A fractional gradient descent algorithm robust to the initial weights of multilayer perceptron

For multilayer perceptron (MLP), the initial weights will significantly influence its performance. Based on the enhanced fractional derivative extend from convex optimization, this paper proposes a fractional gradient descent (RFGD) algorithm robust to the initial weights of MLP. We analyze the effectiveness of the RFGD algorithm. The convergence of the RFGD algorithm is also analyzed. The computational complexity of the RFGD algorithm is generally larger than that of the gradient descent (GD) algorithm but smaller than that of the Adam, Padam, AdaBelief, and AdaDiff algorithms. Numerical experiments show that the RFGD algorithm has strong robustness to the order of fractional calculus which is the only added parameter compared to the GD algorithm. More importantly, compared to the GD, Adam, Padam, AdaBelief, and AdaDiff algorithms, the experimental results show that the RFGD algorithm has the best robust performance for the initial weights of MLP. Meanwhile, the correctness of the theoretical analysis is verified.

Two new tardigrade genera from New Zealand's Southern Alp glaciers display morphological stasis and parallel evolution

Tardigrada is an invertebrate phylum that often constitutes a dominant micrometazoan group on glaciers worldwide. We investigated tardigrades residing in surface ice above the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) on three temperate glaciers of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Morphological, morphometric and multilocus DNA analyses (CO1, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) revealed two new genera comprising four species, of which two are formally described here: Kopakaius gen. nov. nicolae sp. nov. and Kararehius gen. nov. gregorii sp. nov. The former is represented by three genetically distinct phyletic lineages akin to species. According to CO1, Kopakaius gen. nov. nicolae sp. nov. inhabits Whataroa Glacier only while the remaining two Kopakaius species occur on Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, suggesting low dispersal capabilities. Although morphological characteristics of the new genera could indicate affinity with the subfamily Itaquasconinae, phylogenetic analysis placed them confidently in the subfamily Diphasconinae. Kopakaius gen. nov. lack placoids in the pharynx similar with some Itaquasconinae, whereas dark pigmentation and claw shape aligns them with the glacier-obligate genus, Cryobiotus (subfamily Hypsibiinae), which is an example of parallel evolution. The second genus, Kararehius gen nov. could be classified as Adropion-like (subfamily Itaquasconinae), but differs greatly by genetics (placed in the subfamily Diphasconinae) as well as morphology (e.g., lack of septulum), exemplify deep stasis in Hypsibiidae. Our results suggest that glacier fragmentation during the Pleistocene triggered tardigrade speciation, making it a suitable model for studies on allopatric divergence in glacier meiofauna.

Convergence on Coercion: Functional and Political Pressures as Drivers of Global Childhood Vaccine Mandates

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy is a global problem with diverse local policy responses, from voluntaristic to coercive. Between 2015 and 2017, California, Australia, France, and Italy increased the coerciveness of their childhood vaccine regimes. Despite this apparent convergence, there is little evidence of imposition, policy learning, or diffusion - the drivers that are usually discussed in scholarly literature on policy convergence. The fact that the four governments were oriented across the political spectrum, with quite different political and institutional systems, further indicates an empirical puzzle.

METHODS

To better understand the drivers of enhanced vaccine mandates, a crucial issue during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global rollout, this article engages with four case studies assembled from qualitative analysis of semi-structured in-country interviews and document analysis between November 2018 and November 2020. Key informants had specific expert knowledge or played a role in the introduction or implementation of the new policies. Interview transcripts were coded inductively and deductively, augmented with extensive analysis of legal, policy, academic and media documents.

RESULTS

The case analysis identifies two key and interacting elements in government decisions to tighten vaccine mandates: functional and political pressures. Policy-makers in Italy and France were primarily driven by functional challenges, with their vaccination governance systems under threat from reduced population compliance. California and Australia did not face systemic threats to the functioning of their systems, but activists utilised local opportunities to heighten political pressure on decision makers.

CONCLUSION

In four recent cases of high-income jurisdictions making childhood vaccination policies more coercive, vaccine hesitancy alone could not explain why the policies arose in these jurisdictions and not others, while path dependency alone could not explain why some jurisdictions with mandates made them more coercive. Explanation lies in restrictive mandates being attractive for governments, whether they face systemic functional problems in vaccine governance, or political pressures generated by media and activists. Mandates can be framed as targeting whole populations or localised groups of refusers, and implemented without onerous costs or policy complexity.

On the convergence of ecological footprint in African countries: New evidences from panel stationarity tests with factors and gradual shifts

Convergence of the environmental indicators has been one of the significant research areas for researchers since the study of Strazicich and List (2003) was published. Earlier papers have concentrated on investigating the existence of the convergence of indicators of the environment by using carbon emissions as a pollution indicator. However, some researchers have criticized the use of carbon emission as a one-dimensional indicator and proposed using ecological footprint as a more comprehensive indicator. The primary aim of this paper is to examine whether stochastic convergence of ecological footprint exists in 49 African countries from 1973 to 2018 by employing a battery of traditional stationarity methods and a newly proposed stationary method with smooth shifts and a combination of p-values. The empirical results show that panel findings of the conventional stationarity test with no structural shifts reveal that ecological footprint follows a stationary process. In contrast, panel findings of the traditional stationarity method with sharp and smooth changes and the newly developed stationary method with smooth shifts and a combination of p-values reveal that ecological footprint follows a non-stationary process. Moreover, the majority of individual results show that the ecological footprint follows a convergent pattern in 38 African countries, whereas it follows a divergent pattern in the remainder. Therefore, the main finding indicates the stochastic convergence of ecological footprint in African countries is validated. The policy outcomes of the empirical results are given in the body of the paper.

Evolutionary endocrinology and the problem of Darwin's tangled bank

Like Darwin's tangled bank of biodiversity, the endocrine mechanisms that give rise to phenotypic diversity also exhibit nearly endless forms. This tangled bank of mechanistic diversity can prove problematic as we seek general principles on the role of endocrine mechanisms in phenotypic evolution. A key unresolved question is therefore: to what degree are specific endocrine mechanisms re-used to bring about replicated phenotypic evolution? Related areas of inquiry are booming in molecular ecology, but behavioral traits are underrepresented in this literature. Here, I leverage the rich comparative tradition in evolutionary endocrinology to evaluate whether and how certain mechanisms may be repeated hotspots of behavioral evolutionary change. At one extreme, mechanisms may be parallel, such that evolution repeatedly uses the same gene or pathway to arrive at multiple independent (or, convergent) origins of a particular behavioral trait. At the other extreme, the building blocks of behavior may be unique, such that outwardly similar phenotypes are generated via lineage-specific mechanisms. This review synthesizes existing case studies, phylogenetic analyses, and experimental evolutionary research on mechanistic parallelism in animal behavior. These examples show that the endocrine building blocks of behavior have some elements of parallelism across replicated evolutionary events. However, support for parallelism is variable among studies, at least some of which relates to the level of complexity at which we consider sameness (i.e. pathway vs. gene level). Moving forward, we need continued experimentation and better testing of neutral models to understand whether, how - and critically, why - mechanism A is used in one lineage and mechanism B is used in another. We also need continued growth of large-scale comparative analyses, especially those that can evaluate which endocrine parameters are more or less likely to undergo parallel evolution alongside specific behavioral traits. These efforts will ultimately deepen understanding of how and why hormone-mediated behaviors are constructed the way that they are.

Adaptive iterative learning control for high-order nonlinear systems with random initial state shifts

Aiming at the tracking problem for a class of high-order nonlinear systems with arbitrary initial state, this paper proposes different initial state shifts rectifying schemes for systems with different orders from the perspective of solving differential equations to ensure that the systems achieve complete tracking over the specified interval. This method relaxes the requirement of initial positioning in iterative learning control, and solves the problem of iterative learning control for high-order nonlinear systems with arbitrary initial state error. The theoretical analysis shows that the proposed schemes can make all signals in the system bounded, and ensure that the tracking error in the preset interval tends to zero as the number of iterations increases. When designing the controller, the arctangent function is used to avoid flutter of the control signal and related variables. The final simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.

Convergence of green total factor productivity in China's service industry

With the rising global concern over environment and energy issues, there are many scholars incorporating them into total factor productivity (TFP) analytical framework. This paper aims to outline the dynamic change trend and convergence characteristics of green total factor productivity (GTFP) of 14 sub-sectors in China's service industry. This is of great significance to the coordinated development and green transformation of sub-sectors of China's service industry. This paper commences to gauge and decompose GTFP of China's service industry by cutting-edge epsilon-based measure (EBM) generalizing slacks-based measure (SBM) and radial measure as well as Global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) productivity index, and to examine the existence of convergence hypothesis in China's service industry. The core conclusions are as follows: (1) the average annual growth rate of GTFP in China's service industry is 1.00%, and there exists heterogeneity for GTFP in different sub-sectors; (2) there are phenomena of σ-convergence, absolute β-convergence, and conditional β-convergence in GTFP of China's overall service industry, producer service industry, and consumer-oriented service industry. The main policy suggestions include: increasing investment in green technology innovation of the service industry, formulating more effective industrial development planning and energy policies, and optimizing energy structure and industry structure of the service industry.

Convergence in ecological footprint across the member states of ECOWAS: evidence from a novel panel unit root test

In this paper, we investigate the convergence in ecological footprint per capita across the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries from 1968 to 2017. For this aim, we apply a panel Fourier threshold unit root test recently proposed by Yilanci et al. (2021). This methodology considers both multiple smooth structural changes and nonlinearity, which allows us to get more reliable results. The results of the study support the evidence of nonlinearity for the series, so we test the null of divergence in a nonlinear framework. Since test statistics are statistically significant, we conclude that there is global convergence for the sample. Besides, we find that the type of convergence is absolute, which supports the view that the ecological footprint of the ECOWAS countries will equalize in the long run, and the emission allocation policies should be given priority by policymakers.

A modified Whale Optimization Algorithm for exploitation capability and stability enhancement

Swarm-based Metaheuristic Optimization Techniques (MOT) are the dominant among all techniques, particularly owing to their simple nature and robust performance. The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), a swarm-based MOT inspired by the hunting strategy of the humpback whale, has thus far shown promising results. However, like all MOT, the WOA is not without drawbacks. These demerits are a slow convergence rate and poor exploitation capability. This may prove to be problematic when applied to optimization problems requiring high precision results. Over the past few years, there has been proposed modifications to the conventional algorithm. However, experimental analysis highlights the need to further enhance the properties of the algorithm. This work proposes an enhanced WOA for exploitation capability and stability enhancement. The proposed algorithm introduces various modifications to the position update equations of the conventional algorithm, as well as a modified algorithm structure. The proposed algorithm was compared to various state-of-the-art MOT, as well as modified WOA proposed in recent literature. When applied to the CEC 2019 benchmark functions, the proposed algorithm produced the best result in 7 of the 10 test and had the most superior overall placement. When applied to practical problems, the algorithm once again demonstrated superiority. In addition, it was observed that the proposed algorithm exhibited a superior convergence rate to the other compared techniques.

Convergence insufficiency: Review of clinical diagnostic signs

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a common binocular vision (BV) disorder characterized by difficulty in maintaining motor fusion at near, which affects approximately 7.5 percent of the population. Diagnostic criteria for the disorder are inconsistent, ranging from one to many clinical signs. Methodology for clinical tests is inconsistent in measurement technique, visual targets, required repetitions, and normative values. This manuscript demonstrates the inconsistencies amongst published studies, and highlights the importance of consistent clinical diagnostic signs, measurement techniques, visual targets, and cut-off criteria. For each clinical sign, the recommended methodology for the procedure is described. Several studies do not take age into account when diagnosing CI in their cohorts. As such, the review emphasizes changes in diagnostic signs with age. This manuscript highlights the need for consistent and clear procedures and diagnostic criteria amongst clinicians and provides the basis for future studies in terms of diagnostic testing required for CI of varying age groups.

The spatial distribution dynamic and convergence of CO2 emissions in Iran's provinces

It is essential to study CO₂ emissions intensity as the most critical factor affecting temperature increase and climate change in a country like Iran, which ranked seven regarding CO₂ emissions intensity. Investigating the convergence of CO₂ emissions intensity is essential in recognizing its dynamics in identifying the effectiveness of government environmental policies. In this paper, using the Markov chain and spatial Markov chain methods, the convergence of CO₂ emissions intensity from fossil-fuel consumption has been investigated in 28 provinces of Iran from 2002 to 2016. The empirical results showed that convergence clubs and neighbors significantly influenced the transition probability of regions to clubs with high and low CO₂ emissions. Therefore, if a province had a neighbor with low (high) CO₂ emissions intensity, the transition probability of this province to the club with low (high) CO₂ intensity increased. Therefore, in provinces that have neighbors with low (high) CO₂ emissions intensity, the transition probability to the club with low (high) CO₂ intensity increases.

Convergence analysis of ammonia emissions by sector and fuel source in OECD countries from 1750 to 2019 using a new Fourier-centric wavelet approach

Although ammonia emissions are not as huge as carbon and methane emissions, they pose significant threats to ensuring environmental sustainability and productivity. However, the existing literature has paid less attention to the underlying characteristics of ammonia emissions. The chief target of this study is to investigate the stochastic convergence of ammonia emissions at the aggregate level, by sector, and by fuel source in 37 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries for more than two centuries of data. Using a newly proposed Fourier-augmented wavelet unit root test, the empirical findings reveal that the relative ammonia emissions series in most Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries follow the unit root process in the aggregate, sectoral, and fuel-specific analyses. Therefore, these findings refer to the existence of divergence, while stochastic convergence does not exist in most cases. Having a divergent pattern of ammonia emissions has several policy implications for policymakers in the context of environmental sustainability. (i) Relative ammonia emission cannot revert to its steady-state path without policy intervention, (ii) policymakers have a chance of affecting the dynamics of ammonia emissions in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. (iii) As a policy response, the study recommends the pursuant of national environmental policies with consideration to the unique characteristics of the individual countries as the non-existence of convergence of environmental series could result in a diverse level of consciousness of environmental degradation among countries with divergent patterns on emissions levels.

Classifying Conversational Entrainment of Speech Behavior: An Expanded Framework and Review

Conversational entrainment, also known as alignment, accommodation, convergence, and coordination, is broadly defined as similarity of communicative behavior between interlocutors. Within current literature, specific terminology, definitions, and measurement approaches are wide-ranging and highly variable. As new ways of measuring and quantifying entrainment are developed and research in this area continues to expand, consistent terminology and a means of organizing entrainment research is critical, affording cohesion and assimilation of knowledge. While systems for categorizing entrainment do exist, these efforts are not entirely comprehensive in that specific measurement approaches often used within entrainment literature cannot be categorized under existing frameworks. The purpose of this review article is twofold: First, we propose an expanded version of an earlier framework which allows for the categorization of all measures of entrainment of speech behaviors and includes refinements, additions, and explanations aimed at improving its clarity and accessibility. Second, we present an extensive literature review, demonstrating how current literature fits into the given framework. We conclude with a discussion of how the proposed entrainment framework presented herein can be used to unify efforts in entrainment research.

Molecular phylogeny of Japanese marine Tanytarsini chironomids (Chironomidae: Chironominae)

Tanytarsini is a large tribe of Chironomidae with at least 11 recorded marine species grouped in three genera. In this study, we performed a phylogenic analysis using molecular data from 13 Tanytarsini genera, including all Japanese marine species in a large tribe of Chironominae, to estimate their phylogenetic positions and evolutionary history. The phylogenetic reconstruction grouped the marine species in two clades. One clade was composed of five marine Tanytarsus and two marine Pontomyia species within a larger clade of Tanytarsus. Pontomyia is considered to have morphologically specialized and adapted to marine environments by rapid evolution, although it formed a clade with Tanytarsus. The only one species of Tanytarsus, T. pelagicus, clustered as a member of the second clade, which was mainly composed by species of the genus Paratanytarsus. Thus, we redescribe T. pelagicus as Paratanytarsus pelagicus.

Phylogeny of Telmatobius marmoratus complex (Anura, Telmatobiidae) reveals high cryptic diversity in the Andean Altiplano

Telmatobius is the most diverse group of anurans in the Andean Altiplano (highlands) Morphologically, these amphibians have a generally conserved morphology but in turn present large intraspecific variation, which has led to a complex taxonomy and systematics. T. marmoratus has the widest distribution of the genus and forms a complex composed of at least two Telmatobius species. Partial systematic studies based on molecular evidence reveal the existence of three lineages with a complex spatial distribution. However, these studies did not include the entire distribution of T. marmoratus. Our study aims to reassess the current systematic scenario including the complete distribution of the complex. For this, we used a multilocus approach based on mitochondrial (16S, Cytb) and nuclear (RAG1-1, BFIB) DNA sequences to build a phylogenetic hypothesis based on Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony. Subsequently, we performed single-locus (ABGD and PTP) and multilocus (STACEY) species delimitation analyses to verify the diversity of nominal species within the complex. The analyses suggest seven non-sibling lineages and 6-10 candidate species within the marmoratus complex. Only one of the two lineages restricted to the central northern plateau correspond to T. marmoratus sensu stricto. South-central marbled water frogs belong to completely new lineages closer to T. gigas and T. culeus, evidencing the polyphyletic condition of the marmoratus complex. The findings of several sympatric lineages in some localities reveal a complex history of ancient water connections in south-central Altiplano.

BCOVIDOA: A Novel Binary Coronavirus Disease Optimization Algorithm for Feature Selection

The increased use of digital tools such as smart phones, Internet of Things devices, cameras, and microphones, has led to the produuction of big data. Large data dimensionality, redundancy, and irrelevance are inherent challenging problems when it comes to big data. Feature selection is a necessary process to select the optimal subset of features when addressing such problems. In this paper, the authors propose a novel Binary Coronavirus Disease Optimization Algorithm (BCOVIDOA) for feature selection, where the Coronavirus Disease Optimization Algorithm (COVIDOA) is a new optimization technique that mimics the replication mechanism used by Coronavirus when hijacking human cells. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using twenty-six standard benchmark datasets from UCI Repository. The results are compared with nine recent wrapper feature selection algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed BCOVIDOA significantly outperforms the existing algorithms in terms of accuracy, best cost, the average cost (AVG), standard deviation (STD), and size of selected features. Additionally, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test is calculated to prove the statistical significance of the results.

Phylogenomic data resolve the historical biogeography and ecomorphs of Neotropical forest lizards (Squamata, Diploglossidae)

Few studies have been conducted on the biogeography and phylogenetic relationships of Neotropical forest lizards (Diploglossidae) because of incomplete taxon sampling, conflicting datasets, and low statistical support at phylogenetic nodes. Here, we enhance a recent nine-gene dataset with a genomic dataset of 3,232 loci and 642,775 aligned base pairs. The resulting phylogeny includes 30 diploglossid species, 10 of the 11 genera, and the three subfamilies. It shows significant support for all supra-specific taxa in either maximum likelihood or Bayesian analyses or both. With this well-supported phylogeny, we further investigate the historical biogeography of the group and how diploglossids reached the Caribbean islands. Our analyses indicate that Antillean diploglossid lizards originated from at least two overwater dispersals from South America. Our tests for the strength of convergent evolution between morphologically similar taxa support the recognition of a soil and a tree ecomorph. In addition, we propose grass, ground, rock, and swamp ecomorphs for species in this family based on ecological and morphological data and analyses.

Digital Eye Strain- A Comprehensive Review

Digital eye strain (DES) is an entity encompassing visual and ocular symptoms arising due to the prolonged use of digital electronic devices. It is characterized by dry eyes, itching, foreign body sensation, watering, blurring of vision, and headache. Non-ocular symptoms associated with eye strain include stiff neck, general fatigue, headache, and backache. A variable prevalence ranging from 5 to 65% has been reported in the pre-COVID-19 era. With lockdown restrictions during the pandemic, outdoor activities were restricted for all age groups, and digital learning became the norm for almost 2 years. While the DES prevalence amongst children alone rose to 50-60%, the symptoms expanded to include recent onset esotropia and vergence abnormalities as part of the DES spectrum. New-onset myopia and increased progression of existing myopia became one of the most significant ocular health complications. Management options for DES include following correct ergonomics like reducing average daily screen time, frequent blinking, improving lighting, minimizing glare, taking regular breaks from the screen, changing focus to distance object intermittently, and following the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain. Innovations in this field include high-resolution screens, inbuilt antireflective coating, matte-finished glass, edge-to-edge displays, and image smoothening graphic effects. Further explorations should focus on recommendations for digital screen optimization, novel spectacle lens technologies, and inbuilt filters to optimize visual comfort. A paradigm shift is required in our understanding of looking at DES from an etiological perspective, so that customized solutions can be explored accordingly. The aim of this review article is to understand the pathophysiology of varied manifestations, predisposing risk factors, varied management options, along with changing patterns of DES prevalence post COVID-19.

Hybrid evolution repeats itself across environmental contexts in Texas sunflowers (Helianthus)

To what extent is evolution repeatable? Little is known about whether the evolution of hybrids is more (or less) repeatable than that of nonhybrids. We used field experimental evolution in annual sunflowers (Helianthus) in Texas to ask the extent to which hybrid evolution is repeatable across environments compared to nonhybrid controls. We created hybrids between Helianthus annuus (L.) and H. debilis (Nutt.) and grew plots of both hybrids and nonhybrid controls through eight generations at three sites in Texas. We collected seeds from each generation and grew each generation × treatment × home site combination at two final common gardens. We estimated the strength and direction of evolution in terms of fitness and 24 traits, tested for repeated versus nonrepeated evolution, and assessed overall phenotypic evolution across lineages and in relation to a locally adapted phenotype. Hybrids consistently evolved higher fitness over time, while controls did not, although trait evolution varied in strength across home sites. Repeated evolution was more evident in hybrids versus nonhybrid controls, and hybrid evolution was often in the direction of the locally adapted phenotype. Our findings have implications for both the nature of repeatability in evolution and the contribution of hybridization to evolution across environmental contexts.

Hotel Revenue Convergence: Evidence Across Star Hotels in Chinese Provinces

This paper analyses, for the first time, potential convergence patterns of hotel revenues across provinces in China. Through the club clustering methodology, the analysis uses a unique dataset of all hotels across all Chinese provinces. The findings document that these hotel revenues follow a diverging pattern on a national level, while a converging pattern is identified across certain provinces, thus forming specific clubs. When the analysis is extended to identify potential drivers for such diverging or converging behavior, the new results illustrate the role of productivity trends, management strategies and tax policies as those factors that drive such patterns. The results could be of substantial value, primarily for tourism policymakers to further improve the current framework of the Chinese hotel industry to introduce practices and policies that will allow the industry to catch up with the global market.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11293-022-09745-6.

Aero-engine health degradation estimation based on an underdetermined extended Kalman filter and convergence proof

In order to improve the reliability of aero-engine, reduce maintenance cost, and promote aircraft safety, lots of attention is paid to health monitoring of aero-engine. The aero-engine gas components involve flow and efficiency parameters, which are key health parameters to obtain the aero-engine' performance degradation. A challenge has to be faced is that these health parameters needed to know are more than the available sensors, which cannot be estimated by the ordinary estimator like Kalman Filter (KF) and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). In this paper, a system approach is raised to use model tuning parameter to solve the estimation problem mentioned before. To implement it, an underdetermined EKF estimator is constructed from previous achievement and applied to an aero-engine for health state estimation, to address the problem that there are fewer sensor data available with more unknown health parameters. And convergence proof of underdetermined EKF is also provided to make sure that the experimental result is deterministic rather than occasional, deducing that the convergence of this estimator can be verified with some mild constraints. It is found in this study that the covariance matrices Q_k and R_k can meet the conditions of linear matrix inequality (LMI) by designing and setting specific ranges, leading to rapid convergence of the estimator. In addition, semi-physical experiments are shown to verify the feasibility of the proposed method.

Convergence of energy carbon emission efficiency: evidence from manufacturing sub-sectors in China

With China's economy entering the stage of high-quality development, manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency has become the focus of academic attention. It is of great significance to study the convergence of manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency for realizing high-quality development of manufacturing in China. Based on the panel data of China's manufacturing sub-sectors, this paper measures and analyzes the evolution trend of manufacturing energy carbon emission and its efficiency. On this basis, this paper uses the coefficient of variation and convergence model to test the convergence of manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency. The results show that China's manufacturing energy carbon emissions and its efficiency demonstrate an increasing trend. Coal was the main source of manufacturing energy carbon emissions. The manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency does not have σ convergence, but has [Formula: see text] convergence, and its convergence has industry heterogeneity. The manufacturing energy carbon emission efficiency exits scale effect and technology effect, but not the effect of opening to the outside world and institutional effect, and its effect exists industry heterogeneity. By reducing carbon emissions, adopting differentiated policies, adjusting the industry scale, and enhancing the industry technology intensity, China's manufacturing can improve the energy carbon emission efficiency and promote high-quality economic development.

Klebsiella species: Taxonomy, hypervirulence and multidrug resistance

Members of the genus Klebsiella have rapidly evolved within the past decade, generating organisms that simultaneously exhibit both multidrug resistance and hypervirulence (MDR-hv) phenotypes; such organisms are associated with severe hospital- and community-acquired infections. Carbapenem-resistant infections with unknown optimal treatment regime were of particular concern among the MDR-hv Klebsiella strains. Recent studies have revealed the molecular features and the mobile resistance elements they harbour, allowing identification of genetic loci responsible for transmission, stable inheritance, and expression of mobile resistance or virulence-encoding elements that confer the new phenotypic characteristics of MDR-hv Klebsiella spp. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on the taxonomic position, species composition and different phylotypes of Klebsiella spp., describing the diversity and worldwide distribution of the MDR-hv clones, the genetic mutation and horizontal gene transfer events that drive the evolution of such clones, and the potential impact of MDR-hv infections on human health.

Hands-off? Lessons from high-touch professionals about going virtual

The COVID-19 crisis has fundamentally changed how many businesses operate and connect with their customers. Previously unheard-of government restrictions and sheltering-in-place requirements forced most professional services to transition to remote delivery methods (e.g., email, telephone, video consults, Shopify storefronts). Providers of low-touch services (e.g., lawyers, accountants) naturally lent themselves to remote delivery; however, those that offer high-touch services, particularly those in healthcare (e.g., doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists), experienced a drastic change in working conditions when going virtual. Despite a long history of resistance to virtual delivery, the pandemic created an unprecedented incentive for these high-touch professionals to experiment with underutilized care models such as telehealth: the provision of healthcare services remotely using telecommunications technologies. We examine the rapid adoption of telehealth during COVID-19 through the coming together or convergence of previously unrelated technologies, spaces, and practices. Our analysis reveals opportunities and challenges associated with going hands-off that apply to many other professionals providing high-trust services. Specifically, we offer nine guiding principles for building and protecting cognitive and affective trust in virtual and hybrid delivery models. This is important given the pace of compounding technology convergences that lie ahead for service professionals.

Is there any convergence in the CO2 emission efficiency of airlines?

This paper examines the CO₂ emission efficiency of airlines in the years 2011 and 2018 by using the Atmosfair Airline Index. This index gives reliable results since it encompasses data from more than 100 airlines and considers important variables in the calculation of CO₂ emissions. Firstly, we investigate the regional differences and the effect of the share of government ownership in the CO₂ emission efficiency of airlines. These factors have not been taken into account in other studies by using such a comprehensive index. Secondly, by utilizing the Barro and Sala-i Martin model that is commonly used to examine the regional income convergence model in economics, we also check whether there is a convergence in the CO₂ emission efficiency of airlines or not. As a result, in terms of efficiency growth, we find that airlines in Europe are more successful compared to airlines from other regions. Furthermore, increases in the share of government ownership in airlines negatively affect the CO₂ emission efficiency in Asia, whereas it is insignificant in Europe and America. Moreover, there is no convergence in the CO₂ emission efficiency of airlines from all regions. This shows that low-efficient airlines are not catching up with high-efficient airlines. Lastly, we find that charter airlines are more efficient in terms of CO₂ emissions.