Boron-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide with Tunable Bandgap and Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance.

Graphene and its hybrids are being employed as potential materials in light-sensing devices due to their high optical and electronic properties. However, the absence of a bandgap in graphene limits the realization of devices with high performance. In this work, a boron-doped reduced graphene oxide (B-rGO) is proposed to overcome the above problems. Boron doping enhances the conductivity of graphene oxide and creates several defect sites during the reduction process, which can play a vital role in achieving high-sensing performance of light-sensing devices. Initially, the B-rGO is synthesized using a modified microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and later analyzed using standard FESEM, FTIR, XPS, Raman, and XRD techniques. The content of boron in doped rGO was found to be 6.51 at.%. The B-rGO showed a tunable optical bandgap from 2.91 to 3.05 eV in the visible spectrum with an electrical conductivity of 0.816 S/cm. The optical constants obtained from UV-Vis absorption spectra suggested an enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) response for B-rGO in the theoretical study, which was further verified by experimental investigations. The B-rGO with tunable bandgap and enhanced SPR could open up the solution for future high-performance optoelectronic and sensing applications.

Graphene loaded TiO2 submicron spheres scattering layer for efficient dye-sensitized solar cell.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have attracted great attention due to environmentally friendly low-cost processing, excellent working ability in diffuse light, and potential to meet the power demands of future buildings due the true class of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Nevertheless, DSSCs have relatively low photoconversion efficiency (PCE) due to multiple issues. Several strategies have been employed to enhance its PCE. For instance, bi-layered structure of photoelectrode i.e., mesoporous TiO2 transparent layer with top scattering layer was introduced which scatter light inside on large angles improves the harvesting ability of photoelectrode thus enhanced PCE. However, scattering layer is composed of aggregated small particles which offer sluggish electron transport due to multiple grain boundaries, consequently, unwanted recombination reaction which leads to poor PCE. This issue has been addressed for transparent layer immensely but ignored for scattering layer. Mostly for scattering layer in previous studies novel structures have been proposed to enhance scattering properties and dye adsorption only. Therefore, in this study for the first time presenting dual functional graphene/TiO2 scattering layer in which solvent exfoliated graphene is incorporated in TiO2 submicron spheres which enhanced electron transport properties, while submicron spheres scatter light effectively. Scattering and electron transport characteristics of DSSCs are thoroughly investigated with the function of graphene loading. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has revealed that diffusion coefficient length and coefficient and conductivity attained maximum value at 0.01 wt%. while other important parameters such as electron lifetime and electron density in conduction band have been improved till 0.020 wt% graphene loading. However, results indicated that with 0.01 w% graphene 33% higher PCE was achieved than without scattering layer and 13% higher than scattering layer without graphene. The depraving in PCE at >0.01 wt% graphene despite of excellent electron transport improvement is attributed to the loss of diffuse reflectance and higher optical absorption by graphene.

Genetic Diversity and Virulence Profiling of Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia coli of Human, Animal, and Environmental Origins.

Rapid urbanization has increased human-animal interaction and consequently enhanced the chances to acquire zoonotic diseases. The current investigation is focused to uncover the genetic diversity of multidrug-resistant E. coli strains between different ecologies (i.e., humans, livestock, and environment) at the molecular level by employing antimicrobial resistance profiling, virulence genes profiling, and microbial typing approach using ERIC PCR. Based on multiple antibiotic resistance, overall, 19 antibiotic resistance patterns (R1-R19) were observed. Most of the strains (49/60) were detected to have the combinations of stx, eaeA, and hlyA genes and considered STEC/EPEC/EHEC. A total of 18 unique genetic profiles were identified based on ERIC-PCR fingerprints and most of the strains (13) belong to P1 whereas the least number of strains were showing profiles P7 and P8-P11 (one member each profile). The calculated values for Shannon index (H) for human, animal, and environment are 1.70, 1.82, and 1.78, respectively revealing the highest genetic diversity among the E. coli strains of animal origin. The study revealed that drug-resistant pathogenic E. coli strains could be transmitted bidirectionally among the environment, humans, and animals.

Investigating the awareness level about diabetes mellitus and associated factors in Tarlai (rural Islamabad).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the baseline level of awareness amongst a rural community about Diabetes Mellitus (irrespective of type 1 or type 2), its risk factors and complications. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted at the community of Tarlai, Islamabad, Pakistan, in January of 2008. A structured questionnaire was used and 300 adults (age > or = 18 years) were assessed on their knowledge regarding awareness of Diabetes Mellitus, its risk factors and complications. All data collected was entered into SPSS version 10.0. The data was re-validated and analyzed. RESULTS: Out of the three hundred adults subjected to the survey, only 129 (43%) adults had any awareness of Diabetes Mellitus. Adults with no regular, scheduled exercise were 221 (73.7%) and 256 (85.3%) did not have healthy eating habits. Awareness of risk factors was present in 42 (14%) while awareness of the complications associated with the disease was 65 (22%). Adults which reported as never going for regular checkups to any clinic or hospital were 232 (77%). Family history of diabetes mellitus was statistically significantly associated with awareness about diabetes mellitus (65% vs 32%, p < 0.001), people who were in contact regularly with health care providers were more aware about diabetes and the associated risk factors than those who were not (71% vs 35%, p < 0.001). Sex was not associated (p = 0.28) with awareness about diabetes mellitus, nor was the educational status (p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Majority of adults were unaware of Diabetes Mellitus itself and associated risk factors. Raising public awareness of the disease through outreach programmes and mass media should be planned and implemented.

Correction to: Oliguria due to extensive subcapsular hematoma in renal graft: does surgical intervention ensure better outcomes?

In the original publication of the article, the author name "Nadeem Iqbal" has appeared twice. The corrected author group and affiliations are given in this Correction. The original article has been corrected.

Oliguria due to extensive subcapsular hematoma in renal graft: does surgical intervention ensure better outcomes?

A 58-year-old male patient, with end-stage renal disease secondary to hypertension, underwent living-related kidney transplant at our transplant unit. The transplant surgery went uneventful and brisk urine output was recorded. Four hours after the transplant, the output suddenly dropped despite normal central venous pressure. Doppler scan revealed an extensive peri-allograft hematoma and high renal arterial resistive indices (RI). The patient was taken to the operating room where capsulotomy of the subcapsular hematoma was done. Postoperatively, the urine output restored to normal and the patient was sent home on the 5th post-operative day with adequately functioning renal graft. Surgical capsulotomy seems to be a valid approach in the management of such cases.