Association Between Dental Caries, Dental Biofilm, and Body Mass Index in Indigenous Children from Two Regions of Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Study
Aim: To assess caries prevalence and its association with dental biofilm presence and body mass index (BMI) in children. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 children aged 2–12 years were examined. The presence of dental caries was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II criteria, with caries prevalence and index (dmft/DMFT) calculated based on established codes equivalent to World Health Organization standards (ICDAS II E-G/4–6). Dental biofilm was assessed using a standardized index, and nutritional status was determined by calculating BMI. To analyze the relationships between caries experience (dmft and DMFT) and the independent variables of weight, height, BMI, and dental biofilm index, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed using SPSS v25.0. Results: A high prevalence of dental caries was observed in the study population. For primary teeth, caries prevalence (ICDAS 2–6) ranged from 15.9% to 52.3%, with a mean of approximately two affected teeth per child. In permanent teeth, the prevalence for initial caries lesions (ICDAS II code 2) reached 75%, with an average of three affected teeth per child. A statistically significant correlation was identified between BMI, dental biofilm index, and the DMFT score. Notably, a child’s weight demonstrated a moderate negative impact on their DMFT score, explaining 45% of the variance (η² = 0.45). Conclusion: The findings reveal a high burden of dental caries among children in the surveyed rural Ecuadorian communities. The significant association between a lower BMI and a higher caries index, alongside the influence of dental biofilm, underscores the intricate relationship between nutritional status, oral hygiene, and oral health. These results highlight the need for integrated public health interventions that address both malnutrition and oral hygiene to mitigate the high prevalence of dental caries in this and similar populations. https://doi.org/10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_6_23
Optimization of the parameters for the cutting regime in the sustainable turning of AISI 316L steel, based on the NSAG-II and NSAG-III multi-criteria work scheme
https://lc.cx/QQ1u0k In the last decade, AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel has been considered one of the most useful materials for high-demand equipment in the industry due to its mechanical properties. This work shows the multi-criteria analysis of the dry and MQL turning process of AISI 316L steel using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithms class II and III (NSAG-II and NSAG-III). The wear of the cutting tool (VB), the energy consumption (E), and the machining time (t) are used as study variables, with the aim of minimizing the wear of the cutting tool based on the optimal selection of machining parameters. When comparing the results obtained from both methods, we found that NSAG-III was the best alternative for selecting parameters in the turning operation, with fewer tool wear, more efficient use of energy consumption, and more variants of material removal rate. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-025-16358-1
Sustainable Groundwater Management in Water-Scarce Regions: A Spatial Machine Learning Analysis from Rajshahi, Bangladesh
https://lc.cx/DmOllb Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water (SDG 6) is particularly challenging in dry regions like Rajshahi, Bangladesh, where communities rely heavily on groundwater with limited recharge potential. Issues such as declining water levels and contamination by iron, arsenic, and chloride compromise both user satisfaction and public health. This study aimed to assess groundwater quality risks through regional mapping to guide the installation depth of new water sources. In collaboration with the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), data were collected from 7,388 tube wells across nine upazilas, including well depth, geographic coordinates, and contaminant concentrations. Water quality was evaluated against World Health Organization and Bangladesh standards. Machine learning (XGBoost) and spatial analysis were applied to model contaminant levels based on location and well depth. An initial model showed poor performance, but after identifying and correcting key errors, the refined model yielded significant improvements: R² increased from 0.0345 to 0.62 for iron, from −0.0015 to 0.38 for arsenic, and from 0.12 to 0.71 for chloride. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v7i3.10453
Redefining Chemoresistance: Natural Bioactives as Molecular Modulators at the Cancer–Tumor Microenvironment Interface
Therapeutic resistance remains a critical barrier in effective cancer treatment, contributing to disease recurrence, progression, and reduced patient survival. In recent years, natural bioactive compounds have emerged as promising adjuncts in oncology due to their ability to modulate multiple biological processes involved in resistance. This review explores current evidence on the role of natural compounds in influencing cancer cell behavior and their interactions with the tumor microenvironment. By organizing these compounds into chemical families, we provide a structured overview of their potential to enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy and reduce resistance-related mechanisms. We also highlight innovative strategies, including combination therapies and advanced drug delivery systems, that aim to improve their clinical applicability. Overall, this work underscores the relevance of integrating natural bioactives into modern cancer therapy and calls for further translational research to bridge preclinical findings with clinical implementation. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168037
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Position Tracking Using Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous Networks Learned from Proportional-Derivative Model-Based Guidance
The growing demand for agile and reliable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has spurred the advancement of advanced control strategies capable of ensuring stability and precision under nonlinear and uncertain flight conditions. This work addresses the challenge of accurately tracking UAV position by proposing a neural-network-based approach designed to replicate the behavior of classical control systems. A complete nonlinear model of the quadcopter was derived and linearized around a hovering point to design a traditional proportional derivative (PD) controller, which served as a baseline for training a nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) artificial neural network. The NARX model, selected for its feedback structure and ability to capture temporal dynamics, was trained to emulate the control signals of the PD controller under varied reference trajectories, including step, sinusoidal, and triangular inputs. The trained networks demonstrated performance comparable to the PD controller, particularly in the vertical axis, where the NARX model achieved a minimal Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 7.78×10−5 and an 𝑅2 value of 0.9852. https://doi.org/10.3390/mca30040078
Women’s Right to the City: The Case of Quito, Ecuador
https://lc.cx/jUrm_q Henri Lefebvre’s “right to the city” has rarely been examined through an intersectional feminist lens, leaving unnoticed the uneven burdens that urban design and policy place on women. This article bridges that gap by combining constitutional analysis, survey data (n = 736), in-depth interviews, and participatory observation to assess how Quito’s public spaces affect women’s safety and mobility. Quantitative results show that 81% of respondents endured sexual or offensive remarks, 69.8% endured obscene gestures, and 38% endured severe harassment in the month before the survey; 43% of these incidents occurred only days or weeks beforehand, underscoring their routine nature. Qualitative narratives reveal behavioral adaptations—altered routes, self-policing dress codes, and distrust of authorities—and identify poorly lit corridors and weak institutional presence as spatial amplifiers of violence. Analysis of Quito’s “Safe City” program exposes a gulf between its ambitious rhetoric and its narrow, transport-centered implementation. We conclude that constitutional guarantees of participation, appropriation, and urban life will remain aspirational until urban planning mainstreams gender-sensitive design, secures intersectoral resources, and embeds women’s substantive participation throughout policy cycles. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080448