bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Study Abroad on EFL Teachers’ Self-perceptions
Authors: Wang Dong , Hui Min 
Published: November 2014

AbstractStudying abroad (SA) is an important means for EFL teachers to develop their professional competence. This paper reports on an enquiry in Shandong Province, China, into a SA program for a group of 103 secondary school English teachers. Drawing on questionnaire data and teachers’ interview narratives, the paper examines how the SA experience influenced their self-perceptions of EFL teaching in three aspects, namely, language proficiency, teaching ideology and the comparison of native speaking and non-native speaking English teachers. The enquiry revealed that the length of SA was a powerful factor in determining teachers’ attitudes toward their jobs and their own capacities to perform them successfully. These findings are discussed with suggestions for making SA experience an effective, sustainable path for secondary school English teachers’ professional development.
Teachers’ Self-Development in Applying Information Communication Technology
Authors: Yu Li 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper reports a case study of my self-development in applying Information Communication Technology (ICT) to teaching. I analyzed my own growth from three perspectives: technical confidence and competence, pedagogical development and self-efficacy. Classroom observation, interviews, reflective journals and questionnaires were used to explore how professional self-development occurred when I changed my teaching belief in teaching, and how I understood the development as a practicing teacher in learning by teaching. I participated in various projects based on action research in order to meet the challenges of the teaching reform in the new era. The results indicate that teachers can develop their informational quality and professional competence in applying ICT in teaching.
Geraniol attenuates oxidative stress by Nrf2 activation in diet-induced experimental atherosclerosis
Authors: Jayachandran Muthukumaran , Chandrasekaran Balaji , Namasivayam Nalini 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Background: Preclinical and clinical studies suggest the use of antioxidants as an effective measure to reduce the progression of oxidative-stress-related disorders. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key component to cellular redox homeostasis in the attenuation of oxidative-stress-associated pathological processes. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the role of geraniol (GOH) in preserving the plasma lipid status, endothelial function, antioxidant status, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet (AD).

Methods: Male Syrian hamsters were randomly grouped into four groups: group 1 was control animals; group 2 was animals fed GOH alone (100 mg/kg bw po); group 3 was animals fed AD (standard pellet diet+10% coconut oil+0.25% cholesterol+0.25% cholic acid); and group 4 was fed AD+GOH (100 mg/kg bw) for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding period, the animals were sacrificed and the liver, heart, and aorta from each group were analyzed for antioxidants, LPO markers, and histological changes.

Results: AD feeding induced a significant change in lipid profile, endothelial function marker, activities of the antioxidant enzymes, alterations in the LPO markers, Nrf2 expression, and equally significant changes in the organ histology.

Conclusions: Supplementation with GOH appreciably prevented the alterations induced by the AD on all the above parameters. Thus, GOH offers marked protection against AD-induced abnormalities.
Mode of initial presentation and chromosomal abnormalities in Irish patients with Turner syndrome: a single-centre experience
Authors: Mohamed Sarar , Roche Edna F. , Hoey Hilary M.C.V. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAge at diagnosis of girls with Turner syndrome (TS) is an important indicator of successful management. We determined the age, initial clinical presentation, and chromosomal abnormalities in patients with TS.This was a retrospective evaluation of the clinical and laboratory records of patients with TS.Sixty-five patients with TS were identified; 40 (62%) were diagnosed after age 5 years. The main presenting features were short stature, delayed puberty, dysmorphic features, and neonatal lymphoedema. Chromosomal analysis of this cohort showed that 31 patients demonstrated mosaicism, while a 45,X karyotype was observed in 19. The remaining patients had variable abnormalities including deletion, translocation, isochromosome, and ring chromosome. Y-chromosome material was found in four cases.Most patients with TS were diagnosed after age 5 years, had a varied clinical presentation, and had a wide range of chromosomal abnormalities.
Is ultrasound useful in the diagnosis of adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome?
Authors: Senaldi Liana , Gopi Resmy Palliyil , Milla Sarah , Shah Bina 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDiagnosis of adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains a challenge despite several existing criteria, and may be difficult to distinguish from pubertal changes. Different parameters to study ovarian function using ultrasonography have been proposed, but there is still no consensus about their diagnostic value.To evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of adolescent PCOS by reviewing available studies that assessed the ovarian volume (OV) and other ovarian morphological features such as location and number of follicles, stromal area, and volume.MEDLINE/PubMed database were searched to identify studies that assessed ovarian characteristics of adolescent PCOS patients by ultrasound. Studies on adults were also reviewed if study population included adolescents and stromal characteristics were assessed by three-dimensional (3D) sonogram.Five studies, including 262 PCOS adolescents (10–19 years of age) and two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound analysis, were identified. Mean OV was 9.29 cmPelvic ultrasound is an increasingly important aid in the diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents. Besides ovarian volume, ovarian morphology must be assessed with 2D ultrasound to look for peripherally located multiple follicles. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the utility of 3D ultrasonographic assessment in adolescents with PCOS.
The time-associated impact of the Newborn Influenza Protection Act on infant influenza rates in New York State
Authors: Shah Shetal , Messina Catherine 
Published: November 2014

AbstractInfluenza presents with increased morbidity and mortality in children ≤5 months of age. Vaccination of caregivers is indicated, but immunization rates are estimated at only 30%. The 2009 New York State Neonatal Influenza Protection Act (NIPA) mandated offering of influenza vaccine to caregivers during the post-partum hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of NIPA on infant influenza rates.Data on laboratory-confirmed influenza cases between 2006 and 2012 were extracted from the New York State Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS). Data on infant cases were categorized by age (0–5 months) and location [New York City (NYC), outside NYC] based on reporting laboratory site. The total number of influenza cases and the percentage of total cases in the infant age group were normalized to the number of reporting laboratory sites. TheDuring the 6-year study period, 3154 cases of infant influenza were detected. In bivariate analysis, 1707 (54.1%) of cases occurred prior to NIPA implementation and 1447 (45.9%) of cases occurred after (P<0.001). Of the 1422 total infant cases detected in NYC, the percentages of influenza cases pre- and post-NIPA were 54.6% (777) and 45.4% (645), respectively (P<0.006). Outside NYC, the percentage of infant cases was reduced from 53.7% (930/1732) to 46.3% (802/1732, P<0.02). Prior to implementation, there was a year-to-year increase in the number of infant influenza cases statewide (P<0.04 for trend). The ratio of infant influenza cases normalized per ECLRS site in NYC increased each year after NIPA passage (P<0.01 for trend). The ratio of infant cases outside NYC decreased annually (P<0.05 for trend). No year-to-year trends were seen in the percentage of total influenza cases in the infant age group compared to total cases across all age groups either within or outside NYC.Comparison of three influenza seasons before and after NIPA suggests a total statewide reduction in infant influenza. However, the greatest driver of this reduction occurs from reduced disease in infants outside NYC. We speculate that, with increased crowding within NYC, parental immunization as encouraged by NIPA may not create cocoon immunity.
The Marginal Cost Controversy, “Teaching What Economic Policy Is Really About”
Authors: Mohrman Henry 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
What did Coase teach in the classroom? Coase’s articles reprinted in The Firm, the Market, and the Law make up 4 of 11 articles assigned in Coase’s 1972 course on “Economic Analysis and Public Policy.” This article reconstructs Coase’s 1972 syllabus, describes Coase as a teacher, reviews the part of his course devoted to the marginal cost controversy, and presents the lessons learned by a student in Coase’s course. Coase taught practical analysis, useful in law, business, and administration to law students. In addition to teaching the important ideas found in The Firm, the Market, and the Law, Coase taught the controversy surrounding marginal cost pricing. He assigned articles which criticized his views severely. His students learned about strongly opposing views and were expected to decide for themselves what they thought. Thus, Coase taught how discourse on public policy should be conducted. His classroom was a model of the “marketplace for ideas.” A close reading of the assigned materials on the marginal cost controversy reveals the connection Coase made between pricing schemes and economic development, revealing Coase’s view that marginal cost pricing would retard growth. Coase wrote about microeconomic policy decisions with an eye on the macroeconomic consequences. Coase taught that theory should not be allowed to stand in the way of progress.
The Future of Law and Economics
Authors: Posner Richard A. , Becker Gary 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis exchange between Judge Posner and Professor Becker – two founding fathers of our discipline – was composed almost 3 years ago, but the perspective and wisdom of this exchange remains most relevant to this day. Since then, Professor Becker has died; Judge Posner has added a brief remembrance of Becker at the end of this exchange.
Electron transport within a zinc-oxide-based two-dimensional electron gas: The impact of variations in the electron effective mass
Authors: Hadi Walid A. , Baghani Erfan , Shur Michael S. , O’Leary Stephen K. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTWe examine the electron transport that occurs within a zinc-oxide-based two-dimensional electron gas using Monte Carlo simulations. The sensitivity of the results to variations in the lowest energy conduction band valley electron effective mass is examined. Increased values of the electron effective mass result in diminished electron drift velocities and reduced sensitivity to the free electron concentration. In agreement with our previous studies for a fixed value of the electron effective mass [11], we find that the reduced scattering due to the screening of the impurity and polar optical scattering leads to a slightly higher mobility of the 2DEG at low-fields but reduces the peak velocity, since gaining a higher energy due to the reduced polar optical phonon scattering enhances the effects of the non-parabolicity within this material.
Multi-scale Analysis of the Crystallization of Amorphous Germanium Telluride
Authors: Liu Jie , Xu Xu , Brush Lucien , Anantram M. P. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe crystallization properties of the phase change material (PCM) germanium telluride (GeTe) are investigated. It is shown that the critical nucleus radius of a crystalline cluster is smaller than 1.4nm when the annealing temperature is lower than 600K, indicating an extremely promising scaling scenario. It is revealed that the elastic energy, which is largely ignored in existing PCM crystallization studies, plays an important role in determining various crystallization properties and the ultimate scaling limit of the PCM. By omitting the influence of elastic energy, the critical formation energy (critical nuclei radius) will be underestimated by 41.7% (22.4%), and the nucleation rate will be overestimated by 74.2% when the annealing temperature is 600 K. The methodology proposed here is capable of quantitatively calculating the nucleation rate and growth speed of amorphous PCM from first principle calculations, which is relevant to computational design and optimization of PCM.
Various architectures of electrosprayed photoactive materials: A step towards light management
Authors: Khanum Khadija Kanwal , K Ranjith , Ramamurthy Praveen C. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTLight management in a photovoltaic device is much about efficient light harvesting by increasing internal reflection and absorption. Structured architectures aids in enhancing internal reflection hence higher light absorption. Various techniques have been employed to fabricate these structures. In this work, organic photoactive materials were electrosprayed, utilizing a high voltage electric field to charge a droplet suspended through a nozzle, at various solution concentrations. Various process parameters like applied voltage, flow rate, tip to collector distance were optimized to obtain hierarchical structures. Morphological and optical properties of these optimized structures were analyzed to get interesting pattern with enhancement in surface area and light absorption. These structures were further evaluated in photovoltaic device architecture.
Elisa Method For Serum Hepcidin Quantification In Bulgarian Population
Authors: Manolov V. , Atanasova B. , Vasilev V. , Tzatchev K. , Velizarova M. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Hepcidin is a 25-aminoacid cysteine-rich iron regulating peptide. Hepcidin quantification in human blood may provide further insights for the pathogenesis of disorders of iron homeostasis and might prove a valuable tool for clinicians for the differential diagnosis of anaemia. This study describes ELISA immunoassay for hepcidin quantification in human serum. We used a sandwich ELISA method from USCN Life Science inc., that consists of ready to use, pre-coated 96-well strip plate with 2 antihepcidin-25 monoclonal antibodies. A recombinant hepcidin in 16 μg/l concentration is used as a standard; it reconstitutes with 1.0 ml standard diluent to prepare a stock solution. We correlated ELISA results of hepcidin-25 measurements in healthy population with hemodialysis patients. The sandwich ELISA was highly specific for hepcidin-25, having a low limit of quantification of 0.020 μg/l. Hepcidin- 25 concentrations were increased in hemodialysis patients (median 33.05 μg/l, range 22.31 -60.98 μg/l, n = 10) compared with healthy individuals (median 12.41 μg/l, range 6.05-18.53 μg/l, n = 40). The use of 2 monoclonal antibodies in a sandwich ELISA format provides a robust, convenient and not very expensive method for measuring concentrations of the active form of hepcidin. It should help to improve our understanding of the role of hepcidin in regulating iron metabolism.
Early Clinical Effectiveness of ER:Yag Laser in Association with the Red Complex of Bacteria in the Initial Treatment of Moderate Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Yaneva Bl. , Firkova E. , Karaslavova E. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Chronic periodontitis is a result of polymicrobial infection and its treatment aims removal of dental calculus and biofi lm from the periodontal pocket. Many hand and power-driven instruments are created for this purpose. In recent years, lasers are widely discussed tools for periodontal therapy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the early microbiological and clinical effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. 30 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Using a split-mouth design they were treated either with Er:YAG laser (chisel tip, 100 mJ, 15 Hz, 5-6 water spray)-test group or with Gracey curettes- control group. Probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing and plaque presence were evaluated at baseline and one month after the therapy. Microbiological samples were taken from the deepest four pockets of each quadrant from 20 randomly selected patients (n = 80). They were evaluated using real time PCR for periodontal pathogens from the red complex (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia). One month after therapy in the control group PPD decreased from 4.59 mm to 3.36 mm, the CAL gain was 1.09 mm and the reduction of bleeding and plaque - from 87.9% to 33.7% and from 75.9% to 40.9%, respectively. In the test group PPD decreased from 4.58 mm to 3.15 mm, the CAL gain was 1.37mm and the reduction of bleeding and plaque was from 85.6% to 25.9% one month after the treatment. The results were statistically significant in favour of the laser group (p < 0.05). Microbiological analysis revealed that the pathogens from the red complex decreased 3 times in the control and 6 times in the test group. Therefore, the Er:YAG laser demonstrate pronounced early effectiveness in chronic periodontitis treatment and would be appropriate alternative of the conventional periodontal therapy.
Resection of the Tooth Apex with Diode Laser
Authors: Uzunov Tz. , Uzunova P. , Uzunov T. , Grozdanova R. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
An “in vitro” experimental study has been carried out on 70 extracted teeth. A laser resection of the root apex has been carried out with diode laser beam with a wavelength of - 810 ± 10 nm. Sequentially a radiation with increasing power has been applied, as follows: 1,3 W, 2W, 3W, 4W, 5W, 6W, 7W, in electro surgery mode. Successful resection of the tooth apex has been performed at: 3W; 4W; 5W; 6W and 7W power. It was established that when laser resected the tooth apex carbonizes.
Early Onset Basal Cell Carcinoma: Surgical Approach
Authors: Betekhtin M. , Ananiev J. , Tchernev G. , Zisova L. , Philipov S. , Hristova R. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent non-melanoma skin cancer. Only 5-15% of BCC cases can be found in patients aged 20-40 years (so-called early onset). The early onset BCC is characterized by active and aggressive tumour growth, clinically presenting in most of the cases as a morpheaform, locally infiltrating or recurrent BCC. Despite the advances in the study of the pathogenesis of this tumour, surgery remains the most used, most effective and most suitable treatment modality. We describe a case of a 39-year-old woman who developed an early onset BCC of the nasolabial fold. After the subsequent surgical excision an excellent cosmetic result was achieved.
Subconjunctival Dirofilaria Repens
Authors: Neichev I. , Slaveykov K. , Trifonova K. , Chakarova B. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Dirofilariasis is a relatively rare zoonotic disease that affects mainly dogs. The two most common representatives are Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria nochtiella. Studies have documented the spread of the disease across Central and Eastern Europe in recent years due to global changes. In Bulgaria since 2001 there are around 20 cases of dirofilariasis in dogs registered yearly. We report a case of subconjuctival dirofilariasis in a 47-year-old woman living in Southwestern Bulgaria. The infection manifested as a painful, inflamed nodule in the left eye, containing a vital parasite. Morphological analysis aroused suspicion for a filarial worm belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. Subsequent analysis confirmed suspicions and identified the parasite as Dirofilaria repens. After removal, the subconjunctival nodule completely resolved and the patient was successfully cured.
River lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L., fishery in Latvia – insight into the origin of catch statistics data
Authors: Abersons Kaspar , Birzaks Jānis 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Most research to date on the status of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L. in Latvia has been done based on catch statistics data. The aim of this study was to explore the present status of the river lamprey fishery in Latvia to improve the understanding of catch statistics data. Currently, river lamprey fishing in Latvia is carried out at 24 fishing grounds located on 17 rivers. The most popular fishing gear is the lamprey fyke net, but lamprey weirs and lamprey trammel nets are also used. The type and design of the fishing gear depends on the parameters of the fishing ground. The catch size is highly variable and is greatly affected by the number of non-resources related circumstances, such as fishing regulations and meteorological factors determining the intensity of lamprey migration during the fishing season and opportunities for fishing during periods of the most intense migration. The fishing effort and the type of fishing gear have also largely changed since the 1960s and 1970s. Therefore, the fluctuation in both the long- and short-term catch data may not correspond to changes in the actual status of the lamprey population.
Cytological comparison of gill chloride cells and blood serum ion concentrations in kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) spawners from brackish (Caspian Sea) and fresh water (Khoshkrood River) environments
Authors: Ghahremanzadeh Zahra , Namin Javid Imanpour , Bani Ali , Hallajian Ali 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The size and number of chloride cells and serum ion concentrations in kutum, Rutillus frisii kutum Nordman, from brackish (Caspian Sea) and fresh water (Khoshkrood River) environments were studied to gain a better understanding of osmoregulation in this species. Twenty mature kutum specimens were collected from the Caspian Sea (Anzali coasts, 8.49 ppt salinity and 12.4°C temperature) and 20 specimens from Khoshkrood River (0.18 ppt salinity and 18°C temperature). Gill samples were analyzed histologically and concentrations of Na+, Cl- , K+, and Mg2+ ions were determined in the blood serum. Concentrations of Na+, Cl- , K+, and Mg2+ ions and osmotic pressure in mature kutum from brackish water were significantly higher than in specimens from fresh water. The average size and number of chloride cells in the fish from seawater were considerably larger than those from fresh water. The mean size of chloride cells was 6.89 ± 1.16 μm in brackish water samples and 5.1 ± 0.81 μm in river samples. The average number of chloride cells in brackish and river water samples were 16.92 and 6.57, respectively. The density and size of chloride cells increased with increases in salinity
Some applications of differential subordination to certain subclass of p-valent meromorphic functions involving convolution
Authors: Seoudy T. M. , Aouf M. K. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
By using the principle of differential subordination, we introduce subclass of p-valent meromorphic functions involving convolution and investigate various properties for this subclass. We also indicate relevant connections of the various results presented in this paper with those obtained in earlier works.
A particular Galois connection between relations and set functions
Authors: Száz Árpád 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Motivated by a recent paper of U. Höhle and T. Kubiak on regular sup-preserving maps, we investigate a particular Galois-type connection between relations on one set X to another Y and functions on the power set P(X) to P(Y ) . Since relations can largely be identified with union-preserving set functions, the results obtained can be used to provide some natural generalizations of most of the former results on relations and relators (families of relations). The results on inverses seem to be the only exceptions.