Introduction of vocational standards: are there alternative ways?

The purpose of this article is to analyze approaches to the development of vocational standards abroad. The authors consider the most alternative approaches of a number of the countries that traditionally have no vocational standards; compare advantages and shortcomings of different approaches in the description of skill standards; show advantages of the use of vocational standards or equivalent documents in different countries; disclose the reasons behind various approaches to labor standardization. The article uses the comparative study method based on the review of home experience of qualifications system development in Soviet and foreign practices. The authors have used the methods of collecting empirical information on approaches to qualifications characteristics in modern vocational standards, URSG, UJEC and in documents of a number of European states; methods of conceptual and terminological analysis, interpretation and modelling, problem method that have yielded the following results: identification of peculiarities of the method of the development of Russian vocational standards, description of arising risks oftheir application and planning the ways to overcome them. Science novelty of the work consists in consistent justification of possibilities and limitations in the application of foreign experiences in Russia. Practical importance consists in justification of advantages of the application of vocational standards in Russia and abroad.Keywords: national qualification system; vocational standards; professional education and trainin

Formation of Leaders’ Reserve for Educational and Academic Organizations

The article presents leaders appointment and selection methodology and procedures, the results of unique studying the competencies of rectors and academic institute leaders including those that ensure effectiveness of the organization. The main attention is paid to the model of managerial competencies as a standard, compliance with which becomes the basis for inclusion in the personnel reserve, and valid evaluation tools. To create the model, a competence-based approach, tools of the national qualification system, and a sociological survey were used.Authors describe the procedure for selecting potential managers, the methodology for developing case assessment tasks, and the criteria for ensuring the objectivity of evaluating their performance.It is shown that introduction of the model made it possible to update the qualification requirements for the leaders of universities and academic institutes; to form a system of competencies diagnostics of applicants for managerial positions; to prepare recommendations for the development of professional development programs

Oncostatin M Protects Rod and Cone Photoreceptors and Promotes Regeneration of Cone Outer Segment in a Rat Model of Retinal Degeneration

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of photoreceptor degenerative disorders that lead to loss of vision. Typically, rod photoreceptors degenerate first, resulting in loss of night and peripheral vision. Secondary cone degeneration eventually affects central vision, leading to total blindness. Previous studies have shown that photoreceptors could be protected from degeneration by exogenous neurotrophic factors, including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines. Using a transgenic rat model of retinal degeneration (the S334-ter rat), we investigated the effects of Oncostatin M (OSM), another member of the IL-6 family of cytokines, on photoreceptor protection. We found that exogenous OSM protects both rod and cone photoreceptors. In addition, OSM promotes regeneration of cone outer segments in early stages of cone degeneration. Further investigation showed that OSM treatment induces STAT3 phosphorylation in Müller cells but not in photoreceptors, suggesting that OSM not directly acts on photoreceptors and that the protective effects of OSM on photoreceptors are mediated by Müller cells. These findings support the therapeutic strategy using members of IL-6 family of cytokines for retinal degenerative disorders. They also provide evidence that activation of the STAT3 pathway in Müller cells promotes photoreceptor survival. Our work highlights the importance of Müller cell-photoreceptor interaction in the retina, which may serve as a model of glia-neuron interaction in general

Glia- and neuron-specific functions of TrkB signalling during retinal degeneration and regeneration

Glia, the support cells of the central nervous system, have recently attracted considerable attention both as mediators of neural cell survival and as sources of neural regeneration. To further elucidate the role of glial and neural cells in neurodegeneration, we generated TrkBGFAP and TrkBc-kit knockout mice in which TrkB, a receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), is deleted in retinal glia or inner retinal neurons, respectively. Here, we show that the extent of glutamate-induced retinal degeneration was similar in these two mutant mice. Furthermore in TrkBGFAP knockout mice, BDNF did not prevent photoreceptor degeneration and failed to stimulate Müller glial cell proliferation and expression of neural markers in the degenerating retina. These results demonstrate that BDNF signalling in glia has important roles in neural protection and regeneration, particularly in conversion of Müller glia to photoreceptors. In addition, our genetic models provide a system in which glia- and neuron-specific gene functions can be tested in central nervous system tissues in vivo

Electron accelerator for energy up to 5.0 MeV and beam power up to 50 kW with Х-ray converter

The paper describes the industrial electron accelerator ILU-10 for electron energy up to 5 MeV and beam power up to 50 kW specially designed for use in industrial applications. The ILU-10 accelerator generates the vertical electron beam. The beam line turns the beam through an angle of 90° and transports the beam to the vertically posed Xray converter to generate the horizontal beam of X-rays.Приводиться опис прискорювача електронів ІЛУ-10 на енергію 5 МеВ потужністю 50 кВт, спеціально розробленого для таких комплексів. Для спрощення конструкції конвеєрної системи подачі оброблюваної продукції в зону опромінення використовується випускний пристрій з поворотом пучка на 90 градусів інаступною конвертацією електронного пучка в гамма-випромінювання на вертикально розташованій мішені.Приводится описание ускорителя электронов ИЛУ-10 на энергию 5 МэВ мощностью 50 кВт, специально разработанного для таких комплексов. Для упрощения конструкции конвейерной системы подачи обрабатываемой продукции в зону облучения используется выпускное устройство с поворотом пучка на 90 градусов и последующей конвертацией электронного пучка в гамма-излучение на вертикально расположенной мишени

PEDF and GDNF are key regulators of photoreceptor development and retinal neurogenesis in reaggregates from chick embryonic retina

Here, role(s) of pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on photoreceptor development in three-dimensional reaggregates from the retinae of the E6 chick embryo (rosetted spheroids) was investigated. Fully dispersed cells were reaggregated under serum-reduced conditions and supplemented with 50 ng/ml PEDF alone or in combination with 50 ng/ml GDNF. The spheroids were analyzed for cell growth, differentiation, and death using proliferating cell nuclear antigen, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling, and other immunocytochemical stainings and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. PEDF strongly promoted synthesis of the messenger RNAs for blue and violet cone opsins and to a lesser extent on the red and green cone opsins. This correlated with an increase in the number of cone photoreceptors, as determined by the cone cell marker CERN906. Likewise, PEDF nearly completely inhibited rod differentiation, as detected by immunostaining with anti-rho4D2 and RT-PCR. Furthermore, PEDF accelerated proliferation of cells in the spheroids and inhibited apoptosis. As negative effects, PEDF inhibited the normal histotypic tissue formation of retinal aggregates and reduced the frequency of photoreceptor rosettes and IPL-like areas. Noticeably, supplementation of PEDF-treated cultures with GDNF reversed the effects of PEDF on spheroid morphology and on rod differentiation. This study establishes that PEDF strongly affects three-dimensional retinogenesis in vitro, most notably by inhibiting rod development and supporting proliferation and differentiation of cones, effects which are partially counteracted by GDNF

Activation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 Signaling Promotes Survival of Retinal Ganglion Cells after Damage In Vivo

While the essential role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in nervous system development is well established, its function in the adult CNS is poorly understood. We investigated the role of BMP signaling in the adult mouse retina following damage in vivo. Intravitreal injection of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) induced extensive retinal ganglion cell death by 2 days. During this period, BMP2, -4 and -7 were upregulated, leading to phosphorylation of the downstream effector, Smad1/5/8 in the inner retina, including in retinal ganglion cells. Expression of Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1; a known BMP-Smad1/5/8 target) was also upregulated in the retina. This activation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling was also observed following light damage, suggesting that it is a general response to retinal injuries. Co-injection of BMP inhibitors with NMDA effectively blocked the damage-induced BMP-Smad1/5/8 activation and led to further cell death of retinal ganglion cells, when compared with NMDA injection alone. Moreover, treatment of the retina with exogenous BMP4 along with NMDA damage led to a significant rescue of retinal ganglion cells. These data demonstrate that BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling is neuroprotective for retinal ganglion cells after damage, and suggest that stimulation of this pathway can serve as a potential target for neuroprotective therapies in retinal ganglion cell diseases, such as glaucoma

VALUE-MOTIVATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF EDUCATION IN MODERN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

The internal university quality management system is considered in the context of the implementation of the third-generation standards. The need to change the management methodology of quality for the university education is proved. The content of the value-motivational approach to the management is discovered

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: FROM DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION

The article focuses on the professional standards features and benefits. These documents represent the current requirements for modern qualifications. The authors provide step-by-step algorithm for updating and development of educational standards and educational programs to meet the requirements of professional standards

Modern approaches to the qualifications assessment

The article is devoted to the modern methodology for the qualifications assessment procedures. Based on an analysis of international experience and modern Russian legislation the principles of qualifications assessment and the assessment tools developing algorithm are described