The Public Domain refers to creatives, inventions, or other works that are not protected by intellectual property rights, such as copyright, trademark, or patent.
These works are freely available for public use, modification, and distribution without the need for permission or payment.
The Public Domain is an important aspect of a thriving creative and innovative ecosystem, allowing for the free flow of ideas and the advancement of knowledge.
Works in the Public Domain may include classic literature, historical documents, scientific discoveries, and other cultural artifacts that have become part of the common heritage of humanity.
By understanding the concept of the Public Domain, researchers can more effectively navigate the landscape of available resources and incorporate them into their work, promoting reproducibility, collaboration, and the progression of science and the arts.
VSEARCH includes a highly optimized and parallelized implementation of the Dust algorithm by Tatusov and Lipman for masking of simple repeats and low-complexity nucleotide sequences. It is considerably faster than the implementation of the same algorithm in USEARCH. Their code available at ftp://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/tatusov/dust/version1/src/ is in the public domain. VSEARCH uses this algorithm by default, while USEARCH by default uses an undocumented rapid masking algorithm called fastnucleo. VSEARCH performs soft-masking automatically for the pairwise alignment, search, clustering and chimera detection commands. This behaviour can be controlled with the hardmask option to replace masked symbols with N’s instead of lower-casing them, and the dbmask and qmask options, which selects the masking algorithm (none, dust or soft) used for the database and query sequences, respectively. Masking may also be performed explicitly on an input file using the fastx_mask and maskfasta commands.
Rognes T., Flouri T., Nichols B., Quince C, & Mahé F. (2016). VSEARCH: a versatile open source tool for metagenomics. PeerJ, 4, e2584.
ImmPort data is annotated with terms from several ontologies including Cell Ontology23 (link), Disease Ontology (disease-ontology.org), Ontology for Biomedical Investigations (OBI; obi-ontology.org), Protein Ontology24 (link), and Vaccine Ontology25 (link). MedDRA (www.meddra.org) is used for adverse event terms and the NCI Thesaurus supplies terms from a variety of sources (e.g., CDISC). The Antibody Ontology (AntiO) is a new resource developed from data curated in ImmPort to provide standardized representation of monoclonal antibodies used in immunology research26 (link). Along with updates to OBI, it exemplifies the ongoing development of data standardization facilitated by ImmPort. An analogous problem arises in the case of cytokines, where no public domain registry has thus far been available. To fill this gap, a registry of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors was compiled (http://www.immport.org/immport-open/public/reference/cytokineRegistry) for the purpose of collecting, integrating, and mapping between entity names and synonyms. The cytokine registry draws on resources such NCBI Gene, HGNC, MGI, Protein Ontology, and UniProt. ImmPort engages with several data standards communities such as the Human Immune Phenotyping Consortium (HIPC) Standards Working Group18 (link), BioSharing (fairsharing.org), the Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Minimal Information (PDX-MI) working group27 (link) and the NIH Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) initiative (datascience.nih.gov/bd2k/about) through its collaboration with CEDAR (http://metadatacenter.org).
Bhattacharya S., Dunn P., Thomas C.G., Smith B., Schaefer H., Chen J., Hu Z., Zalocusky K.A., Shankar R.D., Shen-Orr S.S., Thomson E., Wiser J, & Butte A.J. (2018). ImmPort, toward repurposing of open access immunological assay data for translational and clinical research. Scientific Data, 5, 180015.
The raw sequence data of 1,804 MTBC isolates available in the public domain were downloaded from the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA; http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/). The dataset consists of nine independent whole-genome sequencing studies, available under ENA accessions ERP000192, ERP000276, ERP000520, ERP001731, ERP000111, SRP002589, ERP002611 and ERP000436 (ref. 24 (link)), SRA065095 (ref. 25 (link)), ERP001885 (ref. 26 (link)) and ERP001567 (ref. 5 (link)) (Supplementary Table 1). The analysis of the raw sequence data used approaches outlined previously24 (link). In brief, all isolate sequence data were mapped to the H37Rv reference genome (Genbank accession number: NC_000962.3) using BWA27 (link). SAMtools/BCFtools28 (link) and GATK29 (link) were employed to call SNPs and mappability values30 (link) used to filter out non-unique SNP sites as described in ref. 24 (link) resulting in 91,648 SNP sites. Isolates having less than 15% SNP missing calls were retained (n=1,601).
Coll F., McNerney R., Guerra-Assunção J.A., Glynn J.R., Perdigão J., Viveiros M., Portugal I., Pain A., Martin N, & Clark T.G. (2014). A robust SNP barcode for typing Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains. Nature Communications, 5, 4812.
From May of 2000 to May of 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsored a series of three-day workshops to discuss issues related to the current CFS research definition. Each workshop was attended by approximately 20 invited participants that represented an international mix of scientists, clinicians and medical researchers and approximately 10 CDC staff members. During the first workshop, focus groups were formed to address standardization and utilization of instruments used to classify CFS. Each focus group then prepared a summary report. The process that each focus group used included reliance on clinical and scientific knowledge, brainstorming, consensus building and literature reviews. Each focus group report was presented to all workshop participants for further discussion and was modified if necessary. Interval periods between workshops were used for independent review of relevant literature. The papers were circulated via list-serves and resolved as relevant by group consensus either on-line or during the subsequent workshop. Workshop summaries and focus group reports were analyzed and compiled into the recommendations presented here. Where recommendations for specific evaluation instruments were made, wherever possible we favored those that were freely available in the public domain and validated across various language and cultural groups.
Reeves W.C., Lloyd A., Vernon S.D., Klimas N., Jason L.A., Bleijenberg G., Evengard B., White P.D., Nisenbaum R, & Unger E.R. (2003). Identification of ambiguities in the 1994 chronic fatigue syndrome research case definition and recommendations for resolution. BMC Health Services Research, 3, 25.
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is one of the most used instruments to assess the presence and severity of various psychiatric symptoms and has been in the public domain since 1965 (16 ). It is valid in several languages, including Portuguese (17 (link)), and in Brazil, it is used by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) for monitoring patients. This tool assesses 18 symptom domains, such as somatic worry, anxiety, emotional withdrawal, conceptual disorganization, feelings of guilt, tension, mannerisms and posture, grandiosity, depressed mood, hostility, distrust, hallucinatory behavior, motor retardation, lack of cooperation, unusual thought content, blunted affect, excitement, and disorientation. The assessment takes approximately 5–10 min after an interview with the patient. The clinician then rates each item on a scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 6 (extremely severe) through observation and questioning, depending on the item assessed.
Cristiano V.B., Szortyka M.F, & Belmonte-de-Abreu P. (2023). A controlled open clinical trial of the positive effect of a physical intervention on quality of life in schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1066541.
Fifteen male F1 mice were selected from each group to have the smallest variance in body weight at 12 weeks of age and were subjected to behavioral tests. Behavioral tests included the open field, light/dark transition, and context/cued fear conditioning tests, as previously described [33 (link), 34 (link)]. The procedures and equipment used in the behavioral experiments described below are minor modifications to those used in a previous report by Saito et al [33 (link)]. The measured values and images were analyzed using Image OF2, Image LD2, and Image FZ2 software (O’Hara & Co., Ltd.) developed using the public domain ImageJ program [35 (link)]. The experimental tests were conducted between 10:00 and 15:00. The experiments were performed in a soundproof box (78 × 63 × 65 [H] cm) made of white-colored wood, which was equipped with an audio speaker and a light source. Background noise of approximately 50 dB was applied during the experiments. After each trial, the apparatus was cleaned with water and wiped dry.
Sakai K., Hara K, & Tanemura K. (2023). Testicular histone hyperacetylation in mice by valproic acid administration affects the next generation by changes in sperm DNA methylation. PLOS ONE, 18(3), e0282898.
We collected data on country-specific unit costs per vaccine delivered by vaccine type from a health sector perspective in three countries (Ethiopia (a low-income country), Nigeria (a lower-middle-income country), and South Africa (an upper-middle-income country)). For South Africa, we included observed vaccine delivery costs. However, at the time of this study, realistic vaccine delivery costs were not available for any other country in the region. Thus, in this study, we used a normative (i.e. per-protocol) ingredient-based (i.e. itemised) approach (see Additional File 1: Methods S7) [52 –54 ]. The unit cost includes vaccine purchasing costs and related components and activities involved in the planning and delivery of the vaccine (e.g. planning and coordination, cold chain, transportation, and waste disposal) [52 ]. Costs were then validated by experts knowledgeable of country-level immunisation efforts. In the case of Ethiopia and Nigeria, this validation step was part of the health technology assessment process used to support decision-making around COVID-19 vaccinations. We found that the unit cost of delivering mRNA vaccines to be substantially higher than that of viral vector vaccines (Table 2). These differences are driven by vaccine purchasing costs (see itemised costs by country, activity, and component in Additional File 1: Methods S7, Additional File 1: Tables S7-8)—for which we used the lowest purchasing price reported in the public domain for each vaccine [55 (link), 56 ]. We extrapolated these vaccine unit costs for other countries (see Additional File 1: Methods S8 [57 (link)–60 (link)] for extrapolation methods; this process did not differentiate by country-specific purchasing agreements) and other vaccination programme setups (i.e. programme duration and daily vaccine roll-out rate, see Additional File 1: Methods S9 for the extrapolation methods, and Additional File 1: Table S9 for sample extrapolation results). The extrapolation results indicate that faster vaccine roll-out rates are associated with lower vaccine unit costs due to fixed costs being spread between more vaccine doses (Table 2). Our costing approach assumed no increases in the price of scarce resources (e.g. healthcare workforce).
Vaccine unit costs by roll-out scenario and vaccine type
Roll-out scenario
Vaccine type
Lower limit ($)
First quartile ($)
Median ($)
Third quartile ($)
Upper limit ($)
Start date
Roll-out rate
01 August 2021
Medium
Viral vector vaccine
4.96
6.04
6.92
8.44
15.40
Fast
Viral vector vaccine
2.54
3.61
4.49
6.02
12.97
Medium
mRNA vaccine
14.2
15.27
16.15
17.68
24.63
Fast
mRNA vaccine
11.8
12.84
13.72
15.25
22.20
Summary of the vaccine unit costs by country (n = 27) estimated for vaccine roll-out efforts starting in 01 August 2021 using medium and fast roll-out rates by vaccine types. The underlying methods have been described in Additional File 1: Methods S7-9. Raw data behind these estimates were presented in Additional File 1: Table S7-8. Further sample estimates by country are presented in Additional File 1: Table S9. In this study, vaccine delivery unit costs differ by country, vaccine type, vaccine roll-out rates, and programme duration
For COVID-19-related health service costs, we used previously published country-specific estimates (Table 3) and lengths of hospital stay [31 (link), 48 (link)]. All costs were converted to US$2020 using GDP deflators [61 ]. Similarly to DALYs, costs were discounted by 3% in line with WHO guidelines [47 ].
Health service costs
Health service endpoints
Lower limit ($)
First quartile ($)
Median ($)
Third quartile ($)
Upper limit ($)
Home-based care
4.84
17.22
22.11
44.52
266.24
Hospital-based care for severe cases
27.02
33.65
37.08
45.74
170.99
Hospital-based care for critical cases
156.63
245.10
277.57
336.06
1685.98
Management of fatal cases
65.29
65.29
65.29
65.29
65.29
Summary of the vaccine unit costs by country (n = 27) estimated for vaccine roll-out efforts starting 01 August 2021 using medium and fast roll-out rates by vaccine types. The underlying methods have been described in Additional File 1: Methods S7-9. Further sample estimates by country are presented in Additional File 1: Table S9
Liu Y., Procter S.R., Pearson C.A., Montero A.M., Torres-Rueda S., Asfaw E., Uzochukwu B., Drake T., Bergren E., Eggo R.M., Ruiz F., Ndembi N., Nonvignon J., Jit M, & Vassall A. (2023). Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 vaccination programme’s timing and speed on health benefits, cost-effectiveness, and relative affordability in 27 African countries. BMC Medicine, 21, 85.
We will consider any type of study design for inclusion in this review. English-language grey literature in the public domain that specifically discusses regulating health professionals providing virtual care (such as legal briefs, government reports, documents from regulatory consortiums, and policy papers) will also be considered for inclusion. We will exclude practice guidance or standards from individual health profession regulators (given the volume of documents this would represent); we will also exclude editorials, letters to the editor, textbook chapters, and conference abstracts.
Leslie K., Myles S., Adams T.L., Schiller C., Shelley J, & Nelson S. (2023). Protecting the public interest when regulating health professionals providing virtual care: a scoping review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 12, 31.
A DAB Detection Kit (Streptavidin-Biotin) kit was applied to examine the expression of the OCT-embedded vestibular apparatus tissue. Briefly, the endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked by incubation for 30 min in 0.3% H2O2. Nonspecific binding was blocked by a 20 min incubation with 10% normal goat serum. The sections were stained with different primary antibodies as listed in Supplementary Table 3 overnight at 4 °C. After rinsing with PBS and incubation with biotinylated anti-rabbit or anti-mouse IgG for 30 min at a dilution to 5 μg/ml, the sections were rinsed again with PBS and incubated with DAB complex for 1 min. The sections were counter-stained with hematoxylin, dehydrated, and omitted with Neutral balsam. Images were obtained using a Leica microscope at 40 × 10 magnification. To evaluate the intensity of immunohistochemical reaction quantitatively, digital images were obtained and analyzed using a public domain ImageJ software. Intensity measurements were represented as the number in a 256-gray scale. Optical density values were corrected by subtracting the average values of background noise (mean background intensity) obtained from five image inputs. The optical density was then standardized by setting the threshold (mean background intensity) levels. Manipulation of the images was restricted to threshold and brightness adjustments to the whole image. At least 3 separate measurements per group were subjected to image analysis.
Zhang D.G., Yu W.Q., Liu J.H., Kong L.G., Zhang N., Song Y.D., Li X.F., Fan Z.M., Lyu Y.F., Li N, & Wang H.B. (2023). Serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 deficiency induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autoinflammation of macrophages in a murine endolymphatic hydrops model. Nature Communications, 14, 1249.
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MATLAB is a high-performance programming language and numerical computing environment used for scientific and engineering calculations, data analysis, and visualization. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for solving complex mathematical and computational problems.
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Prism 6 is a data analysis and graphing software developed by GraphPad. It provides tools for curve fitting, statistical analysis, and data visualization.
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TRIzol reagent is a monophasic solution of phenol, guanidine isothiocyanate, and other proprietary components designed for the isolation of total RNA, DNA, and proteins from a variety of biological samples. The reagent maintains the integrity of the RNA while disrupting cells and dissolving cell components.
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The RNeasy Mini Kit is a laboratory equipment designed for the purification of total RNA from a variety of sample types, including animal cells, tissues, and other biological materials. The kit utilizes a silica-based membrane technology to selectively bind and isolate RNA molecules, allowing for efficient extraction and recovery of high-quality RNA.
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β-actin is a protein that is found in all eukaryotic cells and is involved in the structure and function of the cytoskeleton. It is a key component of the actin filaments that make up the cytoskeleton and plays a critical role in cell motility, cell division, and other cellular processes.
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Vectashield is a non-hardening, aqueous-based mounting medium designed for use with fluorescent-labeled specimens. It is formulated to retard photobleaching of fluorescent dyes and provides excellent preservation of fluorescent signals.
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The LSM 710 is a laser scanning microscope developed by Zeiss. It is designed for high-resolution imaging and analysis of biological and materials samples. The LSM 710 utilizes a laser excitation source and a scanning system to capture detailed images of specimens at the microscopic level. The specific capabilities and technical details of the LSM 710 are not provided in this response to maintain an unbiased and factual approach.
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Triton X-100 is a non-ionic surfactant commonly used in various laboratory applications. It functions as a detergent and solubilizing agent, facilitating the solubilization and extraction of proteins and other biomolecules from biological samples.
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The Vectastain Elite ABC kit is a specialized laboratory equipment used for the detection and visualization of target proteins or antigens in biological samples. It utilizes an avidin-biotin complex (ABC) system to amplify the signal, enabling researchers to achieve high sensitivity and consistent results in their immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical analyses.
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Anti-cleaved caspase-3 is a lab equipment product that detects the cleaved form of caspase-3, a key executioner caspase involved in apoptosis.
The Public Domain refers to creative works, inventions, and other intellectual properties that are not protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws. These works are freely available for public use, modification, and distribution without the need for permission or payment. The Public Domain is an important aspect of a thriving creative and innovative ecosystem, allowing for the free flow of ideas and the advancement of knowledge.
Works in the Public Domain can include classic literature, historical documents, scientific discoveries, and other cultural artifacts that have become part of the common heritage of humanity. This includes things like Shakespeare's plays, the U.S. Constitution, and the discoveries of scientists like Isaac Newton or Marie Curie.
Researchers can freely incorporate Public Domain works into their studies and publications, without the need to seek permission or pay licensing fees. This promotes reproducibility, collaboration, and the progression of science and the arts. By understanding the concept of the Public Domain, researchers can more effectively navigate the landscape of available resources and leverage them in their work.
One challenge with using Public Domain works is that the status of a work can sometimes be unclear or disputed. It's important for researchers to carefully evaluate the copyright status of any materials they plan to use. Additionally, while Public Domain works can be freely used, there may still be ethical considerations around how they are utilized or presented.
PubCompare.ai allows you to more efficiently screen protocol literature related to Public Domain works. The platform's AI-driven analysis can help you pinpoint critical insights and identify the most effective protocols for your specific research goals. By leveraging PubCompare.ai, you can choose the best options for reproducibility and accuracy when working with Public Domain materials, streamlining the protocol selection process and ensuring your work is highly reproducible.
More about "Public Domain"
The Public Domain refers to creative works, inventions, and other intellectual property that are not protected by copyright, trademark, or patent.
These freely available resources can be used, modified, and distributed without permission or payment, fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation and collaboration.
The Public Domain encompasses a vast array of materials, including classic literature, historical documents, scientific discoveries, and cultural artifacts that have become part of the common heritage of humanity.
By understanding and leveraging the Public Domain, researchers can access a wealth of information and protocols to enhance their work, ensuring reproducibility and the advancement of knowledge.
MATLAB, Prism 6, TRIzol reagent, RNeasy Mini Kit, β-actin, Vectashield, LSM 710, Triton X-100, Vectastain Elite ABC kit, and Anti-cleaved caspase-3 are all examples of tools and techniques that can be used in conjuction with Public Domain resources to optimize research protocols, improve accuracy, and streamline the experimental process.
PubCompare.ai is a powerful AI-driven tool that can help researchers navigate the landscape of available protocols, easily locate and compare them side-by-side, and identify the best options for their work.
By utilizing this innovative platform, researchers can enhance the reproducibility and quality of their studies, driving progress in science and the arts.
