Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Social Exchange Constructs in Organizations

Although social exchange has been frequently referred to as a framework for exploring employee-organization relationships, the role of potentially important exchange related variables such as communication climate and change communication are less understood. The present research aimed to assess the measurement properties of an expanded set of social exchange constructs. The measurement properties of change communication, communication climate, perceived organizational support, procedural justice, affective commitment, and cynicism toward organizational change were tested using competing confirmatory factor analytic models. After appropriately defining items and refining individual scales, confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence in support of an expanded set of social exchange constructs. Despite high correlations between some of the variables, tests for discriminant validity established that respondents (N = 500) could reliably distinguish between the full set of constructs. Furthermore, Harman's One Factor Test for common method variance suggested that the variance in the data could not be explained by a single construct. Practical implications for the use of this set of social exchange constructs in organizational contexts are discussed.
Modelling spinal circuitry involved in locomotor pattern generation: insights from deletions during fictive locomotion

The mammalian spinal cord contains a locomotor central pattern generator (CPG) that can produce alternating rhythmic activity of flexor and extensor motoneurones in the absence of rhythmic input and proprioceptive feedback. During such fictive locomotor activity in decerebrate cats, spontaneous omissions of activity occur simultaneously in multiple agonist motoneurone pools for a number of cycles. During these ‘deletions’, antagonist motoneurone pools usually become tonically active but may also continue to be rhythmic. The rhythmic activity that re‐emerges following a deletion is often not phase shifted. This suggests that some neuronal mechanism can maintain the locomotor period when motoneurone activity fails. To account for these observations, a simplified computational model of the spinal circuitry has been developed in which the locomotor CPG consists of two levels: a half‐centre rhythm generator (RG) and a pattern formation (PF) network, with reciprocal inhibitory interactions between antagonist neural populations at each level. The model represents a network of interacting neural populations with single interneurones and motoneurones described in the Hodgkin‐Huxley style. The model reproduces the range of locomotor periods and phase durations observed during real locomotion in adult cats and permits independent control of the level of motoneurone activity and of step cycle timing. By altering the excitability of neural populations within the PF network, the model can reproduce deletions in which motoneurone activity fails but the phase of locomotor oscillations is maintained. The model also suggests criteria for the functional identification of spinal interneurones involved in the mammalian locomotor pattern generation.
Evaluation of a 2-Channel Portable Device and a Predictive Model to Screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Laboratory Environment

BACKGROUND: Various portable monitors for identifying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been investigated and reported to enable accurate recording of OSA severity. However, more information is needed from different populations. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a portable 2-channel sleep apnea device (SleepView) for screening OSA in the Chinese population. METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive subjects underwent simultaneous SleepView testing and laboratory polysomnography (PSG) monitoring. Data were collected and blindly analyzed. The efficiency of the SleepView device and a newly established predictive model for identifying OSA was evaluated in comparison with PSG. RESULTS: Good agreement was evident between the SleepView and PSG based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; r2 = 0.84, P < .01). The median AHI yielded by the SleepView was higher than that of PSG: 33.2 (interquartile range of 10.5–53.3) versus 19.2 (interquartile range of 5.2–53.6). The sensitivity and specificity of the SleepView for a PSG AHI of ≥ 5 were 80.28% and 95.45%, respectively, and the cutoff was 16.8. The area under the receiver operating curve for PSG AHIs of ≥ 5, > 15, and > 30 was 0.923, 0.924, and 0.979, respectively. When the AHI and oxygen desaturation index calculated by the SleepView were combined with waist circumference, the new predictive model showed a higher sensitivity of 92.96% and a specificity of 95.45% for a PSG AHI of ≥ 5, and the corresponding area under the receiver operating curve was 0.983. CONCLUSIONS: The SleepView device exhibited acceptable diagnostic accuracy for OSA in the Chinese population, especially in the severe OSA group. A practical predictive model comprising waist circumference, AHI, and oxygen desaturation index obtained with the SleepView was highly effective for screening even mild OSA. This simple and practical device may serve as a useful tool to screen for OSA. Further studies are required to validate the diagnostic efficiency of the SleepView in the home environment and in different populations.
Preliminary results of an examination of electronic cigarette user puff topography: the effect of a mouthpiece-based topography measurement device on plasma nicotine and subjective effects.

INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) heat a nicotine-containing solution; the resulting aerosol is inhaled by the user. Nicotine delivery may be affected by users' puffing behavior (puff topography), and little is known about the puff topography of ECIG users. Puff topography can be measured using mouthpiece-based computerized systems. However, the extent to which a mouthpiece influences nicotine delivery and subjective effects in ECIG users is unknown. METHODS Plasma nicotine concentration, heart rate, and subjective effects were measured in 13 experienced ECIG users who used their preferred ECIG and liquid (≥ 12 mg/ml nicotine) during 2 sessions (with or without a mouthpiece). In both sessions, participants completed an ECIG use session in which they were instructed to take 10 puffs with 30-second inter-puff intervals. Puff topography was recorded in the mouthpiece condition. RESULTS Almost all measures of the effects of ECIG use were independent of topography measurement. Collapsed across session, mean plasma nicotine concentration increased by 16.8 ng/ml, and mean heart rate increased by 8.5 bpm (ps < .05). Withdrawal symptoms decreased significantly after ECIG use. Participants reported that the mouthpiece affected awareness and made ECIG use more difficult. Relative to previously reported data for tobacco cigarette smokers using similar topography measurement equipment, ECIG-using participants took larger and longer puffs with lower flow rates. CONCLUSIONS In experienced ECIG users, measuring ECIG topography did not influence ECIG-associated nicotine delivery or most measures of withdrawal suppression. Topography measurement systems will need to account for the low flow rates observed for ECIG users.
Nanotopography induced contact guidance of the F11 cell line during neuronal differentiation: a neuronal model cell line for tissue scaffold development

The F11 hybridoma, a dorsal root ganglion-derived cell line, was used to investigate the response of nociceptive sensory neurons to nanotopographical guidance cues. This established this cell line as a model of peripheral sensory neuron growth for tissue scaffold design. Cells were seeded on substrates of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) films imprinted via nanoimprint lithography (NIL) with a grating pattern of nano-scale grooves and ridges. Different ridge widths were employed to alter the focal adhesion formation, thereby changing the cell/substrate interaction. Differentiation was stimulated with forskolin in culture medium consisting of either 1 or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Per medium condition, similar neurite alignment was achieved over the four day period, with the 1% serum condition exhibiting longer, more aligned neurites. Immunostaining for focal adhesions found the 1% FBS condition to also have fewer, less developed focal adhesions. The robust response of the F11 to guidance cues further builds on the utility of this cell line as a sensory neuron model, representing a useful tool to explore the design of regenerative guidance tissue scaffolds.
Bayesian Reinforcement Learning with Gaussian Process Temporal Dierence Methods

Reinforcement Learning is a class of problems frequently encountered by both biological and articial agents. An important algorithmic component of many Reinforcement Learning solution methods is the estimation of state or state-action values of a xed policy controlling a Markov decision process (MDP), a task known as policy evaluation. We present a novel Bayesian approach to policy evaluation in general state and action spaces, which employs statistical generative models for value functions via Gaussian processes (GPs). The posterior distribution based on a GP-based statistical model provides us with a value-function estimate, as well as a measure of the variance of that estimate, opening the way to a range of possibilities not available up to now. We derive exact expressions for the posterior moments of the value GP, which admit both batch and recursive computations. An ecien t sequential kernel sparsication method allows us to derive ecien t online algorithms for learning good approximations of the posterior moments. By allowing our algorithms to evaluate state-action values we derive model-free algorithms based on Policy Iteration for improving policies, thus tackling the complete RL problem. A companion paper describes experiments conducted with the algorithms presented here.
Digital Mosaic Frameworks ‐ An Overview

Art often provides valuable hints for technological innovations especially in the field of Image Processing and Computer Graphics. In this paper we survey in a unified framework several methods to transform raster input images into good quality mosaics. For each of the major different approaches in literature the paper reports a short description and a discussion of the most relevant issues. To complete the survey comparisons among the different techniques both in terms of visual quality and computational complexity are provided.
Parameter specification for fuzzy clustering by Q-learning

In this paper, we propose a new method to specify the sequence of parameter values for a fuzzy clustering algorithm by using Q-learning. In the clustering algorithm, we employ similarities between two data points and distances from data to cluster centers as the fuzzy clustering criteria. The fuzzy clustering is achieved by optimizing an objective function which is solved by the Picard iteration. The fuzzy clustering algorithm might be useful but its result depends on the parameter specifications. To conquer the dependency on the parameter values, we use Q-learning to learn the sequential update for the parameters during the iterative optimization procedure of the fuzzy clustering. In the numerical example, we show how the clustering validity improves by the obtained parameter update sequences.
Face localization by neural networks trained with Zernike moments and Eigenfaces feature vectors. A comparison

Face localization using neural network is presented in this communication. Neural network was trained with two different kinds of feature parameters vectors; Zernike moments and eigenfaces. In each case, coordinate vectors of pixels surrounding faces in images were used as target vectors on the supervised training procedure. Thus, trained neural network provides on its output layer a coordinate's vector (rho,thetas) representing pixels surrounding the face contained in treated image. This way to proceed gives accurate faces contours which are well adapted to their shapes. Performances obtained for the two kinds of training feature parameters were recorded using a quantitative measurement criterion according to experiments carried out on the XM2VTS database.
Mutation of Arabidopsis BARD1 Causes Meristem Defects by Failing to Confine WUSCHEL Expression to the Organizing Center[W][OA]

Stem cell fate in the Arabidopsis thaliana shoot apical meristem (SAM) is controlled by WUSCHEL (WUS) and CLAVATA. Here, we examine BARD1 (for BRCA1-associated RING domain 1), which had previously been implicated in DNA repair functions; we find that it also regulates WUS expression. We observed severe SAM defects in the knockout mutant bard1-3. WUS transcripts accumulated >238-fold in bard1-3 compared with the wild type and were located mainly in the outermost cell layers instead of the usual organizing center. A specific WUS promoter region was recognized by nuclear protein extracts obtained from wild-type plants, and this protein-DNA complex was recognized by antibodies against BARD1. The double mutant (wus-1 bard1-3) showed prematurely terminated SAM structures identical to those of wus-1, indicating that BARD1 functions through regulation of WUS. BARD1 overexpression resulted in reduced WUS transcript levels, giving a wus-1–like phenotype. Either full-length BARD1 or a clone that encoded the C-terminal domain (BARD1:C-ter;bard1-3) was sufficient to complement the bard1-3 phenotype, indicating that BARD1 functions through its C-terminal domain. Our data suggest that BARD1 regulates SAM organization and maintenance by limiting WUS expression to the organizing center.
Application of the associated particle technique for the whole-body measurement of protein, fat and water by 14 MeV neutron activation analysis-a feasibility study

A small and compact sealed tube neutron generator with an integral alpha particle detector has been used for applying the associated particle technique for prompt-gamma 14 MeV neutron activation analysis of total body carbon (TBC), total body nitrogen (TBN) and total body oxygen (TBO). Ground sheep meat samples in the weight range 20-40 kg and of varying composition have been scanned using two 12.5 cm diameter*10 cm NaI(TI) crystals for gamma-ray detection. The content of protein, fat and water was calculated from their fractional content of C, N and O using a four-compartment model of body composition, which included minerals. The precision for measuring TBC, TBN and TBO has been obtained from the mean count rates of ten repeat irradiations of the same sample. The accuracy has been confirmed by comparison against chemical analysis. The reproducibilities for measuring TBN have been found to be comparable to those obtained when the same samples were analysed using prompt-gamma thermal-neutron activation analysis in an existing body composition facility. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that an instrument comprising the neutron generator and four 15 cm*15 cm*45 cm NaI(Tl) gamma ray detectors can be assembled to determine, in vivo, protein, fat and water in an approximately 41 kg sample with precisions of 4.4%, 5.0% and 2.1% (CV) respectively within a 15 min scan. The radiation dose equivalent delivered due to neutrons would be approximately 0.03 mSv.
Effects of rTMS of Pre-Supplementary Motor Area on Fronto Basal Ganglia Network Activity during Stop-Signal Task

Stop-signal task (SST) has been a key paradigm for probing human brain mechanisms underlying response inhibition, and the inhibition observed in SST is now considered to largely depend on a fronto basal ganglia network consisting mainly of right inferior frontal cortex, pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), and basal ganglia, including subthalamic nucleus, striatum (STR), and globus pallidus pars interna (GPi). However, causal relationships between these frontal regions and basal ganglia are not fully understood in humans. Here, we partly examined these causal links by measuring human fMRI activity during SST before and after excitatory/inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of pre-SMA. We first confirmed that the behavioral performance of SST was improved by excitatory rTMS and impaired by inhibitory rTMS. Afterward, we found that these behavioral changes were well predicted by rTMS-induced modulation of brain activity in pre-SMA, STR, and GPi during SST. Moreover, by examining the effects of the rTMS on resting-state functional connectivity between these three regions, we showed that the magnetic stimulation of pre-SMA significantly affected intrinsic connectivity between pre-SMA and STR, and between STR and GPi. Furthermore, the magnitudes of changes in resting-state connectivity were also correlated with the behavioral changes seen in SST. These results suggest a causal relationship between pre-SMA and GPi via STR during response inhibition, and add direct evidence that the fronto basal ganglia network for response inhibition consists of multiple top-down regulation pathways in humans.
Audience engagement with mother-daughter relationships in prime-time television of the 21st century: A qualitative analysis of interpretation, sensemaking, and perceived effects

This qualitative analysis examines audience engagement with fictional portrayals of mother-daughter relationships in prime-time television of the 21 st century. I used indepth interviews with women of different backgrounds to explore how real mothers and daughters interpret portrayals of mother-daughter relationships on television; how they make sense of their own mother-daughter relationships through their engagement with these portrayals; and how and to what extent their engagement with these portrayals influences their own lives and mother-daughter relationships. The results of this study uncovered a process of audience engagement with mother-daughter relationships on television that involved the viewing experience, interpretation, sensemaking, and perceived effects on the participants' real lives and relationships. Throughout this process, female viewers of various backgrounds tended to evaluate the mother-daughter relationships on television using their own relationships as a standard; evaluate their own relationships using the TV relationships as a standard; and ultimately validate the value of their own mother-daughter relationships. As a fourth step in the process, those viewers who were most involved with and identified most strongly with the TV characters also acknowledged effects that their engagement with the shows has had on their lives and relationships. This study demonstrates the importance of studying women's engagement with mother-daughter relationships in media texts and further develops the literature on mother-daughter relationships in fields such as psychology, sociology, women's studies and family studies by bringing popular culture into the discussion. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT WITH MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS IN PRIME-TIME TELEVISION OF THE 21 ST CENTURY: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERPRETATION, SENSEMAKING, AND PERCEIVED EFFECTS By Meghan L. O‘Brien B.A., University of Scranton, 2003 M.A., Syracuse University, 2006 Ph.D. Candidate, Syracuse University, 2011
Digital Image Steganography using Nine-Pixel Differencing and Modified LSB Substitution

To provide higher embedding capacity without sacrificing the imperceptibility, a novel steganographic technique based on nine-pixel differencing with modified Least Significant Bit (LSB) substitution is proposed. The image is divided into 3×3 non-overlapping blocks. In each block the average difference value is calculated. Based on this value the block is classified to fall into one of the four levels such as, lower, lower-middle, higher-middle, and higher. If a block belongs to lower level then 2-bit LSB substitution is used in it. Similarly, for lower-middle, higher-middle, and higher level blocks 3, 4, and 5 bit LSB substitution is used. After LSB substitution the pixel values are readjusted to minimize distortion such that these modified values do not disturb the embedded bits. The experimental results reveal that the stego-images are imperceptible and hiding capacity is higher.
Disentangling the Wikipedia Category Graph for Corpus Extraction

In several areas of research such as knowledge management and natural language processing, domain-specific corpora are required for tasks such as terminology extraction and ontology learning. The presented investigations herein are based on the assumption that Wikipedia can be used for the purpose of corpus extraction. It presents the advantage of possessing a semantic layer, which should ease the extraction of domain- specific corpora. Yet, as the Wikipedia category graph is scale- free, it can not be used as it is for these purposes. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to graph clustering called BorderFlow, which we use and evaluate on the Wikipedia category graph. Additional possible applications of these results in the area of information retrieval are presented.
Problem-Based Learning as A Strategy to Teach Service Quality: An assessment of on-line reviews

This article explores problem-based learning (PBL) as a teaching strategy for an undergraduate and graduate service management course. PBL enabled students to critically assess service quality issues, categorize customer feedback, and develop a survey to assess customer perceptions of service quality. Customer feedback was assessed via on-line customer reviews and categorized through content analysis utilizing SERVQUAL constructs. By framing the class project into “real world” examples, students were able to dissect the problems, to identify situational constraints, and ascertain a clear understanding of the desired outcome. The consolidation of online comments for 60 U.S. based restaurants is also reported.
Student Behaviors Associated With Remediation

A content analysis was conducted to identify student behaviors associated with remediation. Identifying student behaviors associated with remediation could provide information to consider when developing student learning outcomes that address personal and professional competencies necessary for all students to display. A total of 26 articles were included in the study, which resulted in the identification of 34 student behaviors. Within the 34 student behaviors, 8 categories were identified: (1) ethical behaviors, (2) symptoms of a mental health diagnosis, (3) intrinsic characteristics, (4) counseling skills, (5) feedback, (6) self-reflective abilities, (7) personal difficulties, and (8) procedural compliance.