Q-measures and betweenness centrality in a collaboration network: a case study of the field of informetrics

We study global and local Q-measures, as well as betweenness centrality, as indicators of international collaboration in research. After a brief review of their definitions, we introduce the concepts of external and internal inter-group geodesics. These concepts are applied to a collaboration network of 1129 researchers from different countries, which is based on publications in bibliometrics, informetrics, webometrics, and scientometrics (BIWS in short) from the period 1990–2009. It is thus illustrated how international collaboration (among authors from different countries) in BIWS is carried out. Our results suggest that average scores for local Q-measures are typically higher, indicating a relatively low degree of international collaboration in BIWS. The dominating form of international collaboration is bilateral, whereas multilateral collaboration is relatively rare in the field of BIWS. We also identify and visualize the most important global and local actors. Dividing the entire period in four 5-year periods, it is found that most international collaboration in the field has happened in the last time slice (2005–2009). A comparison of the different time slices reveals the non-linear growth of the indicators studied and the international expansion of the field.     

Evidence for fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposit formation mechanisms in sewer lines

The presence of hardened and insoluble fats, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits in sewer lines is a major cause of line blockages leading to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Despite the central role that FOG deposits play in SSOs, little is known about the mechanisms of FOG deposit formation in sanitary sewers. In this study, FOG deposits were formed under laboratory conditions from the reaction between free fatty acids and calcium chloride. The calcium and fatty acid profile analysis showed that the laboratory-produced FOG deposit displayed similar characteristics to FOG deposits collected from sanitary sewer lines. Results of FTIR analysis showed that the FOG deposits are metallic salts of fatty acid as revealed by comparisons with FOG deposits collected from sewer lines and pure calcium soaps. Based on the data, we propose that the formation of FOG deposits occurs from the aggregation of excess calcium compressing the double layer of free fatty acid micelles and a saponification reaction between aggregated calcium and free fatty acids.     

Magnetic,Dielectric and Complex Impedance Properties of xBa_(0.95)Sr_(0.05)TiO_3–(1-x)BiFe_(0.9)Gd_(0.1)O_3Multiferroic Ceramics

xBa_(0.95)Sr_(0.05)TiO_3–(1-x)BiFe_(0.9)Gd_(0.1)O_3[x BST–(1-x)BFGO](x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.25) multiferroic ceramics were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction technique. Structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction. All the samples showed rhombohedral distorted perovskite structure. Surface morphology of the ceramics was studied by the field emission scanning electron microscope(FESEM). From the FESEM observation, the grain size was observed to be decreased with increasing BST content. Enhanced magnetic properties were observed in BFGO with the increase in BST content because of large lattice distortion. The complex initial permeability increased with the increasing of BST content. The study of dielectric properties showed that the dielectric constant increased, whereas dielectric loss decreased with increasing of BST content due to the reduction of oxygen vacancies. An analysis of the electric impedance and modulus with frequency was performed at different temperatures. Non-Debye-type relaxation processes occur in the compound which was confirmed from the nature of the Cole–Cole plot. The DC conductivity was found to increase with the rise in temperature which indicates the semiconducting behavior of the compound with characteristics of the negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The activation energy, responsible for the relaxation determined from the modulus spectra(0.246 eV), was found to be almost same as the value obtained from the impedance study(0.240 eV), indicating that charge carriers overcome the same energy barrier during relaxation. The frequency response of imaginary parts of electric impedance and modulus suggested that the relaxation in xB ST–(1-x)BFGO ceramics follows the same mechanism at various temperatures.     

Effect of Zn Doping on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ba4Ni2−x Zn x Fe36O60 Hexaferrites

Polycrystalline Ba₄Ni_2?x Zn _x Fe₃₆O₆₀ (0.0 ≤x ≤ 1.4) hexagonal ferrite samples have been prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. Structural and magnetic properties of the prepared samples were then analyzed by the X-ray diffraction technique and with superconducting quantum interface device (SQUID) magnetometer, respectively. Variations of lattice parameters, density, and porosity with Zn content were measured. Magnetic properties such as complex permeability, relative quality factor, loss factor, and saturation magnetization have been investigated as a function of Zn content. The study revealed that Zn content has a significant effect on structural and magnetic properties of the Ba₄Ni₂Fe₃₆ O ₆₀ hexaferrites.     

The NIP Genes in Sugar Beet: Underlying Roles in Silicon Uptake and Growth Improvement

Silicon - Silicon (Si) can stimulate plant growth and stress resistance. This study aimed at elucidating the physiological responses and molecular characterization of different NIP (nodulin 26-like...     

The Size and Power of the Bias-Corrected Bootstrap Test for Regression Models with Autocorrelated Errors

This paper is concerned with statistical inference for the coefficient of the linear regression model when the error term follows an autoregressive (AR) model. Past studies have reported severe size distortions, when the data are trending and autocorrelation of the error term is high. In this paper, we consider a test based on the bias-corrected bootstrap, where bias-corrected parameter estimators for the AR and regression coefficients are used. For bias-correction, the jackknife and bootstrap methods are employed. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to compare size and power properties of the bias-corrected bootstrap test. It is found that the bias-corrected bootstrap test shows substantially improved size properties and exhibits excellent power for most of cases considered. It also appears that bootstrap bias-correction leads to better size and higher power values than jackknife bias-correction. These results are found to be robust to the choice of parameter estimation methods.JEL classifications: C12, C15, C63     

Nutritional composition of minor indigenous fruits: Cheapest nutritional source for the rural people of Bangladesh

In line of the development of a food composition database for Bangladesh, 10 minor indigenous fruits were analysed for their nutrient composition comprising ascorbic acid, carotenoids and mineral values. Nutrient data obtained have been compared with published data reported in different literatures, book and United States Department of Agriculture-National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Ascorbic acid was highest in Wood apple and lowest in Roselle. Monkey jack contained the highest amount of carotenoids, zinc and copper. Content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous were found highest in Antidesma velutinum. Potassium was the highest in Wood apple followed by in Moneky jack. It was noted that most of the minor fruits have much higher amount of ascorbic acid than the national fruit – Jack fruit ripe, the king fruit – Mango ripe of Bangladesh and exotic fruits – Apple and Grapes. The nutrient values of these minor fruits would make awareness among the people for their mass consumption for healthy life and to grow more minor fruit trees from extinction in order to maintain biodiversity.     

NLRP3 Ubiquitination—A New Approach to Target NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

In response to diverse pathogenic and danger signals, the cytosolic activation of the NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing (3)) inflammasome complex is a critical event in the maturation and release of some inflammatory cytokines in the state of an inflammatory response. After activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a series of cellular events occurs, including caspase 1-mediated proteolytic cleavage and maturation of the IL-1β and IL-18, followed by pyroptotic cell death. Therefore, the NLRP3 inflammasome has become a prime target for the resolution of many inflammatory disorders. Since NLRP3 inflammasome activation can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli and the activation process occurs in a complex, it is difficult to target the NLRP3 inflammasome. During the activation process, various post-translational modifications (PTM) of the NLRP3 protein are required to form a complex with other components. The regulation of ubiquitination and deubiquitination of NLRP3 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for NLRP3 inflammasome-associated inflammatory disorders. In this review, we discuss the ubiquitination and deubiquitination system for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the inhibitors that can be used as potential therapeutic agents to modulate the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.     

Rural household energy consumption pattern in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh

Energy is one of the most important ingredients required to alleviate poverty and realize socio-economic and human development, which is directly interconnected to the prominence of life in rural areas. An extensive survey on household energy consumption pattern interrelating socio-economic and demographic factors was carried out in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh using stratified random sampling technique of 120 households. This paper focuses on household energy consumption, various combinations of fuels and their expenditure in the study area. Biomass, kerosene, electricity, LPG and candle were found as the energy carrier used in the rural households in this study. The study shows that 92% households use biomass, 28% LPG, 89% kerosene, 78% electricity and 27% candle as fuel types. It was found that 56% households collected biomass from their own homesteads and/or agricultural lands. Bamboo, branches, cow dung, firewood, rice husk, leaves & twigs and straw were found as the biomass for household energy use. Average monthly household expenditure for total energy was US$ 9.67 (SE, 0.31) per month while the total monthly income of the household was US$ 123 (SE, 2.53). The ratio of the total monthly energy expenditure to the total monthly income was 7.86%. The study will be helpful to understand the energy consumption system and its expenditure in the rural areas of Bangladesh and to the policy formulation for energy production, consumption and utilization.