Mediating knowledge through peer-to-peer interaction in a multicultural online learning environment: A case study of international students in the US

The continuous growth of online learning and its movement towards cross-border and cross-culture education has recently taken a new turn with the epic hype that currently surrounds the development of massive open online courses (MOOCs) (Beattie-Moss, 2013). This development brings to focus the experiences of international students who take online courses designed and offered within the paradigm of Western pedagogy. Employing a sociocultural theoretical framework (Vygotsky, 1978; Scollon&Scollon, 2001), this paper examines the mediating roles that peers may play in the context of multicultural online learning environments. This two-stage, mixed methods study explored the experiences of 12 international graduate students who took fully online courses in a large research university in the northeastern region of the United States. The data included a survey, online interviews, as well as a case study that took a close look at the experiences of a female student from China. Findings of the study demonstrated that international students that come from diverse native academic backgrounds and cultures may necessitate a close relationship with peers they meet in the US courses. Peers become invaluable mediators of knowledge for international students who seek peer assistance to compensate for the lack of culture-specific knowledge and skills and to satisfy their interest in the host culture. The study suggests that course developers and facilitators should be proactive when assigning group projects and activities so as to enable close peer-to-peer interaction and opportunities for building personal relationships with other class members

The ways of expressing objective modality

The article is dedicated to the comparative analysis of expressing the category of modality in the English and Tatar languages and choosing the most suitable ways of rendering its different connotations when translating the Tatar fairy-tale by G.Tukay 'Shuraleh' into English. The author defines the peculiarities of expressing the category of modality in the English and Tatar languages as well as the devices of rendering elements of the category of modality when translating the text from Tatar into English. The sources of the language material for study were the texts of the Tatar fairy-tale by G. Tukay 'Shuraleh' in Tatar and its translation into English done by Ravil Bukharaev

Online collaborative cross-cultural learning: Students' perspectives

This article describes and analyzes students' perspective on the process of integrating online collaborative cross-cultural modules in the traditional (full-time) courses. Twenty-five US, Lithuanian and Russian students participated in a 6-week online international project The Power of Media. After the course, students completed the questionnaire that explored their learning experiences. The study showed a positive attitude of the students toward international online collaboration and illustrated beneficial impact of such cross-cultural projects on the development of linguistic and intercultural competences of learners. However, results revealed that while students learn from differences in peers' cultural and educational backgrounds, dissimilar communication and learning strategies, as well as varied ways of student-to-content and student-to-student interaction, may hinder successful learning experiences in collaborative online international learning (COIL) environments. The results speak for the need for similar cross-cultural projects to carefully plan content and activities, set clear deadlines, and use a range of online communication tools including synchronous

Pharmaceutical Gardens of Tobolsk Province in 18th — Early 20th Centuries

The historical aspects of the development of pharmacy gardens and vegetable gardens, which were intended for growing medicinal plants, are considered. A review of literary sources on the history of creating pharmacy gardens, their joint organizational activities with pharmacies and medical institutions in Russia, was conducted. Archival documents, current scientific publications, materials from official websites dedicated to the history of creating pharmacy gardens in the 18th to early 20th centuries in the Tobolsk province were analyzed. The novelty of the research lies in identifying the reasons for the lack of information about the creator of the pharmacy garden in the city of Tobolsk, revealing facts about the different ownership of this object, its sale, subsequent transfer, donation of a share of the plot for the construction of a military hospital. The heyday of the Tobolsk pharmacy garden is marked as a stage in the functioning of an experimental agricultural institution in Western Siberia. The role of pharmacist A. I. Daudel and his widow in the subsequent development of the Tyumen pharmacy garden is determined. Memories of the scale of implementation of medicinal preparations made from raw materials from the local pharmacy garden and its subsequent fate as a territory for a homeless shelter and a city hospital are presented. The reasons for the decline in interest in pharmacy gardens are identified

Social and pedagogical conditions of formation the students culture of communication by means of socio-cultural creativity

© 2017 Serials Publications.The article is devoted to the research of formation the student's culture of communication between different nationalities. The main directions of the organization of formation of culture of international dialogue related to the implementation of multicultural environment, ensuring the development of native culture, its history, traditions and moral values. Socio-cultural creativity as a means of formation of culture of international dialogue presented in this study is aimed at providing opportunities for young people to gain access to cultural values, to create favorable conditions for the creation, development and implementation of measures aimed at the organization and support of the national, national and international festivals, as well as support for the priority areas of innovation in the social and cultural sphere. The article presents the results of the research of formation the culture of international dialogue of students by means of social and cultural creativity. Materials of article can be recommended for the development the culture of communication in future work of teachers, organizers, managers

Parkinson's Disease in Central Asian and Transcaucasian Countries: A Review of Epidemiology, Genetics, Clinical Characteristics, and Access to Care

Our understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has significantly accelerated over the last few years, but predominant advances have been made in developed, Western countries. Little is known about PD in the Central Asian (CA) and Transcaucasian (TC) countries. Here, we review the clinical characteristics, treatments used, epidemiology, and genetics of PD in CA and TC countries via a methodological search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. For the acquisition of PD care-related data, the search was extended to the local web resources. Our findings showed that PD prevalence in the region is averaging 62 per 100,000 population. The mean age of onset is 56.4 ± 2.8 in females and 63.3 ± 3.5 in males. Large-scale national studies on PD prevalence from the region are currently lacking. A limited number of genetic studies with small cohorts and inconclusive results were identified. The G2019S LRRK2 mutation, the commonest mutation in PD worldwide, was found in 5.7% of patients with idiopathic PD and 17.6% of familial cases in 153 Uzbek patients. Our review highlighted systematic deficiencies in PD health care in the region including lacks of neurologists specializing in PD, delays in PD diagnosis, absence of specialized PD nurses and PD rehab services, limited access to PD medications and surgery, and the unavailability of PD infusion therapies. Overall, this article demonstrated the paucity of data on this common neurological disorder in CA and TC countries and identified a number of healthcare areas that require an urgent consideration. We conclude that well-designed large-scale epidemiological, genetic, and clinical studies are desperately needed in this region. Healthcare professionals, local and national institutions, and stakeholders must come together to address deficiencies in PD healthcare systems in CA and TC countries

Episiotological Analysis, Diadnostics, Prevention of Echinococcosis in Animals

Эхинококкоз — это зооантропонозная инвазия, возбудителем которой является Echinococcus granulosus из семейства Taeniidae класса Cestoda. Болезнь наносит огромный экономический ущерб животноводчеству и представляет серьезную опасность для человека. Несмотря на имеющийся большой объем информации о возбудителе и болезни, эхинококкоз остается крупной социальной проблемой, наносящей огромный экономический ущерб поражением многих видов домашних животных и человека. Причиной тому является недостаточная изученность эпизоотического процесса, течения болезни, современных средств диагностики, лечения и профилактики эхинококкоза. Учитывая это, мы сочли необходимым выяснить некоторые особенности эпизоотического процесса и изыскать эффективные меры профилактики данной инвазии на основании применения иммуномодуляторов, комплексной терапии и других средств. В статье дано понятие эхинококкоза, анализируются факторы, способствующие его распространению. Отмечается, что эхинококкоз наносит большой экономический ущерб. Приводится пример послеубойной диагностики заболевания. Автор делает вывод о том, что прижизненная диагностика эхинококкоза вызывает большие трудности. Анализируются профилактические мероприятия, направленные на предотвращение циркулирования инфекции.Echinococcosis is a zooanthroponous infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus from the Taeniidae family of the Cestoda class. The disease causes huge economic damage to livestock production and is a serious danger to humans. Despite the large amount of information available about the pathogen and the disease, echinococcosis remains a major social problem, causing huge economic damage to many species of domestic animals and humans. The reason for this is the lack of knowledge of the epizootic process, the course of the disease, modern means of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of echinococcosis. Taking this into account, we considered it necessary to find out some features of the epizootic process and find effective measures to prevent this invasion based on the use of immunomodulators, complex therapy and other means. The article gives the concept of echinococcosis, analyzes the factors contributing to its spread. It is noted that echinococcosis causes great economic damage. An example of post-slaughter diagnosis of the disease is given. The author concludes that lifetime diagnosis of echinococcosis causes great difficulties. Preventive measures aimed at prevention of infection circulation are analyzed

Isolation and study of biological properties of <i>Bordetella bronchiseptica</i>-specific bacteriophages

The paper presents results of our studies on isolation of bacteriophages active against Bordetella bronchiseptica. Three new bacteriophages were recovered from clinical material of animals with respiratory disease signs: vB_BbrS_2/200220.7.2, vB_BbrS_4/200220.7.1, vB_BbrM_5/200220.7.2. The lytic activity of isolated bacteriophages determined by the method of agar layers varied from (2.3 ± 1.4) × 108  to (9.0 ± 0.2) × 108  BOE/ml, and the lytic spectrum ranged from 61.5 to 76.9%. The bacteriophage titer stability was shown during 8-month storage of phage lysate with no preservative added. The morphology of bacteriophage negative colonies was tested in various nutrient media and analyzed based on two parameters: size and transparency. Dissociation of negative colonies into clear colonies, cloudy colonies, and clear colonies with cloudy halos was observed in the media. Plaques also varied in size from 0.6 ± 0.2 to 2.6 ± 0.1 mm. High levels of temperature stability were noted during exposure of bacteriophages to high temperatures ranging from +40 to +95 °C in 5 °C step. The study of specificity showed that the isolated bacteriophages lyse closely-related bacteria. In the course of electron microscopic testing of each bacteriophage such parameters as the average diameter of the head and the average length of the tail were determined. In accordance with the international classification of viruses by morphological characteristics the vB_BbrS_2/200220.7.2 and vB_BbrS_4/200220.7.1 phages have been assigned to the family Siphoviridae, vB_BbrM_5/200220.7.2 bacteriophage has been assigned to the family Myoviridae. The obtained results of in vitro studies have shown that the isolated bacteriophages can be prespective in veterinary use for phage therapy of Bordetella bronchiseptica-induced diseases

Premature labor. Yesterday, today, tomorrow

The purpose of the work is to study the dynamics of indicators, structure and outcomes of preterm labor in the Perm region and Perm. Materials and methods. The analysis of statistical forms for the city of Perm and the Perm region since 2006 on 2017. Medium-term forecasting of the demographic situation in the region was carried out. Results and discussion. The last decade in the Perm region is characterized by stabilization of the demographic situation, which is confirmed by the increase in the birth rate. Reducing the proportion of preterm birth is regarded as an important indicator of the high quality of the obstetric-gynecological service. The stillbirth rate and perinatal mortality in this group have been gradually decreasing over the past 10 years. The base rate of decline in the feto-infantile loss indicator characterizes the work of the system of assistance to pregnant women, mothers and puerperas, as highly effective.Цель работы - изучение динамики показателей, структуры и исходов преждевременных родов в Пермском крае и г. Перми. Материалы и методы. Проведён анализ статистических форм по г. Перми и Пермскому краю с 2006 г. по 2017 г. Выполнено среднесрочное прогнозирование демографической ситуации в регионе. Результаты и обсуждение. Последнее десятилетие в Пермском крае характеризуется стабилизацией демографической ситуации, что подтверждается повышением уровня рождаемости. Снижение доли преждевременных родов расценивается как важный показатель высокого качества работы акушерско-гинекологической службы. Мертворождаемость и перинатальная смертность в этой группе за последние 10 лет постепенно снижаются. Базовый темп убыли показателя фето-инфантильных потерь характеризует работу системы оказания помощи беременным женщинам, роженицам и родильницам, как высокоэффективную