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Copyright of Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Natural Science Edition) is the property of Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Natural Science Edition) Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study uses the flash drought intensity index (FDII) to develop a multivariate flash drought climatology for the contiguous U.S. using data from 2001 to 2021. The FDII method uses the rate of intensification (FD‐INT) and subsequent drought severity (DRO‐SEV) to determine when a flash drought occurred and the strength of the event. Overall, the results showed that flash drought occurrence and severity varied with season and region and were sensitive to the drought indicator used to compute the FDII. Precipitation‐based indicators identified more flash droughts across the western U.S. whereas soil moisture (SM) and evapotranspiration indicators identified more flash droughts across the central and eastern U.S. When assessed over the entire U.S., the most flash droughts were found when using an evaporative demand indicator. Though FD‐INT was larger than DRO‐SEV across the U.S. for most indicators, regional patterns were also evident in their relative importance. For example, a distinct east‐west gradient was present in the SM and evapotranspiration FD‐INT, with relatively large values in the central and eastern U.S. A combined data set synthesizing information from multiple indicators showed that the strongest flash droughts from a multivariate perspective were located in the central and southeastern U.S. A seasonal analysis revealed a distinct seasonal cycle in flash drought onset across the western and central U.S. Together, the results illustrate the need to use a multivariate framework to identify and characterize the occurrence and severity of flash droughts. Plain Language Summary: Flash droughts are characterized by rapid intensification leading to sustained drought conditions that impact natural and human ecosystems. This study used several drought monitoring data sets to develop a multivariate flash drought climatology for the contiguous U.S. that captures both when flash droughts occur and their severity. Overall, the results revealed that flash drought occurrence and severity varied with season and region and were sensitive to the indicator used to characterize these events. Precipitation‐based indicators identified more flash droughts across the western U.S. while SM and evapotranspiration indicators identified more flash droughts across the central and eastern U.S. When assessed over the entire U.S., the most flash droughts were identified when using an indicator of evaporative demand. A combined indicator that synthesizes information from multiple indicators showed that the strongest flash droughts were located in the central and southeastern U.S. A seasonal analysis revealed a distinct seasonal cycle in flash drought occurrence across the western and central U.S. Together, the results illustrate the need to use a multivariate analysis framework to identify and characterize the severity of flash droughts. Key Points: A multivariate climatology of flash drought onset and severity is created for the United States using several drought indicatorsFlash drought occurrence and severity varied with season and region and the indicator used to identify flash drought eventsThe strongest flash droughts when evaluated using a multivariate perspective occurred in the central and southeastern United States [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the refinement of load decomposition in power systems and fully leverage seasonal change information to further improve prediction performance, this paper proposes a seasonal short-term load combination prediction model based on modal decomposition and a feature-fusion multi-algorithm hybrid neural network model. Specifically, the characteristics of load components are analyzed for different seasons, and the corresponding models are established. First, the improved complete ensemble empirical modal decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN) method is employed to decompose the system load for all four seasons, and the new sequence is obtained through reconstruction based on the refined composite multiscale fuzzy entropy of each decomposition component. Second, the correlation between different decomposition components and different features is measured through the max-relevance and min-redundancy method to filter out the subset of features with strong correlation and low redundancy. Finally, different components of the load in different seasons are predicted separately using a bidirectional long-short-term memory network model based on a Bayesian optimization algorithm, with a prediction resolution of 15 min, and the predicted values are accumulated to obtain the final results. According to the experimental findings, the proposed method can successfully balance prediction accuracy and prediction time while offering a higher level of prediction accuracy than the current prediction methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively address the load power variation induced by seasonal differences in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the critical role of church membership in the process of economic recovery after high-impact natural disasters. We document a significant adverse treatment effect of the 2005 hurricane season in the Southeastern United States on establishment-level productivity. However, we find that establishments in counties with higher rates of church membership saw a significantly stronger recovery in terms of productivity for 2005–10. We also show that church membership is correlated with post-disaster entrepreneurship activities and population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the epidemiology, identify trends in prevalence, seasonality, and risk factors for orofacial clefts (OFC), selecting the São Paulo state (SPS) population database. Design: A population-based study to estimate the OFC prevalence trends in recent years, stratified by maternal age and SPS geographical clusters. Setting: All live births (LB) with OFC in SPS from 2008-2019. Patients: 5342 cases of OFC among 7 301 636 LB. Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measures: OFC prevalence trends, annual percent change (APC) with a 95% confidence interval, and seasonality. Results: We found an OFC prevalence of 7.3/10 000LB in SPS, Brazil. Among all the cases, the majority were male (57.1%), Caucasian (65.4%), 77.8% born at term, 75.8% weight >2500 g, 97.1% singleton, and 63.9% of births were by cesarean section. From 2008-2019, SPS presented a stationary OFC prevalence trend; in São Paulo city, the highest APC was observed (0.05%); the maternal age group with the highest OFC prevalence rate was ≥35 years (9.2/10 000LB). We identified the existence of seasonal variation based on the conception date in the final months of the year, corresponding to the spring season (P <.001). Conclusion: OFC had a stationary prevalence trend in recent years, with the highest prevalence in the Central North Cluster and ≥35 years maternal age group. Seasonality was observed in the spring season, and congenital malformation of lips was the most common associated pathology. This population-based study is the first to summarize the current epidemiology of OFC in SPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish and study a discrete mosquito population model with periodic parameters that takes into account the seasonal variation of environments. We are mainly interested in finding a positive periodic solution that is asymptotically stable and attracts all positive solutions. The existence, uniqueness, and stability of periodic solutions of the model are investigated. We show that the instability of the origin implies that the model has a unique asymptotically stable positive periodic solution and attracts all positive solutions and that the local stability of the origin implies its global asymptotic stability. We also give a necessary and sufficient condition for the origin to be stable. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are considered an environmentally friendly and low-cost wastewater treatment method. For nitrogen removal, CWs have gained extensive attention due to the superior performance. It is noteworthy that plants can affect the microbial community and nitrogen removal. Thus, in this study, the performances of nitrogen removal by CWs with different plant species and seasons were investigated. Panhe constructed wetland, an actual and stable operating artificial wetland, was used as the research object to investigate the nitrogen removal in the real environment. As a whole, the performance of nitrogen removal using CWs in autumn was higher than that in winter. The highest removal of total nitrogen was achieved by the CWs of Acorus calamus L., which reached 49% (autumn) and 37% (winter), respectively. The relationship between microbial community structure and nitrogen removal by CWs was also studied. Microbial community analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes accounted for 73.9% of all phyla. This study could provide theoretical support for clarifying the effect of the plant species and seasons on the performance of CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study measured the atmospheric concentration and deposition flux of radiocesium in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, from November 2011 to October 2014. The results show synchronous seasonal change in atmospheric concentration and deposition flux of radiocesium, which is high during winter to early spring and low during summer to autumn. These seasonal variations are similar to those observed in Fukushima City but differ from those in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, comprising a larger contaminated forest area. The evaluation of the relationship between atmospheric 137Cs concentration or 137Cs specific activity in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and deposition density of 137Cs in PM source area suggest that stronger winds blowing from areas with relatively large 137Cs deposition (west of Koriyama City) toward the study site affect the site's atmospheric 137Cs concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East Australian Current (EAC) exhibits significant variability across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, from mesoscale eddies and meanders to seasonal, interannual, and decadal fluctuations in its intensity, pathway, and influence on the continental shelf circulation. Understanding and monitoring this variability is crucial because the EAC plays an important role in controlling shelf dynamics, regional circulation, coastal weather and global climate patterns. As such, two high-frequency (HF) coastal radar systems have been deployed on the east coast of Australia to measure surface currents upstream and downstream of the East Australian Current (EAC) separation point. The multi-year radar dataset (spanning 4–8 years) is presented here and its use is demonstrated to assess the spatial and temporal variability of the EAC and the adjacent continental shelf circulation, ranging from seasonal to interannual scales. The dataset is gap-filled using a 2dVar approach (after rigorous comparison with the traditional unweighted Least-squares fit (LS) method). Additionally, we explore the representation depth variability of the observations by comparing the data with surface Lagrangian drifter velocities (with and without depth drogues). The multi-year radar-derived surface current dataset, which was validated using short-term drifter and long-term current meter observations, revealed that the local upstream circulation is strongly dominated by the EAC's annual cycle, peaking in the austral summer. The analysis using 8 years of upstream data revealed the period of the EAC intensification at around 3–5 years. The interannual variability of the poleward transport downstream was driven by the intrinsic variability of the jet. This dataset which continues to be collected, complemented by numerical simulations and in-situ measurements, will provide a comprehensive view of the EAC's variability and its impact on the broader regional circulation dynamics which can be used for a range of dynamical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have evolved a remarkable ability to sense and respond to changes in photoperiod, allowing adjustments to their growth and development based on seasonal and environmental cues. The floral transition is a pivotal stage in plant growth and development, signifying a shift from vegetative to reproductive growth. CONSTANS (CO), a central photoperiodic response factor conserved in various plants, mediates day‐length signals to control the floral transition, although its mechanisms of action vary among plants with different day‐length requirements. In addition, recent studies have uncovered roles for CO in organ development and stress responses. These pleiotropic roles in model plants and crops make CO a potentially fruitful target for molecular breeding aimed at modifying crop agronomic traits. This review systematically traces research on CO, from its discovery and functional studies to the exploration of its regulatory mechanisms and newly discovered functions, providing important insight into the roles of CO and laying a foundation for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reconstruction often serves as a major proxy of high-resolution sea surface temperature (SST) variability beyond the instrumental era. However, coral reconstructions are sparse and are usually studied for interannual variability, with few studies on the monthly features. In this study, we reconstruct the monthly SST spatial field by applying the paleoclimate data assimilation method to the coral records of the latest CoralHydro2k data set for the instrument period of 1880–2000. A comparison with observed SST variability shows that our assimilated tropical SST variability performs reasonably well for the seasonal cycle and monthly ENSO characteristics, notably the phase-locking and onset timing, and more realistic spatial fields relative to the model simulations. This study suggests the feasibility of applying paleoclimate data assimilation to reconstruct the monthly SST in the historical period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature variability has substantial socioeconomic impacts through its association with the frequency and severity of heat extremes. Under anthropogenic influence, climate models project seasonally-dependent amplifications of near-surface temperature variability over some sectors of the Southern Hemisphere, and robust positive trends have already been observed in recent decades. Here we show that the amplification of subweekly temperature variability simulated by the multi-model ensemble mean of the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) over South Africa, Australia, and South America is often substantially smaller than in reanalyses in recent decades, reaching a similar amplification only at the end of the 21st century due to a weaker amplification of subweekly variance generation efficiency. Analysis of a large model ensemble indicates that this discrepancy may be due to internal climatic variability suggesting that the recent rapid amplification seen in reanalyses may slow down or even temporarily reverse in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pantropical climate interactions across ocean basins operate on a wide range of timescales and can improve the accuracy of climate predictions. Here, we show in observations that Central Pacific (CP) El Niño-like sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies have coevolved with tropical South Atlantic SST anomalies on a quasi-decadal (~10-year) timescale over the past seven decades. During the austral autumn–winter season, decadal warm SSTs in the tropical CP effectively induce tropical SST cooling in the South Atlantic, mainly by strengthening the South Atlantic subtropical anticyclone via an extratropical atmospheric wave teleconnection in the southern hemisphere. Partially coupled pacemaker simulations corroborate the observational findings, indicating that tropical CP decadal SSTs play a primary pacing role, while Atlantic feedback is of secondary importance throughout the study period. Our results suggest that the tropical CP could be an important source of decadal predictability for tropical South Atlantic SST and the surrounding climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unfavourable changes occur in children's health behaviours and outcomes during the summer holidays. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of summer holiday programs in mitigating these changes. Methods: Six databases (MEDLINE, JBI, PsychINFO, Embase, ERIC and Scopus) were systematically searched for experimental controlled studies that investigated programs of at least 5 days' duration conducted exclusively during the summer holiday period on school-aged children (5–18 years). Primary outcomes were moderate-vigorous physical activity and energy intake. Secondary outcomes were sedentary behavior, diet quality, adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Risk of Bias was assessed using the PEDro tool. Effect sizes were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis with narrative synthesis of effects by student or program characteristics. Results: Ten studies (two randomised controlled trials, and eight non-randomised controlled trials) involving 1,446 participants were included. Summer programs had a significant moderate effect on reducing sedentary behaviour (g= -0.59, 95%CI= -1.16, -0.03) and significant small effects on improving moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (g = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.02, 0.67) and adiposity (g= -0.25, 95% CI = -0.39, -0.10). No significant change was detected for cardiorespiratory fitness (g = 0.43, 95%CI= -0.32, 1.17), energy intake (g= -0.06, 95% CI -2.33, 2.22), or diet quality (g = 0.20, 95%CI= -0.43, 0.83). Summer program effectiveness did not appear to differ by child sociodemographic or program characteristics. Concerns regarding bias and high heterogeneity impacted results. Conclusions: Summer programs show potential in promoting healthier movement behaviours in children and supporting healthy body weight during the summer months. Although evidence from the included studies has limitations, these programs produced small to moderate effect sizes and present promising health intervention opportunities for children. Future research with more rigorous study designs and comprehensive reporting is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the impact of summer programs on children's health. Prospero registration: CRD42023409795. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the accessibility conditions for carrying out research work for an exemplary site in the southern Baltic Sea region. The basic parameter of the state of the marine environment was the significant wave height determined at a frequency of one hour based on the ERA 5 model data covering the period between 1940 and 2022. A statistical analysis of the variability of this height on a monthly basis, taking into account its conversion into the time of potential availability in conditions enabling research, showed its strong seasonal variability in the form of differences in the number of hours that can be used for operating purposes. This number, depending on the research vessel capabilities, may even be an order of magnitude higher in the summer months than in winter. Additionally, it was found that the variability of the significant wave height has not changed substantially over the last 82 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenological mismatch has been highlighted as a reason why climate change is causing declines of migratory populations. The likelihood of declines due to phenological mismatch might depend on what cues trigger migration. Migrants that use environmental cues (e.g. temperature, resource availability) to trigger migration are often considered to be less vulnerable than migrants that use temporal information (e.g. photoperiod). We developed a proof‐of‐concept model that demonstrates that which cue type performs better in the context of phenological change can depend on differences in seasonal amplitude between the habitats used by a migrant. Environmental cues perform better than temporal cues when the habitat that undergoes a phenological change has a larger seasonal amplitude. This result aligns with observations that populations of short‐distance migrants that use environmental cues are less likely to decline as a consequence of phenological mismatch than long‐distance avian migrants that use temporal cues. Temporal cues perform better than environmental cues when the habitat that undergoes a phenological change has a smaller seasonal amplitude. This result may correspond to empirical scenarios where the more seasonal habitat is associated with variation in precipitation patterns or human actions that are not changing in phenology. In addition to these results, we offer distinctions that will help clarify future work on phenological mismatch. First, we highlight the difference between the cue accuracy (difference between the timing of migration using the cue and optimal migration timing) and the cue efficacy (the difference between the fitness using the cue and the fitness using optimal migration). Second, we recommend considering both how the benefits available from migrating and the benefits that are captured by migrants change with phenological change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme wildfires have devastating impacts on multiple fronts, and associated carbon greatly heats the earth's climate. Whether and how to predict wildfires becomes a critical question. In this study, we find that the preceding-winter "warm Arctic-cold Eurasia" (WACE) pattern significantly enlarges the spring burned area in West Siberia. The winter WACE and accompanying snow reduction result in dryness and vegetation exposure in West Siberia in spring, increasing fire risks. A multiple linear regression model is constructed that successfully predicts the spring burned area in West Siberia one season in advance (R-squared coefficient=0.64). The same predictors also well predict the corresponding fire carbon emissions. Independent predictions for spring burned area in 2019 and 2020 are very close to observations, with a mean absolute percentage error of only 3.0%. The findings of this study provide a possibility for guarding humans against extreme wildfires and predicting sharp rises in carbon emissions. The authors show that the winter "warm Arctic-cold Eurasia" pattern significantly enhances spring fire activity in West Siberia, contributing to the prediction of wildfire burned area, and resulting CO2 emissions, one season in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raindrop size distribution (DSD) has an essential effect on rainfall kinetic energy estimation (RKEE) and dual-polarization radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE); DSD is a key factor for establishing a dual-polarization radar QPE scheme and RKEE scheme, particularly in mountainous areas. To improve the understanding of seasonal DSD-based RKEE, dual-polarization radar QPE, and the impact of rainfall types and classification methods, we investigated RKEE schemes and dual-polarimetric radar QPE algorithms across seasons and rainfall types based on two classic classification methods (BR09 and BR03) and DSD data from a disdrometer in the Tianshan Mountains during 2020–2022. Two RKEE schemes were established: the rainfall kinetic energy flux–rain rate (KEtime–R) and the rainfall kinetic energy content–mass-weighted mean diameter (KEmm–Dm). Both showed seasonal variation, whether it was stratiform rainfall or convective rainfall, under BR03 and BR09. Both schemes had excellent performance, especially the KEmm–Dm relationship across seasons and rainfall types. In addition, four QPE schemes for dual-polarimetric radar—R(Kdp), R(Zh), R(Kdp,Zdr), and R(Zh,Zdr)—were established, and exhibited characteristics that varied with season and rainfall type. Overall, the performance of the single-parameter algorithms was inferior to that of the double-parameter algorithms, and the performance of the R(Zh) algorithm was inferior to that of the R(Kdp) algorithm. The results of this study show that it is necessary to consider different rainfall types and seasons, as well as classification methods of rainfall types, when applying RKEE and dual-polarization radar QPE. In this process, choosing a suitable estimator—KEtime(R), KEmm(Dm), R(Kdp), R(Zh), R(Kdp,Zdr), or R(Zh,Zdr)—is key to improving the accuracy of estimating the rainfall KE and R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Data on the true prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among medically attended acute respiratory illnesses (MAARI) has been limited by the lack of regular clinical testing of mild to moderate illnesses. Here we present a prospective evaluation of the epidemiology of RSV-associated MAARI across age groups and multimorbidity status over 3 seasons, which is informative in light of the recommendations for shared decision making for vaccination in older adults. Methods Ambulatory patients ≥6 months of age meeting a common MAARI case definition were prospectively enrolled in the Michigan Ford Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (MFIVE) study, a subsite of the US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network. All participants were tested by nasal-throat swab for RSV and influenza, including subtype, independently from clinician-directed testing. Participant illness characteristics and calculated multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) were collected by in-person survey and electronic medical record review. Results Over 3 surveillance seasons (fall 2017 to spring 2020), 9.9% (n = 441) of 4442 participants had RSV detected. RSV-associated MAARI was more prevalent than influenza for participants 6 months to 4 years of age. Adults with RSV-MAARI had higher median MWI scores overall compared to influenza-MAARI and controls with neither virus (1.62, 0.40, and 0.64, respectively). Conclusions RSV is a significant, underrecognized cause of MAARI in both children and adults presenting for ambulatory care. Multimorbidity is an important contributor to RSV-associated MAARI in outpatient adults, providing information to support shared clinical decision making for vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health disease constitutes 25% of the total burden of disease in Denmark. In the last few years, an increasing tendency for seeking the ocean has arisen, and winter bathing is one of the outdoor activities with a large rise in popularity. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore if and how regular winter bathing in blue spaces can affect people's mental health. Methods: This study employed a qualitative design using fieldwork with semi-structured interviews with four members from three different winter bathing clubs. The empirical data were thematically analyzed followed by theoretical analysis. Results: The results revealed five themes: Social Connectedness; Blue Nature as a Free Space; The Motivation Behind Winter Bathing; It is More Than an Ice-Cold Shock; and Finding Mental Peace in Winter Bathing. The results suggest that winter bathing in blue spaces contributed to improved mental health for the informants. Conclusions: In conclusion, regular winter bathing enhanced the participants' mental health. A relatively short time in the ice-cold water provided mental peace which transferred to the rest of daily life in general, which emphasizes the mental health-promoting potential of winter bathing. Positive emotions were cultivated through exposure to blue spaces, including inner calm and a sense of safety. Winter bathing also served as a space for social connectedness and community building, facilitated by the club environment in which meaningful social interactions occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the different naked and quasi-enveloped viruses, the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and norovirus genogroups I and II (NoV GI and NoV GII) are considered the main microbiological noxae involved in foodborne outbreaks. Mussels can harbor pathogens in their tissues. In addition to epidemiological attention, marine water temperature changes are considered a crucial variable influencing viral loads. This study aimed to biomolecularly screen 1775 farmed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) for viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence detection (belonging to the HAV, HEV, and NoV GI and GII genogroups) in three different sampling periods (spring, summer, and winter), with the mussels collected from three farms located in the Central Adriatic Sea (Italy). The results showed that 10.42% of the screened animals harbored at least one type of pathogen RNA, more specifically, 5.35% HEV, 4.51% NoV GI, and 0.56% HAV. The highest genetic equivalent (GE) amounts were majorly observed in the winter season (NoV GI 1.0 × 103 GE/g and HEV 1.0 × 102 GE/g), resulting in statistical differences when compared to summer and spring (p-value: <0.001). The original data obtained serve to bring scientific attention to the possible influence of environmental and climatic aspects on viral loads, highlighting the crucial role played by biomolecular assays as preventive medicine tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the influence of current and changing rainfall dynamics on the start and end dates of the rainy seasons in Yaoundé town. Thus, classical statistical tests, trend detection, and break tests were applied for the analysis of different daily rainfall parameters recorded between 1964 and 2020. The results show that annual rainfall fluctuates between 1083 and 2196.7 mm for an interannual average of 1562 ± 271 mm without a significant break, with a downward trend of about − 3.352 mm/year. The increasing order of magnitude of seasonal precipitation is as follows: Small Dry Season < Great Dry Season < Small Rainy Season < Great Rainy Season. The Small Rainy Season, Great Rainy Season, and Great Dry Season show decreasing trends and magnitudes in the order of − 2.181 mm/year, − 1.741 mm/year, and − 1.015 mm/year, respectively, but without influence on the delineation of the seasons. On the daily level, the number of rainy days per year, per month, per season, and the rainfall height classes also show decreasing trends with multiple breaks except for the class [5.1–15 mm]. The analysis of the start and end dates of the rainy seasons shows that the Small Rainy Season extends from March 19 to June 21, and the Great Rainy Season is between August 20 and November 28. This information is of critical importance for activity planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study is to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of other infectious diarrhea diseases (OIDDs) reported in Guangzhou in the past 15 years and the meteorological data of the city in the same period, to explore the correlation between meteorological factors and the incidence. Methodology. This study starts with using quartiles to test the normal distribution of case data. This study has selected five meteorological factors with the highest correlation coefficients and case data from 2006 to 2018 were used to establish a multiple linear regression equation, and the regression equation was tested with case data from 2019 to 2020. Results. Regression modeling based on the statistics for OIDDs during 2006 to 2018 obtained a correlation coefficient R (multiple R) value of about 0.50. The R square value, also known as the coefficient of determination or goodness of fit, was about 0.25. The adjusted R square value was about 0.25. The overall significance test value (significance F) in the regression equation was much lower than the F statistic, thereby indicating that the dependent variable and independent variable were significant. Conclusion. The results indicated that factors other than meteorological or social factors should be considered to understand the outbreak of OIDDs in Guangzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accepted by: Konstantinos Nikolopoulos This paper develops a new stochastic volatility model for the average daily temperature. It is a natural extension of a Gaussian model in which the temperature returns to a seasonal trend with a deterministic time-dependent volatility. The new model allows to be more conservative regarding extreme events while keeping tractability. We give a method based on conditional least squares to estimate the parameters on daily data and estimate our model on eight major European cities. We then show how to calculate efficiently the average payoff of weather derivatives both by Monte-Carlo and Fourier transform techniques. This new model allows to better assess the risk related to temperature volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Variations in the position of the dome of Weddell Sea Deep Water was studied based on the EN4 data on temperature and salinity for monthly mean conditions in February and August in 1993–2012 depending on the wind friction stress calculated according to the JRA55-do data. The dome itself is considered in the region 60°–67° S and 10°–25° W. The range of potential temperatures in the layer of Weddell Sea Deep Water is 0.02-0.20°C. Observed mean data of the dome of isotherms and isopycnals in February from 1993 to 2012 is formed as a sequence of the intensification of the thermohaline circulation in general and the wind circulation of water in the Weddell Sea. Isotherms experience periodic rise and descent under the influence of seasonal variability of the cyclonic nature and the intensity of the wind field. The outflow of deep water from the Weddell Sea mainly occurs through the Orkney Passage over a transverse ridge of about 3600 m deep. Depending on the rise or descent of the isotherms around this passage, warmer or colder Antarctic Bottom Waters enter the Scotia Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol is a major public health issue and the ACEM funds regular 'snapshot' surveys of the prevalence of alcohol‐related presentations in EDs. The present study uses these data to investigate ED occupancy and alcohol‐ and methamphetamine‐related presentations at the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: Survey‐based point prevalence study of EDs in Australia and New Zealand conducted at 02:00 hours local time on the Saturday of the weekend before Christmas in 2019–2022. Primary outcomes were ED occupancy, the number of alcohol‐related presentations and methamphetamine‐related presentations in each ED at the time of survey. Results: Seventy eight of a possible 152 hospitals answered all four surveys (51%, 95% confidence interval 43–59, individual yearly response rates ranged from 70.5% to 83.3%). The mean number of alcohol‐related presentations in EDs at the snapshot time was 4.2 (95% confidence interval 3.2–5.2) in the 2019 survey and 3.8 (3.1–4.6) in 2022 with no significant variation over time. There was also no change in methamphetamine‐related presentations which occurred at a lower level. There was a major increase in reported total ED occupancy – from 31.4 to 43.5 in Australia (P < 0.0001, paired t test) and from 22.8 to 38.7 in New Zealand (P = 0.0001). Subgroup analysis showed that both the number being treated and the number waiting to be seen increased, with little change in the number in observation units. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the COVID‐19 pandemic did not affect summer alcohol‐related ED presentations in Australasia but was associated with an unsustainable increase in ED crowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Under rainfall condition, stability of grain yield in diverse environments has been one of the most important objectives of breeding programs. Stability analysis is the best method to test the relative performance of genotypes over environments. Thus the aims of this study are to select adapted and stable bread wheat genotypes based on some parametric and non-parametric index. Methods: The experiment was conducted during the four consecutive agricultural seasons (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20) at the level of the experimental station of Setif (ITGC). Eight genotypes of bread wheat were tested following Stability soft program to calculate the parametric and non-parametric indices. Result: The association between Wricke's ecovalence (Wi²), the mean variance component (θi) and the Stability variance (ω²i) indices with respect to grain yield revealed that G1. G2. Hidhab. Arz. Wifak and Ain Abid are suitable genotypes for growing under variable environmental conditions. In addition, selection based on the non-parametric index and the combination selection based on highest grain yield with the parametric and non parametric indices proved that the genotypes G1. G2 and Wifak are more stable and adapted genotypes under semi-arid conditions. Further, based on the static and dynamic concepts, the parametric indices, bi and CVi are related to the dynamic concept, while the other indices are associated with static stability concept. Overall, the results of this study confirmed that the parametric and Non-parametric methods are suitable tools to identify the most stable bread wheat genotypes under various environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent development of data-assimilating reanalyses of the global ocean and sea ice enables a better understanding of the polar region dynamics and provides gridded descriptions of sea ice variables without temporal and spatial gaps. Here, we study the spatiotemporal variability of the Arctic sea ice area and thickness using the Global ocean Reanalysis Ensemble Product (GREP) produced and disseminated by the Copernicus Marine Service (CMS). GREP is compared and validated against the state-of-the-art regional reanalyses PIOMAS and TOPAZ, as well as observational datasets of sea ice concentration and thickness for the period 1993–2020. Our analysis presents pan-Arctic metrics but also emphasizes the different responses of ice classes, the marginal ice zone (MIZ), and pack ice to climate changes. This aspect is of primary importance since the MIZ accounts for an increasing percentage of the summer sea ice as a consequence of the Arctic warming and sea ice extent retreat, among other processes. Our results show that GREP provides reliable estimates of present-day and recent-past Arctic sea ice states and that the seasonal to interannual variability and linear trends in the MIZ area are properly reproduced, with the ensemble spread often being as broad as the uncertainty of the observational dataset. The analysis is complemented by an assessment of the average MIZ latitude and its northward migration in recent years, a further indicator of the Arctic sea ice decline. There is substantial agreement between GREP and reference datasets in the summer. Overall, GREP is an adequate tool for gaining an improved understanding of the Arctic sea ice, also in light of the expected warming and the Arctic transition to ice-free summers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East African "short rains" from October–December (OND) are crucial for the region's cultural and agricultural landscape. Traditional climate studies have often treated these rains as a single mode, representing the average rainfall across the region. This approach, however, fails to capture the complex geographical variations in seasonal rainfall. In our study, we analyse 4200 reforecasts from a seasonal prediction system spanning 1981–2022, identifying distinct clusters that represent different geographical patterns of the short rains. We explore the influence of tropical sea‐surface temperature patterns, upper‐level tropospheric flow, and low‐level moisture fluxes on these clusters. A key revelation of our research is the limited predictability of certain geographical rainfall structures based on large‐scale climatic drivers. This finding highlights a gap in current forecasting methodologies, emphasising the necessity for further research to understand and predict these intricate patterns. Our study illuminates the complexities of regional rainfall variability in East Africa, underlining the importance of continued investigation to improve climate resilience strategies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assemblages in seasonal ecosystems undergo striking changes in species composition and diversity across the annual cycle. Despite a long‐standing recognition that seasonality structures biogeographic gradients in taxonomic diversity (e.g., species richness), our understanding of how seasonality structures other aspects of biodiversity (e.g., functional diversity) has lagged. Integrating seasonal species distributions with comprehensive data on key morphological traits for bird assemblages across North America, we find that seasonal turnover in functional diversity increases with the magnitude and predictability of seasonality. Furthermore, seasonal increases in bird species richness led to a denser packing of functional trait space, but functional expansion was important, especially in regions with higher seasonality. Our results suggest that the magnitude and predictability of seasonality and total productivity can explain the geography of changes in functional diversity with broader implications for understanding species redistribution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change has led to a shift in rainfall patterns. And as water is an essential ingredient for plant photosynthesis, shifts in rainfall patterns will inevitably affect plant growth. This study was conducted in Kunming, southwest China. In this study, the response of leaf traits and photosynthetic fluorescence properties of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings to rainfall patterns during the dry and rainy seasons was investigated using a natural rainfall interval of 5 days (T) and an extended rainfall interval of 10 days (T+) as rainfall interval treatments and a monthly average rainfall as a control (W), with the corresponding rainfall treatments of a 40% increase in rainfall (W+) and a 40% decrease in rainfall (W−). The results showed that Pn, Gs, and Tr basically all tended to increase and then decrease with increasing rainfall in the dry season and generally reached the highest under the W treatment; Pn, Gs, Ci, and Tr mostly remained high at 5 days relative to 10 days; PI was overall higher under the W treatment throughout the dry season. Extending the rainfall interval at the beginning of the rainy season significantly reduced Fm; throughout the rainy season, Gs, Ci, and Tr basically showed a decreasing trend with increasing rainfall, reaching the highest under the W‐treatment and mostly higher at 5 days than at 10 days. These results suggest that natural rainfall intervals and natural rainfall amounts are more favorable to the growth of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings in the dry season; reduced rainfall and multiple rainfalls in the rainy season tend to promote photosynthesis in Fraxinus malacophylla. This study reflects the different survival strategies of Fraxinus malacophylla under different rainfall patterns, as well as provides a theoretical basis for understanding how Fraxinus malacophylla can grow better under rainfall variability and for future management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change with time in parameter S, which characterizes the relation of the critical frequency foF2 to the height hmF2 of the ionospheric F 2 layer is considered. The results of measurements by the vertical sounding method at two stations (Moscow and Juliusruh) are analyzed. The dependence of foF2 on hmF2 is plotted for three intervals: 1957–1980, 1996–2023, and 2011–2023. Five near-noon LT moments and two seasons (winter (January and February) and summer (June and July)) are considered. It is found for both stations and both seasons that the S value has been increasing systematically from the earlier to later periods. At the same time, the winter S values are approximately by a factor of 3 higher than the summer ones for all periods. It is suggested that the found changes in parameter S could provide valuable information on long-term variations (trends) in thermospheric parameters with the help of current theoretical models of the TIEGCM or WACCM-X type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CFOSAT (Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite) equipped with the high-performance wave spectrometer SWIM has obtained continuous and extensive wave data. While CFOSAT wave data have undergone numerous validations and calibrations globally, most comparisons have been made with buoy data. There is a lack of contrast with existing mature datasets when applying satellite data to the study of wave field characteristics. By focusing on the China's adjacent seas, comparing the significant wave heights (SWH) between CFOSAT and ERAS data and analyzing their differences. The results show that the CFOSAT data and ERAS data exhibit similar performance and high correlation in wave field observations; The difference in SWH between them shows seasonal variation characteristics, with a greater degree of dispersion in the autumn and winter seasons and a more stable in the spring and summer seasons; With the increase of wave height, the bias between CFOSAT and ERAS data significantly increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative quality analysis of ensemble radar precipitation nowcasting based on the test results for the warm (May–September 2020) and cold (November 2021–March 2022) seasons is presented. The composite precipitation intensity fields obtained from radar observations serve as control data for verification. In both periods, a slight but systematic advantage of the forecasts from the mean ensemble field is revealed, which indicates the expediency of using even small-volume ensembles. For all the skill scores used (except for the frequency bias), forecasts in the cold season turn out to be better than forecasts in the warm one, however, the sample sizes for verification in the cold season may be significantly lower than the corresponding sample sizes in the warm one. The problems of comparative quality analysis that are caused, in particular, by the loss of spatial connectivity of the composite field during the cold season are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal growth and decay of the (Antarctic) sea ice has great impact on the local as well as the world's climate. Thus, the numerical analysis to forecast the sea ice dynamics with all its impact factors and the mutual influence on the climate is of great interest. This contribution studies the application of the least‐squares finite element method (FEM) to the coupled problem considering the ocean velocity, the stresses, the sea ice concentration, and the sea ice thickness. By using conforming and nonconforming approximation spaces for the stresses, their advantages and disadvantages are shown and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic negatively impacted the mental health of people with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), with reports of maladaptive coping mechanisms, reduced mental health support and quality of life. In this study, the authors examine the impact of COVID‐19 lockdown and post‐lockdown period on acute psychiatric admission rates in an NHS Trust in people diagnosed with EUPD. In addition, the authors analyse whether patient profiles and the seasonal pattern of admission were impacted by COVID‐19 in this population. The study highlights the need for preventative clinical care pathways with increased access and service responsiveness, adjusted to fit local needs at times of confinement policies and additionally more research into seasonal patterns of admission in those with EUPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of high-precision direct determination of CO2 in the surface waters of the Black Sea are presented. These measurements made possible to obtain high precision characteristics of the content and intra-annual variations in pCO2 for the first time. The average annual value of pCO2 is 436 µatm, which is higher than the average annual value in the near-sea surface layer of the atmosphere (420 µatm). The seasonal variability has revealed decrease of pCO2 in seawater from late spring to fall. The minimum values of pCO2 are detected in January–February; the maximum ones, in July. The seasonal variations in the CO2 content in the near-sea atmosphere reveal an inverse relationship, with maximum values in February and minimum values in July. This indicates different mechanisms of the evolution of CO2 in the air and seawater. The content of CO2 in the atmosphere is determined by external sources and depends on the burning intensity of organic carbon. Variations in pCO2 in water is significantly affected by abiotic factors, such as the influence of temperature change on CO2 solubility and the state of the carbon system. In the summer–fall season, pCO2 is determined by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors, including variations in temperature and intensity of biological processes of organic matter transformation. Both the intensity and effect of these factors vary throughout the year, but the abiotic factor remains primay during the entire year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misusing image tampering software makes it easier to manipulate satellite images, leading to a crisis of trust and security concerns in society. This study compares the inconsistencies between heterogeneous images to locate tampered areas and proposes a high-precision heterogeneous satellite image manipulation localization (HSIML) framework to distinguish tampered from real landcover changes, such as artificial constructions, and pseudo-changes, such as seasonal variations. The model operates at the patch level and comprises three modules: The heterogeneous image preprocessing module aligns heterogeneous images and filters noisy data. The feature point constraint module mitigates the effects of lighting and seasonal variations in the images by performing feature point matching, applying filtering rules to conduct an initial screening to identify candidate tampered patches. The semantic similarity measurement module designs a classification network to assess RS image feature saliency. It determines image consistency based on the similarity of semantic features and implements IML using predefined classification rules. Additionally, a dataset for IML is constructed based on satellite images. Extensive experiments compared with existing SOTA models demonstrate that our method achieved the highest F1 score in both localization accuracy and robustness tests and demonstrates the capability for handling large-scale areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive traits co‐evolve and form successful life‐history strategies adapted to the biology and environment of a particular taxon, maximizing offspring and species survival chances, therefore studies investigating differences in adaptive traits across different environments can enhance our understanding of the natural selection process and evolution. Herein, we address whether the reproductive strategies of phylogenetically closely related fishes are influenced by habitat predictability, using three species of the Lebiasinidae family as models. The predominance of larger and mature individuals during the flood season, with high waters characterized by smaller immature individuals, suggests a seasonal reproductive strategy for Nannostomus trifasciatus. Copella callolepis, which inhabits both habitats, also showed a single reproductive peak. However, compared to N. trifasciatus, this species displayed late spawning, restricted to the flood season, as indicated by the higher abundance of larger and mature individuals during this period and the presence of smaller (juveniles) and spawned individuals in the following season. The reproductive tactics observed in N. marginatus differed significantly from the single reproductive peak of the other species, as two reproductive peaks were observed: one during the flood season and another during the low water season. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the environment strongly influences reproductive strategies for lebiasinids. N. marginatus, restricted to small water bodies, exhibited an opportunistic reproductive strategy, whereas the species inhabiting main rivers, N. trifasciatus and C. callolepis, exhibited a more seasonal strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A WRF‐based high‐resolution reanalysis of the Irish climate (1981–2010) is used to create proxy daily precipitation observations at the locations of climatological sites used for precipitation monitoring; the data are statistically representative of the real precipitation climate both for mean (over monthly, seasonal and annual periods) and extreme values. The proxy observations are spatially interpolated to the original WRF grid using a typical gridding package and compared against the original data to assess gridding errors. The errors are more complex than the estimates provided by the gridding software; systematic biases are evident which by the inclusion of strategically placed additional observing sites are shown to be greatly reduced. There is also evidence of systematic differences in trend analyses of extreme precipitation over the period. The method provides independent estimates of the errors that arise from actual gridding applications. It also facilitates the testing of the optimality of a network by highlighting possible inadequacies in an existing station layout and suggesting new observing site locations to fill gaps. Uncertainties regarding the errors in real precipitation observations, and possible spurious impacts linked to temporal changes in the real observing network, are avoided by this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean, as represented by the Southern Atlantic subtropical dipole (SASD), and SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific Ocean, identified by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Contrary to the previously held notion of a weak relationship between SASD and ENSO as suggested by earlier literature, our analysis reveals a substantial inverse correlation between the two. This correlation exhibits significant multi‐decadal variability, which has notably intensified over the most recent two decades compared with the preceding two decades. This intensification in the SASD–ENSO inverse correlation may be attributed to the shift in ENSO regime from predominance of eastern Pacific El Niño to central Pacific El Niño events around the turn of the century. This transition triggers wavetrains that propagate along different paths, consequently influencing the South Atlantic subtropical high and inducing alterations in anomalous SST patterns in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean. These findings advance our comprehension of the interactions between South Atlantic and Pacific SST variations, which strongly influence rainfall patterns, particularly in South America and southern Africa. Understanding such teleconnection holds promise for improving sub‐seasonal to seasonal precipitation predictions in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population dynamic and eco‐evolutionary responses to environmental variation and change fundamentally depend on combinations of within‐ and among‐cohort variation in the phenotypic expression of key life‐history traits, and on corresponding variation in selection on those traits. Specifically, in partially migratory populations, spatio‐seasonal dynamics depend on the degree of adaptive phenotypic expression of seasonal migration versus residence, where more individuals migrate when selection favours migration.Opportunity for adaptive (or, conversely, maladaptive) expression could be particularly substantial in early life, through the initial development of migration versus residence. However, within‐ and among‐cohort dynamics of early‐life migration, and of associated survival selection, have not been quantified in any system, preventing any inference on adaptive early‐life expression. Such analyses have been precluded because data on seasonal movements and survival of sufficient young individuals, across multiple cohorts, have not been collected.We undertook extensive year‐round field resightings of 9359 colour‐ringed juvenile European shags Gulosus aristotelis from 11 successive cohorts in a partially migratory population. We fitted Bayesian multi‐state capture‐mark‐recapture models to quantify early‐life variation in migration versus residence and associated survival across short temporal occasions through each cohort's first year from fledging, thereby quantifying the degree of adaptive phenotypic expression of migration within and across years.All cohorts were substantially partially migratory, but the degree and timing of migration varied considerably within and among cohorts. Episodes of strong survival selection on migration versus residence occurred both on short timeframes within years, and cumulatively across entire first years, generating instances of instantaneous and cumulative net selection that would be obscured at coarser temporal resolutions. Further, the magnitude and direction of selection varied among years, generating strong fluctuating survival selection on early‐life migration across cohorts, as rarely evidenced in nature. Yet, the degree of migration did not strongly covary with the direction of selection, indicating limited early‐life adaptive phenotypic expression.These results reveal how dynamic early‐life expression of and selection on a key life‐history trait, seasonal migration, can emerge across seasonal, annual, and multi‐year timeframes, yet be substantially decoupled. This restricts the potential for adaptive phenotypic, microevolutionary, and population dynamic responses to changing seasonal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in hydration status occur throughout the day affecting physiological and behavioural functions. However, little is known about the hydration status of free-living Japanese children and the seasonality of this response. We evaluated hydration status estimated by urine osmolality (Uosm) in 349 children (189 boys and 160 girls, 9.5 ± 2.6 years, range: 6–15 years) upon waking at home and during a single school day in spring (April) and summer (July). Further, we assessed the efficacy of employing self-assessment of urine colour (UC; based on an 8-point scale) by children to monitor their hydration status. Early morning Uosm was greater in the spring (903 ± 220 mOsm L−1; n = 326) as compared to summer (800 ± 244 mOsm L−1; n = 125) (P = 0.003, paired t test, n = 104). No differences, however, were observed in Uosm during the school day (P = 0.417, paired t test, n = 32). While 66% and 50% of children were considered underhydrated (Uosm ≥ 800 mOsm L−1) upon waking in the spring and summer periods, respectively, more children were underhydrated (∼12%) during the school day. Self-reported UC was similar between seasons as assessed in the morning and school day (P ≥ 0.101, paired t test), which differed from the pattern of responses observed with Uosm. We showed that a significant number of Japanese children are likely underhydrated especially in the spring period. Children do not detect seasonal changes in hydration from self-assessed UC, limiting its utility to manage hydration status in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the 2023--2024 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season, Spain became one of the first countries to introduce universal RSV prophylaxis, during which all infants born at this time were eligible to receive nirsevimab. Locally, most Spanish regions also immunized infants younger than age 6 months at the start of the season (extended catch-up). The aim of this study was to assess how RSV prophylaxis affected the number of infants presenting to pediatric emergency departments with acute respiratory infections. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 15 Spanish pediatric emergency departments from 9 different regions between the 2018 and 2024 epidemic seasons (November-January). We compared the seasons occurring in 2018-2023 and the 2023-2024 season regarding the number of episodes of lower respiratory tract infection and acute bronchiolitis, acute bronchiolitis- related hospital admissions, and PICU admissions. RESULTS: A comparison with the average rates for the previous epidemic seasons revealed a 57.7% decrease in episodes of lower respiratory tract infection in 2023-2024 (95% CI, 56.5-58.8; P < .001; range among hospitals, 4.8-82.8), a 59.2% decrease in episodes of acute bronchiolitis (95% CI, 57.9-60.4; P < .001; range, 6.9-84.1), a 63.1% reduction in acute bronchiolitis- related hospital admissions (95% CI, 60.9-65.2; P < .001; range, 31.4-86.8), and a 63.1% reduction in PICU admissions (95% CI, 58.1-67.9; P < .001; range, 18.2-81.8). Hospitals in regions applying extended catch-up showed better results. CONCLUSIONS: Nirsevimab can protect a broad infant population against RSV infection with high effectiveness. Approaches including extended catch-up are the most effective, although costeffectiveness must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seasonality in depressive and bipolar disorders, are recognized in the ICD-10/11 and DSM-5 diagnostic systems. The existence of a seasonal pattern of hospital diagnosis of major depression, bipolar disorder and prescription of antidepressant medications has not been evaluated in the Danish population. Methods: We retrieved date and year for all first-time hospital contacts with depression or bipolar disorder between 1999 and 2019, registered in the Danish National Patient Registry. Depression was defined using the ICD-10 F32-F33 codes, and for bipolar disorder the F30 or F31 codes. Date and year of all first-time purchases of antidepressant medications with ATC codes (N06A) between 1999 and 2021 were retrieved from the Danish National Prescription Registry, containing information on all prescribed drugs dispensed at pharmacies since 1995. Data on sunlight hours from 2012 to 2021 were retrieved from the Danish Metrological Institute. Results: Incidences of hospital diagnoses as well as purchases of medication varied with month and season. The monthly variations were larger for antidepressant medication and smallest for bipolar disorder. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that number of first-time diagnoses of depression or bipolar disorder did not correlate with season. For antidepressant medication the number of first-time prescriptions was significantly lower in summer compared to the winter season. Conclusion: This study found a seasonal variation of first-time prescriptions of antidepressant medication. We did not find a seasonal variation in first-time hospital diagnoses. Further research looking into depression severity, polarity of bipolar illness episodes, lag-time for sunlight exposure, and specific parts of the yearly photoperiods should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The ability to discriminate natural soundscapes recorded in a temperate terrestrial biome was measured in 15 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners with bilateral, mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss and 15 normal-hearing (NH) controls. Design: Soundscape discrimination was measured using a three-interval oddity paradigm and the method of constant stimuli. On each trial, sequences of 2-second recordings varying the habitat, season and period of the day were presented diotically at a nominal SPL of 60 or 80 dB. Results: Discrimination scores were above chance level for both groups, but they were poorer for HI than NH listeners. On average, the scores of HI listeners were relatively well accounted for by those of NH listeners tested with stimuli spectrally-shaped to match the frequency-dependent reduction in audibility of individual HI listeners. However, the scores of HI listeners were not significantly correlated with pure-tone audiometric thresholds and age. Conclusions: These results indicate that the ability to discriminate natural soundscapes associated with changes in habitat, season and period of the day is disrupted but it is not abolished. The deficits of the HI listeners are partly accounted for by reduced audibility. Supra-threshold auditory deficits and individual listening strategies may also explain differences between NH and HI listeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the nest loss due to predation of European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) during the period their colony was frequented by Caspian Whipsnakes (Dolichophis caspius). In 12 out of 38 previously identified active nests, we did not record any nestlings after observing snake activity. Both the relative nest position and the total bank height were negative significant predictors of predation. The observed impact of predation likely stems from increased snake activity during the bee-eater breeding season and easier access of snakes to ground-level or high-bank nests. This underscores the importance of factoring snake predation into conservation plans for bee-eaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of prey sociality reflects trade-offs between predation risk, and competition for mates and resources. Consequently, the degree of sociality is predicted to differ spatiotemporally. Variations in nychthemeral sociality are, however, understudied. We assessed the activity of solitary, territorial black wildebeest bulls (Connochaetes gnou) over rutting and non-rutting seasons. We predicted that solitary bulls would reduce their nocturnal use of territorial stands and join herds to reduce predation risk from nocturnally hunting lions (Panthera leo), but that these responses would differ across rutting and non-rutting seasons. We used camera trap data and modelled solitary bull and herd activity over 24-hour daily cycles, across rutting and non-rutting seasons. We calculated the proportion of images with solitary bulls and herds across nocturnal and diurnal periods, across both seasons. We show that solitary bulls are predominantly diurnal across both seasons, but the probability of nocturnal detection is higher in the rutting than in the non-rutting season. Furthermore, we recorded a lower proportion of solitary bulls to herds at night in the non-rutting relative to the rutting season. Thus, wildebeest bulls may trade-off predation risk for mate acquisition during the rutting season but reduce risky solitary behaviour during the non-rutting season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate eye illnesses in para athletes in the winter and summer settings. A search was conducted using PubMed-Medline, EbscoHost, and Web of Science for full-text original research articles published anytime until November 2022. Studies that reported quantitative data on eye illness in highly active individuals and para athletes, at any level of performance (elite/nonelite/ recreational), aged 15–75 yrs were included. Of the eight studies included, two reported eye pathologies in athletes with visual impairment only, and six studies reported specific factors associated with eye illnesses in various impairments. Illnesses in the eye and adnexa were more prevalent in winter (incidence: 1.6–2.2/1000 athlete days) compared to summer (incidence: 0.3–0.5/1000 athlete days) settings. Eye illnesses were reported in athletes with limb deficiency (33.5%), spinal cord injury (29.4%), visual impairment (10.6%), and central neurologic impairment (15.2%). The findings of this review indicate that: (1) eye illness in para athletes is an understudied area; and (2) eye illnesses are present in athletes with impairments other than visual impairment. There is a need for further research on eye illness, particularly in winter sports settings to understand the types and nature of eye illness affecting para athletes during competition and training settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]