Objectives. The main goal of the study was to analyse in detail specific family indicators and their relation to selected indicator of life satisfaction in a representative sample of Czech children. Sample and setting. A total number of 4 351 children aged 11, 13 and 15 years out of 88 randomly selected schools in Czech Republic formed the study population. The data was acquired in the framework of the WHO study “The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: A WHO Cross National Study” (HBSC) in June 2010 by means of standardized questionnaires. Research questions. Is formal structure of family or the quality of communication more important for children's life satisfaction? Statistical analysis. Statistical analysis included descriptive analyses, the x2 test of independence in contingency tables, Fisher’s exact test, two samples T-test, one and two way analysis of variance using the NCSS 2007 program. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of family on life satisfaction of children and prevalence odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were calculated as measure of association. Results. Life satisfaction was high for majority of children, it reached two thirds of possible maximum at both of the followed scales (Cantril index, Huebner scale) for the whole sample. Life satisfaction was significantly associated (p<0,001) with age, gender, formal structure of family and quality of communication in family. Children from complete families with easy or very easy communication with both parents had the highest values at both of the followed life satisfaction scales. Study limitations. Limitations of the study result from the cross-sectional design and data based on self-reports. Both life satisfaction and family were analysed on the basis of selected question categories., L. Hodačová, E. Čermáková, J. Šmejkalová, E. Hlaváčková, M. Kalman., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The Yellow Sack Spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) is a well-known species native to the Czech Republic. Several reports of its painful bite have gained much publicity. The species was considered to be very rare until the end of the 20th century. We provide information on the distribution, spread and ecology of this spider in the Czech Republic. Several cases of biting and its subsequent symptoms are described, and the toxicity of the spider is discussed. and Ondřej Košulič, Jan Korba, Jan Dolanský.
Článek přináší zprávu o pozorování nového invazivního druhu motýla - zavíječe zimostrázového (Cydalima perspectalis) na zimostrázu vždyzeleném (Buxus sempervirens) v Břeclavi v létě 2015. Druh se rozšířil z východní Asie, první výskyt v Evropě je doložen r. 2006 z Německa, v ČR byl první nález publikován r. 2011 z Hnanic na Znojemsku (v r. 2015 je potvrzen výskyt i z Prahy). Housenky jsou schopné způsobit značné škody zvláště vzhledem k tomu, že poškození zpočátku spíše působí jako přirozeně proschlé větvičky. Až při bližší prohlídce je vidět často velké množství housenek hlouběji v keřích. Zavíječ zimostrázový nemá v Evropě přirozené nepřátele. Jako ochranu lze použít kontaktní insekticidy, které však likvidují i jiné, užitečné druhy hmyzu, nebo ekologicky šetrnější preparáty s toxinem bakterie Bacillus thuringiensis. V malých výsadbách lze housenky likvidovat také ručně., In the summer of 2015, a new invasive species - Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) - was observed in Břeclav on Common Box (Buxus sempervirens). The moth spread from East Asia, the first presence in Europe was documented in Germany (2006), the first published occurrence in the Czech Republic is from the Znojmo region (2011; in 2015 confirmed in Prague). The caterpillars can cause considerable damage especially due to the fact that the damage initially tends to look like naturally dry twigs. Nevertheless, upon closer inspection, a large number of caterpillars are often seen deeper in the bushes. Box Tree Moth has no natural enemies in Europe. As a protection, contact insecticides may be used which, however, kill other useful insects too, or environmentally friendly formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin. In small plantings caterpillars can also be disposed of by hand., and Zdeněk Hubálek, Jana Grulichová.
The order grebes (Podicipediformes) is an archaic group of birds, morphologically and ecologically well adapted to the aquatic life style, including breeding in floating nests in the littoral zone of water bodies. Four grebe species are breeding in fishponds in the Czech republic. Annually during the breeding season, these birds have to overcome many problems to successfully breed. In the incubation period, the most important mission for parents is to protect the eggs from predation. and Jan Sychra.
Successful rearing of a grebe (Podicipediformes) brood depends on several environ - mental factors, such as climatic conditions and food supply at the breeding site. In connection with their insufficient thermoregulation in the first days of their life grebe chicks are brooded, warmed and fed, under the wings on the back of their pa - rents. Although grebes are very adaptable birds, fishpond degradation is currently inducing a decrease of these waterbirds. and Jan Sychra.