ON THE FIRST RESULTS OF THE ALL-RUSSIAN NETWORK COMPETITIONS OF STUDENT PROJECTS "PROFESSIONAL TOMORROW" WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

В данной статье анализируются первые результаты проведения ежегодных Всероссийских сетевых конкурсов студенческих проектов "Профессиональное завтра" с участием студентов с ограниченными возможностями здоровья (ОВЗ) и инвалидностью. Представлена основная информация о конкурсе и его организаторах с 2018 года по настоящее время. Кроме того, авторами статьи предложены рекомендации для организаторов конкурса по улучшению его проведения в будущем.This article analyzes the first results of the annual All-Russian network competition of student projects "Professional Tomorrow" with the participation of students with disabilities. Basic information about the contest and its organizers from 2018 to the present is presented. In addition, the authors of the article proposed recommendations for the organizers of the competition to improve its conduct in the future

Josephson Coupling and Fiske Dynamics in Ferromagnetic Tunnel Junctions

We report on the fabrication of Nb/AlO_x/Pd_{0.82}Ni_{0.18}/Nb superconductor/insulator/ferromagnetic metal/superconductor (SIFS) Josephson junctions with high critical current densities, large normal resistance times area products, high quality factors, and very good spatial uniformity. For these junctions a transition from 0- to \pi-coupling is observed for a thickness d_F ~ 6 nm of the ferromagnetic Pd_{0.82}Ni_{0.18} interlayer. The magnetic field dependence of the \pi-coupled junctions demonstrates good spatial homogeneity of the tunneling barrier and ferromagnetic interlayer. Magnetic characterization shows that the Pd_{0.82}Ni_{0.18} has an out-of-plane anisotropy and large saturation magnetization, indicating negligible dead layers at the interfaces. A careful analysis of Fiske modes provides information on the junction quality factor and the relevant damping mechanisms up to about 400 GHz. Whereas losses due to quasiparticle tunneling dominate at low frequencies, the damping is dominated by the finite surface resistance of the junction electrodes at high frequencies. High quality factors of up to 30 around 200 GHz have been achieved. Our analysis shows that the fabricated junctions are promising for applications in superconducting quantum circuits or quantum tunneling experiments.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Snake Cytotoxins Bind to Membranes via Interactions with Phosphatidylserine Head Groups of Lipids

The major representatives of Elapidae snake venom, cytotoxins (CTs), share similar three-fingered fold and exert diverse range of biological activities against various cell types. CT-induced cell death starts from the membrane recognition process, whose molecular details remain unclear. It is known, however, that the presence of anionic lipids in cell membranes is one of the important factors determining CT-membrane binding. In this work, we therefore investigated specific interactions between one of the most abundant of such lipids, phosphatidylserine (PS), and CT 4 of Naja kaouthia using a combined, experimental and modeling, approach. It was shown that incorporation of PS into zwitterionic liposomes greatly increased the membrane-damaging activity of CT 4 measured by the release of the liposome-entrapped calcein fluorescent dye. The CT-induced leakage rate depends on the PS concentration with a maximum at approximately 20% PS. Interestingly, the effects observed for PS were much more pronounced than those measured for another anionic lipid, sulfatide. To delineate the potential PS binding sites on CT 4 and estimate their relative affinities, a series of computer simulations was performed for the systems containing the head group of PS and different spatial models of CT 4 in aqueous solution and in an implicit membrane. This was done using an original hybrid computational protocol implementing docking, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. As a result, at least three putative PS-binding sites with different affinities to PS molecule were delineated. Being located in different parts of the CT molecule, these anion-binding sites can potentially facilitate and modulate the multi-step process of the toxin insertion into lipid bilayers. This feature together with the diverse binding affinities of the sites to a wide variety of anionic targets on the membrane surface appears to be functionally meaningful and may adjust CT action against different types of cells

A dissipative quantum reservoir for microwave light using a mechanical oscillator

Engineered dissipation can be used for quantum state preparation. This is achieved with a suitably engineered coupling to a dissipative cold reservoir usually formed by an electromagnetic mode. In the field of cavity electro- and optomechanics, the electromagnetic cavity naturally serves as a cold reservoir for the mechanical mode. Here, we realize the opposite scenario and engineer a mechanical oscillator cooled close to its ground state into a cold dissipative reservoir for microwave photons in a superconducting circuit. By tuning the coupling to this dissipative mechanical reservoir, we demonstrate dynamical backaction control of the microwave field, leading to stimulated emission and maser action. Moreover, the reservoir can function as a useful quantum resource, allowing the implementation of a near-quantum-limited phase-preserving microwave amplifier. Such engineered mechanical dissipation extends the toolbox of quantum manipulation techniques of the microwave field and constitutes a new ingredient for optomechanical protocols.This work was funded by the SNF, the NCCR Quantum Science and Technology (QSIT), and the European Union Seventh Framework Program through iQUOEMS (grant no. 323924). L.D.T. is supported by Marie Curie ITN cQOM (grant no. 290161). T.J.K. acknowledges financial support from an ERC AdG (QuREM). A.N. holds a University Research Fellowship from the Royal Society and acknowledges support from the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability

The Peculiarities of Relationships of Disabled Preschoolers with Their Peers under Inclusive Education Conditions

Introduction. In modern society, there is a tendency to significant deterioration in the health of younger generations and increasing number of children and adolescents with disabilities, most of whom face great difficulties in communicating with peers and people around them. This problem is particularly relevant in connection with the introduction of inclusive education, which is still a new phenomenon under investigation in Russia (as in many other countries).The aim of the present research was to identify and analyse the peculiarities of interpersonal relationships of pre-school children under inclusive education conditions.Methodology and research methods. In the course of the research, the methods of observation, sociometry, projective tests, problem cases and statistical analysis were applied. For psychological diagnostics, the following tests were used: “Captain of the Ship” by A. A. Romanov, “Me and My Friend in a Kindergarten” by N. V. Miklayeva and U. V. Miklayeva, “Diagnostic of Relationships with Peers” by I. A. Orlova and V. M. Kholmogorova, “The Maze” by L. A. Venger, “Pictures” by E. O. Smirnova and E. A. Kalyagina. The results were processed using the Mann - Whitney U-Test.Results and scientific novelty. The peculiarities of interaction between nondisabled children and children with disabilities were investigated on the example of relationships between children in the private inclusive pre-school institution. The psychological problems in pre-school children with disabilities in inclusive kindergarten groups have been established. These psychological problems are reflected in children’s low status positions with underdeveloped communication skills and immature ways of solving conflict situations. These children are most often rejected by the peer group, although in some cases peers can play games and communicate with them. The data obtained in the course of diagnostic activities demonstrate that children with developmental disorders lack interest in communication with their healthy peers; also, they do not desire to interact with peers and response to peers’ initiatives. The authors have not confirmed the hypothesis that children of older pre-school age with disabilities have more favorable interpersonal relations with peers than in younger pre-school age.The theoretical significance of the current research is to enrich special psychology and pedagogical science in the field of inclusion with additional knowledge about the role of peers in the mental development of children with special educational needs.Practical significance. The proposed recommendations will assist the specialists of pre-school educational institutions to harmonise interpersonal relationships of children with disabilities through building their communication skills and increasing their sociometric status. The authors believe that these research materials can be useful for educators and psychologists employed in the filed of inclusive education

Cancer cell injury by cytotoxins from cobra venom is mediated through lysosomal damage

Cytotoxins from cobra venom are known to manifest cytotoxicity in various cell types. It is widely accepted that the plasma membrane is a target of cytotoxins, but the mechanism of their action remains obscure. Using the confocal spectral imaging technique, we show for the first time that cytotoxins from cobra venom penetrate readily into living cancer cells and accumulate markedly in lysosomes. Cytotoxins CT1 and CT2 from Naja oxiana, CT3 from Naja kaouthia and CT1 from Naja haje are demonstrated to possess this property with respect to human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and promyelocytic leukaemia HL60 cells. Immobilized plasma membrane binding accompanies the internalization of CT3 from Naja kaouthia in the HL60 cells, but it is very weak for other cytotoxins. Detectable membrane binding is not a property of any of the cytotoxins tested in A549 cells. The kinetics and concentration-dependence of cytotoxin accumulation in lysosomes correlate well with their cytotoxic effects. On the basis of the results obtained, we propose that lysosomes are a primary target of the lytic action of cytotoxins. Plasma membrane permeabilization seems to be a downstream event relative to lysosome rupture. Direct damage to the plasma membrane may be a complementary mechanism, but its relative contribution to the cytotoxic action depends on the cytotoxin structure and cell type

The structure of carbohydrate chains of alpha1-acid glycoprotein. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy study.

International audienc

The Peculiarities of Relationships of Disabled Preschoolers with Their Peers under Inclusive Education Conditions

Introduction. In modern society, there is a tendency to significant deterioration in the health of younger generations and increasing number of children and adolescents with disabilities, most of whom face great difficulties in communicating with peers and people around them. This problem is particularly relevant in connection with the introduction of inclusive education, which is still a new phenomenon under investigation in Russia (as in many other countries). The aim of the present research was to identify and analyse the peculiarities of interpersonal relationships of pre-school children under inclusive education conditions. Methodology and research methods. In the course of the research, the methods of observation, sociometry, projective tests, problem cases and statistical analysis were applied. For psychological diagnostics, the following tests were used: “Captain of the Ship” by A. A. Romanov, “Me and My Friend in a Kindergarten” by N. V. Miklayeva and U. V. Miklayeva, “Diagnostic of Relationships with Peers” by I. A. Orlova and V. M. Kholmogorova, “The Maze” by L. A. Venger, “Pictures” by E. O. Smirnova and E. A. Kalyagina. The results were processed using the Mann - Whitney U-Test. Results and scientific novelty. The peculiarities of interaction between nondisabled children and children with disabilities were investigated on the example of relationships between children in the private inclusive pre-school institution. The psychological problems in pre-school children with disabilities in inclusive kindergarten groups have been established. These psychological problems are reflected in children’s low status positions with underdeveloped communication skills and immature ways of solving conflict situations. These children are most often rejected by the peer group, although in some cases peers can play games and communicate with them. The data obtained in the course of diagnostic activities demonstrate that children with developmental disorders lack interest in communication with their healthy peers; also, they do not desire to interact with peers and response to peers’ initiatives. The authors have not confirmed the hypothesis that children of older pre-school age with disabilities have more favorable interpersonal relations with peers than in younger pre-school age. The theoretical significance of the current research is to enrich special psychology and pedagogical science in the field of inclusion with additional knowledge about the role of peers in the mental development of children with special educational needs. Practical significance. The proposed recommendations will assist the specialists of pre-school educational institutions to harmonise interpersonal relationships of children with disabilities through building their communication skills and increasing their sociometric status. The authors believe that these research materials can be useful for educators and psychologists employed in the filed of inclusive education.Введение. В современном обществе наблюдается тенденция существенного ухудшения здоровья подрастающих поколений и увеличения численности детей и подростков с ограниченными возможностями здоровья (ОВЗ), большинство которых сталкивается с серьезными трудностями во время общения со сверстниками и окружающими людьми. Эта проблема особенно актуальна в связи с введением в практику инклюзивного обучения, которое для России (как и для многих других стран) пока явление новое и малоизученное. Цель описанного в статье исследования состояла в выявлении и анализе особенностей межличностных отношений дошкольников в условиях инклюзивного образования. Методы и методики. В работе использовались методы наблюдения, социометрии, проективного рисунка, проблемных ситуаций, статистического анализа данных. В качестве психодиагностического инструментария были задействованы методические разработки и техники «Капитан корабля» (А. А. Романов), «Я и мой друг в детском саду» (Н. В. Микляева, Ю. В. Микляева), «Диагностика развития общения со сверстниками» (И. А. Орлова, В. М. Холмогорова), «Лабиринт» (Л. А. Венгер), «Картинки» (Е. О. Смирнова, Е. А. Калягина). Обработка результатов производилась с помощью U-критерия Манна - Уитни. Результаты и научная новизна. Специфика взаимодействия детей, развивающихся в соответствии с нормой, и детей с ОВЗ изучалась на примере контактов воспитанников частного дошкольного учреждения, осуществляющего инклюзивную деятельность. Установлено психологическое неблагополучие дошкольников с ОВЗ в инклюзивных группах детского сада, которое выражается в их низких статусных позициях, обусловленных неразвитостью у них коммуникативных навыков и незрелостью способов решения конфликтных ситуаций. Эти дети чаще всего отвергаются группой сверстников, хотя в отдельных случаях могут быть отнесены и к категории предпочитаемых в играх и общении. Полученные в ходе диагностических мероприятий данные свидетельствуют о том, что у детей с отклонениями в развитии нередко отсутствуют интерес к здоровым ровесникам, стремление к взаимодействию с ними, ответные реакции на их инициативы. Не подтвердилась гипотеза, согласно которой у детей старшего дошкольного возраста с ОВЗ межличностные отношения в коллективе будут складываться благоприятнее, чем в младшем дошкольном возрасте. Теоретическая ценность проведенной работы состоит в обогащении специальной психологии и педагогической науки в области инклюзии дополнительными знаниями о роли сверстника в психическом развитии ребенка, имеющего особые образовательные потребности. Практическая значимость. Сформулированы рекомендации, которые помогут специалистам дошкольных образовательных учреждений гармонизировать межличностные отношения воспитанников, имеющих ОВЗ, посредством формирования у них навыков общения и повышения их социометрического статуса. Авторы надеются, что материалы исследования будут полезны воспитателям, педагогам и психологам, работающим в инклюзивной среде.The authors are grateful to the reviewers of the Education and Science Journal for the attention shown to the present research, and for the valuable comments, which made it possible to qualitatively improve the content of the publication.Авторы выражают признательность рецензентам журнала «Образование и наука» за внимание, проявленное к материалам исследования, и ценные замечания, позволившие качественно улучшить содержание публикации

Membrane-Disrupting Activity of Cobra Cytotoxins Is Determined by Configuration of the N-Terminal Loop

In aqueous solutions, cobra cytotoxins (CTX), three-finger folded proteins, exhibit conformational equilibrium between conformers with either cis or trans peptide bonds in the N-terminal loop (loop-I). The equilibrium is shifted to the cis form in toxins with a pair of adjacent Pro residues in this loop. It is known that CTX with a single Pro residue in loop-I and a cis peptide bond do not interact with lipid membranes. Thus, if a cis peptide bond is present in loop-I, as in a Pro-Pro containing CTX, this should weaken its lipid interactions and likely cytotoxic activities. To test this, we have isolated seven CTX from Naja naja and N. haje cobra venoms. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of these CTX, as well as their capability to induce calcein leakage from phospholipid liposomes, were evaluated. We have found that CTX with a Pro-Pro peptide bond indeed exhibit attenuated membrane-perturbing activity in model membranes and lower cytotoxic/antibacterial activity compared to their counterparts with a single Pro residue in loop-I