Innovation through the flipped model of learning: enriching students' and instructors' experience

The paper provides a brief literature review of the FML, a description of the FML experience within the context of a multi-year project in a major research university – from designing to producing and integrating it into the second-language writing curriculum – and recommendations for scalable implementation. Special attention is given to the benefits of this approach for students as well as to its broader pedagogical advantages.Published versio

Tracing the source of obsidian from prehistoric sites in Bulgaria

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry was used to obtain source determinations for 11 obsidian artefacts from five archaeological sites in Bulgaria. The results show that all the archaeological specimens can be linked to obsidian sources in the Carpathian Mountains in the border region between Hungary and Slovakia. Obsidian from the C2E source in Hungary occurred in very early Neolithic contexts at Dzhulyunitsa, while the majority of samples from later contexts at Ohoden, Dzherman and Varna came mainly from the Slovakian (C1) source. The data hint at a shift from the use of C2 obsidian in the Neolithic before 5900 cal BC, to a preference for C1 obsidian in later periods – however, more finds and better contextual and chronological data are required to verify this trend

Positive Selection Results in Frequent Reversible Amino Acid Replacements in the G Protein Gene of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age and the elderly, causing annual disease outbreaks during the fall and winter. Multiple lineages of the HRSVA and HRSVB serotypes co-circulate within a single outbreak and display a strongly temporal pattern of genetic variation, with a replacement of dominant genotypes occurring during consecutive years. In the present study we utilized phylogenetic methods to detect and map sites subject to adaptive evolution in the G protein of HRSVA and HRSVB. A total of 29 and 23 amino acid sites were found to be putatively positively selected in HRSVA and HRSVB, respectively. Several of these sites defined genotypes and lineages within genotypes in both groups, and correlated well with epitopes previously described in group A. Remarkably, 18 of these positively selected tended to revert in time to a previous codon state, producing a “flip-flop” phylogenetic pattern. Such frequent evolutionary reversals in HRSV are indicative of a combination of frequent positive selection, reflecting the changing immune status of the human population, and a limited repertoire of functionally viable amino acids at specific amino acid sites

Romanian folkloric influences on George Enescu's artstic [i.e. artistic] and musical development as exemplified by his third violin sonata

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Allies for Success: Writing Tutors’ Role in Scaffolding ESL Writing

This presentation examines the crucial role tutors can play in developing ESL students’ writing. It discusses the knowledge base for qualified assistance at different stages of the college writing sequence. A novel tutor training regimen is proposed: an ESL writing theory-based course combined with ESL class or tutoring session observations

Adult-Onset Still`s Disease - a Clinical Case

Introduction: Adult-onset Still`s disease (AOSD) is a type of systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Major criteria include high spiking fevers > 38.5 °C, arthralgia or arthritis, a transient, nonpruritic salmon-colored rash and leukocytosis. Minor criteria may include sore throat, lymphadenopathy, negative rheumatoid factor, abnormal liver function tests, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. Five criteria are needed for diagnosis with at least two of them being major. The condition may present with a sudden onset and symptoms may disappear and never occur again after treatment initiation, it may also turn into a chronic arthritis or, if affecting internal organs, may lead to severe complications.Materials and Methods: This is a clinical case of a 24-year-old female whose symptoms started during pregnancy and continued postpartum. Therefore, she  was admitted to St. Marina University Hospital, Varna for diagnostic management. Symptoms included fever of 38.6 °C, a rash affecting the upper body and limbs, joint pain and edema in the knees, wrists and ankles with a duration of one month. Antibiotic treatment that was initiated during that period of time did not account to any improvement of the patient`s condition and the fever persisted.Results: A number of clinical examinations and laboratory tests were carried out to exclude sepsis condition or an underlying autoimmune disorder and the patient was diagnosed with AOSD. Treatment with glucocorticoids- Urbason 60 mg, NSAIDs and gastroprotectants was immediately initiated. The rash and joint pain disappeared and an improvement of the patient`s condition was reported.Conclusions: This clinical case is an example of a patient with fever of unknown origin and contributes to the fact that Still`s disease is a diagnosis of exclusion but should be taken into account in the process of diagnosing and managing unexplained fever conditions

Infective Endocarditis in Intravenous Drug Abuse - a Clinical Case

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammation of the endocardium affecting most commonly the heart valves. IE in intravenous drug users (IVDU) is associated with high mortality rates and is one of the complications of intravenous drug abuse. Both right-sided and left-sided involvement of the valves is reported with left-sided pathology leading to more severe complications. Predominant microorganisms associated with this condition in IVDU include Staphylococcus and fungal species due to the compromised immune system of that particular group of patients.Materials and Methods: This is a clinical case of a 32-year-old male with a 15-year history of intravenous heroin drug abuse, a right middle cerebral artery brain stroke from February, 2015 and chronic hepatitis type C. The patient was admitted to a hospital with symptoms of intermittent fever with duration of a few months, which reached 38 °C in the last 10 days, difficulty talking and left leg numbness from two days.Results: After a number of clinical examinations and laboratory tests were carried out, the patient was diagnosed with subacute left middle cerebral artery brain stroke, infective endocarditis with Staphylococcus aureus and grade IV aortic regurgitation. Treatment with antibiotics including Vancomycin, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin was immediately initiated, following stabilization of the patient who was to be considered for further surgical treatment having in mind the high-risk group he represented.Conclusions: This clinical case is an example of the severe complications to which drug abuse may lead and the difficulties physicians may experience in the management and follow-up of such high risk patients.

Genetic diversity and morphological characterisation of three turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) populations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) is a valuable commercial fish species classified as endangered. The conservation and sustainability of the turbot populations require knowledge of the population’s genetic structure and constant monitoring of its biodiversity. The present study was performed to evaluate the population structure of turbot along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast using seven pairs of microsatellites, two mitochondrial DNA (COIII and CR) and 23 morphological (15 morphometric and 8 meristic) markers. A total of 72 specimens at three locations were genotyped and 59 alleles were identified. The observed number of alleles of microsatellites was more than the effective number of alleles. The overall mean values of observed (Ho) and expected heterogeneity (He) were 0.638 and 0.685. A high rate of migration between turbot populations (overall mean of Nm = 17.484), with the maximum value (19.498) between Shabla and Nesebar locations, was observed. This result corresponded to the low level of genetic differentiation amongst these populations (overall mean Fst = 0.014), but there was no correlation between genetic and geographical distance. A high level of genetic diversity in the populations was also observed. The average Garza-Williamson M index value for all populations was low (0.359), suggesting a reduction in genetic variation due to a founder effect or a genetic bottleneck. Concerning mitochondrial DNA, a total number of 17 haplotypes for COIII and 41 haplotypes for CR were identified. The mitochondrial DNA control region showed patterns with high haplotype diversity and very low nucleotide diversity, indicating a significant number of closely-related haplotypes and suggesting that this population may have undergone a recent expansion. Tajima’s D test and Fu’s FS test suggested recent population growth. Pairwise Fst values were very low. The admixture and lack of genetic structuring found pointed to the populations analysed probably belonging to the same genetic unit. Therefore, a proper understanding and a sound knowledge of the level and distribution of genetic diversity in turbot is an important prerequisite for successful sustainable development and conservation strategies to preserve their evolutionary potential

Effects of anthropogenic and environmental stressors on the current status of red mullet (Mullus barbatus L., 1758) populations inhabiting the Bulgarian Black Sea waters

The red mullet (Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758) is a keynote species for the Bulgarian Black Sea ecosystem and fisheries; nevertheless, existing knowledge on population status is very scarce. The present study was intended to assess the health status and adaptive potential of M. barbatus populations inhabiting the Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea. Our findings revealed that populations of M. barbatus are exposed to a variety of anthropogenic and environmental stressors. The species’ status was assessed using representative genetic, morphological, biochemical and chemical biomarkers from specimens obtained in the research area’s northern and southern regions. Based on mtDNA markers, genetic analysis revealed low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, typically observed in overexploited or “threatened” populations. Examining the morphology of the specimens revealed no discernible pattern of differentiation. Except for aluminium and chrome, metal and PAH concentrations in fish were below the regulatory thresholds. The specimens from the southern region ingested more microplastics than those from the northern region. The majority of specimens collected from the southern region also exhibited elevated levels of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defence, which can be interpreted as an early indication that they had reached the limits of their adaptive potential. Further research on the composite effects of the stressogenic environment on the Black Sea biota are critically needed, as well as the introduction of new indicators and thresholds at molecular and cellular levels for adequate monitoring of both the ecological state of the marine environment and its biota