Key Challenges of On-Line Education in Multi-Cultural Context

In meeting the ever-growing educational needs of culturally diverse student populations, universities and colleges still seek to maintain high quality standards, both for in situ and on line education. Despite the latter's reportedly high effectiveness potential, online degree courses tend to have low students' persistence and satisfaction rates. In this pape, r we examine the role that students' and instructors' national cultures play in the way individuals learn at a distance. We argue that students' individual culture dimensions may prove influential in achieving overall learning outcomes. The key complexities for students involve understanding the instructor's role in a socio-constructivist approach, adapting online collaborative learning and acquiring academic skills. These can become crucial barriers to effective online learning. No less a challenge is presented by online distance education for instructors. Academic institutions' managements have high expectations in terms of utilizing up-to-date teaching techniques, enhancing competitive edge and maximizing cost-effectiveness. Thus, the teaching staff is expected to play an increasingly essential role in the new environment. We conclude that instructors have to develop strategies to motivate, support and counsel students with the aim of facilitating the students' on-line learning experience. This implies that teaching staff have to acquire new skills and competences vital for multicultural online education. Robert Kennedy College, whose experience is reflected in this paper, shares much of the issues of other institutions aiming to utilize distance online learning, but has the advantage that it was set up from the start as an online institution. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

The landscape of vascular accessible chromatin and prioritisation of functional risk alleles for cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality and disability. A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 181,522 coronary artery (CAD) cases and 984,058 controls identified 897 CAD risk variants at the 1% false discovery rate whereas a blood pressure (BP) GWAS meta-analysis in over 1 million individuals identified 901 BP risk alleles. To prioritise CAD and BP variants for functional studies I mapped the vascular landscape of accessible chromatin in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). Furthermore, I stimulated HCAECs with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) to assess its effect on accessible chromatin. This study led to the identification of 86,811 ATAC-seq peaks in unstimulated HCAECs, 108,736 ATAC-seq peaks in VEGFA-stimulated HCAECs, and 209,743 ATAC-seq peaks in HCASMCs. Ras and cellular senescence pathways were specific to HCAEC, whereas cAMP, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and prolactin pathways were specific to HCASMC. The most significantly enriched transcription factor binding motifs in HCAEC included CTCF, BORIS, ATF3, JUNB, and Fra1, whereas in HCASMC I found BATF, AFT3, FRA1, AP-1 and JunB. A total of 17,570 peaks were found to be restricted to HCAEC accessible chromatin, when compared to ENCODE DNaseI-seq data from 125 cell types. They showed enrichment of TGF-beta and Wnt signalling pathways. There are 39,935 ATAC-seq peaks in the unique VEGFA-stimulated HCAEC, which showed enrichment for phospholipase D (PLD) signalling. Intersecting the ATAC-seq data with 21,461 CAD risk variants (all proxies of 897 index variants at r2 >0.8) as well as 14,168 BP variants (all proxies of 901 index variants at r2 >0.8) identified 499 CAD and 517 BP risk variants, respectively, located in vascular ATAC-seq peaks. These variants were further prioritised using tools such as RegulomeDB, Haploreg, and GTEx. In addition, further prioritization of functional CAD SNPs was performed based on the FGWAS approach. Examination of accessible chromatin in vascular cells can be used to prioritise functional variants, facilitating further focused studies on these loci and the eventual identification of novel therapeutics

The superimposed photospheric and stellar wind variability of the O-type supergiant alpha Cam

(Abridged) We provide empirical constraints on the different physical components that can act to yield temporal variability in predominantly or partially wind-formed optical lines of luminous OB stars, and thus potentially affect the reliable determination of fundamental parameters, including mass-loss rates via clumped winds. Using time-series spectroscopy from epochs spread over $\sim$ 4 years, a case study of the O9.5 supergiant $\alpha$ Cam is presented. We demonstrate that the He I 5876 (2$^3$P$^0$--3$^3$D) line is an important diagnostic for photospheric and wind variability in this star. The optical line profiles of $\alpha$ Cam are affected by (i) deep-seated fluctuations close to, or at, the photosphere, (ii) atmospheric velocity gradients, and (iii) large-scale stellar wind structure. This study provides new empirical perspectives on accurate line-synthesis modelling of stellar wind signatures in massive luminous stars. Using a pure Halpha line-synthesis code we interpret maximum changes in the red-ward and peak emission of $\alpha$ Cam in terms of mass-loss rate differences in the range $\sim$ 5.1 $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ to 6.5 $\times$ 10$^{-6}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$. However, the models generally fail to reproduce the morphology of blueward (possibly absorptive) regions of the profiles.Comment: Accepted for pulication in A&A; 9 pages and 8 figure

Correlation of Early Outcomes and Intradiscal Interleukin-6 Expression in Lumbar Fusion Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is correlation between intradiscal levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and early outcome measures in patients undergoing lumbar fusion for painful disc degeneration. METHODS: Intervertebral disc tissue was separated into annulus fibrosus/nucleus pulposus and cultured separately in vitro in serum-free medium (Opti-MEM). Conditioned media was collected after 48 hours. The concentration of IL-6 was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation coefficients quantified relationships between IL-6 levels and pre- and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) back pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), as well as change in VAS/ODI. RESULTS: Sixteen discs were harvested from 9 patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (mean age, 47.4 years; range, 21-70 years). Mean preoperative and 6-month postoperative VAS were 8.1 and 3.7, respectively. Mean preoperative and postoperative ODI were 56.2 and 25.6, respectively. There were significant positive correlations between IL-6 expression and postoperative VAS (ρ = 0.38, p = 0.048) and ODI (ρ = 0.44, p = 0.02). No significant correlations were found between intradiscal IL-6 expression and preoperative VAS (ρ = -0.12, p = 0.54). Trends were seen associating IL-6 expression and change in VAS/ODI (ρ = -0.35 p = 0.067; ρ = -0.34, p = 0.08, respectively). A trend associated IL-6 and preoperative ODI (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.063). CONCLUSION: The direct association between IL-6 expression and VAS/ODI suggests patients with elevated intradiscal cytokine expression may have worse early outcomes than those with lower expression of IL-6 after surgery for symptomatic disc degeneration

The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Antithrombin III In The Pathogenesis of the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Its pathogenesis is not clarified yet. In the recent years a number of studies focused on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and antihtrombin III (AT III) indicators. VEGF is homodimeric, heparin-binding glycoprotein, stimulating vascular permeability. Antithrombin III is protease inhibitor of activated clotting factors. This study aimed at examining the VEGF-A165 and AT III indicators with two OHSS patients. Two methods were used for the determination of the indicators of VEGF-A165 and AT III: ELISA for VEGF and chromogenic assay for ATT III. Kits of R/D Systems and American Diagnostica Inc. were used to estimate VEGF and AT III indicators in serum and plasma. There were higher indicators of VEGF-A165 (180pg/ml) and reduction of AT III indicators (48%) in the patient with a severe form of OHSS than in the control group while these indicators were normal in the patient with a moderate form of OHSS. Our results confirmed some published data concerning the importance of VEGF and AT III in the genesis of OHSS. This study should include a larger group of patients in order tofollow-up statistically and authentically the variations of the indicators of both factors and their importance for OHSS

Wind structure of late B supergiants I. Multi-line analyses of near-surface and wind structure in HD 199 478 (B8 Iae)

We provide a quantitative analysis of time-variable phenomena in the photospheric, near-star, and outflow regions of the late-B supergiant (SG) HD 199478. The analysis is based primarily on optical spectroscopic datasets secured between 1999 and 2000 from the Bulgarian NAO, Tartu, and Ritter Observatories. The temporal behaviour of HD 199478 is characterised by three key empirical properties: (i) systematic central velocity shifts in the photospheric absorption lines, including C II and He I, over a characteristic time-scale of abou 20 days; (ii) extremely strong, variable H alpha emission with no clear modulation signal, and (iii) the occurrence in 2000 of a (rare) high-velocity absorption (HVA) event in H alpha, which evolved over about 60 days, showing the clear signature of mass infall and outflows. In these properties HD 199478 resembles few other late-B SGs with peculiar emission and HVAs in H alpha (HD 91619, HD 34085, HD 96919). Non-LTE line synthesis modelling is conducted using FASTWIND for these late-B SGs to constrain and compare their fundamental parameters within the context of extreme behaviour in the H alpha lines. Our analysis indicate that at the cooler temperature edge of B SGs, there are objects whose wind properties, as traced by H alpha, are inconsistent with the predictions of the smooth, spherically symmetric wind approximation. This discordance is still not fully understood and may highlight the role of a non-spherical, disk-like, geometry, which may result from magnetically-driven equatorial compression of the gas. Ordered dipole magnetic fields may also lead to confined plasma held above the stellar surface, which ultimately gives rise to transient HVA events.Comment: 12 pages. To be published in Astronomy and AStrophysic

Biological resources of the Hyssopus l on the south of European Russia and prospects of its introduction

The south of European Russia (geographically - the southern part of the Central Russian Upland) has large biological and plant genetic resources. There is a concept considering the region as the second anthropogenic microgen center of formation of economically valuable plants. In the south of the Central Russian Upland, the genus Hyssopus L. is represented by two species: Hyssopus cretaceus Dubjan. and Hyssopus officinalis L. Accomplished the study of biological resources of species of the genus Hyssopus L. in vivo and in vitr

Ambiente educacional como recurso de desenvolvimento para o processo de aprendizagem

Following overseas examples, educational institutions in Russia are trying to interact with other organizations implementing practical competence approach. The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that modern educational environment is constantly changing both due to the dynamics of everyday and professional conditions. Due to competence approach constant monitoring and new resources are required for the development of each subject in this educational environment. The goal of the work is to create means for open social and educational environment realization which allows achieving positive results for all participants in the project. In this article, the authors raise the issue of modern educational environment creation as a resource for each subject of the educational process development.The article attempts to improve students’, teachers’ and others participants’ interested in educational environment development interaction. We try to achieve a qualitatively new level of participants’ skills and competencies development in this process. For this, analysis of the essence and structure of educational process in a higher educational institution was carried out. After that, the authors propose, within the framework of a project implemented by Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University on the organization and development of the social and educational environment, to conduct special computer literacy courses for the elderly. The courses offered combine the activities of a large number of people who, working for a common result, achieve the development of individual qualities. The results obtained are the basis for further improvement of educational environment.Siguiendo ejemplos en el extranjero, las instituciones educativas en Rusia están tratando de interactuar con otras organizaciones implementando un enfoque de competencia práctica. La relevancia del tema radica en el hecho de que el entorno educativo moderno está cambiando constantemente debido a la dinámica de las condiciones cotidianas y profesionales. Debido al enfoque de competencia, el monitoreo constante y nuevos recursos son necesarios para el desarrollo de cada asignatura en este entorno educativo. El objetivo del trabajo es crear medios para la realización de un entorno social y educativo abierto que permita lograr resultados positivos para todos los participantes en el proyecto. En este artículo, los autores plantean el tema de la creación de un entorno educativo moderno como un recurso para cada tema del desarrollo del proceso educativo.El artículo intenta mejorar la interacción entre los estudiantes, los maestros y otros participantes interesados en el desarrollo del entorno educativo. Intentamos alcanzar un nivel cualitativamente nuevo de desarrollo de habilidades y competencias de los participantes en este proceso. Para ello, se realizó un análisis de la esencia y estructura del proceso educativo en una institución de educación superior. Posteriormente, los autores proponen, en el marco de un proyecto implementado por la Universidad Pedagógica Estatal Nizhny Novgorod sobre la organización y el desarrollo del entorno social y educativo, realizar cursos especiales de alfabetización informática para personas mayores. Los cursos ofrecidos combinan las actividades de un gran número de personas que, trabajando por un resultado común, logran el desarrollo de cualidades individuales.Na sequência de exemplos no exterior, instituições educacionais na Rússia estão tentando interagir com outras organizações implementando uma abordagem de competência prática. A relevância do tema reside no fato de que o ambiente educacional moderno está em constante mudança, tanto devido à dinâmica das condições cotidianas e profissionais. Devido à abordagem de competência, monitoramento constante e novos recursos são necessários para o desenvolvimento de cada disciplina nesse ambiente educacional. O objetivo do trabalho é criar meios para a realização de um ambiente social e educacional aberto que permita alcançar resultados positivos para todos os participantes do projeto. Neste artigo, os autores levantam a questão da criação de ambientes educacionais modernos como recurso para cada sujeito do processo de desenvolvimento educacional.O artigo tenta melhorar a interação dos alunos, professores e outros participantes interessados na interação do desenvolvimento do ambiente educacional. Tentamos alcançar um nível qualitativamente novo de desenvolvimento de habilidades e competências dos participantes neste processo. Para isso, foi realizada a análise da essência e estrutura do processo educacional em uma instituição de ensino superior. Em seguida, os autores propõem, no âmbito de um projeto implementado pela Universidade Pedagógica Estadual Nizhny Novgorod, a organização e desenvolvimento do ambiente socioeducacional, para a realização de cursos especiais de alfabetização em informática para idosos. Os cursos oferecidos combinam as atividades de um grande número de pessoas que, trabalhando por um resultado comum, alcançam o desenvolvimento de qualidades individuai

АДИКТИВНИЙ СТАТУС ПРЕДСТАВНИКІВ КОМАНДНОГО І РОБІТНИЧОГО СКЛАДУ МОРСЬКОГО ТОРГОВЕЛЬНОГО ФЛОТУ З РІЗНИМ РІВНЕМ ПСИХОСОЦІАЛЬНОГО СТРЕСУ

Purpose: to investigate the intensity of addictive status in sailors of the merchant fleet with different levels of psychosocial stress, in order to determine the necessity of creating systemic measures for the protection of their mental health, specific for this contingent. Materials and Methods. Based on informed consent in compliance with the principles of bioethics and deontology, 200 representatives of the merchant fleet were surveyed during 2016–2019: 110 members of the command staff and 90 workers. The study involved the use of clinical-psychopathological and psychodiagnostic methods. Result. As a result of the research, it was found that the representatives of the merchant fleet during the post-voyage period increased intensity of the addictive status on objects of chemical and non-chemical origin, the level of which is directly associated with the severity of the psychosocial stress. The general trend of the dynamics of the addictive status in the representatives of the merchant fleet, both in terms of chemical and non-chemical origin, is an increase in the intensity of addictive realization with increasing psychosocial stress. The addictive status intensity in workers of the merchant fleet is significantly higher than in the command staff (except for work), in all the addictive realization range and stress load ranges. Among persons with low psychosocial stress, regardless of professional specificity, the intensity of the addictive status with addictive objects of both chemical and non-chemical origin is within safe use, which is significantly different from the addictive status in persons with moderate and severe levels of psychosocial stress. The addiction by chemical objects (tobacco, coffee/tea) in persons with moderate psychosocial stress is expressed within the limits of harmful effects, with severe psychosocial stress – dangerous use, and non-chemical ones – within the limits of harmful effects, with increasing indicators associated with increasing psychosocial stress. Conclusion. Identified patterns should be taken into account when developing specific measures of psychotherapy and psychoprophylaxis for this contingent, which is the perspective of this study.Мета: дослідити напруженість адиктивного статусу (АС) у моряків торговельного морського флоту з різним рівнем психосоціального стресу (ПС) для визначення необхідності створення специфічних для даного контингенту системних заходів з охорони їхнього психічного здоровʼя. Матеріали і методи. На засадах інформованої згоди з дотриманням принципів біоетики і деонтології протягом 2016–2019 рр. було обстежено 200 осіб представників морського торговельного флоту: 110 членів командного складу (КТФ) та 90 робітників (РТФ). Дослідження включало використання клініко-психопатологічного і психодіагностичного методів. Результати. У результаті дослідження встановлено, що у представників торговельного морського флоту в міжрейсовий період виявлена підвищена напруженість АС за обʼєктами хімічного і нехімічного походження, рівень якої прямо асоційований з вираженістю ПС. Загальним трендом динаміки АС у представників торговельного морського флоту, як за обʼєктами хімічного, так і нехімічного походження, є збільшення інтенсивності адиктивної реалізації з наростанням психосоціального стресового навантаження. Напруженість АС у РТФ є значно вищою, ніж у КТФ (крім роботи), в усіх межах адиктивної реалізації та діапазонах стресового навантаження. Серед осіб із низьким ПС, незалежно від професійної специфіки, напруженість АС адиктивними обʼєктами і хімічного, і нехімічного походження знаходиться в межах безпечного вживання, що значно відрізняється від АС в осіб з помірним і тяжким рівнем ПС. Захопленість хімічними обʼєктами (тютюн, кава/чай) в осіб із помірним рівнем ПС виражена в межах вживання зі шкідливими наслідками, з тяжким ПС – небезпечного вживання, а нехімічними – в межах вживання зі шкідливими наслідками зі зростанням показників асоційовано зі збільшенням ПС. Висновки. Виявлені закономірності повинні враховувати при розробці специфічних заходів психотерапії і психопрофілактики для даного контингенту, що становить перспективу цього дослідження

SN2002kg -- the brightening of LBV V37 in NGC 2403

SN2002kg is a type IIn supernova, detected in October 2002 in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 2403. We show that the position of SN2002kg agrees within the errors with the position of the LBV V37. Ground based and HST ACS images however show that V37 is still present after the SN2002kg event. We compiled a lightcurve of V37 which underlines the variablity of the object, and shows that SN2002kg was the brightening of V37 and not a supernova. The recent brightening is not a giant eruption, but more likely part of an S Dor phase. V37 shows strong Halpha +[NII] emission in recent images and in the SN2002kg spectrum, which we interprete as the signature of the presence of an LBV nebula. A historic spectrum lacks emission, which may hint that we are witnessing the formation of an LBV nebula.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted in A&A Letter, paper with images in full resolution at http://www.astro.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/kweis/publications.htm