Nanomaterials Embedded Nitrogen-Doped Graphene for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion

A facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene with high atomic percentage of Nitrogen (9.2 at%) including high ratio of pyridinic N and graphitic N has been reported via thermal annealing of graphene oxide with uric acid. The resultant material shows efficient electrochemical properties for capacitances and bifunctional electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In spite of its remarkable electrochemical properties, the major limitation of the two-dimensional graphene like materials for device fabrication or commercial applications is the restacking nature of the layers. Designing a three-dimensional nanostructure via inserting metal nanoparticles or one-dimensional carbonaceous nanomaterials inside the graphene layers can prevent the restacking of the layers and hence enhance the electrochemical properties of the composites by providing higher electroactive surface area for electrolyte permeation, charge storage as well as active sites for electrocatalysis. To enhance the electrocatalytical activity of the synthesized nitrogen-doped graphene, a hybrid of nickel embedded nitrogen-doped graphene is developed. The composite shows superior noble-metal-free quadrafunctional electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen peroxide oxidation reaction (HPOR) compared to commercial electrocatalysts of Pt/C and Ru/C. Alternatively, the insertion of carbon nanotubes inside the graphene layers and fabricating a lamellar three-dimensional nanostructure exhibit excellent supercapacitor behavior as fabricated as solid-state supercapacitor and high-rate capable anode for Li-ion battery as well as metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysis of ORR and OER. In addition, the decoration of copper nanoparticles in the three-dimensional nanostructured nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube composite further improves the conductivity and electrochemical properties via interconnecting network of copper nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes with the graphene layers and have been evaluated for high performance metal-ion battery applications. The resultant composites show promising electrochemical performances for developing as electrode materials for next generation energy storage and conversion devices like solid-state supercapacitor, metal-ion battery, metal-air battery and rechargeable fuel cells

Triple valve endocarditis by mycobacterium tuberculosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Granulomas caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis have been observed at autopsy in the heart, pre-dominantly in the myocardium and endocardium, but rarely involving the coronary vessels and valvular structures. Mycobacterium tuberculosis valvular endocarditis is extremely rare, with most reports coming from autopsy series. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 17 year old immunocompetent girl who presented with history of fever, malaise, foot gangrene and a left sided hemiparesis. On investigation she was found to have infective endocarditis involving the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves. She had developed a right middle cerebral artery stroke. She underwent dual valve replacement and tricuspid repair. The vegetations showed granulomatous inflammation but blood cultures and other biological specimen cultures were negative for any organisms. She was started on antituberculous treatment and anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of triple valve endocarditis by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in an immunocompetent host. Especially important is the fact that the right heart is involved which has been historically described in the setting of intravenous drug abuse.This implies that Tuberculosis should be considered in cases of culture negative endocarditis in endemic areas like Pakistan even in immunocompetent hosts

Collection, focusing, and metering of DNA in microchannels using addressable electrode arrays for portable low-power bioanalysis

Although advances in microfluidic technology have enabled increasingly sophisticated biosensing and bioassay operations to be performed at the microscale, many of these applications employ such small amounts of charged biomolecules (DNA, proteins, peptides) that they must first be pre-concentrated to a detectable level. Efficient strategies for precisely handling minute quantities of biomolecules in microchannel geometries are critically needed, however it has proven challenging to achieve simultaneous concentration, focusing, and metering capabilities with currentgeneration sample injection technology. Using microfluidic chips incorporating arrays of individually addressable microfabricated electrodes, we demonstrate that DNA can be sequentially concentrated, focused into a narrow zone, metered, and injected into an analysis channel. The technique used in this research transports charged biomolecules between active electrodes upon application of a small potential difference (1 V), and is capable of achieving orders of magnitude concentration increases within a small device footprint. The collected samples are highly focused, with sample zone size and shape defined solely by electrode geometry. In addition to achieving the objectives of the research project, this setup was found to provide added functionality as a label-free biomolecule detection technique due to the formation of light scattering phases of charged biomolecules on top of the capture electrode

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency and the transition to adulthood: current perspective

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) is an endocrine condition associated with a broad range of health issues from childhood through to adulthood, which requires particular attention during the transition period from adolescence to young adulthood. There is uncertainty in the clinical practice of the management of CO-GHD during transition regarding the clinical assessment and management of individual patients during and after transition to obtain optimal follow-up and improved health outcomes. Despite the availability of clinical guidelines providing the framework for transition of young adults with CO-GHD, there remains substantial variation in approaching transitional care among pediatric and adult services. A well-structured and coordinated transitional plan with clear communication and direct collaboration between pediatric and adult health care to ensure optimal management of adolescents with CO-GHD during transition is needed

Diphenhydramine-dependence Resulting From Self-medication of Antipsychotic- induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms

Antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms should be recognised and adequately treated. We report an unusual complication of not doing so: a patient’s self-medicating to control these symptoms, which produced diphenhydramine-dependence

IMPACT OF INNOVATIVNESS ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF GOVERONMENT LEVEL COMPANIES (GLCs): A MODERATING ROLE OF INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) is not a new strategy of fostering a firm’s performance and to increase customer satisfaction and market share, espoused by striving firms. However, studies on the effect of CE on the performance of GLCs are not common in literature, especially in the eastern world. The literature strongly indicates the requirement of more workable models of CE for GLCs in Pakistan, due to dearth in existing studies on the subject. Hence, the aim of this study is to gauge the impact of the most compelling element of CE on the operational performance of GLCs. This study has also been supplemented with the moderating role of incentive schemes in order to effectively gauge the motivational aspect in CE of GLCs. The analysis has been made through SMART PLS and structural equational modelling was used as the tool of analysis. Analysis indicated that innovation is perceived as one of the prime tools that may affect operational performance, although GLCs have different compensation structures and thus does not seem to be affecting the relationship of innovativeness and operational performance of GLCs

IMPACT OF INNOVATIVNESS ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF GOVERONMENT LEVEL COMPANIES (GLCs): A MODERATING ROLE OF INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) is not a new strategy of fostering a firm’s performance and to increase customer satisfaction and market share, espoused by striving firms. However, studies on the effect of CE on the performance of GLCs are not common in literature, especially in the eastern world. The literature strongly indicates the requirement of more workable models of CE for GLCs in Pakistan, due to dearth in existing studies on the subject. Hence, the aim of this study is to gauge the impact of the most compelling element of CE on the operational performance of GLCs. This study has also been supplemented with the moderating role of incentive schemes in order to effectively gauge the motivational aspect in CE of GLCs. The analysis has been made through SMART PLS and structural equational modelling was used as the tool of analysis. Analysis indicated that innovation is perceived as one of the prime tools that may affect operational performance, although GLCs have different compensation structures and thus does not seem to be affecting the relationship of innovativeness and operational performance of GLCs

Neonatal sepsis following prolonged rupture of membranes in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction: Prolonged rupture of membrane (PROM) is an important risk factor for early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), which is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. We reported the incidence and associated risk factors of PROM for culture-proven EONS. Methodology: The medical records of all neonates born at Aga Khan University, Karachi over a period of five years (2007-2011) with PROM (\u3e 18 hours) were reviewed. Data about maternal and neonatal risk factors for EONS was collected and adjusted logistic regression (AOR) analysis was applied. Results: Incidence of PROM in this neonatal birth cohort was 27/1,000 live births. A total of 17 (4%) cases with blood-culture proven bacterial sepsis were identified within 72 hours of birth. Klebsiella pneumonia (n = 5; 29%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4; 24%) were the commonest isolates followed by group B Streptococcus (n = 3; 18%) and Escherichia coli (n = 2; 12%). Maternal fever (p = 48 hr. (p \u3c 0.001; AOR, 8.2), neonatal prematurity \u3c 34 weeks (p \u3c 0.001; AOR, 4.1) and low birth weight \u3c 1,500 grams (p 0.001; AOR, 9.8) along with neonatal thrombocytopenia and raised CRP were found to be independent risk factors associated with culture-proven EONS in PROM. Conclusions: Preventive measures should focus on recognition of these high-risk infants with prompt laboratory screening for sepsis and early institution of empirical antibiotic based on local data. Such approaches would be a safe and cost-effective strategy, especially in developing countries