Catalytic molecularly imprinted polymer membranes: Development of the biomimetic sensor for phenols detection

Portable biomimetic sensor devices for the express control of phenols content in water were developed. The synthetic binding sites mimicking active site of the enzyme tyrosinase were formed in the structure of free-standing molecularly imprinted polymer membranes. Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes with the catalytic activity were obtained by co-polymerization of the complex Cu (II)–catechol–urocanic acid ethyl ester with (tri)ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate, and oligourethaneacrylate. Addition of the elastic component oligourethaneacrylate provided formation of the highly cross-linked polymer with the catalytic activity in a form of thin, flexible, and mechanically stable membrane. High accessibility of the artificial catalytic sites for the interaction with the analyzed phenol molecules was achieved due to addition of linear polymer (polyethyleneglycol Mw 20,000) to the initial monomer mixture before the polymerization. As a result, typical semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were formed. The cross-linked component of the semi-IPN was represented by the highly cross-linked catalytic molecularly imprinted polymer, while the linear one was represented by polyethyleneglycol Mw 20,000. Extraction of the linear polymer from the fully formed semi-IPN resulted in formation of large pores in the membranes’ structure. Concentration of phenols in the analyzed samples was detected using universal portable device oxymeter with the oxygen electrode in a close contact with the catalytic molecularly imprinted polymer membrane as a transducer. The detection limit of phenols detection using the developed sensor system based on polymers–biomimics with the optimized composition comprised 0.063 mM, while the linear range of the sensor comprised 0.063–1 mM. The working characteristics of the portable sensor devices were investigated. Storage stability of sensor systems at room temperature comprised 12 months (87%). As compared to traditional methods of phenols detection the developed sensor system is characterized by simplicity of operation, compactness, an

Academic competitions and technology olympiads as a means to identify and develop endowments of school students

The article investigates the problems linked to the issues of finding out, developing and supporting of the endowments of children and adolescents. The authors offer a range of criteria to determine the types of endowments which are determined as an integral and a multisided phenomenon. The complex structure of the concept singles out inclination to labor as the primary factor of the endowments. This article introduces the experience of conducting competitions and technology Olympiads for the students of general education institutions, which are, according to the authors, is the efficient means to identification and development of the endowments of the children and adolescents

Impact of magnetic storms on the global TEC distribution

The study is focused on the analysis of total electron content (TEC) variations during six geomagnetic storms of different intensity: from Dstmin = −46&thinsp;nT to Dstmin = −223&thinsp;nT. The values of TEC deviations from its 27-day median value (δTEC) were calculated during the periods of the storms along three meridians: American, Euro-African and Asian-Australian. The following results were obtained. For the majority of the storms almost simultaneous occurrence of δTEC maximums was observed along all three meridians at the beginning of the storm. The transition from a weak storm to a superstorm (the increase of magnetic activity) almost does not affect the intensity of the δTEC maximum. The seasonal effect was most pronounced along the Asian-Australian meridian, less often along the Euro-African meridian and was not revealed along the American meridian. Sometimes the seasonal effect can penetrate to the opposite hemisphere. The character of average δTEC variations for the intense storms was confirmed by GOES satellite data. Though there are some common features of TEC variation revealed during each storm phase, in general no clear dependence of TEC responses on the storm phases was found: the effects were different during each storm at different locations. The behavior of the correlation coefficient (R) between δTEC values along the three meridians was analyzed for each storm. In general, R &gt; 0.5 between δTEC values averaged along each meridian. This result is new. The possible reasons for the exceptions (when R &lt; 0.5) were provided: the complexity of phenomena during the intense storms and discordance in local time of the geomagnetic storm beginning along different meridians. Notwithstanding the complex dependence of R on the intensity of magnetic disturbance, in general R decreased with the growth of storm intensity.</p

Foundation of psychological support in the emotional experience of professional identity crisis by teachers

The background of the researched problem is determined by the psychological and pedagogical science’s and practice’s need to supplement the ideas about teachers’ professional development and about the course of their getting through the emotional experience due to difficulties of this process; as a result, it is necessary to study psychological foundations of building of psychological support programs in the process of school teachers’ getting through a professional crisis under conditions of permanent changes in the educational system. The main approach to studying this problem is the interview and phenomenological method that allows to identify and justify psychological basis of building of teacher support programs. The theoretical analysis allows to identify the nature of the support process, its goals and objectives, and to justify the methodological basis of the support program realization. The empiric results demonstrated that the process of teachers getting through the professional identity crisis goes hand in hand with the value-semantic transformation of a person and with “launching” of reflexive processes which, in turn, justifies resorting to them as to the psychological basis of building of teacher support programs. The research results expand the understanding of the nature of professional identity crisis phenomenon, the process of coming through it and supplement the data of the basis of building of teacher support programs. © 2018 by the authors

Technical University as a multilevel educational complex: from the experience of education of young students

The purpose of the article is summarizing the experience and determination of the main vectors of educational work organization and implementation in a technical university as a multi-level educational complex (MEC). Methods. Theoretical methods such as the analysis of scientific literature, the synthesis of the main concepts and approaches to the problem under consideration, the generalization of experience are used. The results and scientific novelty. A long-term positive experience of educational system constructing in Penza State Technological University as a multi-level educational complex is presented. On its basis the main vectors of the educational work organization and implementation in a modern multi-level educational organization of a technical profile are determined: the formation of social competence of students, pedagogical support of their adaptation and professional selfdetermination, the student government development. The complex of the programs developed by the authors to educate young students in a technical university as a multi-level educational complex is characterized. Their realization involves a phased implementation of the initial diagnosis, constructive, transformative, evaluative and productive activities. The necessity of the organization and implementation of additional psychological and pedagogical training of teachers who do not have the basic pedagogical education as a condition for the effective implementation of the programs developed and put into educational practice in a multi-level educational organization of a technical profile is determined. Practical significance. The presented materials can be used in the educational practice of multi-level educational complexes of a technical profile as well as in other educational institutions of vocational educationЦель публикации – обобщение опыта и определение основных направлений организации и осуществления воспитательной работы в техническом вузе как многоуровневом образовательном комплексе (МОК). Методы. Авторами использовались такие теоретические методы, как анализ научной литературы, синтез основных положений и подходов по изучаемой проблеме, обобщение эмпирических данных. Результаты и научная новизна. Представлен многолетний положительный опыт построения системы воспитания в Пензенском государственном технологическом университете. На его основе определены основные векторы воспитательной работы в современном многоуровневом образовательном учреждении технического профиля: формирование социальных компетентностей обучающихся, педагогическое сопровождение их адаптации в вузе и профессионального самоопределения, развитие студенческого самоуправления. Охарактеризован комплект авторских программ по воспитанию учащейся молодежи, реализация которых предполагает поэтапное осуществление первичной диагностики, созидательно-преобразующей и оценочно-результативной деятельности. Сделан вывод о необходимости обязательной дополнительной психолого-педагогической подготовки преподавателей технического вуза, не имеющих базового педагогического образования, для эффективной воспитательной работы с разновозрастными учащимися, осваивающими разные специальности по программам различных образовательных уровней. Практическая значимость. Представленные материалы могут быть использованы в практике воспитания не только в образовательных центрах технической специализации, так и в иных учебных учреждениях профессионального образовани

Technology competitions and olympiads among pupils as a means of diagnostics and development of their giftedness

The research is aimed to show the significance of Technology (Handicraft lessons) competitions and olimpiads (academic competitions) among general education institutions pupils of the Republic of Tatarstan. The authorsnote the efficiency of these activities as the diagnostics means and improvement of natural gifted children and teenagers. Methods. The applied methods involve criteria approach to the giftedness types assessment; generalization of the advanced pedagogical theory and practice, supervision, teachership surveys and discussions with them. Results. The experience of Technology competitions and olimpiads (academiccompetitions) implementation among school pupils of Kazan Federal University, Elabuga Institute is described. The research outcomes show that pupils participation in such activities not only contributes the creative potential realization but also forms sustainable interest to engineering-technical and design activitiesthat subsequently influence a graduates’ choice of high-demand majors (specialities) and professions at the contemporary labour market. Additionally, the authors emphasize the objective necessity of specific teachers’ training, and formation of necessary professional skills set for successful work with gifted pupils. Scientific novelty. The research identifies a number of criteria for diagnostics of giftedness types. It is specially noted that the most important point of this phenomenon is propensity to work as the primary factor of ingenuity and talent. Practical significance. Implementation of the research outcomes can be used for further development of Technology competitions and olimpiads implementation among school pupils in high vocational education institutions that are qualified at students’ training on pedagogic majors, as well as in supplementary education establishments for children and teenagersЦель статьи – показать важность проведения конкурсов и олимпиад по технологии среди учащихся общеобразовательных учреждений и эффективность данных мероприятий как средства диагностики и развития одаренности детей и подростков. Методика и методы. Использован критериальный подход к определению видов одаренности. Методами исследования проблемы развития одаренности школьников в работе стали обобщение передовой педагогической теории и практики, наблюдение, анкетирование учителей и беседы с ними. Результаты. Описан опыт проведения конкурсов и олимпиад по технологии среди школьников, накопленный в Елабужском институте Казанского федерального университета. Продемонстрировано, что участие учащихся в подобных мероприятиях не только способствует раскрытию их творческого потенциала, но и формирует устойчивый интерес к инженерно-техническим и дизайнерским видам деятельности, что впоследствии влияет на выбор выпускниками школ востребованных на современном рынке труда специальностей и профессий. Сделан вывод об объективной необходимости специальной подготовки учителей и формированию у них профессиональных компетентностей для успешной работы с одаренными школьниками. Научная новизна. Авторами предложен ряд критериев для диагностики видов одаренности детей. В сложной структуре данного феномена особо выделена склонность к труду как важнейший фактор неординарности и таланта. Практическая значимость. Представленный опыт проведения конкурсов и олимпиад среди школьников Республики Татарстан можно использовать в высших профессиональных образовательных учреждениях, осуществляющих подготовку студентов по педагогическим направлениям, а также в учреждениях дополнительного образования детей и подростко

Retinoblastoma – a literature review and our experience

Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant eye tumor in children that is lethal if left untreated. The contemporary treatment modalities aim not only to save life, but also to preserve the eyes as an organwith form vision and the wich would greatly reflect on the quality of children’s lives. Historically, enucleation was the first successful therapeutic approach to reduce mortality, followed more than 100 years ago by the radiation therapy as the first attempt to save the eyes. Over the last two decades, conservative treatment of retinoblastoma has undergone an impressive development, allowing complete cure with minimal sequelae when timely diagnosed and treated. Today’s treatment protocol includes combination of selective chemotherapy, radiation therapy, laser therapy and, if necessary, systemic chemotherapy. The goal of this article is to review the up-to-date conservative management of retinoblastoma and to emphasize the importance of general practitions and pediatricians for timely diagnosis

Semantic context of professional identity crisis experience by teachers

The topicality of the problem under research is predetermined by the need of psychology and pedagogy for the study of the phenomenology of professional identity crisis, the process of its experience by school teachers as well as for the development of the system of psychological and pedagogical support of teachers' professional development in the situation of permanent changes in the education system. The objective of the study is to reveal the content of the professional identity crisis, to describe its main features and analyze the semantic context of its experience by teachers. The principal methods of study of this problem are the phenomenological method, tests to identify the semantic context of the process of the professional identity crisis experience by teachers. The results of the study broaden the understanding of the phenomenon of professional identity crisis and its experience, the content of professional crisis and the phenomenology of professional development of teachers. The materials of the article may be useful for psychologists when designing programs of psychological support of teachers´ professional development. © 2017, Slovenska Vzdelavacia Obstaravacia. All rights reserved.Russian Humanitarian Foundation: No.16-36-01031The research is performed thanks to the support of the Russian Humanitarian Scientific Foundation within the framework of scientific and research project "Psychological mechanisms of professional identity crisis experience by teachers", project No.16-36-01031

H5N1 influenza vaccine quality is affected by hemagglutinin conformational stability

Since 1997, highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses have circulated in wild and domestic birds and sporadically have infected humans. Conventional inactivated vaccines made from these viruses were shown to have decreased HA content and immunogenicity compared to seasonal preparations. We assumed that the high pH threshold (5.6-6.0) known for the HA conformational change (pH of fusion or activation) of avian highly pathogenic influenza viruses resulted in the low stability of native HA conformation and affected the vaccine quality. The 58Lys→Ile mutation introduced into the HA2 subunit of the HA of A/chicken/Kurgan/5/05 (H5N1) virus decreased the pH threshold of the HA activation. The mutant virus demonstrated increased HA stability toward acidic pH and elevated temperature, decreased binding efficiency to the monoclonal antibody IIF4 that recognizes the HA low pH form, and increased HA resistance to trypsin digestion. Virus with modified HA was less susceptible to freezing stress and showed an increased content of immunocompetent HA in inactivated vaccine preparation compared to the analogous virus with original HA. Therefore, we have shown a way to increase the quality of inactivated vaccines made from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.Since 1997, highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses have circulated in wild and domestic birds and sporadically have infected humans. Conventional inactivated vaccines made from these viruses were shown to have decreased HA content and immunogenicity compared to seasonal preparations. We assumed that the high pH threshold (5.6-6.0) known for the HA conformational change (pH of fusion or activation) of avian highly pathogenic influenza viruses resulted in the low stability of native HA conformation and affected the vaccine quality. The 58Lys→Ile mutation introduced into the HA2 subunit of the HA of A/chicken/Kurgan/5/05 (H5N1) virus decreased the pH threshold of the HA activation. The mutant virus demonstrated increased HA stability toward acidic pH and elevated temperature, decreased binding efficiency to the monoclonal antibody IIF4 that recognizes the HA low pH form, and increased HA resistance to trypsin digestion. Virus with modified HA was less susceptible to freezing stress and showed an increased content of immunocompetent HA in inactivated vaccine preparation compared to the analogous virus with original HA. Therefore, we have shown a way to increase the quality of inactivated vaccines made from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses