bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arginine Methylation Regulates SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Function and Viral Replication
Authors: Cai Ting , Yu Zhenbao , Wang Zhen , Liang Chen , Richard Stéphane
Published: March 2021

Viral proteins are known to be methylated by host protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) playing critical roles during viral infections. Herein, we show that PRMT1 methylates SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein at residues R95 and R177 within RGG/RG sequences. Arginine methylation of N protein was confirmed by immunoblotting viral proteins extracted from SARS-CoV-2 virions isolated by cell culture. We demonstrate that arginine methylation of N protein is required for its RNA binding capacity, since treatment with a type I PRMT inhibitor (MS023) or substitution of R95K or R177K inhibited interaction with the 5’-UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. We defined the N interactome in HEK293 cells with or without MS023 treatment and identified PRMT1 and many of its RGG/RG substrates including the known interactor, G3BP1, and other components of stress granules (SG). Methylation of N protein at R95 regulates another function namely its property to suppress the formation of SGs. MS023 treatment or R95K substitution blocked N-mediated suppression of SGs. Also, the co-expression of methylarginine reader TDRD3 quenched N-mediated suppression of SGs in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, pre-treatment of VeroE6 cells with MS023 significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication. With type I PRMT inhibitors being in clinical trials for cancer treatment, inhibiting arginine methylation to target the later stages of the viral life cycle such as viral genome packaging and assembly of virions may be an additional therapeutic application of these drugs.
Analytical solutions of the chemical master equation with bursty production and isomerization reactions
Authors: Gorin Gennady , Pachter Lior
Published: March 2021

Splicing cascades that alter gene products post-transcriptionally also affect expression dynamics. We study a class of processes and associated distributions that emerge from a bursty promoter model coupled to a path graph of downstream mRNA splicing, and more generally examine the behavior of finite-activity jump drivers coupled to a directed acyclic graph of splicing with one or more roots. These solutions provide full time-dependent joint distributions for an arbitrary number of species, offering qualitative and quantitative insights about how splicing can regulate expression dynamics. Finally, we derive a set of quantitative constraints on the minimum complexity necessary to reproduce gene co-expression patterns using synchronized burst models. We validate these findings by analyzing long-read sequencing data, where we find evidence of expression patterns largely consistent with these constraints.
Brain virtual histology with X-ray phase-contrast tomography Part I: whole-brain myelin mapping in white-matter injury models
Authors: Chourrout Matthieu , Rositi Hugo , Ong Elodie , Hubert Violaine , Paccalet Alexandre , Foucault Louis , Autret Awen , Fayard Barbara , Olivier Cécile , Bolbos Radu , Peyrin Françoise , Crola-da-Silva Claire , Meyronet David , Raineteau Olivier , Elleaume Hélène , Brun Emmanuel , Chauveau Fabien , Wiart Marlène
Published: March 2021

White-matter injury leads to severe functional loss in many neurological diseases. Myelin staining on histological samples is the most common technique to investigate white-matter fibers. However, tissue processing and sectioning may affect the reliability of 3D volumetric assessments. The purpose of this study was to propose an approach that enables myelin fibers to be mapped in the whole rodent brain with microscopic resolution and without the need for strenuous staining. With this aim, we coupled inline (propagation-based) X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) to ethanol-induced brain sample dehydration. We here provide the proof-of-concept that this approach enhances myelinated axons in rodent and human brain tissue. In addition, we demonstrated that white-matter injuries could be detected and quantified with this approach, using three animal models: ischemic stroke, premature birth and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, in analogy to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we retrieved fiber directions and DTI-like diffusion metrics from our XPCT data to quantitatively characterize white-matter microstructure. Finally, we showed that this non-destructive approach was compatible with subsequent complementary brain sample analysis by conventional histology. In-line XPCT might thus become a novel gold-standard for investigating white-matter injury in the intact brain. This is Part I of a series of two articles reporting the value of in-line XPCT for virtual histology of the brain; Part II shows how in-line XPCT enables the whole-brain 3D morphometric analysis of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques.

Highlights

X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) enables myelin mapping of the whole brain

XPCT detects and quantifies white-matter injuries in a range of diseases

Fiber directions and anisotropy metrics can be retrieved from XPCT data

XPCT is compatible with subsequent conventional histology of brain samples

XPCT is a powerful virtual histology tool that requires minimal sample preparation

Graphical Abstract
A Pilot Study Using Two Novel fMRI Tasks: Understanding Theory of Mind and Emotion Recognition Among Children With ASD
Authors: Han Yu , Prelock Patricia A. , Coderre Emily L. , Orr Joseph M.
Published: March 2021

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) struggle with social interactions due to deficits in theory of mind (ToM). In this study, we collected behavioral and neuroimaging data from 9 children with ASD and 19 neurotypical children between the age of 7 and 14 years old, particularly in the area of emotion recognition to better understand those skills needed for meaningful social interaction. The results suggest impaired abilities in multiple ToM metrics and brain deficits associated with ToM-related emotion recognition and processing among children with ASD. Findings from this study are expected to establish connections between behavior and brain activities surrounding ToM in ASD, which may assist the development of neuroanatomical diagnostic criteria and provide a way to measure intervention outcomes.
Methodological considerations when assessing mitochondrial respiration and biomarkers for mitochondrial content in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Kuang Jujiao , Saner Nicholas J , Botella Javier , Lee Matthew J-C , Granata Cesare , Wang Zhenhuan , Yan Xu , Li Jia , Genders Amanda J , Bishop David J
Published: March 2021

Background

The assessment of mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial content are two common measurements in the fields of skeletal muscle research and exercise science. However, to verify the validity of the observed changes in both mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial content following an intervention such as exercise training, it is important to determine the reliability and reproducibility of the experimental design and/or techniques employed. We examined the repeatability of widely used methodologies for assessing mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial content, respectively; the measurement of maximal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in permeabilized muscle fibres using high-resolution respirometry, and the measurement of citrate synthase activity as a biomarker for mitochondrial content in a microplate with spectrophotometer.

Result

For mitochondrial respiration, the coefficient of variation for repeated measurements using muscle sampled from same biopsy decreased from 12.7% to 11% when measured in triplicate with outliers excluded, rather than in duplicate. The coefficient of variation was 9.7% for repeated muscle biopsies sampled across two separated days. For measurements of citrate synthase activity, the coefficient of variation was 3.5% of three technical repeats on the same plate, 10.2% for duplicate analyses using the same muscle lysate when conducted in the same day, and 30.5% when conducted four weeks apart.

Conclusion

We have provided evidence for important technical considerations when measuring mitochondrial respiration with human skeletal muscle: 1) the relatively large technical variability can be reduced by increasing technical repeats and excluding outliers; 2) the biological variability and absolute mitochondrial respiration value of the participants should be considered when estimating the required sample size; 3) a new threshold of 15% for the increase in respiration rate after the addition of cytochromectest for testing mitochondrial outer membrane integrity. When analysing citrate synthase activity, our evidence suggests it is important to consider the following: 1) all samples from the same study should be homogenized and measured at the same time using the same batch of freshly made chemical reagents; 2) biological variability should be considered when detecting small change in mitochondrial content; 3) the relative change should be used to compare the outcomes from different studies.
LEVIATHAN: efficient discovery of large structural variants by leveraging long-range information from Linked-Reads data
Authors: Morisse Pierre , Legeai Fabrice , Lemaitre Claire
Published: March 2021

Linked-Reads technologies, popularized by 10x Genomics, combine the high-quality and low cost of short-reads sequencing with a long-range information by adding barcodes that tag reads originating from the same long DNA fragment. Thanks to their high-quality and long-range information, such reads are thus particularly useful for various applications such as genome scaffolding and structural variant calling. As a result, multiple structural variant calling methods were developed within the last few years. However, these methods were mainly tested on human data, and do not run well on non-human organisms, for which reference genomes are highly fragmented, or sequencing data display high levels of heterozygosity. Moreover, even on human data, most tools still require large amounts of computing resources. We present LEVIATHAN, a new structural variant calling tool that aims to address these issues, and especially better scale and apply to a wide variety of organisms. Our method relies on a barcode index, that allows to quickly compare the similarity of all possible pairs of regions in terms of amount of common barcodes. Region pairs sharing a sufficient number of barcodes are then considered as potential structural variants, and complementary, classical short reads methods are applied to further refine the breakpoint coordinates. Our experiments on simulated data underline that our method compares well to the state-of-the-art, both in terms of recall and precision, and also in terms of resource consumption. Moreover, LEVIATHAN was successfully applied to a real dataset from a non-model organism, while all other tools either failed to run or required unreasonable amounts of resources. LEVIATHAN is implemented in C++, supported on Linux platforms, and available under AGPL-3.0 License athttps://github.com/morispi/LEVIATHAN.
Neurogenesis-mediated forgetting of complex paired-associates memories
Authors: Epp Jonathan R , Botly Leigh C.P. , Josselyn Sheena A , Frankland Paul W
Published: March 2021

The hippocampus is a critical structure involved in many forms of learning and memory. It is also one of the only regions in the adult mammalian brain that continues to generate new neurons throughout adulthood. This process of adult neurogenesis may increase the plasticity of the hippocampus which could be beneficial for learning but has also been demonstrated to decrease the stability of previously acquired memories. Here we test whether increased production of new neurons following the formation of a gradually acquired paired-associates task will result in forgetting of this type of memory. We trained mice in a touchscreen-based object/location task and then increased neurogenesis using voluntary exercise. Our results indicate that mice with increased neurogenesis show poor recall of the previously established memory. When subsequently exposed to a reversal task we also show that mice with increased neurogenesis require fewer correction trials to acquire the new task contingencies. This suggests that prior forgetting reduces perseveration on the now outdated memory. Together our results add to a growing body of literature which indicates the important role of adult neurogenesis in destabilizing previously acquired memories to allow for flexible encoding of new memories.
A numerical framework for genetic hitchhiking in populations of variable size
Authors: Friedlander Eric , Steinrücken Matthias
Published: March 2021

Natural selection on beneficial or deleterious alleles results in an increase or decrease, respectively, of their frequency within the population. Due to chromosomal linkage, the dynamics of the selected site affect the genetic variation at nearby neutral loci in a process commonly referred to as genetic hitchhiking. Changes in population size, however, can yield patterns in genomic data that mimic the effects of selection. Accurately modeling these dynamics is thus crucial to understanding how selection and past population size changes impact observed patterns of genetic variation.

Here, we model the evolution of haplotype frequencies with the Wright-Fisher diffusion to study the impact of selection on linked neutral variation. Explicit solutions are not known for the dynamics of this diffusion when selection and recombination act simultaneously. Thus, we present a method for numerically evaluating the Wright-Fisher diffusion dynamics of two linked loci separated by a certain recombination distance when selection is acting. We can account for arbitrary population size histories explicitly using this approach. A key step in the method is to express the moments of the associated transition density, or sampling probabilities, as solutions to ordinary differential equations. Numerically solving these differential equations relies on a novel accurate and numerically efficient technique to estimate higher order moments from lower order moments.

We demonstrate how this numerical framework can be used to quantify the reduction and recovery of genetic diversity around a selected locus over time and elucidate distortions in the site-frequency-spectra of neutral variation linked to loci under selection in various demographic settings. The method can be readily extended to more general modes of selection and applied in likelihood frameworks to detect loci under selection and infer the strength of the selective pressure.
WWTR1(TAZ)-CAMTA1 gene fusion is sufficient to dysregulate YAP/TAZ signaling and drive epithelioid hemangioendothelioma tumorigenesis
Authors: Seavey Caleb N. , Pobbati Ajaybabu V. , Hallett Andrea , Ma Shuang , Reynolds Jordan P. , Kanai Ryan , Lamar John M. , Rubin Brian P.
Published: March 2021

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a genetically homogenous vascular sarcoma that is a paradigm for TAZ dysregulation in cancer. EHE harbors a WWTR1(TAZ)-CAMTA1 gene fusion in >90% of cases, 45% of which have no other genetic alterations. In this study, we used a first of its kind approach to target the Wwtr1-Camta1 gene fusion to the Wwtr1 locus, to develop a conditional EHE mouse model whereby Wwtr1-Camta1 is controlled by the endogenous transcriptional regulators upon Cre activation. These mice develop EHE tumors that are indistinguishable from human EHE clinically, histologically, immunohistochemically, and genetically. Overall, these results demonstrate unequivocally that TAZ-CAMTA1 is sufficient to drive EHE formation with exquisite specificity, as no other tumor types were observed. Furthermore, we fully credential this unique EHE mouse model as a valid preclinical model for understanding the role of TAZ dysregulation in cancer formation and for testing therapies directed at TAZ-CAMTA1, TAZ, and YAP/TAZ signaling.
Small-angle neutron scattering measurements of mixtures of hydrogenous and deuterated n-tetradecane
Authors: Smith Gregory N. , Prévost Sylvain
Published: March 2021

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements on mixtures of hydrogenous and deuterated species can be used to determine the distribution of molecules in these blends. The molecules are isotopically distinguishable but are chemically identical. This approach has been applied with great success to polymer science, but fewer examples are available for small molecules, such as solvents. SANS measurements of combinations of the linear alkane n-tetradecane were performed on mixtures prepared at different volume fractions of hydrogenous and deuterated alkane. These data have been analyzed using the framework of polymer scattering, and good agreement between experiment and theory was found.
Automated reconstruction of parent austenite phase based on the optimum orientation relationship
Authors: Gomes de Araujo Edgar , Pirgazi Hadi , Sanjari Mehdi , Mohammadi Mohsen , Kestens Leo A. I.
Published: March 2021

Characterization of the austenite phase at high temperatures is important for understanding the microstructural evolution during steel processing. The austenite phase structure can be reconstructed from the room-temperature microstructure employing the crystallographic orientation relationship between the parent and product phases. The actual orientation relationships in steels are often calculated on the basis of well known relations (e.g. Kurdjumov–Sachs), which may differ from the experimentally observed orientation relationships. This work introduces a new approach to improve the current state of the art in prior phase reconstruction. The proposed approach consists of two new algorithms that are sequentially applied on an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measured data set of the product phase microstructure: (i) an automated identification of the optimum orientation relationship using the observed misorientation distribution of the entire EBSD scan and (ii) reconstruction of the parent phase microstructure using a random walk clustering technique. The latter identifies groups of closely related grains according to their angular deviation from the proposed orientation relationship. The results were validated by near in situ experimental observations of phase transformation in an Fe–Ni alloy whereby the experimentally measured parent phase structure could be compared point by point with the reconstructed counterpart.
The effect of polydispersity, shape fluctuations and curvature on small unilamellar vesicle small-angle X-ray scattering curves
Authors: Chappa Veronica , Smirnova Yuliya , Komorowski Karlo , Müller Marcus , Salditt Tim
Published: March 2021

Small unilamellar vesicles (20–100 nm diameter) are model systems for strongly curved lipid membranes, in particular for cell organelles. Routinely, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is employed to study their size and electron-density profile (EDP). Current SAXS analysis of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) often employs a factorization into the structure factor (vesicle shape) and the form factor (lipid bilayer electron-density profile) and invokes additional idealizations: (i) an effective polydispersity distribution of vesicle radii, (ii) a spherical vesicle shape and (iii) an approximate account of membrane asymmetry, a feature particularly relevant for strongly curved membranes. These idealizations do not account for thermal shape fluctuations and also break down for strong salt- or protein-induced deformations, as well as vesicle adhesion and fusion, which complicate the analysis of the lipid bilayer structure. Presented here are simulations of SAXS curves of SUVs with experimentally relevant size, shape and EDPs of the curved bilayer, inferred from coarse-grained simulations and elasticity considerations, to quantify the effects of size polydispersity, thermal fluctuations of the SUV shape and membrane asymmetry. It is observed that the factorization approximation of the scattering intensity holds even for small vesicle radii (∼30 nm). However, the simulations show that, for very small vesicles, a curvature-induced asymmetry arises in the EDP, with sizeable effects on the SAXS curve. It is also demonstrated that thermal fluctuations in shape and the size polydispersity have distinguishable signatures in the SAXS intensity. Polydispersity gives rise to low-q features, whereas thermal fluctuations predominantly affect the scattering at larger q, related to membrane bending rigidity. Finally, it is shown that simulation of fluctuating vesicle ensembles can be used for analysis of experimental SAXS curves.
Laue X-ray diffraction studies of the structural perfection of Al-doped thermomigration channels in silicon
Authors: Lomov Andrey A. , Punegov Vasily I. , Seredin Boris M.
Published: March 2021

Si(111) wafers patterned with an array of vertical 100 µm-wide Al-doped (1 × 1019 cm−3) p-channels extending through the whole wafer were studied by X-ray Laue diffraction techniques. The X-ray techniques included projection topography, and measurement of rocking curves and cross sections in the vicinity of the 02\overline 2 reciprocal space node in the double- and triple-crystal geometry, respectively. The channels are uniform along the depth of the wafer, and their structural perfection is comparable to that of the silicon matrix between the channels. Simulation of the rocking curves was performed using the methods of the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction. The rocking-curve calculations both taking into account and neglecting the effect of the instrumental function were carried out using the Takagi–Taupin equations. The calculated angular dependences of intensities of both diffracted and transmitted X-rays correspond well to the experimentally obtained rocking curves and demonstrate their high sensitivity to the structural distortions in the channel. An unambiguous reconstruction of strain and structural distortions in the Si(Al) channel using the Laue diffraction data requires further development of the theoretical model.
Can collaborative buffering strategies reduce distribution costs while improving product returns?: A case of an Asian e-retailer
Authors: Shah Bhavin , Singh Gaganpreet
Published: March 2021

Purpose

In order to achieve competitive advantage over the physical marketplace, the e-retailers are insisted on endowing with lenient return policies. The piece-wise returns-and-reordering process incurs excessive buffering and unwanted logistics costs which raises overall fulfillment charges. The objective of this study is to re-design e-retail distribution policy by providing temporal storage at logistics service provides' (LSP) location. The impact of recurrent returns on pricing and profit margins are also investigated over time continuum.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework is developed to reduce the non-value added (NVA) storage and distribution efforts by providing collaborative buffering between LSP and e-retailer. The knapsack based buffering approach is tested and compared with traditional e-retail distribution practices. The revenue sharing concept is mathematically modelled and implemented in GAMS, which finally validated through multiple return scenarios.

Findings

The proposed model outperforms the existing one under all scenarios with different configuration settings of re-ordering, profit margins, and buffer time windows. The distribution cost is found, linearly related to the necessary product buffering space. The findings help to re-design sustainable return policies for individual products so that maximum customer value can be yield with minimum costs.

Research limitations/implications

This study helps to determine the NVA efforts incurred while storing and delivering multi-time returned products to ensure desired service levels. The revenue sharing model provides pricing strategies for e-retail practitioners deciding which product should store in what quantity for how much time at the shipping agency location so that it fulfils the re-ordering at least waiting and sufficient buffering.

Originality/value

The proposed model extends the role of LPSs as temporary buffer providers to reduce returns-and-reordering fulfilment efforts in the e-retail network. This Collaborative framework offers an opportunity to amend the distribution contracts and policies time by time that enhances e-retailer's performance and customer satisfaction.
Developing physical resilience strategies in passive defense according to identification of endangered areas of urban environments (case study: Ahvaz city)
Authors: Pouryarmohammadi Mozhdeh , Ahmadi Hasan , Salaripour AliAkbar
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on reducing the vulnerability of Ahvaz city against urban disasters and lowering the number of casualties and amount of financial losses using modern approaches to develop resilience strategies that can increase urban safety to an acceptable level. The strategic situation of Ahvaz city, because of its abundant resources, the war experience and its location on the boundary regions of Iran, highlights its significance. Ahvaz has a high population and an extended texture, and the existence of extraordinary constructions increases the importance of physical resilience in this city.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study investigates built environment aspects such as the urban structure, the urban form, land-use proximity pattern, urban road network and crucial and vulnerable centres in Ahvaz, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Hence, the areas at risk in Ahvaz were identified and illustrated in a comprehensive risk assessment map, and then, by using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats technique and finally by using the Delphi method, some strategies and plans were presented to reduce the level of vulnerability in Ahvaz. Then, these strategies are prioritized by applying quality function deployment (QFD) technique.

Findings

The risk assessment result shows that most parts of Ahvaz’s urban areas are highly at risk. The central and northern parts of Ahvaz have the highest vulnerability at a time of crisis. These zones include district 1 (city centre) and districts 2, 3 and 7 at the city’s margins. The result of QFD process showed that the essential urban resilience strategy is to positively consider the passive defence studies with a physical resilience approach. Also, the proper distribution of strategic points in the city, moving the industrial and oil companies from the peripheral area, and facilitating access to vital, crucial centres to support urban regions are considered the most effective strategic plans.

Originality/value

This paper, with an integrated approach, examines and prioritizes the main physical problems of Ahvaz city based on the spatial analysis and opinions of experts. The physical strategies presented in this paper can significantly reduce the risks and increase the urban resilience of Ahvaz city in the face of crisis.
Unravelling collaboration mechanisms for green logistics: the perspectives of shippers and logistics service providers
Authors: Jazairy Amer , von Haartman Robin , Björklund Maria
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The green logistics literature remains undecided on how collaboration between shippers (i.e. logistics buyers) and logistics service providers (LSPs) may facilitate green logistics practices (GLPs). This paper identifies two types of collaboration mechanisms, relation specific and knowledge sharing, to systematically examine their influence on facilitating the different types of GLPs – as seen by shippers versus LSPs.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses of 169 shippers and 162 LSPs in Sweden were collected and analysed using exploratory- and confirmatory factor analysis, followed by multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that neither of the actors consistently favour a certain type of collaboration mechanisms for facilitating all types of GLPs. Although it was found that both actors share the same view on the role of collaboration mechanisms for some GLPs, their views took contrasting forms for others.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the green logistics literature by incorporating a trilateral distinction to present collaboration recommendations for GLPs, based on (1) the collaboration mechanism at play, (2) the actor's perspective and (3) the GLP in question.

Practical implications

Insights are offered to managers at shipper/LSP firms to apply the right (“fit for purpose”) collaboration mechanisms in their relationships with their logistics partners with respect to the desired GLPs.

Originality/value

This is one of the first large-scale studies to systematically reveal in what way collaboration can facilitate the different types of GLPs.
Towards a taxonomy of crowdsourced delivery business models
Authors: Ciobotaru Georgiana , Chankov Stanislav
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to develop (1) a comprehensive framework for classifying crowdshipping business models and (2) a taxonomy of currently implemented crowdshipping business models.

Design/methodology/approach

The business models of 105 companies offering crowdsourced delivery services are analysed. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis are applied to develop a business model taxonomy.

Findings

A detailed crowdsourced delivery business model framework with 74 features is developed. Based on it, six distinct clusters of crowdshipping business models are identified. One cluster stands out as the most appealing to customers based on social media metrics, indicating which type of crowdshipping business models is the most successful.

Research limitations/implications

Detailed investigations of each of the six clusters and of recent crowdshipping business model developments are needed in further research in order to enhance the derived taxonomy.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a best-practices guide for both start-ups and global logistics operators for establishing or further developing their crowdsourced delivery business models.

Originality/value

This paper provides a holistic understanding of the business models applied in the crowdshipping industry and is a valuable contribution to the yet small amount of studies in the crowd logistics field.
Task scheduling on cloud computing based on sea lion optimization algorithm
Authors: Masadeh Raja , Alsharman Nesreen , Sharieh Ahmad , Mahafzah Basel A. , Abdulrahman Arafat
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Sea Lion Optimization (SLnO) algorithm involves the ability of exploration and exploitation phases, and it is able to solve combinatorial optimization problems. For these reasons, it is considered a global optimizer. The scheduling operation is completed by imitating the hunting behavior of sea lions.

Design/methodology/approach

Cloud computing (CC) is a type of distributed computing, contributory in a massive number of available resources and demands, and its goal is sharing the resources as services over the internet. Because of the optimal using of these services is everlasting challenge, the issue of task scheduling in CC is significant. In this paper, a task scheduling technique for CC based on SLnO and multiple-objective model are proposed. It enables decreasing in overall completion time, cost and power consumption; and maximizes the resources utilization. The simulation results on the tested data illustrated that the SLnO scheduler performed better performance than other state-of-the-art schedulers in terms of makespan, cost, energy consumption, resources utilization and degree of imbalance.

Findings

The performance of the SLnO, Vocalization of Whale Optimization Algorithm (VWOA), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) and Round Robin (RR) algorithms for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 independent cloud tasks on 8, 16 and 32 VMs was evaluated. The results show that SLnO algorithm has better performance than VWOA, WOA, GWO and RR in terms of makespan and imbalance degree. In addition, SLnO exhausts less power than VWOA, WOA, GWO and RR. More precisely, SLnO conserves 5.6, 21.96, 22.7 and 73.98% energy compared to VWOA, WOA, GWO and RR mechanisms, respectively. On the other hand, SLnO algorithm shows better performance than the VWOA and other algorithms. The SLnO algorithm's overall execution cost of scheduling the cloud tasks is minimized by 20.62, 39.9, 42.44 and 46.9% compared with VWOA, WOA, GWO and RR algorithms, respectively. Finally, the SLnO algorithm's average resource utilization is increased by 6, 10, 11.8 and 31.8% compared with those of VWOA, WOA, GWO and RR mechanisms, respectively.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Improvement of the cultural heritage perception potential model by the usage of eye-tracking technology
Authors: Doğan Huriye Armağan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop and present the methodology of the model which can predict the perception and assessment of cultural heritage by the point of view of the non-experts through analysing the façades of buildings for adaptive re-use and sustainable development strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on the improvement and validation of the original cultural heritage perception potential model (CHPP) by adding new indicators which can be used as a part of the model. The method adopted includes the explanation of the older (original) model and its limitations. The assessment process follows the Integrated Cultural Heritage Management Approach to identify the new indicators which can be implemented on understanding the cultural heritage from the user/observer perspective, furthermore, for the sustainability of the environment.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the perception of the society regarding the perception of the built heritage can be affected by various indicators. When the indicators are well identified, it is possible to predict the potential of the buildings to be perceived as cultural heritage or not. The knowledge which is gained by the proposed model can assist the sustainability and continuity of both heritage objects and the environment by helping the adaptive re-use process and strategies.

Originality/value

No similar prior studies on the perception of cultural heritage as an approach to adaptive re-use strategies have been carried out. Furthermore, the usage of eye-tracking technology in the field of cultural heritage is rare. Therefore, it is hoped that the experiments performed in this study and the model which is created can lead and guide further research.
Coaching skills for recovery a decade of providing coaching skills for recovery training at a healthcare NHS foundation trust
Authors: Cyrus Helen Kathryn
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Overview of coaching for recovery. The paper aims to show an overview of work that was carried out over 11 years with groups of mental health and physical staff. As the facilitator who had run this course for the duration in Nottingham, this was an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of a brand new project.

Design/methodology/approach

The introduction of the skills are taught over two consecutive days followed by a further day a month later. The idea of coaching is to be enabled to find the answers in themselves by the use of powerful questions and using the technique of the grow model, combined with practice enables the brain to come up with its own answers. Using rapport and enabling effective communication to deliver the outcome.

Findings

Evidence from staff/clients and the purpose of the paper shows that when you step back it allows the individual patients/staff to allow the brain to process to create to come up with their solutions, which then helps them to buy into the process and creates ownership.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence suggests that the approach that was there prior to the course was very much a clinical approach to working with clients and treating the person, administering medication and not focussing on the inner person or personal recovery. The staff review has shown that in the clinical context change is happening from the inside out.

Practical implications

“Helps change culture”; “change of work practice”; “it changed staff focus – not so prescriptive”; “powerful questions let clients come to their own conclusions”; “coaching gives the ability to find half full. Helps to offer reassurance and to find one spark of hope”.

Social implications

This has shown that the approach is now person-centred/holistic. This has been the “difference that has made the difference”. When this paper looks at the issues from a different angle in this case a coaching approach, applying technique, knowledge and powerful questions the results have changed. The same clients, same staff and same problems but with the use of a different approach, there is the evidence of a different outcome, which speaks for itself. The coaching method is more facilitative, therefore it illicit’s a different response, and therefore, result.

Originality/value

The results/evidence starts with the individual attending and their commitment to the process over the two-day course. Then going away for the four weeks/six for managers and a commitment again to practice. Returning to share the impact if any with the group. This, in turn, helps to inspire and gain motivation from the feedback to go back to work invigorated to keep going.
Tourism policy and environmental impacts in Musina municipality: lessons from a case study of failure
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Musina municipality is one of the driest regions in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is, like many rural communities within the country, a low-income area. Nonetheless, being embedded within the tourism-orientated landscape of the Vhembe district in Limpopo, it possesses the potential for community-based tourism. This study aims to review the perception and application of tourism development policy in the Municipality using primary and secondary data. The study discovered poor enforcement of tourism development policy paired with a substandard knowledge of sustainable and responsible tourism principles. Consequently, the negative environmental impacts of tourism activities had exacerbated. The study recommends a need for improved policy implementation and strategies to advance local communities’ livelihoods while also managing natural resources.
Coping with the worst of both worlds: Phenotypic adjustments for cold acclimatization benefit northward migration and arrival in the cold in an Arctic‐breeding songbird
Authors: Le Pogam Audrey , O'Connor Ryan S. , Love Oliver P. , Petit Magali , Régimbald Lyette , Vézina François
Published: March 2021

Cold acclimatization (phenotypic adjustments to cope with cold conditions) is an imperative requirement for birds living at high latitudes during the cold depths of winter. Despite the significant remodelling of key phenotypic traits and energetic costs associated with elevating cold endurance, winter cold acclimatization can also provide further carryover benefits to subsequent stages in species wintering, migrating and breeding in cold environments (e.g. the Arctic).

We tested this beneficial carryover hypothesis using outdoor captive Arctic‐breeding snow buntings Plectrophenax nivalis, a cold specialist known for its impressive wintering thermogenic capabilities. We compared changes in phenotypic traits supporting cold acclimatization—body composition (body, fat, lean mass, pectoral muscle thickness), oxygen carrying capacity (haematocrit), thermogenic capacity and endurance (Msum, time to Msum), cold tolerance (Ta at Msum) and maintenance energy expenditure (BMR)—between the wintering, migratory and arrival/summer stages.

Body mass (+31%), fat mass (+226%) and BMR (+13%) increased relative to the winter phenotype, likely to support the added costs of migration—that is the migratory upregulation hypothesis. In contrast, lean mass, pectoral muscle thickness, haematocrit and thermogenic capacity remained high and stable at winter level across stages in support of the thermal carryover hypothesis. The maintenance of these traits likely offers spare capacity for unpredictable cold environments expected during migration and breeding in the Arctic.

Our results thus suggest that birds can extend the long‐term advantages of winter phenotypic adjustments through additional benefits to thermogenic capacity during subsequent life‐history stages. These benefits likely make it possible for Arctic‐breeding birds to maximize success across diverse life‐history stages in the face of extreme cold conditions.
Piketty comes to South Africa
Authors: Díaz Pabón Fabio Andrés , Leibbrandt Murray , Ranchhod Vimal , Savage Michael
Published: March 2021

One of the most valuable features ofCapital and Ideologyis its concern to take history seriously and consider how the emergence of different political and economic regimes relate to discourses about fairness and justice across time. This paper pushes this agenda further by acknowledging that the experience of a few developed nations should not be taken as the template for the generalized study of inequality dynamics across time and space. In this paper, we interrogate Piketty's analysis and policy proposals against specificities that are central to understanding the production and reproduction of inequalities within South Africa. We reflect on the South African case, the structure of inequality and its changes since 1994. We review a battery of policy interventions that have been implemented to address inequality in the last 25 years. We emphasize that the long shadow cast by centuries of colonialism and various forms of apartheid strongly affirm Piketty's emphasis on understanding history. But this is both affirmation and critique given the foundational, imbedded impact that this specific legacy has had on post‐apartheid society and its policies. Piketty is aware that the levels of inequality in South Africa are so high that this is “unknown territory.” We map out some of this territory to reveal how these extreme initial wealth and racial inequities inform the reproduction of inequalities in all dimensions and undermine well intentioned policies. We claim that understanding extractive histories, imbedded wealth inequalities, and complex social and political institutions allows us to understand and confront some of the reasons why even in light of progressive policies, many of which are in line with the proposals from Piketty, government interventions have thus far failed to reduce inequality.
Log‐ratio analysis of microbiome data with many zeroes is library size dependent
Authors: te Beest Dennis E. , Nijhuis Els H. , Möhlmann Tim W. R. , ter Braak Cajo J. F.
Published: March 2021

Microbiome composition data collected through amplicon sequencing are count data on taxa in which the total count per sample (the library size) is an artefact of the sequencing platform, and as a result, such data are compositional. To avoid library size dependency, one common way of analysing multivariate compositional data is to perform a principal component analysis (PCA) on data transformed with the centred log‐ratio, hereafter called a log‐ratio PCA. Two aspects typical of amplicon sequencing data are the large differences in library size and the large number of zeroes. In this study, we show on real data and by simulation that, applied to data that combine these two aspects, log‐ratio PCA is nevertheless heavily dependent on the library size. This leads to a reduction in power when testing against any explanatory variable in log‐ratio redundancy analysis. If there is additionally a correlation between the library size and the explanatory variable, then the type 1 error becomes inflated. We explore putative solutions to this problem.
What is our power to detect device effects in animal tracking studies?
Authors: Cleasby Ian R. , Morrissey Barbara J. , Bolton Mark , Owen Ellie , Wilson Linda , Wischnewski Saskia , Nakagawa Shinichi
Published: March 2021

The use of bio‐logging devices to track animal movement continues to grow as technological advances and device miniaturisation allow researchers to study animal behaviour in unprecedented detail. Balanced against the remarkable data that bio‐loggers can provide is a need to understand the impact of devices on animal behaviour and welfare.

Recent meta‐analyses have demonstrated the impacts of device attachment on animal behaviour, but there is a concern about the frequency and clarity with which device effects are reported. One aspect lacking in many studies is assessment of the statistical power of tests of device effects, yet such information would assist the interpretation of results. We address this issue by providing an overview of the statistical power, as well as the Type M (magnitude) and Type S (sign) error rate, of tests of device effects within the avian tracking literature across a range of assumed effect sizes.

The median power of statistical tests ranged from 9% to 65% across a range of assumed effect sizes corresponding to benchmark values for small, moderate and large effects (d = 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, respectively). Moreover, when using effect sizes derived from previous a meta‐analysis (d = 0.1), median power was only 6%. When assuming smaller effect sizes, statistical tests were characterised by high Type M and Type S error rates, suggesting that statistically significant results of device effects will tend to exaggerate the size of such effects and may estimate the sign of an effect in the wrong direction.

Well‐designed tracking studies will reduce device effects to low levels and consequently issues associated with low power will be commonplace. Nevertheless, assessment of device effects remains important, particularly when embarking on novel tracking studies. We recommend that statistical tests of device effects are reported clearly and are routinely accompanied by assessment of statistical power, including Type M and Type S errors, based upon realistic external estimates of effect size. Reporting the statistical power can help avoid the pitfalls of overstating results from individual studies, shift the emphasis to accurate reporting of effect sizes and guide decisions about the ethical impacts of device attachment.
Variations in mindfulness associated with the COVID‐19 outbreak: Differential effects on cognitive failures, intrusive thoughts and rumination
Authors: Lopez Antonella , Caffò Alessandro Oronzo , Tinella Luigi , Di Masi Manuela Nicoletta , Bosco Andrea
Published: March 2021

The lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused psychological distress and cognitive discomfort for emerging adults, who have experienced increased rumination, intrusive thoughts and cognitive failures. States of mindfulness and being in the moment can prevent anxiety and fear associated with the lockdown and alleviate ruminative and automatic negative thinking. This longitudinal study investigated the role of mindfulness before and during the COVID‐19 lockdown in protecting a sample of emerging adults from experiencing cognitive failures, intrusive thoughts and rumination and examined how lockdown‐related variables—emotions, socio‐economic status and housing conditions—influenced this mindfulness profile. The results showed overall more cognitive failures and rumination during lockdown, especially in participants whose mindfulness status diminished. However, these signs of cognitive distress remained stable or decreased among participants who reported improved changes in mindfulness. Financial difficulties and a reduced sense of privacy associated with the lockdown predicted lower stability in mindfulness profiles. The state of being fully aware of what is happening in the present moment may be helpful in reducing cognitive discomfort and psychological maladjustment, especially during stressful times such as lockdowns.