Past studies have found an unexpectedly small and inconsistent association between perfectionistic standards and test anxiety. Our goal was to unpack this association through the lens of a novel theory: The Model of Excellencism and Perfectionism. Results of Study 1 (N= 273) showed higher test anxiety, fear of failure, and mistake rumination for perfection strivers compared to excellence strivers. Results of Study 2 (N= 248) replicated these findings. Also, they showed that perfection strivers are more likely than excellence strivers to catastrophize about small mistakes, use reassurance seeking safety behaviors, and underperform in their exams. Excellencism and perfectionism are related but different pursuits, and their differentiation is essential to unveil the unhealthy role of perfectionistic standards in the nomological network of test anxiety. Our findings realign empirical knowledge with theories and interventions and enhance the impetus to intervene on the perfectionistic standards of students in schools.
Relays are pivotal in military communication networks, expanding coverage and ensuring reliable connectivity in challenging operational environments. While traditional terrestrial relays (TR) are constrained by fixed locations and vulnerability to physical obstructions, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted aerial relays (AR) offer a dynamic and flexible alternative by operating above obstacles and adapting to changing battlefield conditions. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of AR systems in military communications, presenting a detailed comparison between AR and TR paradigms and examining two specific AR technologies: active aerial relays (AAR) and aerial reconfigurable intelligent surface (ARIS) relays. The survey delves into their operation, benefits, challenges, and military applications, supported by a qualitative analysis across metrics such as coverage, flexibility, security, and cost. A novel multi-dimensional metric, the mission-critical relay effectiveness score (MCRES), is introduced as a quantitative method for evaluating relay suitability based on mission-specific weights for critical attributes like mobility, jamming resilience, deployment speed, stealth, coverage, and autonomy. Furthermore, we present Algorithm 1, a decision-making framework that leverages the MCRES to guide the systematic selection of the optimal relay type, AR or TR, and subsequently AAR or ARIS, tailored to the unique demands of a given military scenario, such as dynamic battlefield operations, electronic warfare, or covert missions. Finally, the paper addresses current implementation challenges and outlines promising future research directions to advance the deployment of robust and resilient UAV-mounted relay systems in contested military environments.
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) expression is required for epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cell survival. However, the molecular signaling mechanisms triggered by TG2 that mediate this survival action are not well understood. Here we show that TG2 is constitutively expressed in ECS cells, where it interacts with α6/β4 integrin to stimulate FAK and Src signaling, leading to PI3K activation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). PDK1 inhibits Hippo signaling, leading to enhanced nuclear accumulation of YAP1, which interacted with and stabilized ΔNp63α to enhance epidermal squamous cell carcinoma spheroid formation, invasion, and migration. Overall, these findings suggest that constitutive TG2 expression results in stabilization of ΔNp63α, leading to maintenance of cancer stem cell properties and enhanced tumor formation. Cancer Res; 76(24); 7265-76. ©2016 AACR.
An optimized forward dynamic model of baseball pitching was developed to assess muscle contributions to valgus torque on the elbow, with the goal of minimizing ulnar collateral ligament loads without compromising ball speed. A musculoskeletal model was created in OpenSim 4.5 to replicate the motion of Major League Baseball pitchers, incorporating the muscles responsible for resisting or producing valgus moments, which are known to affect ulnar collateral ligament loads. Using an optimal control framework in OpenSim Moco, muscle activations and actuator contributions were evaluated at various pitch speeds. Results demonstrated how optimized pitching motions differed from traditional techniques, suggesting kinematic adjustment strategies to reduce ligament load. For instance, faster pitches exhibited greater contralateral trunk tilt and higher arm slot, while slower pitches demonstrated greater ipsilateral trunk tilt with a lower arm slot (sidearm). These findings show the potential of our methods to provide actionable insights into injury prevention for pitchers by identifying movement modifications that can reduce loads on the ulnar collateral ligament while maintaining competitive pitching speeds. By presenting a novel predictive simulation of baseball pitching, this work demonstrates the balance between performance and injury mitigation through biomechanical modelling and optimization, which can be transferred into player training strategies.
We study the problem of regret minimization for a single bidder in a sequence of first-price auctions where the bidder discovers the item's value only if the auction is won. Our main contribution is a complete characterization, up to logarithmic factors, of the minimax regret in terms of the auction's transparency, which controls the amount of information on competing bids disclosed by the auctioneer at the end of each auction. Our results hold under different assumptions (stochastic, adversarial, and their smoothed variants) on the environment generating the bidder's valuations and competing bids. These minimax rates reveal how the interplay between transparency and the nature of the environment affects how fast one can learn to bid optimally in first-price auctions.
