Geographic and temporal variations of sulfate aerosols over the Pacific Ocean

To investigate the life cycle of marine sulfate aerosols, chemicophysical characteristics of marine aerosolswere measured during five cruises in the Pacific Ocean. Dimethyl sulfide concentrations in seawater and in the air were also measured. The geographic variation of sulfate-aerosol concentrations was studied in relation to biogenic and anthropogenic sources,transport with air trajectories, and chemical transformations in the atmosphere. The highest concentrations were found near Asian and American ports, indicating anthropogenic pollution is the major sulfate aerosols source. Higher concentrations were observed in the upwelling regions than in the oligotrophic areas. Along the coastal regions, both mass and number concentrations of sulfate aerosols depended on wind direction and wind speed, and land-breeze and sea-breeze oscillations; no clear diurnal variation was detected. In pelagic areas, along the equator, the concentrations of small sulfate particles showed a maximum in the afternoon and the minimum at night , indicating photo-oxidation as an important process for gas-to-particle conversion. Higher sulfate-aerosol concentrations were observed in spring than in autumn and higher concentrations were found during the La Nina anomaly than during the El Nino anomaly. Biogenic source of sulfate aerosols has an important role in the remote ocean. Case studies of sulfate-aerosol distributions are discussed.

Genetic variations of wood properties and growth characters of Ko-rean pines from different provenances

Totally 26 provenance stands of 17-year-old Korean pine were selected for investigating wood properties and growth characters in Mao抏rshan Experimental Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University in 1999. The anatomical property indexes, including tracheid length, tracheid diameter and wall-indiameter ratio, and the physical property indexes, such as growth ring width, late wood percentage and growth ring density, were measured for wood properties. Growth character indexes, including tree height and diameter at breast height, were also measured. The analytical results showed that there exited obviously dif-ference in wood property indexes between different provenances, which is suggested that wood properties are controlled by their genetic differences. The growth character indexes of Korean pines presented significant difference and they might also be controlled by their genetic differences. Most parameters of wood properties mainly varied in the direction of longitude, but the parameters of growth characters varied in the direction of latitude.

Geographic variation and provenance selection for bamboo wood properties in Bambusa chungii

Using 3-year-old culms of 8 provenances of Bambusa chungii from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, the indexes of wood properties, such as fiber dimensions and chemical composition were investigated and analyzed by the methods of Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient to reveal the geographic genetic variation situation. The results showed that there are significant differences between fiber length, fibrin and 1% NaOH extraction contents of B. chungii from 8 provenances; moreover, the fiber length and fiber length/width ratio had a decreasing change pattern with geographic variation from the south to the north in altitude (from high to low in elevation). The heritabilities for fibrin, fiber length, 1% NaOH extractive, lignin and fiber length/width ratio were 0.7, 0.84, 0.54, 0.38 and 0.13, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 1% NaOH extraction, benzo-alcohol extraction contents and bamboo culm yield, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between fibrin contents and bamboo wood yield. Besides, a close correlation was detected between fiber dimensions indices and bamboo growth or bamboo wood yield. Finally, three provenances with high qualities and culm yield, i.e. Huaiji, Xinyi and Guilin, were selected as superior sources based on principal component analysis.

Genetic Variation Among the Geographic Population of the Grain Aphid, Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in China Inferred from Mitochondrial COI Gene Sequence

In order to characterize the genetic relationship of the geographic populations of Sitobion avenae （Hemiptera： Aphididae） in China, a 588 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I （mtDNA-COI） gene was sequenced and analyzed among the different geographic populations. 269 individuals were collected from 17 localities in different wheat-growing areas in China that covered most of the range reported for this species. Within the sequence among these geographic populations, 15 polymorphic sites defined 16 distinct haplotypes, ranging in sequence divergence from 0.2% （one nucleotide） to 1.7% （10 nucleotides）. Of the 15 variable sites, 12 were transitional substitutions, 2 were transversional substitutions and 1 was transitional and transversional substitution. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all haplotypes were highly interconnected with each other, in absence of phylogeographic structing. Each of 8 haplotypes was found only at one locality, and the other haplotypes were the widespread distributed in the different localities. The higher genetic diversity was found in the northern China populations than that in the southern China populations. The low genetic differentiation （FST=-0.06945-0.69857） and high migration rate （Nm=0.21575-infinite） of Chinese populations suggest that dispersal over long distance is a major factor in the demography of S. avenae.

Geographic variation and genetic performance of Picea koraiensis in growth and wood characteristics

Eight provenances of 19-year-old Picea koraiensis Nakai from the provenancetrials of Maoershan (45°20′N, 127°30′E), Liang-shui (47°10′N, 128°53′E) and Jiagedaqi(50°24′N, 124°07′E) in Northeast China were investigated to analyze the genetic variation ingrowth characteristics (tree height and diameter) and wood characteristics (tracheid length,tracheid diameter, tracheid wall thickness, annual ring width as well as wood density). Greatvariation in height growth and breast height diameter growth was observed among the provenances, andalong with the increase of tree age, these provenances presented different geographic adaptability.The growth characteristics of Picea koraiensis stand at age of 10 in Maoershan and Liangshuiprovenance trials had a positive correlation with longitude, and with increase of tree age to 15 and19, the tree growth of the provenances displayed a significant positive correlation with latitudeas well as altitude. For wood characteristics, great variation was also found among the provenances.There exists a close relation between growth characteristics and wood properties of the provenance.The height and breast height diameter growth of the provenance had a positive correlation withtracheid diameter and annual ring width, and a negative correlation with tracheid wall thickness andwood density. Genetic performance of the provenance in all above characteristics was alsoinvestigated in order to provide more useful information for comprehensive selection of this speciesfor pulpwood and plywood production.

Geographical Variation and Influencing Factors of Spartina alterniflora Expansion Rate in Coastal China

Biological invasion poses a huge threat to ecological security.Spartina alterniflora was introduced into China in 1979,and its arrival corresponded with negative effects on native ecosystems.To explore geographical variation of its expansion rate in coastal China,we selected 43 S.alterniflora sites from Tianjin Coastal New Area to Beihai.The area expansion rate,expansion rate paralleling and vertical to the shoreline were analysed based on Landsat images and field survey in 2015.Simple Ocean Data Assimilation(SODA)and climate data were collected to statistically analyse the influential factors of expansion rate.Results showed that significant difference of S.alterniflora area expansion rate among different latitude zones(P<0.01),increasing from 6.08%at southern(21°N–23°N)to 19.87% in Bohai Bay(37°N–39°N)along latitude gradient.There was a significant difference in expansion rate vertical to shoreline in different latitude zones(P<0.01)with the largest occurring in Bohai Bay(256m/yr,37°N–39°N),and showed an decreasing tendency gradually from north to south.No significant difference and latitudinal clines in expansion rate paralleling to shoreline were observed.Expansion rate had significant negative correlation with mean seawater temperature,the lowest seawater temperature,current zonal velocity and meridional velocity and presented a reducing trend as these biotic factors increased;however,they were not significantly correlated with the highest seawater temperature and mean seawater salinity.We identified significant correlations between expansion rate and annual mean temperature,the lowest temperature in January and annual precipitation,but there was little correlation with annual diurnal difference in temperature and the highest temperature in July.The rapid expansion rate in high-latitude China demonstrated a higher risk of potential invasion in the north;dynamic monitoring and control management should be established as soon as possible.

Geographic variation and provenance-selection for bamboo wood properties in Bambusachungii

Using 3-year-old culms of 8 provenances of Bambusa chungii from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, the indexes of wood properties, such as fiber dimensions and chemical composition were investigated and analyzed by the methods of Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient to reveal the geographic genetic variation situation. The results showed that there are significant differences be- tween fiber length, fibrin and 1% NaOH extraction contents of B. chungii from 8 provenances; moreover, the fiber length and fiber length/width ratio had a decreasing change pattern with geographic variation from the south to the north in altitude （from high to low in ele- vation）. The heritabilities for fibrin, fiber length, 1% NaOH extractive, lignin and fiber length/width ratio were 0.7, 0.84, 0.54, 0.38 and 0.13, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 1% NaOH extraction, benzo-alcohol extraction contents and bamboo culm yield, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between fibrin contents and bamboo wood yield. Besides, a close correlation was detected between fiber dimensions indices and bamboo growth or bamboo wood yield. Finally, three provenances with high qualities and culm yield, i.e. Huaiji, Xinyi and Guilin, were selected as superior sources based on principal component analysis.

Geographic Variation in Clutch and Egg Size for the Lizard Phrynocephalus przewalskii(Squamata:Agamidae)

In order to tease apart proximate vs. ultimate sources of variation in reproductive strategy, studies have increasingly focused on populations rather than species as the unit of interest. The reproductive parameters of Phrynocephalus przewalskii （Agamidae） in different populations within the same phylogenetic clade were compared in this study. Female SVL, clutch size, egg volume and clutch volume varied significantly among populations. With increase in latitude, clutch size increased, while egg size decreased. Relatively fewer but larger eggs were produced with increasing of population density. Food availability had positive effects on clutch size, but no effect on egg size. Our result indicated that latitude, food availability and population density may be the proximate factors affecting the reproductive parameters ofP. przewalskii.

A STUDY ON THE GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION ANDSELECTIONOFTHEBEST PROVENANCE OF LARIX OLGENSIS

On the basis of the results from the geographic provenance test of nine years old /arix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve of our university, a study on the geographic varition and the primary selection of the best provenance of torix oIgensis was carried out. The main results are as follows: 1. The different provenances of Larix olgensis have rich and wide genetic variation, and exist a linear correlation with latitude and longitude in collection area. General trends are enumerated below: Provenances at lower latitude and more west longitude have lighter thousand seed weight. short growth period, higher increment, wide branches, rich leaves and crown as well as worst adaptabi llity. It is a dual-way variation along with two directions of latitude and longitude, and also embodies a change gradually in climate condition from south to north. The temperat ures in seed production site, especially the mean temperature in January and≥10℃ accumulated temperature, are important factors that produce geographic variation for larix olgensis. 2. The variation of different provenances in periodic biological phenomena and growth rhythm trends are that: ① both of the provenances from Changbai Mt. (Ⅲ) and Dashitou(Ⅳ) at low latitude belong to the centralized growth type, and have shout growth period, the difference between these two provenances is that the provenance from Changbai Mt. grows well in all time, Dashitou provennce is well only in later period; ②the provenance from Baidao Mt. (Ⅱ) at middle latitude belongs to even growth type and has longer grpwth period, this provenance has higher increment in early and later periods relatively; ③ Xiaobeihu provenance at high latitude is a growth type among Ⅱ Ⅲ and Ⅳ provenances and has a general growth period, the provenance grows better in middle time and worse in later time. 3. The best provenance in Liangshui Natural Reserve and its meighbourhood is Dashitou Procenance. which growth in height. diameter and volume has exceeded 16. 28%, 46. 27%, 30. 58%, 78. 20, 82. 00% as well as 392. 00% by comparison with the mean value of the contrast and the worst provenance respectively, The result from the height growth of three, five. seven and nine years old Larix olgensis by using the method of order correlation analysis demonstrates that it is possible to make early selection of the provenance. Meanwhile. data from juvenile and mature of larix olgensis plantation also prove the reliability of the early selection. 4. The provenance heritabilities of nine years old larix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve are follows:The heritability of the height growth (h2)is 0. 79; The heritability of the diameter breast height (h2) is 0. 791; The geretic gain is 24. 5%and 40. 36% respectively.

Geographic variation in the yield formation of single-season high-yielding hybrid rice in southern China

Environmental conditions greatly affect the growth of rice. To investigate the geographic differences in yield formation of single-season high-yielding hybrid rice in southern China, experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in the upper and middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River with 10–30 main locally planted high-yielding hybrid cultivars used as materials. Compared with rice planted in the middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River, rice planted in the upper reaches has a longer tillering duration, higher accumulated temperature(≥10℃) during tillering period, but lower accumulated temperature and solar radiation from initial booting to maturity. Yield traits comparison between the upper and the middle–lower reaches of Yangtze River showed that the former had 48.1% more panicles per unit area while the latter had 46.4% more grains per panicle;the rice yield in the former was positively correlated with the seed setting rate and the dry matter accumulation before heading, while the latter was positively correlated with grains per panicle and dry matter accumulation from booting to maturity. Comparison of the same variety Tianyouhuazhan planted in different regions showed there was a significant positive correlation between panicle number and the duration of and accumulated temperature during the tillering period(r=0.982^(**), r=0.993^(**), respectively), and between grains per panicle and accumulated solar radiation during booting period(r=0.952~*). In the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, more than 90% of cultivars with an yield of greater than 11 t ha^(–1) had an effective panicle number of 250–340 m^(–2), and there was a significant negative correlation between seed setting rate and grains per panicle;therefore, the high-yielding rice production in these regions with a long effective tillering period(>40 d) should choose varieties with moderate grains per panicle, adopt crop managements such as good fertilizer and water measures during vegetative growth period to ensure a certain number of effective panicles, and to increase the dry matter accumulation before heading. While in regions with a short effective tillering period(<20 d) but good sunshine conditions during the reproductive growth period, such as the middle–lower reaches of the Yangtze River, high-yielding rice production should choose cultivars with large panicles, adopt good water and fertilizer managements during the reproductive growth period to ensure the formation of large panicles and the increase of dry matter accumulation after heading.

Epidemiological trends and geographic variation in hospital admissions for diverticulitis in the United States

AIM:To characterize the increasing incidence and geographic variation of acute diverticulitis.METHODS:Using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) we identified a cohort who had been admitted with diverticulitis between 1998 and 2005.We calculated age-,sex-,and region-specific rates of hospitalizations for diverticulitis over time.RESULTS:The age-adjusted hospitalization rate for diverticulitis increased from 61.8 per 100000 to 75.5 per 100 000 between 1998 and 2005,and increased similarly in both sexes.Diverticulitis-associated admissions were male-predominant in those younger than age 45 years but were female-predominant thereafter.Admission rates increased the most among those<45 years,while remaining unchanged for those≥65 years.By 2005,the majority of hospitalized patients were<65 years.Age-adjusted rates of diverticulitis-associated hospitalizations were lower in the West(50.4/100000) compared to the Northeast(77.7/100000),South (73.9/100000),and Midwest(71.0/100000).CONCLUSION:Diverticulitis-associated hospitalizations have steeply risen,especially in young adults.These epidemiological trends vary by geographic region and warrant further investigation into potential dietary and environmental etiologies.

Geographic Variation in the Skull Morphometry of Four Populations of Batrachuperus karlschmidti(Urodela:Hynobiidae)

Geographic variation of morphology is an important topic of evolutionary biology,and research on geographic variation can provide insights on the formation,evolution,and adaptation of species and subspecies.The vertebrate skull is a developmentally and functionally complex morphological structure with multiple functions,that is susceptible to vary according to selection pressure.In this study,geographic variations in skull morphology of Batrachuperus karlschmidti from four different geographic populations(Shade,Gexi,Shangluokema,and Xinduqiao)were examined via geometric morphometrics.No significant differences were found among these populations with regard to skull size;however,significant variation was found in skull shape.The most notable shape changes are the relative sizes and positions of the frontal,maxilla,pterygoid,and vomer.Skull shape changes were not related to allometry.However,due to limitation of sample populations and size,the results of this study need to be further verified by more sample populations and individuals in the future.The results of this study contribute to our knowledge about these aspects of morphological variability in this species as well as in hynobiid salamanders.

Preliminary Study on Geographical Variation of Cytochrome b gene and ITS2-rDNA among Populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

The Red Palm Weevil （RPW）, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus （Olivier）, （Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Rhynchophorinae）, is an invasive species that is originated from Southeast Asia. It has invaded Middle East, several countries of the Mediterranean Basin, Caribbean （Island of Curacao, Netherland Antilles）, Lebanon and United States of America （Laguna Beach, Orange County, California） during the last three decades where it attacks palm trees. This study investigated the geographical variation among geographic populations of RPW collected from twelve invaded countries using cytochrome b （Cytb） and ITS2 partial sequences. The comparison among the Cytb sequences resulted in three different haplotypes designated as HB 1 to HB3. The three haplotypes were subdivided into two phylogenetic groups according to their geographic positions： （1） the ＂Multi-Continent＂ group containing HB 1 haplotype detected in eight populations belonging to three different Continents such as Africa-Egypt, Asia-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey and Europe-Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and France, and （2） the ＂Asian＂ group includes four populations from Iran （harboring HB2 haplotype）, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman （harboring HB3 haplotype）. This mitochondrial pattern of genetic diversity suggests that the tested RPW populations subdivided genetically into different sub-populations under the influence of genetic drift. According to these results we concluded that the twelve studied RPW populations are originating from different source populations in the RPW area of origin.

Sexual Dimorphism and Geographic Variation in the Asian Lance-headed Pitviper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus in the China's Mainland

Sexual dimorphism（SD） and geographic variation（GV） are widespread in snakes. Protobothrops mucrosquamatus（Cantor 1839） is one of the most common Asian venomous snakes with a wide geographical distribution. We examined SD and GV patterns for this species by using multivariate statistical analyses of external morphological characters scored from specimens from the China's Mainland. The result displayed that SD was significant in several external characters in P. mucrosquamatus, and the male P. mucrosquamatus formed two distinct clusters（Hainan Island and China's Mainland）, but the females did not. Based on our present work and the other data, we concluded that no significantly intraspecific differentiation is present within this species.

INTRASPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION AND PRIMARY SELECTION ON THE BEST PROVENANCE OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS VAR. MONGOLICA

This paper summarizes the result from the provenance test of eight years old Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in Liangshui Natural Rcserve comprehensivcly. The main contents include:(1) the geographic variation of the growth characters of Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica.tends to negative change gradually at latitude and has obvious climatic nature, (2) no significant difference exists in the morphological adaptability and resistant characteristics and so on; (3)on the basis of the geographic variation study on the growth characteristics, the provcnances of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica were classificd into two geographic populations and two subpopulations as follows:the northern population of the Daxing'an Mountain (Ⅰ) and the southern population of the Daxing'an Mountain as wcll as the Xiaoxinglan Mountain (Ⅱ),which includcs Honghuarii subpopulation and Kalunshan subpopulation (Ⅱ-2). (4) the height growth rhythm was analyzed according to the divided population and subpopuIation; (5) the best provcnance was selected for the Liangshui Natural Rescrve and its neighborhood accord ing to the results from SSR test of the growth characteristics (the breast height diameter and height of eight year old trces), the possibility of the carly provcnance sclection was also verified by the method of order correlation analysis on the height growth of three. five, scvcn and eight years old provenances.

STUDY ON GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION OF DAHURIAN LARCH IN CHINA

Based on the main characteristics of growth, phenology and resistance at both seedling stage (one year old) and sampling stage (seven years old) of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) from seventeen provenances in China ranging from 47 ° 10' to 52 ° 25' N and 119 ° 57' to 130 ° 25' E, the rules and patterns of infraspecific geographic variation have been studied by using variance analysis, correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis and regression analysis. The best provenance for local site and its neighborhood was selected according to the growth characteristics of seven years provenance test on Liangshui Experimental Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University.

Analysis of sex pheromone production and field trapping of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée)in Xinjiang,China

Identifying the sex pheromone systems of local pest populations facilitates their management,especially for moth species that show significant geographic variation in sex pheromone communication.We investigated the pheromone production and behavioral responses of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée;ACB)in Xinjiang,China.The ACB produces three compounds:(Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(Z12-14:Ac)and(E)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(E12-14:Ac)which are two sex pheromone compounds,and n-tetradecyl acetate(14:Ac)which has variable roles in mediating behavioral responses.The ratios of these three compounds produced in female gland are geographically distinct among different populations.Quantitative analysis of pheromone production showed that the proportions of Z12-14:Ac in the E/Z isomers(i.e.,Z and E12-14:Ac)and the proportions of 14:Ac in the ternary blend respectively averaged 60.46%(SD=5.26)and 25.00%(SD=7.37),with their probabilities normally or near-normally distributed.Trapping experiments in a cornfield indicated that deploying the E/Z isomers and the three compounds in rubber septa close to their gland ratios yielded the most captured males,while other ratios that deviated from the gland ratios showed reduced field captures.The ternary blend was significantly more attractive to males than the E/Z isomers in the field,indicating a functional role of 14:Ac as the third pheromone component used by the local population.Additionally,the dose-response test demonstrated that the application of the three compounds at dosages between 200 and 350μg attracted significantly more males compared to other dosages.Therefore,the characterization of this local ACB pheromone system provides additional information about its geographic variation and serves as a basis for optimizing the pheromone-mediated control of this pest in Xinjiang.

Reevaluation of dialect boundaries in the Yellowhammer(Emberiza citrinella)based on citizen science data:Should we split or lump?

Dialects are a specific form of geographic variation of birdsong with relatively sharp boundaries between distinct song characteristics,which provide opportunities for focused studies of processes underlying the emergence of spatial patterns in vocalization.Several songbird species that exhibit dialects became models for such research,and for some of them large-scale datasets were assembled that included recordings provided by the public.Among them,the Yellowhammer(Emberiza citrinella,Emberizidae) is particularly prominent,as it has been recently a subject of dedicated citizen science projects focusing on its dialect distribution.The most successful,in terms of public participation as well as the number and density of obtained recordings,was the Dialects of Czech Yellowhammers(DCY) project,which assembled detailed data at the whole-country level.A mosaic of almost all common song variants known across Europe was observed in Czechia,but the results indicated that some of the traditionally recognized Yellowhammer dialects may not represent geographically clustered song variants,at least not in Central Europe.We quantitatively analysed variation(frequency and temporal characteristics and modulation) of the terminal song element in three dialects defined by arbitrary frequency thresholds in DCY.Multivariate analyses indicated that pooling these to two distinct groups reflects the variation in the songs,as well as their spatial distribution,better than retaining the current classification to three dialects or their finer splitting to even more categories.We provide simple measures that may be used for classification of these Yellowhammer song variants in Central Europe.However,we warn from indiscriminate transposing of results from one region to another,as that may lead to substantial biases.Future studies of birdsong variation will benefit from big data assembled by citizen scientists,but to maximise their usefulness for further dialect research,careful delineation of dialect boundaries is essential.

Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds(Seiurus aurocapilla)have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects

The song systems of oscine passerines(songbirds)are complex and diverse.Because songs are used for both mate attraction and territory defense and are therefore important signals for survival and reproduction,comprehensive knowledge of within and among species song structure and distribution is informative for understanding the evolution of song repertoires and vocal behaviour.In this study,we explored variation in the song structure of the Ovenbird(Seiurus aurocapilla),a widespread warbler(Family Parulidae)found in North American forests.We analyzed recordings from the 2021 breeding season to assess song type variation at a local(n=158 birds;Sault Ste.Marie,ON)and breeding range scale(n=512 birds;eBird).We characterized the local song types and tested whether Ovenbirds share song types with their neighbors more often than expected by chance.We then characterized song types of Ovenbirds across the breeding range to determine whether any geographic pattern of song clustering exists(i.e.,macro-dialects).We found 10 distinct song types and some evidence for song type clustering at the local study site(i.e.,song neighborhoods).We found 7 of those 10 song types throughout the breeding range and identified an additional 24 types that were not recorded in our local population.We found no evidence for song dialects across the Ovenbird breeding range.This study contributes to our understanding of Ovenbird song while simultaneously adding to our understanding of geographic structuring of warbler repertoires.Our work contributes to delineating a more comprehensive understanding of factors affecting dialect development for this diverse group of songbirds.

Mortality Rates of Ventricular Septal Defect for Children in Kazakhstan: Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Appraisal

Objective: The aim is to study the trends in ventricular septal defect (VSD) mortality in children in Kazakhstan.Methods: The retrospective study was done for the period 2011–2020. Descriptive and analytical methods of epidemiologywere applied. The universally acknowledged methodology used in sanitary statistics is used to calculatethe extensive, crude, and age-specific mortality rates. Results: Kazakhstan is thought to be seeing an increase inmortality from VSDs in children. As a result, this study for the years 2011 to 2020 was conducted to retrospectivelyassess data from the central registration of the Bureau of National Statistics that was available throughoutthe nation. Age-standardized mortality data were obtained and compared between age categories. It was shownthat 507 children died from this condition throughout the time period under study. The average annual standardizedmortality rate was 1.88 per 100,000 population and tended to decrease over time. The peak of mortality wasnoted at the age of up to 1 year, namely the neonatal period. Cartogram mortality rates were calculated usingstandardized indicators. Additionally, age-sex variations were taken into account when performing all calculations.Conclusion: In recent years, the death rate from VSD has declined from 1.5 to 0.6 per 100,000 people, withthe trend remaining constant (T = 1.4%, R^(2) = 0.5825). The analysis of mortality trends related to VSD is crucial inboth theoretical and practical aspects, as it enables early detection and treatment of VSDs. The findings of thisstudy will be valuable to public health authorities in developing a strategy to treat VSDs effectively.