bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence Of We-Representation In Monkeys When Acting Together
Authors: Lacal Irene , Babicola Lucy , Caminiti Roberto , Ferrari-Toniolo Simone , Schito Andrea , Nalbant Laura E. , Gupta Rajnish K. , Battaglia-Mayer Alexandra 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTA hallmark of successful evolution resides in the ability to adapt our actions to those of others, optimizing collective behaviour, to achieve goals otherwise unattainable by individuals acting alone. We have previously shown that macaques constitute a good model to analyse joint behavior, since they are able to coordinate their actions in a dyadic context. In the present work, we investigated whether monkeys could improve their joint-action performance, under special visuomotor conditions. The behavior of 5 monkeys was analyzed in isometric center-out tasks, requiring hand force application in different directions, either individually or together with a partner. Manipulating the presence or absence of a pre-instruction about the future action condition (SOLO or TOGETHER), allowed us to investigate on the existence of a “we-representation” in macaque monkeys. We found that pre-cueing the future action context increased the chances of dyadic success, also thanks to the emergence of an optimal kinematic setting, that ultimately facilitates inter-individual motor coordination. Our results offer empirical evidence in macaques of a “We-representation” during collective behavior, that once is cued in advance has an overall beneficial effect on joint performance.
Glucosidase inhibitors suppress SARS-CoV-2 in tissue culture and may potentiate
Authors: Reyes Hanako , Du Yanming , Zhou Tianlun , Xie Xuping , Shi Pei Yong , Weiss Susan , Block Timothy M. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTIminosugar glucosidase inhibitors prevent the folding of a range of viral N-linked glycoproteins, ranging from hepatitis B to Ebola. We recently showed they inhibit folding and function of the ACE2 protein, which is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and they have also inhibited the SARS Spike polypeptides. Here we report that the imino sugar glucosidase inhibitors, N-butyl deoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ), which is approved for management of lysosomal storage disease (sold as Zavesca), and ureido-N-hexyl deoxynojirimycine (BSBI-19029), suppress the replication of SARS-ncCoV-2/USA/WA1/2020 strain, in tissue culture. Moreover, combinations of either of these iminosugars with Remdesivir were particularly potent in suppressing SARS-CoV-2. Briefly, NBDNJ, 19029 and Remdesivir suppressed SARS-CoV-2 production in A549ACE2human lung cells with IC90s of ~130 μM, ~4.0 μM, and 0.006 μM respectively. The combination of as little as 0.037 μM of NBDNJ or 0.04 μM 19029, respectively and 0.002 μM Remdesivir yielded IC90s. Medical strategies to manage SARS-CoV-2 infection of people are urgently needed, and although Remdesivir and Favipiravir have shown efficacy, it is limited. NBDNJ was recently reported by others to have tissue culture activity against SARS-CoV-2, so our report confirms this, and extends the findings to a more potent iminosugar, 19029 and combination with Remdesivir. Since both NBDNJ and Remdesivir are both approved and available for human use, the possibility that NBDNJ has mono therapeutic value against SARS-CoV-2 as well as can enhance Remdesivir, may have clinical implications, which are discussed, here.
Gene- and genome-centric dynamics shape the diversity of oral bacterial populations
Authors: Utter Daniel R. , Cavanaugh Colleen M. , Borisy Gary G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTwo major viewpoints have been put forward for how microbes adapt to a niche, differing in whether adaptation is driven principally by gene-centric or genome-centric processes. Longitudinal sampling at microbially-relevant timescales, i.e., days to weeks, is critical for distinguishing these mechanisms. Because of its significance for both microbial ecology and human health and its accessibility and high level of curation, we used the oral microbiota to evaluate evolutionary mechanisms. Metagenomes were generated by shotgun sequencing of total community DNA from the healthy tongues of 17 volunteers at four to seven timepoints obtained over intervals of days to weeks. We obtained 390 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) defining population genomes from 55 genera, the majority of which were temporally stable at the MAG level. Decomposing MAG-defined populations by single nucleotide variant frequencies revealed MAGs were composed of up to 5 haplotypes, putatively distinct strain- or subpopulation-level genotypes. Most haplotypes were stable over time, yet we found examples of individual haplotypes sweeping from low abundance to dominance in a population over a period of days, a pattern suggestive of genome-centric adaptation. At the gene level, the vast majority of genes in each MAG were tightly linked over the two-week sampling window based on their frequency in the metagenomes of different mouths. The few genes that changed in abundance independently from nearby genes did not change in a directional manner, nor did nonsynonymous codon variants within such genes. Altogether, these observations characterize the intrapopulation genomic dynamics of the oral microbiota at microbially-relevant timescales. Our results demonstrate that both gene- and genome-wide sweeps occur on daily timescales but likely with different ecological ramifications. We infer that genome-wide selection of ecotypes is the dominant mode of adaptation in the oral populations, with short-term changes in gene frequency also occurring.
Plasmid co-infection: linking biological mechanisms to ecological and evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Igler Claudia , Huisman Jana S. , Siedentop Berit , Bonhoeffer Sebastian , Lehtinen Sonja 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs infectious agents of bacteria and vehicles of horizontal gene transfer, plasmids play a key role in bacterial ecology and evolution. Plasmid dynamics are shaped not only by plasmid-host interactions, but also by ecological interactions between plasmid variants. These interactions are complex: plasmids can co-infect the same host cell and the consequences for the co-resident plasmid can be either beneficial or detrimental. Many of the biological processes that govern plasmid co-infection–from systems to exclude infection by other plasmids to interactions in the regulation of plasmid copy number per cell–are well characterised at a mechanistic level. Modelling plays a central role in translating such mechanistic insights into predictions about plasmid dynamics, and in turn, the impact of these dynamics on bacterial evolution. Theoretical work in evolutionary epidemiology has shown that formulating models of co-infection is not trivial, as some modelling choices can introduce unintended ecological assumptions. Here, we review how the biological processes that govern co-infection can be represented in a mathematical model, discuss potential modelling pitfalls, and analyse this model to provide general insights into how co-infection impacts eco-evolutionary outcomes. In particular, we demonstrate how beneficial and detrimental effects of co-infection give rise to frequency-dependent selection.
Functional characterization of splicing regulatory elements
Authors: Adamson SI , Zhan L , Graveley BR 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundRNA binding protein-RNA interactions mediate a variety of processes including pre-mRNA splicing, translation, decay, polyadenylation and many others. Previous high-throughput studies have characterized general sequence features associated with increased and decreased splicing of certain exons, but these studies are limited by not knowing the mechanisms, and in particular, the mediating RNA binding proteins, underlying these associations.ResultsHere we utilize ENCODE data from diverse data modalities to identify functional splicing regulatory elements and their associated RNA binding proteins. We identify features which make splicing events more sensitive to depletion of RNA binding proteins, as well as which RNA binding proteins act as splicing regulators sensitive to depletion. To analyze the sequence determinants underlying RBP-RNA interactions impacting splicing, we assay tens of thousands of sequence variants in a high-throughput splicing reporter called Vex-seq and confirm a small subset in their endogenous loci using CRISPR base editors. Finally, we leverage other large transcriptomic datasets to confirm the importance of RNA binding proteins which we designed experiments around and identify additional RBPs which may act as additional splicing regulators of the exons studied.ConclusionsThis study identifies sequence and other features underlying splicing regulation mediated specific RNA binding proteins, as well as validates and identifies other potentially important regulators of splicing in other large transcriptomic datasets.
Influence of educational programs oriented toward entrepreneurship on the entrepreneurial intention of university students: the case of Chile
Authors: Silva Noah , Fernández‐Robin Cristóbal , Yáñez Diego , Romaní Gianni 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study measures the influence of educational programs oriented toward entrepreneurship (POE) on the prediction of the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of university students, based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Design/methodology/focusThe sample contains a total of 4,697 answers from university students, obtained through the 2018 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS) project. A model of structural equations was used.FindingsThe results show that educational POE have an impact on EI, mediated by the perceived university environment (UE) and entrepreneurial skills (ES). In addition, it was confirmed that the variable that best explains EI is the attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE), followed by perceived behavioral control (PBC); these two variables are able to mediate the effect of subjective norm (SN) on EI.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to students in higher education. Additionally, the data used come from only one country.Practical implicationsEducational POE that are focused on providing and improving ES and knowledge must be promoted, given that they indirectly strengthen the EI of students in higher education.Originality/valueThe effect of educational POE, mediated by ES and the UE, on EI is measured.
Total quality management and sustainability in the public service sector: the mediating effect of service innovation
Authors: Ali AlShehail Ohoud , Khan Mehmood , Ajmal Mian 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study aims to critically investigate the structural relationships between total quality management (TQM), service innovation and sustainability performance in the public service sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachThe study employed an online survey to collect data from 400 employees working in eight selected UAE public service sector organisations located in Abu Dhabi. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to empirically examine whether TQM practices improve service innovation and, subsequently, sustainability performance in the UAE's public service sector.FindingsThe results show that TQM has a significant impact on service innovation and sustainability performance in the UAE's public service sector. Additionally, service innovation partially mediates the relationship between TQM and sustainability performance.Practical implicationsThe public service sector's TQM practices and service innovation in the UAE have a much greater impact on social and environmental sustainability than on economic sustainability performance. Adopting five dimensions of TQM (following the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance [ADAEP] model) across the UAE's public organisations will enable government departments to deliver innovative services to its beneficiaries.Originality/valueThis study provides a substantial contribution by addressing the gaps in the literature. Very few studies have empirically investigated the possible association between TQM, service innovation and sustainability performance in public sector organisations, particularly in developing countries such as the UAE, where the increasing efforts in TQM practices are still in their emerging stages, mainly targeting innovative service offerings and sustainable performance.
A new response surface method based on the adaptive bivariate cut-HDMR
Authors: Fan Wenliang , Shen Wei , Zhang Qingbin , Ang Alfredo H.-S. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of response surface method (RSM), as well as its robustness.

Design/methodology/approach
By introducing cut-high-dimensional representation model (HDMR), the delineation of cross terms and the constitution analysis of component function, a new adaptive RSM is presented for reliability calculation, where a sampling scheme is also proposed to help constructing response surface close to limit-state.

Findings
The proposed method has a more feasible process of evaluating undetermined coefficients of each component function than traditional RSM, and performs well in terms of balancing the efficiency and accuracy when compared to the traditional second-order polynomial RSM. Moreover, the proposed method is robust on the parameter in a wide range, indicating that it is able to obtain convergent result in a wide feasible domain of sample points.

Originality/value
This study constructed an adaptive bivariate cut-HDMR by introducing delineation of cross-terms and constitution of univariate component function; and a new sampling technique is proposed.
On the topological enrichment for crack modeling via the generalized/extended FEM: a novel discussion considering smooth partitions of unity
Authors: Torres Diego Amadeu F. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
It has been usual to prefer an enrichment pattern independent of the mesh when applying singular functions in the Generalized/eXtended finite element method (G/XFEM). This choice, when modeling crack tip singularities through extrinsic enrichment, has been understood as the only way to surpass the typical poor convergence rate obtained with the finite element method (FEM), on uniform or quasi-uniform meshes conforming to the crack. Then, the purpose of this study is to revisit the topological enrichment strategy in the light of a higher-order continuity obtained with a smooth partition of unity (PoU). Aiming to verify the smoothness' impacts on the blending phenomenon, a series of numerical experiments is conceived to compare the two GFEM versions: the conventional one, based on piecewise continuous PoU's, and another which considers PoU's with high-regularity.

Design/methodology/approach
The stress approximations right at the crack tip vicinity are qualified by focusing on crack severity parameters. For this purpose, the material forces method originated from the configurational mechanics is employed. Some attempts to improve solution using different polynomial enrichment schemes, besides the singular one, are discussed aiming to verify the transition/blending effects. A classical two-dimensional problem of the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) is solved, considering the pure mode I and the mixed-mode loadings.

Findings
The results reveal that, in the presence of smooth PoU's, the topological enrichment can still be considered as a suitable strategy for extrinsic enrichment. First, because such an enrichment pattern still can treat the crack independently of the mesh and deliver some advantage in terms of convergence rates, under certain conditions, when compared to the conventional FEM. Second, because the topological pattern demands fewer degrees of freedom and impacts conditioning less than the geometrical strategy.

Originality/value
Several outputs are presented, considering estimations for the

J–integral and the angle of probable crack advance, this last computed from two different strategies to monitoring blending/transition effects, besides some comments about conditioning. Both h- and p-behaviors are displayed to allow a discussion from different points of view concerning the topological enrichment in smooth GFEM.
A fast workpiece detection method based on multi-feature fused SSD
Authors: Shi Guoyuan , Zhang Yingjie , Zeng Manni 
Published: May 2021

PurposeWorkpiece sorting is a key link in industrial production lines. The vision-based workpiece sorting system is non-contact and widely applicable. The detection and recognition of workpieces are the key technologies of the workpiece sorting system. To introduce deep learning algorithms into workpiece detection and improve detection accuracy, this paper aims to propose a workpiece detection algorithm based on the single-shot multi-box detector (SSD).Design/methodology/approachPropose a multi-feature fused SSD network for fast workpiece detection. First, the multi-view CAD rendering images of the workpiece are used as deep learning data sets. Second, the visual geometry group network was trained for workpiece recognition to identify the category of the workpiece. Third, this study designs a multi-level feature fusion method to improve the detection accuracy of SSD (especially for small objects); specifically, a feature fusion module is added, which uses “element-wise sum” and “concatenation operation” to combine the information of shallow features and deep features.FindingsExperimental results show that the actual workpiece detection accuracy of the method can reach 96% and the speed can reach 41 frames per second. Compared with the original SSD, the method improves the accuracy by 7% and improves the detection performance of small objects.Originality/valueThis paper innovatively introduces the SSD detection algorithm into workpiece detection in industrial scenarios and improves it. A feature fusion module has been added to combine the information of shallow features and deep features. The multi-feature fused SSD network proves the feasibility and practicality of introducing deep learning algorithms into workpiece sorting.
Ambiguity factors in construction contracts entailing conflicts
Authors: Koc Kerim , Gurgun Asli Pelin 
Published: May 2021

PurposeConflicts, claims and disputes are inherent in most construction projects. Acceptable degree of commonality in the interpretation of contract provisions is critical in effective contract administration. This study aims to assess the effects of contract ambiguity factors on construction conflicts, highlighting the causes of divergent interpretations using fuzzy technique for order of preference by the similarity-to-ideal-solution (TOPSIS) method.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy TOPSIS framework with 27 ambiguity factors is constructed by conducting a comprehensive literature review, accompanied by a pilot study. Questionnaire survey is formed, and one-to-one interviews are arranged with 35 contract administration experts.FindingsThe findings indicate that (1) ambiguity due to excessive changes in the bill of quantity (BOQ) (including ambiguous provisions related to BOQ changes), (2) incomplete clauses that do not describe the scope of the intended work purely, (3) ambiguity due to excessive amendments in the scope of works (including ambiguous provisions related to scope changes), (4) ambiguous enforceability including excessive demands and (5) ambiguous goal and performance requirements are the top five ambiguity factors affecting construction conflicts.Research limitations/implicationsPresented framework is performed referring to ambiguity factors in all type of construction contracts in the general sense. However, the identified factors may vary depending on the project type, contract type, procurement method or use of standard contract forms (such as NEC, FIDIC).Originality/valueThe literature lacks the investigation of ambiguity factors in construction contracts, yet the assessment of the effects of contract ambiguity is essential to minimize conflicts.
The application of simulation in lean production research: a critical review and future directions
Authors: Shou Wenchi , Wang Jun , Wu Peng 
Published: May 2021

PurposeSimulation has attracted increasing attention in lean production research as a response to address the complexities of the production environment and difficulties of dealing with changes within a system. Considerable growth of using simulation to facilitate lean acceptance and implementation has been observed across different projects and sectors. However, a thorough review of the development and use of simulation in lean production research is limited.Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to address this gap by reviewing 311 journal papers published in the past two decades on this specific research area and identify the state-of-the-art development and propose future research directions.FindingsThe review shows that current studies related to simulation in lean production research can be categorised into two major research streams, namely, simulation assisted lean facilitation and evaluation, and simulation-based lean education and training. Under the first research stream, a total of 19 application areas have been identified which applied both lean and simulation in their studies. The evolution of the simulation techniques used in these studies has been analysed as well. Meanwhile, four types of simulation games have been identified in the stream of simulation-based lean education and training and the impact and applicability of the different simulation and games have been discussed. A framework for engaging lean and simulation is suggested based on the review of the existing studies. The analysis in both streams also highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and the utilisation of information technologies for future studies.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study are expected to provide useful references for the future development and application of simulation in lean production research.Originality/valueThis paper conducted a broad and extensive review of simulation integrated lean production research. An in-depth examination of the retrieved papers was conducted through a structured and quantitative analysis to understand the current body of knowledge.
Development and implementation of a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society
Authors: Tompa Emile , Mofidi Amirabbas , Jetha Arif , Lahey Pamela , Buettgen Alexis 
Published: May 2021

PurposeTo develop a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society and implement it for the Canadian context. The framework measures the gap between the current situation in terms of accessibility and inclusiveness, and a counterfactual scenario of a fully accessible and inclusive society.Design/methodology/approachThe method consists of three steps. First, the conceptual framework was developed based on a literature review and expert knowledge. Second, the magnitudes for each domain of the framework was estimated for the reference year 2017 using data from various sources. Third, several sensitivity analyses were run using different assumptions and scenarios.FindingsIt was estimated that moving to a fully accessible and inclusive society would create a value of $337.7bn (with a range of $252.8–$422.7bn) for Canadian society in the reference year of 2017. This is a sizeable proportion of gross domestic product (17.6%, with a range of 13.1–22.0%) and is likely a conservative estimate of the potential benefits.Originality/valueUnderstanding the magnitude of the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society can be extremely useful for governments, disability advocates and industry leaders as it provides invaluable information on the benefits of efforts, such as legislation, policies, programs and practices, to improve accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the total economic benefits and the benefits per person with a disability can serve as inputs in economic evaluations and impact assessments.