Exploring the Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Children and Adolescents with COVID-19 Infections in Slovakia during March 2020 to July 2022.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant global impact, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its spatiotemporal patterns. The objective of this study is to explore the spatial and temporal patterns of COVID-19 infections among five age groups (<1, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years) in 72 districts of Slovakia on a quarterly basis from March 2020 to July 2022. Material and Methods: During the study period, a total of 393,429 confirmed PCR cases of COVID-19 or positive antigen tests were recorded across all studied age groups. The analysis examined the spatiotemporal spread of COVID infections per quarter, from September 2021 to May 2022. Additionally, data on hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, pulmonary ventilation (PV), and death cases were analyzed. Results: The highest number of COVID-19 infections occurred between September 2021 and May 2022, particularly in the 10-14-year-old group (68,695 cases), followed by the 15-19-year-old group (62,232 cases), while the lowest incidence was observed in the <1-year-old group (1235 cases). Out of the total confirmed PCR cases, 18,886 individuals required hospitalization, 456 needed ICU admission, 402 received pulmonary ventilation, and only 16 died. The analysis of total daily confirmed PCR cases for all regions showed two major peaks on 12 December 2021 (6114 cases) and 1 February 2022 (3889 cases). Spatial mapping revealed that during December 2021 to February 2022, the highest number of infections in all age groups were concentrated mainly in Bratislava. Moreover, temporal trends of infections within each age group, considering monthly and yearly variations, exhibited distinct spatial patterns, indicating localized outbreaks in specific regions. Conclusions: The spatial and temporal patterns of COVID-19 infections among different age groups in Slovakia showed a higher number of infections in the 10-14-year-old age group, mainly occurring in urban districts. The temporal pattern of the spread of the virus to neighboring urban and rural districts reflected the movement of infected individuals. Hospitalizations, ICU and PV admissions, and deaths were relatively low. The study highlights the need for more proactive measures to contain outbreaks promptly and ensure the resilience of healthcare systems against future pandemics.

Significance of pyrolytic temperature, application rate and incubation period of biochar in improving hydro-physical properties of calcareous sandy loam soil.

Biochar is increasingly recognized for its ability to enhance hydro-physical properties of soil, offering promising solutions for improving soil structure, water retention, and overall agricultural productivity. In this study, sandy loam soil was amended at different rates (0, 15, 30, and 60 t ha-1) of biochar produced from olive pomace (Jift) at different pyrolysis temperatures (300, 400, 500, and 600 °C), and incubated for 30, 60, and 90 days. The biochar-amended soils were collected for analysis after each incubation period for infiltration rate, aggregate stability, soil water retention, water repellency, and penetration resistance. At 300 °C, aggregate stability increased with biochar amendments; the highest value (65%) was after 60 days of incubation. At other pyrolysis temperatures, aggregate stability decreased, or no effect of temperature was observed. Also, at 300 °C, the infiltration rate was decreased with biochar application and the lowest value of (0.14 ml/min) was at 90 days of incubation. At other pyrolysis temperatures, the infiltration rate was increased with increased biochar application rate. Water retention was increased with biochar application at 300 °C; however, biochar application did not affect water retention at other pyrolysis temperatures. These results strongly suggest the improvement of soil physical and hydraulic properties following the addition of biochar amendment. Overall, biochar had positive effects on hydro-physical properties. The biochar produced at 300 °C pyrolysis temperature was the most beneficial to agriculturally relevant hydraulic conditions. However, field assessments are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of biochar on hydro-physical properties.

Metal uptake of tomato and alfalfa plants as affected by water source, salinity, and Cd and Zn levels under greenhouse conditions.

Irrigation with wastewater is a promising option to improve crop yields and to reduce pressure on freshwater sources. However, heavy metal concentrations in wastewater may cause health concerns. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in order to determine cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in sandy soil and plant tissues of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). A 2 × 2 × 4 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement was utilized. Two water sources, fresh (FW) or treated wastewater (TWW), at two salinity levels (1 and 3 dS m(-1)) containing different levels of Cd and Zn were used. Samples were collected after a 90-day growth period. It was observed that the growth of both plants was depressed at the highest metal level (L3). Metal accumulation in plant parts increased with the increase of metal concentration and salinity in irrigation water. At low salinity, water source was the main factor which controlled metal accumulation, whereas, at high salinity, chloride appeared to be the principal factor controlling metal uptake regardless of water source. Metal translocation from roots to shoots increased in TWW-irrigated plants, even in the controls. Tomatoes accumulated Cd up to and above critical levels safe for human consumption, even though Cd concentration in irrigation water did not exceed the current recommended values. Therefore, food production in sandy soils may well pose a health hazard when irrigated with TWW containing heavy metals. Complexation with dissolved organic compounds (DOC) in TWW may be to be the principal factor responsible for increased metal uptake and transfer at low salinity, thereby increasing the risk of heavy metal contamination of food and forage crops.