Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human spinal lateralization assessed from motoneurone synchronization: dependence on handedness and motor unit type.

1. Motoneurone synchronization as a means of investigating synaptic connectivity was studied in the extensor carpi radialis muscles of the preferred and non‐preferred arms of healthy right‐ and left‐handed human subjects. The activities of pairs of motor units recorded during voluntary isometric contractions were analysed by cross‐correlation to detect any synchronous motor unit firing in the form of central peaks in the cross‐correlation histograms. 2. The synchronization peaks were compared first in the case of 273 motor unit pairs tested in the preferred and non‐preferred arms of two left‐handed subjects and two right‐handed subjects. The percentage of synchronized motor unit pairs was found to be significantly higher in the preferred arm with synchronization peaks significantly larger and broader than in the non‐preferred arm. The narrow peaks (< 7.5 ms) likely to reflect the activity of common inputs to motoneurones were also found to be significantly larger in the preferred arm of all four subjects. 3. The handedness‐related differences in synchronization were definitely confirmed in a total of 275 pairs of motor units tested in the left extensor carpi radialis muscles of fourteen right‐handed subjects using their non‐preferred arm and six left‐handed subjects using their preferred arm. In order to determine whether the differences in synchronization were dependent on the motor unit type, each motor unit was characterized on the basis of its recruitment threshold and on the basis of the contraction time of its twitch extracted from the overall muscle force using the spike‐triggered averaging method. Two populations of motor units were distinguished, namely the ‘slow’ motor units (recruitment thresholds < 0.4 N, contraction times > 40 ms) and the ‘fast’ motor units (recruitment thresholds > 0.6 N, contraction times < or = 40 ms). 4. In the non‐preferred arm, the synchronization peaks were always fairly narrow, whatever the motor unit's biomechanical properties; whereas in the preferred arm, broad peaks were found to be particularly common among the pairs including one or two fast motor units, which also showed the largest rate of synchronization occurrence. 5. The narrow peaks (< 7.5 ms) were found to be consistently larger in the preferred than the non‐preferred arm whatever the categories of motor unit pairs. In both arms, however, the amplitude of the narrow peaks tended to increase as the recruitment threshold of the motor unit decreased and as their contraction time increased. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Micro‐capillary tube in situ hybridisation: A novel method for processing small individual samples

Summary: We have developed a strategy to individually analyse large numbers of small tissue samples by RNA in situ hybridisation. Samples of approximately 0.4 mm × 0.5 mm are processed in rectangular capillary tubes fitted with nylon mesh and glass beads using standard protocols. Eighteen samples can be assayed simultaneously without loss, and background is low. Specifically, mouse Sox2 RNA expression is examined in the chorion of extraembryonic tissue of 7.5 days post‐coitum embryos. This technique works equally well for double RNA labelling and could potentially be used for antibody staining of proteins. genesis 27:76–80, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of the Delay in the Portfolio Construction Using Naïve Bayesian Classification Algorithms

Abstract Projects suspensions are between the most insistent tasks confronted by the construction field accredited to the sector’s difficulty and its essential delay risk foundations’ interdependence. Machine learning provides a perfect group of techniques, which can attack those complex systems. The study aimed to recognize and progress a wellorganized predictive data tool to examine and learn from delay sources depend on preceding data of construction projects by using decision trees and naïve Bayesian classification algorithms. An intensive review of available data has been conducted to explore the real reasons and causes of construction project delays. The results show that the postponement of delay of interim payments is at the forefront of delay factors caused by the employer’s decision. Even the least one is to leave the job site caused by the contractor’s second part of the contract, the repeated unjustified stopping of the work at the site, without permission or notice from the client’s representatives. The developed model was applied to about 97 projects and used as a prediction model. The decision tree model shows higher accuracy in the prediction.
The development and assessment of multimedia software for improving 3‐D spatial visualization skills

Well‐developed 3‐D spatial skills are critical to success in a number of scientific and technical careers. This is particularly true for engineers who generally communicate by graphical means. In the fall of 1992, Baartmans and Sorby received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a course and the course materials for the improvement of 3‐D spatial visualization skills for engineering students. In January of 1998, Sorby and Baartmans along with a third PI, Wysocki, received additional funding from the NSF to develop multimedia software and a workbook for the improvement of 3‐D spatial visualization skills for engineering students. The multimedia software has been developed in modular form, and there are nine total modules currently available. This article presents the development of the multimedia software and assessment results from its use in special courses designed to improve spatial skills. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 9: 105–113, 2001
Spectral three dimensional mesh matching using histograms descriptors and salient points

Recently, 2-D and 3-D shape matching have known a great interest in image and mesh processing. We propose a new spectral method based on the study of the behavior of the dual graph Laplacian matrix of the 3D mesh. Two aspects are evoked in our approach, the first one considers salient detected points matching. The second one considers the correspondEnce of the Laplacian eigenfunction histograms. Obtained results show the performances of the proposed method not only for original models but also for the corrupted ones.
Low-income black parents' perceptions of familial acculturation processes during urban to college town transitions

Recommended Citation Parker, Mashone Nicole. "Low-income black parents' perceptions of familial acculturation processes during urban to college town transitions. ii To my loving parents, Debra Parker and Rick Diggs, without you, I would not be the person I am today. You have taught me what I needed to know about life, and whatever you were unable to teach me, you gave me the necessary tools to teach myself and learn from others. To my partner, best friend, and husband, Corey, without you, none of this would have been possible. Thanks for believing in me and pushing me to be a better me. Thanks for blessing me with my greatest accomplishment yet, CJ. CJ, you are my rock and for you, I dedicate this project. You may not realize it now, but you are the motivating factor that contributed to the completion of this project. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank God for allowing me the strength and courage to complete this program and project. Without Him none of this would have been close to possible. To my mom for being a great role model, mother and friend, you have taught me to fight for what I believe in. Thanks for believing in me even when I did not believe in myself. I love you. To my partner in life, best friend and now husband. Thanks for being with me every moment of my college career. Thanks for taking care of our CJ when I felt crazy and deranged during this process. I honestly do not know how I could have done this without you. To my son CJ, thanks for looking up to me and providing me motivation without even knowing it. Thanks for being patient as I completed this project. I love you. To my best friend/cousin, Erica, thank you for believing in me and supporting me in all aspects of my life. I appreciate all that you've done for me. To my best friend, Gabrielle, when no one else cared to know what this ―thing‖ was I was doing you asked questions about it. You believed in my strength to complete this program and for that I would forever love you. To Rusty, thanks for praying for me and my family and being a great support system. To the GEM family and Pastor Boyer, thanks for giving me a church home to keep me …
National Agricultural Biotechnology Research Capacity in Developing Countries

Adequate public research capacity is key to the appropriate development of biotechnology, including genetically modified (GM) crops. While commercial crops can be introduced without intensive local research (i.e. insect resistant GM cotton), introducing products of public research depend on indigenous capacity. This paper defines capacity for agricultural biotechnology research and then provides national funding levels for such work in six developing countries. As one indicator of capacity and outputs, GM crops developed from public research in developing countries are documented, and attention given to issues remaining for capacity, research and development. Knowledge of investments in public biotechnology improves policy decisions, clarifies roles of the public and private sectors, and supports public-sector implementation of research. The paper concludes with conclusions and implications based on the investment and GM crop research data presented.
Multinationality, CEO compensation, and corporate governance: some empirical evidence

Looks at previous research on the differences between multinational corporations (MNCs) and domestic corporations (DCs) and the theories underlying them, relating the ideas to optimal compensation packages for managers. Examines a sample of 724 MNCs and US domestic firms to compare the degree of alignment of their chief executive officer compensation packages and finds that average compensation changes for every $1,000 change in equity value are $33 for DCs and only $12 for MNCs. Analyses further to find out why and suggests that it is due to the higher‐valued investment opportunities of MNCs and differences in their corporate governance structures.
Development of a magnetic Single Cell Micro Array

Experiments using single cells are valuable for revealing individual cell behaviour, which is of interest to many biomedical researchers. In such experiments, various types of devices capable of aligning cells into organized arrays are often used. In this paper, we present a novel Single Cell Micro Array device that makes use of magnetic forces. Prototypes of this device have been fabricated, and successfully tested using Jurkat cells that have been labelled with nano-magnetic particles. Experimental results show that the prototypes are effective on capturing and placing the labelled cells in an array.
The NEPAD initiative and the prospects of business opportunities in the rest of Africa for South African firms based in Gauteng

This paper discusses business opportunities that may be forthcoming from the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) for South African firms based in Gauteng – the economic hub of the country, and indeed of sub-Saharan Africa. Gauteng has significant manufacturing and tertiary-sector capacity that can be used to realise the objectives of NEPAD. Gauteng-based firms can make valid inputs in the fields of construction, finance, telecommunications, mining, retailing and the hospitality industry. Indeed, African involvement of Gauteng-based firms has increased significantly since 1998 and has led to the establishment of many lucrative trade and investment opportunities. Market expansion into East Africa and West Africa has helped to significantly boost the level of exports in the country.
Human body contour data based activity recognition

This research work is aimed to develop autonomous bio-monitoring mobile robots, which are capable of tracking and measuring patients' motions, recognizing the patients' behavior based on observation data, and providing calling for medical personnel in emergency situations in home environment. The robots to be developed will bring about cost-effective, safe and easier at-home rehabilitation to most motor-function impaired patients (MIPs). In our previous research, a full framework was established towards this research goal. In this research, we aimed at improving the human activity recognition by using contour data of the tracked human subject extracted from the depth images as the signal source, instead of the lower limb joint angle data used in the previous research, which are more likely to be affected by the motion of the robot and human subjects. Several geometric parameters, such as, the ratio of height to weight of the tracked human subject, and distance (pixels) between centroid points of upper and lower parts of human body, were calculated from the contour data, and used as the features for the activity recognition. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is employed to classify different human activities from the features. Experimental results showed that the human activity recognition could be achieved with a high correct rate.
Ideology and Professionalism

Scholars have prepared few quantitative analyses of long-term political influence over policy choices, particularly those involving simultaneous decisions in the American states. We analyze both the politics of state electricity rate making in the two decades after the energy crisis of 1973 and the politics behind the policy change of state electricity deregulation in the late 1990s. By analyzing two separate, but related, electricity policy choices across the states and over time, we are able to better understand the elements of institutional choices in regulatory regimes focused on publicly salient and more explicitly redistributive issues versus those focused on more complex, technical questions. Even in this regulatory arena that is partially insulated from electoral politics, legislative ideology is a central driver of redistributive decisions, and legislative and bureaucratic professionalism are associated with more technical policy choices.
Water Stress on U.S. Power Production at Decadal Time Horizons

Thermoelectric power production at risk, owing to current and projected water scarcity and rising stream temperatures, is assessed for the contiguous United States at decadal scales. Regional water scarcity is driven by climate variability and change, as well as by multi-sector water demand. While a planning horizon of zero to about thirty years is occasionally prescribed by stakeholders, the challenges to risk assessment at these scales include the difficulty in delineating decadal climate trends from intrinsic natural or multiple model variability. Current generation global climate or earth system models are not credible at the spatial resolutions of power plants, especially for surface water quantity and stream temperatures, which further exacerbates the assessment challenge. Population changes, which are difficult to project, cannot serve as adequate proxies for changes in the water demand across sectors. The hypothesis that robust assessments of power production at risk are possible, despite the uncertainties, has been examined as a proof of concept. An approach is presented for delineating water scarcity and temperature from climate models, observations and population storylines, as well as for assessing power production at risk by examining geospatial correlations of power plant locations within regions where the usable water supply for energy production happens to be scarcer and warmer. Our analyses showed that in the near term, more than 200 counties are likely to be exposed to water scarcity in the next three decades. Further, we noticed that stream gauges in more than five counties in the 2030s and ten counties in the 2040s showed a significant increase in water temperature, which exceeded the power plant effluent temperature threshold set by the EPA. Power plants in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas are likely to be vulnerable owing to climate-driven water stresses.
Direct interaction of AGL24 and SOC1 integrates flowering signals in Arabidopsis

During the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, the shoot meristem of flowering plants acquires the inflorescence identity to generate flowers rather than vegetative tissues. An important regulator that promotes the inflorescence identity in Arabidopsis is AGAMOUS-LIKE 24 (AGL24), a MADS-box transcription factor. Using a functional estradiol-inducible system in combination with microarray analysis, we identified AGL24-induced genes, including SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1), a floral pathway integrator. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis of a functional AGL24-6HA-tagged line revealed in vivo binding of AGL24-6HA to the regulatory region of SOC1. Mutagenesis of the AGL24 binding site in the SOC1 promoter decreased ProSOC1:GUS expression and compromised SOC1 function in promoting flowering. Our results show that SOC1 is one of the direct targets of AGL24, and that SOC1 expression is upregulated by AGL24 at the shoot apex at the floral transitional stage. ChIP assay using a functional SOC1-9myc-tagged line and promoter mutagenesis analysis also revealed in vivo binding of SOC1-9myc to the regulatory regions of AGL24 and upregulation of AGL24 at the shoot apex by SOC1. Furthermore, we found that as in other flowering genetic pathways, the effect of gibberellins on flowering under short-day conditions was mediated by the interaction between AGL24 and SOC1. These observations suggest that during floral transition, a positive-feedback loop conferred by direct transcriptional regulation between AGL24 and SOC1 at the shoot apex integrates flowering signals.
The Diplomacy of Business

The “new” global capitalism is transforming the ways in which commerce is conducted and organized. Business enterprises have to perform and compete in a largely unregulated global market economy if they are to survive, let alone prosper, and contend with higher levels of financial and political risks. Transnational Corporations (TNCs) have come to occupy a pivotal position in the world economy, commanding immense financial resources and employing tens of thousands throughout the world, and are active participants in global political and economic affairs. TNC executives—the global corporate elite—crisscross the planet as they manage local, national, and international relationships, and represent and advance their global interests in myriad international conferences and meetings. TNCs are now interacting with states and international governmental organizations on a broad array of issues and problems (many far removed from the core business). As global actors with distinct and clear interests, they have had to develop their own representational mechanisms to manage the complex relationships that mark today’s global system.
Distinct functions of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in KV development and cardiac asymmetry

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway exhibits distinct and developmental stage-specific roles during cardiogenesis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the establishment of cardiac left-right (LR) asymmetry. Using zebrafish as an animal model, we show here that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is differentially required in cardiac LR patterning. At an early stage, during asymmetric signal generation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is necessary for Kupffer's vesicle development and for the regulation of both heart and visceral laterality. At a later stage, during asymmetric signal propagation, excessive Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits the transmission of asymmetric cues from the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) to the cardiac field but not to the developing gut; as such, it only regulates heart laterality. Molecular analysis identifies Gata4 as the downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the cardiac field that responds to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and regulates the competence of the heart field to express left-sided genes. In summary, our results reveal a previously unexpected role of Wnt-Gata4 signaling in the control of asymmetric signal propagation from the LPM to the cardiac field.
From MANET To IETF ROLL Standardization: A Paradigm Shift in WSN Routing Protocols

In large networks, a data source may not reach the intended sink in a single hop, thereby requiring the traffic to be routed via multiple hops. An optimized choice of such routing path is known to significantly increase the performance of said networks. This holds particularly true for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consisting of a large amount of miniaturized battery-powered wireless networked sensors required to operate for years with no human intervention. There has hence been a growing interest on understanding and optimizing WSN routing and networking protocols in recent years, where the limited and constrained resources have driven research towards primarily reducing energy consumption, memory requirements and complexity of routing functionalities. To this end, early flooding-based and hierarchical protocols have migrated within the past decade to geographic and self-organizing coordinate-based routing solutions. The former have been brought to standardization through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET) working group; the latter are currently finding their way into standardization through the IETF Routing Over Low power and Lossy networks (ROLL) working group. This article thus surveys this paradigm shift for routing in WSNs and, unlike previous milestone surveys, follows a rather chronological organization within the given protocol taxonomy. For each protocol family, we provide a didactic presentation of the basic concept, a discussion on the enhancements and variants on that concept, and a detailed description of the latest state-of-the-art protocols of that family. We believe that this organization sheds some light on the design choices of emerging IETF ROLL protocols and also provides design parameters of interest to the WSN engineer, essentially enabling the design and implementation of more reliable and efficient WSN solutions.
The moderating role of competitive strategy in relating firm performance to quality management and government support

One of the main concerns in companies is quality management and its relationship to firm performance. Recently a growing interest in research is the important role of the business environment in the competitive strategy choices of companies. By proposing a conceptual framework for a general model that explains the quality management practices-firm performance link and the business environment-firm performance link, we test the moderating role of competitive strategy in the two links empirically. A survey was conducted of 229 pork-processing firms in the emerging economy of China. We find that specific quality management practices contributing to higher performance include in-company quality management, supplier quality management, employee involvement in quality management and process management, while quality design and customer quality management are not included. Findings also indicate that the business environment (government support in our research) has a positive relationship to firm performance. Competitive strategy only strengthens the relationship between firm performance and quality design, process management, supplier quality management and customer quality management.