Abid Ali

Flexible, Low Cost, and Platinum-Free Counter Electrode for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A platinum-free counter electrode composed of surface modified aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) fibers was fabricated for efficient flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Surface modification of MWCNTs fibers with simple one step hydrothermal deposition of cobalt selenide nanoparticles, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, provided a significant improvement (∼2-times) in their electrocatalytic activity. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggest a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.42% for our modified fibers, higher than 3.4% and 5.6% efficeincy of pristine MWCNTs fiber and commonly used Pt wire, respectively. Good mechanical and performance stability after repeated bending and high output voltage for in-series connection suggest that our surface modified MWCNTs fiber based DSSCs may find applications as flexible power source in next-generation flexible/wearable electronics.

Large, Linear, and Tunable Positive Magnetoresistance of Mechanically Stable Graphene Foam–Toward High-Performance Magnetic Field Sensors

Here, we present the first observation of magneto-transport properties of graphene foam (GF) composed of a few layers in a wide temperature range of 2-300 K. Large room-temperature linear positive magnetoresistance (PMR ≈ 171% at B ≈ 9 T) has been detected. The largest PMR (∼213%) has been achieved at 2 K under a magnetic field of 9 T, which can be tuned by the addition of poly(methyl methacrylate) to the porous structure of the foam. This remarkable magnetoresistance may be the result of quadratic magnetoresistance. The excellent magneto-transport properties of GF open a way toward three-dimensional graphene-based magnetoelectronic devices.

Metal-free polymer/MWCNT composite fiber as an efficient counter electrode in fiber shape dye-sensitized solar cells.

UNLABELLED Highly aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as fiber were modified with a conducting polymer via a simple dip coating method. Modified MWCNT exhibited admirable improvement in electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of tri-iodide in dye sensitized solar cells. Scanning electron microscopy images confirm the successful deposition of polymer on MWCNT. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were carried out to investigate the inner mechanism for the charge transfer behaviour. Results from bare and modified electrodes revealed that the MWCNT/(poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) ( PEDOT PSS) composite electrode is much better at catalysing the [Formula: see text] redox couple compared to the pristine fiber electrode. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.03% for the modified MWCNT electrodes was comparable with that of the conventional Pt-based electrode. The scientific results of this study reveal that MWCNT/PEDOT:PSS may be a better choice for the replacement of cost intensive electrode materials such as platinum. Good performance even after bending up to 90° and in-series connection to enhance the output voltage were also successfully achieved, highlighting the practical application of this novel device.

New endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan and future epidemics threats

Abstract Objective To get a clear epidemiological picture of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a new endemic focus, in order to address the most probable epidemic threats and its spread to the neighboring regions. Methods A total of 870 clinically diagnosed patients were included in the study after taking consent and filling questionnaires from each individual. The field Giemsa-stained slides and cultures were examined microscopically. The data was organized in tables and graphs and analyzed using statistical package SPSS V 21. Results The ratio of male was higher than females (499:371), cutaneous and mucocutaneous cases were 96.00% and 4.00%, and only 25.20% patients used bed nets. A total of 57.10% had dirty places near their homes. Similar cases in the neighborhood and in families were 48.50% and 67.10% respectively. Only 87.35 % of Patients in the age range of 1–20 years received treatment. Up to five lesions per individual were noticed and 72.20% of them had symptomatic secondary infections. The lesions were observed on different sites of the body. Conclusions Leishmaniasis is neglected in Landi Kotal Khyber Agency, the reasons being prevailing security situations and political sensitivity. North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Afghanistan are in contact with Afghanis and with local people of Landi Kotal for logistic purposes. They may act as carriers in co-spreading of the species. There are potential risks of cross border transmission, with the probability of future epidemics in the surrounding regions.

Design, Simulation and Optimization of Electrothermal Micro Actuator

This work presents the design and optimization of out of plane electrothermal MEMS actuators. The proposed concept is capable of generating large out of plane displacement at low driving power and a low actuation temperature. The performance of this actuator is evaluated and simulated in ANSYS. The out of plane displacement of 291µm at a temperature increase of 135°C from ambient has been achieved with the applied power of 2.7mW(0.7V). Moreover, a thermal time constant of 5.6ms and a frequency of 85Hz is accomplished for this actuator.

Docking of calcium-binding protein 1 of Entamoeba histolytica using FDA approved drugs

Zahid Ahmad, Hamid ur Rahman, Abid Ali, Adnan Shehzad, Tayyab ur Rehman Centre for Animal Sciences & Fisheries, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Department of Animal Sciences, Parasitology Laboratory, Quaid-i-azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan Department of Microbiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2017; 7(11): 683-687

Prevalence of Leishmania tropica in school boys of khyber agency, FATA near Pak-Afghan border.

In Pakistan leishmaniasis occurs periodically throughout the year and various out breaks are reported frequently. In continuation of our research on this neglected disease, the aim of present study is to explore: (1) the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in school boys; (2) Leishmania species identification in order to epidemiology and dynamics of the disease; (3) Identification of risk factors for Leishmaniasis especially for CL. The data was collected in August 2014 The experimental strategy involved a questionnaire for data collection and along with clinical diagnosis of 134 out of 9368 students for incidence of Leishmania spp. in 7 square kilometres area in the schoolboys at Tehsil Landi Kotal, District Khyber Agency, FATA Pakistan. The parasitological and molecular diagnosis of clinically suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were performed using microscopical examination of Giemsa-stained smears of lesion exudates and minicircle kDNA semi nested PCR, respectively. Microscopy (x=1000) positive cases were 84/134 (62.6%) and 50/134 (37.4%) slides did not showed any presence of amastigotes of Leishmania spp. The samples were amplified using kDNA semi nested PCR and confirmed the presence of L. Tropica (Ac.no KT 985473). PCR positive cases were 97/134 (72.4%) and 37(27.6%) were negative. The prevalence of L. tropica in school boys was 1.4% (134/9368) in the total population studied (n=9368). The parasite prevalence might be greater as only male students were considered in the study due to ethical and social issues and limitations.

Prevalence and distribution of human Plasmodium infection in Federally Administrative Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

About 3.6 million Pashtun and over 1.5 million immigrants from Afghanistan live in the federally administered tribal areas (FATA) on the border between Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and southern Afghanistan. Although malaria cases are common in FATA, no detailed studies have yet been performed to reveal the actual status of malaria in the local population and epidemiological data are insufficient to elucidate the actual incidence. A malariometric survey of 691 patients of all ages and genders in seven agencies (districts) in FATA was carried out in 2013 using whole blood samples. Microscopically confirmed positive species were subjected to nested-PCR for the reconfirmation and detection of four species of Plasmodium causing human malaria. Of the 626 PCR positive cases, 81.1% were P. vivax, 13.8% P. falciparum and 4.9% mixed species containing both P. vivax and P. falciparum. P. malariae and P. ovale and were not found in any analysis. Sixty-five microscopic positive samples were identified as negative by PCR. The incidence of P. vivax ranged from 10.4% in Orakzai Agency to 22.8% in North Waziristan Agency. The prevalence of P. falciparum ranged from 1.3% in Orakzai Agency to 4.7% in North Waziristan, and Khyber Agency had the highest prevalence of 1.7% of mixed species. In FATA, P. vivax and P. falciparum are the main causative agents of malaria, while mixed species infections are also prevalent with varying transmission intensities. In addition, Estimates of malaria incidence shows that variation in the incidence, frequency and species composition of malarial parasites is high.