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Family type and fertility: a review of literature

Kim O-k, Shah IH

Kajok Kyehoek Nonjip, 1979 Nov;6:142-58.
PMID: 12178433

PIP: It is generally believed that extended families encourage high fertility, but a review of the theoretical discussions and empirical research examining the relationship between family type and fertility fails to show any support for the customary belief. Nuclear families consist of husband, wife, and their immediate children. The extended family is broadly defined as any group of related persons living together which includes but is larger than the nuclear family. The main theoretical discussions of extended family and fertility are by Davis (1957); Davis and Blake (1956); Lorimer (1954); and Goode (1963; 1964). In the patrilocal extended family, the wife wants to have offspring as early as possible to strengthen the family line and her own status in the household. In a truly joint household the authority of the elders continues after marriage; the reproductive behavior of a couple is subject to their influence. Less intimate or less intense interspousal communication precludes the possibility of discussion on fertility-related problems and family planning. Younger age at marriage and lack of privacy contributes to higher fertility. According to Goode extended family behavior is characterized by more rules for behavior, while nuclear families emphasize the conjugal bond. Since most affinal and consanguineal kin are excluded from day-to-day decisions in the nuclear family there are weaker reciprocal controls.
Stepped electrode designs of TSM langasite resonators for high-temperature applications

Shah I, Saha T

Ultrasonics, 2023 Apr;130:106925.
PMID: 36630743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2023.106925

In this paper, we report the simulation and fabrication of thickness-shear mode langasite resonators with stepped elliptical electrode designs to investigate their effects on energy trapping and suppression of spurious modes at elevated temperatures. Finite element analysis was conducted to analyze the design of a stepped elliptical electrode on a contoured langasite crystal. Based on the simulation findings, langasite resonators with stepped electrodes were fabricated, and their displacement profiles and frequency-temperature properties were characterized using network analysis and laser Doppler vibrometry. Results demonstrate improved frequency separation between the resonant and spurious modes, and enhanced spurious mode suppression at both room and higher temperatures, suggesting that stepped elliptical electrode designs can effectively enhance the sensing performance of langasite resonators.
A mini-review on rare earth metal-doped TiO2 for photocatalytic remediation of wastewater

Saqib NU, Adnan R, Shah I

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Aug;23(16):15941-51.
PMID: 27335012 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6984-7

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been considered a useful material for the treatment of wastewater due to its non-toxic character, chemical stability and excellent electrical and optical properties which contribute in its wide range of applications, particularly in environmental remediation technology. However, the wide band gap of TiO2 photocatalyst (anatase phase, 3.20 eV) limits its photocatalytic activity to the ultraviolet region of light. Besides that, the electron-hole pair recombination has been found to reduce the efficiency of the photocatalyst. To overcome these problems, tailoring of TiO2 surface with rare earth metals to improve its surface, optical and photocatalytic properties has been investigated by many researchers. The surface modifications with rare earth metals proved to enhance the efficiency of TiO2 photocatalyts by way of reducing the band gap by shifting the working wavelength to the visible region and inhibiting the anatase-to-rutile phase transformations. This review paper summarises the attempts on modification of TiO2 using rare earth metals describing their effect on the photocatalytic activities of the modified TiO2 photocatalyst.
Fulltext Iron impregnated activated carbon as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue: regeneration and kinetics studies

Shah I, Adnan R, Wan Ngah WS, Mohamed N

PLoS One, 2015;10(4):e0122603.
PMID: 25849291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122603

In this study, iron impregnated activated carbon (FeAC) was synthesized following an oxidation and iron impregnation of activated carbon (AC). Both the AC and FeAC were characterized by pHZPC and FTIR spectroscopy. The removal of Methylene Blue (MB) by AC and FeAC was examined under various experimental conditions. The FeAC showed up to 95% (higher than AC) MB removal in the pH range of 7-10. Although the reaction kinetics was pseudo-second order, the overall rate was controlled by a number of processes such as film diffusion, pore diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. The activation energy values for the MB uptake by AC and FeAC (21.79 and 14.82 kJ/mol, respectively) revealed a physisorption process. In the regeneration study, FeAC has shown consistently ≥ 90% MB removal even up to 10 repeated cycles. The reusable characteristic of the spent FeAC improved the practical use of activated carbon and can be a breakthrough for continuous flow system applications where it can work effectively without any significant reduction in its performance.
A new insight to the physical interpretation of activated carbon and iron doped carbon material: sorption affinity towards organic dye

Shah I, Adnan R, Ngah WS, Mohamed N, Taufiq-Yap YH

Bioresour Technol, 2014 May;160:52-6.
PMID: 24630369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.02.047

To enhance the potential of activated carbon (AC), iron incorporation into the AC surface was examined in the present investigations. Iron doped activated carbon (FeAC) material was synthesized and characterized by using surface area analysis, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The surface area of FeAC (543 m(2)/g) was found to be lower than AC (1043 m(2)/g) as a result of the pores widening due to diffusion of iron particles into the porous AC. Iron uploading on AC surface was confirmed through EDX analysis, showing up to 13.75 wt.% iron on FeAC surface. TPR and TPD profiles revealed the presence of more active sites on FeAC surface. FeAC have shown up to 98% methylene blue (MB) removal from the aqueous media. Thermodynamic parameters indicated the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the sorption processes.
Evaluation of the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of methylene blue using nascent and Ag+ ions-modified TiO2

Saqib NU, Shah I, Adnan R, Zaman F, Imam SS, Jan HA, et al.

Photochem Photobiol Sci, 2024 Feb;23(2):245-256.
PMID: 38105417 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00513-2

In photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants, adsorption and degradation are two important processes that take place. Various instrumental techniques and trapping experiments have been used to identify the reactive species and the mechanism of photodegradation. The present work focuses on investigating the mechanism of photo-induced degradation from the comparative characterization of fresh and used samples, isotherm models, competitive adsorption, and desorption studies of pure and Ag+-modified TiO2 NPs. The comparative characterizations of fresh and used NPs were carried out with FT-IR, EDX, and XRF analyses after methylene blue (MB) degradation. The Ag+ doped TiO2 used in this study was fabricated using simple impregnation technique. The prepared NPs were characterized using techniques including XPS, XRD, SEM/EDX, XRF, UV-DRS, and pH point-zero charge analyses (pHPZC). The Ag+-modified TiO2 NPs showed improved efficiency compared to pure TiO2 NPs using normal compact fluorescent light (CFL). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to test the adsorption behavior on the surface photocatalysts. The investigational data finest fitted to the Langmuir isotherms model compared to Freundlich model, suggesting the homogeneous monolayer adsorption followed by degradations. The competitive removal of MB in the presence of a photo-generated electrons trapper (Cd2+) was enhanced almost 3-folds (115 mg/L) compared to the removal from a single MB solution (40 mg/L). The characterization of the used samples as well as adsorption in the dark and negligible desorption of used samples support the involvement of the proposed photo-induced degradation mechanism.
Fulltext Stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors plays a protective role via increased expression of RAF-1 and PDX-1 in hyperglycemic rat pancreatic islet (RIN-m5F) cells

Safi SZ, Qvist R, Ong G, Karimian H, Imran M, Shah I

Arch Med Sci, 2017 Mar 01;13(2):470-480.
PMID: 28261303 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.64131

INTRODUCTION: It is a widely held view that a progressive reduction of beta-cell mass occurs in the progression of diabetes. RAF-1 kinase and pancreas duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) are major factors that promote survival of cells and maintain normal insulin functions. In this study we investigated the effect of a β-adrenergic receptor agonist and antagonist on RAF-1 and PDX-1, and their respective effects on apoptosis and insulin release in RIN-m5F cells.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: RIN-m5F cells were cultured in normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose to mimic diabetic conditions, followed by treatment with 5 µM, 10 µM and 20 µM of isoproterenol and isoproterenol + propranolol for 6, 12 and 24 h. Western blotting and reverse transcription analysis were performed to examine the expression of RAF-1 and PDX-1. Annexin-V-FITC and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to investigate apoptosis. ELISA was used to measure insulin levels. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was conducted to investigate the expression of genes.
RESULTS: Stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors with isoproterenol significantly induced RAF-1 and PDX-1 genes in a concentration-dependent and time-independent manner. Changes were significant both at protein and mRNA levels. Up-regulation of RAF-1 and PDX-1 was accompanied by improved insulin levels and reduced apoptosis. Concentrations of 10 µM and 20 µM for 12 and 24 h were more effective in achieving significant differences in the experimental and control groups. Propranolol reversed the effect of isoproterenol mostly at maximum concentrations and time periods.
CONCLUSIONS: A positive effect of a β-adrenergic agonist on RAF-1 and PDX-1, reduction in β-cell apoptosis and improved insulin contents can help to understand the pathogenesis of diabetes and to develop novel approaches for the β-cell dysfunction in diabetes.
Fulltext Can Pharmacists' Counseling Improve the Use of Inhalers and Quality of Life? A Prospective "Pre" and "Post" Education Analysis in Mardan, Pakistan

Gul S, Rehman IU, Goh KW, Ali Z, Rahman AU, Khalil A, et al.

J Asthma Allergy, 2023;16:679-687.
PMID: 37435420 DOI: 10.2147/JAA.S405943

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the common major non-communicable respiratory diseases, and is associated with a lower health-related quality of life (QOL). Poor inhalation is a significant contributing factor to poor control of asthma. Community pharmacist has a vital role to play in assisting patients and ultimately improving their asthma conditions through the use of inhalers.
AIM: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of "pre" and "post" educational intervention by a community pharmacist within a community pharmacy on asthma patients' QOL, inhaler technique, and adherence to therapy during the endemic phase of COVID-19.
METHODS: A "pre" and "post" interventional study was performed at a community pharmacy in the city of Mardan, Pakistan, in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were divided into two groups, ie control and pharmacist-led education groups. After assigning patients to both groups, the baseline data were collected and followed for one month to compare the reduction in errors in the use of inhalers, QOL, and adherence to therapy. A paired sample t-test was performed, keeping a p-value <0.05 as statistical significance.
RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were recruited, majority (58.3%) were females, and 28.3% were from the age group of 46-55 years old. A statistically significant difference was observed in the pre- and post-education QOL score among patients in the pharmacist-led education group, from a mean ± SD at pre-education of 40.23±10.03 to a mean±SD at post-education of 48.10±5.68. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed for the correct use of inhalers, ie MDIs and DPIs. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed in the adherence status between pre-education and post-education by pharmacists.
CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed a positive impact of community pharmacist-led education on QOL, inhaler technique, and adherence to therapy among patients with asthma.
Fulltext Synthesis, Surface Nitriding and Characterization of Ti-Nb Modified 316L Stainless Steel Alloy Using Powder Metallurgy

Ali S, Irfan M, Muhammad Niazi U, Rani AMA, Shah I, Legutko S, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Jun 13;14(12).
PMID: 34199244 DOI: 10.3390/ma14123270

The powder metallurgy (PM) technique has been widely used for producing different alloy compositions by the addition of suitable reinforcements. PM is also capable of producing desireable mechanical and physical properties of the material by varying process parameters. This research investigates the addition of titanium and niobium in a 316L stainless steel matrix for potential use in the biomedical field. The increase of sintering dwell time resulted in simultaneous sintering and surface nitriding of compositions, using nitrogen as the sintering atmosphere. The developed alloy compositions were characterized using OM, FESEM, XRD and XPS techniques for quantification of the surface nitride layer and the nitrogen absorbed during sintering. The corrosion resistance and cytotoxicity assessments of the developed compositions were carried out in artificial saliva solution and human oral fibroblast cell culture, respectively. The results indicated that the nitride layer produced during sintering increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy and the developed compositions are non-cytotoxic. This newly developed alloy composition and processing technique is expected to provide a low-cost solution to implant manufacturing.
Be Careful Where You Smile: Culture Shapes Judgments of Intelligence and Honesty of Smiling Individuals

Krys K, -Melanie Vauclair C, Capaldi CA, Lun VM, Bond MH, Domínguez-Espinosa A, et al.

Journal of nonverbal behavior, 2015 12 30;40:101-116.
PMID: 27194817

Smiling individuals are usually perceived more favorably than non-smiling ones-they are judged as happier, more attractive, competent, and friendly. These seemingly clear and obvious consequences of smiling are assumed to be culturally universal, however most of the psychological research is carried out in WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) and the influence of culture on social perception of nonverbal behavior is still understudied. Here we show that a smiling individual may be judged as less intelligent than the same non-smiling individual in cultures low on the GLOBE's uncertainty avoidance dimension. Furthermore, we show that corruption at the societal level may undermine the prosocial perception of smiling-in societies with high corruption indicators, trust toward smiling individuals is reduced. This research fosters understanding of the cultural framework surrounding nonverbal communication processes and reveals that in some cultures smiling may lead to negative attributions.