Garden varieties: how attractive are recommended garden plants to butterflies?

One way the public can engage in insect conservation is through wildlife gardening, including the growing of insect-friendly flowers as sources of nectar. However, plant varieties differ in the types of insects they attract. To determine which garden plants attracted which butterflies, we counted butterflies nectaring on 11 varieties of summer-flowering garden plants in a rural garden in East Sussex, UK. These plants were all from a list of 100 varieties considered attractive to British butterflies, and included the five varieties specifically listed by the UK charity Butterfly Conservation as best for summer nectar. A total of 2659 flower visits from 14 butterfly and one moth species were observed. We performed a principal components analysis which showed contrasting patterns between the species attracted to Origanum vulgare and Buddleia davidii. The “butterfly bush” Buddleia attracted many nymphalines, such as the peacock, Inachis io, but very few satyrines such as the gatekeeper, Pyronia tithonus, which mostly visited Origanum. Eupatorium cannibinum had the highest Simpson’s Diversity score of 0.75, while Buddleia and Origanum were lower, scoring 0.66 and 0.50 respectively. No one plant was good at attracting all observed butterfly species, as each attracted only a subset of the butterfly community. We conclude that to create a butterfly-friendly garden, a variety of plant species are required as nectar sources for butterflies. Furthermore, garden plant recommendations can probably benefit from being more precise as to the species of butterfly they attract

Compaction of the snow base of Vostok station wintering complex

The compaction of the snow base of the wintering complex under construction of the Russian Antarctic station “Vostok” is considered, which was required due to the unsuitability of the natural snow base for the perception of loads from the supports of the foundation of the wintering complex. Technical solutions were developed for snow base compaction on the basis of heating by solar radiation with the use of thermal mat and on the basis of snow vacuuming. The computational justification of the developed technical solutions was performed, which was carried out based on spatial finite element models using the computational software complex ANSYS. In this case, to substantiate the method of snow base compaction by solar radiation heating with the use of thermal mat, the calculated volume was analyzed, including the snow base zone, thermal mat and the space filled with air. When substantiating the method of snow base compaction by snow vacuuming, there was explored the calculation area for modeling the method of vacuuming for the hermetic volume of the excavation pit with immersed columns under the wintering complex foundation supports. The results of the of the calculated research have fully confirmed the assumptions laid down in the technical solutions for compaction of the wintering complex snow base by using of thermal mat and snow vacuuming

Spintronics: Fundamentals and applications

Spintronics, or spin electronics, involves the study of active control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in solid-state systems. This article reviews the current status of this subject, including both recent advances and well-established results. The primary focus is on the basic physical principles underlying the generation of carrier spin polarization, spin dynamics, and spin-polarized transport in semiconductors and metals. Spin transport differs from charge transport in that spin is a nonconserved quantity in solids due to spin-orbit and hyperfine coupling. The authors discuss in detail spin decoherence mechanisms in metals and semiconductors. Various theories of spin injection and spin-polarized transport are applied to hybrid structures relevant to spin-based devices and fundamental studies of materials properties. Experimental work is reviewed with the emphasis on projected applications, in which external electric and magnetic fields and illumination by light will be used to control spin and charge dynamics to create new functionalities not feasible or ineffective with conventional electronics.Comment: invited review, 36 figures, 900+ references; minor stylistic changes from the published versio

Менингит хантавирусной этиологии

The article describes a clinical case of serous meningitis in a patient with confirmed hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Despite the moderate-severe course of the disease with moderate hemorrhagic syndrome, the patient had the development of acute renal failure with the simultaneous occurrence of a rare complication – inflammation of the meningeal membranes caused by hantavirus.Описан клинический случай серозного менингита у пациента при подтвержденной геморрагической лихорадке с почечным синдромом. Несмотря на среднетяжелое течение заболевания с умеренным геморрагическим синдромом, у больного имело место развитие острой почечной недостаточности с одновременным возникновением редкого осложнения – воспаления менингеальных оболочек, вызванного хантавирусом

Сравнение эффективности продленной ультразвук-ассистированной блокады в плоскости мышцы разгибателя спины и продленной эпидуральной анестезии при операциях минимально инвазивного коронарного шунтирования

   The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prolonged ESP-block in comparison with prolonged thoracic epidural anesthesia in MIDCAB surgery.   Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective randomised two centre study with 45 patients who underwent MIDCAB surgery. In addition to general anesthesia, prolonged ESP-block was performed in group 1 (n = 22), and prolonged epidural anesthesia was performed in group 2 (n = 23).   Results. The decrease in blood pressure caused by the development of the regional block at all stages of anesthesia was more pronounced when using epidural anesthesia. In group 2, the dosage of norepinephrine was higher: 0.06 (0.05; 0.0725) mcg/kg–1/min–1 in group 1 and 0.16 (0.16; 0.16) mcg/kg/min in group 2, p < 0.001. The duration of prolonged mechanical ventilation in group 1 was lower and amounted to 102.5 (90; 110) minutes versus 110 (110; 115) minutes in group 2. The duration of surgery did not differ between the groups, the fentanyl consumption for anesthesia was higher in group 1: 0.7 (0.6; 0.8) mg versus 0.6 (0.5; 0.1) mg in group 2 (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, pain was rated as mild to moderate in both groups, with less pain in the group with epidural analgesia at stages 4 to 32 hours at rest and on coughing. After 48 hours, there were no statistical differences between the groups. The score of pain during coughing in both groups did not exceed 3 points, and patients did not need emergency analgesia.   Conclusion. In MIDCAB operations, the prolonged ESP-block is an effective method of regional anesthesia. While providing a sufficiently high level of analgesia, the use of the ESP-block during surgery only slightly increases the fentanyl usage. In the postoperative period, when using the ESP-block, extubation occurs earlier, and analgesia is almost as good as epidural blockade.   Цель – изучение эффективности продленной ультразвук-ассистированной блокады в плоскости мышцы разгибателя спины и продленной торакальной эпидуральной анестезии при операциях MIDCAB.   Материалы и методы. Проведено проспективное двухцентровое рандомизированное исследование с участием 45 пациентов, которым выполнена операция MIDCAB. Помимо общей анестезии, в 1-й группе (n = 22) выполняли продленный ESP-блок, во 2-й группе (n = 23) выполняли продленную эпидуральную анестезию.   Результаты. Снижение артериального давления, вызванное развитием регионарного блока, на всех этапах анестезии было более выраженным при использовании эпидуральной анестезии. Во 2-й группе была выше дозировка норадреналина: 0,06 (0,05; 0,0725) мкг·кг–1·мин–1 в 1-й группе и 0,16 (0,16; 0,16) мкг·кг–1·мин–1 во 2-й группе, p < 0,001. Продолжительность продленной искусственной вентиляции легких в 1-й группе была ниже и составила 102,5 (90; 110) минут против 110 (110; 115) минут во 2-й группе. Продолжительность оперативного вмешательства между группами не различалась, общее потребление фентанила за анестезию было выше в 1-й группе: 0,7 (0,6; 0,8) мг против 0,6 (0,5; 0,1) мг во 2-й группе (p < 0,001). После операции боль расценивали как слабую и умеренную в обеих группах, на этапах от 4 часов до 32 часов в покое и при кашле в группе с эпидуральной анальгезией боль была меньше. Через 48 часов статистических различий между группами не было. Оценка боли при кашле в обеих группах не превышала 3 балла и в экстренной анальгезии пациенты не нуждались.   Вывод. При операциях MIDCAB продленный ESP-блок является эффективным методом регионарной анестезии. Обеспечивая достаточно высокий уровень анальгезии, использование ESP-блока во время операции лишь незначительно увеличивает потребность в применении фентанила. В послеоперационном периоде при использовании ESP-блока экстубация происходит раньше, а анальгезия в целом сравнима с эпидуральной блокадой

Экстранодальный рост в метастазах папиллярного рака щитовидной железы – ультразвуковые критерии диагностики и его клиническое значение

The purpose of the research was to identify ultrasound criteria of extranodal extension (ENE) in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer and to evaluate the clinical significance of ENE.Material and Methods. Ultrasound signs of ENE in 283 cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer were analyzed. Extranodal extension in 137 metastases was diagnosed by ultrasound and verified by histological examination. Micrometastases invisible on ultrasound were detected in 144 patients; metastases located inside the organ were detected in 147 patients; metastases located outside the organ were revealed in 136 patients; the size of 98 metastases was less than 1 cm; the size of 185 metastases was more than 1 cm; the age of 51 patients was under 55 years; 132 patients were older than 55 years. Diagnostic significance of ENE and its clinical significance were estimated according to χ2 Pirson criteria.Results: Two ultrasound criteria: shape change and blurred margins of metastases indicated the presence of ENE. The small number of ultrasound false-negative findings indicated the need for further research. The number of micrometastases not detected by ultrasound was 2-fold higher in patients who had metastases with ENE than in patients who had metastases without ENE. The number of patients with ENE in metastases inside the organ (T1a, T1b, T2 and T3b) was 2.7 times lower compared to patients with metastases developed outside the organ (T3a, T4a, T4b); ENE was observed in metastases of different size and did not depend on age groups.Conclusion. The ultrasound method allows intravital detection of ENE in metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. The extension is accompanied by a significantly high number of micrometastases in the neck tissue. It is detected more often in metastases located outside the organ, regardless of the size and age of the patients. The extra-nodal extension should be considered as a criterion for an unfavorable prognosis.Цель исследования – выявить ультразвуковые критерии экстранодального роста в метастазах папиллярного рака щитовидной железы (ПРЩЖ) и оценить его клиническое значение.Материал и методы. Проанализированы ультразвуковые признаки экстранодального роста (ЭР) в 283 метастазах ПРЩЖ в лимфатические узлы шеи. Экстранодальный рост диагностирован ультразвуковым методом в 137 метастазах и верифицирован гистологическим исследованием. Микрометастазы, не определяемые ультразвуковым методом, обнаружены у 144 больных; внутриорганные опухоли установлены у 147 больных; внеорганные – у 136; количество метастазов размером до 1 см – 98, более 1 см – 185; больных моложе 55 лет оказалось 151, старше 55 лет – 132. Диагностическая значимость признаков ЭР и их клиническое значение оценены по критерию χ2 Пирсона.Результаты. Два ультразвуковых критерия – изменение формы и нечеткость контура в метастазе – свидетельствуют об ЭР. Незначительное число ультразвуковых ложноотрицательных данных указывает на необходимость дальнейших исследований. У больных, имеющих метастазы с ЭР, количество микрометастазов в клетчатке шеи, не определяемых ультразвуковым методом, в 2 раза больше по сравнению с больными, у которых метастазы не имеют ЭР. При метастазах с ЭР количество больных с внутриорганным ростом (T1a,T1b,T2 и T3b) в 2,7 раза меньше по сравнению с больными, имеющими опухоли с внеорганным ростом (T3a,T4a,T4b); ЭР в метастазах любых размеров не зависит от возраста больных.Выводы. Ультразвуковой метод позволяет прижизненно выявлять ЭР в метастазах папиллярного рака щитовидной железы. Экстранодальный рост сопровождается значимо большим количеством микрометастазов в клетчатке шеи; он выявляется при внеорганных опухолях; не зависит от размеров и от возраста больных. Экстранодальный рост следует рассматривать как критерий неблагоприятного прогноза

The impact of land use/land cover scale on modelling urban ecosystem services

Context Urbanisation places increasing stress on ecosystem services; however existing methods and data for testing relationships between service delivery and urban landscapes remain imprecise and uncertain. Unknown impacts of scale are among several factors that complicate research. This study models ecosystem services in the urban area comprising the towns of Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton which together represent a wide range of the urban forms present in the UK. Objectives The objectives of this study were to test (1) the sensitivity of ecosystem service model outputs to the spatial resolution of input data, and (2) whether any resultant scale dependency is constant across different ecosystem services and model approaches (e.g. stock- versus flow-based). Methods Carbon storage, sediment erosion, and pollination were modelled with the InVEST framework using input data representative of common coarse (25 m) and fine (5 m) spatial resolutions. Results Fine scale analysis generated higher estimates of total carbon storage (9.32 vs. 7.17 kg m−2) and much lower potential sediment erosion estimates (6.4 vs. 18.1 Mg km−2 year−1) than analyses conducted at coarser resolutions; however coarse-scale analysis estimated more abundant pollination service provision. Conclusions Scale sensitivities depend on the type of service being modelled; stock estimates (e.g. carbon storage) are most sensitive to aggregation across scales, dynamic flow models (e.g. sediment erosion) are most sensitive to spatial resolution, and ecological process models involving both stocks and dynamics (e.g. pollination) are sensitive to both. Care must be taken to select model data appropriate to the scale of inquiry

ПРИНЦИПЫ МАРТИНИКИ В РАДИОЙОДТЕРАПИИ ДИФФЕРЕНЦИРОВАННОГО РАКА ЩИТОВИДНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ

The latest recommendations of the American Thyroid Association have caused serious disagreements between the  nuclear medicine and endocrinologist communities regarding the radioactive iodine use. In 2018 eighteen experts  from 8 countries and 4 leading organizations (ATA, EANM, SNMMI and ETA) met for the first time to establish mutual understanding in the role of radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer. After much discussion and exchange of experience, the participants developed a consensus document based on the so-called nine principles of  Martinique. We present an overview of the article published 2019 in Thyroid, entitled «Controversies, consensus, and collaboration in the use of 131I therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer: a joint statement from the American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the European Thyroid Association».Последние рекомендации Американской тиреоидологической ассоциации 2015 г. вызвали серьезные разногласия между сообществами ядерной медицины и эндокринологов относительно применения радиоактивного йода. С целью установления взаимопонимания относительно роли радиойодтерапии дифференцированного рака щитовидной железы (ДРЩЖ) в 2018 г. состоялась первая встреча 18 экспертов из 8 стран и 4 ведущих организаций (ATA, EANM, SNMMI и ETA). После долгих дискуссий и обмена опытом участниками конференции был разработан консенсусный документ, в основу которого легли так называемые девять принципов Мартиники. Представляем обзор статьи, опубликованной в журнале «Thyroid» в 2019 г., под названием «Споры, консенсус и сотрудничество в использовании 131I при ДРЩЖ: совместное заявление Американской тиреоидологической ассоциации, Европейской ассоциации ядерной медицины, Общества ядерной медицины и молекулярной визуализации и Европейской тиреоидологической ассоциации»