Global Size Pattern in a Group of Important Ecological Indicators (Diptera, Chironomidae) Is Driven by Latitudinal Temperature Gradients

Size is one of the most outwardly obvious characteristics of animals, determined by multiple phylogenetic and environmental variables. Numerous hypotheses have been suggested to explain the relationship between the body size of animals and their geographic latitude. Bergmann’s Rule, describing a positive relationship between the body size of endothermic animals and their geographic latitude, is especially well known. Whether or not insects exhibit a similar pattern has long been a subject for debate. We hypothesize that latitudinal size gradients are coupled to temperature variation affecting the metabolic rate of these merolimnic insects. We showcase a strong latitudinal size gradient in non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae), based on the examination of 4309 specimens of these midges from around the world. Although phylogenetic position was a key predictor of wing length, we also found that wing length decreases by 32.4 µm per every 1 °C of mean annual temperature increase. This pattern was found across different taxa and could be detected in 20 of 24 genera studied. We discuss the reasons for this pattern origin and its palaeoecological implications.

Orchids of Azerbaijani Cemeteries

In order to explore their orchid flora, we performed surveys of 96 Azerbaijani burial places in 2018 and 2019. Altogether, 28 orchid taxa were found in 37 visited cemeteries. In the orchid diversity a remarkable pattern was observed: geographic latitude was significantly and positively related to the number of taxa and number of individuals. The most widespread and abundant orchids in Azerbaijani graveyards were Anacamptis pyramidalis and A. papilionacea (found in 23 and 8 cemeteries, respectively). Azerbaijani cemeteries can be important refuges for rare and threatened orchids, e.g., Himantoglossum formosum (three cemeteries), Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa (eight), Orchis adenocheila (two), O. punctulata (three), O. stevenii (one) and Steveniella satyrioides (one). Epipactis turcica, detected in a single locality, was previously unknown to the flora of Azerbaijan. Additionally, we documented orchid tuber (salep) collection in two cemeteries.

Factors Influencing Leprosy Incidence: A Comprehensive Analysis of Observations in Wenshan of China, Nepal, and Other Global Epidemic Areas

Leprosy remains endemic in some regions and is a global health concern. However, the possible causes and risk factors of the disease remain unclear. Data in Wenshan, China were collected from the Wenshan Institute of Dermatology (1986–2015); data in Nepal were obtained from the Leprosy Control Division, Department of Health Services, Nepal (2011 to 2015); and data from Indonesia, India, and Brazil were collected from WHO records. We assessed the epidemiological trends of leprosy in Wenshan and compared the features of possible causes and risk factors with those of other countries. We then performed a descriptive and statistical analysis to make our study more purposeful and definitive. A total of 3,376 cases were detected in Wenshan from 1986 to 2015. The overall prevalence rate (PR) of leprosy presented a decreasing trend with a peak (4.9/10,000 population) in 1986. The detection of new leprosy cases was higher in males than in females. Visible deformity increased every year since 2005 with a disability of 34.8% in 2015 among new cases. In Nepal, 2,461 leprosy patients received multi-drug therapy (MDT) in 2015 which corresponded to the PR of 0.89/10,000 population. Geographic latitude and socio-economic situations appeared to be the main causes of leprosy, and the healthcare condition was an important factor associated with leprosy incidence. The introduction of MDT effectively reduced leprosy prevalence worldwide. Wenshan (China), Nepal, and other countries share similarities in various aspects with respect to socio-cultural features, geographical distribution, environmental factors, and economic situation, which may contribute to leprosy being endemic in these areas.

ACCOUNTING OF SOLAR RADIATION IN NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE THERMOPHYSICAL PROCESSES OF FREEZING AND THAWING OF PERMAFROST SOILS

The article considers options for stabilizing the thawing process of permafrost soil of railways during the reconstruction period. The analysis of the engineering and geological conditions made it possible to design rock cooling structures at this facility, which are berms and cover slopes of the subgrade with fractionated rocky soil. The technical characteristics of fractionated rock soil structures have been developed and tested in this cryological area and have shown their effective operation for more than 30 years. As a result of the operation of the railway embankment, permafrost degrades and its boundary is at different depths depending on local conditions and the condition of the drainage systems from the subgrade. The position of the upper permafrost boundary should be established during surveys, if it is not advisable to restore the frozen base to a depth of 10 m, it is necessary to strengthen the thawed weak base and create conditions for the consolidation of thawed soils. Geographic latitude determines zoning in the distribution of climate elements. Solar radiation enters the upper boundary of the atmosphere, depending on geographic latitude. It determines the midday height of the Sun and the duration of the radiation. The absorbed radiation is distributed more difficultly, since it depends on cloud cover, the albedo of the earth's surface, and the degree of transparency of the air. Zoning also underlies the distribution of air temperature. The temperature depends not only on the absorbed radiation, but also on the circulating conditions. Zoning in the temperature distribution leads to zoning of other meteorological climate values. The influence of geographical latitude on the distribution of meteorological values becomes more noticeable with height when the influence of other climate factors associated with the earth's surface weakens.

The study of the latitudinal influence of geomagnetic conditions on variations of TECs over the territory of the Volga Federal District

A comparative analysis of variations in the total electron content of the Earth’s ionosphere over the territory of ten experimental stations located in the Volga region from December 2015 to November 2016 was carried out, taking into account the influence of geographic latitude and level of ionospheric disturbance.