Top Producers Research Articles

A Scientometric Macroanalysis of Coral Reef Research in the World

Abstract Marine and coastal biodiversity is crucial to the planet’s functioning and offers ecosystem services that guarantee the health, wealth, and well-being of the entire humanity. This is why, evaluating the current body of research on coral reefs is essential for understanding the unprecedented growth of this field, which covers many topics including climate change, biotic interactions, bioresources, future bioprospecting, and biodiversity in general. Such an evaluation requires both descriptive summaries and co-citation analyses to understand the expansive nature of this particular research and identify research gaps. Given the importance of the topic and the fact that it is insufficiently addressed, this study fills in a gap regarding coral reefs studies. We analyzed coral reef research published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 1970 and 2021, using the CiteSpace software. This gave a total of 20,362 records, focusing on variables including the list of contributors (author, affiliation, and country), total publications over time, dual map overlay, co-citation analysis (co-cited author and documents), cluster networks, and popular keywords and their burstness. We found that coral reef publications increased over time, with coastal countries (the USA, Australia, and Japan) being among the highest contributors. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA are the top producers of coral reef research worldwide. Unsurprisingly, the journal Coral Reefs was the most productive journal. Interestingly, we found that keywords such as “great barrier reef,” “climate change,” and “predation” were among the top cited and most influential in coral reef science. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify trends in coral reef research using scientometric analyses based on the CiteSpace software.

A century of weed change in New Zealand’s forage seed multiplication industry

International seed trading provides a significant introductory pathway for weed seeds, and many globally established weeds originated as contaminants in agricultural seed lots. Management of these trade systems helps minimize agricultural losses and is an important means of preventing future biological incursions. Forage crop seed lots could be considered higher risk than seed lots of arable and vegetable crops, as they have been found to have a higher percentage of contaminated seed lots. Two of the most commonly used temperate forage crops worldwide are perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). New Zealand is one of the top producers of these crop seeds globally, and both species are commonly used in New Zealand pastures. Using historical and current seed lot analytical purity test results, we examined the frequency, identity and temporal changes of weed seeds found within agricultural seed lots of perennial ryegrass and white clover grown in New Zealand from 1912 to 2019. Overall, the percentage of contaminated forage seed lots decreased between approximately three to sixfold over the study period, indicating that herbicide availability, seed certification and improved crop management have been effective for weed control. However, we identified a handful of annual weed species that could become more problematic in the future, either because they showed an increasing presence trend in seed lots or were identified as the most common contaminants. In 2019, Vulpia bromoides was the most common contaminant in perennial ryegrass seed lots, and Chenopodium album was the most common in white clover seed lots. Sherardia arvensis and Poa annua, both significant species with an increasing presence trend, had the largest increases in perennial ryegrass seed lots over the study period. Conversely, Rumex acetosella had the largest presence decline for both crop species. There was a significant difference between the percentage of contaminant species that were grass weeds between study crops, where perennial ryegrass seed lots had approximately four times more grass species than white clover. Considering New Zealand trades crop seed with approximately half of the world’s countries and contributes substantially to the global supply of forage seed, our study provides a unique insight into changes of the weed spectrum throughout the seed for sowing system over the last century.

Dynamics of Maize Production in Changing Climatic Scenario of Bihar: A Stochastic Frontier Approach

"The study attempted to capture the changing scenario of maize production and its efficiency in Bihar agriculture using an unbalanced panel stochastic frontier model in a dataset of all three agro-climatic zones over a period of 15 years (2006-2020). The findings indicated that increasing crop area, machinery used, and irrigation all had a significant impact on maize productivity. A random effect of the Tobit model for panel data is employed to identify the factors that affect technical efficiency. The technical efficiency of maize production has an influence on the maximum temperature, increasing the maximum temperature limit that is detrimental to maize production. The technical score of the current maize production technology is 0.83 indicates that Bihar’s maize production is 83% technically efficient when accounting for climatic factors like maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall. Technical efficiency scores for Zones 1 and 2, which are well known for being intensely maize-producing regions, are 0.84 and 0.88, respectively. Since crop leftover is distinct from maize production and may be utilized to increase technical efficiency, crop residue is strongly related to maize’s technical efficiency. The highest levels of technical efficiency were seen in Bihar’s maize production from 2006 to 2020, with an average technical efficiency of 0.88. Bihar’s agricultural Zone 2 has a maximum technical efficiency of 0.97, making it the state’s top producer of maize."

Pear psylla and natural enemy thresholds for successful integrated pest management in pears.

Pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster), is the most economically challenging pest of commercial pears in Washington and Oregon, the top producers of pears in the United States. The objective of this study was to quantify economic injury levels and thresholds for pear psylla. We used the relationship between pear psylla adult and nymph densities, and fruit downgraded due to psylla honeydew marking to identify injury levels. We calculated economic injury levels using the cost of downgraded fruit and average management costs (spray materials and labor). Using economic injury levels, we determined economic thresholds for pear psylla, which include predicted pest population growth, natural enemy predation, and anticipated delays between when pest populations are measured and when managers apply interventions. Economic thresholds generated by this study were 0.1-0.3 second-generation nymphs per leaf and 0.2-0.8 third-generation nymphs per leaf depending on predicted price and yield for insecticide applications at 1,300 pear psylla degree days in the second generation and 2,600 pear psylla degree days in the third generation. Natural enemy inaction thresholds identified by this study were 6 Deraeocoris brevis or 3 Campylomma verbasci immatures per 30 trays or 2 earwigs per trap for third-generation optional insecticide applications.

The organizational and technological origins of the U.S. shale gas revolution, 1947 to 2012

Abstract We explore the origins and the development of hydraulic fracking technology that made possible United States’ unexpected rise as a top producer of oil and gas. As hydraulic fracking was first used extensively to produce shale gas and only later to produce shale oil, we focus on analyzing what is often referred to as the “shale gas revolution.” We trace how the shale gas ecosystem evolved, what role different actors played in the unexpected shale gas revolution, and how the strategies and knowledge bases of the different actors differed and evolved over time.

Global research hotspots and frontiers of myasthenia gravis from 2002 to 2021: A bibliometric study.

The objective of this study is to utilize bibliometric and visual analysis techniques to identify hotspots and frontiers of research in myasthenia gravis (MG) and provide valuable references for future research. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was used to retrieve literature data related to MG research, which was then analyzed using VOSviewer 1.6.18, CiteSpace 6.1.R3, and the Online Platform for Bibliometric Analysis. The analysis revealed 6734 publications distributed across 1612 journals and contributed by as many as 24,024 authors affiliated with 4708 institutions across 107 countries/regions. The number of annual publications and citations for MG research has steadily increased over the past 2 decades, with the last 2 years alone witnessing a remarkable increase in annual publications and citations to over 600 and 17,000, respectively. In terms of productivity, the United States emerged as the top producing country, while the University of Oxford ranked first in terms of research institutions. Vincent A was identified as the top contributor in terms of publications and citations. Muscle & Nerve and Neurology ranked first in publications and citations respectively, with clinical neurology and neurosciences among the main subject categories explored. The study also identified pathogenesis, eculizumab, thymic epithelial cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, thymectomy, MuSK antibodies, risk, diagnosis, and management as the current hot research topics in MG, while burst keywords like quality of life, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), rituximab, safety, nivolumab, cancer, and classification indicated the frontiers of MG research. This study effectively identifies the hotspots and frontiers of MG research, and offers valuable references for researchers interested in this area.

Designing a NAABSA Class Tanker Ship with Bottom Protection from Ground

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago country with a high potential for economic development and top producer and exporter of palm oil. As an archipelago country, the most efficient cargo transportation routes are through rivers and seas. Designing and building tankers, taking into account the specifics of the operation, are relevant. The paper considers the issues of designing a tanker for the transportation of crude palm oil with a defined operation area and route. The general concept of the vessel is proposed, taking into account the restrictions on the navigation area and draft for operation in the river. Particular attention is given to the issues of strengthening the hull in terms of overall longitudinal strength, as well as the bottom and the propeller-steering complex in terms of interaction with the ground. An external structural protection (ESP) from the ground was developed, and comparative calculations of the stress-strain state of the compartment and ESP structures were performed. The effectiveness of the solution for protecting the hull from direct contact with the ground is shown, and outlined ways for the possible development of tanker projects for the conditions.

Exploring Plastic-Management Policy in China: Status, Challenges and Policy Insights

Plastic pollution is recognized as one of the most urgent global environmental concerns. China is the top producer and consumer of plastics and creates the most plastic waste globally. To evaluate policy options to control plastic pollution in China, we first reviewed the relevant policies and action plans in place. Then, we examined plastic-material flows and changes at the national level based on officially published data to evaluate the current situation and efficacy of policies at the macro-level. Results showed that 2016, the start of the 13th Five-Year Plan, was a pivotal year in the history of China’s plastic policies tackling plastic issues nationally and internationally. Since 2016, the growth trend in the production and consumption of plastic products has slowed and the recycling rate has risen, surpassing 30% in 2021. To further tackle plastic pollution, key suggestions with important policy implications were provided, covering better integration of policies, the combined management of vertical–horizontal governance, tracking-system implementation, the introduction of a quality-certification system, the development of behaviour-based consumer-oriented solutions, the promotion of stakeholder collaboration, and the need for appropriate post-COVID-19 policies.

India's Organic Agriculture A Vision for a Healthy Country

The two key elements of food quality and safety are receiving more and more attention from the general public. The inclusion of increased levels of conventionally grown food has pesticide residue, hormones, toxic metals, antibiotic residue, elevated nitrate, and genetically modified organisms. Farmed food has a significant negative impact on health. Additionally, foods cultivated traditionally are less nutrient-dense and contain fewer protective antioxidants. Due to its potential health advantages and rising food safety concerns, demand for foods cultivated organically has expanded over the past few decades. Organic food production is described as farming without using artificial pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics, as wellas artificial fertilizers and insecticides. A growing number of people are choosing to eatorganicfoods because of their advantages in terms of nutrition and health. Additionally, organic farming safeguards the environment and greater socioeconomic impact on a nation. India is a nation equippedwith native abilities and the growing possibility of organic agriculture. India, whichfor a variety of reasons lagged behind other countries in adopting organic farming, is now oneof the world's top producers of organic food, thanks to its rapid -growth in organic agriculture. Therefore, by ensuring sustainable development, organic farming has a big influence on a nation's health, like in India. We might conclude that encouraging organic farming is important given that India is presently the largest top producer of organic food. Farming there would eventually lead to the development of a politically, environmentally, and economically healthy country.

Identification of Antibiotic Resistance Pattern and Antibiotic Resistance Gene of Staphylococcus aureus from Broiler Chicken Farm in Sukabumi and Cianjur Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia

Broiler chicken is one of the most common forms of protein in Indonesia. Sukabumi and Cianjur are two of the province of West Java’s top producers of broiler chickens. Farmers nonetheless use antibiotics for prevention, treatment, and growth enhancement. The objective of this investigation is to detect antibiotic resistance and the related resistance gene. The cloacal swab samples were determined to be Staphylococcus aureus by biochemical and molecular assays. Against the positive S. aureus strains, the antibiotics tetracycline, ampicillin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol were evaluated. The colony’s obvious inhibitory zone was evaluated in accordance with the 2018 Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute recommendations (CLSI 2018). After extracting the DNA from resistant strains, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was employed to identify the resistance gene. The total number of S. aureus isolates from both regions was 26, with 14 coming from Sukabumi and 12 from Cianjur. The vast majority were resistant to the vast majority of antibiotics used in broiler farms including several medicines. These samples carried the genes blaTEM, gyrA, tetA, and ermB for antibiotic resistance.

Circular bioeconomy in palm oil industry: Current practices and future perspectives

Malaysia is presently ranked as the second top producer of crude palm oil in the world after Indonesia. The industry is serving as the economic backbone of the country. However, massive criticism and challenges are faced by the palm oil industry with the claims that the industry is causing environmental degradation and negative social impacts. Tremendous efforts have been taken to enhance the sustainability of the palm oil industry in environmental, social, and economic aspects including bioenergy, compost, animal feed production, and replanting of palm oil waste residues. Greener approach on circular bioeconomy is, at present, aimed to be transitioned to the palm oil industry. The concept emphasises on resource-efficient and waste minimisation, aiming to attain a lower production cost, to mitigate the negative environmental impacts, and to conserve the resources. This present review discusses the palm oil supply chain from plantation up to milling operations, current practices of palm oil industry in biomass waste reuse and recycling, and by-products productions including bioenergy generation. The potential and future prospects of full range of biowaste management and its refineries are highlighted comprehensively, including waste-to-energy, waste treatment, and waste valorisation for by-products productions. Challenges and potential technological applications are also discussed. To our best knowledge, much is lacking on the circular bioeconomy approach specifically dealt with Malaysian palm oil industry. Therefore, this review serves as a reference for the industrial stakeholders, engineers, environmentalists, researchers, and the government in decision making, policy making, future investment, and innovation advancement.

Trends in scientific output on artificial intelligence and health in Latin America in Scopus

Introduction: technological developments in artificial intelligence and health are necessary for Latin American health systems. Objective: to describe the trends in scientific production on artificial intelligence and health in Latin America in Scopus. Method: This is a retrospective bibliometric study of Latin American authors' scientific production on artificial intelligence and health in Scopus between 2012 and 2021. Production, visibility and impact indicators were used. VOSviewer and SciVal were used for data analysis. Results: 2871 articles were published, with a variation between 2012 and 2021 of 94.98%. 2,397 articles were original, and 2,741 were written in English. 58.3% were published in first-quartile journals, the most productive being Sensors (Ndoc=79) and Plos One (Ndoc=66). 64,128 citations were received (mean of 22.3 citations per article). Brazil was the most productive country (Ndoc=1420), and the institution was the University of São Paulo (Ndoc=288). 498 thematic groups were identified, and 1376 themes. 54% of the articles had international collaboration and 3.3% with academic-corporation collaboration. Conclusions: there is a growing scientific production on artificial intelligence and health in Latin America, written mainly in English, medical, engineering and computer science research areas, disseminated in specialized magazines in the first quartiles. Brazil and its institutions were the top producers. The main topics were predictive models and the application of artificial intelligence for classifying, diagnosing and treating diseases.

An econometric analysis of price elasticity and demand factors in the global honey and honey-based beverage markets

The contemporary discourse on global commodity markets presents a myriad of compelling quandaries for scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners alike. Among these markets, since 2015 the global honey and honey-based beverage sector embodies unique economic characteristics and dynamics. While the market has experienced expansive growth in a plethora of jurisdictions, Kazakhstan remains out of focus of researchers. For this reason, we decided to undertake an exhaustive econometric analysis, scrutinizing the price elasticity of demand and various demand determinants in Kazakhstan’s honey and honey-based beverage markets. Utilizing longitudinal data spanning over a decade, this investigation employs advanced econometric methodologies - including but not restricted to Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions, co-integration analyses, and error-correction models - to rigorously interrogate the price elasticity of demand for honey and honey-based beverages. The research encompasses multiple control variables like GDP per capita, consumer behavior, inflation rates, and population dynamics to create a multi-faceted econometric model capable of rendering nuanced insights. It incorporates both macroeconomic and microeconomic variables to delineate the symbiotic relationship between price elasticity and demand determinants such as consumer income, advertising impact, and price points of substitute and complementary goods. The analysis showed that the honey market in Kazakhstan is fundamentally oligopolistic, and the triumvirate of top producers collectively wield a 60% market control, leaving a residual 40% for the aggregation of small and medium enterprises. However, the findings unveil a complex web of economic variables influencing the price elasticity of demand in Kazakhstan’s honey markets. Most notably, the study elucidates that the price elasticity of demand for honey and honey-based beverages is highly inelastic in the short term but transitions towards being elastic in the long run, a phenomenon predominantly influenced by changes in consumer income and preferences. A 12.3% increase in exports from 2020 to 2021 implies an increasing global demand for Kazakhstani honey, and thus should be a focus for stakeholders to leverage for market expansion. An Export-to-Production Ratio at 26% indicates that roughly one-fourth of honey produced is assigned for the international markets. The average production cost per kilogram of honey in Kazakhstan was found lower compared to the global average. Remarkably, digitization has been adopted as a salient strategy for market development. The penetration of digital platforms for honey trading increased from 2% in 2012 to 18% in 2021. The research identifies complex interplay between exogenous variables like global market trends, geopolitical factors, and cultural shifts, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics at play. This article makes several seminal contributions to the academic dialogue surrounding the economics of honey markets. Firstly, it adds a new geographic focus by centering on Kazakhstan, an understudied yet burgeoning market in the global honey industry. Secondly, the rigorous econometric methodology employed contributes to the methodological lexicon of commodity market analyses. Finally, the complex approach, incorporating both economic theory and real-world market trends, paves the way for future studies and aids in the formulation of policy directives aimed at stabilizing price volatility in commodity markets.

Modelling natural gas, renewables-sourced electricity, and ICT trade on economic growth and environment: evidence from top natural gas producers in Africa.

Addressing extensive global goals including growing energy-sourced electricity and advancing sustainable development plans strongly depends on natural gas as a transition fuel to renewable forms of energy. Therefore, by using pooled, random, and fixed-effects models, the current study investigates the effects of electricity sourced from natural gas (ENG), renewable energy (RE), and trade in information and communication technologies (ICTs) on economic growth and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Africa's top three natural gas producers, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria, from 1990 to 2020. The findings indicate that CO2, ENG, ICT trade, and urbanization (UP) are all strongly and positively correlated to economic progress, with the exception of RE, which has an insignificant influence. For the environment, data indicate that RE and GDP degrade the environment while ENG and ICT trade boost it. The causality results that ENG and RE cause both economic growth and CO2 emissions. Based on these empirical results, it is recommended that policymakers should step up their efforts to usage natural gas as a transition fuel to renewable energy sources and acknowledge the advantages of the significant contribution that green ICT trade can make to economic advancement and a clean environment.

A New Perspective for Vineyard Terroir Identity: Looking for Microbial Indicator Species by Long Read Nanopore Sequencing

Grapevine is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide, being Portugal one of the top wine producers. It is well established that wine sensory characteristics from a particular region are defined by the physiological responses of the grapevine to its environment and thus, the concept of terroir in viticulture was established. Among all the factors that contribute to terroir definition, soil microorganisms play a major role from nutrient recycling to a drastic influence on plant fitness (growth and protection) and of course wine production. Soil microbiome from four different terroirs in Quinta dos Murças vineyard was analysed through long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing. We have developed an analytical pipeline that allows the identification of function, ecologies, and indicator species based on long read sequencing data. The Douro vineyard was used as a case study, and we were able to establish microbiome signatures of each terroir.

Preparation and Evaluation of Herbal Toothpaste

Targeted regions in India include the Japanese Chain, Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Andaman & Nicobar Island. There are 45000 ancient medicinal plant species there. However, only 3000 plants have been officially identified as having potential for health. Practitioners from antiquity employ over 6000. India is the world's top producer of medicinal plants and is known as the "World Botanical Garden." Toothpastes are complicated abrasive and surfactant combinations; anticavity humectants (to avoid dryness and improve the pleasant mouth feel); agents like fluoride; tartar control components; pH buffers; and binders, which give things form and consistency. Natural components in herbal toothpaste are more socially acceptable than Due to their safety, chemical-containing toothpastes are commonly used in oral dental care today. and effectiveness in lowering and effectiveness in avoiding tooth caries and other dental conditions that this Creation is susceptible. We incorporate plant extracts like peppermint oil, ginger oil, and oil, Tulsi oil, clove oil, and neem leaf oil; camphor and honey are also included. These extracts have wound-healing, anti-ulcer, anti-caries, anti-bacterial, and as well as some special qualities like anti-fungal and anti-cancer. Preparing, evaluating, and comparing Lab Made Products is the primary goal of the current activity. Toothpaste with commercial herbal natural toothpaste. During the investigation, commercial The quality of herbal toothpastes like Vicco has been assessed. every marketed Herbal toothpaste manufactured in laboratories and tooth pastes made from herbs that had been tested complied. In accordance with the criteria established by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Detect F-, Pb, As, and stability research. The evaluation of all the parameters revealed that the lab-created formulation is roughly equivalent and hardly ever produces greater results than advertised formulation. Hence It was determined that the chosen Labmade formulation was of high grade.

International arms trade and transfers: Rising producers, advanced technology, and adapting regulations

The end of the Cold War era has ushered in a century in which great military powers like the US, China, and Russia continue to dominate the arms trade, yet minor powers are also investing heavily in arms manufacturing and technologies and profiting from lucrative arms transfers. Changes in the arms trade have fostered cooperative international regulatory practices and agreements, but recent conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine highlight the need for strong end-use monitoring, post-shipment verification, and international accountability for dubious trade deals. This study analyzes changes in top arms producers, new complexities in arms regulation due to advancing technologies and artificial intelligence, arms-control policies of international organizations and top arms producers, and the risks of poor regulation.

First Report of Bacterial Leaf Spot on Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Caused by Pseudomonas sp. in South Carolina.

A large grower of Brassica leafy greens and spinach in South Carolina observed a severe outbreak of leaf spot on 150 hectares of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in Orangeburg County, SC in 2013. The entire field was lost due to the outbreak. Symptoms appeared on 8-week old plants as tan to white necrotic spots with black centers, water-soaking and no discernable chlorotic borders. Lesions varied from 2 mm to 1 cm in diameter and often coalesced to cover >50% of the leaves. Symptomatic spinach plants cv. Vancouver were collected in 2013 from the field. Bacterial streaming was evident from the border of necrotic lesions under magnification. Lesion border regions were excised, surface-disinfested with 0.5% NaOCl, macerated in sterilized distilled water and streaked onto nutrient agar (NA) and Pseudomonas Agar F (PAF). Bacterial growth was observed on NA and PAF; several single colonies were selected and re-streaked onto PAF. Colonies fluoresced blue under UV light after 48 h at 28oC. Two of the strains were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing (GenBank accessions OM983506 and OM983507) and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) analysis (MIDI LABS, Newark, DE). FAME results had a best similarity index (0.788) to Pseudomonas cichorii/viridiflava. The 16S sequences were queried to Pseudomonas type-strains in GenBank resulting in best matches: P. ovata (99.23% identity with 99% coverage) and P. maditerranea (99.04% identity with 100% coverage). Additionally, sequences had 97.33% identity with 100% coverage as a P. cichorii type strain, and only 96.86% identity with 97% coverage as a P. viridiflava type strain. These two strains were tested for pathogenicity on the spinach cv. Vancouver. Bacteria were grown on PAF for 48 h, and a bacterial suspension was prepared with sterile distilled water with the addition of 0.001% Latron (Plant Health Technologies, Boise, ID) and adjusted to an optical density of 0.4 at OD600. Six-week-old plants (eight plants) were sprayed with the bacterial suspension to runoff, placed at 100% relative humidity for 72 h, and then put in a growth chamber at 25oC with a 12 h diurnal light cycle for 10 days. Eight plants of 'Vancouver' were sprayed with water and 0.001% Latron as controls. Both strains were pathogenic on 'Vancouver' and caused symptoms similar to those observed in the field. Symptoms were not observed on negative controls. The same bacterial colonies were recovered from the lesions on inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Comparative rep-PCR analysis using the BOXA1R primer (Versalovic et al. 1994) showed both strains had identical DNA-banding profiles. All identification methods used indicate that this is a different Pseudomonas species from the one reported on spinach in California by Koike et al (2002). The top producers of spinach in SC stopped large-scale production in 2014 as a result of this pathogen. In 2020, due to inability of processors to obtain sufficient quantities of spinach, SC growers again planted the crop. Growers experienced yield losses due to similar symptoms on the crop. BOX-PCR of isolated strains of bacteria from these plants showed a DNA banding pattern similar to the 2013 strains.

Ranking researchers: Evidence from Indonesia

In the span of three years, Indonesia went from being the second worst to the top producer of scientific journal articles in Southeast Asia. We investigate whether a transparent system of ranking every single researcher in the country based on publications and citations (SINTA) contributed to this turnaround. Using panel data from over 200,000 Indonesian researchers (and comparing to researchers from Thailand and the Philippines), we show that the implementation of SINTA coincides with changes in the production of publications by Indonesian researchers consistent with the weights used in the ranking formula. Although we see modest improvements in publication rates in top-ranked journals, 62 % of the observed increase in total publications is from conference proceedings. Because SINTA was launched around the same time as other policies that focused on increasing publications, isolating the precise impact of SINTA remains challenging. Nevertheless, after accounting for such policies, our results imply that a ranking and evaluation system for researchers can contribute to overall improvements in scientific capacity in low- and middle-income countries.

Competition And Vulnerabilities In The Global Supply Chain For US Generic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

The US supply of generic drugs is heavily dependent on the global supply chain for sources of generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the US pharmaceutical market. Data from Clarivate Analytics' Cortellis Generics Intelligence database were analyzed to perform a systematic examination of generic APIs produced globally for the US market during 2020-21. We identified a total of 565 facilities producing 1,379 unique generic APIs across forty-two countries. India, China, and Italy were the top producers; 14percent of APIs were manufactured in the US. About a third of APIs were manufactured by a single facility, and another third were manufactured by two or three facilities. More than one in every five APIs reflected markets in which current Food and Drug Administration standards would have failed to detect low competition because there were three or fewer API manufacturers despite there being four or more manufacturers of finished generic drugs. Monitoring the API supply is crucial to identifying vulnerabilities in the US pharmaceutical supply chain and identifying drugs that could represent potential priorities for domestic production. Incentives in the US may be needed to support API production to safeguard against supply-chain disruptions.