General Public Policy Research Articles

A Paper-Based Multiplexed Serological Test to Monitor Immunity against SARS-COV-2 Using Machine Learning.

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 caused the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated vaccine development to prevent the spread of the virus and control the disease. Given the sustained high infectivity and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, there is an ongoing interest in developing COVID-19 serology tests to monitor population-level immunity. To address this critical need, we designed a paper-based multiplexed vertical flow assay (xVFA) using five structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2, detecting IgG and IgM antibodies to monitor changes in COVID-19 immunity levels. Our platform not only tracked longitudinal immunity levels but also categorized COVID-19 immunity into three groups: protected, unprotected, and infected, based on the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies. We operated two xVFAs in parallel to detect IgG and IgM antibodies using a total of 40 μL of human serum sample in <20 min per test. After the assay, images of the paper-based sensor panel were captured using a mobile phone-based custom-designed optical reader and then processed by a neural network-based serodiagnostic algorithm. The serodiagnostic algorithm was trained with 120 measurements/tests and 30 serum samples from 7 randomly selected individuals and was blindly tested with 31 serum samples from 8 different individuals, collected before vaccination as well as after vaccination or infection, achieving an accuracy of 89.5%. The competitive performance of the xVFA, along with its portability, cost-effectiveness, and rapid operation, makes it a promising computational point-of-care (POC) serology test for monitoring COVID-19 immunity, aiding in timely decisions on the administration of booster vaccines and general public health policies to protect vulnerable populations.

Contested and Evolving Pandemic – A Follow-up Study on National Policymakers’ Interpretations

Abstract Background The prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that perceptions of the crisis change over time. In this follow-up study we explore how national level policymakers interpret COVID-19 pandemic as a past, present, and future event and crisis. By doing so the contested nature of pandemic governance reveals, i.e. that the interpretations of the on-going crisis shape the policy choices and health system response. National policymakers have been demanded to make sense of emergent and ambiguous events and to form public health actions accordingly. Different interpretations on pandemic have been in core of pandemic governance and have influenced public policy and pandemic responses. Methods We applied a qualitative follow-up research design. Study informants were identified by purposive sampling by their position as central government pandemic policymakers in Finland. The semi-structured interviews were collected in 2021 (n = 21) after the first two pandemic waves, and in winter 2022-2023 (n = 16) after full vaccinations of the population. Results Three interpretations of COVID-19 were identified: Underlining the hard work needed to overcome the crisis, pandemic as a past event was framed through undeniable success. As an ongoing crisis, pandemic was discussed as having become mundane and less important on the public health agenda. As future crisis the pandemic was merged into a continuum of other (non-public health related) crises instead of being reflected solely from health perspectives. Conclusions The way of interpreting a crisis has significant influence on public policy. Prolonged pandemic showed contested nature of public health crisis in general public policy agenda; and its’ ending was not represented as clear cut, as it dissolved and was entwined into other crises and agendas. Crisis interpretations effect on future, since they profoundly affect how crises responses, future pandemic preparedness, policies or evaluation of effects are framed and formed. Key messages • Conceptions on COVID-19 crisis evolve in time and they effect policies to be formed. • Contested nature of pandemic draws attention from solely public health policies into continuum of crises on public policy agenda.

The effect of policy narratives on policy elite versus public preferences for hydraulic fracturing regulation

AbstractCentral to the growing policy debate surrounding climate change is the role of fossil fuels in the energy sector. Chief among these issues is the role of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” which has drawn controversy for its negative externalities while also allowing the extraction of a new range of oil and gas reserves. This research applies the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), combined with grid‐group cultural theory (CT), to examine the similarities and differences in the ways in which the general public and policy elites' policy preferences are shaped by culturally nuanced fracking narratives. In doing so, we employ a unique online survey experiment using a sample of the general public (n = 1149) and local policy elites (n = 1110), where our experimental subjects are assigned to one of four groups: a control group which receives a standard list of facts regarding fracking, and three treatment groups, each of which receives an egalitarian, individualist, and hierarch fracking policy narrative, respectively. We utilize causal mediation analysis to comparatively examine effects of these narrative treatments on fracking policy preferences. We find that policy elites and the general public are influenced by narrative elements in different ways, suggesting how a potential gap in policy preferences could form even if the general public and policy elites are exposed to the same policy narratives. This has implications for fracking regulation policy processes as well as other environmental and energy policy domains.

Public Interest and Safeguard Clauses in Private International Law

In its judgment in case C-135/15 dated April 20, 2016 the Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed the most important provisions of the doctrine of F.C. Savigny: 1) the public policy of the state is protected both by a general public policy clause (negative clause) and by special rules of a strictly positive, imperative nature (positive clause); 2) the application of positive and negative public policy clauses is based on considerations of public interest that are of fundamental importance for the political, social or economic structure of the country. In the constitutional law of Russia and foreign countries, the political, social and economic foundations of the country’s structure are the three fundamental foundations of the state, enshrined as provisions of the Constitution. The EU Regulation Rome I (Art. 9), the Civil Code of the Netherlands (Art. 10:7) and other modern foreign legal acts, as characteristics of super-imperative norms, fix the protection of public interests related to the three fundamental foundations of the organization of the state: political, social or economic structure (organization) of the state.Art. 1193 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation establishes the elements on the legal, political or economic system of the state used by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation as a template to determine the differences in the system of the state. Therefore, they are not suitable for the characteristics of public policy and protective clauses on public policy. Enshrined in Part 3 of Art. 55 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, public interests (constitutionally significant values) are of fundamental importance for the political, social or economic structure of the country. In accordance with the doctrine, modern legislation and practice, public policy is based on these interests within the meaning of private international law. Considerations related to the indicated public interests underlie the application of both positive (Article 1192 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation) and negative (Article 1193 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation) public policy clauses.

Young Adult’s Lived Experiences and Perceptions of a New Alternative to Smoking: A Qualitative Study

Smoking electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is currently a common social behaviour worldwide. Malaysia has the second highest smoking rate in the world after the United States. Some countries have positively embraced e-cigarettes to combat traditional cigarettes. However, most Asian countries, including Malaysia, are not sure whether to endorse or ban e-cigarette smoking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevailing meanings and motives for e-cigarette smoking. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experiences and underlying perceptions of e-cigarette smoking. A total 45 participants from the young adult age group (18-25) were selected and interviewed individually with open-ended questions until saturation was reached. Seven themes emerged from the analysis, namely public acceptance, social status and peer influence, healthy alternatives, smoking cessation tools, individual empowerment, flavourful attractions, and ease of availability. The themes identified provide a good understanding of this phenomenon for effective management of e-cigarette sales and general public health policy planning.

The International Investment Regime and Climate Change Goals: Clash of the Existing Systems and Available Balancing Tools

International commitments of states require them to adopt regulatory measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions to combat climate change. This is likely to trigger a wave of investor-state claims by affected foreign investors, mostly from the fossil fuel industry. As no precedent currently exists, this article seeks to analyse how investment tribunals might approach such claims and balance substantive protections under international investment agreements with host states’ obligations under the international climate change regime. After a brief overview of international climate change law, the article considers whether investor-state dispute settlement may serve as an enforcement mechanism for states’ international climate change commitments, or rather investors’ claims cause a regulatory chill. The article further analyses how international climate change law might be applied in investment treaty disputes and concludes that it is likely to be invoked to interpret standards of investment protection. Finally, the view is adopted that the police powers doctrine defence and invocation of general public policy exceptions, contained in new generation investment treaties, might excuse host states from compensation for regulatory measures adopted in furtherance of climate goals.

The corporate influence on food charity and aid: The "Hunger Industrial Complex" and the death of welfare.

There is an existing literature on how food companies, including the unhealthy food commodity industries, influence policy through a number of approaches. Direct approaches include lobbying and funding of research. Backdoor or indirect tactics used by food companies to demonstrate engagement include funding community groups, tactics previously used by the tobacco industry. Food industry support for food charities engaged in food donations is an area that has not received attention. This is another backdoor approach and one which may compromise more general public health policy. It is no surprise that the companies that engage in this can be largely fall under the rubric of unhealthy food commodity industries. This link is sometimes referred to as the “hunger industrial complex” and is based on the argument that an alliance exists between the food industry and the food banking movement. With rising levels of food insecurity there is pressure on the food system to donate food to charitable enterprises such as food banks and soups kitchens, which is often encouraged by government policy such as “Good Samaritan legislation”. Food businesses contribute surplus food and often promote it as part of their corporate social responsibility agenda. The argument presented here is not an anti-food charity one but one which challenges the development of charitable food aid as a system and a replacement for public policy. The reasons for this can be summarized under three headings: (1) such donation systems compromise the wider application of public food welfare and give the impression that food poverty is being addressed; (2) the links with food corporations provide a backdoor for influence on wider food policies; and (3) researchers taking money from food charities may be compromised by the direct and indirect relationships with companies. The focus in this paper is on the latter two issues; the first will be established as a context with work we have published elsewhere. This article draws on examples from the UK of how charities have linked with chocolate and soft drink companies. Examples include: “For every Easter egg bought on the Cadbury Worldwide Hide, Cadbury will donate an Easter egg to a food bank in our network”; a Coca-Cola initiative in December 2021 “Win a meal, give a meal on-pack competition across Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar consumption packs, giving consumers the chance to win food-related vouchers, while donating to FareShare”; and an October 2021 initiative where “McDonald's joins forces with FareShare to fund 1 million meals for UK families”. These relationships go beyond companies donating surplus food to food charities such as food banks and pantries to encouraging consumers to buy their products with the promise that the company will contribute products to such charities or provide cash donations in return for the purchase of their product.

Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors and Adherence to Social Distancing Recommendations During Covid-19 Pandemic in Gonabad, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Adherence to social distancing recommendations provided by health authorities plays an important role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 transmission, regarding the lack of effective drug therapies. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the relationship between socio-demographic factors and adherence to social distancing recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic in Gonabad, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 587 subjects aged 15 and older were selected using the convenience sampling method from urban and rural areas in Gonabad, Iran, from July to September 2020. Data were collected online using a socio-demographic characteristics form, the adherence to social distancing recommendations scale, and a coronavirus disease awareness survey. Subsequently, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) using hierarchical linear regression. The statistical significance was considered as P<0.05.Results: 72.23% (95% confidence interval: 68.41%-75.82%) of the participants followed the recommendations of social distancing at the high level. Nevertheless, many differences were observed in the subgroups which resulted from the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. According to the multiple linear regression model, sex (β=0.24, P<0.001) was the most important determinant of adherence to social behavioral recommendations, followed by occupation (β=0.15, P<0.001), age (β=0.14, P=0.007), awareness (β=0.13, P=0.001), and history of mental illness (β=-0.08, P=0.049).Conclusion: For the effective management of pandemics, the general public health policies should also consider the variability in responses and behavioral changes caused by socio-demographic characteristics, rather than focusing only on general measures, such as social distancing.

Body Mass and Emotional Eating: Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) in the Polish Adolescents' COVID-19 Experience (PLACE-19) Study.

Stress caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may lead to emotional eating which may have a negative impact on the weight status. This study aimed to analyze the association between emotional eating and body mass, as well as changes in body mass during the COVID-19 pandemic, within the Polish Adolescents’ COVID-19 Experience (PLACE-19) Study. A total of 1126 Polish adolescents, aged 15–20, were included. A random quota sampling was performed within a national sample, and emotional eating was assessed using Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ). Based on the declared height and weight before and during the pandemic, the respondents were categorized according to their body mass (malnourished, normal weight, overweight, obese) and changes in body mass during the COVID-19 pandemic (lost weight, no body mass change, gained weight). Higher EEQ scores were achieved by female respondents compared with males (p < 0.0001), respondents who stated that they gained weight during the pandemic compared with those who stated either weight loss or no body mass change (p < 0.0001), and overweight and obese respondents compared with those who had normal weight and who were malnourished (p < 0.0001). A higher share of emotional eaters and very emotional eaters was found among female respondents, respondents stating weight gain during the pandemic, and overweight and obese respondents, compared with the other ones (p < 0.0001). Based on the findings, it may be concluded that among Polish adolescents gender, body mass, and body mass change during the COVID-19 pandemic are the major determinants of emotional eating behaviors and that female individuals, obese individuals, and those gaining weight are especially vulnerable to emotional eating behaviors. The results of the study suggest that the issue of emotional eating should be addressed in general public health policy and appropriate education should be provided to vulnerable groups such as female and obese adolescents.

Historical Aspect of Inflation in Pre and Post Covid-19 Pandemic in Pakistan

Covid-19 Pandemic proved to be very dangerous and catastrophic in the entire history of mankind. It affected every corner of the world within less than a year. It changed the lifestyle and paralyzed all modern technology and killed millions of people around the globe. This study presents the historical overview of major world pandemics and Covid-19 as well. It also examines the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on inflation and on other sectors of Pakistan's economy. The results reveal that covid-19 is the main culprit responsible for double digit inflation and slow economic growth in Pakistan. The present study explores that during 2020 high inflation was due to world lock down while in 2021 the main cause of inflation was persistent increase in oil prices, food shortage, political instability in Afghanistan and devaluation of Pakistan’s rupee. The results indicate that Covid-19 affects adversely every sector of Pakistan economy. The study suggests that government should pay proper attention to health of the general public and implement suitable policies to stabilize the economic growth.

Qualitative Research and Aging in Context: Implications to Social Study in China

This article begins with a review of methods that gerontologists use in social and behavioral research. The value and focus of qualitative research are highlighted with their epistemological roots. Qualitative approaches and their uses are summarized in terms of “interpretive” and “critical” social sciences that draw the insights of sociological paradigms. With a further review of qualitative research on aging and gerontological studies in China, the article focuses on an integrated micro-macro model by illuminating the ideas of clinical sociology and the general public policy framework of an “economic state in transition.” Implications to social policy study (particularly on aging in China) are discussed.

Identifying how the principles of self-determination could be applied to create effective alcohol policy for First Nations Australians: Synthesising the lessons from the development of general public policy

Harmful alcohol consumption contributes to poorer health for all people. For Indigenous Peoples of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand alcohol impacts their wellbeing significantly, this is partially explained by both their experiences of colonisation and the resulting impact on structural and social determinants of health. Indigenous Peoples have a recognised right to self-determination, which includes their right to contribute to policy decisions that affect them. This right is based on international recognition and principles, and acknowledgement of historical culture and law. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the processes of inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in policy development processes for evidence of self-determination to inform alcohol policy development. Ninety-eight peer-reviewed journal articles were identified through four databases. Twenty papers describing the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in policy development processes were included; one focusing on alcohol. Two authors reviewed and coded the papers by four domains of Indigenous inclusion in policy processes: Indigenous representation; method of inclusion; reasons for inclusion; and stage of inclusion. There is no single model for the integration of self-determination into policy. However, the nature of participation is key in ensuring that Indigenous Peoples' self-determination is recognised. While all the papers reported Indigenous Peoples being included in processes, there was little evidence of self-determination. Self-determination is a right, and critical to effective policy and action. The inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in policy development alone is not self-determination; however, creating the conditions that ensures Indigenous Peoples have influence throughout policy processes is one integral component of self-determination.

Food Neophobia and Consumer Choices within Vietnamese Menu in a Polish Cohort Study.

One of the factors influencing consumer food choices is food neophobia (FN), described as a reluctance to try novel or unknown food products. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of FN on food choices in young Polish respondents through a web-based choice experiment with Vietnamese restaurant menu. The choice experiment was conducted using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method in a sample of 601 young adults, while using a developed Vietnamese restaurant menu. For the dishes, neophobic potential for a Polish population was defined, based on content of ingredients not typical for Polish diet. The FN was assessed using the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) by Pliner and Hobden. The neophobic potential was the determinant of choice of dishes (p < 0.05). The participants characterized by a high FN level less commonly than others chosen dishes characterized by neophobic potential as: starter (Nem quõn—non-fried spring rolls with shrimps) (p = 0.0003), soup (Mién gà—soup with cellophane noodles and nam huong mushrooms) (p < 0.0001), main course (Phở xào bò—rice noodles with soy sauce and fish sauce) (p < 0.0001) and dessert (Chè thập cãm—dessert of golden gram, black eye beans, Azuki beans and tapioca) than other options (p = 0.0007). It was stated that FN in young respondents may reduce the frequency of choosing dishes containing unfamiliar ingredients and, as a result, it may cause lower diversity of consumed dishes. Taking into account that not properly balanced diets resulting from rejecting some types of products are becoming a growing problem, the FN should be taken into account in the general public health policy.

Targeting the endocannabinoid system: a predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine-directed approach to the management of brain pathologies.

Cannabis-inspired medical products are garnering increasing attention from the scientific community, general public, and health policy makers. A plethora of scientific literature demonstrates intricate engagement of the endocannabinoid system with human immunology, psychology, developmental processes, neuronal plasticity, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation. Despite the therapeutic potential, the adverse psychoactive effects and historical stigma, cannabinoids have limited widespread clinical application. Therefore, it is plausible to weigh carefully the beneficial effects of cannabinoids against the potential adverse impacts for every individual. This is where the concept of "personalized medicine" as a promising approach for disease prediction and prevention may take into the account. The goal of this review is to provide an outline of the endocannabinoid system, including endocannabinoid metabolizing pathways, and will progress to a more in-depth discussion of the therapeutic interventions by endocannabinoids in various neurological disorders.

Net Neutrality and Canada's Telecommunications Act

The ongoing policy debate under the banner of engages fundamental questions regarding the form of governance that best protects the interests of Internet stakeholders and advances the development of the Internet itself. While incidents sparking net neutrality concerns in North America have been isolated, often misunderstood, and rarely repeated, the attention that they have attracted is indicative of the level of interest in this issue. There are a variety of legitimate concerns on all sides. While some are calling for new legislation or regulation of Internet access to address net neutrality concerns, this paper seeks to demonstrate that, unlike in the United States, Canada's existing Telecommunications Act provides the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) the authority it needs to address any problems that may arise. I propose certain general public policy principles regarding residential wireline Internet access, followed by a set of specific interpretive principles using which the Telecommunications Act may usefully be applied to Canada's competitive Internet access marketplace.

Lost in the Weeds?: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida’s Many Non-Native Plant Lists

Because researchers and land managers in Florida have been dealing with invasive species for decades, there is an abundance of resources available to the public regarding invasive species. Sometimes, the volume of available information can be confusing. This 6-page document aims to inform the general public, land managers, researchers, local and state policy makers, and others who seek guidance in accessing regulatory and nonregulatory non-native plant lists in the state of Florida. This publication explains the origins of the lists, meaning of inclusion on a particular list, and ways to access each of the lists. Written by Deah Lieurance and Lyn A. Gettys, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, August 2019. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag436&#x0D; UF/IFAS News Release 10/22/2019: 'Lost in the Weeds?' Guide Sifts Through the Differences Among Non-Native Plant Lists

Principles of Tax Design, Public Policy and Beyond: The Ideas of James Mirrlees, 1936–2018

AbstractSir James Mirrlees, co‐recipient of the 1996 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, passed away in August 2018. This article outlines how his work has transformed economists’ understanding of their discipline – from the principles of tax design to the theory of contracts and beyond. By conceiving of policy questions in terms of information asymmetries between governments and taxpayers, Mirrlees demonstrated how to conduct convincing analysis of redistributive objectives together with incentive effects in the design of general tax systems and public policy more broadly. His ability to simplify complex problems in ways that reveal their tractable essence means that his work has yielded insights that have reverberated throughout the discipline. It has also proved highly fruitful for practical policy design.

Toward a Crypto-friendly Index for the APEC Region

This paper presents a new index concerning the extent of public policy accommodation towards usage of blockchain technology. The coverage of the index is for the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states, representing a significant bloc of global production, trade and economic development. The crypto-friendly index includes indicators related to four general categories of blockchain policy: (i) extent of policy restrictiveness toward cryptocurrency initial coin offerings; (ii) extent of policy restrictiveness toward cryptocurrency exchanges; (iii) taxation treatment toward cryptocurrencies; and (iv) type and extent of general public policy interest in blockchain-related activity. Based on data and information available as at October 2018, the index results reveal considerable diversity exists amongst APEC countries in terms of their degree of crypto-friendliness. Jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, the United States and Canada are seen as relatively crypto-friendly locations, whereas jurisdictions such as China, Vietnam and Peru have the greatest scope for pro-blockchain policy improvement. This paper suggests future avenues for index refinement, as well as the potential for additional research into the concept of crypto-friendliness using this and similar policy indexes.

Toward a Crypto-Friendly Index for the APEC Region

This paper presents a new index concerning the extent of public policy accommodation towards usage of blockchain technology. The coverage of the index is for the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states, representing a significant bloc of global production, trade and economic development. The crypto-friendly index includes indicators related to four general categories of blockchain policy: (i) extent of policy restrictiveness toward cryptocurrency initial coin offerings; (ii) extent of policy restrictiveness toward cryptocurrency exchanges; (iii) taxation treatment toward cryptocurrencies; and (iv) type and extent of general public policy interest in blockchain-related activity. Based on data and information available as at October 2018, the index results reveal considerable diversity exists amongst APEC countries in terms of their degree of crypto-friendliness. Jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, the United States and Canada are seen as relatively crypto-friendly locations, whereas jurisdictions such as China, Vietnam and Peru have the greatest scope for pro-blockchain policy improvement. This paper suggests future avenues for index refinement, as well as the potential for additional research into the concept of crypto-friendliness using this and similar policy indexes.

Missing in Action: General Public Policy Exceptions in Investment Treaties

In an effort to balance investment protection with other policy concerns states are increasingly inserting general public policy exceptions into their international investment agreements. A first wave of cases has recently interpreted and applied these exceptions putting the effectiveness of state-led treaty design reform to the test. In this article, we introduce the different types of general public policy exceptions found in investment treaties and systematically analyze the case law rendered thereunder. We find that although public policy exceptions are becoming more prominent in treaty practice, in 2016 every third newly concluded treaty contained such a clause, they are largely missing in action. Respondents fail to raise them appropriately and tribunals either ignore them or adopt interpretations that lessen their impact. As a result, the numerous and complex interpretive issues raised by these exceptions remain unresolved and their impact on investment jurisprudence remains modest at best. We conclude by recommending that responding states and tribunals should engage with general public policy exceptions more thoroughly.