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The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), also known as Asiatic elephant is facing a significant decline in its wild populations due to habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, leading to increased conflicts between humans and elephants. Preserving this iconic species is crucial, prompting researchers to explore various aspects of its biology, behavior, ecology and conservation efforts. In light of the profound importance of this subject, this study utilizes a descriptive systematic literature review (SLR) to examine global research trends on Asian elephants. Analyzing a dataset of 1780 articles spanning from 1914 to 2022, the study reveals a notable increase in publications, particularly since 2000, with 142 articles published in 2022 alone. This research provides a comprehensive overview of advancements in Asian elephant studies, promoting international collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers. While research from leading scientific countries can aid in conservation efforts, there is a call for more inclusive, participatory and fair approaches. The study demonstrates a commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (EID) by adopting a multifaceted approach that considers the needs, perspectives and contributions of diverse stakeholders. By addressing disparities and advocating for social justice within elephant conservation, the study emphasizes the urgent need for collective action in conservation, welfare improvement, conflict resolution, ecosystem balance and overall enhancement of understanding about Asian elephants. Serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, conservation organizations and researchers, the study not only synthesizes existing literature but also identifies research gaps, highlights areas requiring immediate attention, and offers collaborative opportunities for global scientists to contribute to the well-being and preservation of this majestic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MERS is an emerging infectious disease with high consequences. • PHE Manchester receives a high number of MERS surveillance samples. • Sputum samples are the optimum samples for diagnosing respiratory viruses. • Multiple samples per patient result in a 100% diagnostic yield and a confirmed end-diagnosis. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and caused an epidemic in the Middle East. Public Health England (PHE) Manchester is one of the two PHE centres in the UK that perform testing for MERS-CoV. The results of the PHE Manchester MERS surveillance from 2012 to 2019 are presented in this report. Retrospective data were collected for returning travellers from the Middle East fitting the PHE MERS case definition. Respiratory samples were tested for respiratory viruses and MERS-CoV using an in-house RT-PCR assay. Four hundred and twenty-six (426) samples from 264 patients were tested for MERS Co-V and respiratory viruses. No MERS-CoV infections were identified by PCR. Fifty-six percent of samples were PCR positive for viral or bacterial pathogen with Influenza A as the predominant virus (44%). Sixty-two percent of all patients had a pathogen identified with the highest positivity from sputum samples. Patients with multiple samples demonstrated a 100% diagnostic yield. Although no cases of MERS were identified, the majority of patients had Influenza infection for which oseltamivir treatment was indicated and isolation warranted. Sputum samples were the most useful in diagnosing respiratory viruses with a 100% diagnostic yield from patients with multiple samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The public often turn to social media for information during emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) outbreaks. This study identified the major approaches and assessed the rigors in published research articles on EIDs and social media. Methods We searched 5 databases for published journal articles on EIDs and social media. We then evaluated these articles in terms of EIDs studied, social media examined, theoretical frameworks, methodologic approaches, and research findings. Results Thirty articles were included in the analysis (published between January 1, 2010, and March 1, 2016). EIDs that received most scholarly attention were H1N1 (or swine flu, n = 15), Ebola virus (n = 10), and H7N9 (or avian flu/bird flu, n = 2). Twitter was the most often studied social media (n = 17), followed by YouTube (n = 6), Facebook (n = 6), and blogs (n = 6). Three major approaches in this area of inquiry are identified: (1) assessment of the public's interest in and responses to EIDs, (2) examination of organizations' use of social media in communicating EIDs, and (3) evaluation of the accuracy of EID-related medical information on social media. Conclusions Although academic studies of EID communication on social media are on the rise, they still suffer from a lack of theorization and a need for more methodologic rigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes challenges encountered in applying Jens Rasmussen's Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework to the practice of energy efficiency Monitoring & Targeting (M&T). Eight theoretic issues encountered in the analysis are described with respect to Rasmussen's work and the modeling solutions we adopted. We grappled with how to usefully apply Work Domain Analysis (WDA) to analyze categories of domains with secondary purposes and no ideal grain of decomposition. This difficulty encouraged us to pursue Control Task (ConTA) and Strategies (StrA) analysis, which are under-explored as bases for interface design. In ConTA we found M&T was best represented by two interlinked work functions; one controlling energy, the other maintaining knowledge representations. From StrA, we identified a popular representation-dependent strategy and inferred information required to diagnose faults in system performance and knowledge representation. This article presents and discusses excerpts from our analysis, and outlines their application to diagnosis support tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where lies the balance between privacy and transparency? It is an everlasting question, that lied at the heart of the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The case concerned the Ultimate Beneficial Ownership registry which contains the information of who has a financial interest in companies. The registry was open to the public. The wide accessibility aimed to increase transparency and thereby prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism (MLFT). The registry was open to public access and the question to the CJEU was whether the accessibility was lawful. The judgement of the CJEU declared the wide accessibility to be unlawful. The judgement acknowledges the importance of the concept of transparency but nevertheless considers the public access to be unproportionate. Leaving the question of how to balance transparency with privacy. The answer can be found in redesigning the European electronic Identity. This case-note will first discuss the facts of the case in section 2. The note will then continue by summarizing the opinion of the Advocate General in section 3. In section 4 the note will summarize the judgement of the CJEU. The case note will end in section 5 with an analysis of the impact of the case in relation to developing a digital European Identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dissociation of singly charged mononucleotides by electron induced dissociation (EID) and sustained off resonance irradiation/collision induced dissociation (SORI-CID) was investigated. The experiments have been carried out on deprotonated mononucleotides monomers. In general the same product ions are observed in the EID and SORI-CID spectra but some additional product ions have been obtained with EID. It was shown by MS3 experiments that all these additional product ions have been produced through consecutive dissociations of the [M−2H] − radical anion. In addition, H/D exchange and sequential MS3 experiments demonstrated that the m/z 247 fragment ion produced in EID of deprotonated 2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-monophosphate corresponds to the association of the phosphate group and the nucleobase. They were most likely linked by a non-covalent bond that was initially present in the precursor ion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficient eGovernment and eCommerce require the ability to authenticate citizens and transactions online, whereas the increasing mobility of citizens demands reliable identification. Identity documents tend to become the most popular form of identity tokens used for these purposes. An important problem, however, is that they can easily be passed on or used by a fraudster. We discuss the use of identity documents and the problem of linking these documents with their genuine holder. We discuss ePassports and eID cards in general using the Belgian identity documents as a reference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectivesWe studied associations between iron status and early functional and structural vascular abnormalities in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH).: BackgroundIron may be involved in atherogenesis, and patients bearing a genetic mutation associated with HH are possibly at risk of developing coronary heart disease.: MethodsWe studied the vascular properties of 41 HH patients who had homozygosity for the C282Y mutation, along with 51 age-matched control subjects, by determination of endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery.: ResultsMale HH patients who were not receiving phlebotomy therapy showed a reduced EDD and increased IMT compared with controls and HH patients receiving therapy. In female HH patients, irrespective of treatment status, vascular parameters were not different from those of controls, and none of these patients had severe iron overload. In HH patients, increased iron load was significantly associated with reduced EDD and increased IMT. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between body iron stores and indicators of oxidative stress. When previously untreated male HH patients were re-investigated after intensive phlebotomy therapy, a significant improvement in EDD was observed (2.6 ± 1.3% before vs. 5.5 ± 2.1% after treatment, p = 0.0015).: ConclusionsImpaired endothelial function and increased IMT are associated with iron overload, with subsequent induction of oxidative stress, and are not linked to a genetic disability in HH patients. Consequent iron-depletion therapy normalizes endothelial function and may thus reduce the increased risk of cardiovascular events. Female patients may be at a reduced risk, presumably due to continuous iron loss by menstruation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]