Potential Applications of X-ray Fluorescence Core Scanner in Elemental Analyses of the Muddy Sediments on the Coastal Shelves of China and in Ecological Study

Large areas of muddy sediments on the coastal shelves of China provide important samples for studying climate and ecological changes. Analysis of a large number of such samples, which is essential for systematic study on environmental information recorded in mud areas because of complicated sedimentary environment and variable sedimentary rate, requires a fast and economical method. In this study, we investigated the potential of X-ray fluorescence core scanner （XRFS）, a fast analytical instrument for measuring the elemental concentrations of muddy sediments, and observed a significant correlation between the element concentrations of muddy sediments determined by regular X-ray fluorescence spectrometer （XRF） and XRFS, respectively. The correlations are mainly determined by excitation energy of elements, but also influenced by solubility of element ions. Furthermore, we found a striking link between A1 concentrations and marine-originated organic carbon （MOC）, a proxy of marine primary productivity. This indicates that MOC is partly controlled by sedimentary characteristics. Therefore, XRFS method has a good potential in fast analysis of a large number of muddy sediment samples, and it can also be used to calibrate MOC in ecological study of coastal seas.

An ecological study on the fouling organisms in Yantai Harbour

Yantai Harbour (37°33′15″N , 121°23′42″E) is situated at the north coast of Shandong Peninsula and is a large fishing and commercial port of North China. From June 1983 to May 1984, a yearly panel test on fouling organisms was carried out at the non-fixed jetties in the inner and outer harbour. The test method was according to "the Marine Survey

Ecological study of gastric cancer in Brazil:Geographic and time trend analysis

AIM: To investigate the geographic distributions and time trends of gastric cancer (GC) incidence and mortality in Brazil.

Explanatory Factors for the Variation in HIV Prevalence between Regions of Côte d’Ivoire: An Ecological Study

Introduction: No study has analyzed the reasons for the difference in HIV prevalence between Ivorian regions ranging from 1.3% in the central-western region to 4.1% in Abidjan among men. Objective: To analyze explanatory factors for the difference in HIV prevalence observed in men in Côte d’Ivoire’s regions. Methodology: Assessment of the relationship between HIV prevalence per region and risk factors explored in the 2012 Côte d’Ivoire Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). A multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between HIV prevalence and each variable. Results: The explanatory power of the variation of HIV prevalence between regions was 98%. There was a significant association between HIV prevalence and union (r = −0.38;p = 0.008;95% CI (−0.53 to −0.23)), condom use (r = −0.01;p = 0.19;95% CI (−0.03 to −0.01)), practice of Christian religion (r = −0.1;p = 0.017;95% CI (−0.16 to −0.05)), and schooling (r = −0.01;p = 0.25;95% CI (−0.04 to 0.02)). There was a paradoxical association between HIV prevalence and mean age at first sexual intercourse (r = −0.1;p = 0.017;95% CI (−0.16 to −0.05)) and sexual infections (r = −0.48;p = 0.016;95% CI (−0.75 to −0.22)). Conclusion: The explanatory factors for the difference in HIV prevalence observed in men in the regions of the country were union, condom use, mean age at first sexual intercourse, sexual infection, sexual activity, and multiple sexual partnerships. However, only union and condom use were effective in reducing HIV prevalence by preventing new infections.

Notes Ecological study of macrobenthos in Fuqing Bay

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Ecological Impact Asessment and Ecological Monitoring of a Strategic Landfill-A case study in Hong Kong

This paper discusses ecological and monitoring studies covering vegetation, stream fauna, birds, mammals and other vertebrates at the West New Territories (WENT)Landfill, Hong Kong. Recommendations for the protection of vegetation on and around the site, including control of the erosion and run off from the construction site were proposed and implemented, resulting in effective protection of the local vegetation cover. Stream macrobenthos were low in species diversity and abundance and did not show a changing trend during the construction and the operation of the land fill. Birds attracted to the active dumping site were dominated by Crested Mynah Acridotheres cristatellus and the Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. After an increase in the population during the warmer months, the number of birds seen on the land fill site decreased to 10 in December 1994. Mammal monitoring by live trapping revealed that the rat population did not increase after the land fill operation started. This project was the first comprehensive’ ecological study and monitoring of an urban land fill in Hong Kong and it demonstrated that careful environmental planning and implementation of mitigation measures can successfully limit environmental impacts of landfills to acceptable levels.

Study on ecology of foulers on buoys in Dianbai, Guangdong, China

From May to July, 1985, foulers on eleven navigation buoys have been surveyed in Shuidongand Bohe Harbours of Dianbai, Guangdong. Foulers on different parts of buoys (side, bottom and in-side tail tube) were sampled. The thickness and cover area of foulers were measured in the field andall the foulers on an area of 30×30 cm~2 were taken back for lab. identification. Thirty-four quatita-tive samples and several qualitative samples have been got and five hundred and twenty-four sampleshave been classified.

Ecological studies on the Hydromedusae, Siphonophores and Ctenophores in the Xiamen Harbour and adjacent waters

This paper deals with species composition, seasonal change and horizontal distribution of the Hydromedusae (Hyd.), Siphonophores (Sip.) and Ctenophores (Cte.) and their relationship to the environmental factors. Materials from 17 stations in the Xiamen Harbour and adjacent waters were taken once monthly for the period from Sep. 1980 to Aug. 1981. The results indicate that for the dominant species of Phialidium folleatum, Lensia subtiloides and Pleurobrachia globosa , the total annual number of species has one peak and the total annual number of individual has one peak and two secondary peaks. On the basis of their ecological characteristice, the Hydromedusae, Siphonophores and Ctenophores found in the region investigated may be divided into the following ecological groups: estuarine group, neritic group and oceanic group. Their seasonal succession is correlated with the relative intensity of several water systems.

Increasing pancreatic cancer is not paralleled by pancreaticoduodenectomy volumes in Brazil:A time trend analysis

Background: Currently, surgical resection represents the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer(PC), however, the majority of tumors are no longer resectable by the time of diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe time trends and distribution of pancreaticoduodenectomies(PDs) performed for treating PC in Brazil in recent years. Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from Brazilian Health Public System(namely DATASUS) regarding hospitalizations for PC and PD in Brazil from January 2008 to December 2015. PC and PD rates and their mortalities were estimated from DATASUS hospitalizations and analyzed for age, gender and demographic characteristics. Results: A total of 2364 PDs were retrieved. Albeit PC incidence more than doubled, the number of PDs increased only 37%. Most PDs were performed in men(52.2%) and patients between 50 and 69 years old(59.5%). Patients not surgically treated and those 70 years or older had the highest in-hospital mortality rates. The most developed regions(Southeast and South) as well as large metropolitan integrated municipalities registered 76.2% and 54.8% of the procedures, respectively. LMIM PD mortality fluctuated, ranging from 13.6% in 2008 to 11.8% in 2015. Conclusions: This study suggests a trend towards regionalization and volume-outcome relationships for PD due to PC, as large metropolitan integrated municipalities registered most of the PDs and more stable mortality rates. The substantial differences between PD and PC increasing rates reveals a limiting step on the health system resoluteness. Reduction in the number of hospital beds and late access to hospitalization, despite improvement in diagnostic methods, could at least in part explain these findings.

Ecological Evaluation of Urban Development-A Case Study of the Pearl River Delta

Recent rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is character-ized by broad geographical dispersion, diversities of scales and technological levels, and the proliferation of small-scale township and individual enterprises. Such a pattern of fast development has brought widespread environmental perturbation that is becoming difficult to contain or control. This study surveys the present environmental status in urban areas of PRD, assesses the trends of environmental quality, and evaluates the ecological impacts of development in the region.

Natural variables separate the endemic areas of Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini along a continuous,straight zone in Southeast Asia

Background Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis,caused by the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini respectively,represent significant neglected tropical diseases(NTDs)in Asia.The co-existence of these pathogens in overlapping regions complicates effective disease control strategies.This study aimed to clarify the distribution and interaction of these diseases within Southeast Asia.Methods We systematically collated occurrence records of human clonorchiasis(n=1809)and opisthorchiasis(n=731)across the Southeast Asia countries.Utilizing species distribution models incorporating environmental and climatic data,coupled machine learning algorithms with boosted regression trees,we predicted and distinguished endemic areas for each fluke species.Machine learning techniques,including geospatial analysis,were employed to delineate the boundaries between these flukes.Results Our analysis revealed that the endemic range of C.sinensis and O.viverrini in Southeast Asia primarily spans across part of China,Vietnam,Thailand,Laos,and Cambodia.During the period from 2000 to 2018,we identified C.sinensis infections in 84 distinct locations,predominantly in southern China(Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region)and northern Vietnam.In a stark contrast,O.viverrini was more widely distributed,with infections documented in 721 locations across Thailand,Laos,Cambodia,and Vietnam.Critical environmental determinants were quantitatively analyzed,revealing annual mean temperatures ranging between 14 and 20°C in clonorchiasis-endemic areas and 24-30°C in opisthorchiasis regions(P<0.05).The machine learning model effectively mapped a distinct demarcation zone,demonstrating a clear separation between the endemic areas of these two liver flukes with AUC from 0.9 to1.The study in Vietnam delineates the coexistence and geographical boundaries of C.sinensis and O.viverrini,revealing distinct endemic zones and a transitional area where both liver fluke species overlap.Conclusions Our findings highlight the critical role of specific climatic and environmental factors in influencing the geographical distribution of C.sinensis and O.viverrini.This spatial delineation offers valuable insights for integrated surveillance and control strategies,particularly in regions with sympatric transmission.The results underscore the need for tailored interventions,considering regional epidemiological variations.Future collaborations integrating eco-epidemiology,molecular epidemiology,and parasitology are essential to further elucidate the complex interplay of liver fluke distributions in Asia.

Unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcomes across Brazil's geographical landscape before and during the COVID-19 pandemic:are we truly advancing toward the sustainable development/end TB goal?

Background Tuberculosis is one of the most significant infectious diseases for global public health.The reallocation of healthcare resources and the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have hindered access to TB diag-nosis and treatment.Increases in unfavorable outcomes of the disease have been observed in Brazil.The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of unfavorable TB treatment outcomes in Brazil before and during the pandemic.Methods An ecological study with spatial analysis was conducted with all 5569 municipalities in Brazil.All reported cases of tuberculosis between January 2010 and December 2021,as well as reported cases of COVID-19 from Febru-ary 2020 to December 2021,were included.The outcomes studied encompass loss to follow-up,drug-resistant tuber-culosis,and death.The Getis Ord GI*technique was employed to assess spatial association,and the Kernel density estimator was used to identify areas with concentrated increases or decreases in outcomes.Bivariate Local Moran's/was used to examine the spatial association between outcomes and cOVID-19 incidence.The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Ribeirao Preto Nursing School,University of Sao Paulo.Results There were 134,394 cases of loss to follow-up,10,270 cases of drug resistance,and 37,863 deaths.Clusters of high and low values were identified for all three outcomes,indicating significant changes in the spatial distribu-tion patterns.Increases in concentrations were observed for lost to follow-up cases in the Southeast,while reductions occurred in the Northeast,South,and Midwest.Drug-resistant tuberculosis experienced an increase in the Southern and Southeastern regions and a decrease in the Northeast and South.TB-related deaths showed notable concentra-tions in the Midwest,Northeast,South,and Southeast.There was an increase in high occurrence clusters for deaths after 2020 and 2021 in the Northeast.Conclusions The pandemic has brought additional challenges,emphasizing the importance of enhancing efforts and disease control strategies,prioritizing early identification,treatment adherence,and follow-up.This commitment is vital for achieving the goal of tuberculosis elimination.