Construction and Application of Korean-English-Japanese Multilingual Teaching Aid System Based on Knowledge Map

This article describes the design and application of a computer-based system for simultaneously teaching Korean, English and Japanese languages in a classroom setting using knowledge visualization techniques to show the relationships between vocabularies, grammars and meanings. The system consists of a knowledge database of Korean, English, and Japanese which is then uploaded into the teaching module. Visualizations of this information in the form of knowledge maps based upon generally accepted rules of knowledge map can then be displayed and contrasted using the system interface to enter user queries. The system is then tested in a blended classroom of native Korean speakers. Data on student learning experiences are then gathered by means of a questionnaire and analyzed in order to assess the overall success of knowledge acquisition in this setting. Our findings show that this system evokes a personal initiative in the learning process, facilitates communication between teachers and learners, and supports the rapid acquisition of multilingual knowledge.

Eliminating the Influence of Axle Parameters in Influence Line Identification

Accurate and rapid acquisition of the strain influence line of continuous beam plays a positive role in promoting the wide application of structural health monitoring. The structural response obtained from the sensors is used to estimate the strain influence line. However, most estimation methods ignore the influence of axle parameters on the structural response, resulting in a large error in identifying the strain influence line. This paper presents a method for eliminating the influence of axle parameters of moving vehicles on strain responses to estimate the strain influence line of continuous beams based on the long-gauge strain sensing technology. By analysing the mechanical characteristics of the multi-span continuous beam, a theoretical strain influence line expression is first established to obtain the strain influence line of the continuous beam accurately. The structural response only caused by axle weight, obtained by eliminating the influence of axle parameters, is then estimated for calibrating the theoretical strain influence line. Finally, different lane tests are also considered to solve the influence of different transverse position relations on the proposed method between the monitoring unit and the lane. Finally, numerical simulations are adopted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed identification method by simulating the strain time histories induced by a multi-axle vehicle. A field test also demonstrates the validity and feasibility of this method.

Modern Advantages, Disadvantages and Prospects for the Development of Education in the Context of Distance Learning in the Institutions of Higher Medical Education of Ukraine

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the relevance of opportunities and positive and negative features of distance learning in quarantine, development of prospects and identification of the main problems of distance education in the institutions of higher medical education of Ukraine during quarantine. This study depicts the current state, advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of implementing the transition of the institutions of higher medical education in Ukraine from traditional education to mass E-distance education. The purpose of the study is to characterize distance learning, identify the advantages and disadvantages of this form of learning, the ability to use modern computer technology at a high level of both teachers and students; determine the positive and negative use of distance education (educational platforms). Materials and methods. The main research method is a sociological survey method based on a questionnaire survey of medical university students. Results and discussion. The object of the study is distance learning in the institutions of higher medical education of Ukraine. The subject of the study is the current state and prospects for the development of distance learning. The study uses methods of analysis of reference sources and generalization of the features of the studied object, questionnaire. Conclusion. The study reveals the motivation of students to study in quarantine, rapid acquisition of information, the ability to use a computer at a modern level, communication with the teacher from anywhere. Teachers also have a sense of satisfaction with the new opportunities that open up the use of electronic platforms and tools in educational activities. This is an opportunity to find and apply fundamentally new forms and methods of teaching, continuous development and improvement of their own pedagogical skills. Regarding the practical work of future doctors, for distance learning it is necessary to improve the system of knowledge and skills, starting with the technical support of students and teachers and ending with the improvement of the process of distance transfer of practical skills, using the latest technologies. For example, it is necessary to provide students with access to cloud solutions that will allow them to perform practical skills and modeling outdoors, use simulators, training devices, get access to virtual laboratories. It is advisable to use gamification technologies, creation of digital didactic situational games and exercises, which, in addition to improving practical skills, will involve students in distance learning, because game technologies guarantee the attention and motivation of each student. The most appropriate for medical students will be the use of a hybrid model of learning, combining real education with digital one – this is the best model from the standpoint of logistics and accessibility

Unveiling azole resistance mechanisms in Candida glabrata clinical isolates encoding wild-type or gain-of-function CgPdr1 alleles

The relevance of C. glabrata as a human pathogen is linked with its poor susceptibility to azoles as well as its extreme genomic plasticity that allows the rapid acquisition of resistance. Extensive characterization of azole-resistant C. glabrata strains unveiled the central role of the transcriptional regulator CgPdr1 in the resistance phenotype, with many strains encoding hyperactive (or gain-of-function; GOF) CgPdr1 alleles. Large scale profiling of a collection of clinical C. glabrata isolates recovered in hospitals of the Lisbon area, in Portugal, led to the identification of 11 strains exhibiting resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole, while 2 were only resistant to fluconazole. Among these strains, 10 were found to encode alleles of the CgPDR1 gene harbouring multiple non-synonymous SNPs that were not found in the alleles encoded by susceptible strains, including K274Q, I392M and I803T not previously described as GOF mutations. The isolates encoding these alleles were found to over-express several CgPdr1 target genes including the azole efflux pump CgCDR1 sustaining the idea that these represent new gain-of-function CgPdr1 alleles. Only one of the identified azole-resistant strains was found to encode a CgPDR1 allele fully identical to the one encoded by susceptible strains. To better understand the resistance phenotype of this strain, its transcriptome was compared with the one of a susceptible strain and of strains encoding CgPdr1 GOF alleles. The results of this comparative transcriptomic analysis will be discussed shedding light into the different azole-resistance mechanisms evolved by C. glabrata, including those independent of CgPdr1 GOF strains.

Preservation of Fluorescence Signal and Imaging Optimization for Integrated Light and Electron Microscopy

Life science research often needs to define where molecules are located within the complex environment of a cell or tissue. Genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and or fluorescence affinity-labeling are the go-to methods. Although recent fluorescent microscopy methods can provide localization of fluorescent molecules with relatively high resolution, an ultrastructural context is missing. This is solved by imaging a region of interest with correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). We have adopted a protocol that preserves both genetically-encoded and antibody-derived fluorescent signals in resin-embedded cell and tissue samples and provides high-resolution electron microscopy imaging of the same thin section. This method is particularly suitable for dedicated CLEM instruments that combine fluorescence and electron microscopy optics. In addition, we optimized scanning EM imaging parameters for samples of varying thicknesses. These protocols will enable rapid acquisition of CLEM information from samples and can be adapted for three-dimensional EM.

Praziquantel Treatment of Schistosoma mansoni Infected Mice Renders Them Less Susceptible to Reinfection

Beyond transient control of the infection, additional benefits of mass drug administration of praziquantel in endemic communities have been suggested in communities but not mechanistically investigated experimentally. The present study sought to evaluate the additional and hitherto unreported benefits of repeated mass drug administration of praziquantel. We used a tractable mouse model of Schistosoma mansoni infection to assess the effects of repeated infection-treatment cycles on the host susceptibility to reinfection. Parasitaemia was assessed by quantification of Schistosoma egg burden in liver tissues and morbidity was followed up by histological observation of liver lesions by microscopy and using biochemical measurement of liver transaminases. Immune responses were further determined by serum probing of schistosoma-specific antibodies, cytokines and quantification of liver cellular and soluble mediator responses by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. At similar ages and comparable gender distribution, groups of mice undergoing higher number of infections treatment cycles over a longer period, remained susceptible to reinfection by the parasite, as judged by the presence of eggs and the associated increasing pathology in the liver tissues. However, notably, there was a clear and significantly higher propensity to lower egg burden upon reinfection when compared to counterparts undergoing a lower number of infection-treatment cycles. This relative reduction of susceptibility to infection was paralleled by a more robust humoral response against parasite antigens, elevated serum IL-4 and liver cytokines. Of note, praziquantel treatment of infected mice left them at a higher baseline of serum IL-4, IgE and liver cytokines but lower CD4+ T cell -derived cytokines when compared to infected non-treated mice supporting an immunological treatment-induced advantage of previously infected mice over naïve mice and infected/not treated mice. Notably, repeated infection-treatment cycles did not preclude the infection-driven aggravation of collagen deposition in the livers over time and was corroborated by a more robust local production of inflammatory cytokines in the most exposed livers. Taken together, our data reveal that treatment of S. mansoni-infected hosts with praziquantel rewires the immune system to a conformation less permissive to subsequent reinfection in mice. Provided the data are translatable from mouse to human, our findings may provide mechanistic support to the potential benefits of more frequent MDAs in high transmission areas to allow rapid acquisition of protective immunity against reinfection.

Fast volumetric imaging with line-scan confocal microscopy by an electro-tunable lens

In microscopic imaging of biological tissues, particularly real-time visualization of neuronal activities, rapid acquisition of volumetric images poses a prominent challenge. Typically, two-dimensional (2D) microscopy can be devised into an imaging system with 3D capability using any varifocal lens. Despite the conceptual simplicity, such an upgrade yet requires additional, complicated device components and suffers a reduced acquisition rate, which is critical to document neuronal dynamics properly. In this study, we implemented an electro-tunable lens (ETL) in the line-scan confocal microscopy, enabling the volumetric acquisition at the rate of 20 frames per second with the maximum volume of interest of 315 × 315 × 80 μm3. The axial extent of point-spread-function (PSF) was 17.6 ± 1.6 μm and 90.4 ± 2.1 μm with the ETL operating in either stationary or resonant mode, respectively, revealing significant depth elongation by the resonant mode ETL microscopy. We further demonstrated the utilities of the ETL system by volume imaging of cleared mouse brain ex vivo samples and in vivo brains. The current study foregrounds the successful application of resonant ETL for constructing a basis for a high-performance 3D line-scan confocal microscopy system, which will enhance our understanding of various dynamic biological processes.