Preserved sections of steppes as the basis for the future ecological framework of Belgorod oblast

The article provides a historical analysis of the transformation of the region’s steppes, the results of an inventory with remote sensing methods of the preserved sections of the steppes, assessment of the potential of their flora for the development of restoration succession, and the effectiveness for preservation of the steppe biodiversity of the regional network of specially protected areas and the formation of an ecological framewor

Betulin attenuated liver damage by prevention of hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in rats with alcoholic steatohepatitis

Betulin, a pentacyclic triterpene, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of liver mitochondria in hepatoprotection of betulin using a rat model of alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by ethanol administration (4 g/kg, intragastric) for 8 weeks. The treatment with betulin (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., intragastric) during this period attenuated the histological signs of steatohepatitis and lowered the serum and liver triglyceride contents, as well as the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Betulin (100 mg/kg) decreased the liver/body weight ratio and inhibited the increase in the serum levels of TNFα, IL-1β, TGFβ, and hyaluronic acid, demonstrating hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic potential. Betulin also inhibited the formation of superoxide anions in mitochondria and the end-products of lipid peroxidation in liver tissue, the amount of which was significantly increased in ethanol-treated rats. The disturbances in mitochondrial respiration, uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and decreasing of mitochondrial complex I, II, and IV activities in rats with steatohepatitis, were reverted by betulin administration. The increased susceptibility of mitochondria to Ca2+-induced permeability transition pore formation in the hepatitis group was improved in rats treated with betulin. In conclusion, betulin, having antioxidant properties, exerts a beneficial effect in the rat model of alcoholic steatohepatitis via prevention of liver mitochondria dysfunction, which may be attributed to the inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition

Approaches to Educational Programs Modeling, Design and Implementation for Continuous Training of Various Experts

This article describes an approach to model, construct and implement multilevel system of continuous educational programs. The training content is determined by the system of generalized professional competencies. The educational levels correspond to the competency levels. The multilevel system includes five educational levels: primary professional training programs (perhaps at high school), secondary vocational programs (which are transformed into applied bachelor programs), bachelor programs, master programs, and postgraduate programs. This multi-level educational system may be implemented effectively using the fractal model of regional educational structures. The fractal model is based on self-similarity, self-organization and self-development. This implemented educational system makes possible to use individual learning tracks both in one educational program and during the transition between educational levels. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s3p14

The Methodology of Complex Continuous Training of the Students of Technical Universities to Innovative Activities

The urgency of preparing students for innovative activities is connected with the increasing requirements of the modern economy for the specialists’ competencies. The paper presents a methodology for the integrated continuous training of the students of technical universities to innovative activity. The methodological basis of the study is backed with the systemic, competence-based and resource-based approaches. The methodology presents the system of competencies of innovation activities including five levels and four components at each level. The training is carried out within the three stages: the guidance stage, the formative stage and prospective stage. For every stage we have determined the objectives, mechanisms, approaches, teaching tools and planned results. The experimental testing of the methods has allowed to identify the main factors of successive teaching. The results of the study may be useful for researchers and practitioners studying the problems of innovative engineering education. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s3p3

GrassPlot - a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). GrassPlot collects plot records (releves) from grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. It focuses on precisely delimited plots of eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001;... 1,000 m(2)) and on nested-plot series with at least four different grain sizes. The usage of GrassPlot is regulated through Bylaws that intend to balance the interests of data contributors and data users. The current version (v. 1.00) contains data for approximately 170,000 plots of different sizes and 2,800 nested-plot series. The key components are richness data and metadata. However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data. About 14,000 plots have near-complete records of terricolous bryophytes and lichens in addition to vascular plants. At present, GrassPlot contains data from 36 countries throughout the Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients and major grassland types. GrassPlot with its multi-scale and multi-taxon focus complements the larger international vegetationplot databases, such as the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and the global database " sPlot". Its main aim is to facilitate studies on the scale-and taxon-dependency of biodiversity patterns and drivers along macroecological gradients. GrassPlot is a dynamic database and will expand through new data collection coordinated by the elected Governing Board. We invite researchers with suitable data to join GrassPlot. Researchers with project ideas addressable with GrassPlot data are welcome to submit proposals to the Governing Board

Educational systems' cognitive management concepts

The paper purpose is to develop mechanisms for managing educational systems, as a complex, weakly formalized system with active subjects of management. The authors consider the educational system from the point of view of cognitive management built on the transformation of implicit information about the state of a multidimensional system into explicit knowledge that facilitates the adoption of managerial decisions for all types of education management (system, structure, process). The authors describe the possibilities of cognitive management in educational systems of different levels, taking into account its high activity. A model of the student as an active subject of pedagogical management was developed. The paper is intended for researchers, employees of educational management structures. © 2017

Educational systems' cognitive management concepts

The paper purpose is to develop mechanisms for managing educational systems, as a complex, weakly formalized system with active subjects of management. The authors consider the educational system from the point of view of cognitive management built on the transformation of implicit information about the state of a multidimensional system into explicit knowledge that facilitates the adoption of managerial decisions for all types of education management (system, structure, process). The authors describe the possibilities of cognitive management in educational systems of different levels, taking into account its high activity. A model of the student as an active subject of pedagogical management was developed. The paper is intended for researchers, employees of educational management structures. © 2017

Anthocyanin-Rich Extract of Red Cabbage Attenuates Advanced Alcohol Hepatotoxicity in Rats in Association with Mitochondrial Activity Modulation

The liver is the main target for alcohol-induced injury. The aims of this work were to carry out further research into the mechanisms of liver damage induced by long-term administration of high-dose ethanol to rats and to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) anthocyanins (RCE)