Editorial
Toxins: State of Journal Report, 2016 Vernon L. Tesh 1 and Bryan Grieg Fry 2 Received: 9 December 2015; Accepted: 9 December 2015; Published: Editorial
Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Medical Research and Education Building, Room 3002, College of Medicine, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, 8447 State Highway 47, Bryan, TX 77807, USA;
[email protected] Vernon L. Tesh 1 and Bryan Grieg Fry 2 2 Venom Evolution Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Received: 9 December 2015; Accepted: 9 December 2015; Published: 15 December 2015 QLD 4072, Australia;
[email protected] 1
Toxins: State of Journal Report, 2016
1
Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Medical Research and Education Building, Room 3002, College of Medicine, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, State Highway 47, Bryan, TX 77807,Editor‐in‐Chief” USA;
[email protected] In the 8447“Message from the posted on the Toxins website 2 Venom Evolution Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, (see www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/toxins‐flyer.pdf), we wrote: “The editorial board and staff of QLD 4072, Australia;
[email protected]
Toxins are dedicated to providing a timely, peer‐reviewed outlet for exciting, innovative primary research articles and concise, informative reviews from investigators in the myriad of disciplines In the “Message from the Editor-in-Chief” posted on the Toxins website (see contributing to our knowledge on toxins. We are committed to meeting the needs of the toxin research www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/toxins-flyer.pdf), we wrote: “The editorial board and staff of community by offering useful and timely reviews of all manuscripts submitted”. Now, on behalf of Toxins are dedicated to providing a timely, peer-reviewed outlet for exciting, innovative primary the editors‐in‐chief, the editorial board, and the editorial staff of Toxins, we are pleased to present the research articles and concise, informative reviews from investigators in the myriad of disciplines following information in support of meeting our charge and commitment to our colleagues. contributing to our knowledge on toxins. We are committed to meeting the needs of the toxin research community by offering useful and timely reviews of all manuscripts submitted”. Now, on behalf of First, it is our pleasure to announce that the journal impact factor for 2014 is 2.938, with a five‐year the editors-in-chief, the editorial board,place and the editorial staffout of Toxins, are pleased to present thefields of impact factor of 3.283. These rankings Toxins 28th of 87 we journals covering the following information in support of meeting our charge and commitment to our colleagues. toxicology. The growth in the number of citations from Toxins is impressive (see Figure 1). As might First, it is our pleasure to announce that the journal impact factor for 2014 is 2.938, with a be expected, coincident with the increase in our impact factor, the numbers of manuscripts submitted five-year impact factor of 3.283. These rankings place Toxins 28th out of 87 journals covering the fields to Toxins has also increased, from 256 in 2013 to 359 in 2014 and 463 in 2015 (see Figure 2). Over the of toxicology. The growth in the number of citations from Toxins is impressive (see Figure 1). As might be expected, coincident with the has increase in our impact the numbers of manuscripts submitted same period, our acceptance rate changed from factor, 75.35% (2013) to 57.93% (2014) and 65.43% to Toxins has also increased, from 256 in 2013 to 359 in 2014 and 463 in 2015 (see Figure 2). Over (see Figure 3). Finally, half of the papers were published within 60 days in 2015. Taken together, the same period, our acceptance rate has changed from 75.35% (2013) to 57.93% (2014) and 65.43% these numbers reflect, first, the hard work of investigators submitting their best work to the journal; (see Figure 3). Finally, half of the papers were published within 60 days in 2015. Taken together, second, the hard work of our editorial board members and ad hoc reviewers in providing timely and these numbers reflect, first, the hard work of investigators submitting their best work to the journal; insightful reviews; and third, the expert assistance of the editorial staff to produce the high quality second, the hard work of our editorial board members and ad hoc reviewers in providing timely and insightful reviews; and third, the expert assistance of the editorial staff to produce the high quality presentation expected of papers published in a high impact journal. presentation expected of papers published in a high impact journal.
Figure 1. Growth in citations of Toxins papers since 2011. * Data collected as of November 2015 from
Figure 1. Growth in citations of Toxins papers since 2011. * Data collected as of November 2015 from Web of Science. Web of Science.
Toxins 2015, 7, 5459–5461; doi:10.3390/toxins7124895
www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins
Toxins 2015, 7, page–page Toxins 2015, 7, 5459–5461 Toxins 2015, 7, page–page
Figure 2. Growth in number of manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as Figure 2. Growth in number of manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as of Figure 2. Growth in number of manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as of November 2015 from Web of Science. November 2015 from Web of Science. of November 2015 from Web of Science.
Figure 3. Acceptance rates for manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as of
Figure 3. Acceptance rates for manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as of November 2015 from Web of Science. Figure 3. Acceptance rates for manuscripts submitted to Toxins since year 2011. * Data collected as of November 2015 from Web of Science. November 2015 from Web of Science. In response to input from Toxins’ authors, reviewers and editors, we have decided to make In response to input from Toxins’ authors, reviewers and editors, we have decided to make the theIn response to input from Toxins’ authors, reviewers and editors, we have decided to make the following changes to the editorial process. Since launching in 2009, Toxins has used single following changes to the editorial process. Since launching in 2009, Toxins has used single blind peer‐ blind peer-review, in which authors’ names are known to reviewers but the reviewers’ identities are following changes to the editorial process. Since launching in 2009, Toxins has used single blind peer‐ review, in which authors’ names are known to reviewers but the reviewers’ identities are unknown unknown to the authors. Effective on the first issue of 2016, a double blind peer-review procedure will review, in which authors’ names are known to reviewers but the reviewers’ identities are unknown to the authors. Effective on the first issue of 2016, a double blind peer‐review procedure will be used be used for all the manuscripts submitted to Toxins: authors’ names will not be known to reviewers to the authors. Effective on the first issue of 2016, a double blind peer‐review procedure will be used for all the manuscripts submitted to Toxins: authors’ names will not be known to reviewers until the until the paper is published. The rationale for this change is a growing concern that bias—both for all the manuscripts submitted to Toxins: authors’ names will not be known to reviewers until the paper is published. The rationale for this change is a growing concern that bias—both deliberate and deliberate and unconscious—can affect the review process. We feel that a double-blind review paper is published. The rationale for this change is a growing concern that bias—both deliberate and unconscious—can affect the review process. We feel that a double‐blind review procedure will help procedure will help preserve objectivity in the peer-review process. Technical details on preparation unconscious—can affect the review process. We feel that a double‐blind review procedure will help preserve objectivity in the peer‐review process. Technical details on preparation of a manuscript for of a manuscript for double-blind peer-review can be found in the Instructions for Authors section preserve objectivity in the peer‐review process. Technical details on preparation of a manuscript for double‐blind peer‐review can be found in the Instructions for Authors section of the Toxins website: of the Toxins website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/instructions. In response to author double‐blind peer‐review can be found in the Instructions for Authors section of the Toxins website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/instructions. In response to articles. author and reader feedback, and reader feedback, we have also updated the layout of published PDF files remain the http://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/instructions. In response to author and reader feedback, we have also updated the layout of published articles. PDF files remain the predominant way that predominant way that research articles are read and we want to ensure that Toxins produces attractive we have also updated the layout of published articles. PDF files remain the predominant way that and readable papers. The new layout condenses a great deal of information in the front matter and research articles are read and we want to ensure that Toxins produces attractive and readable papers. research articles are read and we want to ensure that Toxins produces attractive and readable papers. simplifies a number of elements throughout the design. We have also updated some of the technical The new layout condenses a great deal of information in the front matter and simplifies a number of The new layout condenses a great deal of information in the front matter and simplifies a number of aspects of production to give a higher quality final product. elements throughout the design. We have also updated some of the technical aspects of production elements throughout the design. We have also updated some of the technical aspects of production During the course of discussions at the Toxins Editorial Board meeting in Oxford last fall to give a higher quality final product. to give a higher quality final product. (Figure 4), the the course need forof adiscussions standardizedat nomenclature for snakeBoard venoms becamein clear. To assist During the Toxins Editorial meeting Oxford last fall During the course of discussions at the Toxins Editorial Board meeting in Oxford last fall investigators in the field, Associate Professor Bryan Grieg Fry, Toxins Section Editor-in-Chief (Figure 4), the need for a standardized nomenclature for snake venoms became clear. To assist (Figure 4), the need for a standardized nomenclature for snake venoms became clear. To assist for Animal Toxins, has agreed to review the nomenclature of snake venoms and recommend a investigators in the field, Associate Professor Bryan Grieg Fry, Toxins Section Editor‐in‐Chief for standardized to characterize these venoms thatGrieg will greatly benefitSection investigators in the field. for investigators in scheme the field, Associate Professor Bryan Fry, Toxins Editor‐in‐Chief
Animal Toxins, has agreed to review the nomenclature of snake venoms and recommend a Animal Toxins, has agreed to review the nomenclature of snake venoms and recommend a standardized scheme to characterize these venoms that will greatly benefit investigators in the field. standardized scheme to characterize these venoms that will greatly benefit investigators in the field. 5460 2
Toxins 2015, 7, 5459–5461 Toxins 2015, 7, page–page
Toxins 2015, 7, page–page
Figure 4. Toxins editorial board meeting, Oxford, England, Fall 2015. Figure 4. Toxins editorial board meeting, Oxford, England, Fall 2015.
Figure 4. Toxins editorial board meeting, Oxford, England, Fall 2015. ItIt is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Nilgun Tumer (Figure 5), Professor in the Department of Plant is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Nilgun Tumer (Figure 5), Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment at Rutgers University, as the Pathology, Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment at Rutgers University, as the It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Nilgun Tumer (Figure 5), Professor in the Department of Plant new Section Editor‐in‐Chief for Plant Toxins. Dr. Tumer will help us cover an important research area new SectionPathology, Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment at Rutgers University, as the Editor-in-Chief for Plant Toxins. Dr. Tumer will help us cover an important research area new Section Editor‐in‐Chief for Plant Toxins. Dr. Tumer will help us cover an important research area ofof toxinology. We are also in the process of identifying “Leading Opinions” editors who will assist toxinology. We are also in the process of identifying “Leading Opinions” editors who will assist with soliciting and evaluating review articles from recognized leaders in various fields of toxinology. of toxinology. We are also in the process of identifying “Leading Opinions” editors who will assist with soliciting and evaluating review articles from recognized leaders in various fields of toxinology.
with soliciting and evaluating review articles from recognized leaders in various fields of toxinology.
Figure 5. Dr. Nilgun Tumer, Section Editor‐in‐Chief for Plant Toxins.
for Plant Toxins. Figure 5. Dr. Nilgun Tumer, Section Editor-in-Chief MDPI has agreed to partner with Publons (https://publons.com), a company providing Figure 5. Dr. Nilgun Tumer, Section Editor‐in‐Chief for Plant Toxins. recognition for peer reviewers. Publons will make publicly available details of which journal scholars MDPI have has reviewed agreed for to (without partneridentifying with Publons (https://publons.com), a log company the specific paper). The reviewer can then onto the providing MDPI has agreed to partner with Publons (https://publons.com), a company recognition for peerwebsite reviewers. Publons will make publicly details of which journal scholars Publons and decide if they wish to make more available details about their review available. providing recognition for peer reviewers. Publons will make publicly available details of which journal scholars We believe that providing credit for reviewers will motivate them to accept review invitations, and have reviewed for (without identifying the specific paper). The reviewer can then log onto the that this is also an appropriate method for publicly acknowledging their contribution, which is almost have reviewed for (without identifying specific paper). The their reviewer can then log We onto the Publons website and decide if they wish to the make more details about review available. believe always anonymous and difficult to quantify. Publons website and decide if they wish to make more details about their review available. that providing credit for reviewers will motivate them to accept review invitations, and that this is MDPI Publishing and Toxins are making a significant investment in the future of toxin research We believe that providing credit for reviewers will motivate them to accept review invitations, and by supporting two Travel Awards for post‐doctoral fellows graduate students to attend a also an appropriate method for publicly acknowledging theiror contribution, which is almost always conference in 2016 to deliver an oral or poster presentation on research related to toxins. We trust you that this is also an appropriate method for publicly acknowledging their contribution, which is almost anonymous encouraged and difficult to quantify. your students to participate in this competition. Look for the announcement of the always anonymous and difficult to quantify. MDPI Publishing and Toxins are making a significant investment in the future of toxin research winners next month. MDPI Publishing and Toxins are making a significant investment in the future of toxin research by supporting In closing, we hope this brief update on the state of the journal demonstrates the desire of the two Travel Awards for post-doctoral fellows or graduate students to attend a by supporting two Travel Awards for post‐doctoral fellows or graduate students to attend a editorial board and staff of Toxins to meet the needs of the toxin research community. We are always conference in 2016 to deliver an oral or poster presentation on research related to toxins. We trust amazed by the creativity and inventiveness of our colleagues in the world of toxins, and by all means, conference in 2016 to deliver an oral or poster presentation on research related to toxins. We trust you you encouraged your students to participate in this competition. Look for the announcement of the do not hesitate to contact us, or any member of the editorial board or staff, to let us know how we encouraged can better meet your needs. your students to participate in this competition. Look for the announcement of the winners next month.
winners next month. In closing, we hope this brief update on the state of the journal demonstrates the desire of the © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access In closing, we hope this brief update on the state of the journal demonstrates the desire of the editorial board and staff ofarticle distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution Toxins to meet the needs of the toxin research community. We are always editorial board and staff of Toxins to meet the needs of the toxin research community. We are always (CC‐BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). amazed by the creativity and inventiveness of our colleagues in the world of toxins, and by all means, amazed by the creativity and inventiveness of our colleagues in the world of toxins, and by all means, do not hesitate to contact us, or any member of the3editorial board or staff, to let us know how we can do not hesitate to contact us, or any member of the editorial board or staff, to let us know how we better meet your needs. can better meet your needs.
©2015 2015by bythe authors; the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open © licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons by article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). (CC‐BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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