Local taxonomic spectra in plants, animals, fungi and terrestrial protists show common mathematical patterns

Taxonomic spectra, i.e. relations between supraspecific taxa by the number of included species, remain poorly understood in aspect of the mathematical properties. We studied taxonomic spectra of plants (Magnoliophyta, Bryophyta), animals (Coleoptera, Aves), fungi (Agaricomycetes) and terrestrial protists (Myxomycetes), found in the Homilsha Forests National Nature Park (North-East of Ukraine), and concluded that they correspond to the hollow-curve distribution at the level of genera, families and orders. The spectra of most taxa, as shown by the Akaike information criterion, are closely approximated by the log-series distribution model at all taxonomic levels. This type of distribution is typical for the species abundance curves, based on collections made from small areas. At the same time, in the genera–families–orders row the similarity to the lognormal distribution increases. The central values and variability vary considerably between different taxonomic groups and ranks, however, without affecting the type of distribution. The number of orders in all taxa except Bryophyta has reached the saturation and coincides with the curve of the estimated number of orders according to the Chao1 coefficient. For families and especially genera the correspondence with estimated number of species is much lower. Our results do not confirm the assumption that hollow-curve distributions of taxonomic spectra result from the artificial fragmentation of taxa. These distributions neither depend on the insufficient knowledge about the species composition at the locality, nor reflect the size of the studied area. The presence of such distributions in both local and global biota of different groups may be explained by the common features of their evolution, especially by the existence of relict orphan groups. The fact that in Homilsha Forests the kurtosis and skewness of distributions decreases in the genera–families–orders row can therefore be explained by the relatively low percentage of the high-rank orphan taxa in the local biota. This may be a common feature of communities studied at small geographical scale, since orphan taxa often demonstrate a high level of endemism. Comparative studies of local communities from different climate zones may help to understand how universal are the patterns, described herein

Educación para la salud en la prensa. Análisis de los diarios vascos y navarros

El presente artículo tiene como objetivos describir de manera cuantitativa la cobertura informativa de los temas de salud publicados en los diarios vascos El Correo, Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Noticias de Álava y Berria y en el navarro Diario de Navarra durante la década 2001-2010, determinar cuántas de esas piezas sobre salud presentan un enfoque educativo y recoger diferentes puntos de vista cualificados sobre la función de la prensa en la educación para la salud. Para ello se llevó a cabo un análisis de contenido y entrevistas en profundidad a 5 periodistas y 8 médicos. El estudio concluye que es necesario que los diarios trabajen para mejorar la perspectiva educativa en los textos que publican.This article aims to describe quantitatively the media coverage of health issues published in the Basque newspapers El Correo, Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Noticias de Álava and Berria and in the Navarrese Diario de Navarra during the decade 2001-2010, to determine quantitatively which of those health related articles have an educational approach and, at the same time, to gather different qualified points of view on the press’s role in health education. This study was done with a content analysis and in-depth interviews with five journalists and eight health professionals. The study concludes that it is necessary for the newspapers to work in order to improve health education they usually publish

Структурно-параметрическое асимметрирование регуляторов в системах с разрывными законами управления

The paper considers a method for accuracy improvement of automatic control systems with break-up control laws. The method presupposes asymmetrizing of a structure or parameters of a non-linear regulator proportionally to destabilizing effects. Some variants of such asymmetrizing with usage of so-called ‘quick’ automatic oscillatory motions for compensation of slow errow components are given in the paper.Рассмотрен способ повышения точности систем автоматического управления с разрывными законами управления, суть которого состоит в асимметрировании структуры или параметров нелинейного регулятора пропорционально дестабилизирующим воздействиям. Показаны различные варианты такого асимметрирования с использованием «быстрых» автоколебательных движений для компенсации медленных составляющих ошибок

Stabilized Phase Variants of <I>Vibrio cholerae</I> El Tor P-18895

Produced have been stabilized phase variants of V. cholerae El Tor P-18895 (O- and rugose colonies). Frequency of reversion to initial ST-phenotype does not exceed 10 %. Identity of the origin is verified in VNTR. Evaluated has also been their activity by means of the following diagnostic tests: agglutination assay, sensitivity to diagnostic bacteriophages test, and studies of growth behavior in solid nutrient media. Stabilized variants of V. cholerae El Tor P-18895 can be deployed for further investigations of peculiarities of biofilm formation on various surfaces, bacterial resistance to environmental factors, and for the enhancement of methods for isolation of cholera vibrio variants from ambient environment

Global ocean wave fields show consistent regional trends between 1980 and 2014 in a multi-product ensemble

Historical trends in the direction and magnitude of ocean surface wave height, period, or direction are debated due to diverse data, time-periods, or methodologies. Using a consistent community-driven ensemble of global wave products, we quantify and establish regions with robust trends in global multivariate wave fields between 1980 and 2014. We find that about 30–40% of the global ocean experienced robust seasonal trends in mean and extreme wave height, period, and direction. Most of the Southern Hemisphere exhibited strong upward-trending wave heights (1–2 cm per year) and periods during winter and summer. Ocean basins with robust positive trends are far larger than those with negative trends. Historical trends calculated over shorter periods generally agree with satellite records but vary from product to product, with some showing a consistently negative bias. Variability in trends across products and time-periods highlights the importance of considering multiple sources when seeking robust change analyses.publishedVersio

Global ocean wave fields show consistent regional trends between 1980 and 2014 in a multi-product ensemble

Historical trends in the direction and magnitude of ocean surface wave height, period, or direction are debated due to diverse data, time-periods, or methodologies. Using a consistent community-driven ensemble of global wave products, we quantify and establish regions with robust trends in global multivariate wave fields between 1980 and 2014. We find that about 30-40% of the global ocean experienced robust seasonal trends in mean and extreme wave height, period, and direction. Most of the Southern Hemisphere exhibited strong upward-trending wave heights (1-2 cm per year) and periods during winter and summer. Ocean basins with robust positive trends are far larger than those with negative trends. Historical trends calculated over shorter periods generally agree with satellite records but vary from product to product, with some showing a consistently negative bias. Variability in trends across products and time-periods highlights the importance of considering multiple sources when seeking robust change analyses

A clinical case of demyelinating lesions of the brain: Central pontine myelinolysis

In the scientific review a rare demielinizirute disease of the brain - central pontine myelinolysis is presented. Prior to the introduction of the technique of visualization, diagnosis of the disease was through autopsy. Clinical case, which describes the variety neurological and somatic symptoms, was presented. The attention is focused on the importance of an integrated approach to diagnosis and management of the patient with the disease.В научном обзоре представлено редкое демиелинизрующее заболевание головного мозга: центральный потинный миелинолиз. До внедрения визуализирующих методов исследования оно диагностировалось только при аутопсии. Приведен клинический случай, описано многообразие неврологической и соматической симптоматики. Акцентировано внимание на значимость комплексного подхода к диагностике и ведения пациента с редким заболеванием

Малые дозы цитокинов и их комбинация с 5-фторурацилом при диссеминированном раке почки. Предварительные результаты рандомизированного исследования

There is no standard care for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). High and intermediate IL-2 regimens are difficult to recommend due to their high toxicity. A combination of low-dose cytokines is assumed to be effective and safe in MRCC patients. A prospective randomized study was started in 2003.Methods: The eligibility criteria included histopathologically confirmed MRCC, ECOG PS 0—2, no autoimmune diseases, no brain metastases, and normal organ function. All patients were randomized in three arms: IL-2 alone, 1.5 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 or IL-2 1.0 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 plus IFN 5 MIU, sc, t.i.w, weeks 1—3 or biochemotherapy group 5-FU, 500 mg/m 2 , iv, once a week, weeks 1—3 plus IL-2 1.0 MIU, iv, t.i.w., weeks 1—3 plus IFN 5 MIU, sc, t.i.w., weeks 1—3. Cycles were repeated every three weeks. A response was evaluated according to RECIST every 2 cycles.Results: 64 patients were enrolled of whom 63 were analyzed. The patients’ median age was 55.4 years (range 16—74). 55.6% of the patients had a poor prognosis (as described by Motzer et al., 2002). Bone metastases were present in 52.4%. Sixteen patients treated with IL-2 alone showed no CR, no PRs, 2 SDs, and 14 PDs. Of the 23 patients in IL-2+IFN group, 5 PRs, 8 SDs, and 10 PDs were observed, with a response rate of 21.7%. Amongst the 24 patients in 5-FU+IL-2+IFN group, 1 CR, 3 PRs, 10 SDs, and 10 PDs were shown, with a response rate of 16.7%. One-year survival was 20.0%, 81.3% and 81.0%, respectively. Flu-like syndrome was the most common side effect in the patients receiving IFN (89.1%, grade 1, CTC). Hypotension associated with IL-2 (all groups) was seen in 56.3% (grade 1 in 50% and grade 2 in 6.3%). The other toxicities were 12.7% grade 1 neutropenia and vomiting in 4.7% (group 3).Conclusions: Small-dose IL-2 in combination with IFN and 5-FU in MRCC is feasible, tolerable, with the efficacy comparable to other more toxic therapeutic modalities.