scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part II: Motivation and Strategy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8047
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Global Policy ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Migration

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other well-known social and environmental problems pose grave risks. Progress has been insufficient, and as a result, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that bold change is required. At least two kinds of bold change are conceivable: reform of existing societal systems (e.g., financial, economic, and governance systems), including their institutions, policies, and priorities; and transformation, understood here as the de novo development of and migration to new and improved systems. The latter has barely been explored in the scientific literature and is the focus of this concept paper. The main theses explored are that transformation is prudent, given risks, attractive, given potential benefits, and achievable, given political, social, and financial constraints. A body of literature is cited in support, but that body is necessarily small given the novelty of the topic. In particular, there are almost no papers in the scientific literature addressing the “how to?” of transformation, a central theme of this paper. Thus, this paper serves in part to raise topics and bring attention to possibilities and new directions.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6881 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
And Migration

Humanity faces serious social and environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Increasingly, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public conclude that incremental approaches to reduce risk are insufficient and transformative change is needed across all sectors of society. However, the meaning of transformation is still unsettled in the literature, as is the proper role of science in fostering it. This paper is the first in a three-part series that adds to the discussion by proposing a novel science-driven research-and-development program aimed at societal transformation. More than a proposal, it offers a perspective and conceptual framework from which societal transformation might be approached. As part of this, it advances a formal mechanics with which to model and understand self-organizing societies of individuals. While acknowledging the necessity of reform to existing societal systems (e.g., governance, economic, and financial systems), the focus of the series is on transformation understood as systems change or systems migration—the de novo development of and migration to new societal systems. The series provides definitions, aims, reasoning, worldview, and a theory of change, and discusses fitness metrics and design principles for new systems. This first paper proposes a worldview, built using ideas from evolutionary biology, complex systems science, cognitive sciences, and information theory, which is intended to serve as the foundation for the R&D program. Subsequent papers in the series build on the worldview to address fitness metrics, system design, and other topics.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Boik
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
And Migration

Humanity faces serious social and environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Risks are increasing and conditions deteriorating. Increasingly, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public conclude that incremental approaches are insufficient and transformative change is needed across all sectors of society. However, the meaning of transformation is still unsettled in the literature, as is the proper role of science in fostering it. This paper is the first in a three-part series that adds to the discussion by proposing a novel science-driven research-and-development program aimed at societal transformation. More than a proposal, it offers a perspective and conceptual framework from which societal transformation might be approached and understood. While acknowledging the necessity of reform to existing societal systems (e.g., governance, economic, and financial systems), the focus of the series is on transformation understood as systems change or systems migration—the de novo development of and migration to new societal systems. The series provides definitions, aims, reasoning, worldview, and a theory of change, and discusses fitness metrics and design principles for new systems. This first paper proposes a worldview built using ideas from evolutionary biology, complex systems science, cognitive sciences, and information theory that is intended to serve as the foundation for the R&D program.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part II: Motivation and Strategy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Cognitive Architectures ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Global Science

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other social and environmental problems pose grave risks. Progress so far has been incremental and insufficient, and as a result scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that bold change is required across all sectors of society. At least two kinds of bold change are conceivable: reform of existing societal systems (e.g., financial, economic, legal, and governance systems), including their institutions, policies, rules, and priorities; and transformation, understood as the de novo development of and migration to new, improved systems. This paper is the second in a series of three that together propose a novel science-driven research and development program aimed at societal transformation. Moreover, the series advances a conceptual framework and formal mechanics by which societal transformation might be approached. Two of the underlying hypotheses are that new societal systems can be developed in a science-driven process to be fit for purpose, and system fitness can be compared across designs. Societies are viewed as superorganisms, and systems are viewed as a societal cognitive architecture. The first paper in the series provides definitions, aims, hypotheses, and a worldview. This paper discusses motivations, the role of science in societal transformation, a theory of change, and fitness metrics. The proposed R&D program and theory of change are sound, viable, and affordable. The local-global-viral strategy invites the global science community to play a unique co-leadership role with local communities in the development, testing, and monitoring of new societal systems. Systems are implemented via a novel civic club model, where participation is voluntary. Clubs grow and replicate based on merit and aided by club networks, whose systems are also viewed as societal cognitive architectures. Benefits of the program and strategy are discussed.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part III: Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
And Migration

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other major social and environmental problems pose severe risks. Progress has been inadequate and scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that transformational change is needed across all sectors of society in order to improve and maintain social and ecological wellbeing. At least two paths to transformation are conceivable: (1) reform of and innovation within existing societal systems (e.g., economic, legal, and governance systems); and (2) the de novo development of and migration to new and improved societal systems. This paper is the final in a three-part series of concept papers that together outline a novel science-driven research and development program aimed at the second path. It summarizes literature to build a narrative on the topic of de novo design of societal systems. The purpose is to raise issues, suggest design possibilities, and highlight directions and questions that could be explored in the context of this or any R&D program aimed at new system design. This paper does not present original research, but rather provides a synthesis of selected ideas from the literature. Following other papers in the series, a society is viewed as a superorganism and its societal systems as a cognitive architecture. Accordingly, a central goal of design is to improve the collective cognitive capacity of a society, rendering it more capable of achieving and sustainably maintaining vitality. Topics of attention, communication, self-identity, power, and influence are discussed in relation to societal cognition and system design. A prototypical societal system is described, and some design considerations are highlighted.

MYRF haploinsufficiency causes 46,XY and 46,XX disorders of sex development: bioinformatics consideration

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 2319-2329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Hamanaka ◽  
Atsushi Takata ◽  
Yuri Uchiyama ◽  
Satoko Miyatake ◽  
Noriko Miyake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Causative Gene ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Proliferation And Migration

AbstractDisorders of sex development (DSDs) are defined as congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. In many DSD cases, genetic causes remain to be elucidated. Here, we performed a case–control exome sequencing study comparing gene-based burdens of rare damaging variants between 26 DSD cases and 2625 controls. We found exome-wide significant enrichment of rare heterozygous truncating variants in the MYRF gene encoding myelin regulatory factor, a transcription factor essential for oligodendrocyte development. All three variants occurred de novo. We identified an additional 46,XY DSD case of a de novo damaging missense variant in an independent cohort. The clinical symptoms included hypoplasia of Müllerian derivatives and ovaries in 46,XX DSD patients, defective development of Sertoli and Leydig cells in 46,XY DSD patients and congenital diaphragmatic hernia in one 46,XY DSD patient. As all of these cells and tissues are or partly consist of coelomic epithelium (CE)-derived cells (CEDC) and CEDC developed from CE via proliferaiton and migration, MYRF might be related to these processes. Consistent with this hypothesis, single-cell RNA sequencing of foetal gonads revealed high expression of MYRF in CE and CEDC. Reanalysis of public chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data for rat Myrf showed that genes regulating proliferation and migration were enriched among putative target genes of Myrf. These results suggested that MYRF is a novel causative gene of 46,XY and 46,XX DSD and MYRF is a transcription factor regulating CD and/or CEDC proliferation and migration, which is essential for development of multiple organs.

Targeting IL-17 attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension through downregulation of β-catenin

Thorax ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 564-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Wang Wang ◽  
Xianmei Qi ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Coculture Model ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Arterial Endothelial Cells

BackgroundThe role of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) remains unclear. This study is designed to explore whether IL-17 is a potential target for HPH treatment.MethodsClinic samples from the lung tissue and serum were obtained from qualified patients. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and/or ELISA were used to measure the expression of relevant proteins. HPH models were established in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-17−/− mice and were treated with exogenous recombinant mouse IL-17 (rmIL-17) or an IL-17 neutralising antibody. Assays for cell proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion were employed to analyse the behaviours of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). A non-contact Transwell coculture model was used to evaluate intercellular interactions.ResultsExpression of IL-17 was increased in lung tissue of both patients with bronchiectasis/COPD-associated PH and HPH mouse model. Compared with WT mice, IL-17−/− mice had attenuated HPH, whereas administration of rmIL-17 aggravated HPH. In vitro, recombinant human IL-17 (rhIL-17) promoted proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion in HPAECs through upregulation of Wnt3a/β-catenin/CyclinD1 pathway, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin almost completely reversed this IL-17-mediated phenomena. IL-17 promoted the proliferation but not the migration of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) cocultured with HPAECs under both normoxia and hypoxia, but IL-17 had no direct effect on proliferation and migration of HPASMCs. Blockade of IL-17 with a neutralising antibody attenuated HPH in WT mice.ConclusionsIL-17 contributes to the pathogenesis of HPH through upregulation of β-catenin expression. Targeting IL-17 might provide potential benefits for alternative therapeutic strategies for HPH.

scholarly journals Off-label prescriptions in diabetic foot

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-197
Author(s):  
Luís Jesuíno de Oliveira Andrade ◽  
Larissa Santos França ◽  
Paulo Roberto Santana de Melo ◽  
Marcelo Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Medical Subject Heading ◽  
International Database ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Search Form ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Targeted Drug ◽  
Methods Of Treatment

Prescription of a drug outside of the indications for which it was originally approved by regulators is internationally known as "off-label" prescription. We describe off-label treatments for the diabetic foot reported in international scientific literature. This is a qualitative and descriptive bibliographical review based on the results of a search of the Medline international database. The criteria for review were publication between January 1985 and November 2013, and the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) keywords "off-label use" OR "off-label" OR "off-label prescribing" plus "diabetic foot" were input on the search form. Nine studies were selected that contained information about off-label treatments for the diabetic foot. We conclude that the practice of off-label prescribing has potential benefits. In some situations an off-label prescription is the only treatment available for patients, either because a more targeted drug does not exist, or because other methods of treatment are ineffective or unavailable due to patient intolerance.

scholarly journals International funding agencies: potential leaders of impact evaluation in protected areas?

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1681) ◽  
pp. 20140283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D. Craigie ◽  
Megan D. Barnes ◽  
Jonas Geldmann ◽  
Stephen Woodley
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Evaluation Methods ◽  
Protected Area Management ◽  
International Funding ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Potential Benefits

Globally, protected areas are the most commonly used tools to halt biodiversity loss. Yet, some are failing to adequately conserve the biodiversity they contain. There is an urgent need for knowledge on how to make them function more effectively. Impact evaluation methods provide a set of tools that could yield this knowledge. However, rigorous outcome-focused impact evaluation is not yet used as extensively as it could be in protected area management. We examine the role of international protected area funding agencies in facilitating the use of impact evaluation. These agencies are influential stakeholders as they allocate hundreds of millions of dollars annually to support protected areas, creating a unique opportunity to shape how the conservation funds are spent globally. We identify key barriers to the use of impact evaluation, detail how large funders are uniquely placed to overcome many of these, and highlight the potential benefits if impact evaluation is used more extensively.

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