University of New Brunswick

About: University of New Brunswick is a education organization based out in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 10498 authors who have published 20654 publications receiving 474448 citations.

Simultaneous and Proportional Force Estimation for Multifunction Myoelectric Prostheses Using Mirrored Bilateral Training

Abstract: This study presents a novel method for associating features of the surface electromyogram (EMG) recorded from one upper limb to the force produced by the contralateral limb. Bilateral-mirrored contractions from ten able-bodied subjects were recorded along with isometric forces in multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) from the right wrist. An artificial neural network was trained to provide force estimation. Combinations of processing parameters were evaluated and an estimation algorithm allowing high accuracy from relatively short signal epochs (100 ms) was proposed. The estimation performance when using surface EMG from the contralateral limb was 0.90 0.02 for the able-bodied subjects. In comparison, the estimation performance for one subject with congenital malformation of the left forearm was 0.72 which, albeit lower than for able-bodied subjects, is still comparable to or better than previously reported results. The proposed method requires only the measured forces from one limb, such as in the case of unilateral amputees and has thus the potential to be used in clinical settings for intuitive, simultaneous control of multiple DOFs in myoelectric prostheses.

RAD genotyping reveals fine-scale genetic structuring and provides powerful population assignment in a widely distributed marine species, the American lobster (Homarus americanus)

Abstract: Deciphering genetic structure and inferring connectivity in marine species have been challenging due to weak genetic differentiation and limited resolution offered by traditional genotypic methods. The main goal of this study was to assess how a population genomics framework could help delineate the genetic structure of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) throughout much of the species’ range and increase the assignment success of individuals to their location of origin. We genotyped 10 156 filtered SNPs using RAD sequencing to delineate genetic structure and perform population assignment for 586 American lobsters collected in 17 locations distributed across a large portion of the species’ natural distribution range. Our results revealed the existence of a hierarchical genetic structure, first separating lobsters from the northern and southern part of the range (FCT = 0.0011; P-value = 0.0002) and then revealing a total of 11 genetically distinguishable populations (mean FST = 0.00185; CI: 0.0007–0.0021, Pvalue < 0.0002), providing strong evidence for weak, albeit fine-scale population structuring within each region. A resampling procedure showed that assignment success was highest with a subset of 3000 SNPs having the highest FST. Applying Anderson’s (Molecular Ecology Resources, 2010, 10, 701) method to avoid ‘high-grading bias’, 94.2% and 80.8% of individuals were correctly assigned to their region and location of origin, respectively. Lastly, we showed that assignment success was positively associated with sample size. These results demonstrate that using a large number of SNPs improves fine-scale population structure delineation and population assignment success in a context of weak genetic structure. We discuss the implications of these findings for the conservation and management of highly connected marine species, particularly regarding the geographic scale of demographic independence.

Sexual satisfaction and sexual self‐disclosure within dating relationships

Abstract: This study examined dating individuals' self‐disclosure about their sexual likes and dislikes to their partner. Forty‐seven college men and 52 college women in a dating relationship of 3 to 36 months completed a questionnaire measuring sexual exchange variables, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, sexual communication satisfaction, and sexual and non‐sexual self‐disclosure with their partner. Both sexual and nonsexual self‐disclosure were at the level of revealing some detail but not fully disclosing personal attitudes and feelings. Participants reported self‐disclosing significantly more about non‐sexual than about sexual topics. Sexual and nonsexual self‐disclosure were related to sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual communication satisfaction. Sexual self‐disclosure was uniquely related to sexual communication satisfaction when nonsexual self‐disclosure was controlled, but was not uniquely associated with relationship satisfaction or sexual satisfaction. The study prov...

The effect of particle size distribution on packing density

Abstract: The packing density of a multi-particle system is found to increase if the particle size distribution is extended. Results are reported for Gaussian and log-normal size distributions using dense random packing of two sands with particle sizes of front <0.07 to 8.0 mm. Packing density is shown to be a function only of size distribution represented by a dimensionless standard deviation, and of particle shape. It is independent of particle size. Packing densities of binary mixtures of continuously distributed systems are found to depend upon the composition of the mixture, the mean-size ratio of the components of the binary, and upon the packing density of the individual components. Maxima occur at compositions of 55 to 75% larger component, and increasing mean-size ratios result in greater packing densities. The “increase in packing density” factor is a useful function for comparing, and setting limits to, packing densities of binary mixtures. The results should allow improved prediction and control of packing densities of many commonly encountered particle systems.

Computer‐aided monitoring: its influence on employee job satisfaction and turnover

Abstract: Computer-aided monitoring is a phenomenon that is likely to become more prevalent in the workplace and, thus, central to understanding contemporary employee responses to work. This study develops a model for examining the impact of monitoring on employee-level job satisfaction and turnover propensity. The results show that for some employees the negative effects of monitoring are inherent, but for others its negative impact can be mitigated by attention to feedback/performance appraisal processes. While organizational-level rules pertaining to monitoring are important, managerial efforts aimed at minimizing negative consequences for the organization and individuals need to pay close attention to the feedback/performance appraisal processes.