E-learning as a means to improve the quality of higher education

The use of e-learning has become an important part of higher education. It expands the pedagogical resources, assists students in their learning, develops learners’ skills, motivation and knowledge, prepares them for being productive in their workplaces of today’s society. The paper provides the literature review regarding the use of e-learning, its advantages and disadvantages. The authors examine students’ perception of e-learning courses based on the Moodle platform at National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University. The findings from a survey of 67 students reveal that the respondents highlighted the following advantages of e-learning courses: convenience, combination of theoretical and practical material, on-line testing and apprehensibility of the assessment criteria

Patterns of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization in complex biological systems

The paper presents the features of calcium oxalate crystallization in the presence of additives revealed through experimental modeling. The patterns of phase formation are shown for the Ca{2+} – C[2]O[4]{ 2–} – H[2]O and Ca{2+} – C[2]O[4]{2–} – PO[4]{3–} – H[2]O systems with the components and pH of the saline varying over a wide concentrations range. The effect of additives on crystallization of calcium oxalate monohydrate was investigated. It was found that the ionic strength and magnesium ions are inhibitors, and calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite crystals are catalysts of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization. The basic calcium phosphate (apatite) was found to be most thermodynamically stable, which indicates its special role in kidney stone formation since it is found in virtually all stones

A new approach to produce calcium-phosphate coatings on titanium

In the study, hydroxyapatite-gelatin composite powders were synthesized from simulated body fluid (SBF) with gelatin content ranging from 1 to 3 wt. %. It was established that all the samples were single-phase and represented hydroxyapatite. The surface and morphological characteristics of the produced hydroxyapatite-gelatin (HAG) based coatings were studied. Uniform deposition of the composite on the titanium substrate surface (VT1-0) was found to occur on etched titanium samples. It is shown that exposure of titanium substrates with hydroxyapatite-gelatin (HAG) based coating to powerful ion beam can stimulate further growth of crystals and regeneration of the surface

Study of the effects of heat-treatment of hydroxyapatite synthesized in gelatin matrix

In the study, the isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of hydroxyapatite synthesized in gelatin matrix (HAG) has been performed. 3 wt.% HAG samples were synthesized from the solution simulating the human extracellular fluid (SBF). X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy were used to determine the composition. During the experiment, increase in the calcination temperature up to 200°C–800°C was found to cause weight loss. The study of phase composition revealed that heat treatment does not affect the phase composition of the solid phase, which is composed of hydroxylapatite (HA). The prepared HAG (3 wt.% gelatin) samples are shown to have low thermal stability; the degradation of the samples occurs at 400° C

Modeling of the future in the programs of political parties

The paper addresses the problem of modeling and planning of the future. It presents the problems of developing a model of the future due to the ideologies and strategies of some ruling political parties. The authors deal with the means of expression of the model of the future as one of the most important elements of the lingvo-mental image of political world in the context of program documents of the parties. The authors examine a program of a party as a part of political communication system and characterize the model of the future. On the basis of comparative study the authors determine common and specific features of the model of the future expression. A comparative study of the model of the future expression on the material of ruling parties of Russia and a variety of foreign countries (the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy) is extremely relevant in the current period of global economic crisis. Such a research provides the basis for the optimal model of the future determination that can become a universal one for the electorate of different countries. Thus, the authors reveal the most advanced model of the future representation

Thermal stability of brushite with chitosan samples

In this paper, the powders of brushite from an aqueous solution of Ca(NO[3])[2]- (NH[4])[2]HPO[4] with different content of chitosan were synthesized. XRD data revealed that all samples are single-phase and are brushite (CaHPO[4]•centerdot2H[2]O). By FT-IR spectroscopy and BET methods, it was found that chitosan adsorbs onto the surface of powders. With increase of the content of the additive, the average size of crystallites increases 4.0 – 4.8 – 11.8 [mu]m, respectively, and the dissolution rate in isotonic solution also decreases. The thermal stability of the composite powders was studied. It was established that the highest destruction of samples occurs in the range 473-673 K by removing of adsorption and crystallization water and partial change of the structure of the mineral and chitosan. At a temperature of 873 K, carbonization of the organic additive occurs

The role of research work in the training of master students studying at technical university

Contemporary society needs initiative and independent specialists capable of improving their professional skills continually. These specialists are notable for high sensibility, curiosity, readiness for rapid updating of knowledge and a wide range of skills. Thus, the main purpose of higher education is the development of new educational content ensuring relevance and competitiveness of graduates in the labor market. In this article, the authors investigate the research work of technical university students studying at Master's programs in the context of innovative changes in modern education. Research work is the process of shaping the future specialist by individual cognitive activities aimed at obtaining new knowledge, solving theoretical and practical problems, self-education and self-realization. The authors prove that research work is one of the mechanisms for the integration of higher professional education into a modern innovative society

Radiation thermal processes in Cr13Mo2NbVB steel - the material of the fuel assembly shell in reactor BN-350 under mechanical tests

Regularities of changes of structural-phase state and mechanical properties of steel 13Mo2NbVB - the material of the fuel assembly shell in reactor BN-350 after various mechanical tests at 350°C are experimentally studied. The formation of microprecipitations FeMo, enriched or depleted with molybdenum was found in the short-time mechanical tests, which is the cause of thermal hardening of irradiated Cr13Mo2NbVB steel and its destruction by the ductile-brittle mechanism. On the basis of long-time creep tests it was shown that the material of the spent fuel assembly shell has sufficient resource for long-time storage in the temperature and force conditions simulating long-time storage of spent nuclear fuel

E-learning as a means to improve the quality of higher education

The use of e-learning has become an important part of higher education. It expands the pedagogical resources, assists students in their learning, develops learners’ skills, motivation and knowledge, prepares them for being productive in their workplaces of today’s society. The paper provides the literature review regarding the use of e-learning, its advantages and disadvantages. The authors examine students’ perception of e-learning courses based on the Moodle platform at National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University. The findings from a survey of 67 students reveal that the respondents highlighted the following advantages of e-learning courses: convenience, combination of theoretical and practical material, on-line testing and apprehensibility of the assessment criteria

Research activity as an integral component of engineering education

The international aerospace industry needs to hire specialists who possess a broad range of skills and are able to work independently in a diverse, multi-disciplinary team, generate innovative ideas, solve non-standard problems and make important decisions. To meet new challenges, universities promote active learning and encourage students to participate in research activities. This paper studies the organization of research activities at universities, and factors that benefit their productivity. It also presents the results of a short survey among bachelor students of the Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, Tomsk Polytechnic University, showing their interest and active participation in research work