Seasonal Changes Research Articles

Evaluation of aerosol loading and its relationship with geopotential height in Nigeria’s Guinea Coast

Climate variability and atmospheric changes significantly affect weather patterns and human activities. Aerosols impact the Earth's climate by influencing cloud formation, scattering radiation, and cooling the planet. However, aerosols, like black carbon, absorb and reemit radiation, contributing to global warming. This study aims to assess aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Nigeria's Guinea Coast, compare aerosol loading across the region, examine the relationship between aerosol loading and geopotential height, and explore the impact of meteorological variables on aerosol levels. AOD data were sourced from MODIS, while geopotential height and meteorological data was obtained from MERRA-2. The study found significant aerosol loading during the dry season, particularly along the coastal region (Lagos, Warri, and Port Harcourt), and lower AOD during the wet season. Geopotential height values were higher during the wet season, especially at 1000-hPa and 850-hPa. A positive correlation was found between AOD and geopotential height. Wind speeds were higher in the north and along the coast, with specific humidity at 1000-hPa directly correlating with geopotential height and inversely with wind speed. The study also showed that the annual AOD distribution mirrors geopotential height patterns at 1000-hPa, with higher values in southern Nigeria. In conclusion, aerosol loading is higher during the dry season, particularly in coastal regions and at lower atmospheric levels. The study highlights how seasonal changes and geographical factors influence aerosol distribution. It also shows that geopotential height strongly affects aerosol concentration, with higher heights linked to increased AOD. This underscores the importance of surface-level aerosols for human health, agriculture, and visibility, and suggests that geopotential height influences where aerosol loading is highest.

Diversity and seasonal variation of zooplankton community in a large deep-water reservoir of Eastern China using eDNA and morphological methods

Monitoring zooplankton diversity and community dynamics is essential for understanding ecological processes within freshwater ecosystems. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been increasingly employed in this field due to its efficiency and accuracy. However, its potential applications in freshwater ecosystems require further validation. In this study, we evaluated the performance of 18S rRNA and COI primers for freshwater zooplankton diversity monitoring and systematically compared the selected primers with the microscopy method in Qiandao Lake, China. Our results indicated that the COI primer marker (mlCOIintF/jgHCO2198) was more suitable for freshwater zooplankton diversity monitoring than 18S rRNA. The eDNA method identified a total of 102 species, whereas the microscopy method detected 111 species. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis and nonparametric multivariate statistical tests revealed that both abundance and biomass species compositions determined by microscopy differed significantly from those based on eDNA reads. Both methods detected significant seasonal changes in zooplankton community species composition, while eDNA provided a comprehensive view of the complex interactions within the community. Both methods indicate that rotifers are the primary group driving seasonal changes in the zooplankton community. The eDNA identified more environmental factors associated with seasonal changes in zooplankton communities than microscopy, including dissolved oxygen (DO), nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and total phosphorus (TP). The eDNA reads of rotifer and crustacean plankton increased linearly with their morphological abundance but not with biomass. Furthermore, combining morphological abundance and biomass as predictor variables for eDNA reads moderately enhanced the explanatory power compared to using them individually. Although eDNA cannot yet replace morphological methods, its efficiency and sensitivity make it a valuable complementary tool for zooplankton monitoring, with considerable potential for future applications.

IMPACT OF THE ZHAIYK RIVER ON CASPIAN SEA LEVEL

The Caspian Sea is subject to multi-year, seasonal and short-period changes in level, especially due to the influence of anthropogenic and climatic factors. The conducted correlation and regression analysis of water level data of the river Zhaiyk river – Atyrau city and the Caspian Sea - Peshnoy Station showed a fairly high linear relationship (r=0,93, R2 =0,87) between the long-term average daily values of characteristics for 2006...2023. Rise in the Zhaiyk river - Atyrau city in the period of low water is directly reflected in the sea level rise at the sea Peshnoy Station, which was clearly seen in the current year. Thus, space images of Sentinel-2 L2A satellite for April-May 2024 recorded the inflow of river water into the Caspian Sea. The assessment of the relationship between the characteristics under consideration showed that high correlations are not the main factor in determining the impact of the Zhaiyk river flow of the sea, for its northeastern part, other factors of level change (storm winds, tidal events and others) should be considered in particular.

Temperature seasonality regulates organic carbon burial in lake

Organic carbon burial (OCB) in lakes, a critical component of the global carbon cycle, surpasses that in oceans, yet its response to global warming and associated feedbacks remains poorly understood. Using a well-dated biomarker sequence from the southern Tibetan Plateau and a comprehensive analysis of Holocene total organic carbon variations in lakes across the region, here we demonstrate that lake OCB significantly declined throughout the Holocene, closely linked to changes in temperature seasonality. Process-based land surface model simulations clarified the key impact of temperature seasonality on OCB in lakes: increased seasonality in the early Holocene saw warmer summers enhancing ecosystem productivity and organic matter deposition, while cooler winters improved organic matter preservation. The Tibetan Plateau’s heightened sensitivity to climate and ecosystem dynamics amplifies these effects. With declining temperature seasonality, we predict a significant slowdown or reduction in OCB across these lake sediments, leading to carbon emissions and amplified global warming.

Seasonal morphological changes and grain size distribution mapping on the Massa beaches using a tachometer and GIS

Sandy beaches are complex, highly dynamic, fragile environments that are constantly evolving. Understanding the dynamics of these areas is crucial, both for fundamental science and for coastal zone management. This study presents the results of a seasonal morphological and sedimentological monitoring of the sandy beaches of Massa, located in the central-western region of Morocco. This monitoring was conducted using both an electronic total station and the spatialization of grain size indices (median, sorting index So, and skewness) through interpolation within a Geographic Information System (GIS). A total of 15 topographic profiles were surveyed perpendicular to the coastline during three field campaigns conducted between September 2019 and July 2020. The results indicate a morphodynamic equilibrium of the beaches, characterized by a normal morphological cycle with erosion during winter and accretion during summer. This balance is primarily attributed to the physical behavior of the beaches in response to wave energy, as well as the presence of a highly developed coastal dune capable of supplying sediment to the beaches during periods of shortage. Additionally, the spatialization of grain size indices from 90 samples clearly highlights the significance of hydrodynamic factors, such as waves, tides, currents, littoral drift, and winds, in the distribution of sandy sediments on the Massa beaches. Atlantic waves from the NNW sector, accompanied by a North-South littoral drift, govern the transport and deposition of sediments along beaches, while tides, currents, and local winds contribute to their redistribution across the different beach zones (foreshore, backshore, and coastal dune). Indeed, seasonal hydrodynamic conditions, as well as the proximity or distance of sediment source zones, play a critical role in sediment distribution along these beaches, providing valuable insights for coastal management strategies aimed at mitigating erosion, preserving beach morphology, and ensuring sustainable development in coastal zones.

Impact of Picking Time on Leaf Quality Parameters of Three Varieties of Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.)

Lonicera caerulea is a nutrient-rich plant of significant importance. Its chemical composition is influenced by various intrinsic properties and external factors, which change with the seasons. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different picking times on the proximate composition and the contents of pigments, macroelements, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in honeysuckle leaves. Seasonal changes in the contents of fiber, ash, proteins, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), chlorophylls, total carotenoids, total flavonoids and total phenolics were analyzed. The results revealed that picking time and plant variety significantly affected the chemical composition of honeysuckle leaves. The first picking yielded the highest levels of protein, N, P, K, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids. Conversely, the third picking showed the highest levels of Ca and Mg. Specifically, the third picking of ‘Indigo Yum’ leaves had the highest Ca and Mg contents, while the second picking of ‘Zojka’ leaves (116.67 mg 100 g−1 DM) and the third picking of ‘Wojtek’ leaves (115 mg 100 g−1 DM) contained the most total flavonoids. The first picking of ‘Wojtek’ leaves recorded the highest levels of protein, N, P and total carotenoids, whereas the third picking showed the highest fiber and ash contents. These findings provide valuable insights for farmers, enabling them to select appropriate cultivars and optimal picking times to produce high-quality honeysuckle leaves for use as food or medicinal supplements.

Seasonal Variations in Macrobenthos Communities and Their Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Alpine Yuqu River

This study investigated the spatial and temporal variations of macrobenthos community structure in the Yuqu River Basin during the dry and wet seasons due to environmental factors. This study quantified the independent and interactive contributions of hydrophysical, hydrochemical, and climatic factors to the community structure through a variance decomposition analysis (VPA). The study findings indicate that during May (the dry season), factors such as water depth, flow velocity, dissolved oxygen, and air temperature exhibit relatively minor fluctuations, rendering the aquatic environment more stable than in the rainy season. This stability is particularly conducive to the maintenance of the macrobenthic community structure and species diversity, which is especially evident in aquatic insects with nesting habits, such as those belonging to the Trichoptera order (including genera like Glossosoma, Glossosomatidae, and Georodes). In contrast, during August (the rainy season), substantial precipitation alters the thermal conditions of the river, increases flow velocity, raises water levels, and introduces a significant influx of organic matter through sedimentation. This distinctive ecological environment fosters unique adaptive strategies among macrobenthic organisms. Notwithstanding a notable decline in species diversity during this particular phase, there is a concurrent increase in the abundance of individual organisms, which is indicative of the populations’ remarkable capacity to swiftly adapt to environmental heterogeneity. Research has demonstrated that macrobenthic communities within the Yuqu River Basin adopt pronounced adaptive tactics that vary significantly between seasons. During the dry season, these macrobenthic fauna rely heavily on the stability of their physical habitat. In stark contrast, they are compelled to navigate and cope with the more intricate and dynamic changes in hydrological and chemical conditions that characterize the rainy season. The presented results uncover the sensitive responsiveness of the macrobenthic fauna to seasonal hydrological and environmental fluctuations in high-altitude river systems and their adaptive strategies under diverse ecological stressors. Arthropods, in particular, exhibit a marked sensitivity to seasonal hydrological and environmental changes. This study delves into the biodiversity of high-altitude river ecosystems, analyzing the ecological environment and the distribution patterns and seasonal variation characteristics of macrobenthic communities. This study aims to examine how diverse seasons and hydroclimatic conditions modulate the composition of macrobenthic assemblages within the tributaries and principal channels of high-altitude river systems, thereby establishing a foundational reference for future water ecosystem assessments in such regions.

ENSO and QBO Controls the Favorableness of the MJO Realization Cooperatively

AbstractWe examine a mechanism of the interannual variability of the realization frequency of the Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO). The activity of boreal‐winter MJO realization is quantified by the number of MJO active days during the tracking of the real‐time multivariate MJO index. In active years of MJO realization (MJO‐A), multiple MJOs are initiated in the Indian Ocean (IO) and they propagate into the western Pacific (WP), but not so in inactive years (MJO‐IA). This contrast is explained by whether vertical moisture advection over the WP is disrupted or not. It is related to differences in boreal‐winter mean convection and circulations: MJO‐A (MJO‐IA) years are characterized by enhanced and suppressed (suppressed and enhanced) convection over the WP/IO and Maritime Continent (MC), respectively. This modulation results from combined effects of the El Niño‐Southern oscillation (ENSO) and quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO). During moderate‐to‐strong El Niño, MJO is realized actively irrespective of QBO, if no additional convective suppression over the eastern IO and/or MC due to other forcing such as a positive Indian Ocean Dipole mode. During other ENSO phases, stronger QBO‐easterly phases favor MJO realization irrespective of ENSO. This QBO–MJO connection except for El Niño conditions is due to zonally heterogeneous QBO impacts that the seasonal mean static stability change near the tropopause over the WP alters the mean convective activity there. This zonal heterogeneity and ENSO phase‐dependency of QBO impacts is interpreted with a focus on vertical propagation of Kelvin wave structure over the MC, affected by both QBO winds and background Walker circulations.

Using Numerical Analysis to Design and Optimize River Hydrokinetic Turbines’ Capacity Factor to Address Seasonal Velocity Variations

Seasonal velocity variations can significantly impact the total energy delivered to microgrids produced by river hydrokinetic turbines. These turbines typically use a diffuser to increase the velocity at the rotor section, adding weight and raising deployment costs. There is a need for practical solutions to improve the capacity factor of such turbines. Our solution involves using multiple turbine rotors that can be interchanged to match seasonal velocity changes, eliminating shrouds to simplify design and reduce costs. This solution requires turbines that are designed to have an easily interchanged rotor, which requires us to limit the rotor to a two-blade design to also lower costs. This approach adjusts the turbine power curve with different two-blade rotor sizes, enhancing the yearly capacity factor. BladeGen ANSYS Workbench is used to design three two-blade rotors for free stream velocities of 1.6, 2.2, and 2.8 m/s. For each turbine rotor, 3D simulation is applied to reduce aerodynamic losses and target a coefficient of performance of about 45%. Mechanical stress analyses assess the displacement and stress of the used composite materials. Numerical results show good agreement with experimental data, with rotor efficiencies ranging from 43% to 45% at a tip speed ratio of 4 and power output between 5.4 and 5.6 kW. Results show that rotor interchangeability significantly enhances the turbine capacity factor, increasing it from 52% to 92% by adapting to river seasonal velocity changes.

Rapid Microwave Fixation of the Brain Reveals Seasonal Changes in the Phosphoproteome of Hibernating Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrels.

Hibernating mammals such as the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) experience significant reductions in oxidative metabolism and body temperature when entering a state known as torpor. Animals entering or exiting torpor do not experience permanent loss of brain function or other injuries, and the processes that enable such neuroprotection are not well understood. To gain insight into changes in protein function that occur in the dramatically different physiological states of hibernation, we performed quantitative phosphoproteomics experiments on thirteen-lined ground squirrels that are summer-active, winter-torpid, and spring-active. An important aspect of our approach was the use of focused microwave irradiation of the brain to sacrifice the animals and rapidly inactivate phosphatases and kinases to preserve the native phosphoproteome. Overall, our results showed pronounced changes in phosphorylated proteins for the transitions into and out of torpor, including proteins involved in gene expression, DNA maintenance and repair, cellular plasticity, and human disease. In contrast, the transition between the active states showed minimal changes. This study offers valuable insight into the global changes in brain phosphorylation in hibernating mammals, the results of which may be relevant to future therapeutic strategies for brain injury.

Seasonal Changes in the Elemental Composition of Five Valuable Fish Species (Sparidae) from Bozcaada, North Aegean Sea: A Health Risk and Nutritional Benefit Assessment.

This study investigates the seasonal variations in the elemental composition of five economically valuable Sparidae fish species from Bozcaada, North Aegean: red seabream (Pagrus major), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), saddled seabream (Oblada melanura), white seabream (Diplodus sargus), and common dentex (Dentex dentex), with a focus on both essential minerals and toxic metals. Fish samples (n = 10 per species per season) were collected across four seasons, and their weights and lengths were recorded. The concentrations of elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, nickel, selenium, cadmium, and mercury were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elemental concentrations varied as follows: Ca (11,388.46-55,470.76), K (17,230.83-27,594.86), Mg (1436.02-2326.73), Na (1962.30-7847.41), P (13,112.11-15,516.57), Fe (107.61-282.00), Cu (36.44-59.13), Mn (6.19-19.87), Zn (98.67-256.26), Cr (4.54-11.96), Ni (6.33-13.89), Se (0.82-7.33), Cd (0.08-0.32), and Hg (0.08-1.50) mg/kg. Health risk assessments, including Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Cancer Risk (CR), were calculated for both adult and child consumers. The results showed that while the essential minerals remained within safe limits, seasonal variations in the concentrations of toxic metals could pose potential health risks, particularly with frequent consumption. This research provides valuable insights into balancing the nutritional benefits and safety of fish from Bozcaada, offering recommendations for informed consumption and public health policies aimed at optimizing benefits while minimizing risks.

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Upper Cretaceous-Pliocene Sedimentary Rocks in the Yahşihan Basin, Central Anatolia, Türkiye: Provenance and Tectonic Implications

The Yahşihan/Kırıkkale sedimentary basin, located in Central Anatolia within the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture zone, mostly consists of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Pliocene sediments developed on the Ankara Melange, which is linked to the Northern Neo-Tethys Ocean. Although the stratigraphic, sedimentological, and tectono-stratigraphic characteristics of the basin have been investigated by many researchers, its mineralogical and geochemical characteristics have not been studied extensively. In this study, the provenance, paleoclimatological properties, and tectonic structure of the sedimentary rocks were interpreted using detailed mineralogical and geochemical analysis data. Formations such as the Karadağ (Cenomanian-Campanian), Çiçekdağ (Santonian-Campanian), Samanlık (Maastrichtian), Dizilitaşlar (Paleocene-Early Eocene), Çayraz (Middle Eocene), İncik (Upper Eocene-Lower Miocene), Central Anatolia Group (Middle Miocene-Pliocene), and Quaternary alluvium were deposited in the basin. X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and geochemical analyses were employed to determine the mineralogical and chemical composition of the units. Although highly oxic paleo-environmental conditions predominated in the basin, anoxic and suboxic conditions could also be present in the Dizilitaşlar and İncik formations. The units are primarily felsic with some mafic contributions, suggesting an oceanic island arc environment with varying paleoenvironmental conditions, reflecting seasonal changes between humid and arid periods.

PTR-ToF-MS VOC Profiling of Raw and Cooked Gilthead Sea Bream Fillet (Sparus aurata): Effect of Rearing System, Season, and Geographical Origin.

This study explores the impact of geographical origin, harvest time, and cooking on the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of wild and reared seabream from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. A Proton Transfer Reaction-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) allowed for VOC profiling with high sensitivity and high throughput. A total of 227 mass peaks were identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation between cooked and raw samples, with cooking causing a significant increase in 64% of VOCs, especially hydrogen sulphide, methanethiol, and butanal. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of origin, time, and their interaction on VOC concentration, with 102 mass peaks varying significantly based on all three factors. Seasonal effects were also notable, particularly in reared fish from the Adriatic Sea, where compounds like monoterpenes and aromatics were higher during non-breeding months, likely due to environmental factors unique to that area. Differences between wild and reared fish were influenced by lipid content and seasonal changes, impacting the VOC profile of seabream. These findings provide valuable insights into how cooking, geographical origin, and seasonality interact to define the flavour profile of seabream, with potential applications in improving quality control and product differentiation in seafood production.

Counteracting greenhouse gas and aerosol influences intensify global water seasonality over the past century

Variations in water availability seasonality significantly impact society and ecosystems. While many studies have focused on mean or extreme precipitation, the response of water availability seasonality, influencing yearly water distribution beyond individual extremes, to human-induced climate change remains underexplored. Here we examine global and regional water availability seasonality changes from 1915 to 2014, quantifying how anthropogenic greenhouse gases and aerosols have influenced these variations using reanalysis and simulations from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. Despite large spatiotemporal uncertainties due to regional variability and model assumptions, we find that greenhouse gases significantly amplify the seasonality, while aerosols reduce it. Given that the positive effects of greenhouse gases surpass the aerosols’ negative effects, the counterbalancing influences have led to an overall enhancement in seasonality of water availability over the past century. This trend is expected to continue in the future as greenhouse gases-induced warming continues to rise and aerosol levels decline.

Perturbations in Microbial Communities at Hydrothermal Vents of Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy).

Marine hydrothermal ecosystems represent extreme environments connected to submarine volcanic areas characterized by vents, having high temperatures and particular chemical compositions. The hydrothermal marine system of Panarea, located in one of the seven small islands belonging to the Aeolian Archipelago (southern Tyrrhenian Sea), is characterized by a range of vents exhibiting diverse physical and chemical conditions. We aimed to analyze the microbial community of a peculiar hot spring belonging to the Panarea hydrothermal field, known as "Black Point" (BP), in two separate sampling expeditions (May and August). Our results demonstrated that the chemical-physical variations within this hydrothermal vent, such as temperature fluctuations, mineral content, and hydrothermal fluid dynamics, play a role in shaping the structure and diversity of microbial communities. The differences between the two sampling expeditions suggest that seasonal changes, i.e., in temperature, pH, and redox potential (Eh), could drive microbial community shifts over time.

Is it worth paying attention to actinedid mites in agricultural fields?

Agricultural management increases the seasonal dynamics of soil-dwelling organisms compared to natural habitats. Our knowledge is very poor about the relationship between seasonal changes of soil microorganisms and the microbivorous soil arthropods. To reveal these connections, we have to know more about the seasonal changes of soil-dwelling microarthropods in croplands. Actinedid mites are rarely the subject of synecological studies, however, this group regularly reaches the dominant part of mite assemblages in agro-ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the seasonal density changes of actinedid mites from two independent studies of agricultural fields. Soil samples were taken from maize and wheat fields for two years, and from newly established meadows for one year in summer and autumn in Hungary. Soil-dwelling mites were enumerated and identified at the suborder level and soil parameters were measured. Actinedid mites dominated most of our soil samples. The density of Endeostigmata was the highest in the summer and the density of Heterostigmata was the highest in the autumn within one year among different crop species, soil types, and years. Endeostigmatid mites had negative relationships with soil nitrogen parameters and positive with soil moisture. Heterostigmatid mites had various relationships with soil moisture. The ecology of actinedid mites is under-examined but their high number in agricultural fields may justify the fact that they should receive more attention. We assume that Actinedida, mainly Endeostigmata and Heterostigmata are worth to investigate in croplands as a starting point to reveal the connection between the seasonality of soil mites and soil microbiota.

Space-based long term condition monitoring of cold region pavement with PS-InSAR

The durability of cold-climate pavement is affected by ground frost heave and thaw settlement. Field monitoring of pavement elevation changes remain challenging and expansive. This study demonstrates space-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology as a potential way to monitor seasonal pavement elevation change in cold region. Traditional InSAR applications, which were designed for geoscience scales, do not achieve the needed sensitivity or spatial resolution for pavement engineering applications. The testbed used is a cold-region airport located in Qinghai Province, China. The site contains heterogeneous ground conditions in an area of 4km × 6km. Analyses were conducted using 132 ascending and 149 descending C-band InSAR images from the Sentinel-1 satellite. InSAR algorithm based on Persistent scatterers (PS-InSAR) were implemented for data analyses. Time series displacement across five distinct persistent scatterers (PSs) groups at different locations were obtained. From these, three main seasonal vertical ground deformation patterns were identified, each reflecting the diverse subsurface soil characteristics across the sites. The ground elevation changes were decomposed into baseline trend and seasonal changes. The results of seasonal ground deformations allowed to differentiate the ground soils as frost-susceptible and non-frost-susceptible, an important information for geotechnical site investigation. This helps identify areas of pavement subjected to frost heave and thaw weakening. The study demonstrates that potential of space-based InSAR technology to achieve spatial resolution and sensitivity for monitoring the performance of cold region pavement. The results allow to identify areas of pavement vulnerable to cold region climate and climate change.

Contrastive Dual-Pool Feature Adaption for Domain Incremental Remote Sensing Scene Classification

Remote sensing image classification has achieved remarkable success in environmental monitoring and urban planning using deep neural networks (DNNs). However, the performance of these models is significantly impacted by domain shifts due to seasonal changes, varying atmospheric conditions, and different geographical locations. Existing solutions, including rehearsal-based and prompt-based methods, face limitations such as data privacy concerns, high computational overhead, and unreliable feature embeddings due to domain gaps. To address these challenges, we propose DACL (dual-pool architecture with contrastive learning), a novel framework for domain incremental learning in remote sensing image classification. DACL introduces three key components: (1) a dual-pool architecture comprising a prompt pool for domain-specific tokens and an adapter pool for feature adaptation, enabling efficient domain-specific feature extraction; (2) a dual loss mechanism that combines image-attracting loss and text-separating loss to enhance intra-domain feature discrimination while maintaining clear class boundaries; and (3) a K-means-based domain selector that efficiently matches unknown domain features with existing domain representations using cosine similarity. Our approach eliminates the need for storing historical data while maintaining minimal computational overhead. Extensive experiments on six widely used datasets demonstrate that DACL consistently outperforms state-of-the-art methods in domain incremental learning for remote sensing image classification scenarios, achieving an average accuracy improvement of 4.07% over the best baseline method.

Comparison between the Serological and Molecular Methods for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a worldwide health issue associated with chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers, and neoplasms. Management requires an accurate diagnosis, and the currently available technologies can be divided into molecular and serological approaches. Every approach has advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the importance of comparing. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency, reliability, and usefulness of serological and molecular methods for detecting H. pylori infection. Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional study was performed in Wasit Province, Iraq. Five hundred forty-one volunteers aged 15 to 65 years showing dyspeptic symptoms submitted blood samples for analysis. Serological testing utilized ELISA to identify IgG and IgM antibodies, whereas PCR was performed for the molecular detection of H. pylori DNA. Data were analyzed to assess sensitivity, specificity, and demographic correlations. The prevalence of seasonal swings was also evaluated. Results: The frequency of H. pylori was nearly the same across males (270) and females (271). The most considerable prevalence was observed in the 26–35 age group, with seasonal peaks during the summer, especially in July. PCR had superior sensitivity and specificity relative to serology, although it required advanced resources. Serological tests offered significant epidemiological findings, although they could not differentiate between active and past infectious diseases. Conclusion: Serological tests are useful for epidemiological investigations, but molecular methods are more accurate. A combined diagnostic strategy improves clinical and public health measures, especially in resource-limited regions. Seasonal and demographic changes require specific measures.

Pervasive glacier retreats across Svalbard from 1985 to 2023.

A major uncertainty in predicting the behaviour of marine-terminating glaciers is ice dynamics driven by non-linear calving front retreat, which is poorly understood and modelled. Using 124919 calving front positions for 149 marine-terminating glaciers in Svalbard from 1985 to 2023, generated with deep learning, we identify pervasive calving front retreats for non-surging glaciers over the past 38 years. We observe widespread seasonal cycles in calving front position for over half of the glaciers. At the seasonal timescale, peak retreat rates exhibit a several-month phaselag, with changes on the west coast occurring before those on the east coast, coincident with regional ocean warming. This spatial variability in seasonal patterns is linked to different timings of warm ocean water inflow from the West Spitsbergen Current, demonstrating the dominant role of ice-ocean interaction in seasonal front changes. The interannual variability of calving front retreat shows a strong sensitivity to both atmospheric and oceanic warming, with immediate responses to large air and ocean temperature anomalies in 2016 and 2019, likely driven by atmospheric blocking that can influence extreme temperature variability. With more frequent blocking occurring and continued regional warming, future calving front retreats will likely intensify, leading to more significant glacier mass loss.