bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variants identified in children with recurrent infections
Authors: Levina A. S. , Suspitsin E. N. , Skripchenko N. V. , Goleva O. V. , Ibragimova O. M.
Published: December 2021

Currently, the most effective way to diagnose hereditary defects of the immune system is molecular genetic research, the results of which are evaluated in conjunction with the data of clinical and laboratory studies.

Aims of the sudy: to evaluate the frequency and spectrum of rare genetic variants associated with the development of primary immunodeficiency (PID) in children with recurrent infections.

Materials and methods: DNA samples from 113 children with recurrent infections were analyzed by targeted multigene sequencing of 338 PID-associated genes. Results: Pathogenic variants appropriate to the potential diagnosis of PID were identified in 8% of patients. Interestingly, 47.8% of children had variants associated with auto-inflammatory disorders.
Hemorrhagic colitis syndrome in children: the etiological structure in the infectious diseases clinic
Authors: Molochkova O. V. , Kovalev O. B. , Shamsheva O. V. , Sakharova A. A. , Sokolova N. V. , Galeeva E. V. , Korsunsky A. A. , Davidenko N. V.
Published: December 2021

The range of differential diagnostic search in the development of hemorrhagic colitis (hemocolitis) is wide enough and includes infectious and non-infectious factors. Purpose: clinical, laboratory and etiological analysis of bacterial diarrhea occurring with hemorrhagic colitis in the infectious diseases department.

Materials and methods: a retrospective study of 141 case histories of those hospitalized in the infectious diseases department of the2 Children's City Clinical Hospital No. 9 named after G.N. Speransky of Moscow in 2019—2021 patients with clinical picture of hemocolitis. Hemocolitis was determined on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic signs (in scatology — mucus, leukocytes, erythrocytes) signs. All patients underwent routine laboratory examinations. The etiology was verified using modern methods of laboratory diagnostics (bacteriological analysis of feces, Latex test, ICA, ELISA, PCR, IHR).

Results. There were 137 patients with infectious hemocolitis. Inflammatory bowel disease was diagnosed in 3 children, anus fissure — in 1 child. Young children under 3 years of age prevailed (77%). The etiology of infectious hemocolitis was deciphered in 47 patients (34%). Salmonellosis (36%) and shigellosis (36%) prevailed. Campylobacteriosis, clostridiosis-dificile and klebsiellosis accounted for 11%, 9% and 6% of cases, respectively. Yersiniosis was detected in 1 child at the age of 5 months. The severe form was found in 5.8% of cases, in most cases with shigellosis. Symptoms of intoxication and febrile fever were expressed in all patients, vomiting — in 28.5%, abdominal pain — in 94%, mesenteric adenitis on ultrasound — in 15%, diarrhea with a frequency of more than 5 times a day — in 84%, dehydration — in 64%, intercurrent diseases (ARVI, pneumonia) — in 41.3% of cases. Inflammatory changes in infectious hemocolitis were manifested by an increase in C-reactive protein in 71% (23.91 ± 24.17 mg/l), leukocytosis — in 69% (11.58 ± 3.52 х103 / μl), thrombocytosis — in 26%, an increase in the relative number of stab neutrophils in the general blood test in 78% of cases (10.95 ± 0.4%).

Conclusions. Differential diagnostic search in the development of hemocolitis should include modern diagnostic methods, if necessary, additional instrumental studies and specialist consultations to exclude inflammatory bowel diseases.
Viral hepatitis in children: state and prospects for solving the problem
Authors: Goriacheva L. G. , Ventslovayte N. D. , Greshnyakova V. A.
Published: December 2021

The problem of viral hepatitis (VH) today is an acute problem for the world healthcare system. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, the VH pandemic claims up to 1.5 million lives annually. Since 2016, the Russian Federation has launched a WHO program aimed at combating VH. One of the first steps on the path of global elimination is getting rid of the virus in the small groups, among which micro-elimination in the child population is one of the promising areas.

This review is devoted to the current state of the problem of VH in children in the Russian Federation today. The success of vaccine prevention (against viral hepatitis A and B) made it possible to achieve results in the form of a significant decrease in the incidence of children, minimizing the risk of perinatal infection. However, in recent years, there has been a progressive decline in vaccination coverage. This is mainly due to the growing popularity of anti-vaccination lobbies, a decrease in the awareness of patients and health workers about the need for timely vaccination, as well as the introduction of restrictive measures to prevent a new coronavirus infection. The emergence of mutant, "vaccine-eluting" strains, which are also resistant to available antiviral drugs, is another serious problem on the way to eliminating viral HBV. In the field of treating children with HBV, the possibilities are extremely limited, only 2 drugs are available, one of which (tenofovir alafenamide) is available only from the age of 12. Registration of direct antiviral drugs for the treatment of adolescents with chronic hepatitis C has made it possible to bring closer the goal of microelimination of the virus in children. However, the high cost of drugs poses a challenge for the state to introduce long-term benefit programs to ensure the availability of treatment. In addition, at the moment, the treatment of young children in our country remains a prospect for the future.

Thus, despite significant advances in the strategy for the elimination of viral hepatitis, a number of problems remain relevant and present significant difficulties in achieving the global goal.
Congenital herpes simpleх: modern approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Ivanova R. A. , Vasilyev V. V. , Rogozina N. V. , Grineva A. A. , Ushakova G. M.
Published: December 2021

Among the classic pathogens of congenital infection, herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2 play important role. Neonatal herpes develops as a result of antenatal transmission of HSV. The greatest risk occurs with the primary infection of a woman in the late stages of pregnancy. In 85% of cases, genital and neonatal herpes is associated with HSV-2.

The purpose of study: to identify the relationship between early manifestations of neonatal herpes and genital herpes during pregnancy for early diagnosis and etiological therapy of the newborn.

Materials and methods. The analysis of current clinical recommendations and international consensuses of professional communities in Russia, the USA, and a number of European countries in the management of pregnant women was carried out. The five medical histories of newborn infants with a diagnosis of congenital herpetic infection were analyzed. In the clinical guidelines for the management of normal pregnancy, routine screening of pregnant women for HSV is omitted, however, examination is recommended for symptoms of genital herpes. For the prevention of neonatal herpes, antiviral drugs and caesarean section are used. Congenital herpes develops rarely, proceeds severely with significant residual manifestations in children. Antiviral therapy (Acyclovir) is used for herpetic infection in newborns: with systemic and local infection (eye damage). The analysis showed: despite the recurrent course of genital herpes in 4 out of 5 women during pregnancy, none of the pregnant women had a laboratory examination for HSV, pregnant women did not receive systemic etiological therapy and all deliveries were natural. The absence of preventive measures contributed to the early, during the first three days of life, the development of severe forms of neonatal herpes. In respect that the lack of significant clinical specificity and delayed manifestation, an antenatal anamnesis is important diagnostic criterion for neonatal herpes.
Pertussis and pertussis-like syndrome in young children
Authors: Babachenko I. V. , Tian N. S. , Nesterova Yu. V.
Published: December 2021

The most common infectious diseases with a risk of severe, non-smooth course and unfavorable outcome in young children, including the first year of life, are pertussis and respiratory syncytial viral infection (RSV infection), often occurring with pertussis-like syndrome.

Objective: to establish clinical and laboratory differential diagnostic criteria for pertussis and RSV infection in children of the first year of life.

Materials and methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted, which included patients of the first year of life (from 1 month to 11 months and 29 days), regardless of the duration of hospitalization and duration of the disease: 48 patients with pertussis and 26 with acute RSV infection.

Results: The compared groups of patients were comparable in age, the number of severe forms (4.6 ± 0.5 months, 17% for pertussis and 4.0 ± 0.2 months, 16% for RS infection). The disease in both cases began subacute, however, with RSV infection 92% of children were hospitalized in the first 5 days from the onset of the disease, with pertussis — in the first week of the period of convulsive cough — 47.9%, in the second week — 41.7%, in the third week — 10.4%. 52% of patients with RSV infection had no fever or (in 32%) did not exceed 1—3 days. In 41.3% of patients it was subfebrile (37—38 °C), in 21.1% it was febrile (38—39 °C). In patients with pertussis the onset of the disease took place against the background of normal body temperature. In patients with RSV infection, bronchiolitis was recorded in 24% of cases, obstructive bronchitis — in 60%. Patients with pertussis, 89.6% of whom were not vaccinated and 10.4% did not complete the initial course of vaccination, had a typical paroxysmal cough with reprises. Complications in the form of respiratory rhythm disturbances were recorded in 14.6% of cases, pneumonia — in 6.3%. Comparison of hematological parameters revealed highly significant differences in the levels of leukocytosis and relative lymphocytosis (p < 0.001), as well as thrombocytosis (p < 0.01), with the predominance of all indicators in patients with pertussis.

Conclusion. Differential diagnostic criteria for the similarity of the clinical picture may be established hematological differences: pronounced leukocytosis due to lymphocytosis, increasing in dynamics, and thrombocytosis in pertussis and normocytosis with moderate lymphocytosis, a possible tendency to thrombocytosis in severe RSV infection.
Cytokine status indicators in children with acute respiratory viral infections after treatment with intranasal interferon-based medicine
Authors: Afanasyeva O. I. , Golovacheva E. G. , Osidak L. V. , Timonina V. S. , Gonchar V. V. , Obraztsova E. V. , Dondurey E. A. , Goncharova E. S. , Simbirtsev A. S. , Lioznov D. A.
Published: December 2021

Objective: to study the dynamics of local and systemic cytokine production in children with different clinical forms of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), including COVID-19, and to assess the effectiveness of local interferon-based therapy.

Patients and methods: The study included 180 patients aged from 1 month to 17 years with сonfirmed acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), including COVID-19. Patients were divided into 2 groups (main and control) of 90 people each. In the main group patients received the intranasal interferon-based medicine Grippferon® in addition to the basic therapy, the control group patients received only basic therapy. The cytokine status was assessed by the content of IFN-α and -γ, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 in blood serum and in nasopharyngeal secretions by enzyme immunoassay kits ("Cytokine", St. Petersburg).

Results: Statistically significant differences were revealed in the systemic and local content of individual cytokines in ARVI of different etiologies, depending on the level of damage to the respiratory tract. The use of the interferon-based medicine Grippferon® for intranasal use in children in the early stages of ARVI, including COVID-19, helps to decrease the high content of cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 in the nasopharynx by reducing the viral load. As a result, the duration of catarrhal disease symptoms and intoxication was also significantly reduced as well as the pathogen elimination time.
Early neuroborreliosis in children, Bannwart syndrome (clinical observations)
Authors: Markova K. V. , Skripchenko E. Yu. , Skripchenko N. V. , Gorelik E. Yu. , Vilnits A. A. , Astapovа A. V. , Pulman N. F.
Published: December 2021

The problem of ixodic tick-borne borreliosis remains relevant due to its ubiquity, high incidence, especially in the Northwestern Federal District, a variety of clinical manifestations, as well as the possibility of chronization, including in children.

Purpose: to describe our own clinical observations of Bannwart syndrome, which developed during the dissemination of the pathogen.

Results. Bannwart syndrome is pathognomonic for borreliosis symptoms, including a triad of clinical manifestations: serous meningitis, single- or bilateral lesion of facial nerves, polyneuropathy. Timely clinical and adequate laboratory diagnostics determine the favorable course of the disease.
30 years of service for the health of children: we teach, we treat, we write, we create
Authors: Skripchenko N. V.
Published: December 2021

The article, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Infectious Diseases in Children of the Faculty of Postgraduate and Additional Professional Education of the St. Petersburg State Medical Pediatric University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, outlines the history of the creation and development of the department. The results of the comprehensive activities of the department are reflected: educational, research, organizational and methodological, treatment and diagnostic and advisory. The main directions and results of scientific work, their effectiveness when introduced into practical health care are described. The educational-methodical developments of the department, published in recent years, are presented, which are an important tool for improving the professional level of doctors. It is noted that by increasing the educational level of medical personnel, the department contributes to improving the quality of medical care for children, thereby not only taking part in improving the demographic situation in the country, but also in ensuring its national security.
Всем сердцем предана своему делу
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: December 2021

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Characterization of carbide lime waste: A comparative study for acid soil stabilization
Authors: Atma Wafa , Souahi Fatiha
Published: December 2021

The present work aims to study the physical, mineral and chemical properties
of carbide lime residues for assessment as an acidic soil modification. Lime
carbide waste is a byproduct of an acetylene generation plant located in
Reghaia, east of Algiers, Algeria. This residue offers an effective and
economical solution in the field of environmental protection, especially as
raw materials for wastewater treatment and soil enrichment. Metallic content
was studied using X-ray fluorescence (CubiX XRF/PANalytical). Toxic minerals
was analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). According to the
comparative study, the characterization and total concentrations of minerals
are significantly low and do not exceed the limit values for hazardous
wastes and are in line with the standard recommendations of the agricultural
field. Lime can be used both environmentally and economically as an
amendment to stabilize acidic soils.
In vivo and in vitro antidiabetic properties of alkaloids extract from Salvia chudaei
Authors: Tlili Mohammed , Hammoudi Roukia , Hadj-Mahammed Mahfoud
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the antidiabetic
effect of the alkaloids extract of Salvia chudaei Batt. & Trab. (Lamiaceae)
on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The alkaloids extract was prepared, and
the in vitro inhibitory effect of key digesting enzymes related to
postprandial hyperglycemia were determined. After acute toxicity test, the
Swiss albino rats were induced with alloxan to get experimental diabetes
animals. The fasting mean blood glucose, lipid profile, different liver and
kidney function biomarkers and antioxidant biomarkers levels, after
treatment for 30 days, diabetic untreated and diabetic rats treated with
alkaloids extract were estimated. The alkaloids displayed remarkable in
inhibiting ?-glucosidase (IC50 = 248.25?2.61 ?g/ml) than ?-amylase (IC50 =
262.96?9.64 ?g/ml) activities. In vivo, the results proved that alkaloids
extract at dose of 500 mg/kg bw decreased significantly the blood glucose,
lipid profile levels and improved the liver and kidney function biomarkers
and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase
and gluthatione reductase). This study demonstrates, that alkaloids are
effective in inhibiting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress caused by
diabetes.
Simulated gastrointestinal digestion and storage stability of tomato waste encapsulates
Authors: Stajcic Sladjana , Canadanovic-Brunet Jasna , Cetkovic Gordana , Tumbas-Saponjac Vesna , Vulic Jelena , Seregelj Vanja
Published: December 2021

The application of bioactive antioxidant compounds is limited because of
their instability. To overcome this drawback, different protection systems
including encapsulation have been developed. In this study, for the
stabilisation of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and phenolics) extracted
from tomato waste, encapsulation with carbohydrate (inulin and gum arabica)
and protein (soy protein and pea protein) wall materials by freeze drying
method was applied. Content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant
properties (determined by DPPH, reducing power and ?-carotene bleaching
assay) of encapsulates before and after in vitro digestion was investigated.
Also, in obtained encapsulates carotenoid stability during storage at
ambient (25 ? 5 ?C) light and dark conditions for four weeks was assessed.
The results indicated that release behavior of bioactive compounds and
antioxidant activity after digestion of encapsulates varied according to the
type of wall material. Protein carriers showed better ability to preserve
phenolic compounds through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in comparison
to carbohydrate wall materials. Pea protein showed best carrier properties
for delivery of carotenoids, while differently to other used carriers, gum
arabica showed minor ability to release carotenoids after in vitro
gastrointestinal digestion. During storage higher content of carotenoids was
preserved in encapsulates prepared with carbohydrate carriers. All
encapsulates retained higher amount of carotenoids under dark conditions.
The results of this study showed that assessment of the behavior of
encapsulates during digestion and storage is necessary in order of selection
appropriate delivery system of bioactive compounds in powder form which can
be used as ingredient in functional food products.
Influence of physicochemical parameters of the alkaline pretreatment on the viscosity of wheat straw slurries
Authors: Sydorenko Vitalii , Obodovych Oleksandr , Grabova Tetyana , Podobii Olena
Published: December 2021

The paper presents the results of the influence of physicochemical parameters
of the alkaline pretreatment on the viscosity of wheat straw slurries on its
rheological properties. The authors consider the coefficient of apparent
viscosity as a complex indicator of wheat straw slurries pretreatment
process which depends on the structure and physicochemical properties of
system components, thermal parameters of the process (temperature,
dispersion, and concentration of dispersed phase, shear flow rate). A wheat
straw slurries with a solids content of 10?15% were chosen as the object of
research. As a result of research, rheological viscosity and fluidity were
constructed for these slurries in the range of shear rates from 1 to 437.4
s-1. The value of viscosity as a function of shear rate for a solids
concentration of 10, 12, and 15% w. is given. It has been determined that in
a certain range of shear rates the slurries show the behavior of
viscoelastic fluids with yield stress, and with increasing of the solids
concentration the rate of decrease of viscosity increases with increasing
shear rate. A study of the effect of alkali concentration on apparent
viscosity was performed. It is determined that an increase in the
concentration of alkali leads to an increase in the apparent viscosity of
the slurry, and with increasing alkali concentration, the rate of decrease
in viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate. The value of the apparent
viscosity of the suspension as a function of temperature is given.
La Educación Artística del estudiante superior de Música: Diagnóstico mediante un estudio de revisión
Authors:   Universitat de València, Botella Nicolás Ana María , Escorihuela Carbonell Guillem
Published: December 2021

The understanding of the cultural and social dimension of the work of art is indispensable in a music professional, artistic disciplines coexist and create synergies throughout history. The aim is to determine the current situation of the Spanish centers of higher artistic education in music and the student's contact with the arts that surround him, knowing that in his professional future he will have to coexist and participate in them. The research methodology is based on a systematic review of the curricula of the higher conservatories of music in Spain. In the entire system of higher institutions analyzed, only 44 subjects related to art are offered, of which 63.6% are optional. The study concludes that we are facing a compartmentalization of knowledge, where instrumental practice is the center of the curriculum, leaving aside the spaces of confluence between the arts.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF DWARF BUTIA SEEDLINGS (Butia lallemantii): SUBSTRATE AND PROPAGULE SIZE
Authors: Pinto Paim Luciana , Demari Avrella Eduarda , Carlos Gonçalves Gian , Lazarotto Marília , Sidnei Fior Claudimar
Published: December 2021

Butia lallemantii é uma palmeira de hábito cespitoso e caule subterrâneo, apresentando propagação assexuada. No entanto, faltam estudos relacionados às práticas de produção de mudas. O objetivo foi avaliar o crescimento e o desenvolvimento de plantas de Butia lallemantii submetidas a formulações de substratos e diâmetros de estipe. Mudas foram classificadas em duas classes de diâmetro de estipe (CDE) e dispostas nos seguintes substratos: comercial (CM); casca de arroz carbonizada (CAC); e CAC + pó de coco (CAC + PC - 1:1, v/v). Foram avaliados: número de perfilhos e de folhas pinadas (NFP), e ao final: comprimento, volume, massa fresca e seca de raízes e porcentagem de folhas vivas, durante 570 dias. Delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema bifatorial (2x3), com quatro repetições. Não houve interação entre o substrato e os fatores de CDE para as variáveis ​​do sistema foliar, entretanto, interação foi observada em todas as variáveis ​​do sistema radicular. A classe 2 apresentou resultados superiores para NFP, e não houve substrato com variância significativa. No sistema radicular: a classe 2 e o substrato CAC permitiram resultados superiores. Portanto, os substratos CAC associados à classe 2 são adequados para o desenvolvimento de mudas de Butia lallemantii.
A content analysis of change management strategies used in technological transitions in higher education institutions from the lens of a strategic alignment framework
Authors: Guerra-López Ingrid , EL Dallal Siba
Published: December 2021

Technology innovations have the potential to significantly strengthen the ability of higher education institutions to deliver on their core educational mission with greater quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.  Not surprisingly, managing technological changes is among the chief concerns for institutional leaders, and yet there is a dearth of research that provides concrete frameworks for managing this type of change in a higher education context.  Using Guerra-López and Hicks’s Learning and Development Strategic Alignment (LDSA) framework, this qualitative study used a directed content analysis approach to develop a contextualized framework for planning and managing technology change in higher education institutions.  The findings suggest that there is a meaningful fit between specific change management strategies found in the learning management systems (LMS) transition research literature and the LDSA framework.  The various strategies were synthesized and grouped around LDSA dimensions and core functions, resulting in a technological change management framework contextualized for higher education.
Supporting Student-Initiated Mobile Device Use in Online Learning
Authors: Milheim Karen , Fraenza Christy , Palermo-Kielb Kim
Published: December 2021

Understanding the experiences of students who self-initiate mobile device use for online courses or course-related activities provides institutions with valuable insights. In this study, we report how students enrolled in online courses in higher education voluntarily used mobile devices for their coursework and course-related activities, the challenges in using these devices, and how they managed those challenges. We surveyed 103 college students enrolled in one or more fully online courses regarding their habits in using mobile devices for online learning. Findings reveal most participants use mobile devices for convenience, portability, and overall ease of use. The way the devices are used for course-related activities varies, however, with reasons ranging from taking notes and reading course materials, to downloading those materials, communicating, socializing, and other purposes. Challenges when using these devices often relate to access issues and overall limitations of the technology. Yet, despite these limitations, some reported that, depending on the task, even though using a mobile device often took longer compared to a laptop or PC, the convenience of using it was a greater benefit. Participants were surveyed about their experiences prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing additional perspectives for possible future research focused on emergency circumstances to remote teaching or alternative forms of instruction. Additionally, this study provides a foundation of how and why students choose to use mobile devices for coursework and in what ways they may need support from their institutions related to their use.
Troublesome Knowledge: Identifying Barriers To Innovate For Breakthroughs In Learning To Teach Online
Authors: Gonzalez Lorna Stephanie , Ozuna Christopher Salem
Published: December 2021

Embedded within advice for starting simple with online, blended, or technology-enhanced teaching are practices that can be troublesome for some faculty who are learning to teach this way. For example, embedded within the principle of a clear, organized, navigable course can be the concept of chunking content into modules, the skills associated with screen casting and posting a course tour, and the practice of socializing students to the course organization through demonstration, explanation, and reinforcement. This empirical-qualitative study collected 123 cases of troublesome knowledge from 41 participants and analyzed them through Perkins’ troublesome knowledge framework. Results include subcategories and common themes across cases of inert, ritual, conceptually difficult, tacit, and foreign/alien knowledge. From these results, we recommend that faculty development approaches should take specific aspects and cases of troublesome knowledge into consideration for online teaching preparation.
Student Performance in Online Classes at a Hispanic-Serving Institution: A Study of the Impact of Student Characteristics in Online Learning
Authors: Cottrell Rebecca S
Published: December 2021

As online enrollment increases in the United States, it is important to understand the impact of course modality on student outcomes. In particular, there has been limited research on the effect of course enrollment at Hispanic-serving institutions (HSI). The current study evaluated the effect of online course enrollment on student grades and on student withdrawal rates by comparing outcomes in online and face-to-face classes. The main innovation of this study is to use propensity score analysis to control for 15 different student characteristics as a way to control for the selection bias introduced when students self-select into different course modalities. The study used data from a large, public, HSI in the mountain west during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years. Baseline results on a two-sample t-test indicated that online students have significantly higher course grades, and non-significantly different withdrawal rates before controlling for student characteristics. The study used a propensity score analysis (PSA) to control for 15 confounding covariates after testing three different PSA models: near-neighbor matching, Mahalanobis’ metric, and optimal matching. After evaluating each model for validity and sensitivity, a near-neighbor 1:2 matching PSA shows a non-significant difference in student grades, and higher withdrawal rates in online classes than face-to-face classes. Given these results, institutions should ensure that they are providing adequate academic support for online students to improve retention and success rates for online students.
Examination of the Hexad User Types and their Relationships with Gender, Game Mode, and Gamification Experience in the Context of Open and Distance Learning
Authors: Şenocak Dilek , Büyük Köksal , Bozkurt Aras
Published: December 2021

Gamification, which is defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, is put forward as a solution to low motivation and is suggested for the creation of a sustainable learning ecology in open and distance learning (ODL). The overall purpose of the present study was to examine the distribution of the Hexad gamification user types and the correlations of gamification experience, game mode, and gender with the user types’ scores within the context of an ODL system. The researchers adapted quantitative cross-sectional survey design to seek answers in this study. The Hexad user types of distance learners were determined based on the online “Gamification User Types Hexad Scale.” Findings revealed that the most common user types in the ODL environment were Philanthropists, Achievers, and Free Spirits, followed by Socializers and Players with a lower mean, while the least common user type was Disruptors. Women tended to score higher than men on the Disruptor user type. Achievers, Socializers, Philanthropists, and Players preferred multiplayer game modes, while the game mode had little influence on Free Spirits and Disruptors. Regarding the gamification experience, Players and Free Spirits seemed to have more experience of gamified applications. This study provides insights to learning designers in developing gamified ODL systems to engage the different Hexad user types.
“We Overwhelm Them with Hope”: How Online Mentors Can Support Online Learners
Authors: Andersen Camey L. , West Richard E.
Published: December 2021

This survey research study analyzed responses from 143 mentors from around the world participating in a global higher education initiative. Results confirmed the effectiveness of four mentoring domains identified in the literature, reporting the most success from providing emotional and psychological support for students. This article provides mentoring strategies including student goal setting, identifies characteristics of an online role model, and shows the importance of online mentors’ confidence in students gaining technology skills. The study has additionally contributed to the literature supporting (a) benefits of online mentoring for nontraditional students, (b) influence of technology on mentoring challenges, and (c) role assumption in online mentoring. Additionally, the study provided a literature review of the background of online mentoring and mentoring practices, the benefits and challenges of online mentoring, and lessons learned from research. This work presents a comprehensive understanding of online mentoring, providing support for mentors seeking to improve their performance as well as recommendations for creating mentoring programs to improve organizations.
Examining Higher Education Instructor Perceptions of Roles and Competencies in Online Teaching
Authors: Martin Florence , Kumar Swapna , She Liane
Published: December 2021

Online instructors adopt various roles and perform various competencies in the design and delivery of online courses. In this study, online instructor roles are categorized into eight types including Subject Matter Expert, Course Designer and Developer, Course Facilitator, Course Manager, Advisor/Mentor, Assessor/Evaluator, Technology Expert, and Lifelong Learner. Through survey-based research with 141 online instructors, this study examines competencies that online instructors perform based on various roles. When rating competencies, overall categorical means for all the roles were rated above 4.00, which showed that they used all these roles. The highest rated items and lowest rated items are discussed in addition to the connection between research and practice in online teaching. Online instructors who participate in training and who collaborate with instructional designers rated the frequency with which they perform the competencies to be higher. This study has implications for online instructors, instructional designers, and administrators who design and deliver online learning and offer professional development for online instructors.
Coaching from a Distance: Exploring Video-based Online Coaching
Authors: Carson Cynthia D , Choppin Jeffrey , Choppin Jeffrey
Published: December 2021

This study explored an innovative coaching model termed video-based online video coaching. The innovation builds from affordances of robot-enabled videorecording of lessons, accompanied by built-in uploading and annotation features. While in-person coaching has proven effective for providing sustained support for teachers to take up challenging instructional practices, there are constraints. Both logistical and human capacity constraints make in-person coaching difficult to implement, particularly in rural contexts. As part of an NSF-funded project, we studied nine mathematics coaches over four years as they engaged in video-based coaching with teachers from geographically distant, rural contexts. We adapted a content-focused coaching model that involved a collaborative plan-teach-reflection cycle with synchronous and asynchronous components. The planning and debriefing sessions were done synchronously via Zoom, while the teaching and initial video reflection on teaching via annotations were done asynchronously. We focused on the coaches’ practices in each part of the coaching cycle by analyzing interviews, surveys, annotations of the video, and transcripts of the planning and debriefing sessions. We found that: features of the online environment enabled the coach-teacher pairs to collaboratively discuss the mathematics and how students engaged with the mathematics; the coach used video and annotations to help teachers reflect on specific aspects of their practice; and the coach-teacher pairs formed trusting and productive relationships despite not having met in-person during the duration of their work together. Our findings showed that the online platform is not only an effective implementation for coaching, but also affords new opportunities for teacher reflection and evidence-based discussions.
Learning Presence and the Reconceptualization of Language and Literacy Teachers’ Online Professional Development
Authors: Pawan Faridah , Sankaranarayanan Rajagopal , Myers Rodney , Miao Xinqing Dorcas
Published: December 2021

Besides teaching the way they were taught, teachers teach the way they learned (Oleson & Hora, 2014). Thus, if teachers are to be guided to teach online effectively, their learning experiences and the ways they learn online need to be understood. This study focused on second/foreign language and literacy teachers’ (LLTs) Learning Presence (LP) as they engaged online to update their teaching expertise in a formal, doctoral-level professional development program (PD). LP is defined as individuals’ self- and co-regulation of their behaviors in online environments in order to be effective learners (Shea et al., 2014). We undertook a mixed-method study involving a content analysis of 9 weeks of online seminar discussions, a 27-question survey that corresponded to Shea et al.’s (2014) LP framework and interviews with the LLTs. The prevalent patterns in the LLTs’ online engagement that emerged were in the Strategy Use and Monitoring LP categories. They demonstrated the nature of the engagement amongst LLTs, including peer-to-peer and heterarchical learning. The findings also provided evidence that when supported by the affordances of the online medium, the LLTs’ straddled “professionalization and professionalism” goals. In terms of the implications, the findings suggested a reconceptualization of three existing teacher PD models, including that of Darling-Hammond et al.’s (2017). The research’s limitations were also identified, pertaining to the way the study was structured, its instruments and their implementation, as well as the constraints of the LP framework itself. Finally, the study concluded with the next steps in research to address the limitations.
Faculty Perceptions of Using Synchronous Video-based Communication Technology
Authors: Lowenthal Patrick R. , West Richard E. , Archambault Leanna , Borup Jered , Belt Eric
Published: December 2021

Online learning has traditionally relied on asynchronous text-based communication. The COVID-19 pandemic, though, has provided many faculty members with new and/or additional experience using synchronous video-based communication. Questions remain, though, about how this experience will shape online teaching and learning in the future. We conducted a mixed method study to investigate faculty perceptions of using synchronous video-based communication technology. In this paper, we present the results of our inquiry and implications for future research and practice.
What We Learned When We Compared Discussion Posts from One MOOC Hosted on Two Platforms
Authors: Quintana Rebecca M. , Pinto Juan D. , Tan Yuanru
Published: December 2021

We compared discussion posts from a data science ethics MOOC that was hosted on two platforms. We characterized one platform as “open” because learners can respond to discussion prompts while viewing and responding to others. We characterized the other platform as “locked” because learners must respond to a discussion prompt before they can view and respond to others. Our objective is to determine whether these platform differences are consequential and have the potential to impact learning. We analyzed direct responses to two discussion prompts from two modules located in modules two and six of an eight module course. We used conventional content analysis to derive codes directly from the data. Posts on the “open” platform were characterized by failure to completely address the prompt and showed evidence of persuasion tactics and reflective activity. Posts on the “locked” platform were characterized by an apparent intent to complete the task and an assertive tone. Posts on the “locked” platform also showed a diversity of ideas through the corpus of responses. Our findings show that MOOC platform interfaces can lead to qualitative differences in discussion posts in ways that have the potential to impact learning. Our study provides insight into how “open” and “locked” platform designs have the potential to shape ways that learners respond to discussion prompts in MOOCs. Our study offers guidance for instructors making decisions on MOOC platform choice and activities situated within a learning experience.We used conventional content analysis to derive codes directly from the data. Posts on the “open” platform were characterized by failure to completely address the prompt and showed evidence of persuasion tactics and reflective activity. Posts on the “locked” platform were characterized by an apparent intent to complete the task and an assertive tone. Posts on the “locked” platform also showed a diversity of ideas through the corpus of responses. Our findings show that MOOC platform interfaces can lead to qualitative differences in discussion posts in ways that have the potential to impact learning. Our study provides insight into how “open” and “locked” platform designs have the potential to shape ways that learners respond to discussion prompts in MOOCs. Our study offers guidance for instructors making decisions on MOOC platform choice and activities situated within a learning experience.
DISORDER OF SPERMATOGENESIS UNDER CONDITIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Ukraіnska S.I. , Kaluynikova O.M. , Blashkiv T.V.
Published: December 2021

Purpose - to estimate the disorder of spermatogenesis under conditions of experimentalchronic kidney disease (EChD).Material and methods. The study was carried out in two series of experiments on malemice with EChD, the model of which was created by immunizing animals with a kidneyhomogenate. The first series of experiments was devoted to the study of: sperm count(sperm concentration (mln / ml)) and the number of abnormal sperm forms; the ratio ofcells of different generations of spermatogenic epithelium (%) in the testes; pathways ofcell death of cells of the testes and epididymis (spermatocytes (primary) and spermatozoa).The fertile qualities of males were assessed in the second series of experiments, afterreplanting them to intact females. Pre- and post-implantation embryonic mortality andthe number of living fetuses per female mouse have been investigated. The research resultswere compared with the performance of animals in the control groups for each series.Results. No significant changes in the number of spermatozoa were found under EChDconditions (p> 0.05). An increase in the number of abnormal spermatozoa (22%) andthose with primary abnormalities (p <0.05) was found. Among the generations of testescells, a decrease in the number of spermatids and living spermatocytes (primary) (15%)was established, with an increase in the number of cells with apoptosis and necrosisamong them (p <0.05). The number of living cells of the epididymis (spermatozoa) alsodecreased (17.8%), with the growth of cells with apoptosis and necrosis among them (p<0.05). There was an increase in the pre- and post-implantation mortality of embryos (p<0.05); decrease in the number of living fetuses (p <0.05).Conclusions. Under conditions of four-time treatment with renal homogenate (EChD)there is a disorder of spermatogenesis in male mice. Experimental model of kidneydamage, proposed by us, can be useful for studying other aspects and consequences ofkidney pathology, and both for establishment of the features and detection of possiblepathogenetic links in the development of spermatogenesis disorder under conditions ofchronic kidney disease and search of the effective ways to correct it in future.
Maturing of the human placenta, maturity of the utero-placental area and its diagnostics
Authors: A. V. Hoshovska  , V. M. Hoshovskyi
Published: December 2021

Authors give histological criteria of maturity of the uteroplacental region at the separate intervals of gestation. The results of this investigation can be recommended for the diagnostics of preterm or retarded maturing of the human placenta as manifestation of afterbirth insufficiency.
Analysis of antenatal risk factors in multiple pregnancies
Authors: О. V. Kravchenko
Published: December 2021

We examined 42 pregnant women with twins who gave birth in 2013 in the clinical maternity hospital № 2 of Chernivtsi. It was established that multiple pregnancy is more common in multipara women of age group 25-30 years (52,3 %). The course of pregnancy with twins is aggravated in 78,5 %, which is much higher than the average population index. Dichorionic diamniotic twins dominated (57,1 %) in the structure of multiple pregnancy. The preterm labor with dichorionic diamniotic twins occur 3 times less frequently (23,6 %) than in monochorionic diamniotic multiple pregnancies (75,4 %).
Production and reception of the growth factor in the placenta during the physiological pregnancy and the pregnancy, complicated with gestosis
Authors: O. A. Kuzmina
Published: December 2021

30 women with physiological pregnancy and 28 women with gestosis were examined. In the early chorion obtained after abortion and on the full-term placenta the content of the epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their receptors were studied by means of the ELISA method. In the process of normal gestation the increase of the placental production both of the EGF and VEGF was found. During the pregnancy complicated with gestosis and miscarriage in the first trimester the content of EGF and its receptor was lower compared to the physiological values. For VEGF and its receptor opposite changes were found: the increase of quantity of the growth factor and the decrease of its receptor. In the case of gestosis and term pregnancy the content of the both growth factors and their receptors was lower than in controls. The revealed changes in production of the angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in the placenta may have the pathogenic importance in the development of gestosis.
Prevalence of stomatologic pathology in persons with Shegren's illness
Authors: I. K. Novitska  , A. I. Chelii
Published: December 2021

The purpose of researches consisted in studying functional activity of salivary glands and prevalence of stomatologic pathology in persons with Shegren's illness. Results of researches showed that damage of salivary glands at Shegren's illness is accompanied by a decrease in functional activity of salivary glands. The increase in prevalence of caries and inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of an oral cavity has been revealed.
Pathogenetic substantiation to correct disorders of the blood plasma fibrinolytic system in patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases and disorders of thyroid homeostasis
Authors: Chympoy K. A. , Pashkovska N. V. , Fediv O. I. , Pavlibroda N. M.
Published: December 2021

The dynamics of the indices of fibrinolysis and cellular adhesion in patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases against the ground of administration of “Triovit”, a selenium-containing drug, has been studied. The administration of “Triovit” in a comprehensive therapy of patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases was found to improve the indices of the blood plasma fibrinolytic system, to reduce adhesive cellular properties and to increase total enzymatic activity of the blood plasma.
Analysis of the quality of treatment and rehabilitation activities in patients with bronchoobstructive diseases and justification of modern approaches to their improvement
Authors: V. I. Shevchuk  , V. Y. Zaburianova  , M. V. Vernyhorodska  , I. A. Iliuk  , V. S. Vernyhorodskyi
Published: December 2021

The main aspects of providing the patients and disabled people suffering from Chronical Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and asthma with medical and expert assistance by examining health expert documentation of patients in the Institute clinic in 2013 (48 people). Unsatisfactory organization of pulmonology care, poor quality of diagnosing and treatment, as well as imperfection in determining the vital activity of people with bronchoobstructive diseases were found. The methods for improving the quality of rehabilitation of patients and disabled as victims of COPD and asthma were suggested.
Scientific achievements of the department of nervous diseases, psychiatry and medical psychology named after S.M. Savenko
Authors: V. M. Pashkovskyi  , I. I. Krychun
Published: December 2021

The presented article reflects the basic scientific achievements of the department of nervous diseases, psychiatry and medical psychology from the day of its foundation to the present time.