bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomonitoring of ochratoxin A in blood plasma and exposure assessment of adult students in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Nurshad , Blaszkewicz Meinolf , Manirujjaman M. , Perveen Rasheda , Nahid Abdullah Al , Mahmood Shakil , Rahman Mustafizur , Hossain Khaled , Degen Gisela H.
Published: August 2014

Scope

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin known for its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in animals, deserves attention due to its widespread occurrence as food and feed contaminant. Studies in many countries report the presence of OTA in human blood plasma or serum at variable levels. However, no biomonitoring study has been carried out in so far, and also food analysis data are insufficient to assess OTA exposure.

Methods and results

Therefore, 64 blood samples were collected from healthy university students (32 female, 32 male) in Bangladesh for biomarker analysis. OTA and its metabolite ochratoxin alpha were determined in the plasma samples by a validated method using HPLC‐fluorescence analysis. After liquid–liquid extraction, OTA was detected in all plasma samples (100%) at a range of 0.20–6.63 ng/mL and ochratoxin alpha was detected in 95% of the samples at 0.10–0.79 ng/mL. The OTA mean level in plasma of males (0.92 ± 1.09 ng/mL) and females (0.78 ± 1.02) were not significantly different. Statistical analysis of food consumption data for the participants, provided in a food frequency questionnaire, did not reveal a significant association between OTA level in plasma and their intake of typical staple foods (rice, wheat, maize, and lentil).

Conclusion

The dietary intake of OTA (mean 11.7, max 91.7 ng/kg b.w./wk) calculated on the basis of plasma concentration in Bangladeshi students was lower than the tolerable weekly OTA intake (120 ng/kg b.w./wk) set by EFSA. Nonetheless, further biomonitoring is recommended in cohorts from other parts of the country that may have higher mycotoxin exposure than the present group.
Compact band‐stop filters using π‐Shape DGS and π‐shape DMS
Authors: La Dong‐Sheng , Han Wei‐Hong , Zhang Jin‐Ling
Published: August 2014

Compact
‐shape defected ground structure (DGS) and
‐shape defected microstrip structure (DMS) are proposed. Their resonant characteristics are analyzed using HFSS 12. Two band‐stop filters based on
‐shape DGS and
‐shape DMS are presented. One filter is composed of
‐shape DMS. Another filter is composed of
‐shape DMS and
‐shape DGS. The resonant characteristics of the filters can be changed by changing the structure parameters, especially the length a. Using
‐shape DGS, the performance of the band‐stop filter is improved and the area of the filter remains the same. Both two proposed band‐stop filters have two transmission zeros at each edge of the stop‐band. Finally, two band‐stop filters are fabricated and measured. The simulated results are basically consistent with the measured ones. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2504–2507, 2014
A design of compact wideband negative group delay network using cross coupling
Authors: Chaudhary Girdhari , Jeong Yongchae
Published: August 2014

This article presents a novel approach to the design of a compact wideband negative group delay (NGD) network using cross coupling between open stubs. The NGD time can be controlled by external series resistors, whereas the NGD bandwidth can be controlled by the coupling coefficient between open stubs. To verify the design concept, the NGD network operating at center frequency of 1.96 GHz was designed and fabricated. From the measurement results, a maximum achievable NGD time of −1.1 ± 0.2 ns was obtained over a 410 MHz BW with a maximum signal attenuation of 29.23 dB. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2495–2497, 2014
Second‐order reflective‐type, absorptive notch filter with lumped elements
Authors: Bulja Senad , Rulikowski Pawel , Grebennikov Andrei
Published: August 2014

In this article, a design methodology and equations necessary for a second‐order absorptive, reflective‐type, transmission zero notch filter are introduced, derived, and described in detail. Initially, a single (first order), absorptive, reflective‐type transmission zero notch filter is described. Based on this, improvements to the first‐order reflective‐type notch filter are discussed and a novel circuit that achieves a second‐order absorptive, reflective‐type, transmission zero notch response is proposed. The necessary conditions for the achievement of the second‐order absorptive, reflective‐type, transmission zero from the proposed circuit are derived. As an experimental verification, first‐ and second‐order absorptive, reflective‐type, transmission zero circuits are fabricated and their performance measured. It is shown that the first‐order notch circuit introduces a zero into the response of a main filter with a depth of over 12 dB in the frequency range 2.19–2.27 GHz, while the second‐order notch circuit introduces a transmission zero with a depth of over 20 dB GHz, in the same frequency range as its first‐order counterpart. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2542–2545, 2014
Multiband (920 MHz/2.4 GHz/3.5 GHz/5 GHz) planar antenna on flexible substrate
Authors: Fujita Koji , Kanemoto Daisuke , Yoshitomi Kuniaki , Yoshida Keiji , Kanaya Haruichi
Published: August 2014

This article presents the design of a multiband planar antenna on a flexible substrate for ISM (920 MHz/2.4 GHz) and WiMAX (2.5 GHz/3.5 GHz/5.8 GHz) operation. We use a J‐shaped ground connected with a stub and an L‐slot to obtain multiband resonances. The measured impedance bandwidths (S11 ≤ −6 dB) of the proposed antenna are 900–970 MHz, 1.45–3.70 GHz, and 4.76–7.00 GHz, and the antenna size is 90 × 18 × 0.254 mm3. As the antenna is fabricated on a flexible substrate, the antenna characteristic does not change even when the antenna is bent. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2526–2530, 2014
High gain circularly polarized slot‐coupled antenna for millimeter wave applications
Authors: Elboushi Ayman , Haraz Osama , Sebak Abdel
Published: August 2014

A high gain circularly polarized millimeter‐wave x‐slot antenna with surface mounted horn is presented. Substrate integrated waveguide technology is adopted to achieve low profile feeding structure to excite the x‐shaped slot backed by a circular cavity. As a gain enhancing technique, a surface mounted horn, made from a very thin copper sheet is placed over the x‐slot to achieve a realized gain more than 15 dB. The proposed design exhibits an experimental bandwidth of 1.05 GHz. A very good agreement between the experimental and the simulated results is achieved. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2522–2526, 2014
Leaky‐wave plasma antenna with tunable radiation angle
Authors: Kallel Asma , Sokoloff Jérôme , Callegari Thierry
Published: August 2014

A beam scanning leaky‐wave antenna working at a fixed operating frequency and based on plasma discharge is proposed. The investigation of leaky‐poles for the proposed geometry shows that, at a fixed frequency, the radiation angle scans from broadside toward endfire by varying the plasma density in a relevant range. Theoretical results demonstrate that, at 10 GHz, this antenna may produce a beam scanning from 1.6 to 74.7° by varying the plasma density from
to
. Measurement results of the plasma characteristics performed on a radiofrequency plasma source in our laboratory are also discussed. Their integration in full‐wave simulations confirms the excitation of leaky‐waves. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2601–2604, 2014
Band‐notched UWB antenna with raised cosine‐tapered ground plane
Authors: Malik Jagannath , Kartikeyan Machavaram V.
Published: August 2014

An ultrawideband (UWB) antenna with band‐notched characteristic is presented. The novelty of the antenna is the tapered ground plane which enhances mode coupling to achieve wide impedance bandwidth. Proposed microstrip‐fed antenna consists of a circular patch with an etched slot for band‐notched property to reduce the effect caused by the frequency interference with already existing narrow band WLAN system. The antenna has a simple structure with overall dimension being (30 × 30 × 1.524) mm3 on FR‐4 substrate. With an extended operating band covering the target UWB spectrum (3.1–10.6 GHz), fairly good and consistent monopole like omnidirectional radiation patterns in H‐plane and linear transmission responses, the proposed antenna is well suited to be integrated within portable devices. The antenna is successfully fabricated and measured, showing broadband‐matched impedance and good time domain performance throughout the operating bandwidth. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2576–2579, 2014
A reconfigurable circular patch antenna with switchable slits for polarization diversity
Authors: Osman Mohamad N. , Rahim Mohamad K. A. , Hamid Mohamad R. , Yusoff Mohd F. M. , Majid Huda A.
Published: August 2014

This article proposes a novel circular patch antenna with polarization reconfigurability features. The antenna has a simple structure, which comprises of a radiating circular patch, embedded with two switches (PIN diode) and a pair of equal length slit on the top metal layer. By controlling the biased voltage of the PIN diodes, the polarization of the antenna can be reconfigured between three states; either linear polarization, right‐hand or left‐hand circular polarization. The details of the simulated and experimental results are presented and discussed. The proposed design has the potential application to improve channel reliability in a wireless communication system, especially in dealing with multipath‐rich and limited space environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2587–2590, 2014
An X‐band eight‐subarray smart antenna system for direction of arrival estimation
Authors: Tseng Yau‐Hwa , Su Ing‐Jiunn , Hwang Ruey‐Bing
Published: August 2014

An X‐Band eight‐subarray smart antenna system has been developed in this article to demonstrate its capability of direction of arrival estimation for correlated arriving signals. The antenna array is composed of an eight‐subarray antenna and eight‐track of transceiver for quadrature baseband to RF up/down conversion. Multiple classification of signal (MUSIC) and modified MUSIC algorithm with spatial smoothing are used for high resolution angle of arrival (AoA) estimation. Measured results showed that the modified MUSIC algorithm with spatial smoothing is capable of estimating target AoA with average angle error of 1.14° when target arriving angles are varying from −30° to 30°. Accurate results of AoA estimation by simulation and measurement for stationary or dynamic targets has also been demonstrated to validate the feasibility of the proposed X‐Band smart antenna system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2582–2587, 2014
Ultrawideband antenna with notched band and added band using mushroom‐shaped resonators
Authors: Deng Jing‐Ya , Guo Li‐Xin , Fan Tian‐Qi , Zhao Hua
Published: August 2014

A printed UWB antenna with a notched band and an added band using mushroom‐shaped self‐complementary resonators (MSCR) is presented. The original antenna is composed of a microstrip fed monopole and a ground with beveled edges producing wide bandwidth with VSWR lower than 2 from lower frequency limit 2.96 up to 12 GHz. To avoid the interference with WiMAX and C band satellite communication systems, a pair of MSCRs is embedded into the monopole to obtain a notched band 3.3–4.2 GHz. Then another pair of MSCRs with similar shape is inserted into the ground for the added 2.4–2.48 GHz band for WLAN applications. The antenna is simulated and measured; the results show that the proposed antenna can be used for both WLAN and UWB systems while the interference with WiMAX and C band satellite communications can be avoided. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2622–2624, 2014
Dual‐square‐ring‐shaped slot antenna for wideband circularly polarized radiation
Authors: Nasimuddin  , Qing Xianming , Chen Zhi Ning
Published: August 2014

A compact dual‐square‐ring‐shaped slot antenna using a microstrip feed line is proposed for wideband circularly polarized (CP) radiation. The antenna consists of a combined dual‐square‐ring‐shaped slot along the diagonal direction and a microstrip feed‐line along with stub in the orthogonal direction. The slot and feeding structures are fabricated on the opposite planes of a low cost FR4 substrate. The stub width and a dual‐square‐ring‐shaped slot are optimized for wideband CP radiation with good impedance matching. The measured 3‐dB axial ratio and 10‐dB return loss bandwidths of the proposed antenna are 47% (2.1–3.4 GHz) and 75% (1.92–4.25 GHz), respectively. The measured gain is more than 2.0 dBic over the 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2645–2649, 2014
Pin diodes and their impact on reconfigurable compact microstrip antennas with high frequency‐ratio
Authors: Casado Félix , Arriola Aitor , Arruti Egoitz , Ortego Iñaki , Sancho Juan I.
Published: August 2014

This work presents a study of the impact of PIN diodes on the performance of reconfigurable compact microstrip antennas with high frequency‐ratio. To this purpose, two frequency reconfigurable microstrip antennas with a frequency‐ratio of 3 (868 MHz and 2.45 GHz ISM bands) and a different degree of compactness have been designed and measured for various PIN‐diode configurations. The results show the derivative effects of using PIN diodes in the conditions mentioned, namely current cancelation, power dissipation, and frequency shift, and how to reduce their impact. The most significant repercussion is in the radiation efficiency, which can be enhanced from 46 to 74% using a less compact design, and by reducing the forward resistance of the PIN diode, what increases the radiation efficiency by a factor of 4. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2676–2681, 2014
Low‐cost Ku‐band dual‐polarized and beam switchable cross‐type antenna array for satellite communications
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Mahe Yann , Razban Tchanguiz
Published: August 2014

A dual‐polarized and beam switchable patch antenna array, which works well along the entire Ku‐band (10.6–12.7 GHz) is introduced in this article. The proposed array is formed with cross‐type antenna unit cell and fed by a balanced power division network with microstrip lines. By tuning the length of paths in the feeding network, phase differences taking place among units, therefore, beam‐shifting could be obviously observed on the measured radiation patterns. It is worth while noting that, as patch sharing technique is used in the array arrangement, not only the interelement distance is significantly decreased but also the beam‐shifting angle is distinctly enlarged in the case of same phase‐shifting. The proposed antenna can be easily fabricated on very low‐cost Teflon substrate with printing circuit technology, which might be a good candidate for direct broadcast from satellite reception antenna. In this article, the configuration of an experimental 1 × 4 array and its measured S‐parameters and radiation characteristics will be given. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2656–2659, 2014
An omnidirectional PIFA for downlink and uplink satellite applications in C‐band
Authors: Ojaroudi N. , Ghadimi N. , Ojaroudi Y. , Ojaroudi S.
Published: August 2014

In this article, we present a dual band planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) for downlink and uplink satellite systems in C‐band frequency range. The proposed antenna is fabricated on an FR4 substrate with dielectric constant of 4.4. By cutting a pair of T‐shaped slits in the ground plane, and also by embedding a meander‐line slit in the ground plane a good dual‐band operation antenna can be achieved. The measured impedance bandwidth for 10 dB return loss is from 3.625–4.200 GHz (14%) and 5.850–6.425 GHz (9%), covering the down/up links of satellite communications. Simulated and experimental results obtained for this antenna show that the proposed PIFA has good antenna gain and radiation behavior in the operation bands. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2684–2686, 2014
Analysis of optical beat interference noise suppression using RF‐clipping tone in OFDMA‐PON uplink transmission
Authors: Yang Seung‐Min , Mun Kyoung‐Hak , Kim Chang‐hun , Jung Sun‐Young , Jung Sang‐Min , Cho Seung‐Hyun , Han Sang‐Kook
Published: August 2014

In orthogonal frequency division multiple access‐passive optical network (OFDMA‐PON) uplink transmission with a direct detection system, the optical beat interference (OBI) noise is a very critical issue in regard to channel performance degradation. We have proposed a novel technique to suppress the OBI noise in intensity modulation and direct detection OFDMA‐PON links by using an optical spectrum broadening method using the RF‐clipping tone to improve the SNR of the discrete multitone modulation (DMT) signal with OBI noise suppression. We also experimentally analyzed the dependency of the RF clipping tone on the OBI noise suppression and dither effect. The results show that the received DMT signal in the optical line terminal can achieve 3 Gb/s over a 23 km SSMF with a BER of 2.3×10−4. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2706–2711, 2014
On wafer thermal characterization of miniature gallium arsenide microcoolers with thermal loading from DC probes
Authors: Glover J. , Khalid A. , Cumming D. R. S. , Bajo M. Montes , Kuball M. , Stephen A. , Dunn G. M. , Oxley C. H.
Published: August 2014

Miniature aluminium gallium arsenide/gallium arsenide (AlGaAs/GaAs) coolers were fabricated on wafer, enabling different contact geometries to be realized in the same process run. To individually DC bias the microcooler, microprobes were used leading to thermal loading of the cooler. A simple experimental technique was developed to verify the temperature difference (ΔT) between the cold cathode and hot anode contacts is due to cooling rather than heating of the cooler. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2699–2700, 2014
Q‐switched erbium doped fiber laser using single‐walled carbon nanotubes embedded in polyethylene oxide film saturable absorber
Authors: Ahmed M. H. M. , Salleh Z. S. , Ali N. M. , Harun S. W. , Arof H.
Published: August 2014

We demonstrate simple, compact, and low cost passively Q‐switched erbium doped fiber lasers (EDFLs) using a single‐walled carbon nanotubes based saturable absorber (SA), which is prepared using polyethylene oxide as host polymer. The EDFL starts to generate a stable Q‐switching pulse at pump power of 30.8 mW operating at wavelength of 1533.7 nm. The repetition rate of the Q‐switching pulse can be tuned from 8.0 to 29.4 kHz by increasing the pump power from 30.8 to 69.5 mW while the pulse width drops from 24.2 to 11.2 µs. At the maximum pump power of 69.5 mW, the EDFL produces the maximum pulse energy of 93.9 nJ. Besides showing good Q‐switching performance, the SA is easy to fabricate and cheap. This makes the proposed EDFL suitable for applications in metrology, environmental sensing, and biomedical diagnostics. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2734–2737, 2014
New CBCPW‐to‐SIW transition with improved bandwidth
Authors: Liu Zheng , Xiao Gaobiao , Xiang Shang
Published: August 2014

In this article, a novel Ka band conductor‐backed coplanar waveguide to substrate integrated waveguide transition is presented. The new structure integrates the classical current probe transition with asymmetrical stepped impedance transformer to improve the operating bandwidth. An equivalent circuit model is also given, which clearly illustrates the operational principle of this new transition. Finally, a back‐to‐back transition has been simulated and fabricated. The experimental results show that the transition has a satisfactory performance in the whole Ka band. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2731–2734, 2014
Erratum for: A transistor array bank (TR bank) for a digitally controlled spin torque oscillator
Authors: Oh Inn‐Yeal , Park Seung‐Young , Park Chul‐Soon
Published: August 2014

A transistor array (TR) bank devised for operating a spin torque oscillator as the DCSO is first proposed. The TR bank supplies a minimum of 86% current per step of the targeted value at any condition and covers the 2.85‐GHz band fully with a 1 nA at the minimum code word step. Having driving capability up to 2.5 mA, the TR bank is operated from 0.6 to 1.4 mA at 1.7VDD. The spintronics oscillator size is as small as 0.014 mm2, excluding the TR bank of 0.23 mm2. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1991–1994, 2014
Uncertainty and Control in the Context of a Category‐Five Tornado
Authors: Afifi Walid A. , Afifi Tamara D. , Merrill Annie
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to illuminate the experience and management of uncertainty during a natural disaster. Interviews were conducted with 26 survivors of a category‐five tornado that entirely demolished the small, rural town of Greensburg, Kansas. Three primary themes were found in the survivors' accounts. First, the survivors experienced rapidly shifting levels and kinds of uncertainty as they proceeded through the stages of the disaster. Second, the fluidity of much‐needed information added to uncertainty. Third, the feeling of lack of control over outcomes of the disaster and its aftermath was pervasive and was often managed through reliance on communal coping. Recommendations for disaster‐related intervention programs are suggested. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of a multi‐modal treatment protocol for Ewing sarcoma—A report from the polish pediatric oncology group
Authors: Raciborska Anna , Bilska Katarzyna , Drabko Katarzyna , Chaber Radosław , Sobol Grażyna , Pogorzała Monika , Wyrobek Elżbieta , Połczyńska Katarzyna , Rogowska Elżbieta , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Wożniak Wojciech
Published: August 2014

Background

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common paediatric malignant bone tumor. Advances in multi‐disciplinary care have resulted in significant improvement in cure rates over the last decades. However, the generalization of those results in countries traditionally excluded from large cooperative trials has yet to be demonstrated. We report the results of modern multi‐disciplinary care for patients with ES in Poland.

Procedures

One hundred and thirty‐two patients with ES were treated using modern multi‐modal therapy during the period 2000–2009. Overall survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier methods and compared using long‐rank test and Cox models. Factors predictive of outcome in our setting were analyzed to identify distinct risk groups that could help identify areas for improvement.

Results

The median age at the time of diagnosis was 12.3 years. With a median follow‐up of 5.0 years, the 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and OS estimates for localized disease were 54.88% and 68.29%, respectively. For patients with metastatic disease, 5‐year EFS and OS estimates were 36% and 42%, respectively. There was no correlation between age and stage or site. Patients with localized, non‐pelvic disease had better outcome than patients with axial tumors (71% vs. 44%, respectively, P = 0.00073). Treatment failure was associated with stage, pelvic primary, poor histological response, and type of local control.

Conclusions

Successful treatment of ES requires optimal systemic and local therapy. We were able to replicate the results of modern multi‐modal protocols. Validation of current treatment protocols in countries with more limited cancer treatment resources is required. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2170–2174. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Effect of Measurement Errors on the Synthetic Chart
Authors: Hu XueLong , Castagliola Philippe , Sun Jinsheng , Khoo Michael B.C.
Published: August 2014

Measurement errors often exist in quality control applications. In this paper, the performance of the synthetic
chart is investigated when measurement errors exist using a linearly covariate error model. It is shown that the performance of the synthetic
chart is significantly affected in the presence of measurement errors. The effect of taking multiple measurements for each item in a subgroup on the performance of synthetic
chart is also investigated in this paper. An example is provided in order to illustrate the application of the synthetic
chart with measurement errors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An evaluation framework for cross‐platform mobile application development tools
Authors: Dhillon Sunny , Mahmoud Qusay H.
Published: August 2014

The mobile application market is becoming increasingly fragmented with the availability of multiple mobile platforms that differ in development procedures. Developers are forced to choose to support only some platforms and specific devices because of limited development resources. To address these challenges, numerous tools have been created to aid developers in building cross‐platform applications; however, there is no metric to evaluate the quality of these tools or the applications produced by them. This paper introduces a framework for evaluating the features, performance, and development experience of existing and future cross‐platform development tools. The framework is implemented by benchmarking several tools, and the results identify a disparity in the features and performance of applications built using different development tools. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myths and Misconceptions About Nonnative English Speakers in the TESOL (NNEST) Movement
Authors: Selvi Ali Fuad
Published: August 2014

Parallel to the growing recognition of English as an international language, the fundamental premises of the TESOL discipline (e.g., the ownership of the language, native speakers as a goal and model of competence for learning and teaching, linguistic standards and language variety/ies to be taught, monolingual/monocultural approach to teaching) has undergone a serious challenge and reconceptualization over the past several decades. While this trend resulted in an unprecedented recognition of the issues surrounding nonnative speakers in the field of TESOL, it also meant the emergence of a series of unfounded ideas or false beliefs about nonnative English speakers in the TESOL (NNEST) movement. By discussing and problematizing these commonly held myths and misconceptions about the NNEST movement, the current article aims to clarify a number of important issues and shed a light onto the past, present, and future of the movement. Having a solid grasp of the movement in the context of global dynamics, changing times, and reconfigured fundamental premises of the discipline has a paramount importance for all stakeholders involved in TESOL who long for a professional milieu characterized by democracy, justice, equity, participation, and professionalism.
Foreign Language Anxiety's Forgotten Study: The Case of the Anxious Preservice Teacher
Authors: Tum Danyal Oztas
Published: August 2014

This article argues that nonnative preservice teachers are just as susceptible to foreign language anxiety as are inexperienced language learners, a claim carrying important implications for the EFL classroom. The results of the study described in this article indicate that anxious preservice teachers experience significant levels of language anxiety to a degree that may cause them to avoid using the target language and language‐intensive teaching practices in their classrooms. The article also proposes steps toward helping preservice teachers cope with and hopefully overcome their language anxiety.
Mitigating U.S. Undergraduates’ Attitudes Toward International Teaching Assistants
Authors: Kang Okim , Rubin Donald , Lindemann Stephanie
Published: August 2014

Intelligibility problems between native speakers (NSs) and nonnative speakers (NNSs) of English are often attributed to some perceived inadequacy of the NNSs. This emphasis on the NNSs’ role in successful communication is highly problematic, given that intelligibility is a negotiated process between speaker and listener. In some cases, NSs have negative attitudes toward NNSs that impair their willingness to communicate with NNSs and to acknowledge proficient NNS speech. Thus, NS attitudes are also important factors in the success of NS–NNS communication. This article demonstrates a brief intervention that reduces negative language attitudes and thus promotes communication between NS undergraduates and NNSs who are international teaching assistants (ITAs). Two studies are reported. In both, undergraduates engaged in cooperative problem‐solving exercises with ITAs. Results show that undergraduates exposed to structured intergroup contact subsequently rated ITAs higher in instructional competence and comprehensibility. Future applications of contact theory promise to improve NSs’ comprehension of nonnative English and to cultivate their global citizenship.
2,4‐dichlorophenol induces ER stress‐mediated apoptosis via eIF2α dephosphorylation in vitro
Authors: Zhang Xiaoning , Zhang Xiaona , Qi Yongmei , Huang Dejun , Zhang Yingmei
Published: August 2014

2,4‐Dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) has been widely used to produce herbicides and pharmaceutical intermediates, which exhibits various toxic effects including apoptosis. However, the mechanisms underlying 2,4‐DCP‐induced apoptosis, especially mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, are still unknown. In the present study, the mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were used as an in vitro model system to figure out whether 2,4‐DCP could induce ER stress, and further to elucidate the role of ER stress in 2,4‐DCP‐induced apoptosis. The results showed that 2,4‐DCP dramatically caused the decrease of cell viability, the increase of apoptotic cells, the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the activation of caspase‐3, suggesting that 2,4‐DCP did induce apoptosis. Meanwhile, 2,4‐DCP acted similarly as ER stress agonist tunicamycin (Tu) to activate all three branches (IRE1α, ATF6 and eIF2α) of ER stress. Furthermore, repression of ER stress or inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation significantly alleviated 2,4‐DCP‐induced apoptosis. Taking these results together, the present study firstly showed that 2,4‐DCP induced ER stress‐mediated apoptosis via eIF2α dephosphorylation in mammalian cells. These findings will provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying apoptosis after chlorophenols exposure. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 245–255, 2016.
Calibration of a spinner anemometer for yaw misalignment measurements
Authors: Pedersen T. F. , Demurtas G. , Zahle F.
Published: August 2014

The spinner anemometer is an instrument for yaw misalignment measurements without the drawbacks of instruments mounted on the nacelle top. The spinner anemometer uses a non‐linear conversion algorithm that converts the measured wind speeds by three sonic sensors on the spinner to horizontal wind speed, yaw misalignment and flow inclination angle. The conversion algorithm utilizes two constants that are specific to the spinner and blade root design and to the mounting positions of the sonic sensors on the spinner. One constant, k2, mainly affects the measurement of flow angles, while the other constant, k1, mainly affects the measurement of wind speed. The ratio between the two constants, kα=k2/k1, however, only affects the measurement of flow angles. The calibration of kα is thus a basic calibration of the spinner anemometer.

Theoretical background for the non‐linear calibration is derived from the generic spinner anemometer conversion algorithm. Five different methods were evaluated for calibration of a spinner anemometer on a 500 kW wind turbine. The first three methods used rotor yaw direction as reference angular, while the wind turbine, was yawed in and out of the wind. The fourth method used a hub height met‐mast wind vane as reference. The fifth method used computational fluid dynamics simulations. Method 1 utilizing yawing of the wind turbine in and out of the wind in stopped condition was the preferred method for calibration of kα. The uncertainty of the yaw misalignment calibration was found to be 10%, giving an uncertainty of 1° at a yaw misalignment of 10°. © 2014 The Authors. Wind Energy published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing climate change in conservation practice: an exploration of the science–management interface in beech forest management
Authors: de Koning Jessica , Turnhout Esther , Winkel Georg , Blondet Marieke , Borras Lars , Ferranti Francesca , Geitzenauer Maria , Sotirov Metodi , Jump Alistair
Published: August 2014

Scientific studies reveal significant consequences of climate change for nature, from ecosystems to individual species. Such studies are important factors in policy decisions on forest conservation and management in Europe. However, while research has shown that climate change research start to impact on European conservation policies like Natura 2000, climate change information has yet to translate into management practices. This article contributes to the on-going debates about science–society relations and knowledge utilization by exploring and analysing the interface between scientific knowledge and forest management practice. We focus specifically on climate change debates in conservation policy and on how managers of forest areas in Europe perceive and use climate change ecology. Our findings show that forest managers do not necessarily deny the potential importance of climate change for their management practices, at least in the future, but have reservations about the current usefulness of available knowledge for their own areas and circumstances. This suggests that the science–management interface is not as politicized as current policy debates about climate change and that the use of climate change ecology is situated in practice. We conclude the article by discussing what forms of knowledge may enable responsible and future oriented management in practice focusing specifically on the role of reflexive experimentation and monitoring.
Lessons from new mouse models of glycogen storage disease type 1a in relation to the time course and organ specificity of the disease
Authors: Rajas Fabienne , Clar Julie , Gautier‐Stein Amandine , Mithieux Gilles
Published: August 2014

Patients with glycogen storage diseases type 1 (GSD1) suffer from life‐threatening hypoglycaemia, when left untreated. Despite an intensive dietary treatment, patients develop severe complications, such as liver tumors and renal failure, with aging. Until now, the animal models available for studying the GSD1 did not survive after weaning. To gain further insights into the molecular mechanisms of the disease and to evaluate potential treatment strategies, we have recently developed novel mouse models in which the catalytic subunit of glucose‐6 phosphatase (G6pc) is deleted in each glucose‐producing organ specifically. For that, B6.G6pcex3lox/ex3lox mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing a recombinase under the control of the serum albumin, the kidney androgen protein or the villin promoter, in order to obtain liver, kidney or intestine G6pc−/− mice, respectively. As opposed to total G6pc knockout mice, tissue‐specific G6pc deficiency allows mice to maintain their blood glucose by inducing glucose production in the other gluconeogenic organs. Even though it is considered that glucose is produced mainly by the liver, liver G6pc−/− mice are perfectly viable and exhibit the same hepatic pathological features as GSD1 patients, including the late development of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas. Interestingly, renal G6pc−/− mice developed renal symptoms similar to the early human GSD1 nephropathy. This includes glycogen overload that leads to nephromegaly and morphological and functional alterations in the kidneys. Thus, our data suggest that renal G6Pase deficiency per se is sufficient to induce the renal pathology of GSD1. Therefore, these new mouse models should allow us to improve the strategies of treatment on both nutritional and pharmacological points of view.
Constructing Gemini‐Like Surfactants with Single‐Chain Surfactant and Dicarboxylic Acid Sodium Salts
Authors: Tang Yongqiang , Wang Ruijuan , Wang Yilin
Published: August 2014

Construction of gemini‐like surfactants using the cationic single‐chain surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide C16H33N(CH3)3Br2 (CTAB) and the anionic dicarboxylic acid sodium salt NaOOC(CH2)n‐2COONa (CnNa2, n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) by way of non‐covalent interactions has been investigated by surface tension measurements, hydrogen‐1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). The critical micelle concentrations (cmc) of the CTAB/CnNa2 mixtures are obviously lower than that of CTAB and strongly depend on the mixing ratio. Moreover, the cmc values of the CTAB/CnNa2 mixtures decrease gradually with an increasing methylene chain length of CnNa2, indicating hydrophobic interaction between the hydrocarbon chains of CTAB and CnNa2 facilitates micellization of the mixtures. In particular, the ITC curves and 1H NMR spectra indicate that the binding ratio of CTAB to CnNa2, except C4Na2, is around 2:1, i.e., (CTAB)2CnNa2. Additionally, CTAB/CnNa2 mixtures are soluble in a whole molar ratio and concentration ranges have been studied, even at the electrical neutralization point. Therefore, these results reveal that highly soluble gemini‐like surfactants are conveniently constructed with oppositely‐charged cationic single‐chain surfactants and dicarboxylic acid sodiums. In an attempt at improving the performance of surfactants this work provides guidance for choosing additives that form gemini‐like surfactants via an uncomplicated synthesis.
Perceived Competition, Leadership Effort, and Organizational Outreach in Religious Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Scheitle Christopher P.
Published: August 2014

The religious economies literature argues that religious leaders are motivated by the existence of competition. This motivation is said to lead to more effort and outreach on the part of leaders and their organizations. Previous research examining this hypothesis has focused on the presence of religious or organizational diversity at an ecological level. This study shifts the focus to leaders’ perception of competition as the central mechanism of interest. Utilizing data produced from a survey of founders of religious nonprofit organizations, I analyze how perceived competition shapes the number of hours the leader puts into the organization and the number of outreach strategies the organization pursues. The analysis finds no support for the competition-effort hypothesis.
An fMRI study of emotional face encoding in youth at risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Tseng W.-L. , Bones B.L. , Kayser R.R. , Olsavsky A.K. , Fromm S.J. , Pine D.S. , Leibenluft E. , Brotman M.A.
Published: August 2014

Face memory deficits may be a bipolar disorder (BD) endophenotype. BD (n = 27) and unaffected youth at risk (n = 13) exhibited middle frontal gyrus hypoactivation during successful vs. unsuccessful encoding. Parahippocampal gyrus dysfunction was found in BD and at-risk youth (vs. low-risk, n = 37). Middle occipital gyrus hypoactivation was only present in BD.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder increases the risk of deliberate self-poisoning: A population-based cohort
Authors: Chou I.-C. , Lin C.-C. , Sung F.-C. , Kao C.-H.
Published: August 2014

Background

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may suffer marked impairment in early adulthood, increasing their risk for serious self-harmful behaviors. Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is the most common form of deliberate self-harm. An association may exist between ADHD diagnosis and subsequent DSP events. The purpose of study was to determine whether children and adolescents with ADHD are at a greater risk for DSP than are age-matched controls.

Methods

Claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database were used to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of emergency department visits. The study cohort contained 3685 patients with ADHD (< 8 years old). Each ADHD patient was frequency matched based on sex, age, urbanization, parental occupation, and index year to 10 control patients without ADHD. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to estimate the risk of DSP in the ADHD and comparison cohorts.

Results

The risk of developing DSP was significantly higher in the ADHD cohort than in the comparison cohort (P < .0001 for log-rank test). After adjusting for potential confounders, the regression model showed that the ADHD patients were at a 4.65-fold greater risk of developing DSP than the control patients were (HR = 4.65, 95% CI: 2.41–8.94).

Conclusion

Children with ADHD are at greater risk of developing DSP. Identifying risk factors of DSP is crucial efforts to implement prevention strategies. The identification of the underlying cause of increased DSP among ADHD patients warrants further investigation.
Negative symptom subgroups have different effects on the clinical course of schizophrenia after the first episode: A 24-month follow up study
Authors: Ergül C. , Üçok A.
Published: August 2014

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the factor structure of negative symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia (FES), and to examine the relationship of these factors with clinical course and functioning of patients during the two-year follow up.

Method:

We assessed 174 drug-naïve patients with FES using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Expanded (BPRS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and a cognitive battery at admission. The scales were repeated monthly during follow up. We recorded the patients’ functioning levels, remission, and work status after 12 and 24 months.

Results:

A two-factor structure was found at the baseline, whereas one factor was found after 12 and 24 months. Expressive deficit (ED) factor consisted of alogia and blunted affect, and motivation-pleasure deficit (MPD) factor consisted of avolition and anhedonia. ED factor was related to earlier onset and remission, and it was negatively correlated with duration of education and cognitive test scores. MPD factor was related to duration of untreated psychosis, family history of schizophrenia, and work status, and it appeared as the only independent variable that contributed to the baseline GAF score in linear regression analysis.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the factors have different aetiologies and impacts on the clinical course of schizophrenia and functioning after FES.
MicroRNA‐29a suppresses the growth, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 6
Authors: Han Hye Sook , Son Seung-Myoung , Yun Jieun , Jo Yeong Nang , Lee Ok-Jun
Published: August 2014

Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is an important regulator of cell adhesion, invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional roles of CEACAM6 in lung adenocarcinoma and to identify miRNAs that inhibit the growth, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting CEACAM6. CEACAM6 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and CEACAM6 has important functional roles in controlling the growth, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, miR‐29a can suppress the growth, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting CEACAM6. Therefore, miR‐29a/CEACAM6 axis represents a potential therapeutic target for treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
Removal of both Ycf48 and Psb27 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 disrupts Photosystem II assembly and alters QA− oxidation in the mature complex
Authors: Jackson Simon A. , Hervey John R.D. , Dale Asher J. , Eaton-Rye Julian J.
Published: August 2014

The Photosystem II (PS II) assembly factors Psb27 and Ycf48 are transiently associated with PS II during its biogenesis and repair pathways. We investigated the function of these proteins by constructing knockout mutants in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. In ΔYcf48 cells, PS II electron transfer and stable oxygen evolution were perturbed. Additionally, Psb27 was required for photoautotrophic growth of cells lacking Ycf48 and assembly beyond the RC47 assembly complex in ΔYcf48:ΔPsb27 cells was impeded. Our results suggest the RC47 complex formed in ΔYcf48 cells is defective and that this deficiency is exacerbated if CP43 binds in the absence of Psb27.
Synaptic signal streams generated by ex vivo neuronal networks contain non‐random, complex patterns
Authors: Lee Sangmook , Zemianek Jill M. , Shultz Abraham , Vo Anh , Maron Ben Y. , Therrien Mikaela , Courtright Christina , Guaraldi Mary , Yanco Holly A. , Shea Thomas B.
Published: August 2014

Cultured embryonic neurons develop functional networks that transmit synaptic signals over multiple sequentially connected neurons as revealed by multi‐electrode arrays (MEAs) embedded within the culture dish. Signal streams of ex vivo networks contain spikes and bursts of varying amplitude and duration. Despite the random interactions inherent in dissociated cultures, neurons are capable of establishing functional ex vivo networks that transmit signals among synaptically connected neurons, undergo developmental maturation, and respond to exogenous stimulation by alterations in signal patterns. These characteristics indicate that a considerable degree of organization is an inherent property of neurons. We demonstrate herein that (1) certain signal types occur more frequently than others, (2) the predominant signal types change during and following maturation, (3) signal predominance is dependent upon inhibitory activity, and (4) certain signals preferentially follow others in a non‐reciprocal manner. These findings indicate that the elaboration of complex signal streams comprised of a non‐random distribution of signal patterns is an emergent property of ex vivo neuronal networks.
Post‐stroke Spasticity: Predictors of Early Development and Considerations for Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: Wissel Jörg , Verrier Molly , Simpson David M. , Charles David , Guinto Pia , Papapetropoulos Spyros , Sunnerhagen Katharina S.
Published: August 2014

Objective

The complexities of post‐stroke spasticity (PSS), and the resultant difficulties in treating the disability, present a significant challenge to patients, stroke rehabilitation teams, and caregivers. Reducing the severity of spasticity and its long‐term complications may be facilitated by early intervention, making identification of stroke patients at high risk for developing spasticity essential. Factors that predict which patients are at risk for the development of PSS are identified.

Type

Systematic search and review

Literature Survey

A PubMed search of the following terms was conducted: predictors OR risk factors AND stroke AND spasticity. Studies discussing predictors of early PSS development and factors predictive of motor/functional outcomes and recovery were selected and reviewed in detail.

Synthesis

Several predictors of PSS have been proposed, based on studies conducted in patients within 6 months after stroke, including development of increased muscle tone, greater severity of paresis, hemihypesthesia, and low Barthel Index score. Predictors identified in later stages post‐stroke (within 12 months) have also proved useful for clinicians, as has the consideration of predictors of motor and functional outcomes and recovery; yet there is a need for additional studies in this area. An understanding of these and other potential predictive factors—such as motor impairment, neurologic and sensory deficit, lesion volume and location, and associated diseases—has not progressed to the same extent and warrants further investigation.

Conclusion

The studies discussed in this review support the notion that early identification of factors predictive of PSS should significantly affect the course of intervention, help target individuals who would benefit most from specific types and intensities of therapy, and possibly provide better motor and functional outcomes.