Turning university professors into competent learners (or how to interweave a new educational methodology with a tool for Lifelong Learning)

This paper presents the results of a pre-pilot experiment offered in Bulgaria for teachers’ trainers who have to update their skills using ICT in teaching. The pre-pilot became a synergy of results of two European projects – the Leonardo Innovative Teacher (I*Teach) project and the FP6 TENCompetence project. The methodology for build-ing ICT-enhanced skills, developed in the frame of the I*Teach project, was applied for training teachers how to use ICT, using the provided by TENCompetence project tools and infrastructure

Human Heading Perception Based on Form and Motion Combination

International audienceThis paper presents a study on human perception of the heading on the base of motion and form visual cues integration. The authors examine how human age influences this process. Because the visual stimuli are in general uncertain, or in some cases even conflicting, the process of combination is estimated on the base on the well known Normalized Conjunctive Consensus fusion rule, as well as on the base of the more efficient Dezert-Smarandache Theory (DSmT) of plausible and paradoxical reasoning, and more precisely on the probabilistic Proportional Conflict Redistribution rule no.5 defined within it. The main goal is focused on how these fusion rules succeed to model consistent and adequate predictions about both individuals' behavior, and age-contingent groups of individuals

LED lighting affects the biomass accumulation and leaf stomatal characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) in vitro

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become an alternative light source to the fluorescent lamp (FL) for the maintenance of plant tissue cultures due to their low heat emission, low power consumption and the ability to fine-tune the light spectrum. In this study, the effect of LEDs on the growth and leaf stomata features of in vitro cultivated raspberries (Rubus idaeus L. 'Lloyd George') was examined. The plantlets were grown in vitro under a lighting system based on the Philips GreenPower LED research module. Four groups of LEDs emitting white (W), red (R), blue (B), and mixed (W:R:B: far red = 1:1:1:1) lights and FL (control) were used. As a second control (marked as EV), plants grown in the multiplication and rooting stage under fluorescent lamps and then acclimatized ex vitro in a greenhouse for 90 days in natural light were included. Relative growth rate (RGR), protein content as well as stomata morphology and density of the plantlets were analysed after three passages under corresponding light treatment. The results show that different LEDs specifically affect the growth and size of leaf stomata and density of in vitro cultured raspberry plants and can be applied as an effective modulator of morphogenesis during micropropagation. The combination of white, blue, red and far red LED stimulated the accumulation of biomass and proteins, as well as the formation of a higher number of stomata on the lower surface of the leaves, which would be a prerequisite for more effective control of water loss from plantlets during the ex vitro acclimatization

TENCompetence tools and I*Teach methodology in action: development of an active web-based teachers’ community

The article presents an example of how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can enhance the process of teacher training, and how this can be used for lifelong competence development for teachers. The paper describes the goals, settings, implementation and results of a pilot teachers’ training realized within the frame of the European project TENCompetence. ICT tools developed in TENCompetence project were used to support the introduction to the I*Teach didactical methodology developed in the frame of I*Teach Leonardo project. It became clear that the ICT tools and didactical methodology offer a strong support for teachers’ professional development

Barrier-free public transport in Vienna and Sofia - Boundary conditions, planning and transferability

Abweichender Titel nach Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZusammenfassung in englischer SpracheDer öffentliche Verkehr kann das Gefäßsystem einer Stadt genannt werden. Er verbindet alle ihre Teile und sein störungsfreier Betrieb sichert die richtige Funktionalität der Stadt. Seine Gestaltung soll barrierefrei und für alle geeignet sein, damit seine Nutzung keine Anstrengungen erfordert. In der folgenden Arbeit werden relevante für das Thema 'Barrierefreiheit' Begriffe wie Mobilität, Behinderung und behinderte Menschen erklärt, die gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen zur Sicherung der Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen in Österreich und Bulgarien beschrieben und die Anforderungen für die Planung vom barrierefreien öffentlichen Verkehr in Wien und Sofia zusammenfasst. Im Züge einer empirischen Untersuchung wird die Barrierefreiheit des öffentlichen Verkehrs untersucht. Nach Kriterien, die die Bedürfnisse von Menschen mit verschiedenen Typen von Beeinträchtigungen betrachten, wird beurteilt, ob der öffentliche Verkehr in Wien und in Sofia den Anforderungen für die Barrierefreiheit entspricht. Zum Schluss werden Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung für beide Hauptstädte vorgeschlagen.The public transport can be described as the circulatory system of a town. It connects all its areas and his problem free working ensures the right functioning of the town. This thesis explains the related to the subject keywords mobility, disability and disabled people, describes the statutory regulations that ensure the rights of persons with disabilities in Austria and Bulgaria and includes the requirements for planning a barrier free public transport in Vienna and Sofia. In the course of an empiric analysis the accessibility of the public transport will be examined. The assessment will be made on the grounds of criteria that include the requirements of people with different types of disabilities. Suggestions for improvement will be made in the end.15

Turning university professors into competent learners

This paper presents the results of a pre-pilot experiment offered in Bulgaria for teachersâ?? trainers who have to update their skills using ICT in teaching. The pre-pilot became a synergy of results of two European projects â?? the Leonardo Innovative Teacher (I*Teach) project and the FP6 TENCompetence project. The methodology for building ICT-enhanced skills, developed in the frame of the I*Teach project, was applied for training teachers how to use ICT, using the provided by TENCompetence project tools and infrastructure

Turning university professors into competent learners

This paper presents the results of a pre-pilot experiment offered in Bulgaria for teachersâ?? trainers who have to update their skills using ICT in teaching. The pre-pilot became a synergy of results of two European projects â?? the Leonardo Innovative Teacher (I*Teach) project and the FP6 TENCompetence project. The methodology for building ICT-enhanced skills, developed in the frame of the I*Teach project, was applied for training teachers how to use ICT, using the provided by TENCompetence project tools and infrastructure

Isolation and recrystallization of epicuticular waxes from Sorbus and Cotoneaster leaves

Wax morphology and chemical composition are widely accepted to be important for the protective properties of the leaf’s surface and also valuable characteristics in plant systematics. The leaves of Sorbus domestica L. and Cotoneaster granatensis Boiss., species of two large genera with intricate taxonomy referred to subtribe Pyrinae, Rosaceae (formerly subfamily Maloideae), were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and performing different methods of wax isolation. The aim of the study was to acquire a suitable, cost and time effective method for wax removal. Chloroform and methanol extractions and freeze-embedding method for direct isolation of the wax crystals were applied. Immersing the leaves for 3 minutes in chloroform was sufficient to extract the waxes whereas the efficiency of the methanol solvent was lower. Wax layers with wellpreserved structures of the crystals from both upper and lower epidermis were successfully transferred to artificial surfaces. The recrystallization experiment demonstrated that waxes from chloroform extracts could recrystallize in in vitro conditions on artificial surfaces. The crystals showed same micromorphology as on the intact leaves. Results of this study could be applied in further analytical researches of the waxes of S. domestica and C. granatensis or other species of the subtribe Pyrinae

Neuroprotective Effect of <i>Marrubium vulgare</i> Extract in Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats: Behavioral and Biochemical Approaches

The potential of Marrubium vulgare to alleviate scopolamine (Sco)-induced deficits in spatial working memory has drawn considerable scientific interest. This effect is partly attributed to its potent antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI) activities. This study examined the effects of M. vulgare extract, standardized to marrubiin content, on recognition memory in healthy and Sco-treated rats. Male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were divided into four groups. The extract was orally administered for 21 days and Sco (2 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected for 11 consecutive days. Memory performance was assessed using the novel object recognition test. Levels of acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (Sero), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) were evaluated in the cortex and hippocampus via ELISA. BDNF and CREB expression levels were assessed using RT-PCR. The results showed that M. vulgare significantly alleviated Sco-induced memory impairment, preserved cholinergic function in the hippocampus, increased NA levels in the brain, and restored pCREB expression in the cortex following Sco-induced reduction. In healthy rats, the extract upregulated BDNF, pCREB, and Bcl2 expression. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective effects of M. vulgare may be linked to the modulation of cholinergic function, regulation of NA neurotransmission, and influence on key memory-related molecules

Beneficial effect of melatonin on motor and memory disturbances in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats

Previous evidence has shown a link between neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), and melatonin. The data in the literature about the impact of the hormone under different experimental PD conditions are quite controversial, and its effect on memory impairment in the disease is very poorly explored. The current research was aimed at investigating the role of melatonin pretreatment on memory and motor behavior in healthy rats and those with the partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD. All rodents were pretreated with melatonin (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 5 days. At 24 h and 7 days after the first treatment for healthy rats, and at the second and third week post-lesion for those with PD, the animals were tested behaviorally (apomorphine-induced rotations, rotarod, and passive avoidance tests). The neurochemical levels of dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA), and serotonin (Sero) in the brain were also determined. The results showed that in healthy animals, melatonin pretreatment had amnestic and motor-suppressive effects and did not change the levels of measured brain neurotransmitters. In animals with PD, melatonin pretreatment exerted a neuroprotective effect, manifested as a significantly decreased number of apomorphine-induced rotations, reduced number of falls in the rotarod test, and improved memory performance. The brain DA and ACh concentrations in the same animals were restored to the control levels, and those of NA and Sero did not change. Our results demonstrate a beneficial effect of melatonin on memory and motor disturbance in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats