First Outcomes of WPZ Research Carried Out Within the Framework of the IRNet Project - International Research Network

This paper, prepared by an international team of authors including specialists from different scientific areas, connected with /CT, e-learning, pedagogy, and other related disciplines, focuses on the objectives of the international project IRNet - International Research Network for the study and development of new tools and methods for advanced pedagogical science in the field of /CT instruments, e-learning and intercultural competences. The project is financed by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme, within the Marie Curie Actions International Research Staff Exchange Scheme. Grant Agreement No: PIRSES-GA-2013-612536; the duration of the project: 48 monthsl/01/2014 - 31/12/2017. In particular, the article describes a WP2: Analyses of legal, ethical, human, technical and social factors of /CT and e-learning development, and the state of intercultural competences in partner countries: Objectives, Tasks, and Deliverables. The second part of the paper includes data from preliminary research. During the study and analysis of global (international) and local (national) documents as well as university documents Table 1 was prepared which sets forth a comparison of legal, ethical, human, technical and social factors of /CT and e-learning development, and the state of intercultural competences in several partner countries, for example Poland, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Russia in the context of the IRNet project - International Research Network

Influence of inelastic collisions with hydrogen atoms on the non-LTE line formation for Fe I and Fe II in the 1D model atmospheres of late-type stars

Iron plays a crucial role in studies of late-type stars. In their atmospheres, Fe I is the minority species and its lines are subject to the departures from LTE. In contrast, one believes that LTE is a realistic approximation for Fe II lines. The main source of the uncertainties in the non-LTE (NLTE) calculations for cool atmospheres is a treatment of inelastic collisions with hydrogen atoms. We investigate the effect of Fe I + H I and Fe II + H I collisions and their different treatment on the Fe I/Fe II ionisation equilibrium and Fe abundance determinations for Galactic halo benchmark stars HD84937, HD122563, and HD140283 and a sample of 38 very metal-poor giants in the dwarf galaxies with well known distances. We perform the NLTE calculations for Fe I-II with using quantum-mechanical (QM) rate coefficients for collisions with H I from Barklem (2018, B18), Yakovleva, Belyaev, and Kraemer (2018, YBK18), and Yakovleva, Belyaev, and Kraemer (2019). We find that collisions with H I serve as efficient thermalisation processes for Fe II and the NLTE abundance corrections for Fe II lines do not exceed 0.02 dex at [Fe/H] > -3 and reach +0.06~dex at [Fe/H] ~ -4. For given star, the B18 and YBK18 treatments of Fe I + H I collisions lead to similar average NLTE abundances from Fe I lines, although there exist discrepancies in the NLTE corrections for individual lines. With using QM collisional data and the Gaia based surface gravity, we obtain consistent abundances from Fe I and Fe II for a red giant HD122563. For HD84937 and HD140283, we study the Fe lines in the visible and the UV (1968-2990 A) range. For both Fe I and Fe II, abundances from the visible and UV lines are consistent. The abundances from Fe I and Fe II agree within 0.10 and 0.13 dex in the YBK18 and B18 cases. The Fe I/Fe II ionisation equilibrium is achieved for each [Fe/H] > -3.5 star of our dwarf galaxy sample.Comment: 11 pages, 4 tables, 9 figures, submitted to A&A, revised after the referee revie

Expression Patterns of Cancer-Testis Antigens in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Cell Derivatives Indicate Lineage Tracks

Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into various lineages but undergo genetic and epigenetic changes during long-term cultivation and, therefore, require regular monitoring. The expression patterns of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) MAGE-A2, -A3, -A4, -A6, -A8, -B2, and GAGE were examined in undifferentiated human embryonic stem (hES) cells, their differentiated derivatives, teratocarcinoma (hEC) cells, and cancer cell lines of neuroectodermal and mesodermal origin. Undifferentiated hES cells and embryoid body cells expressed MAGE-A3, -A6, -A4, -A8, and GAGEs while later differentiated derivatives expressed only MAGE-A8 or MAGE-A4. Likewise, mouse pluripotent stem cells also express CTAs of Magea but not Mageb family. Despite similarity of the hES and hEC cell expression patterns, MAGE-A2 and MAGE-B2 were detected only in hEC cells but not in hES cells. Moreover, our analysis has shown that CTAs are aberrantly expressed in cancer cell lines and display low tissue specificity. The identification of CTA expression patterns in pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives may be useful for isolation of abnormally CTA-expressing cells to improve the safety of stem-cell based therapy

Zyklophin, a short-acting kappa opioid antagonist, induces scratching in mice

It has been shown previously that norbinaltorphimine (norBNI) and 5΄-guanidinonaltrindole (5΄-GNTI), long-acting kappa opioid receptor (KOPR) antagonists, cause frenzied scratching in mice [1;2]. In the current study, we examined if zyklophin, a short-acting cyclic peptide KOPR antagonist, also elicited scratching behavior. When injected s.c. in the nape of the neck of male Swiss-Webster mice, zyklophin at doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg induced dose-related hindleg scratching of the neck between 3 and 15 min after injection. Pretreating mice with norBNI (20 mg/kg, i.p.) at 18–20 hr before challenge with zyklophin (0.3 mg/kg) did not markedly affect scratching. Additionally, KOPR −/− mice given 0.3 mg/kg of zyklophin displayed similar levels of scratching as wild-type animals. The absence of KOPR in KOPR −/− mice was confirmed with ex vivo radioligand binding using [3H]U69,593. Taken together, our data suggest that the presence of kappa receptors is not required for the excessive scratching caused by zyklophin. Thus, zyklophin, similar to the structurally different KOPR antagonist 5΄-GNTI, appears to act at other targets to elicit scratching and potentially the sensation of itch

EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING THROUGH SOCIALIZATION OF EVERY CHILD OF THE ARCTIC INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE GLOBAL MODERN SOCIETY

En la actualidad, Rusia está experimentando un renacimiento de las culturas nacionales, las tradiciones y los fundamentos espirituales de sus pueblos. Esto determina un interés creciente en las cuestiones de educación, crianza y desarrollo de una persona que es consciente de las principales normas y valores de su pueblo, sociedad y país, tiene un rico bagaje etnocultural, una identidad desarrollada en el entorno multicultural y una actitud respetuosa hacia los diferentes valores culturales de otros pueblos que son únicos y originales. Estos problemas pueden ser resueltos por medio de la educación. El objetivo de la investigación fue proponer y justificar los fundamentos teóricos y metodológicos para el desarrollo de un espacio educativo regional utilizando el potencial pedagógico de las tradiciones etnoculturales en el sistema de educación y crianza a través de la socialización de cada niño de los pueblos indígenas del Ártico. Los objetivos de la investigación son: resolver el problema de la crianza y la educación a través de las tradiciones etnoculturales, e identificar las formas y maneras de su aplicación a través de la socialización de los pueblos indígenas del Ártico. Los problemas de la formación de los pueblos indígenas del Ártico se estudiaron con enfoques metodológicos culturales, de civilización, sinérgicos e interdisciplinarios, que permitieron a los autores explorar ampliamente el fenómeno de la civilización circumpolar (ártica), para fundamentar la necesidad de aumentar el papel del componente etnocultural en la socialización, la educación y la crianza de la juventud de los pueblos indígenas (nómadas) del Norte en las condiciones modernas de la globalización, y para poner de relieve su potencial pedagógico. Se utilizaron los siguientes métodos: investigación de campo, entrevistas, observaciones y pruebas. En el estudio participaron 305 alumnos de tercer y cuarto grado de instituciones educativas rurales; 76 de ellos estudiaron en escuelas nómadas. Los resultados del estudio demostraron una dinámica positiva. Los datos cualitativos obtenidos durante las entrevistas u observaciones pueden utilizarse como base para seleccionar unidades o indicadores al crear otros instrumentos de investigación destinados a obtener datos cuantitativos. La importancia teórica y práctica del estudio está determinada por el hecho de que sus conclusiones y disposiciones pueden utilizarse para la realización práctica del potencial de las tradiciones etnoculturales de los pueblos indígenas del Ártico.Atualmente, a Rússia está experimentando um renascimento das culturas nacionais, tradições e fundamentos espirituais de seus povos. Isto determina um interesse crescente nas questões de educação, educação e desenvolvimento de uma pessoa que está consciente das principais normas e valores do seu povo, sociedade e país, tem um rico background etnocultural, uma identidade desenvolvida no ambiente multicultural, e uma atitude respeitosa aos diferentes valores culturais de outros povos que são únicos e originais. Estes problemas podem ser resolvidos por meio da educação. O objetivo da pesquisa foi propor e justificar os fundamentos teóricos e metodológicos para o desenvolvimento de um espaço educativo regional utilizando o potencial pedagógico das tradições etnoculturais no sistema educativo e de educação através da socialização de cada criança dos povos indígenas do Ártico. Os objetivos da pesquisa são: resolver o problema da criação e educação através das tradições etnoculturais, e identificar formas e formas de sua implementação através da socialização dos povos indígenas do Ártico. Os problemas da formação dos povos indígenas do Ártico foram estudados com abordagens metodológicas culturais, civilizacionais, sinergéticas e interdisciplinares, que permitiram aos autores explorar de forma abrangente o fenômeno da civilização circumpolar (Ártico), para fundamentar a necessidade de aumentar o papel do componente etnocultural na socialização, educação e formação da juventude dos povos indígenas (nômades) do Norte nas condições modernas da globalização, e para destacar seu potencial pedagógico. Foram utilizados os seguintes métodos: pesquisa de campo, entrevistas, observações e testes. O estudo envolveu 305 alunos da terceira e quarta séries em instituições de ensino rural; 76 deles estudaram em escolas nômades. Os resultados do estudo demonstraram uma dinâmica positiva. Os dados qualitativos obtidos durante as entrevistas ou observações podem ser usados como base para a seleção de unidades ou indicadores quando da criação de outras ferramentas de pesquisa com o objetivo de obter dados quantitativos. O significado teórico e prático do estudo é determinado pelo fato de que suas conclusões e disposições podem ser utilizadas para a realização prática do potencial das tradições etnoculturais dos povos indígenas do Ártico. At present, Russia is experiencing a revival of national cultures, traditions, and spiritual foundations of its peoples. This determines a growing interest in the issues of education, upbringing and development of a person who is aware of the main norms and values of their people, society and country, has a rich ethnocultural background, a developed identity in the multicultural environment, and a respectful attitude to different cultural values of other peoples that are unique and original. These problems can be solved by means of education. The research goal of this study was to propose and justify the theoretical and methodological foundations for the development of a regional educational space using the pedagogical potential of ethnocultural traditions in the system of education and upbringing through the socialization of every child of the Arctic indigenous peoples. The research objectives are: to solve the problem of upbringing and education through ethnocultural traditions, and to identify ways and forms of their implementation through the socialization of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. The problems of the formation of the Arctic indigenous peoples were studied with cultural, civilizational, synergetic, and interdisciplinary methodological approaches, which enabled the authors to comprehensively explore the phenomenon of the circumpolar (Arctic) civilization, to substantiate the need to increase the role of the ethnocultural component in the socialization, education and upbringing of the youth of the indigenous (nomadic) peoples of the North in modern conditions of globalization, and to highlight its pedagogical potential. The following methods were used: field research, interviews, observations, and testing. The study involved 305 third and fourth graders in rural educational institutions; 76 of them studied in nomadic schools. The results of the study demonstrated positive dynamics. Qualitative data obtained during the interviews or observation can be used as the basis for selecting units or indicators when creating other research tools aimed at obtaining quantitative data. The theoretical and practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that its conclusions and provisions can be used for practical realization of the potential of the ethnocultural traditions of the Arctic indigenous peoples.&nbsp

ICAM-1 Targeting of Doxorubicin-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles to Lung Epithelial Cells

Interaction of leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on T-lymphoctytes and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on epithelial cells controls leukocyte adhesion, spreading, and extravasation. This process plays an important role in leukocyte recruitment to a specific site of inflammation and has been indentified as a biomarker for certain types of carcinomas. Cyclo-(1,12)-PenITDGEATDSGC (cLABL) has been shown to inhibit LFA-1 and ICAM-1 interaction via binding to ICAM-1. In addition, cLABL has been shown to internalize after binding ICAM-1. The possibility of using cLABL conjugated nanoparticles (cLABL-NP) as a targeted and controlled release drug delivery system has been investigated in this study. The cLABL peptide was conjugated to a modified Pluronic® surfactant on poly (DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. The cLABL-NP showed more rapid cellular uptake by A549 lung epithelial cells compared to nanoparticles without peptide. The specificity of ICAM-1 mediated internalization was confirmed by blocking the uptake of cLABL-NP to ICAM-1 using free cLABL peptide to block the binding of cLABL-NP to ICAM-1 on the cell surface. Cell studies suggested that cLABL-NPs targeted encapsulated doxorubicin to ICAM-1 expressing cells. Cytotoxicity assay confirmed the activity of the drug incorporated in nanoparticles. Sustained release of doxorubicin afforded by PLGA nanoparticles may enable cLABL-NP as a targeted, controlled release drug delivery system

MTX-cIBR Conjugate for Targeting Methotrexate to Leukocytes: Conjugate Stability and in vivo Efficacy in Suppressing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methotrexate (MTX) has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis at low doses and leukemia at high doses; however, this drug can produce severe side effects. Our hypothesis is that MTX side effects can be attenuated by directing the drug to the target cells (i.e., leukocytes) using cIBR peptide. To test this hypothesis, MTX was conjugated to the N-terminus of cIBR peptide to give MTX-cIBR conjugate. MTX-cIBR (5.0 mg/kg) suppressed joint arthritis in adjuvant arthritis rats and prevented periarticular inflammation and bone resorption of the limb joints. In vitro, the toxicity of MTX-cIBR peptide against Molt-3 T cells was inhibited by anti-LFA-1 antibody and cIBR peptide in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that the uptake of MTX-cIBR was partially mediated by LFA-1. Chemical stability studies indicated that MTX-cIBR was most stable at pH 6.0. The MTX portion of MTX-cIBR was unstable under acidic conditions whereas the cIBR portion was unstable under basic conditions. In biological media, MTX-cIBR had short half-lives in rat plasma (44 min) and homogenized rat heart tissue (38 min). This low plasma stability may contribute to the low in vivo efficacy of MTX-cIBR; therefore, there is a need to design a more stable conjugate to improve the in vivo efficacy

The Category of Colour Naming in English, German and Mari Idioms

Colour naming is reflected in all the languages of the world, namely, in phraseological units where one of the components denotes a colour. The objective of the article is to study idioms in three unrelated languages: English, German and Mari and to reveal how they are organized around universal focal colours. The article analyses 205 idioms of the English language, where one of the components includes colour naming. The research shows that in the English language ‘black’ (47 units, 23 %), ‘blue’ (39 units, 19 %), ‘red’ (32 units, 16 %) and ‘white’ (32 units, 16 %) form the core of the category. In the German language 185 phraseological units have been found, among which ‘schwarz/black’ (42 units, 21 %), ‘grün/green’ (36 units, 20 %) and ‘blau/blue’ (35 units, 19 %) are dominating colours. In the Mari language – 18 idioms: ‘шем/black’ (8 units, 44,5 %), the same amount of ‘ош/white’ (8 units, 44,5 %),‘ ужар/green’ (1 idiom, 5,5 %) and ‘йошкар/red’ (1 idiom, 5,5 %). Taking into account their semantic meaning, all the idioms in three languages have been divided into nine groups. According to their semantic organization, four classes of idioms have been distinguished. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s7p3