Publication Rate Research Articles

Buryatia Scientific Book Publishing in 2017–2021

The purpose of the article is to consider the state of scientific book publishing in Buryatia in 2017– 2021 for to determine the basic directions of its development when compared with the previous period, characteristics of specious diversity presented in the scientific book publishing’ repertoire and to expose basic publishing houses engaged in the release.The work contains a historiographical analysis of publications devoted to the studied problem on the example of Siberia and the Far East, including the national republics of the region: Tyva, Sakha (Yakutia), Buryatia. Statistical data on the release of various types of documents related to scientific publications (monographs, collections of scientific papers, conference materials, abstracts and abstracts of dissertations) are presented. They reflect the dynamics of books issuing by publishing houses of higher educational institutions of the republic, including the D. Banzarov Buryat State University, the East Siberian State University of Technology and Management, the V.R. Filippov Buryat State Agricultural Academy, the East Siberian Institute of Culture, the publishing house of the Buryat Scientific Center of SB RAS, other state and commercial publishing organizations of the republic (“Belig”, “NovaPrint”, “IP Balzhinimaev AB”). The author notes that publishing houses of universities and scientific organizations annually demonstrate high rates of scientific publications. Their publishing repertoire includes various types of works, most of which are monographs, conference materials and dissertation abstracts.At the same time, collections of scientific papers are practically not represented in the documentary stream of publications, and abstracts are completely absent. The peak of scientific publications was in 2018, when 102 publications came out of print. In the subsequent period, we state a decrease in the number of books published.

Doctoral theses at the medical faculty of Tunis from 2015 to 2017: Scientific publication rates and associated factors.

Medical doctoral thesis publication is a way to ensure knowledge dissemination and to increase the scientific research visibility. To determine thesis-related publication's rate at the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (FMT), and identify associated factors. Cross-sectional retrospective study including medical theses registered at the FMT over the study period (2015-2017). All publications related to the defended thesis were collated by scanning Scopus and Google scholar databases, up to April 2022. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess associated factors to publication. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) were presented with 95% confidence interval. Out of 878 defended theses, 11.8% (n=104) were published. Out of 130 publications in total, 90 (69.2%) interested Scopus-indexed journals with a mean Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) of 0.70. The publication was in English in 73.1% of cases. The median time between the thesis defense and the first scientific publication was 15 months. In multivariable analysis, associated factors to "at least one thesis-related publication" were the resident status of the candidate (AOR=2.35 [1.2-4.7]) and the grade assistant professor of the thesis supervisor (AOR=2.48 [1.1-5.6]). Compared to the number of defended theses, the thesis-related publication's rate at the FMT is relatively low. Thus, enhanced support for doctoral students to optimize their engagement in research and to consequently promote scientific publication is highly recommended.

Impact of industry funding on atrial fibrillation clinical trials: insights and implications

Abstract Background/Introduction Commercial industry is an important source of funding for atrial fibrillation clinical trials, the implications of which have not been analyzed. Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of contemporary AF clinical trials and to evaluate their association with funding source. Methods We systematically assessed all completed atrial fibrillation trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov between conception to September 1, 2022, and extracted publicly available information including funding source, trial size, race, ethnicity, sex, intervention, location, and publication status. Trial characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher’s exact test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results Of the 253 clinical trials assessed, 171 (68%) reported industry funding. Industry funding was associated with a greater median total enrollment (172 vs. 80; P < 0.001), publication rate (56.7% vs. 42.7%; P = 0.04), participation in device trials (48.0% vs. 24.4%; P < 0.001), and multicontinental recruitment location (25.2% vs. 2.4%; P < 0.001) when compared to non-industry funded clinical trials. However, industry funding was not associated with a significant difference in median impact factor (7.7 vs. 7.7; P = 0.723) or median number of citations (60.0 vs. 29.0; P = 0.09). The overall proportion of industry funded trials did not change over time (P = 1.00) since inception of the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Participant demographics remained relatively uniform over time across both industry-funded and non-industry-funded trials. Conclusion(s). Industry funded clinical trials in atrial fibrillation are often larger, more frequently published, multicontinental, and device-focused. Industry funding was found to be associated with significant differences in study enrollment, publication metrics, and study interventions. Insights from this study inform trial design, regulation, and policy considerations in the evolving landscape of AF research.TableFigure

Bibliometric Analysis of Islamic Crowdfunding: A Literature Review of Its Journey

Background The potential of Islamic crowdfunding to encourage the development of Islamic fintech globally, even in countries with non-Muslim majority populations, needs to be examined in a literature study on this issue. More extensive research is needed regarding the factors that most reliably predict the success of Islamic crowdfunding, such as compliance with Islamic crowdfunding laws, sustainability, and the potential of Islamic finance. This article describes a comprehensive and systematic Literature Review (SLR) regarding papers published in the field of Islamic crowdfunding. This research aims to contribute to a better understanding of Islamic crowdfunding, provide useful information for practitioners, and stimulate further research in the field to increase the success of Islamic crowdfunding. Methods We conducted a review of selected papers to identify gaps and significant issues in Islamic crowdfunding, providing guidance for future researchers. This article review was based on 704 articles retrieved using the keyword “Islamic crowdfunding” from the Scopus database between 2013 and 2022. To minimize bias, we formulated 5 research questions to guide our analysis: RQ1: How do publication and citation rates vary annually? RQ2: How can we determine the most influential studies based on citation counts for each keyword? RQ3: What are the most common subject areas addressed in Islamic crowdfunding literature from 2013 to 2022? RQ4: What are the most frequently used keywords in Scopus documents? RQ5: How are Islamic values discussed in articles related to Islamic crowdfunding? Results The findings of this research demonstrate that Islamic crowdfunding, characterized by interdisciplinary scholarship, has emerged as an increasingly significant alternative for aiding society and the economy. It contributes to poverty alleviation and the development of specific sectors through channels such as crowdfunding for small and medium enterprises and social projects tailored to meet the diverse needs of Muslims. However, the challenge facing the future development of Sharia crowdfunding is that, despite its benefit of increasing community participation in projects aligned with religious values, it also carries the potential risk of investment losses and non-compliance with Sharia principles. Ways to address the current scarcity of Sharia fintech are also needed, ensuring its broader acceptance across all societal levels, and enhancing Muslims’ understanding of compliance with Islamic religious rules, particularly Fiqh law. Conclusion Urgently needed are specific fiqh regulatory guidelines to ensure that Sharia-compliant crowdfunding adheres to Islamic principles. Government support, particularly through legislation in countries where the majority of the population is Muslim, is crucial to enhance public participation and trust in Sharia crowdfunding.

Evolution of Scientific Productivity on Predatory Journals: A Scientometric Study

ABSTRACT This study performs a scientometric review of the literature published on predatory publishers and outlines the core elements of published documents and obtains the range of areas researched within the field of the predatory journal using Bibliometrix. A total of 1117 documents from the Scopus database was analyzed. The analysis revealed the dominance of the medical field in this topic. The dataset of 609 journals conforms to the Bradford distribution of 1: n: n2 and the journals listed in most influential sources are from various fields with broad scope of publishing. The analysis shows that 50% of the list of most influential authors belong to affiliations that are in the list of most influential affiliations. Also, the majority of authors in the list of most influential authors belong to developed countries. This suggests that academic institutions in developed countries are more actively engaged in research on predatory publishing and are producing more impactful work. The study’s findings align with earlier research that indicated developing countries have a lower rate of publication on predatory publishing and are less aware of its practices compared to developed countries.

Diversity and Inclusion in Regional Science Participation: Through the Lens of Data Mining

Despite increasing awareness of the need to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in regional science, it remains unclear how and to what extent underrepresentation exists in the field. In addition, although inequalities in science along these lines have been studied empirically across a wide range of fields and disciplines, they have yet to be examined specifically in the field of regional science per se. This study aims to fill this research gap by investigating the extent to which there are disparities in publication and citation rates based on race, gender and region, and how topic selection affects these differentials. To achieve this goal, we analyzed 4,930 bibliometric records for nine journals with an explicit regional science brand over the period from 1961 to 2021, we apply Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) technique regression modeling to assess how citation impact is affected by the gender, race, nationality of authors, topic selections, and other relevant factors. The results of this study provide evidence on patterns of inequality in regional science and help to understand the distribution of scientific productivity and impact by gender, race and origins. While the field is becoming more diverse and inclusive in terms publications and citations, significant gaps and disparities remains, especially regarding the Global South and minorities. We conclude with policy and programmatic recommendations for promoting broader participation in regional science in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of publication of physical medicine and rehabilitation theses in Türkiye between years 2010 and 2020: Academic productivity and related factors.

This study aimed to investigate the publication rates of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty training theses, which are required to complete a residency in Türkiye, and determine the factors that affect publication. Residency theses involved in this descriptive study were detected from the database of Higher Education Council Thesis Center (tez.yok.gov.tr) between January 2010 and December 2020. Publication of theses and date of publication were investigated by the writer's and supervisor's names on PubMed and Google Scholar. Three hundred eighty-eight of 1,130 theses were turned into publications. Two hundred seventy-seven (24.5%) were published in SCI (Science Citation Index)/SCI Expanded indexed journals. The publication rates of residents were 47.1% in private universities, 34.2% in public universities, and 32.3% in training and research hospitals. The trainees who published their theses were more likely to become associate and assistant professors. Although approximately one-third of the theses defended were published, this rate is insufficient for sharing the knowledge. Considering that publishing their theses affected the residents' current academic careers positively, supervisors should provide the residents supportive facilitation to give the knowledge in research and publish their theses.

Missing in action: A bibliometric analysis of military research in the medical literature since 1950.

Top-tier general and specialty scientific journals serve as a bellwether for national research priorities. We hypothesize that military-relevant publications are underrepresented in the scientific literature and that such publications decrease significantly during peacetime. We identified high impact journals in the fields of Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care and developed Boolean searches for military-focused topics using National Library of Medicine Subject Headings terms. A PubMed search from 1950 to 2020 returned the number of research publications in relevant journals and the rate of military-focused publications by year. Rates of military publications were compared between peacetime and wartime. Publication rate trends were modeled with a quadratic function controlling for the start of active conflict and total casualty numbers. Baseline proportions of military physicians relative to the civilian sector served to estimate expected publication rates. Comparisons were performed using Pearson's χ 2 and Mann-Whitney U test, with p < 0.05 considered a significant difference. From 1950 to 2020, a total of 716,340 manuscripts were published in the journals queried. Of these, military-relevant manuscripts totaled 4,052 (0.57%). We found a significant difference in the rate of publication during times of peace and times of war (0.40% vs. 0.69%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis found significantly reduced rates of publication in medical and critical care journals during peacetime. For each conflict, the percentage of military-focused publications peaked during periods of war but then receded below baseline levels within a median of 2.5 years (interquartile range, 1.5-3.8 years) during peacetime. The proportion of military-focused publications never reached the current proportion of military physicians in the workforce. There is marked reduction in rates of publication for military-focused articles in high impact journals during peacetime. Military-focused articles are underrepresented in high-impact journals. Investigators of military-relevant topics and editors of high-impact journals should seek to close this gap.

Same as It Ever Was: An Updated Review of Replication Studies in Special Education Journals

Despite the importance of replication studies, previous reviews showed that they comprised less than 1% of publications in special education journals. This review conceptually replicates Lemons and colleagues’ previous review to provide updated rates of replication studies in special education journals. We identified 78 studies published in 44 special education journals between 2015 and 2022 that used the term replicat* and met our definition of replication, constituting 0.54% of all publications. Similar to previous findings, most replication studies were conceptual, successfully replicated previous results, and were conducted by one or more authors of the study being replicated. Replications with author overlap were significantly more likely to successfully reproduce the findings of the original study. Journal impact factor was significantly and positively related to journal-level replication rate. Publication rates of replications in special education journals remain similar to previous decades, suggesting that additional efforts are needed to increase the publication of replication research.

A Scoping Review of Artificial Intelligence Detection of Voice Pathology: Challenges and Opportunities.

Survey the current literature on artificial intelligence (AI) applications for detecting and classifying vocal pathology using voice recordings, and identify challenges and opportunities for advancing the field forward. PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. A comprehensive literature search was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysesExtension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Peer-reviewed journal articles in the English language were included if they used an AI approach to detect or classify pathological voices using voice recordings from patients diagnosed with vocal pathologies. Eighty-two studies were included in the review between the years 2000 and 2023, with an increase in publication rate from one study per year in 2012 to 10 per year in 2022. Seventy-two studies (88%) were aimed at detecting the presence of voice pathology, 24 (29%) at classifying the type of voice pathology present, and 4 (5%) at assessing pathological voice using the Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strainscale. Thirty-six databases were used to collect and analyze speech samples. Fourteen articles (17%) did not provide information about their AI model validation methodology. Zero studies moved beyond the preclinical and offline AI model development stages. Zero studies specified following a reporting guideline for AI research. There is rising interest in the potential of AI technology to aid the detection and classification of voice pathology. Three challenges-and areas of opportunities-for advancing this research are heterogeneity of databases, lack of clinical validation studies, and inconsistent reporting.

Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at American Glaucoma Society Annual Meetings

Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at American Glaucoma Society Annual Meetings

Factors Affecting the Publication Rate of Adult Endocrinology Theses in Turkey: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Factors Affecting the Publication Rate of Adult Endocrinology Theses in Turkey: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Building a robust pharmacy research program: Reflections from a large healthcare system not affiliated with a college of pharmacy

AbstractProfessional standards for academic health care system pharmacy departments and clinical pharmacists advocate for research and scholarly activities. Developing and sustaining a research program in a clinical pharmacy department is challenging. Over the span of a decade, a robust pharmacy research program was developed in an academic medical center not affiliated with a college of pharmacy. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a framework suitable for scaling research in pharmacy departments within an academic medical center. Objectives to accomplish the aim includes describing the structure and evolution of the clinical pharmacy department research program, listing measurable outputs and achievements of the pharmacists and the program and describing the barriers encountered and solutions that were enacted to overcome them. Elements critical to building and sustaining a research program in the pharmacy department included long‐term commitment from within the department, a departmental research infrastructure, support from institutional leadership, research funding from the institution, and a growth mindset in accordance with company initiatives to support evolving research needs. A research curriculum was developed for pharmacy residents and pharmacists, created electronic tools for research proposal scientific reviews and allocation of funds, and established departmental research career development awards that allowed for protected time to pursue research and professional development. Over the first 10 years of the program, publication rates grew more than three‐fold, faculty appointments and promotions increased approximately five‐fold, and pharmacist investigators obtained extramural federal funding. Further offsetting clinical workload relative to dedicated research time remains a challenge. The experience and success at this academic medical center suggest it is feasible to develop a robust, sustainable clinical pharmacy department research program.

The evolution of net zero emissions research: A bibliometric investigation

This research presents a comprehensive examination of the advancements in the field of net zero emissions during the period from 1991 to August 2023. The study employs a content and descriptive analysis methodology, with a primary focus on bibliometric analysis. Extensive datasets are scrutinized, and various quantitative variables, including temporal patterns, prolific researchers, productive countries, and citation counts, are analyzed within a comprehensive collection of research papers on net zero. The statistical analysis assesses outcomes from diverse institutions and individuals, taking into account temporal and geographical contexts while exploring connections between publications. Statistical methods, such as the TC index and citation rates, are utilized to quantitatively evaluate the influence of researchers and academic journals. Patterns of publication are examined to identify noteworthy developments and research gaps. Data from the reputable Web of Science Core Collection database is sourced, and systematic searches are conducted to minimize potential biases. The collated information comprises author details, institutional affiliations, geographical locations, source journals, annual publication rates, citation counts, research areas, funding sources, and H-index. The study is conducted by two independent investigators with any discrepancies resolved through collaborative discussions. This research offers valuable insights into the current state of net zero research, trends, prominent contributors, and global collaborations, thereby enhancing the comprehension of this critical domain.

Abstract PO1-10-12: Advancing Gender Equity: A Closer Look at Women's Representation in Leading Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Abstract Introduction: Clinical trials serve as pivotal sources for evidence-based medicine, wielding substantial influence within the medical and scientific community. In recent years, heightened attention has been directed towards encouraging greater female involvement and advancing their representation across various domains of the medical field. Female oncologists tend to focus more over breast cancer as a subspeciality and focused practice. Consequently, this observational study seeks to assess the present status of gender equity in leading breast cancer clinical trials, with the aim of identifying potential concerns and mitigating future risks of bias. By delving into this analysis, we can shed light on the current landscape and pave the way for improved inclusivity and fairness in breast cancer research. Methodology: To examine the portrayal of female principal investigators (PIs) in breast cancer clinical trials over the past two decades, we conducted a thorough search of breast cancer clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Furthermore, we employed https://gender-api.com to assess the gender of each PI and calculate the experience in the medical field of the PI by subtracting the PI graduation year from the year of conducting the clinical trial. In addition, we gathered pertinent details concerning the PIs and the clinical trials, and subsequently subjected the data to univariate analyses to detect any noteworthy distinctions between male and female PIs. Results: Over the span of the past twenty years, a total of 9,145 cancer clinical trials were conducted, with 1,127 (12.32%) focusing specifically on breast cancer. Through our rigorous efforts, we managed to gather comprehensive information about the principal investigators (PIs) in 788 (69.92%) of these clinical trials. Notably, we discovered that 419 (53.17%) of these trials were led by female investigators. Upon scrutinizing the characteristics of the PIs, we observed several significant distinctions between male and female PIs. Female PIs exhibited a lower median age (57.0 vs. 60.0) and possessed less medical experience (17 vs. 22 years) compared to their male counterparts (P&amp;lt; 0.001). Furthermore, we found a substantial divergence in the funding sources for the clinical trials between the genders. Female-led trials received a lower percentage of industrial funding (13.1% vs. 24.2% for males, P&amp;lt; 0.001) but showcased a significantly higher percentage of university funding (38.7% vs. 28.0% for males, P&amp;lt; 0.001). Most of the clinical trials led by female PIs were categorized as phase 2 trials (82.8% vs. 66.8% for males) and were conducted in single centers (61.2% vs. 52.6% for males), demonstrating a noteworthy statistical difference (P&amp;lt; 0.001) in both cases. However, no statistically significant disparities were found between male and female PIs in terms of termination rates, publication rates, or the type of intervention utilized in the clinical trials. Furthermore, the ratio of females PI wasn’t different throughout the time as the liner regression model estimated effect was -0.009 with P= 0.065. Conclusions: The study shows the great effort done by female researchers, even though they have lower age, experience, and support from the industrial companies and lower opportunity to have bigger multicenter clinical trials, they still manage to have equivalent rate of termination and publication of the clinical trials showing their capability to lead clinical trials and the need to be supported to maintain the gender equity in leading the breast cancer clinical trials. However, female involvement in other cancer sites might be different and needs to be looked at. Citation Format: Abdulrahman Alhajahjeh, Ghayda’ Bader, Basil Abdin, Taima’ Bader, Saji Aweidah, Layla El-Amayreh, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq. Advancing Gender Equity: A Closer Look at Women's Representation in Leading Breast Cancer Clinical Trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-10-12.

Abstract PO1-10-11: Illuminating Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: Unpublication Rates, Causes , and Recommendations

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Recent years have witnessed remarkable improvements in patient’s outcome, primarily attributed to advancements in management strategies. However, the introduction of novel management approaches necessitates rigorous evaluation through clinical trials, ensuring both their safety and effectiveness. Conducting these trials entails significant financial investments and time commitments, making them susceptible to termination for various reasons. This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to an increased likelihood of breast cancer clinical trial termination. Methodology: A thorough and extensive exploration of ClinicalTrials.gov was undertaken in order to discover completed clinical trials focused on treating breast cancer from 2000 to 2020. By employing the distinctive National Clinical Trial number (NCT) identifier, trial's status; whether completed or terminated, was determined. Subsequently, a meticulous evaluation was carried out on these trials to ascertain the factors that contributed to their termination. In order to unveil the noteworthy factors linked to publication, a comprehensive analysis encompassing both univariate and multivariate approaches was conducted. Results: During the specified period, a noteworthy number of oncology clinical trials, totaling 9,145, were conducted. Among them, 12.3% (n=1,127) were focused on breast cancer. These breast cancer trials managed to recruit an impressive 2,669,749 patients. However, it is concerning to note that a significant portion, 38.1% (n=429), of the breast cancer trials did not result in published findings, despite enrolling a considerable number of patients (n= 2,397,179). Our comprehensive univariate analysis revealed several significant associations between the characteristics of clinical trials and their likelihood of going unpublished (P&amp;lt; 0.001). Factors such as funding, phase, masking, center type (single vs multi), and country of conduct were all found to have a statistically significant impact on the publication status. Furthermore, our meticulous multivariate analysis demonstrated that certain criteria were associated with higher odds of publication. These included trials that recruited &amp;gt;50 patients, multicenter trials, studies implemented masking, phase-3 trials and those that included low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), Table. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the unpublication rate of clinical trials was alarmingly high. We identified that the sample size, masking, multicenter involvement and phase of the trial impact significantly on publication rate . This knowledge can be valuable for researchers, funding agencies, and other stakeholders who can prioritize resource allocations and improve patients care. Table: Multivariate analysis, factors that impact publication rate Citation Format: Abdulrahman Alhajahjeh, Ghayda’ Bader, Saji Aweidah, Taima’ Bader, Basil Abdin, Layla El-Amayreh, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq. Illuminating Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: Unpublication Rates, Causes , and Recommendations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-10-11.

The importance of basic and translational research in caring for children with malignant solid tumors in Latin America.

Basic and translational research in pediatric cancer are essential to improve patient care. To critically assess the developments achieved in these areas in Latin America, we systematically reviewed information published between 2013 and 2023. Studies of basic and translational research performed by investigators in Latin America evaluating pediatric malignant solid and central nervous system tumors were retrieved from PubMed. Original articles published in English between 2013 and 2023 were included. Collaborations among Latin American authors or among Latin American authors working with researchers from other continents were also included. Studies were excluded if they focused only on adults or on basic research in tumor biology not specifically related to the tumor types analyzed in this review. A total of 550 articles were retrieved, but after removal of duplicates, 514 articles were included in the analysis, the majority of which were authored by researchers affiliated with institutions in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. These countries also had the highest number of collaborations on original articles published with authors from Europe and North America. Argentina had the highest number of collaborations on original publications, with coauthors from Brazil and Uruguay. The median impact factor of the 244 journals in which articles were published was 3.5. The most commonly studied tumors were osteosarcomas, neuroblastomas and medulloblastomas; the most commonly studied areas were molecular analysis, tumor cell biology and biomarkers. In Latin America, research in pediatric oncology is on the agenda, despite a notable disparity in publication rates and frequency of collaboration between countries. There is a need to strengthen scientific collaboration within Latin America and with countries from other continents to promote research and to develop novel treatment strategies that reflect the local needs of children in Latin America who have solid tumors and brain cancer.

Comparative analysis of Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews over three decades

BackgroundSystematic reviews are viewed as the best study design to guide clinical decision-making as they are the least biased publications assuming they are well-conducted and include well-designed studies. Cochrane was initiated in 1993 with an aim of conducting high-quality systematic reviews. We aimed to examine the publication rates of non-Cochrane systematic reviews (henceforth referred to simply as “systematic reviews”) and Cochrane reviews produced throughout Cochrane’s existence and characterize changes throughout the period.MethodsThis observational study collected data on systematic reviews published between 1993 and 2022 in PubMed. Identified Cochrane reviews were linked to data from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews via their Digital Object Identifier. Systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews were analyzed separately. Two authors screened a random sample of records to validate the overall sample, providing a precision of 98%.ResultsWe identified 231,602 (94%) systematic reviews and 15,038 (6%) Cochrane reviews. Publication of systematic reviews has continuously increased with a median yearly increase rate of 26%, while publication of Cochrane reviews has decreased since 2015. From 1993 to 2002, Cochrane reviews constituted 35% of all systematic reviews in PubMed compared with 3.5% in 2013–2022. Systematic reviews consistently had fewer authors than Cochrane reviews, but the number of authors increased over time for both. Chinese first authors conducted 15% and 4% of systematic reviews published from 2013–2022 and 2003–2012, respectively. Most Cochrane reviews had first authors from the UK (36%). The native English-speaking countries the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia produced a large share of systematic reviews (42%) and Cochrane reviews (62%). The largest publishers of systematic reviews in the last 10 years were gold open access journals.ConclusionsPublication of systematic reviews is increasing rapidly, while fewer Cochrane reviews have been published through the last decade. Native English-speaking countries produced a large proportion of both types of systematic reviews. Gold open access journals and Chinese first authors dominated the publication of systematic reviews for the past 10 years. More research is warranted examining why fewer Cochrane reviews are being published. Additionally, examining these systematic reviews for research waste metrics may provide a clearer picture of their utility.

As human societies urbanize, so does ecology; taxonomic, geographic, and other research trends in urban vertebrate ecology.

The threat to biodiversity posed by urban expansion is well researched and supported. Since the late 1990s, the field of urban ecology has been expanding along with the developed landscapes it studies. Past reviews have shown unequal publication rates in urban ecology literature for taxonomic groups and research locations. Herein, we explore differences in the publication rate of urban studies by vertebrate groups, but also expand on previous investigations by broadening the scope of the literature searched, exploring trends in subtopics within the urban wildlife literature, identifying geographic patterns of such publications, and comparing the rate at which non-native and threatened and endangered species are studied in urban settings. We used linear and segmented regression to assess publication rates and Fisher's exact tests for comparisons between groups. All vertebrate groups show an increasing proportion of urban studies through time, with urban avian studies accelerating most sharply and herpetofauna appearing to be understudied. Non-native mammals are more studied than non-native birds, and threatened and endangered herpetofauna and mammals are more likely to be studied than threatened and endangered birds in urban areas. The plurality of urban wildlife studies are found in North America, while there is a dearth of studies from Africa, Asia, and South America. Our results can help inform decisions of urban ecologists on how to better fill in knowledge gaps and bring a greater degree of equity into the field.

An Overview of Physical Activity Research Evolution in Africa: The Global Observatory for Physical Activity-GoPA!

To describe the evolution of physical activity (PA) research in Africa, examine income and gender inequalities, and discuss future possibilities. A secondary analyses of the Global Observatory for Physical Activity data on PA research in Africa (1950-2019). We identified 514 PA articles from 47 African countries in the past 70years. Majority (83.1%) of the articles were published between 2012 and 2019. Fifteen countries had no publications. Six countries (South Africa [n = 156], Nigeria [n = 85], Ethiopia [n = 44], Ghana [n = 41], Kenya [n = 39], and Cameroon [n = 20]) accounted for about 75% of the publications. Most articles were observational (92.4%), single-country studies (78.4%), with male first (58.4%) and last authors (68%), and were classified as surveillance studies (45.1%). Few studies addressed interventions (5.8%) and policy (3.5%) or used device-based PA measurement (14.0%). The number of articles per country was positively related to human population level (r = .552, P = .000) and gross domestic product % spent on research and development (r = .301, P = .040). The publication rate per 100,000 people was positively related with the human development index (r = .349, P = .016) and negatively with the gender inequality index (r = -.360, P = .019). Our results provide an overview and status of PA research in Africa, highlighting country differences and gender inequalities in authorship. The findings may be used to benchmark the evolution of research in the region and to inform areas for improvement. There is an urgent need for more PA interventions and policy studies in Africa.