# In memoriam Marina Huțu (1937-2023)

Adina Călugăr IDª

ªDepartment of Experimental and Applied Biology, NIRDBS-Institute of Biological Research Iași, Lascăr Catargi Street no. 47, 700107, Iași, Romania.

## Obituary

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Dr Huțu was born on February 17th 1937 at Gura Humorului (Suceava County), a locality that now serves as a gateway to some of the most captivating touristic and mountainous routes in Northern Romania. The picturesque setting of her birthplace likely influenced her decision to enrol in the Biology-Zoology section at the Faculty of Natural Sciences-Geography at “Al. I. Cuza” University in Iași, one of Romania’s most prestigious higher education institutions. As a student, Dr Huțu immersed herself in the captivating study of vertebrate zoology, working closely under the mentorship of Professor Zicman Feider who would be her role model for a long period. The notable results were materialized in scientific papers, some of them earning awards at student scientific meetings in Iași, Cluj or Bucharest.

Immediately after graduation, from September 1st 1960 to January 1st 1961, Dr Huțu worked as a school teacher of Natural Sciences and Geography. Despite Dr Huțu's dedication to teaching, her persistent passion for scientific research led her to transition into a role as a biologist in the research sector of the Antibiotics Factory in Iași for the next seven years. Although her time there yielded remarkable achievements, such as a certificate of innovation in the field of streptomycin biosynthesis and scientific articles, only later, in June 1968, following a competitive process, she attained a position at the Institute of Biological Research from Iași where she built up her status as a researcher. Dr Huțu's focus was dedicated to the study of

Received 12 July 2024
Accepted 13 August 2024
Published 27 September 2024

Corresponding author
Adina Călugăr ID:
adina.calugar@icbiasi.ro;
cadina_2004@yahoo.com

Academic editor
Kreiter, Serge

https://doi.org/10.24349/14kz-2ezs

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

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Călugăr A.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0
soil mites, a field she entered under the guidance of the same Professor Zicman Feider who was the founder of the Romanian school of Acarology. Through her work marked by passion and selflessness, Dr Huțu gained national and international recognition, particularly for her taxonomic and systematic study of uropodids, a group of mites that was poorly known at that time.

In 1979 Dr Huțu earned a PhD in Biology by presenting her thesis titled “Contributions to the Study of Uropodid Fauna (Acari) from Northern Moldova.” The extensive documentation for the doctorate and subsequent information gathering allowed her to add zoogeographical data on over 900 uropodid species. These data, presented through valuable publications, have captured the interest of specialists around the world.

Gradually expanding her interest beyond systematic studies, she delved into the ecology and biology of uropodids, incorporating experimental approaches. This approach revealed a number of unique and diverse aspects, including phylogeny, environmental tolerance, trophic regime, reproductive ethology, biological cycle, findings that were published in valuable articles.

Processing over 5000 samples containing uropodids, Dr Huțu authored 34 scientific articles exclusively dedicated to uropodids, as single author in 25 of them. Notably, these works encompassed the description of new species to science, totalling 45, originating from both the fauna of Romania (26) and other countries such as Cuba (4), Venezuela (8), Canada (6), and Sweden (1). The international impact of her work is evident a proof being the numerous citations by specialists worldwide, even in recent years. Voucher specimens collected during different research projects were deposited in the collection of the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz.

Facilitating an exchange of experiences Dr Huțu hosted Dr W. Hirschmann from Germany (1974), Dr J. Wisniewski from Poland (1976) and Dr B. Kadite from Lithuania (1978). In recognition of her valuable contributions to the understanding of uropodid fauna, the first two of them dedicated several new taxa to her. Specifically, Dr W. Hirschmann, in collaboration with Dr N. Hiramatsu from Japan, assigned the name “Huțufeideria” to a new genus and named several new species after her using “huțuae”. Regrettably, a significant part of the results from the identification of new species was not published.

Dr Huțu held membership in various scientific societies, including the National Society for Soil Science (1978), the Romanian Society of Biological Sciences (1985), the International Society of French-Language Acarologists (SIALF) (1981) and the European Association of Acarologists (EURAAC) (1988) at the latter being a founding member.

During her nearly 30 years at the institute, Dr Huțu had a significant role in drafting over 100 scientific reports under various research contracts. Since 1987 she also took on the role of coordinating a series of research topics. Dr Huțu's expertise extended beyond uropodids, as she contributed to solving issues related to the response of edaphic microarthropods to various anthropogenic activities and natural biotic and abiotic factors. Between 1996 and 1997, she assumed the leadership of the Terrestrial Ecology Laboratory, a position she held until her retirement, in 1997. Even the retirement was only a formal one, she continued to work with the same interest and passion for yet several years, getting involved in solving numerous research problems and continuing with uropodid mites' study.

As the Head of the Terrestrial Ecology Laboratory, she demonstrated empathy, always adopting a conciliatory approach to avoid divergences. As she often declared, she was inspired by the sensitivity of turtle mites, a subject she loved studying. Dr Huțu left a lasting impression with her punctuality, perseverance, discipline at work, loyalty, sense of responsibility and seriousness. She considered it a moral obligation to prioritize quality results and meet deadlines.

These qualities significantly impacted Dr Huțu's mentoring activities, from which I personally benefited. I first encountered her guidance during my Bachelor's thesis in 1993, and later, after joining the Biological Research Institute in Iași. Dr Huțu not only provided me an overall guidance in my research career, but also passionately introduced me to the specific field
of edaphic microarthropods and gamasid mites which continues to be the focus of my work today. This experience was crucial to my professional development. Throughout the development of my doctoral thesis, Dr Huțu guided me in choosing the theme and her involvement was essential in realizing this academic project. As a token of profound appreciation, I dedicated to her one of the discovered species and described in the thesis, later published – *Zercon marinae*.

Another disciple of Dr Huțu is biologist Dr Ioana-Cristina Constantinescu from “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest. Between 2001 and 2008, under the direct and competent guidance of Marina Huțu, Dr Constantinescu conducted research on uropodids as part of her doctoral thesis titled “Faunistic and Ecological Research on Uropodid Mites” (Acarina: Anactinotrichida: Uropodina) in the Basin of Argeș River.” This collaboration proved to be fruitful, Dr Constantinescu publishing insightful aspects about the ecology of these mites, as well as descriptions of new species. In a 2012 article, she named one of the new species *Oplitis hutae* as a tribute to Dr Marina Huțu.

Last, but not least, in relation to the role of mentorship, it is noteworthy that just a few years before her retirement, Dr Marina Huțu, with her characteristic dedication, taught the Soil Biology course, covering both the botany and zoology sections of the fourth year of the Biology Faculty at the University “Al. I. Cuza” in Iași. Following this course, students undoubtedly gained not only scientific knowledge, but also valuable insights into personal development through the exemplary conduct of Dr Marina Huțu as their teacher.

Finally, I must confess that composing this obituary was difficult, having a dual fear - firstly, the concern of not capturing the essence accurately, and secondly, the emotional depth rooted in a connection with Mrs Marina Huțu (affectionately known as “Mrs Mara” or “Mara” to acquaintances and friends) that surpassed a basic collegial or mentor-disciple relationship. Our bonds ran much deeper, as “Mrs Mara” long before assuming the role of my mentor, was a colleague of my mother - Magda Călugăr (also a well-known acarologist) who passed away prematurely in 1990. At that time, Mrs Huțu crafted a touching obituary, serving as evidence to the profound ties they shared and the immense respect she held for my mother. Consequently, now, with these lines, I want to pay my last respect to Dr Marina Huțu, being indebted to her, from several points of view, in keeping her memory alive.

Farewell, dear Mrs Mara ...

## ORCID

Adina Călugăr https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5948-0219

## List of publications (in chronological order)

1. Feider Z., Huțu M. 1971. Zwei neue Nenteria - Arten aus Fledermauskot. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 187 (5/7): 327 - 345.

2. Feider Z., Huțu M. 1972. Contributions to the knowledge of the Trichouropoda Berlese 1916 (Uropodidae) from Romania (in Romanian), Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 24 (4): 315-325.

3. Feider Z., Huțu M. 1972. *Trichouropoda romanica* n. sp. eine neue Uropodidenart aus guano. Travaux du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle "Grigore Antipa", XII: 53-67.

4. Feider Z., Huțu M. 1972. Drei neue Arten der Gattung *Trichouropoda* Berlese 1916 (Uropodidae). Revue Roumaine de Biologie. Série de Biologie Animale, 17 (6): 373-380.

5. Huțu M. 1972. Zur Kenntnis der Uropodiden - fauna Rümanien. Acarologie, 18: 92-95.

6. Huțu M. 1972. Aktuelle kentnisse über die weltweite verbreitung der Uropodiden (Acari, Parasitiformes). Acarologie, 18: 95-106.

7. Vasiliu N., Călugăr M., Huțu M. 1973. Contribution à la connaissance des Oribates hôtes intermédiaires de Moniezia, des pâturages du bassin de la rivière Jijia. Archiva Veterinaria, IX (1-2): 205-213.

8. Huțu M. 1973. Gangsystematik der Parasitiformes. Teil 145. Zur Kenntnis der Uropodiden-Fauna Rumäniens. Neue Uropodiden-Arten der Gattungen *Trachytes* Michael, 1894, *Dinychus* Kramer, 1886 und *Trachyuropoda* (Berlese, 1888) Hirschmann u. Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1961 nov. comb. Acarologie, 19: 45-52.

9. Huțu M. 1974. Contributions to the knowledge of the uropodid mite fauna (Acari: Parasitiformes) in the upper Moldova River area. Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 26 (2): 83-88.
10. Hirschmann W., Huțu M. 1974. Uropodiden-Forschung und die Uropodiden der Erdegeordnet nach dem Gangsystemund den Ländern in zoogeographischen Reichen und Unterreichen. Acarologie, 20: 6-36.

11. Huțu M. 1976. Neue Uropodiden-Arten (Acari: Mesostigmata) aus Rumänien und Beschreibung der Entwicklungsstadien von *Uroobovella costai* Hirschmann u. Zirngiebl-Nicol 1972. Acarologie, 22: 45-53.

12. Vasiliu N., Călugăr M., Huțu M., Bulimar F. 1976. Structure, composition, and dynamics of soil microarthropod coenoses. The study of factors determining the improvement and increased production of *Agrostis tenuis* with *Festuca rubra* in the Suceava Plateau (in Romanian). Ministry of Education and Training. The Biological Research Center in Iași: 14-18.

13. Huțu M. 1977. Neue Uropodiden Arten Aus Cuba. In Orghidan T. (Eds.). Résultats des expéditions bio-spéléologiques cubano-roumaines à Cuba, Bucharest: Romanian Academy Press. p. 185-195.

14. Huțu M. 1978. Stadien enier neuen *Rotundabaloghia* -Art aus Rumänien (Dinychini, Uropodinae), Acarologie. 24: 112-113.

15. Huțu M. 1978. Contributions to the Study of Uropodid Fauna (Acari) from Northern Moldova. [Phd Thesis] Iași: "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University", pp. 200.

16. Hirschmann W., Huțu M. 1979. Uropodiden-Forschung und die Uropodiden der Erde geordnet nach dem Gangsystem und den Ländern in zoogeographischen Reichen und Unterreichen. Saalfeld: Proceedings of the 4th International Congress of Acarology 1974. p. 453-458.

17. Huțu M. 1980. Structural features of litter-dwelling uropodid communities (Acarina: Anactinotrichida) in the ancient Slătioara forest (in Romanian), Yearbook of the National Museum of Bucovina. Natural Sciences, VI: 237-247.

18. Huțu M. 1981. The effects of nitrogen fertilization on the biocenotic structure of an *Agrostis tenuis* and *Festuca rubra* grassland in the Suceava (in Romanian). Scientific papers of Center for Pasture Culture Research Măgurele -Brașov, VI: 117-142.

19. Huțu, M. 1982. Strukturelle Eigenschaften Von Uropodiden-Zoenosen In der Streuschicht Verschiedener Walottypen Laengs Eines Hoeheng gradienten. Pedobiologia, 23 (1): 68-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(23)03667-3

20. Huțu, M. 1982. The trophic structure of litter-dwelling uropodid communities as an indicator of soil functional status. L Constanța: Proceedings of the Ecology Conference. p. 41-44.

21. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu M., Vasiliu N. 1983. Ecological research on soil microarthropods in agroecosystems (In Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 39 (2): 143-153.

22. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu, M. 1983. The effect of chemical pollution on populations of oribatid mites (Acarina) and collembolans (Insecta). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series. 35 (2): 138-147.

23. Huțu, M. 1983. Comparative study of litter-dwelling uropodid coenoses (Acarina) from the Slătioara - Rarău area (in Romanian). Yearbook of the National Museum of Bucovina. Natural Sciences, VII: 275-283. Huțu M. 1983. Teilgänge, Stadien von 6 neuen Trachytes-Arten aus Rumänien und Schweden (Uropodini, Uropodinae). Acarologie, 30: 51-66.

24. Huțu M. 1983. Teilgang einer neuen *Uropoda* -Art aus Rumänien (Uropodini, Uropodinae). Acarologie, 30: 66-69.

25. Hirschmann W., Huțu M. 1984. Teilgang Larve, Protonymphe von *Diaspis pannonicus* Willmann 1951 (Dinychini, Uropodinae). Acarologie, 31: 142-145.

26. Hirschmann W., Huțu M. 1984. Teilgang Larve, Protonymphe von *Urobovella advena* (Trägårdh, 1912) und Protonymphe von *Urobovella varians* Hirschmann & Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1962. (Dinychini, Uropodinae). Acarologie, 31: 145-147.

27. Bulimar F., Huțu M. 1984. Quantitative and qualitative modifications of the coenosis structure of Collembola (Insecta) under the influence of chemical fertilization in an experimental field on the Bălăceanca meadow. Romanian National Society of Soil Science. Bucharest: The fifth Symposium of Soil Biology. p. 131-139.

28. Antohe A., Bulimar F., Călugăr M., Davidescu G., Dăscălescu D., Catargiu D., Horeanu Cl., Huțu, M., Lupașcu Gh., Murariu A., Pisică A., Rusan M., Vasiliu N., Vițalariu C. 1986. Preliminary Ecological Research on the Salt Meadows of the Lower Prut Valley (In Romanian). Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Animal Biology Series), XXXII: 89-95.

29. Huțu M. 1987. Zur Kenntnis der Uropodiden-Fauna Venezuelas mit Beschreibung von vier neuen Arten. In: Decu V., Orghidan T., Dancau D., Bordon C., Linares O., Urbani F., Tronchoni J., Bosque C. (Eds.), Fauna Hipogea y Hemiedaphica de Venezuela y de Otros Paises de America del Sud. Bucharest: Publishing House of Romanian Academy. p. 133-145.

30. Călugăr M., Rusan M., Huțu, M., Bulimar F., Vițalariu C., Davidescu G., Catargiu D. 1987. The effect of fallowing on soil microflora and microarthropods (In Romanian). Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Natural Sciences), XXXIII: 73-85.

31. Călugăr M., Huțu M., Bulimar F., Donose-Pisică A. 1989 - Aspects of the decomposition process from a grass fertilized with mineral nitrogen (in Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 41(1): 37-47.

32. Huțu M. et al. 1989. Ecological research in the boundary forests and subalpine and alpine shrublands of the Călimani Mountains (in Romanin). Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Natural Sciences), XXXV: 65-112.

33. Chifu T., Antohe A., Bulimar F., Călugăr M., Davidescu G., Horeanu Cl., Huțu M. Lupașcu A., Lupașcu Gh., Manoliu al., Mititelu D., Moțiu t., Murariu A., Niță M., Donose-Pisică A., Rusan M., Ștefan N., Toma C., Vițalariu C., Vițalariu Gh. 1989. Ecological characterization of certain meadows in the Călimani Mountains. Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New series) II (Natural Sciences), XXXV: 113-141.
34. Huțu M., Călugăr M., Bulimar F. 1989. The highlighting of the phenomenon of fir tree drying through the edaphic mesofauna (in Romanian). Piatra-Neamț: The Fourth Ecology Conference "Strategies for ensuring ecological balances", p. 197.

35. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu M., 1990. Etude écologique sur les microrthropodes édaphique des vergers. Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Natural Sciences), XXXV: 65-112.

36. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu M., Lupașcu A., Davidescu G. 1990. Effets de la fertilisation organique des agrocénoses sur les peuplements de microarthropodes édaphiques. Memoirs of the Scientific Sections of the Romanian Academy IV, X (1): 257-272.

37. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu M. 1990. Au sujet de l'affectation du milieu sur les microarthropodes édaphiques. Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Natural Sciences): 83-88.

38. Călugăr M., Huțu M., Bulimar F., Lupașcu A., Davidescu G. 1990. Testing the effect of green manures on soil microarthropods (in Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 42 (2): 121-129.

39. Rusan M., Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Vițalariu C., Huțu M. Davidescu G., Catargiu D. 1990. The effect of fallowing on soil microflora and microarthropods (In Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 42 (2): 40-47.

40. Chifu T., Huțu M., Antohe A., Bulimar F., Călugăr M., Davidescu G., Horeanu Cl. Manoliu Al., Moțiu T., Murariu A., Murariu T., Neagu A., Niță M., Donose-Pisică A., Rusan M., Rusu V., Ștefan N., Toma C., Vițalariu C. 1991. Ecological research in spruce ecosystems affected by abnormal drying (in Romanian), Memoirs of the Scientific Sections of the Romanian Academy, IV, XIV (1): 155-208.

41. Călugăr M., Bulimar F., Huțu M. 1991. The implications of soil management on soil microarthropods (in Romanian). Agronomic research in Moldova. The agricultural research stations in Moldova, "Haralambie Vasiliu" Agricultural Sciences Society, XXIV (1-2): 139-144.

42. Huțu M. 1991. Neue Uropodiden-Arten aus Venezuela (Acarina, Uropodina). Travaux de l'Institut de Speologie "Emil Racoviță", 30: 13-33.

43. Huțu M., Bulimar F., Călugăr M. 1991. The effect of lime amendments on soil microarthropods in a grassland fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers (in Romanian). Scientific Annals of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (New Series) II (Natural Sciences), XXXVII: 35-240.

44. Huțu M., Bulimar F., Donose-Pisică A., Davidescu G., 1992. Succession of soil microarthropods during the decomposition of monospecific organic litter (in Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 44 (1): 15-24.

45. Bulimar F., Huțu M., Călugăr M. 1992. Structural and functional characteristics of soil microarthropod communities in fir forests of various ages in the Călimani Mountains (in Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 44 (2): 111-116.

46. Chifu T., Bulimar F., Murariu A., Rusan M., Huțu M., Ștefan N., Vițalariu C., Simalcsik F., Davidescu G., Horeanu Cl., Călugăr M. 1992. La stabilité des bio-structures pour la conservation de l'équilibre écologique des écosystèmes de sapin du district Suceava. Camerino: Documents phytosociologiques XIV. p. 531-551.

47. Chifu T., Vasiliu N., Antohe A., Rusan M., Davidescu G., Lupașcu Gh., Ștefan N., Huțu M., Murariu A., Horeanu Cl., Bulimar F., Donose-Pisică A., Vițalariu C., Simalcsik F., Lupașcu A. 1992. Ecological researches in the forests of spruce fir (Picea abies) from Căliman Mountains. "Emil Racoviță" National Congress of Biology: 297-306.

48. Huțu, M., Vasiliu N., Bulimar F. 1992. The structure of the edaphic microarthropods communities in spruce fir stands of different ages. Bucharest: "Emil Racoviță" National Congress of Biology. p. 306-309.

49. Huțu M. 1993. The community structure of uropodid mites (Acarina, Anactinotrichida) in the Retezat Mountains area. In: Popovici, I. (Eds). Retezat National Park Ecological Studies. Brașov: West Siele Computers. p. 238-242.

50. Huțu M., Bulimar F., 1993. Researches on edaphic microarthropod communities in the oak forest floor (Central Moldavian Plateau). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 45 (1): 25-29.

51. Bulimar F., Huțu M., Călugăr M. 1993. Soil mesofauna as an indicator of the functional state of forest soils (in Romanian). Biology Studies and Research Magazine. Animal Biology Series, 45 (2): 93-97.

52. Bulimar F., Huțu, M. 1994. Recherches sur les communautés de microarthropodes édaphiques des Vallées du Prut et de la Jijia. Factors and pedogenetic processes in the temperate zone 1 "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași, Romanian Academy Press, Ministry of Education and Technology: 117-123.

53. Bulimar F., Huțu M. 1995. L'effet du mode d'administration des engrais azotés sur les microarthropodes édaphiques prairicoles, dans les conditions du réensemencement et du pacage, Yearbook of the National Museum of Bucovina. Natural Sciences, XIII: 59-66.

54. Huțu M., Călugăr A. 1994. Uropodid fauna (Acarina: Anactinotrichida: Uropodina) in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and its surroundings zones. Scientific Annals of "Delta Dunării" Institute Tulcea: 51-58.

55. Bulimar F., Huțu M., Călugăr M. 1995 (1991-1992). Effet des diverses techniques agricoles sur les microarthropodes édaphiques du sous-système des décomposeurs. Papers of the Geographical Seminar "D. Cantemir", 11-12: 151-156.

56. Rusan M., Horeanu Cl., Teșu O., Donose-Pisică A., Chifu T., Davidescu G., Vițalariu C., Simalcsik F., Huțu M., Bulimar F., Călugăr M., Antohe A., Murariu A., Țurcănașu Gh. 1995. Etudes de prognose sur les conditions pédoclimatiques, bioédaphiques, écophysiologiques du système d'irrigations Horia-Liveni-Manoleasa, département de Botoșani. Revue Roumaine de Biologie, Série de Biologie Végétale, 40 (2): 75-86.
57. Huțu M. 1997. *Chiropturopoda cavernicola* n. sp., eine neue Hohlenbewohnende uropodiden-art (Anactinotrichida: Uropodina). Mémoires de Biospéologie, 24: 163-168.

58. Călugăr A., Huțu M. 1999. On the gamasid fauna (Acari: Gamasida) from the hardwood forests of Tutova's Hills. Anuarul Muzeului Național al Bucovinei. Suceava, 25: 47-59.

59. Huțu M. 2000. Neue *Trachytes* -Arten (Anactinotrichida: Uropodina: Trachytidae) aus Canada. Acarologia, 41: 7-24.

60. Huțu, M., Călugăr A. 2002. Zwei neue *Protodinychus* -Arten (Anactinotrichida: Uropodina: Protodinychidae). Abhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Görlitz 74 (2): 219-236.

61. Călugăr A., Huțu M. 2008. Edaphic gamasid mites fauna (Acari: Gamasida Leach, 1815) (in Romanian). In: Chifu T. (Eds). Călimani National Park - Ecological and biodiversity studies. VI.1. Cluj Napoca: Alma Mater. p. 238-248.