BLENDING PEDAGOGY AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

This article shows efficacy of competences-oriented education model, representing effectiveness of pedagogy technology and digital tools blending in transforming education while using tutor’s support. In correspondence to contemporary requirements and education system special features, connection between digital education tools and tutor technology contributing to students’ key competences development is determined. The paper contributes to the field by summarizing some theoretical issues and offering implementation suggestions for effectively integrating digital technologies into teaching and learning. The use of digital technologies in educational activities opens up new opportunities, adequate methods for dissemination and management of digital information, development of necessary competencies on the basis of digital literacy, ensuring equitable access for all who wish to obtain necessary knowledge and decision-making skills, ensuring demand for school graduates in the world labor market in situation of digital economy. Innovative technologies become a problem adding difficulties to students’ burden. Tutor becomes an intermediary between students and digital technologies to promote students’ active learning practices; there are not so many students who can appreciate digital learning practices and get the most of it. The role of tutoring in digital literacy promotion is hard to overestimate. Tutor support is a pedagogical activity in individualization of education aimed at identifying and developing students’ educational motives and interests. To form students’ key competencies in education system, it is necessary to supplement traditional education with tools of digital educational technologies, new trends in pedagogies such as tutoring, which is becoming an integral part of modern learning process

Психологические особенности кибербуллинга как формы интернет-преступления

The aim of the investigation reported in this paper is to study the problem of Internet bullying among teenagers in and outside of school. The article describes motives, types, and modes of bullying. The authors (a) analyzed foreign studies in the field of school bullying and its features, as well as aggressive behavior, (b) showedthe connection between school bullying and cyberbullying, and (c) classified the influence of school bullying on teenagers’ psychics and behavior, their future life and professional activity.The empirical study involved 53 high-school students. The respondents answered the questions about school violence (as a victim or a witness), as well as made an assumption about persons responsible for its cease. The Internet was considered to be a harmful environment for the fragile psyche of a teenager. The authors emphasizethe necessity of parental monitoring of their children’s activities in social nets. The present study (a) offered possible ways of bullying problems solution, (b) explained the necessity of a serious approach to the problem and scientific research of its various aspects, and (c) attempted to attract attention of the scientific communityto these urgent issues. The authors paid attention to psychological consequences of cyberbullying for all the participants of interaction and explain the necessity of limiting the access to the Internet and social nets for teenagers, as well as parental monitoring and control. In conclusion, the authors offered recommendations for theprevention of cyberbullying, limitation of Internet access and mobile communication for teenagers. These recommendations are can be useful for school teachers and teenagers’ parents.Целью данной статьи стало исследование проблемы интернет-издевательств в подростковой среде в школе и за ее пределами. Описаны причины, виды и способы совершения актов кибербуллинга. Проанализированы зарубежные исследования, рассматривающие школьное насилие, его особенности, а также связь с агрессивным поведением, показана связь школьного насилия с кибербуллингом, классифицированы последствия его воздействия на психику, поведение подростков, а также на их дальнейшую жизнь и профессиональную деятельность. В проведенном анкетировании приняли участие 53 студента вуза, которые ответили на вопросы об участии в школьной травле в качестве жертвы или свидетеля, а также сделали предположение о том, кто может прекратить травлю. Интернет представлен как негативная среда для неокрепшей психики подростков, была выявлена необходимость родительского мониторинга деятельности детей в социальных сетях. Намечены возможные пути решения данной проблемы – обоснована необходимость серьезного подхода к данной проблеме, научного исследования различных ее аспектов, сделана попытка привлечь внимание научной общественности к серьезности проблемы. Уделено внимание психологическим последствиям кибербуллинга для всех участников взаимодействия, обоснована необходимость ограничения использования Интернета детьми и подростками и контроля со стороны взрослых. В качестве выводов предложены рекомендации по предотвращению кибербуллинга, а также по ограничению доступа подростков в Интернет, использования мобильной связи. Рекомендации могут быть полезны для школьных учителей и родителей подростков

Operation modes of a hydro-generator as a part of the inverter micro hydropower plant

The paper dwells on the selection problem of power equipment for a stand-alone inverter micro hydropower plant, in particular a hydro-generator, and evaluation of its operation modes. Numerical experiments included the modes calculation of hydroelectric units of the same type with various nominal power, supplied to the consumer according to the unchanged electric load curve. The studies developed requirements for a hydro-turbine and a synchronous generator in terms of a speed range and installed capacity, depending on the load curve. The possibility of using general industrial hydroelectric units with nominal power equal to half-maximum capacity of a typical daily load curve in rural areas was shown

Insight into Bio-metal Interface Formation in vacuo: Interplay of S-layer Protein with Copper and Iron

The mechanisms of interaction between inorganic matter and biomolecules, as well as properties of resulting hybrids, are receiving growing interest due to the rapidly developing field of bionanotechnology. The majority of potential applications for metal-biohybrid structures require stability of these systems under vacuum conditions, where their chemistry is elusive, and may differ dramatically from the interaction between biomolecules and metal ions in vivo. Here we report for the first time a photoemission and X-ray absorption study of the formation of a hybrid metal-protein system, tracing step-by-step the chemical interactions between the protein and metals (Cu and Fe) in vacuo. Our experiments reveal stabilization of the enol form of peptide bonds as the result of protein-metal interactions for both metals. The resulting complex with copper appears to be rather stable. In contrast, the system with iron decomposes to form inorganic species like oxide, carbide, nitride, and cyanide

Deinococcus geothermalis: The Pool of Extreme Radiation Resistance Genes Shrinks

Bacteria of the genus Deinococcus are extremely resistant to ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet light (UV) and desiccation. The mesophile Deinococcus radiodurans was the first member of this group whose genome was completely sequenced. Analysis of the genome sequence of D. radiodurans, however, failed to identify unique DNA repair systems. To further delineate the genes underlying the resistance phenotypes, we report the whole-genome sequence of a second Deinococcus species, the thermophile Deinococcus geothermalis, which at its optimal growth temperature is as resistant to IR, UV and desiccation as D. radiodurans, and a comparative analysis of the two Deinococcus genomes. Many D. radiodurans genes previously implicated in resistance, but for which no sensitive phenotype was observed upon disruption, are absent in D. geothermalis. In contrast, most D. radiodurans genes whose mutants displayed a radiation-sensitive phenotype in D. radiodurans are conserved in D. geothermalis. Supporting the existence of a Deinococcus radiation response regulon, a common palindromic DNA motif was identified in a conserved set of genes associated with resistance, and a dedicated transcriptional regulator was predicted. We present the case that these two species evolved essentially the same diverse set of gene families, and that the extreme stress-resistance phenotypes of the Deinococcus lineage emerged progressively by amassing cell-cleaning systems from different sources, but not by acquisition of novel DNA repair systems. Our reconstruction of the genomic evolution of the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum indicates that the corresponding set of enzymes proliferated mainly in the common ancestor of Deinococcus. Results of the comparative analysis weaken the arguments for a role of higher-order chromosome alignment structures in resistance; more clearly define and substantially revise downward the number of uncharacterized genes that might participate in DNA repair and contribute to resistance; and strengthen the case for a role in survival of systems involved in manganese and iron homeostasis

Genome Sequence and Comparative Genome Analysis of Lactobacillus casei: Insights into Their Niche-Associated Evolution

Lactobacillus casei is remarkably adaptable to diverse habitats and widely used in the food industry. To reveal the genomic features that contribute to its broad ecological adaptability and examine the evolution of the species, the genome sequence of L. casei ATCC 334 is analyzed and compared with other sequenced lactobacilli. This analysis reveals that ATCC 334 contains a high number of coding sequences involved in carbohydrate utilization and transcriptional regulation, reflecting its requirement for dealing with diverse environmental conditions. A comparison of the genome sequences of ATCC 334 to L. casei BL23 reveals 12 and 19 genomic islands, respectively. For a broader assessment of the genetic variability within L. casei, gene content of 21 L. casei strains isolated from various habitats (cheeses, n = 7; plant materials, n = 8; and human sources, n = 6) was examined by comparative genome hybridization with an ATCC 334-based microarray. This analysis resulted in identification of 25 hypervariable regions. One of these regions contains an overrepresentation of genes involved in carbohydrate utilization and transcriptional regulation and was thus proposed as a lifestyle adaptation island. Differences in L. casei genome inventory reveal both gene gain and gene decay. Gene gain, via acquisition of genomic islands, likely confers a fitness benefit in specific habitats. Gene decay, that is, loss of unnecessary ancestral traits, is observed in the cheese isolates and likely results in enhanced fitness in the dairy niche. This study gives the first picture of the stable versus variable regions in L. casei and provides valuable insights into evolution, lifestyle adaptation, and metabolic diversity of L. casei

The Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1 Genome Sequence Reflects Its Genetic Adaptation to the Human Oral Cavity

Bifidobacteria, one of the relatively dominant components of the human intestinal microbiota, are considered one of the key groups of beneficial intestinal bacteria (probiotic bacteria). However, in addition to health-promoting taxa, the genus Bifidobacterium also includes Bifidobacterium dentium, an opportunistic cariogenic pathogen. The genetic basis for the ability of B. dentium to survive in the oral cavity and contribute to caries development is not understood. The genome of B. dentium Bd1, a strain isolated from dental caries, was sequenced to completion to uncover a single circular 2,636,368 base pair chromosome with 2,143 predicted open reading frames. Annotation of the genome sequence revealed multiple ways in which B. dentium has adapted to the oral environment through specialized nutrient acquisition, defences against antimicrobials, and gene products that increase fitness and competitiveness within the oral niche. B. dentium Bd1 was shown to metabolize a wide variety of carbohydrates, consistent with genome-based predictions, while colonization and persistence factors implicated in tissue adhesion, acid tolerance, and the metabolism of human saliva-derived compounds were also identified. Global transcriptome analysis demonstrated that many of the genes encoding these predicted traits are highly expressed under relevant physiological conditions. This is the first report to identify, through various genomic approaches, specific genetic adaptations of a Bifidobacterium taxon, Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, to a lifestyle as a cariogenic microorganism in the oral cavity. In silico analysis and comparative genomic hybridization experiments clearly reveal a high level of genome conservation among various B. dentium strains. The data indicate that the genome of this opportunistic cariogen has evolved through a very limited number of horizontal gene acquisition events, highlighting the narrow boundaries that separate commensals from opportunistic pathogens

Psychometric Properties and Correlates of Precarious Manhood Beliefs in 62 Nations

Precarious manhood beliefs portray manhood, relative to womanhood, as a social status that is hard to earn, easy to lose, and proven via public action. Here, we present cross-cultural data on a brief measure of precarious manhood beliefs (the Precarious Manhood Beliefs scale [PMB]) that covaries meaningfully with other cross-culturally validated gender ideologies and with country-level indices of gender equality and human development. Using data from university samples in 62 countries across 13 world regions (N = 33,417), we demonstrate: (1) the psychometric isomorphism of the PMB (i.e., its comparability in meaning and statistical properties across the individual and country levels); (2) the PMB’s distinctness from, and associations with, ambivalent sexism and ambivalence toward men; and (3) associations of the PMB with nation-level gender equality and human development. Findings are discussed in terms of their statistical and theoretical implications for understanding widely-held beliefs about the precariousness of the male gender role

Cyber-victimization and Its Impact on Victim’s Psychosomatic Status

Cyberbullying is an important issue to discuss and investigate. This study is a theoretical and empirical research aimed at proving cyber-victimization’s negative impact on psychosomatic health. A direct relationship between these two phenomena is that poor mood regulation in childhood entails dissatisfaction with surrounding world causing rage against weaker peers, victimization, which affects victims’ psychosomatic status. Methods used are literature analysis for the research and empirical part assessing aggressiveness in children (Buss-Darkey Inventory), their emotional state and psychosomatic health problems caused by victimization (authors’ questionnaire. As a result young victims’ psychosocial problems are seen as having negative consequences in later life. Because of these consequences, bullying becomes a hot topic and causes researchers, parents’, as well as school teachers and school psychologists’ concern. Cyberbullying will continue as long as electronic gadgets and communication devices are plugged in and used which is becoming an increasing problem due to dissemination of information, telecommunication technologies and the involvement of children and adolescents in the widespread digitalization of various spheres of life. In conclusion we recommend teachers and parents to develop understanding of cybervictimization, besides to pay attention to their children’s emotional intelligence development that should help them resist victimization and avoid health problems