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Effectiveness of standard and play-based oral health promotion programs in preschool children
No full textBackgound: Oral health promotion in early childhood is essential for establishing proper hygiene and nutritional habits. Traditional educational approaches often prove insufficient for ensuring sustainable behavioral change.Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a standard oral health promotion program compared to one incorporating play models and audio-visual tools among preschool-aged children.Materials and methods: The study included 330 children aged 4–6 years, divided into three groups: control (n=100), standard education program (n=100), and an experimental program using play models and audio-visual tools (n=130). Baseline and follow-up examinations after 12 months assessed the DMF (T+t) index, reversible carious lesions, and oral hygiene index (OHI).Results: Children in the control group showed significant deterioration in all indicators after one year. The standard program stabilized oral health but did not lead to statistically significant improvements compared to baseline. In contrast, the experimental program resulted in significant improvements across all parameters (p<0.001), including reductions in DMF (T+t) and reversible lesions, and improved OHI.Conclusion: Interactive oral health promotion using play-based and audio-visual tools is more effective than standard education alone. Integrating such programs into kindergarten curricula, with active involvement of parents, educators, and institutions, can create sustainable improvements in children’s oral health.
Integrating biotic factors into niche modeling: a case study with Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the Americas
No full textThe cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is known to transmit both anaplasmosis and babesiosis, two diseases that have important impacts on animal health. To delimit areas of climatic suitability where this species can spread and areas prone to infestation (with possible negative effects on cattle production), we explore the utility of tools from the field of distributional ecology. We first apply a statistical model to estimate the fundamental climatic niche of R. (B.) microplus, and then we propose a methodology by which to incorporate biotic factors into the model to approximate the species’ realized niche. Using a Bayesian approach, we combined information on climatic tolerance ranges previously obtained through physiological experiments with occurrence records of the tick to approximate its potential distribution. To approximate the realized niche of the species, we used occurrence data of different wild host species to identify regions holding appropriate biotic conditions for the presence of tick populations, making them prone to infestation and of economic importance. We compared our models against models fitted with maximum entropy approaches (MaxEnt). MaxEnt did not produce biologically realistic estimates of the species’ fundamental niche, and showed anomalies in the predicted geographic distribution. This study is the first to propose a method to include biotic factors in the niche modeling framework for this tick species. Our methodology can be used in ecological niche modeling studies of other species for which the biotic interactions, environmental conditions, and the life history of the focal species are documented. Highlights We suggest a new approach to incorporate biological interactions in ecological niche modeling. Physiological data together with geographical approaches lead to comprehensive predictions of species distributions. Our study offers insights into the complex ecology of ticks and underscores the need for ongoing monitoring
Consumer awareness and market trends in OTC drugs and food supplements: a 10-year comparative study in Bulgaria
No full textThis study identifies a significant shift in consumer trust toward healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, as key influencers in the selection of OTC drugs and food supplements (χ² = 10.88, p ≤ 0.01). Trust in pharmacists remained stable over the decade (χ² = 0.10, p ≥ 0.05). In 2023, 68.0% of respondents reported using supplements only when needed, compared to 34.3% in 2013 (χ² = 38.2, p ≤ 0.001), indicating more rational use. Nearly half (49.1%) acknowledged that some supplements may pose health risks. These findings underscore the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and targeted communication strategies to combat misinformation, manage risk perception, and support evidence-based self-medication
Tree species distribution modelling using stand-level forest inventory data – a Pinus sylvestris L. case study in Bulgaria
No full textNational Forest Inventory (NFI) data provided at the field plot-level represent a valuable data source for Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) as demonstrated by many studies. However, a stand-level forest inventory, conducted in some countries, including Bulgaria, is less appropriate because matching these data to spatial predictor datasets is not straightforward. This study aimed to propose and evaluate a methodology for tree species distribution modelling at a national scale driven by stand-level forest inventory data, focusing on Pinus sylvestris L. as a target species. The forest polygons were filtered using a set of attribute and geometric criteria and transformed to points to generate a presence/absence dataset. Based on the literature, four predictor variables were selected, including growing degree-days above 5° C (DD.5), August precipitation (PPT08), potential yearly global radiation (YRA), and soil volumetric coarse fragment content (CF60), all available as 250 m resolution rasters. Generalised Linear Models with different combinations of linear, quadratic, and interaction terms were tested. The effect of spatial errors in the presence/absence dataset was investigated by randomly shifting the points up to 1 km from their original position. Evaluation statistics were calculated by 5-fold spatial block cross-validation repeated 10 times. The basic model, which included only linear terms, performed the worst. The other models were more or less equal performers. The model, which included a quadratic term for DD.5, was therefore selected as the optimal model as it had the most parsimonious structure. The Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve and the True Skill Statistic for that model were 0.80±0.04 and 0.49±0.08, respectively. The model was relatively robust to spatial errors in the occurrence data as simulated by randomly shifting the points. The modelled distribution was much wider than the actual natural distribution of the species, and all mountain areas were identified as potential distribution areas based on these four predictors. As drawbacks of the approach should be noted the assumption of homogeneity of forest stands, the unknown reliability of the inventory dataset, and the low prevalence. Nevertheless, the study demonstrated successfully the utility of the stand-level NFI dataset for SDM
Engineering Open by Design into Research Infrastructures
No full textResearch activities utilise and depend on interlocking infrastructures – tools, standards, protocols, and other systems and structures at local, national, and international scales that enable researchers to collaborate, analyze and share data and software, and discuss their research findings. Despite growing policy momentum towards open science, a significant challenge persists: a substantial portion of research infrastructure remains inherently closed or restrictive. This lack of openness undermines transparency, integrity, limits reproducibility, and constrains researchers’ ability to fully engage with each other. In this paper, we examine how research infrastructures can be designed to embed open principles throughout their development and operation, borrowing elements from Manufacturing Principles, Systemic Service Design, and Open Science frameworks. We propose an open-by-design reference framework for infrastructure builders and guidance for enabling, making visible, and incentivizing specific elements of “openness” within research infrastructures that are prerequisites for a thriving research and knowledge ecosystem
Occurrence and monthly dynamics of female Phlebotomine sandfly species from Kousseri Visceral Leishmaniasis endemic focus in northern Cameroon
No full textLeishmaniasis, an anthropozoonotic infection transmitted to humans and animals through female sandfly bite, is endemic in the far north region of Cameroon, which currently lacks a control programme. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and monthly distribution of sandflies in Kousseri County, a region with reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to provide data needed for combatting the disease. Sandfly occurrence was evaluated by monthly deployment of six CDC light traps over a twelve-month period (from September 2020 to August 2021) in urban, peri-urban and rural ecotopes. Our survey collected 4,214 sandflies, including 51.02% females. The highest abundance of sandflies was recorded in the rural areas (43.43%, n = 1830) and in January during the dry season (16.22%, n = 679). Ten sand fly species from the Sergentomyia genus Franca and Parrot 1920 and one species of the Phlebotomus genus Rondani and Berté 1840 were identified. The monthly dynamics of the collected female sandflies varied markedly: Se. antennata Newstead, 1912, the most prevalent species and Se. squamipleuris Newstead, 1912 showed unimodal peaks in January and February, respectively; Se. schwetzi Adler, Theodor & Parrot, 1929 exhibited a trimodal pattern with a major peak in September; Se. distincta followed a bimodal trend with peaks in January and May. The aforementioned sandfly species were present throughout the study period, while other species displayed variable and intermittent presence. Ph. duboscqi, the sole known vector of leishmaniasis in this study, was absent in January and July, but peaked in September, representing only 1.07% of the total catch. The Shannon–Wiener index was high (H > 1) in all the collected ecotopes and months, indicating high evenness and Simpson indices. Overall, the findings suggest that sandflies are active year-round in Kousseri, with elevated abundance during the dry season, particularly in January and March. The presence of animal shelters surrounding houses, vegetation (primarily rice paddies) and building conditions with unplastered, fissured mud walls likely favour a high abundance of sandflies in rural areas in Kousseri. These findings highlight the need of optimising surveillance and intervention strategies, especially in rural settings and during months when sandflies are more active. Further studies on climatic and environmental factors affecting sandfly distribution, as well as investigations into their feeding habits and Leishmania infection rates, are crucial for enhancing disease control in the region
Comparative nutrient analysis of two freshwater lakes located in the pre-deltaic and deltaic areas with natural hydrological regimes
No full textThis study aims to provide a comparative analysis of nutrient concentrations in two lakes with controlled hydrological regimes that are directly influenced by the Danube River. The lakes are differentiated by their distinct geographical settings: one located in a pre-deltaic area and the other within the deltaic zone. Eight chemical indicators were analysed in surface water samples collected seasonally between 2019 and 2023. The results show higher concentrations of nitrates and nitrites in Lake Fortuna, associated with its natural hydrological connectivity, whereas Lake Parcheș exhibited a higher proportion of organic nitrogen and phosphorus and better self-purification capacity. These findings suggest that the hydrological regime plays a significant role in nutrient dynamics and potential eutrophication risk
Two new species of the millipede genus Epanerchodus Attems, 1901 from Wuling Mountains, Hunan Province, China (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Polydesmidae)
No full textThrough morphological comparison and phylogenetic analyses based on the COI gene, two new species of the large Asian millipede genus Epanerchodus were identified from cave samples collected in the Wuling Mountains, Hunan Province, China. These species are designated as Epanerchodus xiaoxiensis sp. nov. and Epanerchodus shibadongensis sp. nov. This study also provides an updated species checklist for the genus Epanerchodus in China, along with a dichotomous key to the cave-dwelling species of the genus in the country
New records of the genus Eusterinx Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Orthocentrinae) from the Afrotropical Region, with description of four new species from Central African Republic, South Africa and Uganda
No full textThe new species Eusterinx dzanga Humala & van Noort, sp. nov. from Central African Republic, Eusterinx kirkwoodi Humala & van Noort, sp. nov. and Eusterinx gamka van Noort & Humala, sp. nov. from South Africa, and Eusterinx kibale van Noort & Humala, sp. nov. from Uganda belonging to the subgenus Ischyracis are described and illustrated. An illustrated identification key to the known Afrotropical Eusterinx species is provided. Online Lucid identification keys and images of all the species treated herein are available at: http://www.waspweb.org
Preliminary performance evaluation of an LEU+ based dual-cooled duplex UO2-ThO2 fuel for advanced PWR assembly
No full textThis study presents a comprehensive neutronic analysis of dual-cooled annular duplex fuel assemblies incorporating UO2-ThO2 composition for application in advanced pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The investigation employs a 13 × 13 fuel assembly configuration to evaluate the operational enhancement potential of modern reactor systems. The research methodology focuses on the comparative assessment of burnup characteristics across varying uranium enrichment levels, benchmarking the neutronic performance of dual-cooled duplex fuel against conventional solid 17 × 17 and dual-cooled 13 × 13 UO2 assemblies. The results demonstrate that the proposed UO2-ThO2 dual-cooled duplex fuel configuration with 7 wt.% U-235 achieves discharge burnup equivalent to that of conventional solid UO2 assemblies. Safety analysis encompasses the quantification of plutonium isotope production and minor actinide generation, revealing that dual-cooled duplex assemblies produce significantly reduced quantities of plutonium isotopes and lower concentrations of minor actinides, including neptunium (Np), americium (Am), and curium (Cm), relative to conventional all-UO₂ assemblies. Reactivity coefficient analysis confirms that both the fuel temperature coefficient (FTC) and moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) maintain consistently negative values throughout the operational cycle. These coefficients not only satisfy but exceed the established safety criteria for PWR operations, thereby demonstrating the enhanced safety margins and operational performance characteristics inherent to the dual-cooled duplex fuel assembly design