Reproductive performance of Peregrine falcons relative to the use of organochlorine pesticides, 1946-2021.

Populations of some fish- and meat-eating birds suffered dramatic declines globally following the introduction of organochlorine pesticides during the late 1940s and 1950s. It has been hypothesised that these population declines during the 1950s-1970s were largely driven by a combination of reproductive failure due to eggshell-thinning, egg breakage and embryonic death attributable to DDT and its metabolites, and to enhanced mortality attributable to the more toxic cyclodiene compounds such as aldrin and dieldrin. Using 75 years (1946-2021) of Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) monitoring data (315 unique nest-sites monitored for 6110 nest-years), we studied the breeding performance of a resident Peregrine population in southern Scotland relative to the spatiotemporal pattern of organochlorine pesticide use.

Integrating data types to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere.

For many avian species, spatial migration patterns remain largely undescribed, especially across hemispheric extents. Recent advancements in tracking technologies and high-resolution species distribution models (i.e.

A comparison of dental fluorosis in adult populations with and without lifetime exposure to water fluoridation.

Objectives: There is a lack of evidence on the proportion and severity of fluorosis in adult populations exposed and not exposed to fluoridated water over their lifetimes. The aim of this study was to compare the proportion and severity of fluorosis in adults with lifetime exposure to water fluoridation with a nonexposed sample. A secondary aim was to report the gradient of fluorosis severity by age.

Automatic detection and classification of dental fluorosis in vivo using white light and fluorescence imaging.

Objectives: To assess a novel method of automatic fluorosis detection and classification from white light and fluorescent images.

Methods: Dental images from 1,729 children living in two fluoridated and two non-fluoridated UK cities were utilised. A novel detection and classification algorithm was applied to each image and TF scores were obtained using thresholding criteria.

Dispersal: a matter of scale.

Population density around the natal site is often invoked as an explanation for variation in dispersal distance, with the expectation that competition for limiting resources, coupled with increased intra-specific aggression at high densities, should drive changes in dispersal distances. However, tests of the density-dependent dispersal hypothesis in long-lived vertebrates have yielded mixed results. Furthermore, conclusions from dispersal studies may depend on the spatial and temporal scales at which density and dispersal patterns are examined, yet multi-scale studies of dispersal are rare.

Clinical leadership and prevention in practice: is a needs led preventive approach to the delivery of care to improve quality, outcomes and value in primary dental care practice a realistic concept?

Background: There is a need to improve access to, and the quality of, service delivery in NHS primary dental care. Building public health thinking and leadership capacity in clinicians from primary care teams was seen as an underpinning component to achieving this goal. Clinical teams contributed to service redesign concepts and were contractually supported to embrace a preventive approach.

Demography of population recovery: survival and fidelity of peregrine falcons at various stages of population recovery.

Factors influencing vital demographic rates and population dynamics can vary across phases of population growth. We studied factors influencing survival and fidelity of peregrine falcons in south Scotland-north England at two stages of population growth: when the population was recovering from pesticide-related declines and density was low, and when it had largely recovered from pesticide effects and density was high. Fidelity was higher for: adults and subadults than for juveniles, females than for males, and juveniles and adults during the low-density than during the high-density study period.

Summary of: fluoride intake of infants living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas.

Objectives: Data on fluoride exposure of infants are sparse. This study aimed to estimate total daily fluoride intake (TDFI) of infants aged 1-12 months, living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas in north-east England.

Methods: Daily dietary fluoride intake was assessed using a three-day food diary coupled with analysis of fluoride content of food/drink consumed, using a F-ISE and diffusion method.

The association between social deprivation and the prevalence and severity of dental caries and fluorosis in populations with and without water fluoridation.

Background: To determine the association between social deprivation and the prevalence of caries (including caries lesions restricted to enamel) and enamel fluorosis in areas that are served by either fluoridated or non-fluoridated drinking water using clinical scoring, remote blinded, photographic scoring for caries and fluorosis. The study also aimed to explore the use of remote, blinded methodologies to minimize the effect of examiner bias.

Methods: Subjects were male and female lifetime residents aged 11-13 years.

Evaluating the use of fluorescent imaging for the quantification of dental fluorosis.

Background: The quantification of fluorosis using fluorescence imaging (QLF) hardware and stain analysis software has been demonstrated in selected populations with good correlation between fluorescent image metrics and TF Index scores from photographs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of QLF to quantify fluorosis in a population of subjects (aged 11-13) participating in an epidemiological caries and fluorosis survey in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities in Northern England.

Methods: Fluorescent images of the maxillary incisors were captured together with standardized photographs were scored blind for fluorosis using the TF Index.

Dental fluorosis in populations from Chiang Mai, Thailand with different fluoride exposures - paper 2: the ability of fluorescence imaging to detect differences in fluorosis prevalence and severity for different fluoride intakes from water.

Background: To assess the ability of fluorescence imaging to detect a dose response relationship between fluorosis severity and different levels of fluoride in water supplies compared to remote photographic scoring in selected populations participating in an observational, epidemiological survey in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Methods: Subjects were male and female lifetime residents aged 8-13 years. For each child the fluoride content of cooking water samples (CWS) was assessed to create categorical intervals of water fluoride concentration.

Dental fluorosis in populations from Chiang Mai, Thailand with different fluoride exposures - paper 1: assessing fluorosis risk, predictors of fluorosis and the potential role of food preparation.

Background: To determine the severity of dental fluorosis in selected populations in Chiang Mai, Thailand with different exposures to fluoride and to explore possible risk indicators for dental fluorosis.

Methods: Subjects were male and female lifetime residents aged 8-13 years. For each child the fluoride content of drinking and cooking water samples were assessed.

Quantitative light fluorescence (QLF) and polarized white light (PWL) assessments of dental fluorosis in an epidemiological setting.

Background: To determine if a novel dual camera imaging system employing both polarized white light (PWL) and quantitative light induced fluorescence imaging (QLF) is appropriate for measuring enamel fluorosis in an epidemiological setting. The use of remote and objective scoring systems is of importance in fluorosis assessments due to the potential risk of examiner bias using clinical methods.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from a panel previously characterized for fluorosis and caries to ensure a range of fluorosis presentation.

Adolescents' perceptions of the aesthetic impact of dental fluorosis vs. other dental conditions in areas with and without water fluoridation.

Background: The use of fluorides for caries prevention is well established but is linked with an increased risk of dental fluorosis, some of which may be considered to be aesthetically objectionable. Patient opinion should be considered when determining impact on aesthetics. The aim of this study was to assess participant rating of dental aesthetics (from photographic images) of 11 to 13 year olds participating in an epidemiological caries and fluorosis survey in a fluoridated and a non-fluoridated community in Northern England.

Solving man-induced large-scale conservation problems: the Spanish imperial eagle and power lines.

Background: Man-induced mortality of birds caused by electrocution with poorly-designed pylons and power lines has been reported to be an important mortality factor that could become a major cause of population decline of one of the world rarest raptors, the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti). Consequently it has resulted in an increasing awareness of this problem amongst land managers and the public at large, as well as increased research into the distribution of electrocution events and likely mitigation measures.

Methodology/principal Findings: We provide information of how mitigation measures implemented on a regional level under the conservation program of the Spanish imperial eagle have resulted in a positive shift of demographic trends in Spain.

The water fluoridation debate.

Unlabelled: Water fluoridation schemes have been employed for over 50 years. Water fluoridation has been a source of continuous debate between those who advocate its use as a public health measure and those who oppose it. There have been no new fluoridation schemes in the U.

Water fluoridation as a public health measure.

Unlabelled: Water fluoridation schemes have been used as dental public health measures for over 50 years. This second paper in a series of three aims to provide a background to the history of water fluoridation schemes and the evidence base that led to their implementation. The article will also discuss the processes and chemicals involved in fluoridation during water treatment.

Why fluoride?

Unlabelled: Fluoride has been used in dentistry for over 100 years for the purpose of preventing dental caries. During this time there has been great debate over the mode of action, the optimum method of delivery, and the potential risks associated with its use. This, the first of three papers, will provide a summary of the history of the use of fluoride, the mode of action, benefits and different methods of delivery.