Citation Trend of Indian Physics and Astronomy Research during 2005 2020 through the Lens of Some New Indicators

The indicator Citation Swing Factor (CSF) has recently been developed to quantitatively measure the diffusion process from h-core zone to h-core excess zone. This paper calculated CSF for Indian physics and astronomy research output appeared in selective Indian journals since 2005 to 2020. The theoretical values of CSF are also calculated on the basis of its fundamental equation and same was compared it with the respective observed values. The average error over entire time span is found 2.26 per cent indicating close proximity between theoretically expected and practically observed values. Besides, three other scientometric indicators are introduced here, viz. Time-Normalised Total Cited Ratio (TC), Time-Normalised Cited Uncited Ratio (CU) and Time-Normalised Total Uncited Ratio (TU). Of these four indicators, the variation of TC is highest (1.76), followed by TU (0.53), CU (0.37) and CSF(E) (0.09), as evident from the values of respective Coefficients of Variations. The numerical values of these indicators are found out for the same sample and the temporal variations along with their mutual interrelationships are determined by regression analysis. It is observed that the three indicators, TC, CU and TU are mutually interrelated through the following linear regression equations, i.e. TC = -0.76 + 1.88*TU and CU = -0.201 + 0.34*TU.

Growth Performance of Purgi Goats under Field Conditions in Kargil District (Ladakh)

Background: Purgi goats are native to Ladakh. They are used for fibre production and are known for the quality chevon. A study was, therefore, undertaken to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits of Purgi Goats in its breeding tract. Methods: Flocks of 80 farmers from 8 villages of district Kargil were monitored to collect the data pertaining to growth traits during 2017 and 2018. The data so collected were suitably classified to study the major fixed effects like birth year, kid, parity of dam, season of birth and type of birth. Result: The averages were1.21±0.02, 3.62±0.02, 5.82±0.02, 8.73±0.03, 10.71±0.04 and 13.49±0.09 for BW, WW, 6MW, 9MW, 12MW and 18MW, respectively. The coefficients of variations of all the traits were low. Highest variability of 13.49 was observed for 18MW. The values of least squares means (LSM’s) of 0.96±0.05, 3.74±0.03, 5.80±0.05, 8.74±0.06, 10.87±0.08 and 13.91±0.19 for birthweight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (6MW), nine months weight (9MW), yearling body weight (12MW) and eighteen months (18MW) weight were observed in the present study. The effects of sex of kids, season of birth and year of birth were significant (p less than 0.05) on all traits under study, whereas effect of birth-type was significant (p less than 0.05) on BW and WW and effect of parity was non-significant on all traits under study. All the traits BW, WW and 6MW were positively correlated among themselves. The correlations ranged from low (between BW and WW ) to high (WW with 9MW and 12MW).

Fay-Herriot Model-Based Prediction Alternatives for Estimating Households with Emigrated Members

This article proposes a new methodology for estimating the proportions of households that had experience of international migration at the municipal level in Colombia. The Colombian National Statistical Office usually produces estimations of internal migration based on the results of population censuses, but there is a lack of disaggregated information about the main small areas of origin of the population that emigrates from Colombia. The proposed methodology uses frequentist and Bayesian approaches based on a Fay-Herriot model and is illustrated by one example with a dependent variable from the Demographic and Health Survey 2015 and covariables available from the population census 2005. The proposed alternative produces proportion estimates that are consistent with sample sizes and the main internal immigration trends in Colombia. Additionally, the estimated coefficients of variation are lower than 20% for municipalities for both frequentist and Bayesian approaches and large demographically-relevant capital cities and therefore estimates may be considered to be reliable. Finally, we illustrate how the proposed alternative leads to important reductions of the estimated coefficients of variations for the areas with very small sample sizes.

Genetic variability and correlation studies among yield and yield contributing characters of yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis L. Verdc.)

Twenty-five genotypes of yardlong bean were planted in the field to determine genotypic variances and correlations among characters related to yield. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference among the genotypes for all traits, indicating the presence of variability. The phenotypic coefficients of variations were found slightly higher than the genotypic coefficients of variations, which suggests that the apparent variation is not only genetic but also influenced by the growing environment. High heritability and a high genetic advance were observed in pod yield per plant, pod weight and the number of pods per plant. Yield/plant was positively and significantly correlated with the number of pods/plant, pod length and the number of seeds/pod. The combination of the high heritability along with high genetic advance provides a clear image of the traits in the selection process reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits and improvement of these characters could be done through selection.

Verification of automated latex-enhanced particle immunoturbidimetric D-Dimer assays on different analytical platforms and comparability of test results

Introduction: The aim of the study was the analytical verification of automated latex-enhanced particle immunoturbidimetric (LPIA) D-Dimer assay INNOVANCE D-dimer on Sysmex CS-5100 and Atellica COAG 360 analysers, and HemosIL D-dimer HS500 on ACL TOP 550, as well as the comparison with the enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assay (ELFA) on the miniVidas analyser. Materials and methods: Verification included assessment of within-run and between-run precision, bias, measurement uncertainty (MU), verification of the cut-off, method comparison between all assessed assays, and the reference commercial ELFA VIDAS D-Dimer Exclusion II. Results: Within-run coefficients of variations (CVs) ranged from 1.6% (Atellica COAG 360) to 7.9% (ACL TOP 550), while between-run CVs ranged from 1.7% (Sysmex CS-5100) to 6.9% (Atellica COAG 360). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were > 0.99 between LPIAs and ≥ 0.93 when comparing ELFA with LPIA. Passing-Bablok regression analysis yielded constant and proportional difference for comparison of ACL TOP 550 with both Sysmex CS-5100 and Atellica COAG360, and for miniVidas with Atellica COAG360. Small proportional difference was found between miniVidas and both Sysmex CS-5100 and ACL TOP 550. Calculated MUs using D-dimer HS 500 calibrator were 12.6% (Sysmex CS-5100) and 15.6% (Atellica COAG 360), while with INNOVANCE D-dimer calibrator 12.0% (Sysmex CS-5100), 10.0% (Atellica COAG 360) and 28.1% (ACL TOP 550). Excellent agreement of results was obtained, with occasional discrepancies near the cut-off. The cut-off (0.5 mg/L FEU) was confirmed. Conclusions: The obtained results prove satisfactory analytical performance of LPIAs, their high comparability and almost equal discriminatory characteristics, suggesting them as a valid alternative to ELFA.

Reliability Analysis of Intersection Sight Distance at Roundabouts

This paper presents a reliability-based method for the design of intersection sight distance (ISD) at traffic roundabouts using the linear and nonlinear deceleration profiles of the entry vehicles. The reliability method is based on the first-order second moment method which is simple and relatively accurate compared with advanced methods. The nonlinear deceleration profile includes a shape parameter that produces the linear profile as a special case. Deterministic and reliability-based formulas for the required ISD for an approaching vehicle are developed for the entry vehicle on the left and the vehicle on the circulating roadway. Then, the design values of the ISD legs, applicable to any type of roundabout, are presented for different probabilities of non-compliance (Pnc) and different coefficients of variations. For the special case of single-lane symmetrical roundabouts, which have a well-defined geometry, the lateral clearance needs are established. The sensitivity analysis shows that ISD is very sensitive to both the mean and variance of the critical headway. The results show that the deterministic method results in ISD values that correspond to a very small Pnc, indicating that the method is very conservative. The proposed method, which provides flexibility in selecting ISD for any given Pnc, should be of interest to highway designers and practitioners to promote roundabout safety.

Change Detection Based on the Coefficient of Variation in SAR Time-Series of Urban Areas

This paper discusses change detection in SAR time-series. First, several statistical properties of the coefficient of variation highlight its pertinence for change detection. Subsequently, several criteria are proposed. The coefficient of variation is suggested to detect any kind of change. Furthermore, several criteria that are based on ratios of coefficients of variations are proposed to detect long events, such as construction test sites, or point-event, such as vehicles. These detection methods are first evaluated on theoretical statistical simulations to determine the scenarios where they can deliver the best results. The simulations demonstrate the greater sensitivity of the coefficient of variation to speckle mixtures, as in the case of agricultural plots. Conversely, they also demonstrate the greater specificity of the other criteria for the cases addressed: very short event or longer-term changes. Subsequently, detection performance is assessed on real data for different types of scenes and sensors (Sentinel-1, UAVSAR). In particular, a quantitative evaluation is performed with a comparison of our solutions with baseline methods. The proposed criteria achieve the best performance, with reduced computational complexity. On Sentinel-1 images containing mainly construction test sites, our best criterion reaches a probability of change detection of 90% for a false alarm rate that is equal to 5%. On UAVSAR images containing boats, the criteria proposed for short events achieve a probability of detection equal to 90% of all pixels belonging to the boats, for a false alarm rate that is equal to 2%.

Asymptotic permutation tests for coefficients of variation and standardised means in general one-way ANOVA models

Coefficients of variations are unit-free measures that can, for example, be used to compare the variability of different samples. To this end, we study inference methods for them as well as their reciprocal given by standardised means in general heterogeneous one-way ANOVA designs. As no specific model assumptions are made, a permutation method is proposed to guarantee good finite sample performance. Building on recent limit theorems for randomisation techniques, we prove that the permutation procedure is asymptotically correct in general and finitely exact when data is exchangeable. These results are fostered in extensive simulation studies and two illustrative data analyses.

Measurement of Patellar Proximodistal Positioning with Limited Joint-Angle Sensitivity

Objective Patellar luxation can be associated with abnormal proximodistal positioning of the patella. The current gold standard index (Insall–Salvati) for referencing this position is poorly suited to postoperative use, if the tibial tuberosity is moved surgically, but has the advantage of changing minimally with altered joint angles. The aim of this study was to identify an alternative index, which was simple to use, joint-angle insensitive and suitable for postoperative use. Study Design Candidate indices based on the angle between stifle joint landmarks were screened across a wide range of joint angles for insensitivity to joint angle changes using vulpine and canine stifle radiographs. Intraobserver and interobserver agreements were assessed for a single candidate index using canine radiographs. Results An angular index based on the caudal aspect of the femoral and tibial condyles and the apex of the patella was largely insensitive to joint angle variation. Intra- and interobserver agreements appeared suitable for clinical use, with low within-subject standard deviations (<1.3°) and coefficients of variations (<2.2%), and high intraclass correlation coefficients (>0.89). Conclusion Patellar proximodistal position can be acceptably assessed at a variety of caudal joint angles using the described angular index. Further work is required to define reference intervals across a range of canine breeds.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE VALERIC RIVER VALLEY IN THE ACHKHOY-MARTAN DISTRICT OF THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC

The main sources of drinking and domestic water supply in the Chechen Republic are groundwater. The scares information on the intensity of pollution and the elemental composition of groundwater in the republic, as well as the heterogeneity of the distribution of chemical elements, largely associated with the presence of mountain areas, determines the necessity of detailed investigations. Water chemical and elemental composition of springs situated in the Valeric river valley at the Valeric settlement territory, Achkhoy-Martan district of the Chechen republic, is studied. All water samples were alkaline (pH 8.12–8.77), with relatively low levels of hardness (2.1–3.0 mg-eq/dm3) and mineralization (213–441 mg/dm3) and low fluorine content (0.28–0.36 mg/dm3). Among the studied indicators, risk factors are an increased content of nitrates (indicated concentration range reached 0.67–1.33 MPC). Water of springs situated at the river downstream contained significantly higher concentrations of all elements investigated. The highest coefficients of variations were revealed for B (84.6%), Cu (85.8%), Se (103%), and also As (86.5%) and Cd (96.7%). Three springs with elevated levels of B (730 µg/dm3), Li (210 µg/dm3) and Se (1.0-4.2 µg/dm3) were revealed, This suggests high prospects of bottling the water of these springs for utilization in preventive purposes as a table natural mineral water, intended for increasing immunity, preventing osteoporosis and in neurological practice.