Development of search strategies for meta-research related to sleep

Search filters for systematic reviews and meta-analyses in sleep medicine.

Two experiments with 3‐ and 5‐year‐old children investigated the development of indirect search strategies. Two components of indirect search were evaluated: the acquisition of indirect search information and the utilization of that information to target further searches effectively. Even 3‐year‐olds showed some use of both components of indirect search, although they were more likely than 5‐year‐olds to search in places where previous indirect searches had indicated the target object could not be. An intriguing aspect of the results was that children were not necessarily any more efficient in their indirect searches than they would have been with a direct approach to the problem. This suggests that children actively strive to develop strategies for solving problems intelligently, even when those strategies do not produce any immediate improvement over direct or rote procedures.

In this chapter we present data on trends in innovation in climate mitigation technologies. The data have been generated using newly developed search strategies to extract data from a worldwide database of patent documents (PATSTAT). In comparison with previous reports, this chapter draws upon the more detailed European Classification System (ECLA) and, most significantly, draws upon the expertise of patent examiners at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the development of search strategies. We present data on invention, technology transfer and research co-operation for a broad cross-section of countries over the last three decades. We also review some of the relevant empirical evidence on the determinants of innovation in these fields.

Spatial navigation is a universal behavior that varies depending on goals, experience and available sensory stimuli. Spatial navigational tasks are routinely used to study learning, memory and goal-directed behavior, in both animals and humans. One popular paradigm for testing spatial memory is the Morris water maze, where subjects learn the location of a hidden platform that offers escape from a pool of water. Researchers typically express learning as a function of the latency to escape, though this reveals little about the underlying navigational strategies. Recently, a number of studies have begun to classify water maze search strategies in order to clarify the precise spatial and mnemonic functions of different brain regions, and to identify which aspects of spatial memory are disrupted in disease models. However, despite their usefulness, strategy analyses have not been widely adopted due to the lack of software to automate analyses. To address this need we developed Pathfinder, an open source application for analyzing spatial navigation behaviors. In a representative dataset, we show that Pathfinder effectively characterizes the development of highly-specific spatial search strategies as male and female mice learn a standard spatial water maze. Pathfinder can read data files from commercially- and freely-available software packages, is optimized for classifying search strategies in water maze paradigms, and can also be used to analyze 2D navigation by other species, and in other tasks, as long as timestamped xy coordinates are available. Pathfinder is simple to use, can automatically determine pool and platform geometry, generates heat maps, analyzes navigation with respect to multiple goal locations, and can be updated to accommodate future developments in spatial behavioral analyses. Given these features, Pathfinder may be a useful tool for studying how navigational strategies are regulated by the environment, depend on specific neural circuits, and are altered by pathology.

Background: In an era of explosive growth in biomedical evidence, improving systematic review (SR) search processes is increasingly critical. Text-mining tools (TMTs) are a potentially powerful resource to improve and streamline search strategy development. Two types of TMTs are especially of interest to searchers: word frequency (useful for identifying most used keyword terms, e.g., PubReminer) and clustering (visualizing common themes, e.g., Carrot2). Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the benefits and trade-offs of searches with and without the use of TMTs for evidence synthesis products in real world settings. Specific questions included: (1) Do TMTs decrease the time spent developing search strategies? (2) How do TMTs affect the sensitivity and yield of searches? (3) Do TMTs identify groups of records that can be safely excluded in the search evaluation step? (4) Does the complexity of a systematic review topic affect TMT performance? In addition to quantitative data, we collected librarians' comments on their experiences using TMTs to explore when and how these new tools may be useful in systematic review search¬¬ creation. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, we included seven SR projects, and classified them into simple or complex topics. The project librarian used conventional “usual practice” (UP) methods to create the MEDLINE search strategy, while a paired TMT librarian simultaneously and independently created a search strategy using a variety of TMTs. TMT librarians could choose one or more freely available TMTs per category from a pre-selected list in each of three categories: (1) keyword/phrase tools: AntConc, PubReMiner; (2) subject term tools: MeSH on Demand, PubReMiner, Yale MeSH Analyzer; and (3) strategy evaluation tools: Carrot2, VOSviewer. We collected results from both MEDLINE searches (with and without TMTs), coded every citation’s origin (UP or TMT respectively), deduplicated them, and then sent the citation library to the review team for screening. When the draft report was submitted, we used the final list of included citations to calculate the sensitivity, precision, and number-needed-to-read for each search (with and without TMTs). Separately, we tracked the time spent on various aspects of search creation by each librarian. Simple and complex topics were analyzed separately to provide insight into whether TMTs could be more useful for one type of topic or another. Results: Across all reviews, UP searches seemed to perform better than TMT, but because of the small sample size, none of these differences was statistically significant. UP searches were slightly more sensitive (92% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 85–99%]) than TMT searches (84.9% [95% CI 74.4–95.4%]). The mean number-needed-to-read was 83 (SD 34) for UP and 90 (SD 68) for TMT. Keyword and subject term development using TMTs generally took less time than those developed using UP alone. The average total time was 12 hours (SD 8) to create a complete search strategy by UP librarians, and 5 hours (SD 2) for the TMT librarians. TMTs neither affected search evaluation time nor improved identification of exclusion concepts (irrelevant records) that can be safely removed from the search set. Conclusion: Across all reviews but one, TMT searches were less sensitive than UP searches. For simple SR topics (i.e., single indication–single drug), TMT searches were slightly less sensitive, but reduced time spent in search design. For complex SR topics (e.g., multicomponent interventions), TMT searches were less sensitive than UP searches; nevertheless, in complex reviews, they identified unique eligible citations not found by the UP searches. TMT searches also reduced time spent in search strategy development. For all evidence synthesis types, TMT searches may be more efficient in reviews where comprehensiveness is not paramount, or as an adjunct to UP for evidence syntheses, because they can identify unique includable citations. If TMTs were easier to learn and use, their utility would be increased.

Spatial navigation is a universal behavior that varies depending on goals, experience and available sensory stimuli. Spatial navigational tasks are routinely used to study learning, memory and goal-directed behavior, in both animals and humans. One popular paradigm for testing spatial memory is the Morris water maze, where subjects learn the location of a hidden platform that offers escape from a pool of water. Researchers typically express learning as a function of the latency to escape, though this reveals little about the underlying navigational strategies. Recently, a number of studies have begun to classify water maze search strategies in order to clarify the precise spatial and mnemonic functions of different brain regions, and to identify which aspects of spatial memory are disrupted in disease models. However, despite their usefulness, strategy analyses have not been widely adopted due to the lack of software to automate analyses. To address this need we developed Pathfinder, an open source application for analyzing spatial navigation behaviors. In a representative dataset, we show that Pathfinder effectively characterizes the development of highly-specific spatial search strategies as male and female mice learn a standard spatial water maze. Pathfinder can read data files from commercially- and freely-available software packages, is optimized for classifying search strategies in water maze paradigms, and can also be used to analyze 2D navigation by other species, and in other tasks, as long as timestamped xy coordinates are available. Pathfinder is simple to use, can automatically determine pool and platform geometry, generates heat maps, analyzes navigation with respect to multiple goal locations, and can be updated to accommodate future developments in spatial behavioral analyses. Given these features, Pathfinder may be a useful tool for studying how navigational strategies are regulated by the environment, depend on specific neural circuits, and are altered by pathology.

Evidence of the effectiveness of health promotion to support decision-making has become increasingly important to health promotion practitioners and policy-makers. Primary research on effectiveness, however, is not always easily accessible. This study aimed to contribute to strategies for facilitating access to this research by exploring the development and implementation of search strategies for identifying effectiveness research, in the area of sexual health promotion, on five commonly used electronic databases. Firstly, search stra tegies to locate all available research were developed; secondly, the implications of restrictions on the extent of searcliing were investigated. Undertaking sys tematic searching was complex and time-consuming. Although useful ways to reduce the effort involved were identified, in the context of conducting sys tematic reviews, these came with 'trade-offs' in terms of the number of poten tially important studies missed. These findings suggest an urgent need for wide dissemination of search strategies and specialised registers of health promotion studies. This study is part of an ongoing programme of work on facilitating evidence-based health promotion, and this the third and final paper in a series published in three consecutive issues of the HEJ.

Background and rationale:Obesity is a metabolic condition brought on by the interplay of hereditary and environmental factors, making it one of the most common diseases in the world. Insulin resistance (IR) and obesity have a close connection and can both be advantageous. One of the main methods of epigenetic regulation is DNA methylation modification. Studies have demonstrated over the past few years that DNA methylation is crucial to the emergence of obesity and DNA methylation can lead to IR. Adipose tissue participates in the physiopathological processes of obesity and IR and functions as an endocrine organ controlling the body’s balanced metabolism, thus, adipose tissue-associated gene DNA methylation affects the development of obesity and IR by influencing the function of adipose tissue. Hence, an explanation of current research on DNA methylation, IR, and obesity, following the most recent developments, exploring changes in DNA methylation in different types of adipose tissue in insulin-resistant patients and obese patients may enable the identification of novel targets in clinical obesity prevention and treatment.Method and analysis:The following electronic bibliographic databases will be searched from inception for peer-reviewed original research published: MEDLINE (through PubMed), Scopus, and EMBASE. Cochrane Library, Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry, the National Institutes for Health Clinical Trials Registry, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to December 31, 2021 will be conducted. Systematic reviews will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. The development of search strategies will make use of medical issue phrases and keywords associated with DNA methylation, Adipose tissue DNA methylation, obesity, and IR. Identified citations will be independently reviewed by two authors to determine eligibility at the title and abstract level, and then at the full text and data extraction phases. Disagreements and conflicts will be resolved through discussion with a third author. Two authors will extract the necessary data from the included studies independently, and The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool will be used to assess the bias of randomized controlled studies, and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for nonrandomized controlled studies. If the interventions and outcomes evaluated are sufficiently homogeneous, results from subgroups of studies will be pooled together in a meta-analysis.

A brief review has been provided with regard to some approaches to information retrieval that are now under development in the United States. These developments are discussed in terms of the unit operations of documentation: acquisition; analysis (abstracting, indexing, classifying, extracting); terminology control; recording of results of analysis on searchable medium; storage of source documents; question analysis and development of search strategy;conductingofsearch;anddelivery of search results.At the present time efforts in this field are largely uncoordinated, with decisions on depth of analysis of documents and philosophy of coding system left largely to the desires and opinions of individuals or separate organizations.Two programs in medjcal documentation at Western Reserve University are discussed: one in communicable diseases; and the other in diabetes. Both programs involve the analysis of the literature in considerable detail, using roles and links, and the control of the meaning of terminology using the technique , of semantic factoring.

SPAPT: Search Problems in Automatic Performance Tuning

Rural physiotherapists may need to extend their skills to address the lack of allied health service provision in rural areas but will do so based on their perceived self-efficacy. This narrative review aims to understand self-efficacy amongst rural physiotherapists and contributing factors to self-efficacy, especially in the specialised area of paediatrics.Method: A search of the literature was undertaken to understand the self-efficacy of rural physiotherapists who are expected to undertake specialist paediatric cases. Databases searched included CINAHL, PEDro, Informit, Proquest, PubMed, and Ovid. Articles were assessed for quality in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) evidence ranking system. Using this search strategy and inclusion criteria, a total of forty five articles were found and included in the narrative review. Results: Self-efficacy, a person’s judgement of their capabilities, is a key component in performance, accomplishments, and positive well-being. If the rural physiotherapist has low self-efficacy in their work practices, then physiotherapy specialisation or advance practice may not be considered an achievable career option. However, the caseload of the rural physiotherapist is vast and demanding, spanning across many boundaries and scopes including paediatrics, which has been defined as an area of specialisation within physiotherapy. The work practices of the rural physiotherapist’s are often challenged by the complexities of rural area’s and an unstructured, poorly supportive workforce, thus giving cause for the recognition of rural physiotherapy as a specialist branch of physiotherapy practice. Yet, the majority of the evidence base surrounding this topic has been developed through opinion pieces and observational studies which were rated as level IV evidence. At present, the lack of higher level evidence allowed readers to make assumptions based on opinions and descriptive studies. Conclusion: If the current workforce and structure leads to low self-efficacy in the rural physiotherapy population, this in turn could lead to impaired confidence in the ability to practice as a physiotherapist as well as result in the development of poor coping strategies. Early identification of the self-efficacy beliefs within this cohort will allow the development and evaluation of strategies to help address those issues identified as challenges in rural areas. There is a definite need for stronger, higher levels of evidence on this topic in order to develop more accurate definitions of the work practices and working environments of the rural physiotherapists. Additional higher level research is needed to better understand the self-efficacy of rural physiotherapists and possible contributing factors for low self-efficacy. Higher level research will also establish true clinical implications of low self-efficacy amongst the rural physiotherapist population.

The main sources of citation injustice are the collective biases in the scientific community, including literature retrieval bias, which has direct effects on citation inequality. In this commentary I focus on index bias in literature databases, inherent/unconscious bias during search strategy development, and systematic bias of controlled vocabularies. Exemplar literature search strategies and/or retrieval analyses comparing Web of Science and OpenAlex are used to demonstrate these biases. Moreover, this commentary offers steps to consider during literature search preparation, search query building, and the search itself, which can lead to a more inclusive representation of the literature in the topic of interest and reduce citation inequity.

Question analysis and search strategy development, two major components in the process of answering reference questions, were characterized as nine decision making steps. Twenty‐eight reference questions were analyzed in terms of these nine steps. The answers to each step were examined to determine whether rules for performing the individual steps by machine could be developed. Reasons are given for concluding that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to have these reference process steps performed by machine.

BackgroundHaving a sufficient and well-functioning health workforce is crucial for reducing the burden of disease and premature death. Health workforce development, focusing on availability, recruitment, retention, and education, is inseparable from acceptability, motivation, burnout, role and responsibility, and performance. Each aspect of workforce development may face several challenges, requiring specific strategies. However, there was little evidence on barriers and strategies towards comprehensive health workforce development. Therefore, this review explored barriers and strategies for health workforce development at the primary health care level around the world.MethodsA scoping review of reviews was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. The article search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. We used EndNote x9 for managing the collected articles, screening processes, and citation purpose. The scoping review included any kind of review articles on the application of health workforce development concepts, such as availability, recruitment, retention, role and responsibility, education and training, motivation, and burnout, with primary health care and published in English anywhere in the world. Based on the concepts above, barriers and strategies for health workforce development were identified. The findings were synthesized qualitatively based on the building blocks of the health system framework. The analysis involved specific activities such as familiarization, construction of the thematic framework, indexing, charting, and interpretation. The results were presented in texts, tables, and figures.ResultsThe search strategies yielded 7,276 papers were found. Of which, 69 were included in the scoping review. The most frequently cited barriers were financial challenges and issues related to health care delivery, such as workloads. Barriers affecting healthcare providers directly, including lack of training and ineffective teamwork, were also prominent. Other health system and governance barriers include lack of support, unclear responsibility, and inequity. Another notable barrier was the shortage of health care technology, which pertains to both health care supplies and information technology. The most common cited effective strategies were ongoing support and supervision, engaging with communities, establishing appropriate primary care settings, financial incentives, fostering teamwork, and promoting autonomous health care practice.ConclusionsEffective leadership/governance, a robust health financing system, integration of health information and technology, such as mobile health and ensuring a consistent supply of adequate resources are also vital components of primary health care workforce development. The findings highlight the importance of continuous professional development, which includes training new cadres, implementing effective recruitment and retention mechanisms, optimising the skill mix, and promoting workplace wellness. These elements are essential in fostering a well-trained and resilient primary health care workforce.

The objective of this review was to synthesize the experiences of health professionals who have experienced grief as a result of a pediatric patient dying. There has been some research into health professionals' grief experiences associated with the death of pediatric patients, but there has not been a review that synthesizes the findings of these experiences. Other related reviews have focused on prenatal, perinatal or adult deaths or the coping strategies employed by health professionals. This review highlights the complexities of experiences faced by pediatric health professionals. Qualitative studies involving pediatric health professionals working in any healthcare setting who had experienced grief from the death of a patient were considered for inclusion. Studies were conducted in any country, at any time and published in English. The search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. The search was completed in January 2019. The review followed principles of meta-aggregation in line with the JBI approach. Methodological quality assessment was based on representation of participants' voices and congruence between research methodology and both research question and analysis of data. Meta-aggregation led to three synthesized findings from 12 qualitative studies that met the inclusion and methodological quality criteria. Studies predominantly included nurses working in a hospital, with sample sizes ranging from six to 25 participants. The synthesized findings were physical, behavioral, psychological or spiritual symptoms; compounding grief; and alleviating grief. Physical, behavioral, psychological, or spiritual symptoms highlighted the various characteristics of grief experiences by health professionals. Compounding grief was the largest synthesized finding and incorporated the various factors that contributed to a poorer experience of grief. Alleviating grief showed the limited identified factors that improved the experience of grief. Methodological quality led to synthesized findings receiving a ConQual rating of low or moderate. The synthesized findings from this review highlight the varied reported experiences of grief in health professionals. The methodological quality and reporting of studies, however, led to decreased confidence in the synthesized findings and recommendations arising from this review. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for experiencing grief when a patient dies and the compounding and alleviating factors associated with this. Further research could expand participant and language limitations, and improve methodological quality and reporting.