Scientists In Developing Countries Research Articles

Improving remote sensing research and education in developing countries: Approaches and recommendations

Since the 1970s, a number of different models have been used to develop basic and applied science capacities of remote sensing in developing countries. Those efforts have had varied levels of success. One of the more effective capacity building efforts is extended training workshops held within the targeted developing country institution with existing resources. The extending training format requires participant teams to complete a remote sensing project for their country in their organization. The basic science activity of developing country scientists was documented by a review of six remote sensing journals which determined that a very small percentage of remote sensing manuscript authors are from developing countries. Many developing countries have established internal remote sensing capacities but many others have not. Given the potential importance of remote sensing for natural resource assessment and monitoring as well as economic decision making, more attention must be given to assisting those countries in hardware, software, internet capacity and technical assistance.

Going once, going twice, sold - it’s auction time again at the IBS meeting!

Announcements ISSN 1948-6596 Going once, going twice, sold - it’s auction time again at the IBS meeting! Want to help IBS raise funds to help students get to IBS meetings, improve funding for the IBS jour- nal Frontiers of Biogeography, or provide mem- berships for developing country scientists? By popular demand, the wildly entertaining (and fi- nancially successful) auction at the IBS 2013 meet- ing in Miami, Florida will be repeated at the up- coming conference on 8–11 January 2015 in Bayreuth. This time, veteran auctioneer and past IBS President Brett Riddle has promised to appear in lederhosen for the auction, a sight not to be missed. The auction festivities will be held during the evening of the conference banquet, including both open bidding for some items and a silent auction for others. What can you do to help? Bring new or used books, artwork, cool posters, useful field gear or clothing, or anything else that anyone might bid on, when you come to the 7 th Interna- tional Biogeography Society Conference in Ger- many; drop off your donation at the membership table. If you can’t make it, send the stuff with friends or mail it to the address below. Get crea- tive—gag items often sell as well as serious ones. Do you have Alexander von Humboldt’s plant press in the back of your closet? Bring it! Vicki Funk’s field magnifier that you borrowed and for- got to return? Bring it! Rob Whittaker’s first field t -shirt, still carefully pressed? Bring it! A first edi- tion of A.R. Wallace’s Island Life? Bring it! And all of those copies of biogeography-related books that you have published—bring them! Get creative, and get involved to help with IBS goals by contributing to the Second IBS Confer- ence Auction. And make certain that you bring your wallet, and a willingness to help the IBS by bidding up the price on useful and useless objects. Every purchase you make will go straight to the IBS, and help us to help the membership. Mail in address: Prof. Carl Beierkuhnlein, Depart- ment of Biogeography, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany frontiers of biogeography 6.4, 2014 — © 2014 the authors; journal compilation © 2014 The International Biogeography Society

Digital innovation for food security: a case study of the TEEAL programme and its contribution to agricultural research output in African institutions

This article looks at The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL), an innovative offline database, and its impact on research output in agricultural institutions in Africa. The article also examines some lessons gathered from 10 years of training and outreach on the system in Sub-Saharan Africa. TEEAL, a project of Cornell University's R. Mann Library, in cooperation with over 50 major scientific publishers, societies, and index providers, is a digital collection of research journals for agriculture and related sciences. Researchers, students, academic staff and librarians can discover and access thousands of full-text PDF articles without the use of the Internet. Through TEEAL, scientists in developing countries now have access to current research; but has this access translated into effective research and teaching? Several studies have been carried out to evaluate whether TEEAL was meeting its objective of contributing to the enhancement of the quality and effectiveness of agricultural research and teaching through improving students' and researchers' access to relevant literature. The studies took various approaches in collecting data including a questionnaire, interviews and a bibliometric analysis of publications from institutions that have acquired and are using TEEAL. Results generally show that TEEAL is successfully meeting its objective. Recommendations are made for extending the use of TEEAL sets, particularly the inclusion of more journals from developing countries as a way of further enhancing its appeal to a wider audience.

Who participates in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and why: A quantitative assessment of the national representation of authors in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

This paper presents a quantitative analysis of international representation in the activities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change using expert authorship counts by country in each of the four IPCC assessment reports (1990, 1995, 2001 and 2007). Overall, we find that 45% of countries, all Non-Annex 1, have never had authors participate in the IPCC process; on the other hand, European and North American experts are make up more than 75% of all authors ( N = 4394). Generalized linear models using negative binomial regression were used to quantitatively estimate the effect of a number of socio-economic, environmental and procedural factors influencing country-level participation in the IPCC. Per capita gross domestic product, population, English-speaking status, and levels of tertiary education were all found to be statistically significant drivers of authorship counts. In particular, participation by authors from English-speaking Non-Annex 1 countries is 2.5 times greater than those that are non-English speaking. Regionally small island nations of Oceania were the most severely under-represented group. South American and Asian countries had fewer authors, and African countries had more authors than what might be expected on the basis of demographic and socio-economic data. These differences across nations partly reflect existing scientific capacity that will be slow to change. However, the on-going under-representation of developing country scientists in the IPCC, particularly in the assessment of climate science (WGI) and climate mitigation (WGIII) warrants greater efforts to close the capacity gap.

Nurturing the Global Workforce in Clinical Research: The National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Clinical Scholars and Fellows Program

The Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars and Fellows Program's goal is to foster the next generation of clinical investigators and to help build international health research partnerships between American and international investigators and institutions. Through June 2012, 61 sites in 27 countries have hosted 436 Scholars (American students or junior trainees from the host countries) and/or 122 Fellows (American and host country postdoctoral fellows) for year-long experiences in global health research. Initially, the program was oriented toward infectious diseases, but recently emphasis on chronic disease research has increased. At least 521 manuscripts have been published, many in high-impact journals. Projects have included clinical trials, observational studies, translational research, clinical-laboratory interface initiatives, and behavioral research. Strengths of the program include training opportunities for American and developing country scientists in well-established international clinical research settings, and mentorship from experienced global health experts.

Access to scientific literature in India

AbstractThis article uses an evidence‐based approach to assess the difficulties faced by developing country scientists in accessing scientific literature. I compare the backward citation patterns of Swiss and Indian scientists in a database of 43,150 scientific papers published by scientists from either country in 2007. Controlling for fields and quality with citing journal fixed effects, I find that Indian scientists have shorter reference lists (−6%) and are more likely to cite articles from open access journals (+50%). Moreover, the difference in the length of the reference list is more pronounced in biology and medicine, where circulation of (free) preprints and conference proceedings is non‐existent. Informal file‐sharing practices among scientists mitigate the effects of access restrictions.

Perspective: Expanding the Participation of Developing Country Scientists in International Climate Change Research

This article explores key barriers such as funding and capacity limitations, to the broader and deeper participation of scientists from developing countries in international scientific activities addressing climate change. it provides a description of major barriers and calls attention to the need for a systematic examination of the problem.

Transition of Editors at the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition

Transition of Editors at the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition

Editorial: The growth of Tropical Medicine and International Health: a developing-country perspective

keywords journal coverage, bibliometry, representation, developing countriesTropical Medicine and International Health’s (TMIH)uniqueness is that it is published on behalf of five Europeaninstitutions located in Belgium, Germany, The Nether-lands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. When it waslaunched in 1996, the news was received with cautiousoptimism, though most observers were happy that well-established institutions in Europe were able to cometogether to publish a journal that would focus significantlyon the field of tropical medicine and international health,as clearly reflected in the journal’s name. Most developingcountry scientists were concerned about the workability ofsuch a laudable project. Ten years down the line, however,TMIH has demonstrated that the project has worked well.I would therefore like to congratulate the architects of thisunion and the various teams who have worked hard overthe years to ensure the success of the Journal, and toimprove its impact factor.As stated on its website, TMIH’s scope includes infec-tious and non-infectious diseases, parasitology, clinicaldiseases and medicines of the tropics, epidemiologicaltheory and fieldwork, medical entomology, tropical publichealth and community medicine at all levels from villagepractice, and international policy. These topics are of directrelevance to the health problems of developing countries.Hence, TMIH is contributing to priority setting andhelping to galvanize health research in developing coun-tries. As Momen (2004) states, ‘scientific journals play acentral role in the dissemination of research results; at thesame time, the importance of scientific publication inadvancing the careers of research scientists has giventhem – particularly the top international journals –increased possibilities to influence priorities.’TMIH’s growth in the last 10 years was very significantespecially for scientists in the developing world. Glover andBowen (2004) look at the bibliometric profile of TMIHand examine the subject content in relation to diseasecoverage and geographical distribution of the authorship ofpapers published by TMIH between 1996 and 2003. Theiranalysis presents Africa with the second largest represen-tation with 517 authored papers, second to Europe having564 papers. Combined with Asia, developing countriesaltogether have a 69.9% representation. In terms ofcitations of papers, the authors conclude that ‘African-authored papers have been cited most with 3512 citations.’In terms of ratio of citations to papers by region, Africa isthe second highest with a citation rate of 6.793, second topapers featuring UK authors with 8.079.A quick review of 327 papers for the 2004–2005 periodshows at least 60% co-authorship by developing-countryscientists. This confirms Glover and Bowen’s view thatTMIH is ‘providing a fair and unbiased forum for authorsfrom the developing world to publish their research.’ I dareto say that TMIH is the first international destination forscientists from the developing world.Regarding numbers of papers by disease in TMIH forthe period 1996–2003, Glover and Bowen (2004) report329 papers covering malaria, 83 on HIV/AIDS, 83 onschistosomiasis, and 47 on TB. A review of 2004–2005shows 91 papers covering malaria, 24 HIV/AIDS, 16 TB,and 62 other diseases such as schistosomiasis. Thesereviews have shown that TMIH has focused adequatelyon malaria and that most of the work has been done indeveloping countries. The publications also provideinformation on several other diseases that are relevant todeveloping countries. Regrettably, much publishableresearch work on HIV/AIDS and TB has not reachedTMIH.As TMIH celebrates its 10th anniversary, I would like todraw its attention to a few issues. Admittedly TMIH is a‘European Journal’ and there are many European scientistsworking on developing-country health problems. How-ever, given its scope and focus and the fact that there aremany capable and reputable developing-country scientists,we expect that in the near future TMIH’s editorial boardwill have a few more developing-country scientists, espe-cially in the key disease areas.TMIH should continue to encourage developing-countryscientists and more papers in the important areas of TB andHIV/AIDS. As Momen (2004) states, ‘access to interna-tional health literature would be more useful if there wereincreased coverage by journals of topics of direct relevanceto the health problems of developing countries. This

International collaboration in health research.

There has been much interest in interna-tional collaboration in health research, especially when projects involve scien-tists from developed and developing countries. It is most valuable to replace suppositions, assumptions and anecdotal accounts that often feature in these dis-cussions with well-researched objective data such as that presented by Swingler et al. in this issue (pp. 511–517).The most successful examples of international research collaboration confer clear benefits to both contract-ing parties, and eventually to scientific progress in general. In an ideal case, the partnership produces a smooth dovetail-ing of skills and expertise. The partner from the developed country contributes expertise as well as sophisticated laborato-ry and other special resources that are not available in the less developed institution. Their peers in the developing country provide local clinical and other contextual knowledge. Contributions in kind from the host institution in the developing country complement the financial dona-tion from the developed country partner.While recognizing the potential value of such collaborative projects, there is justifiable concern about at-tendant risks and dangers. Because of the unequal power, there is the danger that the more powerful partners from the developed country could exploit the vulnerability of the developing country scientists and institutions: perhaps by focusing research on priority interests of the sponsoring foreign institutions rather than on the urgent needs of the host country. The study by Swingler et al. indicates that a high proportion of collaborative projects researched im-portant health problems in the region and that foreign sponsorship did not significantly divert scientists in African countries from their priority health problems, though the paper raises some concerns. The small number of projects

Food Shortages and International Agricultural Programs

The most recent data indicate an unconscionable 842 million people are chronically hungry in the world, 94 percent in developing countries. India, China, and other Asian countries that were the center of concern over hunger in 1960 have been among the most successful at increasing food production and consumption. Current food shortages, both chronic and acute, are concentrated in sub-Sahara Africa. There, production has lagged behind needs and fluctuations from natural and human-caused disasters have generated recurring food shortages and need for food aid. Three elements played critical roles in Asia and are likely to be the key to solving food shortages in Africa: rural/agricultural economic growth that generated increased incomes for the rural poor, stability of food prices, and non-agricultural economic growth. U.S. universities have educated many of the agricultural scientists in developing countries and those at CGIAR centers. The international agricultural programs of U.S. universities that have been important in maintaining links between U.S. and foreign institutions and in facilitating the training of developing country scientists need continued financial support.

Research capacity strengthening in the South

Active promotion of evidence-based decision-making at all levels of the health field is a necessary step in the direction of improving the health of the population. Recent studies have shown that the burden of disease in developing countries is high particularly the burden of infectious, communicable and non-communicable diseases and health problems of mothers and children. There is presently, a mismatch between this increased disease and health burden and the technical and human capacity of developing countries to use existing knowledge and to generate new knowledge to combat these diseases and health problems. It is therefore necessary to assist developing countries to build indigenous research capability so they can undertake studies in their own national settings the results of which will lead to the development of appropriate control strategies in their countries. Building indigenous research capacity will enable developing country scientists to translate results of studies carried out elsewhere into their individual national settings. Eventually results of such studies will increase the global knowledge base about the particular health problems and contribute to finding appropriate solutions to them. The research will, finally, increase knowledge-based decision-making by their health leadership of the country. This paper has set out to describe some experiences in capacity strengthening over the last few decades and to propose from these, mechanisms for building these capacities in a sustainable manner. This paper has described the steps in capability strengthening with special emphasis on identification of trainees, their training and deployment on return. The paper has described mechanisms of research sustainability including creation of suitable career structures, remuneration of researchers and the importance of building up suitable infrastructure for research to meet increasing demands and competence. The place of partnerships South–South, South–North and networking has been stressed. Finally, the paper calls for greater involvement by policy makers in developing countries in the entire capacity building process. They should set highly focussed research priorities, identify competence not already existing and proceed to fill these gaps along the lines described.

Feasible groundbased atmospheric and flux measurements by developing countries in support of satellite data

To allow increasing participation of developing countries in global change studies, ground based measurement systems which can be easily comissioned and provide support to satellite observations so as to fit into global mapping need to be chosen carefully. Those relating to atmospheric parameters (greenhouse gas concentrations, emission fluxes, transport properties, etc.) are discussed here. The simplest and of most immediate interest relate to sources and sinks of CH 4 (primarily from rice paddy fields, animals, wetlands) and N 2O (soils, oceans). Measurement techniques and inter-country campaign plans are discussed. There are also important possibilities of using the same technique for measurements of emissions from biomass burning alongwith ozone measurements coupled with survey of biomass burning areas from satellites. Another major area concerns the proposed ITYO programme (International Troposheric Ozone Year), for which, apart from balloon ozone ascents, use of UV-B radiometry at selected wavelengths is considered. The third area discussed concerns measurements of atmospheric aerosols using Multi-wavelength Radiometer (MWR). In addition, in the last few years, a number of advanced groundlevel systems have been installed at low latitudes, which, if made available widely to developing country scientists, and their participation supported financially, could provide a major opportunity for world class research. These include: the MST radar at Tirupati (India) Chung-Li (Taiwan) and Arecibo, Puerto Rico; the Lidars at Thumba and at Natal, Brazil; and the Laser Heterodyning System and mm-wave radiospectrometer at Delhi.

The very structure of scientific research does not mitigate against developing products to help the environment, the poor, and the hungry

This paper follows one by M. Crouch which puts the opposing view. The use of tissue culture to propagate disease-free plants in Vietnam and Zimbabwe is highlighted as an example of a low-tech product of biotechnology. Most research is published openly, training of developing country scientists takes place in developed countries. The problem of 'orphan' crops, i.e. those not of commercial interest in developed countries is raised with reference to the rice biotechnology project, and work on engineering resistance to papaya ringspot potyvirus and African cassava mosaic bigeminivirus. It is argued that biotechnology will have its greatest impact in developing countries. Usually, single genes will be inserted into cultivars adapted to local conditions. The work of The International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology is highlighed. The importance is mentioned of avoiding 'scientific colonialism' and of involving private companies in partnership programmes to avoid problems associated with intellectual property rights.