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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Surgical risk indices in the elderly: ASA vs Reiss Index [Indici di rischio in chirugia geriatrica: Indice ASA versus Indice Reiss]
No full textAbstract
The use of the Risk Index in surgery is aimed to plan surgical strategy in order to achieve a better postoperative prognosis. This is especially true in geriatric surgery where the ASA Index and, more recently, the Reiss Index are widely employed. Since the mentioned Risk Indices are calculated on the basis of different factors, in this study we compared the two Risk Indices with the aim of verifying which index offers better prognostic indications. 210 patients, aged over 70 years, undergoing surgical treatment, were investigated. The patients were grouped according to the ASA and Reiss Indices. The ASA Index showed good correlation only with postoperative mortality. The three classes of Reiss Index showed a significant correlation with the incidence of post-operative morbidity and mortality (p.o. morbidity: 7.1%, 21.5%, 30.3%; p.o. mortality: 1.7%, 9.2%, 24.2% -χ2 = 20.7; p < 0.001). Our results support the hypothesis that Reiss index offers better prognostic evaluation of postoperative outcome, suggesting its use in assessing postoperative prognosis in geriatric patients. In addition, our observation confirms the criticism reported of the ASA Index, merely considered as an indicator of health status regardless of surgical treatment geriatric patients with the aim to forecasting surgical risk in the first place, and them modifying operative strategy in order to improve postoperative results
Postoperative morbidity and mortality in the elderly [MORBILITA E MORTALITA POSTOPERATORIA IN CHIRURGIA GERIATRICA]
No full textAbstract
The authors report their experience and review the literature concerning postoperative results in geriatric surgery. Clinical charts from 210 patients older than 70 year operated for cholelytiasis (56 cases), inguinal/crural hernia (47 cases), colo-rectal cancer (46 cases), gastric cancer (15 cases), breast cancer (11 cases), miscellaneous conditions (35 cases) were reviewed. Postoperative complications were reported in 32 patients (15.2%) with a mortality rate of 7.6% (16 patients). An higher morbidity and mortality were observed in emergency surgery (20% and 14% respectively) compared to elective operations. Surgery for gastric cancer and benign disease of gallbladder and/or CBD was associated with higher morbidity and mortality too. In addition, morbidity and mortality resulted directly related to surgical risk Index of Reiss (0:7.1% and 1.7%; 1:21.5% and 9.2%; 2:30.3% and 24.2% respectively. Our results seem to confirm, similarly to other authors, that age older than 85 years, emergency surgery, laparotomy, ASA. Index IV or V, peritonitis or intestinal infarction and advanced neoplastic disease, represent significant risk factors for surgery in elderly patients. Such risk factors should be better controlled according to our experience, in order to reduce the high morbidity and mortality in elderly patients
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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