1,720,958 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe 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
New Insights into the Roles of Glutaredoxins in the Lens
Get PDFGlutaredoxins (Grxs) play a crucial role in reversing protein glutathionylation. Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) and Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) are two main members of Grxs. Our prior studies have demonstrated that the Grx1 and Grx2 double knockout (DKO) mice develop cataracts prematurely at three months of age, and they are more susceptible to UV radiation. Therefore, these findings have highlighted the importance of Grx1 and Grx2 in preserving the transparency of the lens. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the faster development of cataracts in response to simultaneous deletion of Grx1 and Grx2 remain unknown. Lens epithelial cells (LECs) are pivotal for preserving lens transparency and overall lens functionality. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the antioxidant defenses and cell repair mechanisms in LECs is vital for cataract prevention and treatment strategies. We hypothesized that the absence of Grx1 and Grx2 could alter LECs function, triggering cataractogenesis. To test the hypothesis, we isolated primary LECs from WT and DKO mice and conducted a range of in vitro experiments to assess the effects of Grxs deletion on the epithelial phenotype, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function in LECs. We also conducted histology analysis of lens tissues using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Our results revealed that Grx1 and Grx2 deficiency altered epithelial phenotype, reduced proliferation rate, and aberrant cell cycle distribution of DKO LECs compared to WT LECs. The deficiency also induced cellular senescence in cultured DKO LECs, which is consistent with our H&E staining data showing that LECs in the lens tissue from DKO mouse had accelerated senescence. Additionally, DKO LECs displayed compromised mitochondrial function and a compensatory metabolic shift towards glycolysis, indicating an adaptive response to Grx deficiency. Importantly, we also found that the OHPy2N2 activated Grxs and prevented the lens from H2O2-induced lens opacification. In conclusion, the findings in this study indicate that Grxs are important in regulating the aging process in the lens. Compounds that can activate Grxs may be promising candidates for preventing cataracts
MECHANISM OF ACTION AND DRUG DELIVERY OF HYBRID NITRIC OXIDE DONATING AND ANTIOXIDANT SMALL MOLECULES IN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF OCULAR HYPERTENSION
No full textPrimary open angle glaucoma (POAG) belongs to a group of optic neuropathies characterized by the damage to the optic nerve head, and the slow progressive deterioration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). POAG is predominantly asymptomatic in its early phases, and the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. The underlying mechanisms of POAG include but not limited to; elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), excitotoxicity, and oxidative stress. Additionally, reduced trabecular meshwork (TM) cellularity, viability and decreases in antioxidant enzymes have been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of POAG. Currently, IOP reduction remains the mainstay for slowing down the progression of RGC degeneration and TM cell death. However, IOP lowering alone does not eliminate the progressive neurodegeneration events. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies that can reduce IOP and simultaneously provide neuroprotective benefits is essential for the effective management of POAG. To this end, we designed and synthesized novel hybrid nitric oxide donor and antioxidant small molecules (SA-2, SA-9, and SA-10) with the goal of lowering IOP and providing neuroprotection in experimental models of glaucoma. In the present study, we evaluated the in-vitro efficacy of SA-analogs in protecting TM cells from oxidative stress induced cell death. Additionally, we aimed at understanding the mechanism of action of SA-2 and assessed its in-vivo IOP lowering efficacy and toxicity profile in PLGA encapsulated nanoparticles after topical administration. Considering that less than 5% of a topically applied drug reaches intraocular tissues due to limited ocular absorption, rapid precorneal drug elimination, and the corneal epithelial barrier, our overarching goal was to provide a sustained and prolonged IOP lowering effect to reduce the frequency of dosing and potential adverse effects to ocular tissues. We demonstrated the utility of SA-2, SA-9, and SA-10 as novel strategies to promote survival of TM cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species. We found that SA-2 and the second-generation sulfur containing hybrid NO donor-antioxidants: SA-9 and its active metabolite SA-10 scavenged broad-spectrum ROS while maintaining NO bioavailability. We observed significant improvement in antioxidant enzymes following treatment with SA-2. Notably, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant enzyme levels were increased with SA-2 treatment along with increased TM mitochondrial respiration. Our studies showed that the SA-2 encapsulated in PLGA polymer was readily bioavailable to both the anterior segment and posterior regions of the eye. This observation reflected in the sustained IOP reduction of SA-2 lasting for 6 days with no overt toxicity and functional decline in C57BL6/J mice eyes. In summary, this dissertation project provides an alternate therapeutic strategy in the management of POAG. Our modified formulation of SA-2NPs is a promising candidate for a sustainably reducing IOP while providing neuroprotection to the RGCs and TM
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“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
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
koamabayili/VECTRON-author-checklist: VECTRON author checklist
No full textWe have done our best to complete the author checklist relating to the use of animals in the hut study. Note that the objective for the hut study was to evaluate the IRS treatment applications for residual efficacy against Anopheles mosquitoes, including the local An. coluzzii mosquito population. Cows were only used to attract mosquitoes into the huts and no tests were carried out directly on the cows. The author checklist is intended for use with studies where experiments are carried out on animals, which is why we have had such difficulty in completing this for the hut study, as many of the questions do not relate to how the cows were used
Author-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.
No full textAuthor-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.</p
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