scholarly journals PAGEANT: Personal Access to Genome and Analysis of Natural Traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Huang ◽  
Zhi-Sheng Liang ◽  
Stefano Pallotti ◽  
Janice Ranson ◽  
David J Llewellyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Response Code ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quick Response Code ◽  
Wide Availability

GWASs have identified numerous genetic variants associated with a wide variety of diseases, yet despite the wide availability of genetic testing the insights that would enhance the interpretability of these results are not widely available to members of the public. As a proof of concept and demonstration of technological feasibility, we developed PAGEANT (Personal Access to Genome & Analysis of Natural Traits), usable through Graphical User Interface or command line-based version, aiming to serve as a protocol and prototype that guides the overarching design of genetic reporting tools. PAGEANT is structured across five core modules, summarized by five Qs: (1) Quality assurance of the genetic data; (2) Qualitative assessment of genetic characteristics; (3) Quantitative assessment of health risk susceptibility based on polygenic risk scores and population reference; (4) Query of third-party variant databases (e.g., ClinVAR and PharmGKB); and (5) Quick Response code of genetic variants of interest. Literature review was conducted to compare PAGEANT with academic and industry tools. For 2,504 genomes made publicly available through the 1,000 Genomes Project, we derived their genomic characteristics for a suite of qualitative and quantitative traits. One exemplary trait is susceptibility to COVID-19, based on the most up-to-date scientific findings reported.

scholarly journals Third Party Certification of Agri-Food Supply Chain Using Smart Contracts and Blockchain Tokens

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5307
Author(s):  
Ricardo Borges dos Santos ◽  
Nunzio Marco Torrisi ◽  
Rodrigo Palucci Pantoni
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
The Public ◽  
Blockchain Technology

Every consumer’s buying decision at the supermarket influences food brands to make first party claims of sustainability and socially responsible farming methods on their agro-product labels. Fine wines are often subject to counterfeit along the supply chain to the consumer. This paper presents a method for efficient unrestricted publicity to third party certification (TPC) of plant agricultural products, starting at harvest, using smart contracts and blockchain tokens. The method is capable of providing economic incentives to the actors along the supply chain. A proof-of-concept using a modified Ethereum IGR token set of smart contracts using the ERC-1155 standard NFTs was deployed on the Rinkeby test net and evaluated. The main findings include (a) allowing immediate access to TPC by the public for any desired authority by using token smart contracts. (b) Food safety can be enhanced through TPC visible to consumers through mobile application and blockchain technology, thus reducing counterfeiting and green washing. (c) The framework is structured and maintained because participants obtain economical incentives thus leveraging it´s practical usage. In summary, this implementation of TPC broadcasting through tokens can improve transparency and sustainable conscientious consumer behaviour, thus enabling a more trustworthy supply chain transparency.

Health Care

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Pestieau ◽  
Mathieu Lefebvre
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
The Public ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Care Systems

This chapter reviews the public health care systems as well as their challenges. It first shows how expenditure on health care has evolved in previous decades and deals with the reasons for the growth observed in almost every European country. It emphasizes the role of technological progress as a main explanatory factor of the increase in medical expenditure but also points to the challenges facing cost-containment policies. Especially, the main common features of health care systems in Europe, such as third-party payment, single provider approach and cost-based reimbursement are discussed. Finally the chapter shows that although inequalities in health exist in the population, health care systems are redistributive. Reforms are thus needed but the trade-off between budgetary efficiency and equity is difficult.

Quick Response Code: Medication Prescription

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Fatina Yusni ◽  
Nur Farah Hanani Mohd Zaim ◽  
Siti Khairul Niza Sukri ◽  
Noreha Che Sidik ◽  
Shamsul Jamel Elias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quick Response ◽  
Response Code ◽  
Medication Prescription ◽  
Quick Response Code

Has the time come to integrate genetic risk scores into clinical practice?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
F.V Moniz Mendonca ◽  
M.I Mendonca ◽  
A Pereira ◽  
J Monteiro ◽  
J Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Genetic Risk Scores ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Cad Risk

Abstract Background The risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, as well as by the interaction between them. It is estimated that genetic factors could account for 40% to 55% of the existing variability among the population (inheritability). Therefore, some authors have advised that it is time we integrated genetic risk scores into clinical practice. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the association between an additive genetic risk score (aGRS) and CAD based on the cumulative number of risk alleles in these variants, and to estimate whether their use is valuable in clinical practice. Methods A case-control study was performed in a Portuguese population. We enrolled 3120 participants, of whom 1687 were CAD patients and 1433 were normal controls. Controls were paired to cases with respect to gender and age. 33 genetic variants known to be associated with CAD were selected, and an aGRS was calculated for each individual. The aGRS was further subdivided into deciles groups, in order to estimate the CAD risk in each decile, defined by the number of risk alleles. The magnitude of the risk (odds ratio) was calculated for each group by multiple logistic regression using the 5th decile as the reference group (median). In order to evaluate the ability of the aGRS to discriminate susceptibility to CAD, two genetic models were performed, the first with traditional risk factors (TRF) and second with TRF plus aGRS. The AUC of the two ROC curves was calculated. Results A higher prevalence of cases over controls became apparent from the 6th decile of the aGRS, reflecting the higher number of risk alleles present (see figure). The difference in CAD risk was only significant from the 6th decile, increasing gradually until the 10th decile. The odds ratio (OR) for the last decile related to 5th decile (median) was 1.87 (95% CI:1.36–2.56; p<0.0001). The first model yielded an AUC=0.738 (95% CI:0.720–0.755) and the second model was slightly more discriminative for CAD risk (AUC=0.748; 95% CI:0.730–0.765). The DeLong test was significant (p=0.0002). Conclusion Adding an aGRS to the non-genetic risk factors resulted in a modest improvement in the ability to discriminate the risk of CAD. Such improvement, even if statistically significant, does not appear to be of real value in clinical practice yet. We anticipate that with the development of further knowledge about different SNPs and their complex interactions, and with the inclusion of rare genetic variants, genetic risk scores will be better suited for use in a clinical setting. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals The platformisation of public service broadcasting in Germany: The network ‘funk’ and the case of Druck/Skam Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-144
Author(s):  
Sven Stollfuß
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Mobile Media ◽  
Media Environment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Web Series ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
German Adaptation

This article investigates how platformisation changes the practices of content production and distribution through the case of the web series, Druck (tr. Pressure (2018–), for the public service content network ‘funk’ (ARD and ZDF). An analysis of the German adaptation of the Norwegian television and web series Skam (tr. Shame) (NRK3, 2015–2017) shows how public service broadcasting (PSB) in Germany is changing due to the influence of social media. To reach a younger audience, PSB has to meet them on third-party platforms. Consequently, PSB must provide content that fits the mobile media environment of social media.

scholarly journals Optical Encryption Based on Computer Generated Holograms in Photopolymer

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1358
Author(s):  
Taihui Wu ◽  
Jianshe Ma ◽  
Chengchen Wang ◽  
Haibei Wang ◽  
Liangcai Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Angular Spectrum ◽  
Quick Response ◽  
Response Code ◽  
Optical Encryption ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Quick Response Code ◽  
Computer Generated Holograms ◽  
Encryption Method

An optical encryption method based on computer generated holograms printing of photopolymer is presented. Fraunhofer diffraction is performed based on the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm, and a hologram of the Advanced Encryption Standard encrypted Quick Response code is generated to record the ciphertext. The holograms of the key and the three-dimensional image are generated by the angular spectrum diffraction algorithm. The experimental results show that large-size encrypted Quick Response (QR) code and miniature keys can be printed in photopolymers, which has good application prospects in optical encryption. This method has the advantages of high-density storage, high speed, large fault tolerance, and anti-peeping.

scholarly journals Snus and snus-like nicotine products moving across Nordic borders: Can laws protect young people?

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252199570
Author(s):  
Marjut Salokannel ◽  
Eeva Ollila
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
European Court ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Eu

Background: Use of snus and snus-like nicotine products is increasing, in particular among young people, in several Nordic countries and Estonia, while snus is legally on the market only in Sweden and Norway. Snus is available in a great variety of tastes and packaging particularly catering for young users. Recently, strong snus-resembling nicotine pouches have emerged on the market. This research investigates the regulatory means to counteract this development. Methods: European Union (EU) and national tobacco control legislation, case law of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) and relevant public health studies are analysed. Results: The research finds that the judgement of the CJEU relating to the sale of snus on Finnish ferries has not been enforced. Permitted large traveller imports for personal use have contributed to wide availability of snus in Finland. Even if the legislation in Sweden is in conformity with the exemption it obtained in the Accession Treaty, the public health impact of snus use for young people in its neighbouring countries has become considerable. Nicotine pouches, -which are not regarded as medical products in terms of medicine legislation, lack harmonised EU-wide regulation. Controlling smuggling across open borders is challenging. Conclusions: The legislation at the EU and national levels should be able to protect young people from new tobacco and nicotine products. It is urgent to harmonise regulation relating to new tobacco and nicotine products taking as a base a high level of protection of health as required in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

Will Routine Annual Influenza Prevention and Control Systems Serve the United States Well in a Pandemic?

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. S160-S165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne S. Ringel ◽  
Melinda Moore ◽  
John Zambrano ◽  
Nicole Lurie
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
The Public ◽  
Influenza Prevention ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the extent to which the systems in place for prevention and control of routine annual influenza could provide the information and experience needed to manage a pandemic.Methods: The authors conducted a qualitative assessment based on key informant interviews and the review of relevant documents.Results: Although there are a number of systems in place that would likely serve the United States well in a pandemic, much of the information and experience needed to manage a pandemic optimally is not available.Conclusions: Systems in place for routine annual influenza prevention and control are necessary but not sufficient for managing a pandemic, nor are they used to their full potential for pandemic preparedness. Pandemic preparedness can be strengthened by building more explicitly upon routine influenza activities and the public health system’s response to the unique challenges that arise each influenza season (eg, vaccine supply issues, higher than normal rates of influenza-related deaths). (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 2):S160–S165)

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