Apparent Convergence Research Articles

Apparent convergence of Padé approximants for the crossover line in finite density QCD

We propose a novel Bayesian method to analytically continue observables to real baryochemical potential $\mu_B$ in finite density QCD. Taylor coefficients at $\mu_B=0$ and data at imaginary chemical potential $\mu_B^I$ are treated on equal footing. We consider two different constructions for the Pad\'e approximants, the classical multipoint Pad\'e approximation and a mixed approximation that is a slight generalization of a recent idea in Pad\'e approximation theory. Approximants with spurious poles are excluded from the analysis. As an application, we perform a joint analysis of the available continuum extrapolated lattice data for both pseudocritical temperature $T_c$ at $\mu_B^I$ from the Wuppertal-Budapest Collaboration and Taylor coefficients $\kappa_2$ and $\kappa_4$ from the HotQCD Collaboration. An apparent convergence of $[p/p]$ and $[p/p+1]$ sequences of rational functions is observed with increasing $p.$ We present our extrapolation up to $\mu_B\approx 600$ MeV.

Heterocyclic Substitutions Greatly Improve Affinity and Stability of Folic Acid towards FRα. an In Silico Insight.

Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is known as a biological marker for many cancers due to its overexpression in cancerous epithelial tissue. The folic acid (FA) binding affinity to the FRα active site provides a basis for designing more specific targets for FRα. Heterocyclic rings have been shown to interact with many receptors and are important to the metabolism and biological processes within the body. Nineteen FA analogs with substitution with various heterocyclic rings were designed to have higher affinity toward FRα. Molecular docking was used to study the binding affinity of designed analogs compared to FA, methotrexate (MTX), and pemetrexed (PTX). Out of 19 FA analogs, analogs with a tetrazole ring (FOL03) and benzothiophene ring (FOL08) showed the most negative binding energy and were able to interact with ASP81 and SER174 through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with amino acids of the active site. Hence, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out for FOL03, FOL08 compared to FA, MTX, and PTX. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) of FOL03 and FOL08 showed an apparent convergence similar to that of FA, and both of them entered the binding pocket (active site) from the pteridine part, while the glutamic part was stuck at the FRα pocket entrance during the MD simulations. Molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface accessible (MM-PBSA) and H-bond analysis revealed that FOL03 and FOL08 created more negative free binding and electrostatic energy compared to FA and PTX, and both formed stronger H-bond interactions with ASP81 than FA with excellent H-bond profiles that led them to become bound tightly in the pocket. In addition, pocket volume calculations showed that the volumes of active site for FOL03 and FOL08 inside the FRα pocket were smaller than the FA–FRα system, indicating strong interactions between the protein active site residues with these new FA analogs compared to FA during the MD simulations.

Multi-Modal Natural Frequency Response of Utility Transmission Tapered Wood Poles Under Various Soil Foundation Conditions

Studied herein is the multi-modal natural frequency response of utility transmission tapered wood poles under various soil foundation conditions. Strong winds and hurricanes in various parts of the world have resulted in collapse of such utility poles and have resulted in the disruption of electrical distribution systems in addition to creating hazardous conditions for the public. To avoid the development of resonance under such dynamic loading, the multi-modal natural vibration of the utility poles first needs to be understood in the presence of practical soil foundation conditions. To capture the soil-structure interaction effects on the multi-modal frequencies, a SAP2000 dynamic finite element model is created in which the foundation soil stiffness is characterized by means of a series of ‘soil springs’ below the ground level. The properties of the soil springs vary with types of foundation soils and depths. Three types of foundation soils are considered, namely sandy, clayey soils and Granite (Rock). The results are compared to a standard fixed base model. It is found that the fundamental natural frequencies decreased by 52%, 37%, and 3% for sandy, clayey soils and granite, respectively, when compared to fixed base model. It was observed that there was an increase in the frequencies of the embedded utility poles in clay and granite, when compared to those with the fixed based after the 1st mode whereas, poles embedded in sandy soils showed increase in modal frequencies after the 3rd mode. The 10th mode appears to be a starting point of modal frequency convergence, while an apparent convergence occurs after the 20th mode. The convergent modal frequency was about 740 Hz for the Class H1 utility pole. However, there was a significant increase in the higher modal frequencies such as nearly 55% at the 20th mode, in all soil types when compared to the fixed base model.

Multi-Modal Natural Frequency Response of Utility Transmission Tapered Wood Poles Under Various Soil Foundation Conditions

Studied herein is the multi-modal natural frequency response of utility transmission tapered wood poles under various soil foundation conditions. Strong winds and hurricanes in various parts of the world have resulted in collapse of such utility poles and have resulted in the disruption of electrical distribution systems in addition to creating hazardous conditions for the public. To avoid the development of resonance under such dynamic loading, the multi-modal natural vibration of the utility poles first needs to be understood in the presence of practical soil foundation conditions. To capture the soil-structure interaction effects on the multi-modal frequencies, a SAP2000 dynamic finite element model is created in which the foundation soil stiffness is characterized by means of a series of ‘soil springs’ below the ground level. The properties of the soil springs vary with types of foundation soils and depths. Three types of foundation soils are considered, namely sandy, clayey soils and Granite (Rock). The results are compared to a standard fixed base model. It is found that the fundamental natural frequencies decreased by 52%, 37%, and 3% for sandy, clayey soils and granite, respectively, when compared to fixed base model. It was observed that there was an increase in the frequencies of the embedded utility poles in clay and granite, when compared to those with the fixed based after the 1st mode whereas, poles embedded in sandy soils showed increase in modal frequencies after the 3rd mode. The 10th mode appears to be a starting point of modal frequency convergence, while an apparent convergence occurs after the 20th mode. The convergent modal frequency was about 740 Hz for the Class H1 utility pole. However, there was a significant increase in the higher modal frequencies such as nearly 55% at the 20th mode, in all soil types when compared to the fixed base model.

The dynamic eggs of the Phasmatodea and their apparent convergence with plants.

The egg stages of animal life cycles are underappreciated in terms of their capacity for dispersal, protection, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Some of the most intriguing egg morphologies are seen in stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). Phasmids are charismatic insects, particularly due to their incredible camouflage, though a lesser-known fact is that their eggs are incredibly diverse in shape and structure, reflecting varying ecological niches. Perhaps most remarkable are those eggs which appear to resemble plant seeds in both their appearance and means of dispersal, such as via water and animal vectors. Numerous hypotheses surrounding the function of these egg morphologies and their apparent convergence with seeds have been proposed; however, empirical evidence remains lacking. Here, we present an initial synthesis of available evidence surrounding the ecology and dispersal strategies of phasmid eggs and weigh up the evidence for convergent evolution between phasmid eggs and seeds. In doing so, we highlight areas where further research is needed and discuss how the ecology of phasmid eggs may interplay with other aspects of phasmid ecology, distribution, and evolution.

What is an Accelerator? The Case for a Pluralist Conceptualization

The past decade has seen a marked rise in research on entrepreneurial accelerators. Efforts to develop a conceptual definition of the accelerator initially lagged behind this surge, but have recently begun to emerge in published articles. We explore this conceptual evolution as a case study of how scholars respond to new entrepreneurial phenomena. By first analyzing 48 academic definitions of the accelerator, we demonstrate an increasing convergence on Cohen and Hochberg’s (2014) definition. By then analyzing practitioner understandings of the accelerator phenomenon using textual data from the websites of 73 accelerators, we find that practitioner understandings exhibit similarities to — but also some important differences from — the emerging academic conceptualization. We discuss the significance of this finding in light of the apparent convergence on a single academic definition of the accelerator, which, while conducive to efficient theory generation, might come at the expense of deep insight into the phenomenon. Mindful of this risk, and informed by our research findings, we make the case for a pluralist conceptualization by outlining four ways of viewing what accelerators can be: facilitators of new venture growth, vehicles for personal development, communities of practice, and strategic symbols. In light of the novel and continuously evolving nature of many entrepreneurial phenomena, we conclude by discussing the theoretical benefits of pluralist conceptualizations for the field of entrepreneurship as a whole.

Contrasting trajectories of morphological diversification on continents and islands in the Afrotropical white‐eye radiation

AbstractAimMorphological and lineage evolution are predicted to follow different patterns in island and mainland radiations. However, the extent to which these geographical contexts influence evolutionary trajectories remains poorly understood, in part because few studies have focused on species‐rich clades colonizing continents and archipelagos over comparable timeframes. Focusing on a diverse songbird clade radiating on the African continent and adjacent islands, we tested whether morphological evolution is best explained by adaptive or non‐adaptive processes, and whether mainland and island lineages evolved to occupy different regions or volumes of morphological space (morphospace).LocationPalaeotropics, with a particular focus on the Afrotropical region.TaxonWhite‐eyes, Zosterops (Aves: Zosteropidae).MethodsWe generated principal component axes from novel trait data for 120 species and combined this information with a comprehensive dated phylogeny. We then analysed the dynamics of trait and lineage diversification using comparative evolutionary methods.ResultsAn early burst and slowdown pattern of lineage accumulation is not mirrored by phenotypic evolution, which instead shows an apparent convergence on particular phenotypes. However, the overall signature of phenotypic convergence is strongly driven by mainland taxa, in which phenotypes appear to be highly constrained within elevational zones, while speciation events are often associated with phenotypic divergence from one body plan to the other after colonization of highland from lowland habitats, or vice versa. By contrast, island lineages have repeatedly explored novel areas of morphospace with patterns of phenotypic divergence generally not distinguishable from a random‐walk model.Main conclusionsDiversification of Zosterops highlights contrasting evolutionary trends and dynamics for continental versus island species. We suggest the different trajectory of evolution in insular lineages arises from reduced species competition leading to an increase in ecological opportunity, thereby providing a release to phenotypic constraints experienced by continental taxa.

What is an Accelerator? The Case for a Pluralist Conceptualization

The past decade has seen a marked rise in research on entrepreneurial accelerators. Efforts to develop a conceptual definition of the accelerator initially lagged behind this surge, but have recently begun to emerge in published articles. We explore this conceptual evolution as a case study of how scholars respond to new entrepreneurial phenomena. By first analyzing 48 academic definitions of the accelerator, we demonstrate an increasing convergence on Cohen and Hochberg’s (2014) definition. By then analyzing practitioner understandings of the accelerator phenomenon using textual data from the websites of 73 accelerators, we find that practitioner understandings exhibit similarities to — but also some important differences from — the emerging academic conceptualization. We discuss the significance of this finding in light of the apparent convergence on a single academic definition of the accelerator, which, while conducive to efficient theory generation, might come at the expense of deep insight into the phenomenon. Mindful of this risk, and informed by our research findings, we make the case for a pluralist conceptualization by outlining four ways of viewing what accelerators can be: facilitators of new venture growth, vehicles for personal development, communities of practice, and strategic symbols. In light of the novel and continuously evolving nature of many entrepreneurial phenomena, we conclude by discussing the theoretical benefits of pluralist conceptualizations for the field of entrepreneurship as a whole.

Mitogenomes Reveal Multiple Colonization of Mountains by Rattus in Sundaland.

Tropical mountains are cradles of biodiversity and endemism. Sundaland, tropical Southeast Asia, hosts 3 species of Rattus endemic to elevations above 2000 m with an apparent convergence in external morphology: Rattus korinchi and R. hoogerwerfi from Sumatra, and R. baluensis from Borneo. A fourth one, R. tiomanicus, is restricted to lowland elevations across the whole region. The origins of these endemics are little known due to the absence of a robust phylogenetic framework. We use complete mitochondrial genomes from the 3 high altitude Rattus, and several related species to determine their relationships, date divergences, reconstruct their history of colonization, and test for selection on the mitochondrial DNA. We show that mountain colonization happened independently in Borneo (<390 Kya) and Sumatra (~1.38 Mya), likely from lowland lineages. The origin of the Bornean endemic R. baluensis is very recent and its genetic diversity is nested within the diversity of R. tiomanicus. We found weak evidence of positive selection in the high-elevation lineages and attributed the greater nonsynonymous mutations on these branches (specially R. baluensis) to lesser purifying selection having acted on the terminal branches in the phylogeny.

Precision calculation of critical exponents in the O(N) universality classes with the nonperturbative renormalization group.

We compute the critical exponents ν, η and ω of O(N) models for various values of N by implementing the derivative expansion of the nonperturbative renormalization group up to next-to-next-to-leading order [usually denoted O(∂^{4})]. We analyze the behavior of this approximation scheme at successive orders and observe an apparent convergence with a small parameter, typically between 1/9 and 1/4, compatible with previous studies in the Ising case. This allows us to give well-grounded error bars. We obtain a determination of critical exponents with a precision which is similar or better than those obtained by most field-theoretical techniques. We also reach a better precision than Monte Carlo simulations in some physically relevant situations. In the O(2) case, where there is a long-standing controversy between Monte Carlo estimates and experiments for the specific heat exponent α, our results are compatible with those of Monte Carlo but clearly exclude experimental values.

Phenotypic analysis of aposematic conoderine weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae) supports the existence of three large mimicry complexes

AbstractThe Conoderinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are one of the most distinctive Neotropical weevil groups in behaviour and appearance, attracting numerous hypotheses regarding the evolution and function of widespread apparent mimetic convergence. Conoderines have a poorly documented natural history, and a large fraction of the diversity of the group remains undescribed, presenting challenges to their study. In this analysis, 128 species of conoderine weevils previously or herein hypothesized to belong to three mimicry complexes are analysed in the first quantitative test of conoderine mimicry. Fifteen continuous and categorical characters describing the size, shape and coloration of these weevils were analysed using non-metric multidimensional scaling while statistically testing the resulting clusters in ordination space. Three similar, putatively mimetic complexes are recognized: (1) the ‘red-eyed fly’ complex of weevils, which are hypothesized to be evasively mimetic on various species of red-eyed flies; (2) the ‘striped/spotted’ complex, composed of weevils with a brightly coloured pronotum and red to white elytral stripes or spots; and (3) the ‘shiny blue’ complex of species with iridescent blue to blue–green pronotal scales. Each of these groups covers a wide geographical distribution and has evolved independently in multiple genera, although the red-eyed fly complex appears to be both the most species rich and widely distributed phylogenetically. Groupings were found to be statistically significant, although variation within each group suggests that the similarity in appearance of species in each group could be attributable to independent convergence on different, but phenotypically similar, models. Several avenues for future research on conoderine mimicry are discussed.

Historia Brittonum and 'Saxon Annals': A case for convergence in the historiography of post-roman Britain

Analysis here of chapter 66 of 'Historia Brittonum' suggests that its chronology diverges less from that of Bede and 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' than previously believed. The author's own testimony demonstrates that he misunderstood the significance of Roman consuls. His belief that consuls, and not emperors, ruled Rome after 388 led him to delete twentyfour years from the reign of Valentinian III. This in turn shifted every date in chapter 66 back some two decades. But when this single error is corrected, 'Historia Brittonum's' chronology becomes much more consistent with that of other works of early Insular historiography. Most significant, this apparent convergence mandates a comprehensive re-examination of all the early written sources for post-Roman British history.

Are sunspots learnable? An experimental investigation in a simple macroeconomic model

We conduct experiments with human subjects in a model with a positive production externality in which productivity is a nondecreasing function of the average level of employment of other firms. The model has three steady states and a sunspot equilibrium that fluctuates between the high and low steady states. Steady states are payoff ranked: low values give lower profits than higher values. We investigate whether subjects can learn a sunspot equilibrium. We observe coordination on the extrinsic announcements in our experimental economies. Cases of apparent convergence to the low and high steady states are also observed.

Evolution and diversity of two cisco forms in an outlet of glacial Lake Algonquin.

The diversity of Laurentian Great Lakes ciscoes (Coregonus artedi, sensu lato) arose via repeated local adaptive divergence including deepwater ciscoes that are now extirpated or threatened. The nigripinnis form, or Blackfin Cisco, is extirpated from the Great Lakes and remains only in Lake Nipigon. Putative nigripinnis populations were recently discovered in sympatry with artedi in a historical drainage system of glacial Lake Algonquin, the precursor of lakes Michigan and Huron. Given the apparent convergence on Great Lakes form, we labeled this form blackfin. Here, we test the hypothesis that nigripinnis may have colonized this area from the Great Lakes as a distinct lineage. It would then represent a relict occurrence of the historical diversity of Great Lakes ciscoes. Alternatively, blackfin could have evolved in situ in several lakes. We captured more than 600 individuals in the benthic or pelagic habitat in 14 lakes in or near Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario, Canada). Fish were compared based on habitat, morphology, and genetic variation at 6,676 SNPs. Contrary to our expectations, both cisco and blackfin belonged to an Atlantic lineage that colonized the area from the east, not from the Great Lakes. Sympatric cisco and blackfin were closely related while fish from different lakes were genetically differentiated, strongly suggesting the repeated in situ origin of each form. Across lakes, there was a continuum of ecological, morphological, and genetic differentiation that could be associated with alternative resources and lake characteristics. This study uncovers a new component of cisco diversity in inland lakes of Canada that evolved independently from ciscoes of the Laurentian Great lakes. The diversity of cisco revealed in this study and across their Canadian range presents a challenge for designating conservation units at the intraspecific level within the framework of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Distribution of solutions of the fastest apparent convergence condition in optimized perturbation theory and its relation to anti-Stokes lines

We discuss fundamental properties of the fastest apparent convergence (FAC) condition which is used as a variational criterion in optimized perturbation theory (OPT). We examine an integral representation of the FAC condition and a distribution of the zeros of the integral in a complex artificial parameter space on the basis of theory of Lefschetz thimbles. We find that the zeros accumulate on a certain line segment known as an anti-Stokes line in the limit K→∞, where K is a truncation order of a perturbation series. This phenomenon gives an underlying mechanism that physical quantities calculated by OPT can be insensitive to the choice of the artificial parameter.

Characteristics of thermal and momentum transport during the lifetime of Ural blocking highs

Ural blocking (UB) event is an important large‐scale weather system dominating cold waves in East Asia. This paper investigates the thermal‐dynamical variation characteristics associated with UB evolution via 32 UB events in winter during 1979–2016. The results show that transport of stationary heat and momentum changes prominently from 3 and 6 days before and after UB establishment. Specifically, on 3 days prior to the UB event establishment, an apparent convergence of stationary heat flux ({v*T*}), which can extend from lower‐middle troposphere to the tropopause, is observed at around 60°N in the Urals region. The diagnosis shows that the convergence of stationary heat flux weakens the meridional temperature gradient () and thermal wind, and thus the zonal westerly weakens. The convergence of ({v*T*}) also support formation of the warm centre structure of UB event. Meanwhile, convergence of momentum flux reverses to be a divergence in the Urals region (60°N), which contributes to decrease of the zonal wind. The heat and momentum flux reduce the intensity of the westerly and are beneficial for the establishment of UB event. Along with UB event establishment, the convergence of stationary heat flux weakens, and the divergence of momentum flux strengthens, accompanying with decrease of wind speed at middle latitudes and maintaining of the UB event. Six days later, the convergence of stationary heat flux disappears and divergence of momentum flux changes to be convergence and then the UB event collapses. Further analyses also suggest that the polar front jet (PFJ) enhances (weakens) coincidently before (after) the establishment of UB, which is attributed to the strengthening (weakening) of the convergence of ({u*v*}) around 70°N.

산업네트워크 분석에 의한 중국 산업의 서비스화 분석

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the industrial ecosystems become more closely linked each other as the linkages between manufacturing and service industries are gradually extended and intensified. This study analyzes the core changes in the entire industrial structure of China from 2002 to 2015. First, utilizing the input-output model (or inter-industry relation model), we evaluate the production-inducing effects across the various manufacturing and service sectors.Employing standard centrality measures that are often used in network analysis, we identify the status of various industry sectors together with their structural roles on the input-output network. We also track the evolutionary paths as they change over time. Furthermore, the clustering analysis of industrial sectors examines the critical changes in the overall industrial structure. With our findings, we discuss the policy implications of these evolutionary paths and explore the trends and sources of Chinese economic development regarding manufacturing and service productions. As a result, it can be seen that the production-inducing effects in the manufacturing sectors—particularly, chemical, electric power, and primary metal products—play the core role in driving the economy. On the other hand, the distribution sector like the traditional wholesale and retail services still shows unstable connections with other industries. However, the sectors like finance and transportation, which constitute another axis of the service industry, have strengthened their connection with the manufacturing sectors since 2012. Moreover, the real estate & lease and the other business support services continue to absorb production resources, deepening their linkages with the key service industries (e.g., transportation) and the various manufacturing sectors. In conclusion, China still has manufacturing as a central driving force for economic development, but with the increasing integration with the service sectors, both manufacturing and service industries show an apparent convergence in their production activities.

Assessment of the recurrence intervals of rockfall through dendrogeomorphology and counting scar approach: A comparative study in a mixed forest stand from the Vercors massif (French Alps)

As direct observations of rockfalls are rare and difficult to obtain over long timescales, stem injuries and their dating with dendrogeomorphic techniques have been applied frequently in the past to reconstruct process activity. However, the analysis of tree-ring samples requires considerable temporal efforts, which can be detrimental in applied research and expert opinions. To compensate for this shortcoming, several studies have lately explored the potential of the counting of visible scars as an alternative method to dendrogeomorphology as it requires much less time and human efforts to reconstruct spatial patterns of rockfall activity. Yet, to date, both approaches have not been compared at the same site. In this paper, based on the extensive analysis of 278 conifer and broadleaved trees (from which 1097 tree-ring cores were extracted) from a mixed forest plot of the Vercors Massif (French Alps), we demonstrate that both methods provide similar spatial patterns of rockfall activity with a strong increase of recurrence intervals down the talus slope and a clear lateral zonation of activity. Despite this apparent convergence between both approaches, our study also evidences that rockfall frequencies strongly differ with tree species and diameter: the visual inspection of conifer stems and the analysis of tree-ring signals in large-diameter broadleaved trees typically lead to an overestimation of recurrence intervals. Based on these findings, we recommend giving priority to the scar-counting approach on small diameter (<15 cm) broadleaved stems and to restrict tree-ring analysis to old conifers that are more susceptible – through the identification of tangential rows of traumatic resin ducts – to provide reliable estimations of long recurrence intervals (as generally observed in the lower portions of the slope). These guidelines should help to improve the reliability of recurrence interval maps of rockfall process activity in forests further, but also to improve cost-benefit ratios of future studies.

Longitudinal homogenization of the microbiome between both occupants and the built environment in a cohort of United States Air Force Cadets

BackgroundThe microbiome of the built environment has important implications for human health and wellbeing; however, bidirectional exchange of microbes between occupants and surfaces can be confounded by lifestyle, architecture, and external environmental exposures. Here, we present a longitudinal study of United States Air Force Academy cadets (n = 34), which have substantial homogeneity in lifestyle, diet, and age, all factors that influence the human microbiome. We characterized bacterial communities associated with (1) skin and gut samples from roommate pairs, (2) four built environment sample locations inside the pairs’ dormitory rooms, (3) four built environment sample locations within shared spaces in the dormitory, and (4) room-matched outdoor samples from the window ledge of their rooms.ResultsWe analyzed 2,170 samples, which generated 21,866 unique amplicon sequence variants. Linear convergence of microbial composition and structure was observed between an occupants’ skin and the dormitory surfaces that were only used by that occupant (i.e., desk). Conversely, bacterial community beta diversity (weighted Unifrac) convergence between the skin of both roommates and the shared dormitory floor between the two cadet’s beds was not seen across the entire study population. The sampling period included two semester breaks in which the occupants vacated their rooms; upon their return, the beta diversity similarity between their skin and the surfaces had significantly decreased compared to before the break (p < 0.05). There was no apparent convergence between the gut and building microbiota, with the exception of communal bathroom door-handles, which suggests that neither co-occupancy, diet, or lifestyle homogenization had a significant impact on gut microbiome similarity between these cadets over the observed time frame. As a result, predictive classifier models were able to identify an individual more accurately based on the gut microbiota (74%) compared to skin (51%).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show an increase in skin microbial similarity of two individuals who start living together for the first time and who are not genetically related or romantically involved. Cohabitation was significantly associated with increased skin microbiota similarity but did not significantly influence the gut microbiota. Following a departure from the occupied space of several weeks, the skin microbiota, but not the gut microbiota, showed a significant reduction in similarity relative to the building. Overall, longitudinal observation of these dynamics enables us to dissect the influence of occupation, diet, and lifestyle factors on occupant and built environment microbial ecology.

Destination governance transitions in skiing destinations: A perspective on resortisation

While destination governance has grown into a mature research field, the dynamic analysis of destination governance transitions remains in its infancy. Therefore, this paper analyses and compares the destination governance transitions in the successful skiing destinations of Åre (Sweden), Whistler (Canada) and Dolomites (Italy). This multiple case study unveils development patterns in governance transitions and investigates the factors that trigger such transitions. In particular, the paper investigates whether leading skiing destinations get increasingly corporatised and ‘resortisised’. It also scrutinises what could trigger processes of ‘resortisation’ and focuses on the impact of crises. The study finds that governance is an adaptive phenomenon that transforms over time, but no strictly uniform transition pattern is detected. While differences arise from varying starting conditions and crises, the commonality is to be found in an apparent convergence of destination governance towards an intermediate stage of ‘socially licensed resorts’ with a minimum of community acceptance.