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Because significant global changes are currently underway in the Arctic, creating a large‐scale standardized database for Arctic marine biodiversity is particularly pressing. This study evaluates the potential of aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to detect Arctic coastal biodiversity changes and characterizes the local spatio‐temporal distribution of eDNA in two locations. We extracted and amplified eDNA using two COI primer pairs from ~80 water samples that were collected across two Canadian Arctic ports, Churchill and Iqaluit, based on optimized sampling and preservation methods for remote regions surveys. Results demonstrate that aquatic eDNA surveys have the potential to document large‐scale Arctic biodiversity change by providing a rapid overview of coastal metazoan biodiversity, detecting nonindigenous species, and allowing sampling in both open water and under the ice cover by local northern‐based communities. We show that DNA sequences of ~50% of known Canadian Arctic species and potential invaders are currently present in public databases. A similar proportion of operational taxonomic units was identified at the species level with eDNA metabarcoding, for a total of 181 species identified at both sites. Despite the cold and well‐mixed coastal environment, species composition was vertically heterogeneous, in part due to river inflow in the estuarine ecosystem, and differed between the water column and tide pools. Thus, COI‐based eDNA metabarcoding may quickly improve large‐scale Arctic biomonitoring using eDNA, but we caution that aquatic eDNA sampling needs to be standardized over space and time to accurately evaluate community structure changes. Despite the cold and well‐mixed coastal environment, eDNA composition was vertically heterogeneous, in part due to eDNA river inflow in the estuarine ecosystem, and differed between water column and tide pools. eDNA metabarcoding may quickly improve large‐scale Arctic biomonitoring, but we caution that water eDNA biomonitoring needs to be standardized over space and time to accurately evaluate community structure changes.

Summary Identification of spatio‐temporal distribution of vehicle loads is very important for understanding the exact loading conditions and behaviors of long‐span bridges. Using computer vision technology combining the monitoring information of the weigh‐in‐motion system (WIM) at one cross‐section and the camera along the bridge, a method to identify the spatio‐temporal distribution of vehicle loads for long‐span bridges is proposed. For moving vehicles, template images were sampled from the camera video at the location of the WIM, and the weight information of the captured vehicle was extracted from the output data sheet of the WIM based on the relationship of the pass time. Template matching and particle filter techniques were used to track the moving vehicle loads on the bridge. The images were processed using the computer vision technology. The video images obtained from cameras and the weight information measured by the WIM on the Hangzhou Bay Bridge were employed in this study. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm were validated through the in situ field test results on the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys can support the acquisition of extensive biodiversity data to support ecosystem monitoring and conservation actions. However, the optimization of eDNA metabarcoding project design is essential to capture spatio‐temporal heterogeneity of eDNA signals and maximize diversity detection. In this study, we developed a system‐specific approach to detect fish communities in kelp forests, by analyzing fine‐scale spatio‐temporal patterns in eDNA signals at two sites along the South African coastline, as well as testing the effect of biological replication and pooling of replicates on species detection. At each site, samples were collected at two stations along the shoreline at two depth zones, and this was repeated at two time points (24 h apart). We detected 113 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across 32 families, but fewer than 20% of OTUs could be assigned to species, indicating that barcode reference libraries need to be drastically improved. We detected significant differences in communities across small spatial scales (< 600 m) and time points, suggesting that to best capture a site's diversity patterns, samples should be collected at multiple points and times within at least 24 h. To detect ~80% of the fish community, including some low abundance species, a minimum of four samples appear sufficient. In addition, a higher number of OTUs (76 vs. 65) were found in individual replicates than in any of the pools. However, pooling samples prior to sequencing can still detect valuable broad‐scale biodiversity patterns for monitoring and can offset the decrease in data resolution with the benefit of accumulating comprehensive data from increased sampling efforts over time. As a pilot investigation into how best to maximize kelp forest‐associated fish communities, this study provides a basis for optimizing sampling design for coastal eDNA‐based surveys in southern Africa and strengthens the development of long‐term eDNA monitoring programs to better support conservation and management actions. Regional patterns of marine biodiversity require sampling optimization in order to detect area‐specific patterns of diversity. Here, we show that kelp forest‐associated fish communities differ across time (24 h) and space (< 600 m). Pooling replicates recover fewer OTUs than sequencing replicates individually, but cost vs. OTU detection remains an important consideration in resource‐constrained environments.

Motivation I describe the GIS that is based on a new database of zooplankton collected by Juday net with a 0.1 m2 opening (0.168 mm mesh). Main types of variables contained The average density (in milligrams per cubic metre) of plankton and their different constituents in 1° trapeziums. Location Chukchi, Bering, Okhotsk, Japan/East seas and Pacific Ocean. Time period 1984–2013. Taxa studied All mesofauna; > 214 species of holo‐ and meroplankton. Methods GIS creation, data analysis and literature review. Software format Any that is capable of working with shapefiles. Results Maps of the spatio‐temporal distribution of plankton with various taxonomic groups and dimensions were compiled and analysed. Based on these maps and on the literature, a hypothesis was made regarding the negative correlation of the zooplankton size with temperature. It was also revealed that some fluctuations in the abundance of plankton in the Bering Sea and the ocean are in phase, whereas in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan the fluctuations are fully out of phase. In particular, during the transition from the light to the dark time of the day in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, the density of plankton almost everywhere throughout the epipelagic zone increases; however, in the Bering Sea and the ocean, over large parts of the water area, it decreases. This means that the common practice by trophologists of attempting to replace the day‐time catch in plankton nets with the night‐time catches to assess the food reserves for fish will yield significantly different results in these waters. Main conclusion This unique GIS could be useful to planktonologists, ichthyologists, hydrobiologists, trophologists, ecologists, biogeographers and modellers for understanding patterns and drivers of plankton diversity and biomass variations at large scales. Unfortunately, owing to lack of funding, it has not been brought to the levels of species, size classes and developmental stages that could be available in the final release.

For the implementation of lake ecological protection, understanding the water pollution status and spatio–temporal variation of water quality has become the most important thing for water safety in the basin. To analyze the water quality in recent years, water quality data in Erhai lake from 2013 to 2017 were first collected from typical nine monitoring stations. Based on the comprehensive water quality index (WQI) method, the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of water quality in Erhai lake were analyzed, and the main factors affecting water quality in Erhai lake were explored. The results indicated that the water quality of Erhai lake was worse than its target water quality, and total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) exceeded the Class Ⅱ standards (TN: 0.5 mg L , TP: 0.025 mg L ) of China’s Environmental Quality Standard for Surface Water (GB3838-2002). In terms of changes across seasons, the overall lake water quality in the dry season was better than that in the wet season, and TN and TP reached the peak value in September. In terms of spatial distribution, water quality of the northern area was better than that of the southern area in the dry season, whereas water quality of the southern area was better than that of the northern area in the wet season. At present, Erhai lake is at a critical turning point of water eutrophication, and its nutrition status is mainly affected by both nitrogen and phosphorus. The pollution load from the land area is the main factor affecting the deterioration of Erhai lake. Our results can provide a scientific basis for the treatment of the water environment of Erhai lake.

Aim Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are unstable habitats that are both spatially and temporally fragmented. In vent species, a ‘short-term insurance' hypothesis would lead us to expect mostly self-recruitment, limiting the loss of larvae in the deep ocean or water column and increasing genetic differentiation over the time elapsed since colonization. Alternatively, a ‘long-term insurance' hypothesis would support the prediction of selection for large-scale dispersal, to ensure long-term persistence in these ephemeral habitats. The main goal of this study was to infer the spatial and temporal distribution of genetic diversity of the shrimp Rimicaris exoculata, which forms high-density local populations on hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Atlantic ridge. Location Deep-sea hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Methods We used sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI, 710 bp) to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of genetic diversity across five hydrothermal fields from 36° N to 4° S. Results In contrast to previous results from pioneer studies, very high haplotype diversity was observed in vents across the entire region (i.e. 0.69-0.82), indicating current large effective population size and low drift. The star-like shape of the network of haplotypes, the lack of spatial genetic structure and the significance of tests reflecting demographic effects, together with the fitting of a population expansion model, all support a recent population expansion. Main conclusions Our results suggest a very recent common history of R. exoculata populations/demes along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, derived after a common bottleneck or founder event and followed by a concomitant demographic expansion. This study therefore suggests a large effective population size and/or high dispersal capacity, as well as a possible recent (re)colonization of Mid-Atlantic hydrothermal vents by R. exoculata.

Background Although the World Health Organization reports that the incidence of tuberculosis in China is decreasing every year, the burden of tuberculosis in China is still very heavy. Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of tuberculosis in China and its influencing environmental factors will provide effective reference for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. Methods Data of TB incidence from 2010 to 2017 were collected. Time series and global spatial autocorrelation were used to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution pattern of tuberculosis incidence in China, Geodetector and Geographically Weighted Regression model were used to analyze the environmental factors affecting the TB incidence. Results In addition to 2007 and 2008, the TB incidence decreased in general. TB has a strong spatial aggregation. Cities in Northwest China have been showing a trend of high-value aggregation. In recent years, the center of gravity of high-value aggregation area in South China has moved further south. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, PM 10 , PM 2.5 , O 3 , NO 2 and SO 2 have impacts on TB incidence, and in different regions, the environmental factors show regional differences. Conclusions Residents should pay more attention to the risk of developing TB caused by climate change and air pollutant exposure. Increased efforts should be placed on areas with high-value clustering in future public resource configurations.

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine coverage. To synthesize global research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, a meta-analysis was conducted to provide scientific evidence for understanding its spatial and temporal variations and influencing factors. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for studies published in English between January 2020 and December 2023 and included cross-sectional and cohort studies with study populations that included the general adult population aged ≥18 years and provided quantitative data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis elements and guidance for abstracting and assessing data quality and validity. Two groups of investigators independently extracted the study characteristics, including the outcome variable (the vaccine hesitancy rate). Our meta-analysis used a random-effects model. The outcome of interest was COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The included studies were divided into two categories based on their definitions of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Definition 1 combined vaccination behavior and willingness, and Definition 2 was based solely on willingness to vaccinate. Results: 855 studies were included in the final analytical dataset; 121 met Definition 1, and 734 met Definition 2. There were 277,285,178 participants in the included studies. In studies meeting Definition 1, hesitancy rates increased annually: 18.8 % in 2020, 29.1 % in 2021, and 30.8 % in 2022. However, in studies that met Definition 2, the hesitancy rates remained at 35 %. African studies reported the highest hesitancy rates globally (42.0 %), whereas European studies reported the lowest (16.5 %). Furthermore, there was a temporal association between mortality trends and COVID-19 hesitancy because the monthly cumulative death peaks coincided with lower hesitancy peaks. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy increased across the continent during 2020–2022 and might be influenced by misinformation, policy changes, and public fatigue. Demographic factors like age, gender, and education also play a key role in vaccine hesitancy. The link between vaccine hesitancy and pandemic severity highlights the need for timely and effective public health responses. •Addressed heterogeneity in vaccine hesitancy definitions by identifying two primary categories.•855 studies with 277 M participants from 102 countries were included, providing a global perspective on vaccine hesitancy.•Global vaccine hesitancy rate was 28.2 % using Definition 1 and 34.8 % using Definition 2.•Hesitancy rates increased annually from 2020 to 2022, with Africa having the highest and Europe the lowest rates.•Found a pattern linking COVID-19 mortality and hesitancy, where higher disease burden leaded to lower hesitancy rates.

Ethiopia is one of the HIV high burden countries in Africa. This was compounded by the Conflict and health system breakdown in the northern Ethiopia over the past several years. This study was aimed to assess the trends and spatio-temporal distribution of HIV between July2018-June 2024 . The District Health Information software2 (DHIS2) data was obtained from Health facilities with a total catchment area of 170,000 km2. Spatial interpolation and ordinal kriging were conducted to identify hotspot zones in the current study. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 27. Between July, 2018 and June, 2024, a total of 8,592, 243 individuals were tested for HIV in Amhara region (North-west Ethiopia) and among these, 54,746 (0.64%) were HIV positive or HIV test positivity rate. The number of individuals who received HIV testing was ranged from 6,170 in East Gojjam health department to 567 in Debre Tabor town health office. The number of individuals who received HIV test decreased from 1,764,397 in July 2018 to 1,057,879 in June, 2024. The spatial distribution of HIV-related programmatic indicators in the current study indicate that, the hot spot areas for HIV test positivity rate were Kombolcha, Bahir Dar, Dessie, Debre Markos, Debre Birhan, and Woldia town health offices. Similarly, the hot spot areas for PLHIV newly initiated ART were Kombolcha, Dessie and Debre Markos Towns and the hot spot areas for PLHIV currently on ART were also Debre Markos, Kombolcha and Dessie towns. Experience sharing among zonal health departments and town health offices should be conducted to get important lessons from those who had best practice related to HIV tests and ART initiation. More attention in testing HIV should be given for hotspot areas to get more clients living with HIV. Special attention should be given in HIV tests on segregated or marginalized population to get more number of HIV test positivity rate instead of focusing on the test volume.

Background Accurate estimates of malaria burden are crucial for allocating resources and designing effective control strategies. However, global reports often underestimate the burden in low- and middle-income countries, especially beyond the African region. This study addresses this gap by providing a longitudinal time-series analysis of malaria burden and spatio-temporal distribution in Sindh province, Pakistan. Methods Monthly suspected malaria cases reported from 1088 primary healthcare facilities managed by the PPHI-Sindh across 23 districts of Sindh Province (excluding seven districts of Karachi), Pakistan, were analysed over a 13-year period (2012–2024). Malaria incidence was determined by dividing total malaria cases by each health facility's catchment area population. Population-weighted estimates of malaria cases were calculated to account for variations in population size across districts. Yearly time-trend (with 95% CI), seasonal variation by month (with 95% CI), and a treemap illustrating the distribution of malaria burden across districts in Sindh. Results An incidence of 92 per 1000 people per annum of suspected malaria cases was reported at primary public healthcare facilities. Pooled estimates of 16.7 million cases occurred during a 13-year period, about 1.28 million cases annually. Marked heterogeneity observed in malaria burden across districts. Malaria positivity rate was 12.3%. Six districts (Khairpur, Sanghar, Naushero Feroze, Badin, Mirpurkhas, and Larkana) carried over 53% burden of malaria in Sindh. A distinct seasonal pattern with peak coinciding with the wet season and post-monsoon period was observed. Since the 2022 floods in Sindh, the malaria incidence has doubled, and it is persisting in the province. Conclusions The study highlights the substantial malaria burden with wet seasons and post-monsoon peaks in Sindh and identified few high-burden districts. The impact of 2022 flood seems to have persisted to 2024 and onwards, which needs immediate attention. Identification of high-burden districts could help tailor malaria control strategies. Also, the underestimation by global reports emphasizes the need for country-level and subnational analyses for informed decision-making. By addressing these gaps and refining burden estimates, Pakistan can develop more targeted strategies towards malaria control.