Multianalyte Sensing Of Addictive Over-the-counter (otc) Drugs

A supramolecular sensor array composed of two fluorescent cucurbit[n]uril-type receptors (probe 1 and probe 2) displaying complementary selectivities was tested for its ability to detect and quantify drug-related amines. The fluorimetric titration of the individual probes showed highly variable and cross-reactive analyte-dependent changes in fluorescence. An excellent ability to recognize a variety of analytes was demonstrated in qualitative as well as quantitative assays. Importantly, a successful quantitative analysis of several analytes of interest was achieved in mixtures and in human urine. The throughput and sensitivity surpass those of the current state-of-the-art methods that usually require analyte solid-phase extraction (SPE). These results open up the opportunity for new applications of cucurbit[n]uril-type receptors in sensing and pave the way for the development of simple high-throughput assays for various drugs in the near future

The Factorial Structure of Spatial Abilities in Russian and Chinese Students

Background: Recent research suggested a unifactorial structure of spatial ability (SA). Research is needed to replicate this finding in different populations. Objective: This study aims to explore the factorial structure of SA in samples of 921 Russian and 229 Chinese university students. Design: A gamified spatial abilities battery was administered to all participants. The battery consists of 10 different domains of SA, including 2D and 3D visualization, mental rotation, spatial pattern assembly, spatial relations, spatial planning, mechanical reasoning, spatial orientation and spatial decision making speed and flexibility. Results: The results of the factor analysis showed a somewhat different pattern for different samples. In the Russian sample, the unifactorial structure, shown previously in a large UK sample (Rimfeld et al., 2017), was replicated. A single factor explained 40% of the variance. In the Chinese sample two factors emerged: first factor explained 26% of the variance and the second factor, including only Mechanical reasoning and Cross-Sections tests, explained 14%. The results also showed that the Chinese sample significantly outperformed the Russian sample in 5 out of the 10 tests. Russian students showed better performance only in two of the tests. The effects of all group comparisons were small. Conclusion: Overall, a similar amount of variance in the 10 tests was explained in the two samples, replicating results from the UK sample. Future research is needed to explain the observed differences in the structure of SA

Fluorescent Discrimination between Traces of Chemical Warfare Agents and Their Mimics

An array of fluorogenic probes is able to discriminate between nerve agents, sarin, soman, tabun, VX and their mimics, in water or organic solvent, by qualitative fluorescence patterns and quantitative multivariate analysis, thus making the system suitable for the inthe- field detection of traces of chemical warfare agents as well as to differentiate between the real nerve agents and other related compounds.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (Project CTQ2012- 31611), Junta de Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación y Cultura y Fondo Social Europeo (Project BU246A12-1), the European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme (Project SNIFFER FP7-SEC-2012-312411) and the Swedish Ministry of Defence (no. A403913

HERON BIOLOGY (ARDEIDAE, CICONIIFORMES) ON THE EASTERN COAST OF THE AZOV SEA OF THE KRASNODAR REGION

Aim. The main goal was to assess the current state of herons in the Eastern sea of Azov in Krasnodar region.Methods. We have conducted collecting of material according to conventional ornithological methods of Saemann D. (1970), Kostin, Y. V. (1977), Klimova S. M. (1989), Brave V. M. (1991), and Bogolyubov A. S. (1996).Results. Spring arrivals in the eastern coast of the Azov Sea have been noted from February to April. Jacks suit in the thickets of reeds, rushes to the creases, some species of trees. The breeding season is extended, depending on the time of construction of the nest. Number of eggs per clutch varies from 1 to 5. The incubating of eggs lasts 21-27 days. The development of the chicks lasts 40-55 days. The effectiveness of nesting herons in the studied species in the lower reaches of the Kuban ranges from 78.6% to 83.5%. The basis of herons diet of fish of different species and sizes. Analysis of the castings showed the presence in them of Coleoptera fragments, lake frog, wool and the remnants of rodents.Main conclusions. Studied basic biological periods herons of Eastern Azov region. Established that the size of heron population at the area of interest varies year by year due to effect of anthropogenic and abiotic factors

WHITE STORK - ADVENTICIUS SPECIES OF THE PRIAZOV

The article gives some new data on white stork nesting in the eastern near Azov area. The author analyses factors influencing the appearance of these birds in places which are not typical for them and describes some biological peculiarities of white stork development in the eastern near Azov area

ECOLOGY OF CICONIIFORMES BIRDS IN FORESTS OF CRIMEA TIMBER ENTERPRISE OF KRASNODAR TERRITORY

Features of ecology ciconiiformes birds in the conditions of plantings of the Crimean timber enterprise of Krasnodar territory are considered. Biotopes, number, phenology, nested ecology and feed of birds are analyzed

This is the way: Network perspective on targets for spatial ability development programmes

Background: Spatial ability (SA) was shown to be important for success in different fields, including STEM. Recent research suggested that SA is a unitary construct, rather than a set of related skills. However, it is not clear how individual differences in different facets of SA emerge, and how they relate to variance in general cognitive ability. Aims: The aim of the present study was threefold: 1) to examine the structure of SA testing nine theoretical models; 2) to explore the relation between 16 different facets of SA with general cognitive ability; and 3) to identify central facet(s) within the network of SA – with most links and/or strongest links to other facets. Sample: The study participants were 958 university students from Russia. Methods: The study used a comprehensive battery of 16 SA tests and a verbal ability measure. Results: Results supported previous research, suggesting moderate overlap between all SA facets. Factor analysis suggested several potential structures, with similar fit indices for five different theoretically driven models, including split into small- and large scale; partially independent manipulation, visualization and navigation facets. Confirmatory factor analysis, mediation and network analyses showed spatial ability being largely independent from verbal ability. In addition, network analysis showed that navigation according to directions is in the centre of the network, potentially linking all SA facets. Conclusion: The results have potential implications for identifying the best targets for SA interventions. The next step in research is conducting experimental studies to evaluate effectiveness of interventions targeting navigation in comparison with other facets of SA

Comparing spatial ability of male and female students completing humanities vs. technical degrees

Background. Spatial ability (SA) has long been the focus of research in psychology, because it is associated with performance in science, technologies, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Research has shown that males consistently outperform females in most aspects of SA, which may partially explain the observed overrepresentation of male students seeking STEM degrees

Comparing spatial ability of male and female students completing Humanities vs. technical degrees

Background. Spatial ability (SA) has long been the focus of research in psychology, because it is associated with performance in science, technologies, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Research has shown that males consistently outperform females in most aspects of SA, which may partially explain the observed overrepresentation of male students seeking STEM degrees