Systematic Reviewers Research Articles

Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Volume 54

The Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics covers significant developments in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, and systematics, as they apply to all life on Earth. Essay reviews cover topics ranging from phylogeny, speciation, and molecular evolution through behavior and evolutionary physiology to population dynamics, ecosystems processes, and applications in invasion biology, conservation, and environmental management. There are 22 articles.

A Brief Systematics Review and Visualization of Smart Cities based on Fog and Big Data Analysis Technology

The fog computing is based on IoT, and same as clouds are on the edge of a network between a device and the cloud, which can provide very close service to the device in real time. cloud computing frameworks also extend support to emerging application paradigms such as IoT, Fog computing, Edge, and Big Data through service and infrastructure. the ubiquitous deployment of sensors in smart cities requires a high-performance computing paradigm to support big data analysis with smart technologies and communications in IoT, providing location-awareness and latency-sensitive computing near the data sources (i.e., at the edge of the network). Cloud Computing paradigms widely used in enterprises to address the emerging challenges of big data analysis because of its scalable and distributed data management scheme. However, data centers in the Cloud faces great challenges on the burden of exploding amount of big data and the additional requirements of location awareness and low latency at the edge of network necessary for smart cites. the widely distributed sensor networks generate massive volume of data, which leads to a “Big Data “analysis challenge. The machine-to-machine(M2M) communication among massive numbers of sensors will dominate future communication network traffic, namely Internet of Things, instead of traditional Internet of Contents (IoC) in human-to-human and human-to-machine communication. In this review system where we took the research article around 33 from the different database and also taken 1987 datasets form the PubMed database from 1959 to 2024 (02 June 2024). In addition, depending on the different requirement which is partially processed the data. Then the gathered data is stored at the ledger unit through the smart cities based on the fog computing and big data technology. The hashing identity-based data encryption is a public key encryption which uses a digital signature to encrypt the data to prevent the information from the third party.

A Systematics Review on the Impact of Emergency Supply Chain Management, Operational Efficiency, and Supply Chain Traceability on Public Health

A Systematics Review on the Impact of Emergency Supply Chain Management, Operational Efficiency, and Supply Chain Traceability on Public Health

European Academy of Neurology (EAN) guideline on the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in collaboration with European Reference Network for Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO-NMD).

This update of the guideline on the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was commissioned by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and prepared in collaboration with the European Reference Network for Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO-NMD) and the support of the European Network for the Cure ALS (ENCALS) and the European Organization for Professionals and Patients with ALS (EUpALS). Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to assess the effectiveness of interventions for ALS. Two systematic reviewers from Cochrane Response supported the guideline panel. The working group identified a total of 26 research questions, performed systematic reviews, assessed the quality of the available evidence, and made specific recommendations. Expert consensus statements were provided where insufficient evidence was available. A guideline mapping effort revealed only one other ALS guideline that used GRADE methodology (a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] guideline). The available evidence was scarce for many research questions. Of the 26 research questions evaluated, the NICE recommendations could be adapted for 8 questions. Other recommendations required updates of existing systematic reviews or de novo reviews. Recommendations were made on currently available disease-modifying treatments, multidisciplinary care, nutritional and respiratory support, communication aids, psychological support, treatments for common ALS symptoms (e.g., muscle cramps, spasticity, pseudobulbar affect, thick mucus, sialorrhea, pain), and end-of-life management. This update of the guideline using GRADE methodology provides a framework for the management of ALS. The treatment landscape is changing rapidly, and further updates will be prepared when additional evidence becomes available.

Investigation of reporting bias in interrupted time series (ITS) studies: a study protocol

Background Systematic reviews that aim to synthesize evidence on the effects of interventions targeted at populations often include interrupted time-series (ITS) studies. However, the suppression of ITS studies or results within these studies (known as reporting bias) has the potential to bias conclusions drawn in such systematic reviews, with potential consequences for healthcare decision-making. Therefore, we aim to determine whether there is evidence of reporting bias among ITS studies. Methods We will conduct a search for published protocols of ITS studies and reports of their results in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase up to December 31, 2022. We contact the authors of the ITS studies to seek information about their study, including submission status, data for unpublished results, and reasons for non-publication or non-reporting of certain outcomes. We will examine if there is evidence of publication bias by examining whether time-to-publication is influenced by the statistical significance of the study’s results for the primary research question using Cox proportional hazards regression. We will examine whether there is evidence of discrepancies in outcomes by comparing those specified in the protocols with those in the reports of results, and we will examine whether the statistical significance of an outcome’s result is associated with how completely that result is reported using multivariable logistic regression. Finally, we will examine discrepancies between protocols and reports of results in the methods by examining the data collection processes, model characteristics, and statistical analysis methods. Discrepancies will be summarized using descriptive statistics. Discussion These findings will inform systematic reviewers and policymakers about the extent of reporting biases and may inform the development of mechanisms to reduce such biases.

A Systematized Review on the Applications of Hyperspectral Imaging for Quality Control of Potatoes

AbstractThe application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has gained significant importance in the past decade, particulary in the context of food analysis, including potatoes. However, the current literature lacks a comprehensive systematic review of the application of this technique in potato cultivation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to conduct a systematized review by analysing the most relevant compounds, diseases and stress factors in potatoes using hyperspectral imaging. For this purpose, scientific studies were retrieved through a systematic keyword search in Web of Science and Scopus databases. Studies were only included in the review if they provided at least one set of quantitative data. As a result, a total of 52 unique studies were included in the review. Eligible studies were assigned an in-house developed quality scale identifying them as high, medium or low risk. In most cases the studies were rated as low risk. Finally, a comprehensive overview of the HSI applications in potatoes was performed. It has been observed that most of the selected studies obtained better results using linear methods. In addition, a meta-analysis of studies based on regression and classification was attempted but was not possible as not enough studies were found for a specific variable.

Systematic literature study on numeracy literacy activities: How to implement it

This article discusses the significance of numerical literacy in the use of appropriate models and media in mathematics education. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) used in this article aims to analyze, identify, review, and interpret research on the use of models and learning media in improving students' numeracy literacy. This literature review involves three stages based on the PRISMA (Preferred reporting Items for Systematics Review and Meta-Analyses) flow diagram, namely literature screening with 153 documents, the Eligibility stage resulting in 58 relevant documents, and the Qualification stage producing 42 documents meeting the inclusion criteria. The eligible documents were analyzed using thematic analysis, highlighting main themes related to learning models and instructional media in numeracy literacy based on a review of 36 articles. The aftereffects of the examination demonstrate the way that proper models and learning media can upgrade understudies' numeracy proficiency abilities and assist them with applying numerical ideas in regular day to day existence. The implementation of numeracy literacy can be done through the use of case examples, problem-solving, and utilization of digital technology. Effective learning models for improving numeracy literacy include project-based learning, problem-based learning, Contextual Teaching Learning (CTL), Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), Game Based Learning, and Flipped Classroom. Several learning media that can be used include instructional videos, software, cultural innovations, and numeracy literacy modules. These approaches can help students become more active and engaged in mathematics learning.

Investigation of bias due to selective inclusion of study effect estimates in meta-analyses of nutrition research.

We aimed to explore, in a sample of systematic reviews (SRs) with meta-analyses of the association between food/diet and health-related outcomes, whether systematic reviewers selectively included study effect estimates in meta-analyses when multiple effect estimates were available. We randomly selected SRs of food/diet and health-related outcomes published between January 2018 and June 2019. We selected the first presented meta-analysis in each review (index meta-analysis), and extracted from study reports all study effect estimates that were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. We calculated the Potential Bias Index (PBI) to quantify and test for evidence of selective inclusion. The PBI ranges from 0 to 1; values above or below 0.5 suggest selective inclusion of effect estimates more or less favourable to the intervention, respectively. We also compared the index meta-analytic estimate to the median of a randomly constructed distribution of meta-analytic estimates (i.e., the estimate expected when there is no selective inclusion). Thirty-nine SRs with 312 studies were included. The estimated PBI was 0.49 (95% CI 0.42-0.55), suggesting that the selection of study effect estimates from those reported was consistent with a process of random selection. In addition, the index meta-analytic effect estimates were similar, on average, to what we would expect to see in meta-analyses generated when there was no selective inclusion. Despite this, we recommend that systematic reviewers report the methods used to select effect estimates to include in meta-analyses, which can help readers understand the risk of selective inclusion bias in the SRs.

2023 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Focused Update on Neonatal Resuscitation: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

This 2023 focused update to the neonatal resuscitation guidelines is based on 4 systematic reviews recently completed under the direction of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Neonatal Life Support Task Force. Systematic reviewers and content experts from this task force performed comprehensive reviews of the scientific literature on umbilical cord management in preterm, late preterm, and term newborn infants, and the optimal devices and interfaces used for administering positive-pressure ventilation during resuscitation of newborn infants. These recommendations provide new guidance on the use of intact umbilical cord milking, device selection for administering positive-pressure ventilation, and an additional primary interface for administering positive-pressure ventilation.

Impact of e-learning service quality on student satisfaction during the Covid-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Educational institutions around the world transitioned from face-to-face learning to online learning as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This sudden transition had grave consequences on e-learning service quality (ELSQ) and student satisfaction with online learning; however, what dimensions of ELSQ impacted student satisfaction most during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. This study represents the first systematic effort reviewing and synthesizing the available literature on the relationships between the various dimensions of ELSQ and student satisfaction with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the databases Education Source, Education Resources Information Center, and Computer & Applied Sciences Complete for quantitative studies. The results show that ELSQ dimensions were positively associated with student satisfaction with e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic. System quality was the most commonly demonstrated predictor of student satisfaction, followed closely by instructor and course material quality. Little research has focused on the administrative and support service aspect of ELSQ. The most frequent system-related subdimensions were perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, website design and content, responsiveness, functionality, technical support, advantages and compatibility of ICT, and information quality. The most prevalent instructor- and course-related subdimensions were the course content and design, instructor quality, student-student and student-instructor interactions, responsiveness, and instructor support.

Predatory journals and their practices present a conundrum for systematic reviewers and evidence synthesisers of health research: A qualitative descriptive study.

Predatory journals are a blemish on scholarly publishing and academia and the studies published within them are more likely to contain data that is false. The inclusion of studies from predatory journals in evidence syntheses is potentially problematic due to this propensity for false data to be included. To date, there has been little exploration of the opinions and experiences of evidence synthesisers when dealing with predatory journals in the conduct of their evidence synthesis. In this paper, the thoughts, opinions, and attitudes of evidence synthesisers towards predatory journals and the inclusion of studies published within these journals in evidence syntheses were sought. Focus groups were held with participants who were experienced evidence synthesisers from JBI (previously the Joanna Briggs Institute) collaboration. Utilising qualitative content analysis, two generic categories were identified: predatory journals within evidence synthesis, and predatory journals within academia. Our findings suggest that evidence synthesisers believe predatory journals are hard to identify and that there is no current consensus on the management of these studies if they have been included in an evidence synthesis. There is a critical need for further research, education, guidance, and development of clear processes to assist evidence synthesisers in the management of studies from predatory journals.

PP113 Common Methodological Issues In Systematic Reviews Supporting Single Technology Appraisal Submissions To The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

IntroductionThis project aimed to identify methodological issues reported by Evidence Review Groups (ERGs) in the systematic reviews (SR) supporting single technology appraisal (STA) submissions to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). STA submissions contain SRs related to the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the proposed intervention and NICE require the methods for these reviews to be clearly detailed in the submission. The intention of this project was to identify methodological aspects of submissions where companies may need additional guidance or support to provide the evidence required for efficient and effective decision-making and in turn facilitate timely access to clinical innovation.MethodsFrom 2019, 61 STAs were identified from the NICE website, of which 46 were included. We extracted information about the data requests or clarification questions raised by the ERG in relation to the methodological section of both the clinical and cost effectiveness SRs reported in the STA. We then categorized these data and grouped by theme to determine the most common methodological issues faced by companies. We did not assess whether comments made by the ERG were accurate or justified.ResultsFor both clinical and cost-effectiveness SRs, the most frequent clarification questions arose from the search methods section, specifically seeking information about missing intervention or comparator terms, the use of search filters and search platforms. Clarification questions were also commonly asked about the appropriateness of interventions and comparators. There were very few clarification questions asked about screening, data extraction or risk of bias assessment.ConclusionsCompanies looking to submit an STA should align their submission methodology to established best practice guidance for systematic reviewing to ensure their methods are fit for purpose and avoid unnecessary delays to the STA process. Consistency with the PRISMA reporting standards would help ensure that the ERG is provided with the information needed to assess the appropriateness of the STA methodology and is likely to reduce the need for clarification questions.

Optimizing process and methods for a living systematic review: 30 search updates and three review updates later

ObjectiveTo describe the living systematic review (LSR) process and to share experience of planning, searches, screening, extraction, publishing and dissemination to inform and assist authors planning their own LSR. Many LSR do not publish more than one update, we hope this paper helps to increase this. Study Design and SettingA Cochrane LSR with an international author team that has been ‘living’ for two years, with monthly search updates and three full updates published in this time. LSRs are regularly updated systematic reviews that allow new evidence to be incorporated as it becomes available. LSR are ideally suited to policy-relevant topics where there is uncertainty and new evidence will likely impact the interpretation and/or certainty of outcomes. ResultsThe key features of the process that require consideration are: specifying the frequency of searches and triggers for full updates in the protocol; stakeholder input; publishing and disseminating monthly search findings. A strong team, incorporating methodological and topic expertise, with core members that meet regularly is essential. Regular search updates make it important to have a clear cyclical schedule of activity. To achieve timely updates this process should be streamlined, for example, using automated monthly searches, and systematic reviewing software for screening. LSR provide a unique opportunity to incorporate stakeholder feedback. ConclusionsWe recommend that LSRs should be: justified; carefully planned including the timing of search updates, triggers for publication and termination; published in a timely manner; have a clear dissemination plan; and a strong core team of authors.

Ten tips for successful assessment of risk of bias in randomized trials using the RoB 2 tool: Early lessons from Cochrane

AbstractIntroductionRoB 2 is a tool used by systematic reviewers to assess risk of bias in randomized trials. Over a period of 19 months working as editors for Cochrane, we saw many instances where users of RoB 2 frequently applied the tool in ways the developers had not intended, despite availability of detailed guidance, webinars and FAQs.MethodsIn this paper we highlight the ten main issues that we observed, with the aims of optimising the application of the RoB 2 tool, avoiding some of the frequent misapplications of the tool.ResultsIssues noted included failure to state an effect of interest, applying the tool to an entire study rather than to a specific numerical result, omitting key signaling questions and relying on outdated views of causes of bias.ConclusionSuch omissions and misapplications can lead to overly harsh or lenient assessments of bias with potential to change the confidence we have in an evidence base of randomized trials. We recommend that teams planning to use RoB 2 include at least one member familiar with the RoB 2 detailed guidance and that they use the free resources, such as webinars and FAQs, from the developers of RoB 2 and Cochrane. Our ten tips should be useful to non‐Cochrane systematic reviewers as well as to peer reviewers and editors in Cochrane and other journals.

Machine Learning assisted systematic reviewing in orthopaedics

BackgroundMachine learning assisted systematic reviewing may help to reduce the work burden in systematic reviews. The aim of this study is therefore to determine by a non-developer the performance of machine learning assisted systematic reviewing on previously published orthopaedic reviews in retrieving relevant papers. MethodsActive learning for Systematic Reviews (ASReview) was tested against the results from three previously published systematic reviews in the field of orthopaedics with 20 iterations for each review. The reviews covered easy, intermediate and advanced scenarios. The outcomes of interest were the percentage work saved at 95% recall (WSS@95), the percentage work saved at 100% recall (WSS@100) and the percentage of relevant references identified after having screened the first 10% of the records (RRF@10). Means and corresponding [95% confidence intervals] were calculated. ResultsThe WSS@95 was respectively 72 [71–74], 72 [72–73] and 50 [50–51] for the easy, intermediate and advanced scenarios. The WSS@100 was respectively 72 [71–73], 62 [61–63] and 37 [36–38] for the easy, intermediate and advanced scenarios. The RRF@10 was respectively 79 [78–81], 70 [69–71] and 58 [56–60] for the easy, intermediate and advanced scenarios. ConclusionsMachine learning assisted systematic reviewing was efficient in retrieving relevant papers for systematic review in orthopaedics. The majority of relevant papers were identified after screening only 10% of the papers. All relevant papers were identified after screening 30%–40% of the total papers meaning that 60%–70% of the work can potentially be saved.

2023 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Focused Update on Neonatal Resuscitation: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

This 2023 focused update to the neonatal resuscitation guidelines is based on 4 systematic reviews recently completed under the direction of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Neonatal Life Support Task Force. Systematic reviewers and content experts from this task force performed comprehensive reviews of the scientific literature on umbilical cord management in preterm, late preterm, and term newborn infants, and the optimal devices and interfaces used for administering positive-pressure ventilation during resuscitation of newborn infants. These recommendations provide new guidance on the use of intact umbilical cord milking, device selection for administering positive-pressure ventilation, and an additional primary interface for administering positive-pressure ventilation.

Review of Systematics, Evolution, and Ecology of Melastomataceae edited by Renato Goldenberg, Fabián A. Michelangeli and Frank Almeda

Review of Systematics, Evolution, and Ecology of Melastomataceae edited by Renato Goldenberg, Fabián A. Michelangeli and Frank Almeda

Network meta-analysis of 7 acupuncture therapies for knee osteoarthritis.

With the progression of society aging demographic, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) continues to rise steadily, exerting a significant impact on individuals' quality of life. Acupuncture therapy has garnered extensive utilization in the management of osteoarthritis; however, a comprehensive systematic review integrating acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine remains absent. This study compared the clinical efficacy of 7 acupuncture methods (electroacupuncture, conventional acupuncture, warm needle, floating needle, fire needle, needle knife, and silver needle) for the treatment of KOA through a network meta-analysis. This study examined the databases-PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, the China Biology Medicine, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database-for randomized controlled trials of the 7 methods for KOA treatment. The search time spanned from the database establishment to March 5, 2022. The primary outcome indicator was the total effective rate, and the secondary outcome indicator was the visual analog scale. After the layer-by-layer screening, the quality of the literature was assessed using the Cochrane systematic reviewer manual 5.1.0 bias risk assessment tool for randomized controlled trials. After data extraction, the R4.0.1 software was used for network meta-analysis. Based on the network meta-analysis, the ranking of interventions based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve for the total effective rate is as follows: silver needle (0.99) > floating needle (0.97) > needle knife (0.66) > fire needle (0.56) > warm needle (0.44) > conventional acupuncture (0.35) > electroacupuncture (0.13). Regarding the improvement in visual analog scale scores, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve ranking is as follows: silver needle (0.97) > conventional acupuncture (0.67) > needle knife (0.64) > floating needle (0.51) > warm needle (0.44) > fire needle (0.14) > electroacupuncture (0.09). Based on the network meta-analysis, silver needle therapy emerged as the most efficacious and analgesic intervention for KOA. Nevertheless, given the notable variations in the quality and quantity of studies encompassing diverse treatment modalities, the findings of this research necessitate further substantiation through forthcoming high-quality multicenter, large-sample, randomized double-blind trials.

The carbon balance of plants: economics, optimization, and trait spectra in a historical perspective.

Over fifty years have passed since the publication of Harold Mooney's formative paper, "The Carbon Balance of Plants" on pages 315-346 of Volume 3 (1972) of Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. Arguably, the conceptual framework presented in that paper, and the work by Mooney and his students leading up to the paper, provided the foundational principles from which core disciplines emerged in plant economic theory, functional trait theory and, more generally, plant physiological ecology. Here, we revisit the primary impacts of those early discoveries to understand how researchers constructed major concepts in our understanding of plant adaptations, and where those concepts are likely to take us in the near future. The discipline of functional trait ecology, which is rooted in the principles of evolutionary and economic optimization, has captured the imagination of the plant physiological ecology research community, though its emphasis has shifted toward predicting species distributions and ecological roles across resource gradients. In the face of 'big-data' research pursuits that are revealing trait expression patterns at the cellular level and mass and energy exchange patterns at the planetary scale, an opportunity exists to reconnect the principles of plant carbon balance and evolutionary optimization with trait origins at the genetic and cellular scales and trait impacts at the global scale.

The PRISMATIC project: protocol for a research programme on novel methods to improve reporting and peer review of systematic reviews of health evidence

BackgroundIncomplete reporting about what systematic reviewers did and what they found prevents users of the report from being able to fully interpret the findings and understand the limitations of the underlying evidence. Reporting guidelines such as the PRISMA statement and its extensions are designed to improve reporting. However, there are important inconsistencies across the various PRISMA reporting guidelines, which causes confusion and misinterpretation. Coupled with this, users might need to consult multiple guidelines to gain a full understanding of the guidance. Furthermore, the current passive strategy of implementing PRISMA has not fully brought about needed improvements in the completeness of systematic review reporting.MethodsThe PRISMATIC (‘PRISMA, Technology, and Implementation to enhance reporting Completeness’) project aims to use novel methods to enable more efficient and effective translation of PRISMA reporting guidelines into practice. We will establish a working group who will develop a unified PRISMA statement that harmonises content across the main PRISMA guideline and several of its extensions. We will then develop a web application that generates a reporting template and checklist customised to the characteristics and methods of a systematic review (‘PRISMA-Web app’) and conduct a randomised trial to evaluate its impact on authors’ reporting. We will also develop a web application that helps peer reviewers appraise systematic review manuscripts (‘PRISMA-Peer app’) and conduct a diagnostic accuracy study to evaluate its impact on peer reviewers’ detection of incomplete reporting.DiscussionWe anticipate the novel guidance and web-based apps developed throughout the project will substantively enhance the completeness of reporting of systematic reviews of health evidence, ultimately benefiting users who rely on systematic reviews to inform health care decision-making.