We propose a geometric interpretation to the ranking of patent assignees by their h-indices as indicating the relative positions of their rank-citation curves. We then propose two shape descriptors characterizing the rank-citation curves over the h-cores and h-tails, respectively. Together with...

Using the concepts of h-core and h-tail, shape descriptors and shape centroids, k-index and k′-index, dynamic measures are probed, with practical data in the fields of Physics and sociology. It is revealed that there are obvious differences between natural sciences (Physics, particles &...