The Internalization of the Model Minority Stereotype, Acculturative Stress, and Ethnic Identity on Academic Stress, Academic Performance, and Mental Health Among Asian American College Students

Previous studies in Asian American psychology literature on cultural factors of acculturation and ethnic identity have yielded mixed findings in its relation to psychological outcomes. Furthermore, there is a gap in the knowledge base regarding the internalization of the model minority stereotype and its impact on Asian Americans. Due to Asian Americans\u27 tendency to value academic excellence as a result of socialization by cultural values and family upbringings, this study examined the effects acculturative stress, ethnic identity, and the internalization of model minority on academic stress, academic performance, and mental health. Results of this study indicated that acculturative stress significantly predicted academic stress and depression, and academic stress partially mediated the relationship between acculturative stress and depression. Additionally, results revealed that ethnic identity did not moderate the relationship between acculturative stress and academic stress. Results also indicated the internalization of the model minority stereotype was not related to academic stress, however, it was negatively related to depression from path analysis. None of the variables were related to academic performance. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed

Molecular Modification of CNT Junctions

Carbon nanotube networks (CNNs) are increasingly finding applications as thin film transistors (TFTs), integrated circuits, and display drivers on flexible, transparent substrates. This is attributed to the higher carrier mobility of CNNs as compared to amorphous silicon and organic TFTs [1,2]. However, high electrical [3-5] and thermal [6,7] resistances at individual nanotube junctions (NJs) limit the performance of CNN devices. The resistances of the junctions are no less than an order of magnitude higher than those of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This causes high power dissipation at the NJs. In the end this causes degradation of the overall device performance and reliability [3,4]. Previous studies have shown how molecular modification of CNT junctions can reduce the sheet resistance of conducting and transparent CNN electrodes. [refs to Vikar and Bao]. However, to our knowledge, the effects of molecular modification of CNT junctions on device performance remain unreported. In this study, we present a novel method to improve CNN TFT performance, through the application of 0-dimensional (0D) molecules, e.g. C60 fullerenes and CdSe quantum dots, onto the surface of the CNN device. These materials can be applied through spin-coating, dip-coating, or spray coating. We find the absorbance spectra of the 0D materials correlate with their HOMO-LUMO gap and concentration of these molecules in solution. Our preliminary data also suggest preferential attachment of these nanoparticles to NJs, eliminating the need for lithography to selectively deposit 0D materials at NJs. Our results suggests these molecules may act as a nanosolder or nanoglue at the NJs, modifying their electrical and thermal resistances for improved device performance. [1] D. Sun, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol. 6, 156 (2011); [2] Q. Cao, et al., Nature 454, 495 (2008); [3] P. Nirmalraj, et al., Nano Lett. 9, 3890 (2009); [4] M. Stadermann, et al., Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter Mater. Phys. 69, 201402 (2004); [5] A. Kyrylyuk, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol. 6, 364 (2011); [6] R. Prasher, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 105901 (2009); [7] J. Yang, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 023109 (2010)

URBAN HPAC AND A SIMPLE URBAN DISPERSION MODEL COMPARED WITH THE JOINT URBAN 2003 (JU2003) FIELD DATA

The Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC) dispersion model is widely used by the U.S. Department of Defense and the results of previous evaluations have been presented at Harmonization conferences. The version of its diagnostic wind model that is applied to urban areas has been significantly updated to remove biases in wind speed estimates, requiring reevaluations with urban tracer data sets such as the Joint Urban 2003 (JU2003) data base. For comparison purposes, a simple Gaussian-format urban dispersion model has been run for the same JU2003 data base. The simple urban model has previously been evaluated with the Madison Square Garden 2005 (MSG05) data. The evaluations focus on 30-minute averaged (1) arc maximum concentrations and (2) concentrations paired in space. It is shown that the revisions to the diagnostic wind model in urban HPAC have resulted in improved performance. Similar good performance is found for the simple urban dispersion model, although it has more errors for off-centerline and upwind receptors in the downtown area

Assessment of a liquid larval diet for rearing Dacus species and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Species of the genus Dacus are important insect pests of fruits and vegetables. Two Dacus species, Dacus punctatifrons Karsch and Dacus vertebratus Bezzi, as well as Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), were reared on a liquid artificial diet, a carrot (Daucus carota L.)-based solid artificial diet, and a natural fruit host to assess the suitability of the liquid diet for small-scale rearing of these species. Egg hatch, pupal production, adult emergence and F1 productivity were recorded to evaluate performance of the three species on each diet. Egg hatch on the three diets was more than 50% for D. punctatifrons and B. dorsalis, but for D. vertebratus, egg hatch was less than 40% when they were introduced to the liquid artificial diet. Pupal production for both Dacus species was very low or nil on the liquid artificial diet and the carrot-based artificial diet, respectively. Adult emergence was low for D. punctatifrons and nil for D. vertebratus on the liquid artificial diet. This study showed that the two Dacus species did not develop well on either the liquid or solid carrot-based artificial diet whereas B. dorsalis performed well on the liquid diet. Cucumber, the natural host of both Dacus species, was better for small-scale rearing of these species than the liquid and carrot-based artificial diets. Nutrients found in cucumber need to be identified to formulate alternative rearing media for Dacus species that are economical and easy to use

GAPS IN TOXIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL (TIC) MODEL SYSTEMS

There are concerns regarding the hazards to the public due to the releases of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) to the atmosphere as a result of accidents or intentional acts. For recent chlorine railcar accidents, where 30 to 60 tons of pressurized liquefied chlorine were released in rural areas, the number of casualties estimated by several widely-used model systems far exceeded the number of casualties observed, raising concerns by decision makers about the accuracy of the model systems. The comprehensive model system consists of a scenario definition, a source emission model, a transport and dispersion model, an exposure model, and a health risk model. A few of the deficiencies or gaps in the model system are summarized in this paper, including 1) incomplete knowledge of the scenario, 2) uncertainties in the state-of-the-art of source emission models, 3) inadequate transport and dispersion models, 4) limitations of knowledge concerning the population and their movement, and 5) biases and uncertainties in health risk models

Sorafenib Effectiveness in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase III trials show sorafenib improves survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of narrow trial eligibility, results may not be generalizable to a broader HCC population. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of initial sorafenib versus no treatment among Medicare beneficiaries with advanced HCC

Interactions between topsoil properties and ecophysiological responses of mangroves (Avicennia marina) along the tidal gradient in an arid region in Qatar

This study investigated the interactions between topsoil properties and ecophysiological responses of Avicennia marina along the tidal gradient in an arid region in Qatar. In February 2017, three plots were established, each at a distance of 0 m (D0), 50 m (D50), and 100 m (D100) from the inland boundary of a mangrove forest. Soil samples were collected at 0–10-cm depth in each plot to determine the chemical properties, and the density of seedlings, saplings, and trees was measured. Moreover, above- (AGB) and below-ground biomass (BGB) were calculated using an allometric equation for A. marina with the measured diameter at breast height in February 2017. As an indicator of salt stress, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in October 2017. Salinity (45.60 ppt) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP; 29.02%) at D100 were significantly highest. AGB was higher at D100 (41.44 Mg ha–1) than at D0 (0 Mg ha–1) and D50 (7.33 Mg ha–1), and BGB was higher at D100 (44.91 Mg ha–1) than only at D0 (0 Mg ha–1). There was no significant difference in the density of seedlings, saplings, or trees or the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters among the plots. Salt stress was not induced despite the hypersalinity at this site, since A. marina growing in an arid climate can endure strong salinity. Soil pH was highest at D0, followed by at D50 and D100. Organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity were significantly higher at D100 than at D0 and D50. Higher concentrations of nutrients on the seaward side might result from the tidal gradient and a large input of organic matter and low soil alkalinity.Qatar University Grant (QUUG-CAS-DBES-15/16-5); the Biodiversity Conservation Fund of Kazakhstan (Q1727701); the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014001310008

Preoperative Predictors of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Outcomes: The APM Index Score

Problem Statement: - Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) has been shown to be the most common meniscal surgical treatment in the United States - Pre-op risk factors known to contribute to poor outcomes after APM: Symptom duration and radiographic OA at baseline - Factors with no conclusive effect on post-op outcomes: Baseline knee functional score, location of meniscal tear, BMI, activity level, age, sex, and chondral damage on MRI Project AIM: To create an index score using easily available preoperative risk factors such as Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade, age, duration of symptoms, BMI, activity level, and preoperative outcome scores to predict the likelihood of favorable outcomes after APM.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/aoa_research_symposium_posters/1003/thumbnail.jp

Differential electrophysiological response during rest, self-referential, and non-self-referential tasks in human posteromedial cortex

The electrophysiological basis for higher brain activity during rest and internally directed cognition within the human default mode network (DMN) remains largely unknown. Here we use intracranial recordings in the human posteromedial cortex (PMC), a core node within the DMN, during conditions of cued rest, autobiographical judgments, and arithmetic processing. We found a heterogeneous profile of PMC responses in functional, spatial, and temporal domains. Although the majority of PMC sites showed increased broad gamma band activity (30-180 Hz) during rest, some PMC sites, proximal to the retrosplenial cortex, responded selectively to autobiographical stimuli. However, no site responded to both conditions, even though they were located within the boundaries of the DMN identified with resting-state functional imaging and similarly deactivated during arithmetic processing. These findings, which provide electrophysiological evidence for heterogeneity within the core of the DMN, will have important implications for neuroimaging studies of the DMN