1071. Overcoming biases in opportunistic citizen science for studying life history traits of an invasive leaf-mining tree insect pestNatalia I. Kirichenko, Maria A. Ryazanova, Oksana V. Kosheleva, Stanislav Gomboc, Barbara Piškur, Maarten De Groot, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether opportunistic citizen science can support the detection of life history traits in invasive insects. Using the invasive leaf-mining micromoth Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) as a model species, we analyzed data from iNaturalist submitted by citizen scientists to assess the variability in its leaf mines on its native host, Robinia pseudoacacia L., 1753 (Fabaceae), across both the moth’s invaded (Europe, North America–Eastern United States) and native range (North America–Southern and Western Unites States, Eastern Canada). We examined 86,489 photographs collected over the past 20 years to compare the occurrence and proportions of different M. robiniella leaf mine types between invaded and native ranges using three search variants: (I) M. robiniella, (II) all endophagous invasive insects associated with R. pseudoacacia, and (III) the host plant itself. The first two datasets revealed differences in the ratio of leaf mine types between Europe and North America (when analyzed separately for native and invaded areas), whereas the third dataset showed no significant differences in either the presence or proportion of mine types between invaded and native ranges. Leaf mine types atypical of M. robiniella, which resemble damage caused by other invasive insects such as Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman, 1847) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—also associated with R. pseudoacacia—have been observed in Europe for at least a decade. Our main conclusion is that, when investigating the life history traits of invasive herbivorous insects, focusing data collection on the host plant rather than on the insect species alone can reduce biases associated with opportunistic citizen science and help reveal true ecological patterns.
Keywords: iNaturalist, invasive leaf miner, Macrosaccus robiniella, leaf mine types, Europe, North America
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 260; Downloads: 116
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1072. Physical activity and lifestyle interventions for children at cardiovascular risk : a systematic reviewSebastián Eustaquio Martín-Pérez, Nadia Ximena Cruz-Hidalgo, Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, Isidro Miguel Martín-Pérez, 2025, review article Abstract: Introduction: Structured physical activity and lifestyle changes are promising strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents. We hypothesize that programs meeting the minimum thresholds of frequency and duration—particu-larly those combining aerobic and resistance components—can significantly lower the blood pressure in at-risk pediatric populations.Purpose: To synthesize current evidence on the effectiveness of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise interventions, alongside lifestyle modifications, in reducing car-diovascular risk among children and adolescents.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42025644256). Searches covered January 2015 to March 2025 across MEDLINE (PubMed), SPORTDiscus (EBSCO), and the Cochrane Library. The included studies were RCTs or quasi-experimental designs integrating exercise with di-etary or behavioral components. The primary outcomes were blood pressure, lipid pro-file, body composition, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool.Results: Twenty-six studies (mean PEDro score: 9.9/10) met the inclusion criteria. Combined aerobic and resistance training with nutritional or behavioral support led to reductions in systolic/diastolic BP (–5 to –8 mmHg), body fat (–2 to –4%), and cholesterol (–10 to –15 mg/dL), alongside gains in aerobic capacity. Interventions in-volving families and school personnel showed greater adherence and cardiometabolic improvements.Conclusions: Integrated physical activity and lifestyle programs are effective at reducing cardiovascular risk markers in pediatric populations. Early implementation in supportive environments is essential for long-term health benefits.
Keywords: pyhsical activity, cardiovascular risk, hypertension
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 208; Downloads: 101
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1073. The effect of booster breaks on non-specific low back pain in office workersTajda Uršič, Uroš Marušič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: Prolonged sitting has a negative effect on office workers, and non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is one of the most common consequences of an inactive lifestyle and prolonged sitting. Active breaks are a promising intervention to reduce the negative effects of office work.Methods: Forty-two office workers from a Slovenian company were divided into an experimental group (24 office workers who had been taking active breaks for one and a half years) and a control group (N=18, no active breaks). The participants were not randomly allocated to the groups; allocation was based on availability and voluntary participation. An online survey was conducted using the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0 (ODI 2.0) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). This was a non-randomized, two-arm longitudi-nal study. Questionnaires were administered once, 1.5 years after the intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed--rank tests, with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: The results showed that 81% of office workers had experienced NSLBP at least once in their lives. The ODI 2.0 scores were not significantly lower in the experi-mental group (p = 0.155). However, pain intensity was lower in office workers who took active breaks (p = 0.001). All the participants in the experimental group reported that active breaks had a positive effect on their well-being (100%). Furthermore, 37.5% of the participants stated that they had become more physically active outside the office as a result of the active breaks.Conclusion: Introducing active breaks into the daily routine of office workers is a viable and effective intervention to mitigate the risk of NSLBP. Active breaks offer a comprehensive solution: they not only reduce the negative effects of prolonged sitting, but also reduce stress, improve work efficiency and focus, and promote better moods.
Keywords: non-specific low back pain, ergonomics, booster breaks, prolonged sitting, office workers
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 279; Downloads: 126
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1076. Structural and compositional indicators of the conservation status of forest habitats : a case study of ravine forests – EU priority habitat type Tilio-AcerionLado Kutnar, Janez Kermavnar, Anže Martin Pintar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Maintaining the conservation status of habitat types such as the ravine forests (Tilio-Acerion) assessed in this study is a priority of the European Natura 2000 network. Ravine forests often occur in smaller, fragmented areas, but are widely distributed throughout European forests. Reliable indicators of the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitats, which support monitoring and reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, are often not available. Therefore, we tested a set of 161 structural and compositional variables as potential indicators of the conservation status of close-to-nature managed ravine forests in a Natura 2000 site in eastern Slovenia. The studied forests ranged from Acer pseudoplatanus-dominated stands to those dominated by Fraxinus excelsior or Tilia species. Most forests were classified as having either a favourable or inadequate conservation status. The main pressures included game browsing and mortality of the key tree species, primarily caused by invasive alien fungi. Favourable conservation status was associated with less intensively managed Tilia-dominated stands on rocky ridges and steep slopes. It was also linked to higher tree layer cover, particularly of Acer pseudoplatanus, in well-preserved forest stands. Conversely, indicators of bad conservation status were associated with Fraxinus excelsior-dominated stands that had been severely affected by invasive alien fungi, resulting in increased volumes of standing and lying deadwood. The resulting tree mortality created more open stand canopies with increased light availability at the forest floor, as indicated by the higher number of plant species in the herb and shrub layer. The conservation status of ravine forests is likely to be increasingly threatened by the adverse effects of climate change, including pests and disease outbreaks and other disturbances. To ensure the continued favourable conservation status of ravine forests, it is essential to monitor key indicators and apply appropriate forest management measures.
Keywords: forest habitats, vegetation, pressures, conservation, indicators, Eastern Slovenia, forest stands
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 347; Downloads: 148
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1077. Physical activity and screen time in preschool children in CroatiaVesna Brumnić, Sanja Šalaj, Rado Pišot, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This research investigates how disparities in physical activity and screen time among preschoolers can be influenced by parental education and involvement, as well as the involvement of the extended family in child-rearing. The study involved 231 parents who provided information about their children from the three (out of four) re-gions in Croatia. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences in children’s screen time based on the parents’ educational level (p<0.000) and involvement in joint physical activity (p<0.000). No differences were found in the children’s screen time or physical activity depending on the involvement of extended family members (grandpar-ents). Less screen time does not automatically mean higher levels of physical activity in preschool children. It is essential to determine the factors that influence physical activ-ity in preschool children and the time they spend in front of screens
Keywords: preschool children, family, screen time
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 327; Downloads: 160
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1078. Menstrual symptoms in division I female athletes : a prospective observational studyJennifer Bunn, Gabrielle Marchelli, Hannah Humphries, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: To quantify the frequency of menstrual cycle (MC) symptoms experienced by Division I female lacrosse athletes and to discover if the symptoms were different among those who were taking a hormone contraceptive (HC) compared to those who were not (non-HC). Methods: As part of a daily wellness survey, athletes (non-HC = 10, HC = 11) were asked if they were menstruating. If they were, they were asked to identify any symptoms they were experiencing. The symptoms were recorded for each day of menstruation during their four-month competitive season. Reported symptoms were categorized as frequently, sometimes, rarely, or never. The frequencies of symptoms were tabulated in total and per cycle for each group. Results: The most frequently reported symptom was cramps with 90.4% of athletes reporting experiencing it at least once. Headaches (66%), back pain, and skin problems (57% each) were also frequently reported. HC users (0.7 ± 1.4 times/cycle) reported mood swings more frequently than non-HC users (0.03 ± 0.08, p = 0.029), but there were no other group differences for symptoms. Conclusions: Tracking symptoms associated with MC can help athletes and coach-es be aware of patterns and incorporate methods for mitigating or alleviating the symp-toms. Symptom tracking can also help athletes mentally prepare for the effects of their C on training and performance. More research is needed before recommending HC use as a management strategy for menstrual symptoms.
Keywords: menstrual cycle, team sport, hormone contraceptive
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 221; Downloads: 104
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1080. N-Beats architecture for explainable forecasting of multi-dimensional poultry dataBaljinder Kaur, Manik Rakhra, Nonita Sharma, Deepak Prashar, Leo Mršić, Arfat Ahmad Khan, Seifedine Kadry, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The agricultural economy heavily relies on poultry production, making accurate forecasting of poultry data crucial for optimizing revenue, streamlining resource utilization, and maximizing productivity. This research introduces a novel application of the N-BEATS architecture for multi-dimensional poultry data forecasting with enhanced interpretability through an integrated Explainable AI (XAI) framework. Leveraging its advanced capabilities in time series modeling, N-BEATS is applied to predict multiple facets of poultry disease diagnostics using a multivariate dataset comprising key environmental parameters. The methodology empowers decision-making in poultry farm management by providing transparent and interpretable forecasts. Experimental results demonstrate that N-BEATS outperforms conventional deep learning models, including LSTM, GRU, RNN, and CNN, across various error metrics, achieving MAE of 0.172, RMSE of 0.313, MSLE of 0.042, R-squared of 0.034, and RMSLE of 0.204. The positive R-squared value indicates the model’s robustness against underfitting and overfitting, surpassing the performance of other models with negative R-squared values. This study establishes N-BEATS as a superior and interpretable solution for complex, multi-dimensional forecasting challenges in poultry production, with significant implications for enhancing predictive analytics in agriculture.
Keywords: poultry, livestock, forecasting, epidemiology, humidity, veterinary diseases, polynomials
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 293; Downloads: 121
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