Systematic Critical Review Research Articles

Centering Race in Mixed and Multi-Method Research on Implicit Bias: A Systematic Review

Understanding how we form and maintain implicit racial biases can help identify how to disrupt them. With this goal in mind, mixed and multi-method research approaches offer researchers the ability to combine various methodological approaches to explore the formation, experiences, and impact of implicit racial bias. This article therefore provides a critical descriptive systematic review of empirical mixed and multi-method studies on implicit bias and race. This review is based on the following research questions: (a) What are the theoretical and methodological features among empirical studies on race and implicit bias that use mixed or multi-method approaches? and (b) what are the opportunities for theoretical and/or methodological expansion in this literature? The criteria for inclusion in the review are the use of a multi-method (e.g., qualitative and quantitative) or mixed method (e.g., integrating qualitative and quantitative) approach in an empirical study, implicit racial bias is the main or one of the main concepts being studied, and the work (published or unpublished) was dated 1995-2019. The studies in this review often had no theoretical framework or one that did not center race. This is noteworthy because race-specific theoretical frameworks can be used to contextualize the study of implicit bias and race in racism, to define race, and to align with the following important features of mixed and multi-method studies: substantiating the use of multiple methods, prioritizing one or more methodological approaches, analyzing and integrating data, and reflecting on the researcher’s own positionality.

Machine Learning and Metaheuristic Methods for Renewable Power Forecasting: A Recent Review

The global trend toward a green sustainable future encouraged the penetration of renewable energies into the electricity sector to satisfy various demands of the market. Successful and steady integrations of renewables into the microgrids necessitate building reliable, accurate wind and solar power forecasters adopting these renewables' stochastic behaviors. In a few reported literature studies, machine learning- (ML-) based forecasters have been widely utilized for wind power and solar power forecasting with promising and accurate results. The objective of this article is to provide a critical systematic review of existing wind power and solar power ML forecasters, namely artificial neural networks (ANNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), support vector machines (SVMs), and extreme learning machines (ELMs). In addition, special attention is paid to metaheuristics accompanied by these ML models. Detailed comparisons of the different ML methodologies and the metaheuristic techniques are performed. The significant drawn-out findings from the reviewed papers are also summarized based on the forecasting targets and horizons in tables. Finally, challenges and future directions for research on the ML solar and wind prediction methods are presented. This review can guide scientists and engineers in analyzing and selecting the appropriate prediction approaches based on the different circumstances and applications.

Is Pregnancy Following a TRAM or DIEP Flap Safe? A Critical Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Previous data were not conclusive on the safety of gestation in patients whose abdominal flaps were earlier harvested. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the abdominal wall complications and birth mode of pregnancy in post-TRAM or post-DIEP harvested individuals. A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google scholar database. Heterogeneity was statistically analyzed, and random effect models were applied. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot. We included 25 papers that captured 56 patients giving birth to 69 healthy babies after elevation of abdominally based flaps, with a pooled abdominal complication rate of 0.00-0.09. The complication incidence in TRAM group was 0.01 (95% CI = [0.00-0.14%]) while 0.00 in the DIEP group (95% CI = [0.00-0.26%]). Discrepancies in incidence following unilaterally or bilaterally based TRAM flaps, following free or pedicled TRAM flaps, following primary sutured or mesh strengthened fascia, following MS free TRAM or conventional free TRAM could not be calculated as statistically significant. TRAM group and DIEP group patients had identical birth modes. The present meta-analysis did not detect evidence that abdominal walls with the prior harvest of abdominal flaps could affect the process of pregnancy or contraindicate vaginal delivery. No abdominal hernia or bulge occurred with post-DIEP pregnancies. However, such conclusions need to be substantiated by larger sample studies. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Misinformation about fake news: A systematic critical review of empirical studies on the phenomenon and its status as a ‘threat’

After the 2016 US presidential elections, the term ‘fake news’ became synonymous with disinformation and a catch-all term for the problems that social networks were bringing to communication. Four years later, there are dozens of empirical studies that have attempted to describe and analyse an issue that, despite still being in the process of definition, has been identified as one of the key COVID-19 cyberthreats by Interpol, is considered a threat to democracy by many states and supranational institutions and, as a consequence, is subject to regulation or even criminalization. These legislative and criminal policy interventions form part of the first stage in the construction of a moral panic that may lead to the restriction of freedom of expression and information. By analysing empirical research that attempts to measure the extent of the issue and its impact, the present article aims to provide critical reflection on the process of constructing fake news as a threat. Via a systematic review of the literature, we observe, firstly, that the concept of fake news used in empirical research is limited and should be refocused because it has not been constructed according to scientific criteria and can fail to include relevant elements and actors, such as governments and traditional media. Secondly, the article analyses what is known scientifically about the extent, consumption and impact of fake news and argues that it is problematic to establish causal relationships between the issue and the effects it has been said to produce. This conclusion requires us to conduct further research and to reconsider the position of fake news as a threat as well as the resulting regulation and criminalization.

What Actually Differs between Traditional Teaching and Sport Education in Students’ Learning Outcomes? A Critical Systematic Review

This systematic review aimed to examine the main findings concerning to the investigations focused on compare, within Physical Education context, the influence of Sport Education (SE) and Traditional Teaching (TT) on students' learning outcomes. A literature search was conducted on nine electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Academic Search Ultimate, ERIC, Education Source, APA PsycINFO and APA PsycARTICLES). Inclusion criteria were defined before the selection process. Accordingly, were only included articles that (i) were published in peer-reviewed international journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports or Scientific Journal Rankings; (ii) were available in full-text; (iii) were published in English, Portuguese or Spanish; (iv) were performed within Physical Education context; and (v) provided specifically a comparison between the effects of SE and TT on students' learning outcomes. Globally, twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The manuscripts' methodological quality was assessed through Downs and Black checklist, with all studies displaying moderate quality. Results showed that comparisons among SE and TT tend to analyze team sports activities sampling high-school students via quasi-experimental designs, with more than half of them were published over the past five years. Also, these investigations typically focused on the differences between both models on the development of personal and social skills, as well as its impact on the motor and cognitive domains. In this respect, although the results tend to point out increases in both SE and TT, superior values are achieved when SE is implemented. The analysis of the teaching-learning process using alternative research methods and designs (i.e., experimental studies, qualitative data, longitudinal analysis, action-research and case studies), longer units with appropriate planning, and the report of model's fidelity so that robust findings can endorse the teachers' praxis, must be a concern in future studies.

Abdominal pseudocysts, an unusual complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt systems: Literature systematic review.

Since the first report in 1954, abdominal pseudocysts have been recognized as a particularly uncommon complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts of CSF, so their etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic management remain very controversial. Our objective is to offer a critical and updated systematic review of those controversial points, using a thorough search and review of the most relevant literature available. The clinical presentation of pseudocysts is normally through non-specific abdominal symptoms. The most validated etiology consists on the existence of a concomitant infection of the CSF shunt system, and so, treatment needs of antibiotherapy and total or partial substitution of the system. However, the pseudocyst itself doesn't need an active treatment, except for some specific cases. This management, algorithmically presented in the present work, achieves a lower recurrence rate than other options, but this one is still important, and is also associated with other complications of those shunts related with several other factors which need to be taken in account.

The Patient-centered Medical Home as an Intervention Strategy for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Poorly managed diabetes mellitus increases health care expenditures and negatively impacts health outcomes. There are 34 million people living with diabetes in the United States with a direct annual medical cost of $237 billion. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) was introduced to transform primary care by offering team-based care that is accessible, coordinated, and comprehensive. Although the PCMH is believed to address multiple gaps in delivering care to people living with chronic diseases, the research has not yet reported clear benefits for managing diabetes. The study reviews the scientific literature about diabetes mellitus outcomes reported by PCMHs, and understands the impact of team-based care, interdisciplinary communication, and care coordination strategies on the clinical, financial, and health-related outcomes. The systematic review was performed according to the Cochrane method and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Eight databases were systematically searched for articles. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of evidence and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme systematic review checklist were used to evaluate the studies. The search resulted in 596 articles, of which 24 met all the inclusion criteria. Care management resulted in more screenings and better preventive care. Pharmacy-led interventions and technology were associated with positive clinical outcomes, decreased utilization, and cost savings. Most studies reported decreased emergency room visits and less inpatient admissions. The quality and strength of the outcomes were largely inconclusive about the overall effectiveness of the PCMH. Defining and comparing concepts across studies was difficult as universal definitions specific to the PCMH were not often applied. More research is needed to unpack the care model of the PCMH to further understand how the individual key components, such as care bundles, contribute to improved outcomes. Further evaluations are needed for team-based care, communication, and care coordination with comparisons to patient, clinical, health, and financial outcomes.

A critical systematic review of the Neurotracker perceptual-cognitive training tool

A critical systematic review of the Neurotracker perceptual-cognitive training tool

A critical review on soil washing during soil remediation for heavy metals and organic pollutants

Soil washing is widely considered as a common method of soil remediation. This study examined the developments in soil washing during the past 20 years via a bibliometric and systematic critical review. Different washing agents (inorganic and organic chelating agents and surfactants) exhibit different effects and mechanisms under varying conditions. Most previous research has involved only laboratory-scale studies; however, pilot field studies are more relevant to actual conditions and soil characteristics. Soil factors include physical and chemical properties, coexisting ion species content, and heavy metals and their forms in the soil. Washing conditions include type of leaching agent, concentration, pH, time, and solid–liquid ratio. Combinations of remediation techniques, such as advanced oxidation, electric remediation, and phytoremediation, can avoid many disadvantages of using only soil washing. In future soil washing studies, focus must be placed on developing environmentally friendly washing agents, optimizing washing conditions while reducing economic costs and preventing destruction of the function of the soil, problems associated with complex pollution, and the entire soil–ground environment to avoid groundwater pollution. This study expects for relevant research directions and provides guidance for future research.

Optimizing research funding allocation for marine sciences in the new era

As an important part of earth sciences, marine sciences are closely related to economic and social development, marine security, and global change. They are a source of knowledge for earth system sciences, an important basis for sustainable development, and underpin strategies of maritime power. This paper summarizes trends in the development of marine sciences and their main challenges in China. It is important to establish a sound subdiscipline of marine sciences to carry out original work, to obtain basic theoretical data, and to innovate for future development. The paper describes the trends in marine science funding allocation, and details some of the leading national basic marine science research around the world to provide context for the development of marine sciences in China. The paper reviews the succession process of basic research funding allocation. The discipline application code system of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), as the important framework of NSFC funding, determines the development of marine science research. It must be continuously updated and developed in accordance with the rules of development and the requirements of social services. Accurately determining the application codes is essential for the NSFC to allocate funding appropriately. In the 1980s and 1990s, the marine sciences were divided into eight subdisciplines. In 2008, the NSFC carried out a large-scale revision, and the marine sciences were divided into the current 11 subdisciplines. The paper introduces a new application code system for marine sciences and describes its development process. In the last ten years, marine sciences have developed rapidly, and the previous application codes could not adapt to the current development and trends in marine science and technology. Under the unified deployment and guidance of the Department of Earth Sciences of the NSFC, the Oceanography Group launched a systematic demonstration and overall redesign of the application codes of marine sciences in 2018. The aim was to better reflect the systematization, completeness, and progressiveness of the marine sciences system in the new era, to guide the direction of marine science research, and to promote the interdisciplinary, balanced, and coordinated development of marine sciences. Combining “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches, the group further analyzed the trends in the development of marine science research and carried out a systematic critical review. Considering the current situation and the challenges in achieving the coordinated development of marine science and technology and its social impacts, the group proposed a new version of the system comprising 15 application codes, covering three directions of “Branch Discipline”, “Supporting Technology”, and “Development Field”. “Branch Discipline” comprises six codes: D0601 Physical oceanography, D0602 marine chemistry, D0603 marine geology and geophysics, D0604 biological oceanography and marine biological resources, D0605 marine ecology and environmental science, and D0606 estuarine and coastal science. “Supporting Technology” comprises three codes: D0607 Marine remote sensing, D0608 marine physics, and observation and detection technology, and D0609 marine data science and information system. “Development Field” comprises six codes: D0610 Marine system and global change, D0611 marine engineering and environmental effects, D0612 marine disasters, and disaster prevention and mitigation, D0613 marine energy and resources, D0614 coordinated sea and land development, and sustainable development, and D0615 polar science. The updated system is forward-looking, coordinated, logical, and consistent, and better supports China’s basic marine science and major national requirements. Last but not least, the paper describes the Shiptime Sharing Project to support the Open Cruise Program, as well as an international cooperation network established by the NSFC. The trends in the development of these projects and future prospects are also discussed. The revision of the application codes has comprehensively organized funding for marine sciences in the new era. The new codes specify directions for the development of marine technology, and provide a means for the implementation of the national marine strategy through funding allocation. Basic marine scientific research will be better served by this optimized NSFC marine funding allocation system.

Colorism and the Afro-Latinx Experience: A Review of the Literature

Using Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model, this systematic critical literature review investigated factors that contributed to the development of colorism, as well as the effects of colorism on Afro-Latinx persons, in Brazil, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, and the wider Latin American region. Agencies within the macrosystem and chronosystem were used to investigate factors involved in instituting colorism in Latin America. Constituents of the microsystem and mesosystem were used to research the effects of colorism on Afro-Latinx persons. The development of colorism ideologies and practices in Latin America was largely due to the endorsement of laws, cultural values, and cultural beliefs that arose from the perceptions and interactions between the region’s main ethnic groups and the biases that emerged from these interactions during key eras throughout their history. It was found that several studies documented the de facto impact of colorism on the family, school, community, and professional lives of Afro-Latinx persons.

Spontaneous abortion in women occupationally exposed to inhalational anesthetics: a critical systematic review.

Occupational exposure to inhalational anesthetics has been associated with health problems, including reproductive issues. Considering the scarcity and outdated nature of reviews concerning this relevant topic, which has implications for indoor pollution/environmental science/public health, this critical review aimed to systematically evaluate whether exposure to inhalational anesthetics is associated with abortion. Seven databases were searched with no language or year restrictions. Of the 3881 search results, 18 observational studies were included. Some studies demonstrated a significant association between occupational exposure to inhalational anesthetics and spontaneous abortion, especially among professionals who work for longer periods and/or in an environment without gas scavenging/ventilation systems, which may favor the occurrence of abortion in this population. Due to considerable heterogeneity and limitations, it cannot be concluded whether an association exists between occupational exposure to anesthetics and the occurrence of abortion. However, more well-designed studies should be performed, especially in less economically developed countries that do not have access to quality anesthetic gas scavenging/ventilation systems, thereby bringing this issue into sharp focus. This review highlights the need for scientific knowledge in this area and the extensive use of scavenging equipment and in the workplace to minimize exposure and reduce the risk of abortion.

Additive Manufacturing Applications for Industry 4.0: A Systematic Critical Review

Additive manufacturing, including 3D printing (3DP), is one of the critical pillars of Industry 4.0 and the next construction revolution. Several countries, including China, have utilized 3DP on larger scales or real projects. However, reviews of the lessons learned from previous large-sized practices of 3DP utilization are scarce. This paper presents a few practical applications of implementing 3DP over the past decade and suggests a direction for future research work. Recent publications on 3DP practices are systematically reviewed using an interpretivist philosophical lens, and more specifically, the nozzle characteristics are focused upon. The Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) journal databases are utilized, resulting in the examination of 54 English and 62 Chinese papers. The selected practices from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao are considered for this review. A content critical review approach is adopted, and the identified papers are critically reviewed. These papers reported key challenges and advantages from their reported practices, such as limitations in aggregate sizes, nozzle sizes, standards, post-occupancy satisfaction, final product quality, productivity challenges and other associated risks. The paper reports upon prominent limitations and signposts directions for future investigations.

School-based Indigenous cultural programs and their impact on Australian Indigenous students: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT This critical systematic review of Australian research literature provides insights into the aspirations of Indigenous communities to collaborate with schools in establishing local Indigenous language and cultural programmes. This systematic review investigates the body of Australian research into the cultural, social and educational impacts on those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who have had opportunities to engage with these school-based Indigenous languages and/or cultural programmes. The review found that while many Indigenous families have advocated for their children’s to have access to quality language and cultural programmes, barriers of indifference, resourcing and leadership, have worked to limit students’ ability to access to these programmes. The studies highlight the effects on students sense of identity, the strengthening connectedness to community and County and the intergenerational sharing of cultural knowledge.

Assessing school attendance problems: A critical systematic review of questionnaires

Assessment methods for school attendance problems (SAPs) have burgeoned tremendously in recent years. This study involved a systematic review of questionnaires assessing SAPs. Literature searches up to November 2019 were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and ERIC). Nine instruments met the four selection criteria: (1) to assess SAPs, (2) in children and/or adolescents, (3) providing the psychometric properties and (4) be written in English or Spanish. Descriptive analysis (instrument’s author/s and name, country, age addressed; response format; dimensions’ names and items) and psychometric properties (internal consistency, temporal stability, factorial structure and construct validity) are presented for each instrument. Commentary is provided regarding the contributions of these instruments with respect to contemporary models of SAPs.

Blumgart anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to reduce the rate of clinical relevant pancreatic fistula. Results of a critical and comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Blumgart anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to reduce the rate of clinical relevant pancreatic fistula. Results of a critical and comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Challenge In The Use Of New Technologies Integrated To Health In The Treatment Of Covid-19

Viral diseases continue to emerge and annually bring challenges to the Brazilian public health system, such as COVID-19 with easy respiratory infection. This study aims to analyze the importance of new technologies in the treatment of COVID-19 and, thus, promote the information of technological data in the Brazilian territory. Therefore, methodological techniques were used in systematic reviews in the selection of included studies to be used in the construction of this short and critical systematic review. And 08 articles were included for inclusion in this critical analysis.

Methods to Monitor and Evaluate the Deterioration of Track and Its Components in a Railway In-Service: A Systemic Review

In planning a new track or improving one in-service, it is fundamental to predict the probable rate of track deterioration as a function of the variables related to the train and its periodicity. A literature investigation has shown there are no track deterioration methods usually available, which can be used as a tool for analysis of track condition of each (re)new railway track. A prediction of them requires accurate quantification of each track component and track geometry behaviours, and a better knowledge of (inter)actions between components and geometry, as well. During an extended survey, more than 100 methods (or studies) related to track deterioration were found, including other literature reviews. Very few of these methods enquiries with several track deterioration issues. This paper aims to build upon with accepted reviews and based on a methodology for systematic critical literature review identifies, evaluates, and classifies the primary studies to predict the track deterioration according to the complexity of both method and validation and study quality. In sequence, it is also assessed whether the technique is established. Afterward, it is identified the gaps and the challenges to be overcome with future researches.

Agricultural sustainability assessment framework integrating sustainable development goals and interlinked priorities of environmental, climate and agriculture policies

AbstractThe agricultural sustainability issues are widely addressed in scientific literature and various reports by international organizations. However, there is lack of harmonized approach in addressing agricultural sustainability issues as different policies are targeting different sustainability issues in agriculture. This article analyses sustainable agriculture development and agriculture sustainability concepts and sustainability assessment approaches and tools developed for agriculture sector. Based on systematic critical literature review, this article develops the new indicators framework for sustainability assessment in agriculture which allows us to achieve harmonization of sustainable development, climate and agricultural policies in European Union (EU). The proposed indicators framework allows us to address the main sustainability issues of agriculture by linking them with sustainable development goals, environmental, climate and rural development policy priorities in EU. The main contribution of this article is linking rural policy goals with sustainable development, climate change mitigation and environmental policy goals by providing agricultural sustainability assessment framework allowing us to track these linkages through indicators system.

Usage of Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid During Conception, Pregnancy, and Lactation, and Its Implications for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: A Systematic Critical Review.

Conception, pregnancy, and lactation following solid organ transplantation require appropriate management. The most frequently used immunosuppressive drug combination after solid organ transplantation consists of tacrolimus (Tac) plus mycophenolic acid (MPA). Here, the effects of Tac and MPA on fertility, pregnancy, and lactation are systematically reviewed, and their implications for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are discussed. A systematic literature search was performed (August 19, 2019) using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, and 102 studies were included. Another 60 were included from the reference list of the published articles. As MPA is teratogenic, women who are trying to conceive are strongly recommended to switch from MPA to azathioprine. MPA treatment in men during conception seems to have no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, in 2015, the drug label was updated with additional risk minimization measures in a pregnancy prevention program. Data on MPA pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation are limited. Tac treatment during conception, pregnancy, and lactation seems to be safe in terms of the health of the mother, (unborn) child, and allograft. However, Tac may increase the risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Infants will ingest very small amounts of Tac via breast milk from mothers treated with Tac. However, no adverse outcomes have been reported in children exposed to Tac during lactation. During pregnancy, changes in Tac pharmacokinetics result in increased unbound to whole-blood Tac concentration ratio. To maintain Tac concentrations within the target range, increased Tac dose and intensified TDM may be required. However, it is unclear if dose adjustments during pregnancy are necessary, considering the higher concentration of (active) unbound Tac. Tac treatment during conception, pregnancy and lactation seems to be relatively safe. Due to pharmacokinetic changes during pregnancy, a higher Tac dose might be indicated to maintain target concentrations. However, more evidence is needed to make recommendations on both Tac dose adjustments and alternative matrices than whole-blood for TDM of Tac during pregnancy. MPA treatment in men during conception seems to have no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes, whereas MPA use in women during conception and pregnancy is strongly discouraged.