Scientific Production Research Articles

The unprincipled principal: how Romania’s inconsistent research reform impacted scientific output

This study employs the synthetic control method to assess the effects of Romania’s 2016 research reforms on the nation’s research output. Prior reforms were unstable and led to persistent deviations from international publication practices, where a disproportionate share of national research was published in national journals and subsequently in conference proceedings. The 2016 reforms, which introduced rigorous publication quotas and criteria, including reduced emphasis on conference proceedings, were notably stable. However, these reforms coincided with a consistent reduction in research funding. To understand the impact of the tension between increased publication demands and reduced research funding, the study analysed changes in research output distribution before and after the reform, focusing on total scientific output, conference proceedings, and articles published in MDPI and non-MDPI journals. The results revealed a significant decline in overall scientific production following the intervention. This decrease can be attributed to two key factors. First, the shift away from conference proceedings was not fully compensated for by the increase in articles published in MDPI journals. Second, there was also a decline in the articles published in non-MDPI journals.

Scientific production about associated factors, methods and locations of self-mutilation in adolescents

Scientific production about associated factors, methods and locations of self-mutilation in adolescents

Foresight of environmental communication literatures: bibliometric versus ChatGPT

PurposeEnvironmental communication has been a profession and a subject of study for decades. Communication currently revolves around the anthropogenic ecological catastrophe, which makes the field’s early self-description as a crisis discipline even more pertinent. How communication is used and perceived significantly impacts how human-caused climate disasters and other environmental and social problems develop and how solutions are offered. The phenomenon of technology has shown significant impacts on how people refer to environmental communication. While bibliometric analysis (BA) helps understand the trends, ChatGPT can generate information related to environmental communication. How are they different from each other? What are the limitations? This study aims to identify the trends and limitations of BA and ChatGPT that are associated with environmental communication.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach is used, which refers to BA using the Biblioshiny software (n = 867) and content analysis on ChatGPT 3.5. It uses a systematic technique for keyword search, namely, environmental and communication, from 2000 to 2022.FindingsThere has been a decrease in the scientific production of studies starting in 2021 and 2022, which is believed to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ChatGPT provides valuable information but is rather complimentary to BA. ChatGPT is unable to provide statistical information related to environmental communication among Scopus-indexed publications.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the literature published in Scopus from 2000 to 2022. The keyword is limited to “environmental” and “communication.” Besides, the choice of keywords made it specific to the studies involved in the BA, which may not include some other studies if the keywords are not listed.Originality/valueThe originality of the research focuses on the field of environmental communication, its evolution within previous literature and the comparison between BA and the use of ChatGPT for understanding trends and limitations within this field. The text touches upon various aspects, such as the historical context of environmental communication, the impact of technology, the trends in scientific production among Scopus journal papers and the limitations of using ChatGPT compared to BA.

Cienciometric Analysis of Scientific Production on Hydatidosis/Echinococcosis in Latin America

Abstract Introduction: Hydatidosis/cystic echinococcosis (CE) is considered a neglected disease due to its preventive nature and impact on low-income populations. In Latin America, there is a high incidence, and in the high Andean regions, it is considered an endemic disease. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyze the scientific production of hydatidosis/echinococcosis through a bibliometric analysis in Latin America up to 2022. Methods: A bibliometric analysis study was conducted based on the scientific production of CE in the SCOPUS database until 2022 in Latin American countries. Information was collected through a systematic search. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the variables captured in the final database. Results: Scientific production showed growth over the years, with Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile having the highest production. In addition, there has been a trending use of the term “neglected disease” since 2018. The most cited articles were primarily narrative reviews, book chapters, and original articles in that order. Only 27% of the studies were funded by an institution in Latin America. Conclusion: Scientific production in Latin America regarding CE is on the rise, especially in countries with high incidence rates. Furthermore, these countries demonstrate a significant network of international collaboration.

Gender Differences in Citation Rate: An Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Nephrology High-Impact Journals Over Two Decades.

Historically, women's scientific contributions have been under-recognized. We investigated whether the number of citations, a key metric used for academic promotions and scientific productivity, differs in nephrology high impact publications based on author's gender. We identified randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from 2000-2021 in ten high impact journals. We assessed author gender, citations, h-index, m-index, years active publishing, education, and grant funding. The main predictor of interest was the gender of the first author. The main outcome was the standardized citation count for analysis of the selected publications. Additionally, we evaluated standardized author citation counts using the author, rather than paper. Among the selected publications, women were first authors of 65 (17.1%) and men of 315 manuscripts (82.9%). In crude analyses, publications with male first authors had a significantly higher median number of standardized citations (14 vs. 10, P=0.01). Adjusted analyses revealed, the m-index (β=29.48, P≤0.01) and journal impact factor (β=0.78, P<0.001) were significantly associated with the standardized citation index. In contrast, neither the gender of the first author (βmale gender=1.42, P=0.71) nor of the last author (βmale gender=8.89, P=0.38) were significantly associated with the standardized citations. Similarly, in adjusted analyses based on author profiles, male authorship was not significantly associated with the standardized author citation number (βmale gender=-7.79, P=0.08). Our study highlights marked disparities in the overall number of women publishing high impact nephrology trials and the number of papers with women scientists as first authors of high impact trials in the nephrology literature. Although crude citation rates were lower in papers with female first authors, the gender of the first author was not independently associated with citation metrics. Addressing gender disparities in academic recognition requires nuanced approaches extending beyond authorship and a broader focus on complex factors that influence academic recognition and scientific contributions.

From blocks to bridges: navigating the globalization-blockchain nexus through bibliometrics analysis

Purpose This study aims to comprehensively inspect the impact of blockchain technology in the context of globalization, focusing on the most influential research works, scientific production by countries, commonly used keywords, trending topics and the conceptual and intellectual structure of this field. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted in R Studio, involving the review and scrutiny of 194 research papers indexed in the Scopus database. This analytical approach allowed for a systematic examination of the literature and the identification of key patterns and trends in blockchain and globalization research. Findings The analysis revealed the most influential research contributions, highlighted countries with significant scientific production, identified frequently used keywords and unveiled emerging trends and areas of focus in the field of blockchain and digitization. Additionally, the study explores prospective research directions. Research limitations/implications This research provides insights into the current state of blockchain and globalization research, offering valuable information for scholars, policymakers and industry professionals. The recognized themes provide a systematic structure for upcoming inquiries, directing studies toward vital domains like supply chain management and sustainable development. Moreover, the analysis emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and provides practical insights, enabling businesses and policymakers to enhance transparency, counteract fraud and adjust to the digital era for societal and economic advancement. Originality/value The study contributes to the prevailing literature by steering a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between blockchain technology and globalization, shedding light on influential works and emerging trends. It adds value by providing a structured overview of the field's intellectual landscape.

Comparison of Mango (Mangifera indica) Dehydration Technologies: A Systematic Review

The convective hot-air drying technology can cause physicochemical, nutritional, and organoleptic losses in the mango (Mangifera indica). The present Systematic Review was carried out with the objective of comparing mango dehydration technologies to identify the effects on the physicochemical, nutritional, and organoleptic properties of the fruit. Through a review of published scientific and conference papers in the Scopus database, adjusted to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, a total of 134 documents dated between 2000 and December 6 of 2022 were obtained; 76 of these documents were finally included in the bibliographic and theoretical analysis. Selection parameters emphasizing the relationship between the articles and the research topic, evidenced by including at least one of three dehydration technologies and the fruit of interest with an experimental or theoretical approach to the dehydration subject; review articles and surveys were excluded. Correlation graphs of bibliographic variables were made using the data mining software VantagePoint (version 15.1) , which was graphically restructured in Microsoft Excel with the support of statistical analysis. Of the resulting articles, it was found that the countries with authors who participated most in scientific production like India, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, and Thailand, were those related to mango production or importation. Furthermore, the freeze-drying technology allows operating at lower temperatures than convective hot-air drying, contributing to the preservation of ascorbic acid, among other compounds. The refractance window has the shortest operation time to obtain moisture values between 10 and 20%. The dehydrated samples using the refractance window are smooth, homogeneous, non-porous, and comparable to the color obtained with freeze-drying, which is acceptable for industrial applications.

How to close the loop with citizen scientists to advance meaningful science

Citizen science yields increased scientific capacity in exchange for science literacy and promises of a more responsive science to society’s needs. Yet, citizen science projects are criticized for producing few scientific outputs and having exploitative relationships with the citizens who participate. In the eagerness to capture new data, scientists can fail to see the value of citizen scientists’ expertise beyond data generation and can forget to close the loop with outputs that benefit the public interest. Citizen scientists are experts in their local environments who, when asked, can improve scientific processes and products. To the degree that citizen scientists are relegated to data collection, we shortchange opportunities to advance science. Rather than merely critique, we present an evidence-based engagement approach for listening to citizen scientist participants and incorporating their input into science processes and products that can be retrofitted onto existing citizen science projects or integrated from a project’s inception. We offer this adaptable blueprint in four steps and illustrate this approach via a crowdsourced hydrology project on the Boyne River, USA. We show how engaging voices of citizen scientists at key points in the project improves both the products of science (a real-time ecohydrological model) and the process of conducting the science (adaptations to help improve data collection). Distinct from outreach or education, considering citizen scientists as an equally interesting site of inquiry can improve the practice and outputs of science.

The evolution of financial technology: A comprehensive bibliometric review of robo-advisors

This bibliometric study delves into the rapidly evolving domain of robo-advisors—digital platforms that offer automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with minimal human intervention. Utilizing a robust dataset extracted from Scopus, the research employs the PRISMA flow chart methodology for meticulous screening, inclusion, and exclusion of relevant studies. Advanced bibliometric analysis tools such as Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace are employed to conduct the analysis, facilitating a multifaceted examination of the literature. The findings of this study are extensive and informative, covering various aspects of the research on robo-advisors. It highlights the annual scientific production, identifying trends and growth patterns within the field. The study also spotlights the most productive authors and sources, shedding light on the leading contributors to the discourse on robo-advisors. Furthermore, it provides insights into the most globally cited documents, author cocitations, and keyword co-occurrences, revealing the core themes and discussions shaping this area of study. Significantly, the research identifies keywords with the strongest citation bursts and offers network visualizations of cited authors, showcasing the dynamic interactions within the academic community. Timezone and timeline views of cited journals and country collaborations offer a geographical and temporal perspective on the research landscape. Through these analyses, the study uncovers identified research gaps and practical implications, guiding future investigations and the practical application of robo-advisors in the financial industry.

Tracing the evolving dynamics and research hotspots of spinal cord injury and surgical decompression from 1975 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis.

Exploration of the benefits and timing of surgical decompression in spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a research hotspot. However, despite the higher volume and increasing emphasis on quality there remains no bibliometric view on SCI and surgical decompression. In this study, we aimed to perform bibliometric analysis to reveal the core countries, affiliations, journals, authors, and developmental trends in SCI and surgical decompression across the past 50 years. Articles and reviews were retrieved from web of science core collection between 1975 and 2024. The bibliometrix package in R was used for data analysis and visualizing. A total of 8,688 documents were investigated, indicating an ascending trend in annual publications. The USA and China played as the leaders in scientific productivity. The University of Toronto led in institutional productions. Core authors, such as Michael G. Fehlings, showed high productivity, and occasional authors showed widespread interests. Core journals like Spine and Spinal Cord served as beacons in this field. The interaction of core authors and international collaboration accentuated the cross-disciplinary feature of the field. Prominent documents emphasized the clinical significance of early decompression in 24 h post SCI. Based on comprehensive bibliometric analysis and literature review, we identified the hotspots and future directions of this field: (1) further investigation into the molecular and cellular mechanisms to provide pre-clinical evidence for biological effects of early surgical decompression in SCI animal models; (2) further evaluation and validation of the optimal time window of surgical decompression based on large cohort, considering the inherent heterogeneity of subpopulations in complicated immune responses post SCI; (3) further exploration on the benefits of early decompression on the neurological, functional, and clinical outcomes in acute SCI; (4) evaluation of the optimal surgical methods and related outcomes; (5) applications of artificial intelligence-based technologies in spinal surgical decompression.

Overview of Ceramic Minerals Applications in Dentistry and New Perspectives: An Integrative Review

Modern dentistry is constantly searching for new materials that meet specific clinical requirements. Among these materials, ceramics stand out for their superior properties, such as biocompatibility, and are widely used in areas such as prosthetics, dentistry, implantology, and other related specialties. The biocompatibility of ceramic materials is one of the main reasons for their numerous applications in clinical practice, providing significant benefits for the recovery and maintenance of oral health. Objective: The present study aimed to carry out a comprehensive survey of scientific productions related to the applications of ceramic materials in dentistry. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted as an integrative literature review, covering five electronic databases to ensure broad and detailed coverage of relevant studies. Results: Initially, 1329 study records were found. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies were selected for analysis. These studies addressed several facets of the clinical applications of ceramic materials, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Conclusion: Despite the significant potential of ceramic materials in the area of ​​dental health, the analysis revealed a deficit in the global literature on the approach to this specific topic. There is a clear need for further research to explore in more depth the applications of these materials, their physical and chemical characteristics, and their interactions with biological tissues, in order to optimize their use in clinical practice.

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE FROM A PHENOMENOLOGICAL-EXISTENTIAL AND PERSON-CENTERED PERSPECTIVE: An integrative review

This study aims to conduct an integrative and qualitative review of scientific productions on depression and suicide according to Existential Phenomenology and Person-Centered Approach. Data collection was carried out in the Scielo, Pepsic, ResearchGate, and CAPES Periodicals databases. 13 articles that correlate the descriptors used and meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The results show that, from the existential phenomenological perspective, depression and suicide are seen as multifaceted phenomena that take into account subjectivity, the search for meaning, and human authenticity. The authors discuss that what leads a person to suicide is existential anguish caused by factors such as a technicist society, the incessant search for happiness, social stigma, individualism, fragile relationships, dysfunctional families, and the prioritization of medicalization over care. The most cited authors supporting the studies found are Heidegger, Sartre, and Carl Rogers, who bring both similarities and differences. Studies relating depression and suicide to the Person-Centered Approach assert that these phenomena occur due to a distortion of the self, causing anguish and existential pain, as the idealized self-image and the real lived experience are distinct. It is encouraged to produce more articles that bring a humanistic perspective on depression and suicide in life stages beyond adolescence, such as old age and childhood. Additionally, it encourages the production of more studies focusing on the Person-Centered Approach, as well as empirical studies with case analyses.

University Research, Climate and Organizational Culture in a Peruvian University

Objective: To determine the relationship between the participation of engineering faculty students in university research, climate and organizational culture in a Peruvian university. Theoretical Framework: Science research as a development of scientific competencies is a way of learning production and learning development in the promotion of critical thinking and argumentative forms in the growth and ability to interact among students with scientific level research (Valdiviezo, 2023). Method: The research is basic, non-experimental, descriptive and correlational level; providing scopes for an adequate progress of the strategic objectives of the university institution with a quantitative approach (Hernández &amp; Mendoza, 2018). Methods, techniques and instruments were applied for the collection of information for the treatment, analysis and presentation of results (Sánchez &amp; Reyes, 2015). Results and Discussion: It was evidenced the existence of correlation between the study variables University research and Organizational climate (rho=0.442 and p=0.000&lt;0.05) as well as between University research and Organizational culture (rho=0.328; p=0.000&lt;0.05 ), being a moderate positive correlation. Research Implications: Scientific production is a fundamental part of the university professor's activity and dissemination through the publication of scientific articles has become an essential pillar (Delgado et al., 2021). Originality/Value: The research will contribute to the improvement of scientific research processes in universities by promoting a climate and culture of research character to generate the conditions for the development of research projects and the participation of the university community.

Co-Authorship as the Means to Build Social Capital and its Effects on Scientific Productivity

Co-Authorship as the Means to Build Social Capital and its Effects on Scientific Productivity

Post-independence health research productivity in Portuguese-speaking African countries: A bibliometric analysis of 43 years of research and higher education in Mozambique

BackgroundAfrica has a high double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases underscoring the critical need for robust scientific research. However, it is also associated with low scientific research productivity. Mozambique, which gained independence in 1975, serves as a poignant example. However, there remains a notable scarcity of evidence evaluating the country's trajectory in scientific and academic development. This study aims to evaluate 43 years of health-related scientific knowledge production through bibliometric analysis, focusing on key indicators. Additionally, it seeks to characterize the higher education institutions within the country. MethodsThe data was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using an advanced search tool with Boolean research strategies, covering the period from 1976 to 2022 for all PALOP and 1976 to 2019 for Mozambique. To map Mozambican higher institutions, information was sourced from the Ministry of Science Technology and Higher Education database. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the findings, while the VOSviewer program version 1.6.19 was utilized to visualize distance-based bibliometric networks, focusing on co-authorship among institutions and keyword co-occurrence. ResultsPortuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) contribute 2.5 % (10,933 out of 442,309) to Africa's total scientific output, with Mozambique leading at 63.6 % (6,951 publications) followed by Angola at 16.6 % (1,811 publications). All PALOP countries experienced decreased scientific productivity during the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mozambique, over 70 % (1,710 out of 2,380) of health-related publications from 2011 to 2019 were concentrated in this period. Key journals for health sciences include PLOS ONE, Malaria Journal, and Tropical Medicine & International Health, focusing on HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Higher education institutions in Mozambique show regional disparities, with 67.9 % in the South and only 8.9 % in the North, indicating significant inequality in their distribution across the country. ConclusionThis study highlights Mozambique's significant progress in health research productivity over 43 years, establishing it as a leader among PALOP countries. The substantial increase in publications, particularly after 2008, underscores the nation's growing research capacity and commitment to addressing critical health challenges such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. However, regional disparities in higher education access and limited research contributions from private universities remain high in Mozambique.

Enhancing Resilience via Exponential Technologies: Analysing Trends, Focus and Contributions

This article seeks to conduct a bibliometric analysis focusing on exponential technologies such as big data, internet of thing (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and cloud computing. It aims to outline research trends in this domain and explore their correlation with resilience. The study aims to track the evolution of research trends in this field over time and identify less explored dimensions of exponential technologies. Leveraging performance analysis and science mapping techniques, the paper highlights the significant growth and potential in these areas, considering them as pivotal agendas of the twenty-first century. By examining scientific productivity metrics such as publications, authors, institutions, countries and keywords, the article offers insights into emerging areas within exponential technologies. As the first comprehensive study of its kind, it provides a broad overview of the main trends and patterns in resilience research encompassing big data, IoT, AI, blockchain and cloud computing, consolidating them into a single cohesive narrative.

Orbit design for a future geodetic satellite and gravity field recovery

Spherical geodetic satellites tracked by satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations provide indispensable scientific products that cannot be replaced by other sources. For studying the time-variable gravity field, two low-degree coefficients C20 and C30 derived from GRACE and GRACE Follow-On missions are replaced by the values derived from SLR tracking of geodetic satellites, such as LAGEOS-1/2, LARES-1/2, Starlette, Stella, and Ajisai. The subset of these satellites is used to derive the geocenter motion which is fundamental in the realization of the origin of the terrestrial reference frames. LAGEOS satellites provide the most accurate standard gravitational product GM of the Earth. In this study, we use the Kaula theorem of gravitational perturbations to find the best possible satellite height, inclination, and eccentricity for a future geodetic satellite to maximize orbit sensitivity in terms of the recovery of low-degree gravity field coefficients, geocenter, and GM. We also derive the common station-satellite visibility-coverability coefficient as a function of the inclination angle and satellite height. We found that the best inclination for a future geodetic satellite is 35°–45° or 135°–145° with a height of about 1500–1700 km to support future GRACE/MAGIC missions with C20 and C30. For a better geocenter recovery and derivation of the standard gravitational product, the preferable height is 2300–3500 km. Unfortunately, none of the existing geodetic satellites has the optimum height and inclination angle for deriving GM, geocenter, and C20 because there are no spherical geodetic satellites at the heights between 1500 (Ajisai and LARES-1) and 5800 km (LAGEOS-1/2, LARES-2).

Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Production in Cultural Tourism from 2010 to 2019 in Europe

Abstract This paper provides a general review of cultural tourism as a research subject in the last decade in Europe. First, it defines the terminology and its dimensions. This is followed by the analysis of the scientific papers published in international journals between 2010 and 2019, available in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, to ensure the inclusion of high-impact studies according to the bibliometric quality index. Through the quantitative analysis of 625 WoS articles and 765 Scopus articles using bibliographic coupling, co-citation and co-occurrence analysis, this publication provides a significant overview of the terms involved or related to cultural tourism and the proposed clustering for each term. This paper concludes with a discussion of the main trends identified, their characteristics and possible changes over time.

Rationalizing risk aversion in science: Why incentives to work hard clash with incentives to take risks.

Scientific research requires taking risks, as the most cautious approaches are unlikely to lead to the most rapid progress. Yet, much funded scientific research plays it safe and funding agencies bemoan the difficulty of attracting high-risk, high-return research projects. Why don't the incentives for scientific discovery adequately impel researchers toward such projects? Here, we adapt an economic contracting model to explore how the unobservability of risk and effort discourages risky research. The model considers a hidden-action problem, in which the scientific community must reward discoveries in a way that encourages effort and risk-taking while simultaneously protecting researchers' livelihoods against the vicissitudes of scientific chance. Its challenge when doing so is that incentives to motivate effort clash with incentives to motivate risk-taking, because a failed project may be evidence of a risky undertaking but could also be the result of simple sloth. As a result, the incentives needed to encourage effort actively discourage risk-taking. Scientists respond by working on safe projects that generate evidence of effort but that don't move science forward as rapidly as riskier projects would. A social planner who prizes scientific productivity above researchers' well-being could remedy the problem by rewarding major discoveries richly enough to induce high-risk research, but in doing so would expose scientists to a degree of livelihood risk that ultimately leaves them worse off. Because the scientific community is approximately self-governing and constructs its own reward schedule, the incentives that researchers are willing to impose on themselves are inadequate to motivate the scientific risks that would best expedite scientific progress.

Global research trends of nanomaterials application in periodontitis and peri-implantitis: A bibliometric analysis

BackgroundThe application of nanomaterials (NMs) in the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis has shown multifunctional benefits, such as antibacterial properties, immune regulation, and promotion of osteogenesis. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to evaluate global scientific production in this field has not yet been conducted. MethodWe searched for publications related to nanomaterials in periodontitis and peri-implantitis using the WOSCC database. The contributions from institutions, journals, countries, and authors were assessed using VOSviewer, the bibliometrix R package, and Microsoft Excel 2019. ResultsWe identified 2275 publications from 66 countries/regions focusing on nanomaterials in periodontitis and peri-implantitis, published between 1993 and 2023. China and the USA were the top contributors in this field, with 653 and 221 publications, respectively. Key topics include antibacterial properties, delivery systems, nanoparticles, and regeneration. The research focus has evolved from traditional treatments to advanced applications of multifunctional nanomaterials. ConclusionSignificant progress has been made in the application of NMs in periodontitis and peri-implantitis from 1993 to 2023. Future research hotspots will likely focus on multifunctional nanomaterials and those adhering to good manufacturing practices (GMP).