bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The unexplored role of handshape similarity in processing numbers on the hands
Authors: Berteletti Ilaria , Sullivan SaraBeth J. , Lancaster Lucas
Published: July 2021

With two simple experiments we investigate the overlooked influence of handshape similarity for processing numerical information conveyed on the hands. In most finger-counting sequences there is a tight relationship between the number of fingers raised and the numerical value represented. This creates a possible confound where numbers closer to each other are also represented by handshapes that are more similar. By using the American Sign Language (ASL) number signs we are able to dissociate between the two variables orthogonally. First, we test the effect of handshape similarity in a same/different judgment task in a group of hearing non-signers and then test the interference of handshape in a number judgment task in a group of native ASL signers. Our results show an effect of handshape similarity and its interaction with numerical value even in the group of native signers for whom these handshapes are linguistic symbols and not a learning tool for acquiring numerical concepts. Because prior studies have never considered handshape similarity, these results open new directions for understanding the relationship between finger-based counting, internal hand representations and numerical proficiency.
Contemplating the Five Domains model of animal welfare assessment: UK horse owner perceptions of equine well-being
Authors: Fletcher KA , Cameron LJ , Freeman M
Published: July 2021

Traditionally, assessment of animal welfare generally focused on physiological signs of health with less consideration of psychological well-being. More recently, the Five Domains model highlighted the concept of all aspects of an animal's life influencing their affective state. In equestrianism, however, there is a lack of awareness of the Five Domains model and, specifically, how different factors may affect the mental well-being of horses (Equus caballus). This divide between scientific research and lay horse owners could compromise equine welfare by failing to recognise horses as sentient beings with species-specific needs. The present study therefore aimed to explore how evidence-based information can be effectively communicated to equestrians (n = 259) through an online survey and whether increased knowledge of equine welfare needs has any impact on horse caregivers’ assessment of their own horses’ quality of life. Results showed that a simple educational infographic based on the Five Domains model had a significant impact on equestrians’ assessment of equine welfare, although longitudinal, empirical studies are needed. Scores on a Likert scale for health, behaviour/human interactions and overall welfare were significantly lower following the intervention but scores for emotional well-being were significantly higher. This may suggest that, whilst the infographic increased participant awareness of the importance of emotional state and the factors affecting welfare, there were difficulties or inconsistencies in objectively assessing these emotions. This highlights the need for equine welfare science to be communicated more proactively to horse owners in an accessible, engaging format.
Development of an evidence-based welfare approach for cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) under human care
Authors: Fischer B , Flint M , Cole K , George KA
Published: July 2021

Societal concern for animals under human care has influenced our approaches to advance animal welfare in a variety of contexts. The Animal Programs Department at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium sought partnership with the Center for Human-Animal Interactions Research & Education (CHAIRE) at The Ohio State University to develop a holistic welfare approach for the animals within their department using a focal species, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). A one-year project using the Five Domains Animal Welfare Model collected data over six 60-day periods to evaluate long-term cortisol production and behavioural observations of cheetahs under changing environmental factors. Species and individual histories were incorporated with behavioural observations and hair cortisol production, giving a holistic view of welfare. Cortisol and behavioural data were analysed using linear models to compare cheetahs at population and individual levels. Participation in a cheetah run activity, housing occupancy, and 60-day period were found to influence all behaviours within the population and stereotypic behaviour also differed within individual cheetahs. No differences in hair cortisol concentrations were found for the group, but further analysis revealed differences within individuals throughout the study. No correlation of stereotypic behaviour and cortisol levels were found. This study created a welfare assessment protocol that can be used within zoological institutes and was the first to measure cortisol concentrations in hair in cheetahs.
Internalisation of farm animal welfare in consumers’ purchasing decisions: A study of pork fillet at point of purchase using the means-end chain and laddering approach
Authors: Humble M , Palmér M , Hansson H
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate how farm animal welfare (FAW) is internalised in consumers’ purchasing decisions at the point of purchase. The study is based on means-end chain theory and the laddering interview technique to elicit respondents’ mental representation of attributes, consequences and values of an animal food product. Respondents were approached and interviewed at the point of purchase in two supermarkets in Uppsala, Sweden. A summary representation of respondents’ mental representation of attributes, consequences and values of an animal food product (pork fillet) was created. The findings indicate that FAW is the most salient means-end-chain element FAW enters respondents’ mental representation of pork fillet at the point of purchase as a consequence of other elements. FAW is considered to lead to values of hedonism and universalism type. This study contributes to the literature by detailing how animal welfare can be embedded in consumers’ mental representation of cause and effect of animal food product attributes at the point of purchase. The findings are useful practically for policy-makers and for agri-business and other actors in the food value chain who would like to promote enhanced FAW. The findings also provide insight into how FAW can be promoted through market-based solutions.
Confluencia en torno al principio de puertas abiertas. Especial referencia a las modificaciones legislativas recientes en el ordenamiento español
Authors: Benítez García Rufino
Published: July 2021

El objeto de reflexión es el principio cooperativo de adhesión voluntaria y abierta, seña de identidad y verdadero condicionante para la cooperación, en tanto que principio consolidado en la Declaración de la Alianza Cooperativa Internacional (ACI) sobre Identidad Cooperativa (Manchester, 1995), y que configura un sistema accesible a todas las personas que se muestren dispuestas a participar en la cooperativa. Dicho principio ético posee un carácter informador de la cooperativa, cuya permanencia desde Rochdale hasta actualidad ha sido incuestionada, y nuestro objetivo será resaltar las más recientes modificaciones en el Derecho cooperativo autonómico en relación con este principio. En este mosaico legislativo hay puntos de confluencia, materializándose la reclamada armonización en el respeto a dichos principios configuradores, sin que la autonomía organizativa propia de la cooperativa se haya visto menoscabada. Se finalizará con una propuesta de posibles reformas en aras de un entendimiento razonado del principio.
Socio trabajador de cooperativa de trabajo asociado, ¿asalariado y/o autónomo?: evolución, tendencias y nuevas propuestas
Authors: Campos Ana Isabel Pérez
Published: July 2021

La naturaleza jurídica del vínculo que une al socio-trabajador con la cooperativa de trabajo asociado es, ha sido y, al menos en un futuro próximo, seguirá siendo una cuestión compleja y controvertida, que ha generado dudas en el legislador y debates la doctrina. Pese a la aparente claridad, la posibilidad de que los socios aporten su trabajo a la sociedad, introduce elementos de incertidumbre en la lógica de definición de la prestación de servicios en cooperativas de trabajo asociado, al permitir que se configure de forma muy diversa, bien como un trabajo subordinado, organizado y dirigido dentro de la propia sociedad, o bien como un trabajo autónomo.Con este trabajo se pretende reflexionar sobre la naturaleza de la relación entre la cooperativa de trabajo asociado y sus socios trabajadores. La dispersión y heterogeneidad del marco normativo aplicable a la prestación de servicios del socio-trabajador constituye un reto de futuro, a la vez que una oportunidad, tanto para evitar la práctica utilización fraudulenta de la cooperativa de trabajo asociado como para fortalecer y desarrollar este tipo de sociedades, como instrumento de lucha contra el desempleo, la pobreza y la exclusión social.
Las cooperativas de trabajo asociado: una alternativa de trabajo digno, sostenible e inclusivo
Authors: Soriano Cortés Dulce
Published: July 2021

Este trabajo presenta una reflexión sobre el singular estatuto jurídico de las personas socias trabajadoras en las cooperativas de trabajo asociado. La naturaleza societaria que la ley otorga al vínculo contractual, no impide reconocer la inexorable conexión que tales socios trabajadores guardan con el ámbito de las relaciones laborales. El marco competencial constitucional y la diversificada regulación autonómica no favorecen la configuración de un adecuado estatuto jurídico para ellos. Es necesario aprovechar las sinergias de impulso internacional y comunitario en favor de las cooperativas como alternativas que generan trabajo decente y contribuyen al desarrollo sostenible, con empleos estables, seguros e inclusivos. Los poderes públicos han de contribuir a tales objetivos diseñando políticas públicas que favorezcan buenas prácticas laborales en este contexto, ejerciendo vigilancia y control para su efectividad. Finalmente, la libertad sindical en este marco, representa un paso decisivo en el reconocimiento y ejercicio de los derechos laborales.
Otros encuentros
Authors: Creus Amalia
Published: July 2021

“Cuando me paro a reflexionar sobre mis viajes por el mundo, viajes que se han prolongado durante muchos, muchos años, a veces tengo la impresión de que las fronteras y los frentes, así como las penalidades y los peligros propios de estos viajes me han producido menos inquietud que la incógnita, siempre presente y renovada, de cómo transcurriría cada nuevo encuentro con los Otros, con esas personas extrañas con las que me toparía mientras seguía mi camino. Pues siempre supe que de ese encuentro dependería mucho, muchísimo, si no todo.”

La cita es del libro Encuentro con el otro del periodista y escritor Ryzard Kapuscinski. Una obra breve, sencilla y contundente en la que Kapuscinski nos invita a reflexionar sobre el sentido de la identidad y la diferencia, explorando cuestiones como lo que significa ser europeo, no serlo, ser colonizado y colonizador, tener o imponer una identidad. Cuestiones que, pese a su larga historia, siguen siendo materia de primera actualidad en un mundo acosado por desafíos abrumadores donde las diferencias –sociales, culturales, étnicas, de género, raciales…– atraviesan gran parte de los conflictos locales y globales contemporáneos. Ahí están el brutal asesinato de George Floyd, el persistente racismo estructural, la creciente discriminación y criminalización de la inmigración, las guerras culturales y religiosas, la proliferación de estereotipos raciales y de género que refuerzan el sentido de la alteridad… Y son solo algunos ejemplos.
Legal assistance in cases of administrative offences and other types of legal assistance
Authors: Nesterova Anastasia Vladimirovna
Published: July 2021

The subject of this research is the Institution of legal assistance in cases of administrative offenses. The author examines the concept, according to which the norms on international legal assistance related to various branches of law (civil procedure, arbitration procedure, criminal procedure, administrative, private international) and reflecting the basic principles of international law, constitute an independent set of norms. The Institute of rendering legal assistance in cases of administrative offences is most similar by the content to the Institution of rendering legal assistance in cases of criminal offences established in the Chapter 53 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The comprehensive analysis of these institutions along with the position of the international community on their correlation, contributes to elaboration of ways for their development. The European Court of Human Rights, in the context of correlation of the norms on criminal responsibility in different countries, claims that regardless of whether the act is a criminal offence (France), minor offence (Germany), or administrative offense (Russia), it falls under the category pf  “criminal matter” (criminal sphere), from the perspective that the country is obliged to provide a person with due procedural guarantees if indicted. Considering that the international community understands “criminal matter” as both crimes and offenses, the provisions on rendering legal assistance in cases of administrative offenses can be implemented in accordance with the standards that are effective in providing legal assistance in cases of criminal offences. The latter may include the process of harmonization and unification of international and domestic law, conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements between the countries, etc.
An outline of private international law in the branches of public international law
Authors: Shinkaretskaya Galina Georgievna
Published: July 2021

The author reviews the key aspects of using the norms of private international law in intergovernmental relations, development of the universal legal norms and methods in the conditions of globalization. It is noted that public and private international law differ in multiple parameters, particularly the method of regulation. Private law relationships are regulated by the national legislations, while public law relationships are regulated by international treaties, which can be expressed in form of agreements, customs, or tacit consent. consent form. The author underlines the importance of distinguishing between the sphere of private and public law, as well as proper application of the corresponding regulatory mechanisms. To research employs formal-logical, systematic, comparative, and other methods. The relevance of modernizing legal regulation of foreign economic activity is emphasized. The author notes that the norms that establish the procedure for regulating the behavior of private and legal entities have been included into the international law. The manifestation of this phenomenon can be seem in the international investment law (investment process), law of the sea (in the area of resource extraction). The future position of privately held companies in the development of lunar resources is being actively discussed. This phenomenon can be substantiated by the need to establish a unified rule of law for the activity of non-state actors in the corresponding branches of international law.
Specificity and elements of the mechanism of budget monitoring in the current conditions of the Russian Federation
Authors: Gurtueva Fatima Alibekovna
Published: July 2021

The current situation of the Russian financial system is far from being stable, and is constantly exposed to risks, many of which pose a threat to its security. Overcoming these circumstances is impossible without reforming the mechanism of budget monitoring and treasury support in the country as the innovative instruments, the implementation which in the Russia Federation is at the nascent stage. The goal of this article consists in the analysis of the concept of “budget monitoring”, and determination of its elements in the current conditions. The subject of this research is the financial relations emerging in the course of establishment of budget monitoring in Russia. For achieving the set goal, the author employs the general scientific methods of dialectical, comparative-systemic, and structural-layered analysis. The information framework is comprised of the normative legal financial documents of the Russian Federation and periodical publications of the national economists. The author reveals the ambiguity of approaches towards discerning the content of budget monitoring in the Russian science and practice. The author carries out the original systematization of the elements of budget monitoring (target component, subject-object composition, stages, methods, etc.). The article determines the role of treasury support, as well as outlines the key vectors of its modernization with consideration of the recent legislative innovations along with the gaps and difficulties occurring in practice. The acquired results are valuable for the financial authorities, as well as for researchers, pedagogues, master’s students, and postgraduates majoring in the budgeting process.
A model of firearms qualification of the postgraduates of educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Konstantinov Vladimir Nikolaevich , Egoshin Igor Viktorovich
Published: July 2021

The research subject is the evaluation technique of the firearms qualification of a postgraduate of educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The purpose of the research is to develop and scientifically prove the model of firearms qualification of the postgraduates of educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The research helps detect the problem of postgraduates’ skills improvement, which could be solved by means of evaluating the firearms qualification of students based on the model characteristics, which would increase the motivation to improve the firearms skills. The authors’ contribution is the development of a model of firearms qualification of postgraduates based on the qualification characteristics of tactical, technical and psychological qualification, since the current evaluation system doesn’t fully comply with the real conditions of using firearms by internal affairs officers. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the development of a model of firearms qualification of postgraduates based on the qualification characteristics of tactical and technical and psychological qualification. The practical importance of the research consists in the fact that the firearms qualification model will allow defining the specific tasks of the educational process and finding the relevant means and methods of training, as well as the size of exercise and mental load. The research results can be used during the firearms training process in educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The acquired results have helped to develop and substantiate the teaching guidelines to be used by the instructional staff during the firearms training process.
On the legal status of cadets and attendees of road traffic safety protection courses during the traineeship
Authors: Zeinalov Fazil Nazim ogly
Published: July 2021

The research object is the system of social and legal relations in the field of road traffic safety protection. The research subject is the set of legal provisions regulating the administrative and legal status of cadets and attendees during all types of traineeship.   The purpose of the research is to analyze the normative base regulating the recruitment of students during the traineeship, and the legal status of students. The research methodology is based on the fundamental provisions of the theory of law; the generalization of practical experience; the usage of methods of logical, monographical and system analysis. The field of application of the research results: the law-making process of the government organizations, the law-enforcement activity of law-enforcement bodies; the educational process of educational institutions; the research work of road traffic safety protection specialists; the improvement of the branches of Russia’s legal system. The scientific novelty of the research is determined by the practical and scientific importance of the problems of law-enforcement activities of law-enforcement agencies in the field of road traffic safety protection, and by the necessity to improve the legal fundamentals regulating the powers of students during the traineeship. The author analyzes federal legislation, subordinate and sectoral laws to find out whether they describe the legal status of a student during the traineeship at road traffic safety units, or not. The author formulates the proposals about the improvement of the administrative and legal status of students of higher education institutions of the State Road Traffic Safety Authority in regard to specifying their rights and duties during the traineeship at the units of the State Road Traffic Safety Authority.   
The impact of administrative prejudice upon the content of penal prohibition
Authors: Losev Sergei Gennadevich , Morozov Viktor Ivanovich
Published: July 2021

The object of this research is the legal relations arising in the context of implementation of the norms of criminal law of the Russian Federation that establish liability for repeated administrative offenses. The subject of this research is the practice of application the criminal law norms of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods that regulate the institution of administrative prejudice, and acts of interpretation of the Russian Constitution, in which the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation deals with the problems of the use of separate articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation that contain the norms with administrative prejudice, and parts of interrelation between the institutions of administrative prejudice and recurrence of offenses. The subject of this research is also justification of existence the institution of administrative prejudice in the national criminal law, main flaws in interpretation of the articles that describe the norms of the institution of administrative prejudice in the text of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Taking into consideration all shortcomings in interpretation of the articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the author offers unified definition of the composition with administrative prejudice. It is suggested to reintroduce the concept of recurrent offense in the General Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, taking into account the fact of administrative liability, outstanding criminal record, or criminal record that has not been expunged. The case if the legislator deems it necessary to take into account not identical, but homogeneous recurrence should be stipulated in the note to the article of the Special Part. The author also offers to include the Article 16.1 into the General Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in the following wording: “The repeated offense is considered an act committed by a person who has previously been subjected to administrative penalty for similar type of offense, unless stipulated otherwise in the corresponding articles of the Special Part of the effective Code”.
Rene Descartes and secular salons of the XVII century
Authors: Zaуtseva Nataliya Vladimirovna
Published: July 2021

The scale of persona of Rene Descartes, who was the founder of several trends of philosophical thought, often overshadows the intellectual life of the era and the environment that gave rise to Cartesianism. At the same time, we observe a unique situation, when the philosophical doctrine being seized by the secular educated society, rather than the intellectual elite. The key condition for such impact of the philosophical system consists in the fact that the philosophy should meet the demands the era and the environment it is proliferated within. Therefore, the author places Rene Descartes and some aspects of his philosophy in a specific historical context, pursuing correlation with the thoughts and ideas of his contemporaries. This method indicates how the philosophy of Descartes completes and structures the mental transformation that have already taken place or were taking place in French society. Descartes’ perception of his mission, his appeal to future generations, should not deceive or allow to forget that Descartes is not just philosopher with whom the finest minds of the next centuries are engaged into a dialogue or debate , but also a nobleman of the XVII, who responded to the demands of his time. It were not the complicated philosophical tasks that he tried to solve, but the particular answers that influenced and formed the European mentality of the Modern Age without the fact that the perception of his philosophy by the contemporaries would of fully correspond to its essence, and the impact correspond to the letter. Affected by the philosophy of Descartes, the society develops new behavioral norms that underlie the subconscious of modern culture; and from this space of the unsconsious affect the life of modern society.
The nuances of toning and wood dyeing in the process of creating the original wooden sculptures
Authors: Cheglakov Aleksandr Dmitrievich
Published: July 2021

  This article states that the ways to improve the decorative qualities of wood have been known to mankind since ancient times. The techniques of woodworking material have improved over years. The author underlines the importance of proper choice of finishing materials, as it intended to preserve the cultural objects, as well as produce certain aesthetic perception. Therefore, the choice of materials is substantiated by the nature of the wood and the work performed, as well as by the author's plan and conceptual idea. The article discusses the key methods of wood finishing in the process of creating wooden sculptures. The author lists the main types of wood finishing, as well as the original techniques. It is noted that there are various technologies for giving a wood surface a different color. Description is given to such methods as fire-treatment and waxing of wooden surface; as well as to the original techniques of treating wood damaged by the bark beetle or exposed to fire. It is claimed that proper firing gives wood strength and resistance, protecting it from various influences and significantly extending its durability. Special attention is given to the wood ash treatment, and how this ancient technology can be applied in modern wooden sculpture. The recommendations are given for proper selection of applicators that contribute to quality dyeing of wooden surfaces.
A transient postnatal quiescent period precedes emergence of mature cortical dynamics
Authors: Domínguez Soledad , Ma Liang , Yu Han , Pouchelon Gabrielle , Mayer Christian , Spyropoulos George D , Cea Claudia , Buzsáki György , Fishell Gordon , Khodagholy Dion , Gelinas Jennifer N
Published: July 2021

Mature neural networks synchronize and integrate spatiotemporal activity patterns to support cognition. Emergence of these activity patterns and functions is believed to be developmentally regulated, but the postnatal time course for neural networks to perform complex computations remains unknown. We investigate the progression of large-scale synaptic and cellular activity patterns across development using high spatiotemporal resolution in vivo electrophysiology in immature mice. We reveal that mature cortical processes emerge rapidly and simultaneously after a discrete but volatile transition period at the beginning of the second postnatal week of rodent development. The transition is characterized by relative neural quiescence, after which spatially distributed, temporally precise, and internally organized activity occurs. We demonstrate a similar developmental trajectory in humans, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that could facilitate a transition in network operation. We hypothesize that this transient quiescent period is a requisite for the subsequent emergence of coordinated cortical networks.
Image-based many-language programming language identification
Authors: Del Bonifro Francesca , Gabbrielli Maurizio , Lategano Antonio , Zacchiroli Stefano
Published: July 2021

Programming language identification (PLI) is a common need in automatic program comprehension as well as a prerequisite for deeper forms of code understanding. Image-based approaches to PLI have recently emerged and are appealing due to their applicability to code screenshots and programming video tutorials. However, they remain limited to the recognition of a small amount of programming languages (up to 10 languages in the literature). We show that it is possible to perform image-based PLI on a large number of programming languages (up to 149 in our experiments) with high (92%) precision and recall, using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transfer learning, starting from readily-available pretrained CNNs. Results were obtained on a large real-world dataset of 300,000 code snippets extracted from popular GitHub repositories. By scrambling specific character classes and comparing identification performances we also show that the characters that contribute the most to the visual recognizability of programming languages are symbols (e.g., punctuation, mathematical operators and parentheses), followed by alphabetic characters, with digits and indentation having a negligible impact.
Phenotypic plasticity and evolution of thermal tolerance in bacteria from temperate and hot spring environments
Authors: Hurtado-Bautista Enrique , Pérez Sánchez Laura F. , Islas-Robles Africa , Santoyo Gustavo , Olmedo-Alvarez Gabriela
Published: July 2021

Phenotypic plasticity allows individuals to respond to the selective forces of a new environment, followed by adaptive evolution. We do not know to what extent phenotypic plasticity allows thermal tolerance evolution in bacteria at the border of their physiological limits. We analyzed growth and reaction norms to temperature of strains of two bacterial lineages, Bacillus cereus sensu lato and Bacillus subtilis sensu lato, that evolved in two contrasting environments, a temperate lagoon (T) and a hot spring (H). Our results showed that despite the co-occurrence of members of both lineages in the two contrasting environments, norms of reactions to temperature exhibited a similar pattern only in strains within the lineages, suggesting fixed phenotypic plasticity. Additionally, strains from the H environment showed only two to three degrees centigrade more heat tolerance than strains from the T environment. Their viability decreased at temperatures above their optimal for growth, particularly for the B. cereus lineage. However, sporulation occurred at all temperatures, consistent with the known cell population heterogeneity that allows the Bacillus to anticipate adversity. We suggest that these mesophilic strains survive in the hot-spring as spores and complete their life cycle of germination and growth during intermittent opportunities of moderate temperatures. The limited evolutionary changes towards an increase in heat tolerance in bacteria should alert us of the negative impact of climate change on all biological cycles in the planet, which at its most basic level depends on microorganisms.
Furongian (Jiangshanian) occurrences of radiodonts in Poland and South China and the fossil record of the Hurdiidae
Authors: Zhu Xuejian , Lerosey-Aubril Rudy , Ortega-Hernández Javier
Published: July 2021

The Furongian period represents an important gap in the fossil record of most groups of non-biomineralizing organisms, owing to a scarcity of Konservat-Lagerstätten of that age. The most significant of these deposits, the Jiangshanian strata of the Sandu Formation near Guole Township (Guangxi, South China), have yielded a moderately abundant, but taxonomically diverse soft-bodied fossil assemblage, which provides rare insights into the evolution of marine life at that time. In this contribution, we report the first discovery of a radiodont fossil from the Guole Konservat-Lagerstätte. The specimen is an incomplete frontal appendage of a possibly new representative of the family Hurdiidae. It is tentatively interpreted as composed of seven podomeres, six of which bearing laminiform endites. The best preserved of these endites is especially long, and it bears short auxiliary spines that greatly vary in size. This is the second occurrence of hurdiids and more generally radiodonts in the Furongian, the first being the external mould of an oral cone from Jiangshanian strata of the Wiśniówka Sandstone Formation in Poland. Restudy of this Polish specimen confirms that it belongs to a hurdiid radiodont and best compares toPeytoia. The family Hurdiidae includes the oldest (basal Cambrian Epoch 2) and youngest (Early Ordovician, possibly Early Devonian) representatives of the Radiodonta and as such, has the longest stratigraphical range of the group. Yet, hurdiids only became prominent components of marine ecosystems during the middle Cambrian (Miaolingian), and their fossil record in younger strata remains limited.
Assessment of Spatial Variation of Physicochemical Parameters of Groundwater in Some Communities of Yenagoa Metropolis
Authors: Opukumo Alfred Wilson , Oki Austin O.
Published: July 2021

Water is a basic need of life, and more so, potable water is critical for healthy living. Shallow boreholes are now popular as the main source of drinking water in the Yenagoa metropolis due to the contamination of surface water and rainwater caused by poor management of wastes and crude oil facilities in the area. However, there are concerns about variations in the quality of groundwater across communities in the Yenagoa metropolis. Thus, this study assesses the spatial variations of physicochemical parameters of groundwater samples from 50 boreholes in the area, and results compared with recommended standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Parameters analyzed were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, chloride, sulfate, total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron. Global Information System (GIS) technology was adopted to present the groundwater quality in respect to each physicochemical parameter, in thematic maps. The maps showed that groundwater was slightly acidic in most communities in Central and Northern Yenagoa like Ekeki, Swali, Akaba, and Okolobiri. In communities like Ogbogoro, Ekeki, Azikoro and Yenegwe the EC was higher than the standard permissible value according to the WHO. A very high concentration of iron was observed across all communities except a few like Nedogo, Okolobiri, Tombia, Gbarantoru, Ayama, Famgbe, and Ikibiri having iron-free groundwater. Concentrations of TDS, calcium, magnesium, nitrates, sulfates, potassium, and sodium were within permissible limits across all communities. Communities like Ayama-Ijaw, Obololi, Ikibiri, Ikudu, Bomodi, Tombia, and Akaibiri had good groundwater while Ekeki, Famgbe, Yenaka, and Kpansia boast of excellent groundwater quality, and other areas had either poor or unsuitable groundwater for consumption. Treatment is recommended for parameters with higher concentrations than the standard value stipulated by the WHO.
Geology and Geochemical Assessment of Maastrichtian Coal Quality in Abocho area, Northern Anambra Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Zakari A. A. , Jatau B. S.
Published: July 2021

Detailed geologic mapping and geochemical analysis of coal samples around Abocho area, northern Anambra Basin, Nigeria was conducted in order to assess the quality of the coals in the area. Proximate and ultimate analyses were carried out on coal samples from the Mamu Formation to determine its chemical characteristics.  Physical analysis was also carried out on the coal samples to determine the specific gravity, density and hardness. Geochemical analysis was also carried out on the associated rocks in the study area (Abocho), particularly Shales and Clays to determine their major oxides composition. The area is composed of the Maastrichtian Mamu Formation overlain by the Ajali Sandstone of the same age both dipping between 16°E and 19°E. The geologic mapping of Abocho area revealed two mappable lithologic units: The Mamu Formation and the Ajali Sandstone. The Proximate analyses indicates that the coal contains an average 7.15%, 35.53%, 36.24% of moisture content, volatile matter and fixed carbon respectively. These burns to generate 4,339 kcal/kg calorific value with 20.80% ash yield. The result of the ultimate analysis shows 57.81% organic carbon, 4.15% hydrogen, 8.41% oxygen, 1.39% nitrogen and 0.3% Sulphur. The physical analysis revealed that, the coal has an average specific gravity of 1.5g/cm, average density of 1.4g/cm3 and average hardness of 1.2. These characteristics qualify the coal to be ranked as high volatile sub-bituminous to marginal lignite. The coal is thus, suitable for combustion, gasification, electric power generation and industrial uses. Geochemical results show that the Shale contains 60% Silica (SiO2) and 26%Alumina (Al2O3) constituting 86% of bulk chemical composition. The Clay contains 70% Silica (SiO2) and 25% Alumina (Al2O3), constituting 95% of bulk chemical composition. The occurrences of CaO, NaO and K2O which are the major component of feldspar in clay suggests the clay to be of granitic origin possibly from Oban massif, east of the Anambra Basin. It also suggests low feldspar content.
The Potential of Cellulose as a Source of Bioethanol using the Solid Catalyst: A Mini-Review
Authors: Anggoro Didi Dwi , Oktavia Kamsi Nur
Published: July 2021

One of the most important biofuels is cellulose ethanol which is a popular material for bioethanol production. The present cellulosic ethanol production is through the cellulolytic process and this involves the splitting of complex cellulose into simple sugars through the hydrolysis process of the lignocellulose pretreated with acids and enzymes after which the product is fermented and distilled. There are, however, some challenges due to the enzymatic and acid processes based on the fact that acid hydrolysis has the ability to corrode equipment and cause unwanted waste while the enzymatic hydrolysis process requires a longer time because enzymes are costly and limited. This means there is a need for innovations to minimize the problems associated with these two processes and this led to the application of solid catalysts as the green and effective catalyst to convert cellulose to ethanol. Solid catalysts are resistant to acid and base conditions, have a high surface area, and do not cause corrosion during the conversion of the cellulose due to their neutral pH. This review, therefore, includes the determination of the cellulose potential as feedstock to be used in ethanol production as well as the preparation and application of solid catalyst as the mechanism to convert cellulose into fuel and chemicals. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Influence of temperature and denaturing agents on the structural stability of calmodulin
Authors: Guerini Danilo , Krebs Joachim
Published: July 2002

The structural stability of calmodulin was studied by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy under different denaturing conditions. The presence of Ca2+ stabilizes the structural properties of the native protein. In the absence of calcium the structural integrity of calmodulin can easily be affected by elevated temperatures or by high concentrations of denaturing agents. The unfolding process under various denaturing conditions is reversible underlining the high degree of structural flexibility of this protein.
Peptidyltransferase center of ribosomes
Authors: Kukhanova Marina , Victorova Ljubov , Krayevsky Alexander
Published: July 2002

The molecular mechanism of action of the alkaloid lycorine has been revised. According to our results, lycorine inhibits the binding of CACCA‐Leu←Ac to the donor site of the peptidyltranferase center of wheat‐germ ribosomes, whereas the transpeptidation reaction in the system with the minimal model donor is not inhibited. The equilibrium constant of CACCA‐Leu←Ac to the donor site of 80 S ribosomes is measured.
Inhibition of cyclic GMP formation and aggregation in Dictyostelium by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist TMB‐8
Authors: Europe-Finner G.N. , Newell P.C.
Published: July 2002

Aggregation in Dictyostelium discoideum was shown in previous studies employing EGTA to require Ca2+, but the intra‐ or extracellular site of action of this ion and its role in chemotaxis were not determined [1]. In this investigation we show that the intracellular Ca2+ immobilising agent TMB‐8 does not affect binding of the signalling nucleotide, cAMP, to the cell surface receptors but abolishes the rapid accumulation of intracellular cGMP and subsequent chemotactic aggregation. We infer that movement of Ca2+ from membrane‐bound stores is triggered by binding of cAMP to the cell‐surface receptor and that this plays a primary role in stimulating cGMP formation and chemotaxis.
The Ca2+/Cl− dependent L‐[3H]glutamate binding: a new receptor or a particular transport process?
Authors: Pin J.-P. , Bockaert J. , Recasesn M.
Published: July 2002

Ca2+/Cl− increases the L‐[3H]glutamate binding to rat brain synaptic membranes. It was suggested that Ca2+/Cl− expresses a new class of glutamate receptors. We report several lines of evidence suggesting that Ca2+/Cl− in fact favours a glutamate transport into membrane vesicles. This finding may serve to reconcile most of the discrepancies found in the literature on the glutamate binding and its pharmacology.
Double‐quantum 1H NMR studies of nitrogen metabolism in yeast
Authors: Paul Juretschke Hans
Published: July 2002

Using double‐quantum 1H NMR spectroscopy, the nitrogen metabolism of yeast cells pulse‐labelled with 15N‐enriched ammonium sulfate has been detected. The sensitivity of this indirect method is far higher than direct observation of the 15N signals by 15N NMR. Hence, a spectrum with an excellent signal‐to‐noise ratio was obtained in 25.6 s. The observed proton signals were assigned to specific metabolites using two‐dimensional reverse shift correlation spectra.
Identity of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and 3α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat but not in rabbit liver cytosol
Authors: Wörner Walter , Oesch Franz
Published: July 2002

Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and 3α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in rat and rabbit liver cytosol have been analyzed by isoelectric focussing and subsequent activity staining. Identity of the two enzymes in rat liver cytosol is demonstrated. At least 4 main enzyme forms possessing dihydrodiol dehydrogenase activity can be detected in rabbit liver cytosol. However, in this species, only one of these forms has measurable activity towards 3α‐hydroxysteroids.
Purification of the human thyroid peroxidase and its identification as the microsomal antigen involved in autoimmune thyroid diseases
Authors: Czarnocka Barbara , Ruf Jean , Ferrand Mireille , Carayon Pierre , Lissitzky Serge
Published: July 2002

Human thyroid peroxidase (TPO) has been purified from thyroid microsomes by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to TPO. The eluted material had a specific activity of 381 and exhibited a peak in the Soret region. The ratio of A
411 toA
280 ranged from 0.20 to 0.25. Upon SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme gave two contiguous bands in the 100 kDa region. Further, it has been demonstrated that sera with anti‐microsomal autoantibodies from patients presenting Graves' or Hashimoto's thyroiditis diseases were able to bind to purified TPO and to inhibit in a dose‐dependent manner the mAb binding to purified TPO. This suggests that TPO is the thyroid antigen termed to date the microsomal antigen.
Glucose‐stimulated cAMP increase may be mediated by intracellular acidification in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Caspani Giorgio , Tortora Paolo , Hanozet Giorgio M. , Guerritore Andrea
Published: July 2002

It has been reported that addition of glucose to cells of Saccharomyces
cerevisiae grown on a sugar‐free medium causes a peak of intracellular cAMP levels. Also, it has been proposed that this effect might be mediated by plasma membrane depolarization. However, here, we observed a hyperpolarizing effect of glucose in S. cerevisiae and, in addition, no change in cAMP levels when depolarization was induced by valinomycin in the presence of K+. In contrast, treatments that induced a rapid intracellular acidification such as addition of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p‐trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone at pH 5.5 but not at pH 8.0, extracellular pH shift from 8.5 to 3.5, and glucose itself, also increased the cyclic nucleotide. Thus, our data strongly support the hypothesis that intracellular acidification mediates the effect of glucose on cAMP levels.
The GTP‐binding regulatory proteins of neuroblastoma × glioma, NG108‐15, and glioma, C6, cells
Authors: Milligan Graeme , Gierschik Peter , Spiegel Allen M. , Klee Werner A.
Published: July 2002

Amounts of the guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins which are also pertussis toxin substrates (such as Ni and No) were measured in rat glioma, C6BU‐1, cells and in neuroblastoma × glioma, NG108‐15, hybrid cells. Measurements were performed both by quantitating pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP‐ribosylation and by quantitative immunoblotting with affinity purified antibodies specific for Ni or No. The amounts of pertussis toxin substrate in C6 and NG108‐15 cells are 7.5 and 0.6 membrane protein, respectively. These levels are minimum values and higher estimates of the total amounts of N proteins in the two cells are obtained by quantitative immunoblot analysis of the β‐subunit common to all N proteins. Immunoblots with specific antibodies show that NG108‐15 cells contain 3.8 of No and detectable but small ( < 0.1 ) amounts of Ni. In contrast, C6 cell membranes contain no detectable No and only 0.14 Ni. Thus, C6 cells contain large amounts of a pertussis toxin substrate which is neither Ni nor No.
Vasopressin‐stimulated phosphorylation of rat liver phospholipid methyltransferase in isolated hepatocytes
Authors: Mérida Isabel , Varela Isabel , Alvarez José F. , Cabrero Carmen , Mato José M.
Published: July 2002

Addition of vasopressin (1μM) to isolated rat hepatocytes prelabeled with [32P]phosphate was accompanied by a 250% increase in the phosphorylation of phospholipid methyltransferase. Vasopressin‐stimulated phospholipid methyltransferase phosphorylation was time‐ and dose‐dependent. 32P‐labeled phospholipid methyltransferase was recovered by immunoprecipitation and SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After electrophoresis, phospholipid methyltransferase was electroeluted from the polyacrylamide gel and subjected to tryptic digestion or HCl hydrolysis. Analysis of 32P‐labeled peptides reveals only one site of phosphorylation and the analysis of [32P]phosphoamino acids indicates that phosphoserine is the only labeled amino acid.
Segment α 182‐198 of Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor contains a second toxin‐binding region and binds anti‐receptor antibodies
Authors: Mulac-Jericevic Biserka , Atassi M.Zouhair
Published: July 2002

The area around Cys‐192 and Cys‐193 is thought to be a functionally important part of the α‐subunit of the acetylcholine receptor. We have synthesized peptide α 182‐198 of the α‐chain of the Torpedo
californica acetylcholine receptor and investigated the binding to the peptide of α‐bungarotoxin, cobratoxin and antibodies raised against acetylcholine receptor. The results showed that the synthetic peptide α 182‐198 contains a second toxin‐binding region and also binds a considerable fraction of anti‐receptor antibodies. We also report here the toxin‐binding activity of synthetic peptide a 125–148 of the human acetylcholine receptor which has been previously localized as a toxin‐binding region in the α‐chain of the Torpedo receptor.