Closed Shop or Collaborative Hub? An Analysis of the Partners' Importance in CANZUK Countries' Research Collaborations

Collaborative partners are important in international research collaboration. The research collaborations between four CANZUK countries (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) are examined to see whether their research connections are different from the research relationships with other countries. This paper measures the affinity index values and analyses the development of research collaborations among CANZUK countries with those between the CANZUK and other countries. The whole counting method and the fractional counting method are applied in this study to compare the differences in the results. The findings show that although the affinity index values of CANZUK countries were decreasing over time, the importance of CANZUK partners to CANZUK countries has likely increased over time at the expense of the other partners' importance. The study also shows the minor differences in results obtained by applying two different counting methods. These differences can be explained by the nature of the counting methods, and the choice to use either one of these two counting methods should be considered in other international research collaboration studies.Peer Reviewe

Optimization of Rough Self-Propelled Rotary Turning Parameters in terms of Total Energy Consumption and Surface Roughness

The self-propelled rotary tool turning (SPRT) process is an economic and effective solution for machining difficult-to-cut materials. This work optimized SPRT parameters, including the inclination angle (A), depth of cut (D), feed rate (f), and turning speed (V) to decrease the total energy consumption (TE) and surface roughness (SR). The turning experiments of the hardened AISI 4150 steel were executed to obtain the experimental data, while the regression method was applied to develop the TE and SR correlations. The entropy method and quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) were utilized to select the weights and optimal factors. The results indicated that the optimal A, D, f, and V were 34 deg., 0.40 mm, 0.47 mm/rev., and 177 m/min, respectively, while the TE and SR were saved by 9.7% and 35.4%, respectively. The f and V were found to be the most effective parameters, followed by the D and A. The outcomes provide valuable data to determine optimal SPRT factors for minimizing energy consumption and maximizing machining quality.The optimizing technique could be applied to solve other issues for different SPRT operations

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF ORAL SUSTAINED-RELEASE RANITIDINE DELIVERY SYSTEM BASED ON BACTERIAL NANOCELLULOSE MATERIAL PRODUCED BY KOMAGATAEIBACTER XYLINUS

Objective: The short biological half-life (2-3 h) and low bioavailability (50 %) of ranitidine (RAN) following oral administration favor the development of a controlled release system. This study was aimed to develop and in vitro evaluate oral sustained-release RAN delivery system based on the bacterial nanocellulose material (BNM) produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus (K. xylinus) from selected culture media. Methods: BNMs are biosynthesized by K. xylinus in the standard medium (SM) and coconut water (CW). RAN was loaded in BNMs by the absorption method. The structural and physicochemical properties of BNMs and BNMs-RAN were evaluated via swelling behavior, FTIR, and FESEM techniques. Moreover, the effect of BNMs on RAN release profile and release kinetics was analyzed and evaluated. Results: The amount of loaded RAN or entrapment efficacy for BNM-CW is higher than for BNM-SM. The BNM-SM-RAN and BNM-CW-RAN exhibited a decreased initial burst release system followed by a prolonged RAN release up to 24 h in relation to the commercial tablets containing RAN. The RAN release from these formulations was found higher in the SGF medium than that of in SIF medium. RAN released from these formulations was found to follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and diffusion sustained drug release mechanism. The sustained release of RAN from BNM-SM-RAN was slower than for RAN from BNM-CW-RAN, but the mechanism of sustained RAN release was the same. Conclusion: Oral sustained-release RAN delivery system based on BNMs was successfully prepared and evaluated for various in vitro parameters. The biopolymers like BNM-SM and BNM-CW could be utilized to develop oral sustained RAN release dosage form

Multi-Response Optimization of the Flat Burnishing Process with a High-Stiffness Tool in terms of Surface Characteristics

In this work, the surface roughness (SR), surface hardness (SH), and the thickness of the affected layer (TL) of the multi-roller flat burnishing process are optimized.The parameter inputs are the tool rotational speed (S), burnishing depth (D), and feed rate (f). The flat burnishing tool having three rollers was utilized to facilitate burnishing trials. The Kriging models of performances are proposed regarding inputs.The CRITIC method and Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) were employed to select weights and optimality. The optimizing outcomes indicated that the optimal values of the S, f, and D were 912 rpm, 150 mm/min, and 0.12 mm, respectively. The improvements in the SR, SH, and TL were 33.3%, 26.9%, and 48.6%, respectively. The SR was primarily influenced by the f, followed by the D and S, respectively. The SH and TL were primarily influenced by the D, followed by the S and f, respectively. The optimal data could be applied to the practical multi-roller burnishing process to improve surface properties for flat surfaces. The Kriging models and CSA could be efficiently utilized to solve complex issues for burnishing operations and other machining processes

Relationship between temperature, temperature-humidity index and amount of food intake of Sheep

This study aimed to identify the relationship between temperature, temperature-humidity index (THI), and the amount of dry matter food intake (DMI) by sheep. Twelve Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan province) sheep belonging to three age groups of 6, 9, and 12 months (4 heads of each age group) raised in Thua Thien Hue province were fed with natural grass for two seasons: hot season (April-August) and cold season (November-February). Daily temperature, humidity, and food intake were recorded. The results of the study revealed that temperature and THI were closely correlated (P<0.05) with the amount of food intake by sheep. When the temperature was in the range of 29.5°C to 32.5°C and increased by 1ο C, the DMI of sheep decreased by 14.7 g/BW/day. When the value of THI was more than 28.5 and rose by 1°C, the DMI of sheep decreased by 16.2 g/BW/day

Closed Shop or Collaborative Hub? An Analysis of the Partners' Importance in CANZUK Countries' Research Collaborations

Collaborative partners are important in international research collaboration. The research collaborations between four CANZUK countries (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) are examined to see whether their research connections are different from the research relationships with other countries. This paper measures the affinity index values and analyses the development of research collaborations among CANZUK countries with those between the CANZUK and other countries. The whole counting method and the fractional counting method are applied in this study to compare the differences in the results. The findings show that although the affinity index values of CANZUK countries were decreasing over time, the importance of CANZUK partners to CANZUK countries has likely increased over time at the expense of the other partners' importance. The study also shows the minor differences in results obtained by applying two different counting methods. These differences can be explained by the nature of the counting methods, and the choice to use either one of these two counting methods should be considered in other international research collaboration studies

Folding of proteins in presculpted free energy landscape

Recent studies of the tube model of protein have indicated that the free energy landscape of proteins is presculpted by symmetry of the protein backbone and geometrical constraints played by the hydrogen bonds. In this study, we investigate the role of amino acid sequences in the folding of proteins. We consider two models that are differed by sequence specificity: the tube HP model with hydrophobic (H) and polar (P) sequences, and the tube Go model with native-centric contact potentials. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out for two sequences of length of 48 amino acids, whose ground states are a three-helix bundle and a GB1-like structure.  The results show that folding inthe Go model is more cooperative than in the HP model. In the HP model the collapse transition and the folding transition are separated, whereas in the Go model the two transitions coincide