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In language learning, students learn through interaction with the teacher, the other students, and with the study material, to build language skills. What happens to interaction opportunities when learning goes online? In an online classroom, collaboration is difficult to achieve due to lack of physical proximity among the participants. This paper explores the problem of online collaboration between teachers and students in English as Foreign Language (EFL) classroom with the empirical focus on the role that video cameras play in online collaboration. We argue that cameras, although being contested as a pedagogical tool, should be seen as an important 'proximity tool' that helps foster collaboration by bringing learners and teachers 'closer'. We theorise 'collaboration' via the social constructivism lens and argue that collaboration as being 'close' echoes in the digital sense with 'being with' and is core for developing an ecology of virtual collaboration. We draw on the online survey data from foreign language students and language instructors in one Russian research-intensive university, who were asked how they use cameras online. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis have been used to identify key patterns and emerging themes. The key findings of the study are that: (1) cameras could be an important aspect of fostering collaboration online; (2) there is a tension in relationships between students, teachers, and study materials; (3) students and teachers differently perceive the need to use cameras, which may limit opportunities for online collaboration; and (4) while students feel more comfortable when all the other participants turn their cameras on, many do not see turning cameras on for themselves to be important. The paper concludes with a discussion of how camera use can foster online collaboration between teachers and students. [Note: The page range (228-243) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range for this article is p228-241.]

Polyimide film is widely used in various fields of industry, ranging from space technology to microelectronics. The widespread use of the film is due to its high thermal stability, low dielectric constant and good mechanical strength. However, the polyimide film also has a serious disadvantage that prevents its use in a number of applications, namely, a relatively low surface energy, manifested in the low adhesive strength of the film’s compounds with other polymers and metals. Currently, a number of surface modification methods of polyimide film are known to improve adhesive properties of the surface without changing the properties of material thickness. The existing methods of polyimide film surface modification can be divided into two large groups: chemical, “wet” methods and “dry” ion-beam and plasma methods. The article presents the results of studies of polyimide adhesion changes depending on the methods of plasma treatment.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the dynamics of inflammatory markers (cytokines and acute-phase proteins), intraoperative bleeding intensity (BI), and postoperative pain severity (PS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) performed under general anesthesia and with the use of intravenous (IV) lidocaine or dexamethasone. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, single-center, single-blinded cohort study, the clinical data and blood serum samples were collected from 52 patients after FESS, who were randomized into 3 groups: C (the control group, N = 26), D (with 0.1-0.15 mg/kg dexamethasone, N = 13), and L (with 1% IV lidocaine, N = 13). We analyzed the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18, α1-antitrypsin (A1AT), and ferritin. Results: The C group showed an increase in IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10. The D group demonstrated rising levels of IL-10 and a decrease in IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10. Bleeding intensity was lower in the L (P < .001) and D groups (P < .05) than in the control group. All 3 groups demonstrated relative changes in the levels of the markers within the normal range. Conclusion: Changes in cytokine profile were insignificant, which may be attributed to the minimally invasive surgery technique. Dexamethasone led to an increase in IL-10 levels, decreased postoperative concentrations of IL-6, IL-6/IL-10, and IL18 and slightly curbed bleeding. Intravenous lidocaine had a moderate effect on preventing the rise of IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10, and it effectively decreased BI and postoperative PS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the use of terlipressin for intraoperative bleeding reduction in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods: This prospective, randomized, single‐center, single‐blinded cohort study included 74 cases of FESS performed under general anesthesia (GA). The patients were randomized into two groups: WT (without terlipressin, n = 39) and T (with 200 μg terlipressin, n = 35). Bleeding intensity (BI) was assessed using a 6‐point scale. Heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), perfusion index (PI), and BI were recorded at 10, 30, and 60 min after surgery. A BI score ≥2 qualified as significant. Results: The T group had significantly higher MBP compared with the WT group, but HR values did not differ significantly. PI and BI scores were significantly reduced in the T group compared with the WT group. The risk of significant bleeding in the treatment group was 35.5 times lower (odds ratio [OR], 0.028; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.006–0.138) at 30 min and 7.1 times lower (OR, 0.140; 95% CI, 0.049–0.402) at 60 min. The prognostic model for significant bleeding at 60 min showed that only terlipressin played a significant role in bleeding control (p < 0.05). The model predicted a 13.9‐fold decrease in significant bleeding risk in the T group. Conclusion: Low doses (200 μg) of terlipressin reduced intraoperative bleeding without decreasing blood pressure during FESS under GA. Level of Evidence: 2 Laryngoscope, 133:3313–3318, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]