Examining Ethnicity-Related Risk Factors for Eating Disorder Symptoms in African American, Asian American, Latina, and Caucasian Women

While ethnicity-related factors salient to racial/ethnic minorities have been found to affect minority mental health, they are little studied in the eating disorders literature. The current study uses a sample of 106 African American, 95 Asian American, 106 Latina, and 192 non-Latina Caucasian young women to examine links between the ethnicity-related factors of acculturation, acculturative stress, discrimination stress, and ethnic identity and eating pathology, in addition to examining how a newer construct of satisfaction with racially salient appearance areas is linked to eating pathology. Interactive models of ethnicity-related factors and broadly applicable risk factors identifying concurrent disordered eating were also examined. Overall, acculturative stress, discrimination stress, and satisfaction with racially salient appearance areas were significantly associated with eating pathology, while acculturation and ethnic identity were not. Surprising positive associations between satisfaction with racially salient appearance areas and disordered eating in Latinas emerged. Ethnicity-related factors did not moderate relations between broadly applicable risk factors and eating pathology, with few exceptions. Associations between ethnicity-related factors and disordered eating highlight the importance of considering these factors in conceptualizations of eating disorder risk in racial/ethnic minorities. Keywords: disordered eating, eating disorders, binge eating, dietary restraint, race, ethnicity, body image, acculturation, acculturative stress, discrimination stress, ethnic identity, thin ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, impulsivityDoctor of Philosoph

Gender-based differences in letters of recommendation written for ophthalmology residency applicants.

BACKGROUND:To determine whether gender-based differences may be present in letters of recommendation written for ophthalmology residency applicants. METHODS:All applications submitted through SF Match to the UCLA Stein Eye Institute Residency Training Program from the 2017-2018 application cycle were analyzed using validated text analysis software (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (Austin, TX)). The main outcome measures were differences in language use in letters of recommendation by gender of applicant. RESULTS:Of 440 applicants, 254 (58%) were male and 186 (42%) were female. The two gender groups had similar United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 scores, undergraduate grade point averages (uGPA's), proportions of underrepresented minority (URM) applicants and Gold Humanism Honor Society members, numbers of academic and service activities listed, and gender distributions of their letter writers (all P values > 0.05). However, letters written for male applicants were determined to use more "authentic" words than those written for female applicants (mean difference, 0.800; 95% CI, 0.001-1.590; P = 0.047). Letters written for male applicants also contained more "leisure" words (mean difference, 0.056; 95% CI, 0.008-0.104; P = 0.023) and fewer "feel" words (mean difference, 0.033; 95% CI, 0.001-0.065; P = 0.041) and "biological processes" words (mean difference, 0.157; 95% CI, 0.017-0.297; P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS:There were gender differences detected in recommendation letters in ophthalmology consistent with prior studies from other fields. Awareness of these differences may improve residency selection processes

Examining self-efficacy as a moderator of the relations between dimensional perfectionism and dietary restraint, binge eating, and binge drinking

Dimensions of perfectionism have been linked to the disordered eating and binge drinking in prior research, with evidence that they may be differentially related to these behaviors. Self-efficacy is conceptually related to perfectionism, as perfectionism represents the level at which an individual sets her goals, while self-efficacy represents the individual’s judgment of whether she may attain those goals. Few studies have considered self-efficacy as a possible moderator of the relations between dimensions of perfectionism and disordered eating/binge drinking. We considered how dimensional perfectionism and self-efficacy may interact to identify and predict engagement in these behaviors. Using an existing dataset of 406 female undergraduates, we investigated whether self-efficacy moderates the relations between dimensional perfectionism and disordered eating/binge drinking. Overall, self-efficacy was not supported as a moderator of the relations between dimensional perfectionism and disordered eating. However, it moderated the relations between one dimension of perfectionism and a measure of binge drinking.Master of Art

An axiom system for sequence-based specification

AbstractThis paper establishes an axiomatic foundation and a representation theorem for the rigorous, constructive process, called sequence-based specification, of deriving precise specifications from ordinary (informal) statements of functional requirements. The representation theorem targets a special class of Mealy state machines, and algorithms are presented for converting from the set of sequences that define the specification to the equivalent Mealy machine, and vice versa. Since its inception, sequence-based specification has been effectively used in a variety of real applications, with gains reported in quality and productivity. This paper establishes the mathematical foundation independently of the process itself

Lophira alata suppresses glioblastoma cell growth via inhibition of protein kinase C-α

The root of the plant Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) has been used as a component of traditional herbal decoctions administered to cancer patients in southwestern Nigeria. However, the mechanism of the cytotoxic effects of Lophira alata alone or in the presence of phorbol ester has not been investigated in malignant brain tumor cells. This study was aimed at examining the cytotoxic potential of the methanolic fraction of Lophira alata root on malignant glioma invasive cellular growth and survival. The antiproliferative effects of Lophira alata were assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Protein immunoblots were carried out to test the effects of Lophira alata, alone or in the presence of phorbol ester, on survival signaling pathways such as Akt, mTOR, PARP and caspases. The methanolic fraction of Lophira alata (LAM) induced a concentration-dependent and time-dependent decrease in glioma cell viability and cell proliferation. In addition, LAM attenuated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-mediated signaling of downstream targets such as Akt/mTOR. Gene silencing using siRNA targeting PKC-alpha abrogated LAM-mediated downregulation of Akt. Our data also revealed that treatment with LAM induced both PARP and caspase cleavage. The HPLC fingerprint of the fraction indicates the presence of the flavonoids luteolin and rutin, which are known to inhibit the proliferation of glioblastoma cells

Correlation Study: Student Success in Biochemistry as a Prerequisite for Integrated Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

Background A rise in new schools of pharmacy has led to implementation of new curriculums. Pharmacy schools must adhere to standards set by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education in order to provide knowledge of foundational sciences and prepare pharmacy students for the future. Prerequisites are typically foundational science courses taken early in the program so that students have the knowledge necessary to be excellent pharmacists. Within the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, Biochemistry is a prerequisite course for Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology (PCoMedChem). Objectives The goal of this study is to determine if Biochemistry should remain a prerequisite course for Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology at Cedarville University under a TBL setting based on if student success in Biochemistry influences student success in PcoMedChem. Methodology The study will evaluate student individual and overall course grades for both Biochemistry and PcoMedChem. The data will include grades from the 2018-2021 cohorts of pharmacy students. Inclusion criteria consists of completion of Biochemistry and Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. No exclusion of students exist because all student data will be evaluated. Students will complete a survey through Qualtrics regarding extracurricular commitments as well as perceptions towards the courses to supplement the findings and explain discrepancies. Analysis The demographics and students’ perceptions will be compared in SPSS by analyzing frequency of responses. Using SPSS, the Wilcoxon test and Levene’s test will be conducted followed by a Pearson or Spearman correlation, depending on distribution, in order to determine correlation between grades in Biochemistry and PcoMedChem. Additionally, an ANCOVA test will be used to analyze the data gathered from our survey. A p-value of 0.05 will be indicative of statistical significance

A New Robust Optimization Approach for Scheduling Under Uncertainty:

Abstract The problem of scheduling under bounded uncertainty is addressed. We propose a novel robust optimization methodology, which when applied to mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problems produces "robust" solutions which are in a sense immune against bounded uncertainty. Both the coefficients in the objective function, the left-hand-side parameters and the right-hand-side parameters of the inequalities are considered. Robust optimization techniques are developed for two types of uncertain data: bounded uncertainty and bounded and symmetric uncertainty. By introducing a small number of auxiliary variables and constraints, a deterministic robust counterpart problem is formulated to determine the optimal solution given the (relative) magnitude of uncertain data, feasibility tolerance, and "reliability level" when a probabilistic measurement is applied. The robust optimization approach is then applied to the scheduling under uncertainty problem. Based on a novel and effective continuous-time short-term scheduling model proposed by Floudas and coworkers [Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 37 (1998a

Structure and Magnetotransport Properties of Epitaxial Nanocomposite La0.67Ca0.33MnO3:SrTiO3 Thin Films Grown by a Chemical Solution Approach

Epitaxial La0.67Ca0.33MnO3:SrTiO3 (LCMO:STO) composite thin films have been grown on single crystal LaAlO3(001) substrates by a cost effective polymer-assisted deposition method. Both x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirm the growth of epitaxial films with an epitaxial relationship between the films and the substrates as (002)film||(002)sub and [202]film||[202]sub. The transport property measurement shows that the STO phase significantly increases the resistivity and enhances the magnetoresistance (MR) effect of LCMO and moves the metal-insulator transition to lower temperatures. For example, the MR values measured at magnetic fields of 0 and 3 T are −44.6% at 255 K for LCMO, −94.2% at 125 K for LCMO:3% STO, and −99.4% at 100 K for LCMO:5% STO, respectively

Affective Decision-making Predictive of Chinese Adolescent Drinking Behaviors

The goal of the current investigation was to address whether affective decision making would serve as a unique neuropsychological marker to predict drinking behaviors among adolescents. We conducted a longitudinal study of 181 Chinese adolescents in Chengdu city, China. In their 10th grade (ages 15–16), these adolescents were tested for their affective decision-making ability using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and working memory capacity using the Self-Ordered Pointing Test. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess academic performance and drinking behaviors. At 1-year follow-up, questionnaires were completed to assess drinking behaviors, and the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale was used to examine four dimensions of impulsivity: urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking. Results indicated that those adolescents who progressed to binge drinking or exhibited consistent binge drinking not only performed poorly on the IGT but also scored significantly higher in urgency compared to those who never or occasionally drank. Moreover, better IGT scores predicted fewer drinking problems and fewer drinks 1 year later after controlling for demographic variables, the previous drinking behaviors, working memory, and impulsivity. These findings suggest that deficits in affective decision making may be important independent determinants of compulsive drinking and potentially addictive behavior in adolescents. (JINS, 2009, 15, 547–557.