Abstract

Within the context of our current research and understanding of climate change, decisionmakers are particularly concerned with the extent of future climate change, its comprehensive impact, and the types of socioeconomic pathways available with respect to mitigation and adaptation. Among the factors contributing to these important issues, the role of air pollution in global and regional climate warming remains as one of the largest uncertainties. On the basis of understanding of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, specifically, in the role of air pollution in climate change, scenarios establishment, and relationship between the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Weaknesses and reflections were discussed here especially in strengthening impact, adaptation and mitigation research that related with changes in air pollution and climate. In the future, there are needs to in-depth understand how and why the air pollution in China is so serious and changing, to understand the likely future changes in air pollution and climate, to strengthen comprehensive impact research and selective reduction strategies related to changes in air pollution and climate. Furthermore, this study outlines the needs to develop strategies to close the loop of differential impacts and costs, to establish co-benefits and sustainable development goals, to identify the crucial risks and options for synergies/trade-offs, to integrate sector-specific details with macro-economics, and to integrate the assessments of the various policy instruments. All these focus areas will help to facilitate the transition of economic development patterns towards green and low-carbon development.

Abstract

The main aspects of how to create a CRIS (current research information system) are discussed. From several points of view, CRIS addresses the following: knowing an institution’s scientific impact; simplifying and improving institutional management; having a suitable tool for researchers to elaborate their curriculum vitae; and having a global research database, etc. To get a CRIS it is necessary for collaboration between different professional types, including librarians –who should be heavily involved-, in order to have the best and most complete information available.

Abstract

Open access to information has brought about a multiplication of data that can be used to carry out statistical analysis on the impact of scientific publications, thus paving the way for new metrics models for scholarly communication. In May 2010 institutional repository Digital.CSIC launched a new statistics model to address CSIC structural complexity as well as requests by CSIC libraries to generate statistical reports by centres. Thanks to these newly developed statistics, it will be possible to undertake both internal follow-up activities and external promotional and advocacy efforts which will show cost-benefit relationship at Digital.CSIC more clearly alongside the impact of CSIC science that is openly available through Digital.CSIC. The article explains the architecture behind statistics a la carte developed by Digital.CSIC and needs and challenges that are to be addressed.

Abstract

The aim of the study is to test a methodology to investigate the correlation between the models of electronic information usage and the scientific communication preferences reflected in two databases: Web of Science (WoS) from Thomson Reuters, and Scopus from Elsevier. The study is focused on the University of Vigo. Downloads of the articles distributed by ScienceDirect, SpringerLink and Wiley were analyzed at the University of Vigo (Spain) in the period 2006 to 2011. There is an ascending curve for the consumption of electronic scientific content and a preference for titles distributed by ScienceDirect. The study confirms that experimental and health sciences researchers are the most devoted users, to judge by the number of articles downloaded. Increase in scientific production was also analyzed by discipline. There was a direct correlation between the most productive disciplines and those in which higher numbers of journal articles were downloaded. Nevertheless, no direct correlation was observed between the titles preferred for scientific communication and the titles receiving greater use in the multidisciplinary platforms studied.

Abstract

The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) can be considered as a new emergent region in the world. By using advanced bibliometric methods, the development of science and technology in Unasur is explored. Based on data from the InCites tool of Thomson Reuters, which facilitates national comparisons across long time periods using publication output and normalized citation impact values, we explored how this region (particularly the most productive individual countries within it) is developing. The publication output results reveal an increase in the scientific and technological activities in most of the Unasur countries (especially Brazil). Compared to the rest of the world, the citation impact trend is less favourable for all Unasur countries. 

Abstract

The problematics, context, concept and design trends of electronic books are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of the electronic book versus the traditional one are analyzed. Finally, its impact in the ecology of book production, preservation and dissemination and in its different stakeholders is assessed, both market-oriented firms and libraries.

Abstract

Sleeping beauties (SB) is a term that is used to describe scientific articles that pass unnoticed in science for long periods of time until they are rediscovered. This phenomenon is little known in the scientific community and contradicts some of science’s basic presuppositions. At the same time, the current reality of scientific research is defined according to the quantity of information that is produced. Although the SB field of study is little known, it has very specific characteristics that generate a number of cross-cutting interpretations about the way that science reflects on itself. This article explores three problems that the SB spotlights which are conceptualized within the same epistemological approach. We concludes that the SB analysis and the expected increase in the occurrence of SBs offers a point upon which to reflect bout epistemological frameworks of scientific practice.

Abstract

The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) can be considered as a new emergent region in the world. By using advanced bibliometric methods, the development of science and technology in Unasur is explored. Based on data from the InCites tool of Thomson Reuters, which facilitates national comparisons across long time periods using publication output and normalized citation impact values, we explored how this region (particularly the most productive individual countries within it) is developing. The publication output results reveal an increase in the scientific and technological activities in most of theUnasur countries (especially Brazil). Compared to the rest of the world, the citation impact trend is less favourable for all Unasur countries.