrgB in nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue was studied by ELISpot assay following stimulation with pneumococcal culture supernatants containing pilus proteins. Significant levels of serum anti-RrgA and -RrgB antibodies were observed, and anti-RrgA antibody appeared to develop earlier in childhood. Importantly, anti-RrgA IgG titres in both serum and saliva were shown to be higher in culture-negative children than in those who were culture-positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Stimulation of adenotonsillar cells with pneumococcal culture supernatant induced significant RrgA- and RrgB-specific antibody secreting cells and antibody production. Pneumococcal pilus antigens, particularly RrgA, seem to induce significant serum and mucosal antibody responses that may contribute to natural immunity against pneumococcal carriage in children.