The effects of trait emotional intelligence and sociobiographical variables on communicative anxiety and foreign language anxiety among adult multilinguals: A review and empirical investigation

This study considered the effects of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI; Petrides & Furnham, 2001) and sociobiographical variables (age, gender, education level, number of languages known, age of onset of acquisition, context of acquisition, frequency of use, socialization, network of interlocutors, self-perceived proficiency) on communicative anxiety (CA) in the first, and foreign language anxiety (FLA) in the second, third, and fourth languages of 464 multilingual individuals, in five different situations (speaking with friends, colleagues, strangers, on the phone, and in public). Data were collected via web-based questionnaires. Participants were divided into three groups based on their trait EI scores (low, average, high). Non-parametric statistical analyses revealed a consistent pattern of results across languages and situations. Higher levels of trait EI corresponded to significantly lower CA/FLA scores. Participants who started learning the L2 and L3 at a younger age also suffered less from FLA. Purely classroom-based language instruction was found to be linked to higher levels of FLA compared to instruction that also involved extracurricular use of the language. The knowledge of more languages, a higher frequency of use, a stronger socialization in a language, a larger network of interlocutors and a higher level of self-perceived proficiency in a language were also linked to lower levels of CA/FLA

Bandwidth Enhancement of Balanced Folded Loop Antenna Design for Mobile Handsets Using Genetic Algorithms

YesIn this paper, a simple folded loop antenna (FLA) for handsets with relatively wide- band impedance, designed and optimized using genetic algorithms (GA). The FLA dimensions were optimized and evaluated using GA in collaboration with NEC-2 source code. Configuration of optimal FLA with excellent VSWR covering entirely the required GSM1800 frequency bands was found within the maximum generation. A prototype antenna was tested to verify and validate the GA-optimized antenna structure. The measured data have shown good agreement with predicted ones. Moreover, the capabilities of GA are shown as an e±cient optimisation tool for selecting globally optimal parameters to be used in simulations with an electromagnetic antenna design code, seeking convergence to designated specifications

Tracking Chart 2008 H&M in China (Factory 7, November)

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the H&M factory in China where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on November 12, 200

Tracking Chart 2008 Asics in China (Factory 2, September)

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Asics factory in China where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on September 22-25, 200

Tracking Chart 2008 Adidas AG in China

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Adidas AG factory in China where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on July 29-30, 2008

Tracking Chart 2008 Columbia Sportswear in Indonesia

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Columbia Sportswear factory in Indonesia where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on July 31-August 1, 200

Tracking Chart 2008 Asics in China (Factory 4, October)

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Asics factory in China where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on October 13-15, 2008

Tracking Chart 2008 Antigua Group in Pakistan

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. These charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Antigua Group’s factory in Pakistan where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on November 19-20, 200

Tracking Chart 2009 Yee Tung Garment Co., China

The FLA uses Tracking Charts to provide the public with information about the compliance situation of individual factories - the specific problems that were found by monitors and the action taken by participating companies in response to the findings. The charts outline the series of events involved in the FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) process. This tracking chart reports on the Yee Tung Garment Co factory in China where numerous violations were recorded by auditors on June 18-19, 2007