186,944 research outputs found
Collaboration in Iranian Scientific Publications
No full textThis study looks at international collaboration in Iranian scientific publications through the ISI Science Citation Index® (SCI) for the years 1995-1999, inclusive. These results are compared to and contrasted with the earlier findings for the periods covering 1985-1994 (Osareh & Wilson 2000). The results of Iran's increasing productivity over a 15-year period are presented. Iran doubled its output in the first two five-year periods and increased 2.8-fold from the second to the third five-year period. The rise in Iran's scientific publication output is due mainly to factors such as the ending of the war, better economic conditions, recent changes in the Iranian government's policy, basic changes in the political environment brought about by the Reformers, expansion of the Iranian presses for national publications, and the recent return of a large number of students trained overseas through government scholarships. External changes also account for the increased productivity, e.g., the acceptance of three Iranian source journals by the SCI, increased access to international databases through the Internet and better electronic communication facilities for international collaboration. One of the most important and significant factors that caused this dramatic rise seems to be the government's research policies in the last few years. Since 1999, the Iran Science, Research and Technology Ministry, has encouraged researchers to publish their non-Farsi language articles in highly ranked international scientific journals, for example, by giving prizes to researchers who publish their articles in ISI-ranked journals
Quantitative assessment of collaboration
No full textSite de l'éditeur : http://www.iisi.de/international-reports-on-socio-informatics-irsi/This paper presents a short literature review of a research trend that endeavors to model collaboration by quantifying each group member‟s contribution. In such a view, equity is considered as the ideal collaborative situation. We review some foundational elements of this approach, some methodological aspects, describe a case study applying such concepts and analyses, and present examples of design implications for Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
The methodological status of co-authorship networks
No full textA powerful strategy within the study of collaboration
in science is to posit that co-authorship patterns
represent social networks.
It is prerequisite to an application of Social
Network Analysis (SNA) to define the network
entities. A network analysis of the inter-institutional
collaboration in COLLNET on the basis
of co-authorships was conducted. The study reveals
that it is crucial whether the co-authorship
itself is seen as an author's relational property or
as a social event that brings the authors together.
The former possibility is represented by a onemode
network in which each author can be related
to each other author. Quite distinct from
that are two-mode networks, the latter approach.
They consist of two single data sets in which relations
are only possible between different sets.
Different modes of representations require
different network approaches. One is that co-authorship
networks are seen as one-mode networks,
which has the advantage of the application
of a variety of measures. In contrast, twomode
networks, the other option, cannot be analysed
by standard techniques but its distinctive
features demand a new conceptualisation of
measures. In conclusion, the two-mode perspective
is more promising because it allows a dual
perspective on collaboration in science which includes
researchers as well as their scientific output
Inter-firm learning and local participation in emerging African oil and gas nations
No full textThe paper focuses on collaboration experiences and preferences regarding collaborative programs to improve competitivennes, and follows an explorative study design. The study is based on a survey of 110 Tanzanian companies targeting the emerging oil and gas industry located in urban and rural locations. The major finding is that only 15% collaborate, or have previously collaborated, with two or more firms. A cluster analysis revealed that "open firms" are also more positive to contribute in improvement programs. Close to one-third of the firms are unwilling to cotribute financially, and a majority of the firms are willing to spend 15 days or less, which is assumed to be far below the minimum for an effective inter-firm improvement program. The paper contributes to a limited number of empirical studies focusing on African suppliers meeting international sourcing requirements in the host country
Co-authorship Network of Scientometrics Research Collaboration
No full textThis paper examines the co-authorship network in the field of scientometrics using social network analysis techniques with the aim of developing an understanding of research collaboration in this scientific community. Using co-authorship data from 3125 articles published in the journal Scientometrics with a time span of more than three decades (1980-2012), we construct an evolving co-authorship network and calculate three centrality measures (closeness, betweenness, and degree) for 3024 authors, 1207 institutions, 68 countries and 22 academic fields in this network. This paper also discusses the usability of centrality measures in author ranking, and suggests that centrality measures can be useful indicators for impact analysis. Findings revealed that scientometrics was not dominated by a couple of key researchers as quite a significant number of popular researchers were identified. The United States occupies the topmost position in all measures except for degree centrality. The most active, central and collaborative academic discipline in scientometrics is Information & Library Science
Long-acting beta2-agonists for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
No full textBACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that causes progressive symptoms of breathlessness, cough and mucus build-up. It is the fourth or fifth most common cause of death worldwide and is associated with significant healthcare costs.Inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) are widely prescribed to manage the symptoms of COPD when short-acting agents alone are no longer sufficient. Twice-daily treatment with an inhaled LABA is aimed at relieving symptoms, improving exercise tolerance and quality of life, slowing decline and even improving lung function and preventing and treating exacerbations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of twice-daily long-acting beta2-agonists compared with placebo for patients with COPD on the basis of clinically important endpoints, primarily quality of life and COPD exacerbations. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group trials register, ClinicalTrials.gov and manufacturers' websites in June 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA: Parallel, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting populations of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Studies were required to be at least 12 weeks in duration and designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a long-acting beta2-agonist against placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data and characteristics were extracted independently by two review authors, and each study was assessed for potential sources of bias. Data for all outcomes were pooled and subgrouped by LABA agent (formoterol 12 μg, formoterol 24 μg and salmeterol 50 μg) and then were separately analysed by LABA agent and subgrouped by trial duration. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for the proportion of participants taking inhaled corticosteroids and for studies with high or uneven rates of attrition. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six RCTs met the inclusion criteria, randomly assigning 14,939 people with COPD to receive twice-daily LABA or placebo. Study duration ranged from three months to three years; the median duration was six months. Participants were more often male with moderate to severe symptoms at randomisation; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was between 33% and 55% predicted normal in the studies, and mean St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (SGRQ) ranged from 44 to 55 when reported.Moderate-quality evidence showed that LABA treatment improved quality of life on the SGRQ (mean difference (MD) -2.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.09 to -1.54; I(2) = 50%; 17 trials including 11,397 people) and reduced the number of exacerbations requiring hospitalisation (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95; I(2) = 10%; seven trials including 3804 people). In absolute terms, 18 fewer people per 1000 were hospitalised as the result of an exacerbation while receiving LABA therapy over a weighted mean of 7 months (95% CI 3 to 31 fewer). Scores were also improved on the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ), and more people receiving LABA treatment showed clinically important improvement of at least four points on the SGRQ.The number of people who had exacerbations requiring a course of oral steroids or antibiotics was also lower among those taking LABA (52 fewer per 1000 treated over 8 months; 95% CI 24 to 78 fewer, moderate quality evidence).Mortality was low, and combined findings of all studies showed that LABA therapy did not significantly affect mortality (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.08; I(2) = 21%; 23 trials including 14,079 people, moderate quality evidence). LABA therapy did not affect the rate of serious adverse events (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.14; I(2) = 34%, moderate quality evidence), although there was significant unexplained heterogeneity, especially between the two formoterol doses.LABA therapy improved predose FEV1 by 73 mL more than placebo (95% CI 48 to 98; I(2) = 71%, low quality evidence), and people were more likely to withdraw from placebo than from LABA therapy (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.80; I(2) = 0%). Higher rates of withdrawal in the placebo arm may reduce our confidence in some results, but the disparity is more likely to reduce the magnitude of difference between LABA and placebo than inflate the true effect; removing studies at highest risk of bias on the basis of high and unbalanced attrition did not change conclusions for the primary outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-quality evidence from 26 studies showed that inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists are effective over the medium and long term for patients with moderate to severe COPD. Their use is associated with improved quality of life and reduced exacerbations, including those requiring hospitalisation. Overall, findings showed that inhaled LABAs did not significantly reduce mortality or serious adverse events
Making the link: the library’s role in facilitating research collaboration
No full textCollaboration is emerging as an important factor in the advancement of science and scientific output. Paying heed to this development, libraries face the challenge of providing services to facilitate collaboration amongst researchers which will ultimately result in increased research output.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunity for, and realisation of, library services which facilitate research collaboration as a means of addressing institutional goals to increase research output at Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service (SULIS).
Design/methodology/approach—The paper describes services and solutions explored by SULIS to support the growing trend of research collaboration. The paper looks at the three service paradigms (1) spaces and facilities conducive to collaboration (2) creating awareness of collaboration opportunities and (3) bibliometrics, as examples of services which encourage and facilitate research collaboration and networking.
Findings—The paper affirms the correlation between research collaboration and research output and shows that opportunities exist for libraries to assist researchers in finding suitable collaborators and for making facilities available for researchers to network, engage and work together.
Originality/value—Using concrete examples, this paper demonstrates how libraries are able to respond to new trends in science, address institutional goals and establish a new role for librarians.
“Making the link” suggests more than connecting researchers. It also suggests recognising paradigm shifts, embracing the dynamic academic environment, aligning actions with institutional goals and creating services that blend them together
Inter-institutional scientific collaboration: an approach from social network
No full textThis paper presents a tool that can be used to characterize, analyze and interpret the
patterns of collaboration among institutions by means of the visual display of scientific
information. These graphic representations allow for a combined analysis of a given
institution in the system of relations (network), and of the particular attributes of that
institution (indicators). The tool affords the possibility of regenerating the network to
make any number of aggregates appear or disappear, thus allowing one to focus on
institutional sectors, geographic regions, etc. It also allows for analysis of sectorial
interaction, institutional backing of research, and the influence of geographic proximity,
linguistic affinity, or regional politics. This is indeed a versatile analytical tool, and it is
bound to prove its potential for evaluating patterns of collaborative research, development
and innovation
Stakeholder collaboration and heritage management
No full textThis article examines a collaborative approach to the relationship between heritage management and tourism development in Luang Prabang, Laos. The purpose is to examine stakeholder collaboration and management roles, heritage tourism development, as well as the interdependence of the heritage conservation and tourism relationship. The research examines a UNESCO/Norwegian government project, which aiming to promote collaboration between heritage conservation and tourism through stakeholder involvement. Five aspects are explored: channels of communication between the heritage and the tourism groups, generating income for heritage conservation and management, involving the local community in decisionmaking, involving the local community in tourism activities, and an assessment of the extent and success of stakeholder collaboration
Measurement of the flavour composition of dijet events in pp collisions at s√=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textThis paper describes a measurement of the flavour composition of dijet events produced in pp collisions at s√=7~TeV using the ATLAS detector. The measurement uses the full 2010 data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 39 pb−1. Six possible combinations of light, charm and bottom jets are identified in the dijet events, where the jet flavour is defined by the presence of bottom, charm or solely light flavour hadrons in the jet. Kinematic variables, based on the properties of displaced decay vertices and optimised for jet flavour identification, are used in a multidimensional template fit to measure the fractions of these dijet flavour states as functions of the leading jet transverse momentum in the range 40 GeV to 500 GeV and jet rapidity |y|<2.1. The fit results agree with the predictions of leading- and next-to-leading-order calculations, with the exception of the dijet fraction composed of bottom and light flavour jets, which is underestimated by all models at large transverse jet momenta. The ability to identify jets containing two b-hadrons, originating from e.g. gluon splitting, is demonstrated. The difference between bottom jet production rates in leading and subleading jets is consistent with the next-to-leading-order predictions
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