The Crisis of Humanities in Contemporary Society: Causes and Effects

This article analyses the impact of information revolutions on culture, society, and education, as well as the individual. Contemporary technological consumer society presents a pathological model of relations between human beings and being – a situation that results in many social and cultural problematic features. This article explores these features of modern civilization from a philosophical (ontological) viewpoint, demonstrating that the current crises of humanities is rooted in this deeper ontological situation. The described features of modern information and cognitive metabolism in culture and education show the situation of the “ontological impasse”. In the current sociocultural situation, individuals have lost themselves as thinking entities and education has lost itself both as an institution and as a means of realizing the potential of a person’s spiritual and cognitive transformation. Knowledge has lost its value and sacredness, becoming based on pragmatism, usefulness and comfort. To overcome this situation, deep existential and ontological shifts are required. Keywords: person, culture, education, information and cognitive metabolism, writing, orality, knowledge, understanding, awareness

The Influence of Low and Moderate Carotid Stenosis on Neurophysiologic Status of Patients Undergoing on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Significant (>70%) extracranial stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a known risk factor for brain damage in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There is no clear evidence of the low and moderate ICA stenoses influence on the neurophysiologic status of patients after CABG. This work was aimed at studying the influence ICA stenoses (<50%) on the dynamics of neurophysiologic status in patients undergone CABG. Methods: We examined neurophysiologic functions and electroencephalograph in CHD patients (N = 45) aged from 45 to 70 years. All patients were divided into two groups: with ICA stenosis (n = 20) and without one (n = 25). Results: It was established that the group ICA stenosis had a negative dynamics of neurophysiologic status 6 months follow-up after CABG compared with patients without stenosis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the presence of low and moderate ICA stenosis is one of the factors affecting the neurophysiologic status of CHD patients. It has been assumed that the patients with ≤50% ICA stenoses constitute a high-risk group for cerebral complications after on-pump CABG

Intercultural Learning and Communication in Time Bank Environment

AbstractThis study aims to conduct preliminary research in the field of Time Banking and its use in solving of intercultural issues. Time Banking is a system of complementary time currency where sharing is the main element. The Time Banking is used often to solve various social problems and using it to tackle intercultural learning issues is at hand. The information about precise scope and activities of Time Banks over the world are hard to access, nevertheless main focus of this study is going to be to research the possible connections between intercultural learning and communication and Time Bank environment. Main methodology used is literature review combined with previous Time Bank researches in order to determine the connection between aforementioned fields, including search of other resources to determine whether the issue was, or is, already tackled. The latter proven to be very challenging, anyhow the results show that the Time Bank offers great opportunity for solving various intercultural issues, especially by enabling the, skill and offer-demand based exchange without taking the cultural background much in consideration, therefore opening a way for the communication among different parts of population

Применение современных образовательных технологий при организации учебных занятий по дисциплине "Философские проблемы химии"

This article presents experience of innovative implementation of a role play “Relations between Chemistry and Other Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Issue of Leadership between Sciences” in Master’s studies. Use of this method facilitates business communications, sustains mental activity of the participants, provides team building and prepares conditions for creative thinking

Myography of isolated blood vessels: Considerations for experimental design and combination with supplementary techniques

The study of the mechanisms of regulation of vascular tone is an urgent task of modern science, since diseases of the cardiovascular system remain the main cause of reduction in the quality of life and mortality of the population. Myography (isometric and isobaric) of isolated blood vessels is one of the most physiologically relevant approaches to study the function of cells in the vessel wall. On the one hand, cell-cell interactions as well as mechanical stretch of the vessel wall remain preserved in myography studies, in contrast to studies on isolated cells, e.g., cell culture. On the other hand, in vitro studies in isolated vessels allow control of numerous parameters that are difficult to control in vivo. The aim of this review was to 1) discuss the specifics of experimental design and interpretation of data obtained by myography and 2) highlight the importance of the combined use of myography with various complementary techniques necessary for a deep understanding of vascular physiology

Current trends in english public speech translation (based on TED talks platform)

Nowadays, the media is rapidly developing, and messaging processes are inexhaustible thanks to the Internet. Audiovisual content has become a separate form of communication and learning. This document analyzes the popular TED Talks platform, describes its use with interpretation students, and shows the research results of students using TED Talks on translation trends for public speaking. The document uses the potential of TED Talks as an unlimited source of knowledge, information, ideas, and inspiration. The use of speeches as methodologically sound and authentic English material has improved listening skills, as well as pronunciation and spelling through the ability to read active subtitles and scripts, and develop and enrich students' vocabulary

Pannexin 1 facilitates arterial relaxation via an endothelium-derived hyperpolarization mechanism

AbstractPannexin 1 (Panx1) is involved in endothelium-dependent vasodilation in large arteries, but the exact mechanistic role remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that Panx1 facilitates large vessel relaxations regulating endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-like mechanisms. The EDH-like component of acetylcholine-induced relaxation of saphenous arteries studied in isometric myograph after inhibition of NO-synthase and cyclooxygenase was significantly impaired in mice with genetically ablated Panx1 (KO) relative to that in the wild type (WT) mice. Application of P1-receptor antagonist and apyrase significantly reduced this component in WT, but not in KO mice, indicating participation of ATP released via Panx1 in the EDH-like relaxation

English media discourse of the early 21st Century: Lexical innovations

The emergence of a new kind of discourse on the world stage called media discourse or media discourse produces the trends of globalization and the development of communication technologies in the world. The article deals with the phenomenon of English-language media discourse as a relatively new linguistic phenomenon. The aim of this research work is a thorough analysis of the concept of English-language media discourse, reflecting the dynamics of modern language and identifying the features of lexical innovations in English-language media discourse. The comparative analysis method, typological method, method of component analysis, and descriptive method of research were used to study the issue of English-language media discourse. Using the comparative analysis method, the saturation of linguistic innovations and their prevalence were determined. Using the typological method, the common qualities of English and Ukrainian in the projection on their variety of linguistic characteristics were established. The method of component analysis helped in the study of the content part of the newly formed linguistic units. Using the descriptive method, the modern state of English-language media discourse was characterized. As a result of the scientific research trends of modern English-language media discourse in content and form have been studied and analyzed, as well as changes in the potential of modern linguistic means through the mechanism of new word formation, which is a prospect for further scientific research in this direction

Remodeling of arterial tone regulation in postnatal development: focus on smooth muscle cell potassium channels

Maturation of the cardiovascular system is associated with crucial structural and functional remodeling. Thickening of the arterial wall, maturation of the sympathetic innervation, and switching of the mechanisms of arterial contraction from calcium-independent to calcium-dependent occur during postnatal development. All these processes promote an almost doubling of blood pressure from the moment of birth to reaching adulthood. This review focuses on the developmental alterations of potassium channels functioning as key smooth muscle membrane potential determinants and, consequently, vascular tone regulators. We present evidence that the pattern of potassium channel contribution to vascular control changes from K(ir)2, K(v)1, K(v)7 and TASK-1 channels to BK(Ca) channels with maturation. The differences in the contribution of potassium channels to vasomotor tone at different stages of postnatal life should be considered in treatment strategies of cardiovascular diseases associated with potassium channel malfunction