finding experiments with blank host species

[lwaldron]

At least one study has been entered by leaving the host species blank: https://bugsigdb.org/Study_565, a study of dogs (see #193 - apparently the curator used this as a workaround for not finding Canis lupis familiaris in the list). I think I am OK with keeping host species optional in case someone wants to enter something like pond microbiomes. But is there a Special page or search method that I could use to find blank host species?

[tosfos]

I believe we'll need to modify the template to support this. I'll follow up.

[tosfos]

We implemented a solution in our test environment that makes the Host species field mandatory and adds an option called "Not specified". Users will need to select one of these in order to save the form. What do you think of this solution? Should we change "Not specified" to "Other"?

If this solution sounds good, we will change all the blank values to "Not specified" and you'll be able to easily filter and find them. We have other options if this doesn't sound ideal. Here is a screenshot:

[lwaldron]

Yes, that sounds good. Ideally it would be great to be able to order the list, such as putting "Not specified" first or last and the rest alphabetized, but that's not critical. We've expanded the list of host species to ~20 model species.

[tosfos]

We put the "Not specified" option first and added some processing to alphabetize the rest of the list. We also removed the invalid "contact us to have more species added" option, and instead, we added a note to the information popup. We can make that message more prominent if needed.

[tosfos]

The Drilldown display shows "Not specified" in the middle of the Host species list. Do you want us to move that to the beginning or end of the list?

[tosfos]

Here is a direct link to see all the Studies with Experiments where the Host species is not specified.

Pasting the current list here for convenience:

1. Fecal microbiome signatures of pancreatic cancer patients
2. Effects of amoxicillin treatment on the salivary microbiota in children with acute otitis media
3. Potential of fecal microbiota for early-stage detection of colorectal cancer
4. Differential Responses to Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate Ratio on Gut Microbiome in Obese vs. Lean Cats

[lwaldron]

Great! I'd say "not specified" first in the drop-down list.

[tosfos]

I'm not sure what you mean. Can this task be closed? Or is there something else needed?

[lwaldron]

Yes, closing this issue. I meant the "not specified" option appearing at the top of the drop-down list, which it already is.