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In this paper, the authors propose a new design methodology for legged walking robots with dynamic characteristics suitable for walking motions by applying the unique properties of Passive Dynamic Walking as design criteria. The authors have identified the 'adaptive behaviour', in which the passive dynamic walking robot automatically adjusts its gait to keep walking in response to variations in physical parameters, such as the slope angle or mass, that constitute its mechanics. Furthermore, the authors discovered that this adaptive behaviour enables the transition of the structure and degrees of freedom of the passive dynamic walking robot to different mechanical systems through the application of 'interconnections among different dynamics'. This paper introduces new mechanical design approach for legged robots that applies these unique properties, with its validity verified through the computer simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adaptive behaviour refers to the practical skills necessary for independence and is considered a high‐priority intervention target for children with neurogenetic conditions associated with intellectual disability, like Down syndrome (DS). Daily living skills (DLS) are a critical aspect of adaptive behaviour, but they have received little intervention attention, possibly because they involve a wide variety of skills across many settings. The present study aimed to advance DLS intervention science by examining the concurrent and longitudinal association between DLS performances and a cognitive skillset hypothesised to support DLS skill acquisition, executive function (EF). Methods: Participants were 71 children with DS between the ages of 2.5 and 8.7 years (M = 5.23 years; standard deviation = 1.65) who completed a battery of adapted EF tasks and a primary caregiver who completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 3rd Edition Parent/Caregiver Comprehensive Report Form. A subset of caregivers also provided 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up adaptive behaviour information. Results: Results demonstrated a positive association between EF task performance and DLS standard scores and v‐scores both concurrently and longitudinally. Conclusions: The findings have implications for potential future intervention approaches that aim to strengthen DLS performances by advancing EF skills in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on thermal comfort has revealed various adaptive behaviours in a hostel room, such as changing clothing, use of windows, doors, and ceiling fans. Hostel rooms are used for various activities and are typically furnished with a wardrobe, bed, study table, and chair. Recent studies indicate that ceiling fan fixed at the centre of the room may not provide adequate air velocity for different activities occurring in different parts of a room. Although students generally arrange furniture based on their preferences and room geometry, the influence of fan-induced air on furniture layout to improve thermal comfort is yet to be established. In this context, this study investigates spatial adaptation and identifies the factors affecting furniture layout preferences in hostel rooms. In a yearlong study, patterns of furniture layout were observed in twenty-one naturally ventilated hostel buildings to find their relationship with environmental and non-environmental factors. A total of 1665 observation data was collected from single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. Influence of various factors on arranging the furniture was identified through a questionnaire survey. Throughout the survey, outdoor temperature varied between 23 and 41 °C and outdoor relative humidity varied between 32.3 % and 97.5 %. The spatial arrangement of furniture was evaluated against fan location. Results indicate that fan location and indoor temperature significantly influence the furniture arrangement. A logistic regression equation was developed to evaluate the trigger temperature when students began moving furniture towards ceiling fan. In a single occupancy room, above 34.2 °C, the probability of moving the bed towards the fan was found to be maximum. In single and double occupancy rooms, students move the bed near the ceiling fan predominantly during night-time to get sufficient air movement. A cautious design of furniture layout and adding a personalised fan for various activities may improve the thermal comfort in hostel rooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated risk management requires all stakeholders to work together proactively. Residents of floodplains can participate by implementing property-level adaptive measures. Risk communication materials can motivate those households to do so. Research on these materials is limited. Therefore, we systematically assessed freely available German risk communication materials in terms of their recommendations and how their content aligns with behavioural theories. We compare these results with data from surveyed households affected by urban flooding (N = 1,352) on their attitudes towards flood adaptation and the adaptation measures implemented. 209 risk communication materials were reviewed. Adaptation options (mostly evasion or resistance strategies) were communicated in 93%, the hazard itself in 78%, the local hazard situation in 48%, and responsibilities in risk management in 54% of the risk communication materials. These aspects were rarely broken down for the reader by, for example, presenting the damage that can be expected or by presenting measures with the expected costs or their response efficacy. However, these details commonly increase the adaptive behaviour of residents according to commonly used behavioural theories. Survey data indicated that households feel able (82%) and responsible (41%) for implementing adaptive measures. However, many households indicated that measures are not effective (41%), too expensive (34%), and that there are not enough support programs (87%). We recommend that future risk communication materials focus more on communicating the efficacy and costs of adaptive measures and highlight funding opportunities. Our mixed method approach highlighted mismatches in information needed and provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While research indicates that both the core features of autism and associated developmental skills influence adaptive behaviour outcomes, results to date suggest greater influence of the latter than the former, and little attention has been given to how the interaction of both together might impact functional disability. Seeking to expand understanding of associations between young children's core social autism features, developmental skills, and functional ability/disability, we specifically tested whether early developmental skills might have a moderating effect on the association between early social features and subsequent functional disability. Methods: Data from 162 preschool children were available for this study. These included time-1 measures of social autism features (ADOS-Social Affect score) and developmental skills (MSEL-Developmental Quotient; DQ), and a measure of functional ability/disability (VABS-Adaptive Behaviour Composite; ABC) available at follow-up 1-year later (time-2). Results: Time-1 ADOS-SA and MSEL-DQ scores were concurrently associated with one another, and both prospectively associated with time-2 VABS-ABC scores. Examination of partial correlations (i.e., controlling for MSEL-DQ) demonstrated that the association of time-1 ADOS-SA and time-2 VABS-ABC was accounted for by shared variance with DQ. Formal moderation analysis returned a non-significant overall interaction term, but showed a lower-bound region of significance whereby the association of time-1 ADOS-SA with time-2 VABS-ABC was significant for children with baseline DQ ≤ 48.33. Conclusion: Our results add to a body of empirical evidence consistent with an understanding of the needs of and resources available to autistic people through a 'cognitive compensation' lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual disability is a serious lifelong disability that places heavy demands on society and the health system. The study was designed to determine the extent to which the intellectually challenged children are capable of improving their cognitive abilities as well as adaptive functioning through the Montessori Sensorial Training program when introduced in a different setting (i.e. special education school system). With randomised control trial (RCT) of pre-and post-testing, 30 children with mild intellectual disabilities were randomly allocated to Montessori Sensorial Training intervention condition (n = 15) and waitlist control condition (n = 15). The intervention group showed significant improvement in cognitive abilities (i.e. classification, seriation, recognition, ordination, and visual and auditory discrimination) as compared to the control group at post-assessment. Children who received training also showed improvement in communication and self-care domain as compared to the control group. This study provides evidence that Montessori Sensorial Training is not only effective for children going to mainstream schools but also for children with intellectual disabilities. Despite some limitations, the results of the study are encouraging and suggesting that Montessori Sensorial Training is an effective intervention to facilitate self-based learning, independence, and decision-making skills in children with mild intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Paediatria Croatica is the property of Paediatria Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Current literature mainly focuses on adaptive profiles from a categorical perspective but yields inconclusive results. The present study puts a transdiagnostic approach next to a "classical" categorical approach. In this study, 222 children (5–18 years old) with autism and/or intellectual disability participated. Variance analyses, based on standard scores from ABAS-3 at group-level, were conducted in order to compare adaptive domains within categories. A K-Means cluster analysis was used to delineate empirically derived clusters with a similar profile of difference scores at an individual level. Chi-square tests and variance analyses were used to investigate the distribution of variables across clusters. From a categorical perspective, results were in line with current literature. A transdiagnostic perspective revealed three adaptive profiles (Homogeneous, Social, and Practical). No perfect match was found between specific adaptive profiles and diagnostic categories. A transdiagnostic perspective sheds light on the heterogeneity within and the overlap across diagnostic categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans lived as hunter‐gatherers for more than 95% of our evolutionary history, thus studying contemporary hunter‐gatherer populations offers insight into the conditions children may be psychologically adapted to. Here, we contrast hunter‐gatherer childhoods with those of WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialised Rich Democratic) societies and consider the implications for children's mental health. Hunter‐gatherer infants receive continuous physical contact and more sensitive and responsive caregiving than is typical of WEIRD societies, due to the extensive involvement of alloparents (non‐parental caregivers) who generally provide 40–50% of their care. Alongside positive attachment outcomes, alloparenting likely reduces the harms of family adversity and risk of abuse/neglect. From late infancy, hunter‐gatherers spend their time in mixed‐age 'playgroups' where they learn via active play and exploration without adult supervision. This contrasts with WEIRD norms surrounding the need for adult supervision of children, as well as with the passive teacher‐led classrooms, which could potentially lead to suboptimal learning outcomes and pose difficulties to children with ADHD. Based on this preliminary comparison, we consider practical solutions to potential harms arising from discordance between what children are adapted to and exposed to. These include infant massage and babywearing; increased sibling and extra‐familial involvement in childcare; and educational adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenges in conceptualising resilience have impeded advancements in resilience science. In response, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed a general framework for harmonising the conceptualisation of resilience as a dynamic process determined by multiple systems and levels of analysis. Consistent with the NIH Resilience Framework, this paper presents a conceptual model of resilience applied to military service members. This model encompasses four core components necessary for resilience research: (1) the presence of significant challenge, (2) successful adaptation in response to the challenge, (3) the capacity for resilience (i.e., protective factors), and (4) the processes (i.e., mechanisms) by which protective factors exert positive effects on an individual's response. Guided by this conceptual model, we outline key methodological recommendations to advance resilience research and illustrate each using the Advancing Research on Mechanisms of Resilience study as an exemplar. We emphasise the need for future research to examine resilience as a dynamic process and apply a multilevel approach. We hope to provide a basic road map to those interested in improving the rigour of future research on resilience in a military context, the results of which can inform the development of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of everyday executive functions in relation to intelligence and adaptive behaviour in children and adolescents with mild intellectual disability. Method: A group of children and adolescents, previously diagnosed with mild intellectual disability were assessed according to intelligence, everyday executive functions and adaptive behaviour. The association between everyday executive functions and intelligence was examined, and it was explored whether intelligence or everyday executive functions would best predict adaptive behaviour. Results: Adaptive behaviour was significantly predicted by executive functions, but not by intelligence. Nor was intelligence significantly related to everyday executive functions in this group. Conclusions: Although fundamental in diagnosing intellectual disability, intelligence cannot predict adaptive behaviour. Assessing everyday executive functions and adaptive behaviour, as well as acknowledging the strong association between them, provides valuable information in the process of optimizing developmental support for children and adolescents with mild intellectual disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucolipidosis type II (MLII), an ultra-rare lysosomal storage disorder, manifests as a fatal multi-systemic disease. Mental inhibition and progressive neurodegeneration are commonly reported disease manifestations. Nevertheless, longitudinal data on neurocognitive testing and neuroimaging lack in current literature. This study aimed to provide details on central nervous system manifestations in MLII. All MLII patients with at least one standardized developmental assessment performed between 2005 and 2022 were included by retrospective chart review. A multiple mixed linear regression model was applied. Eleven patients with a median age of 34.0 months (range 1.6–159.6) underwent 32 neurocognitive and 28 adaptive behaviour assessments as well as 14 brain magnetic resonance imagings. The scales used were mainly BSID-III (42%) and VABS-II (47%). Neurocognitive testing (per patient: mean 2.9, standard deviation (SD) 2.0) performed over 0–52.1 months (median 12.1) revealed profound impairment with a mean developmental quotient of 36.7% (SD 20.4) at last assessment. The patients showed sustained development; on average, they gained 0.28 age-equivalent score points per month (confidence interval 0.17–0.38). Apart from common (63%) cervical spinal stenosis, neuroimaging revealed unspecific, non-progressive abnormalities (i.e., mild brain atrophy, white matter lesions). In summary, MLII is associated with profound developmental impairment, but not with neurodegeneration and neurocognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial expressions are evolutionarily acquired social signals that are processed rapidly by the receiver when deciding to either approach or avoid the person sending the signal. The predominance of the approach or avoidance responses has been examined for various facial expressions. Similar to facial expressions, the approach‐avoidance response to affective voice may have been acquired evolutionarily. However, studies examining approach‐avoidance to an affective voice are limited. This study used the approach‐avoidance task framework developed for facial expressions to determine the dominant behavioural responses to affective voices that indicate either happiness or anger. The results show that the approach response was dominant for the happy voice, while the avoidance response was dominant for the angry voice. This tendency was observed even without the presence of any facial stimuli. These results suggest that an affective voice may be an evolutionarily acquired approach‐avoidance‐inducing social signal, similar to facial expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the survey data of 414 large grain farmers in 11 counties and cities in Poyang Lake District of Jiangxi Province, this paper used structural equation modelling (SEM) and hierarchical regression method to explore the relationship between risk perception, information acquisition, human capital and meteorological disaster adaptive behaviour of large grain farmers. This paper focuses on the mediating role of information acquisition in risk perception and adaptive behaviour and the moderating role of human capital in information acquisition and adaptive behaviour. The results show that the risk perception of large grain farmers has a significant positive effect on their information acquisition and adaptive behaviour. Information acquisition ability of large grain farmers has a significant positive effect on their adaptive behaviour, and there exists a mediating effect between risk perception and adaptive behaviour; the human capital of large grain farmers does not play a moderating role in the impact of risk perception on information acquisition, yet has a significant positive moderating effect on the impact of information acquisition on adaptive behaviour. The results reveal the mechanism of meteorological disaster adaptive behaviour of large grain farmers and its influencing factors, which can be used as a reference for the government to make relevant policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longhorn beetles are often categorized as diurnal, crepuscular or nocturnal depending on the diel (day-night) time window at which adults are active. A precise knowledge of the diel activity pattern in these species is essential to understand the selective forces involved in, and the adaptations resulting from, the evolution of circadian rhythms. The genus Cerambyx includes both diurnal and crepuscular/nocturnal species. In the case of Cerambyx miles Bonelli, 1812, a usually scarce and localised species, diel activity remains poorly understood. While for some authors this longhorn is diurnal, for others it is crepuscular/nocturnal. In order to resolve this historical discrepancy, we studied the diel activity of C. miles in the wild in 2020 and 2021 using ad hoc devised phototraps (with and without capture) and we examine to what extent our field results conformed to literature. Our data (n = 139 captures/sightings) show that about 94% of the activity of C. miles is diurnal, 5% crepuscular, and less than 1% nocturnal. Diel activity started at dawn, raised progressively during the morning, peaked in the late afternoon (17.00-20.00 h) and declined abruptly just before dusk. Our field results were not consistent with literature data (n = 103 diel activity records retrieved from 79 references), in which diel activity was scored as 60% diurnal, 26% crepuscular and 14% nocturnal. We argue possible causes involved in the literature bias and we discuss the diel activity of C. miles from a behavioural, ecological and evolutionary perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a mechanism model which allows for simulating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission dynamics with the combined effects of human adaptive behaviours and vaccination, aiming at predicting the end time of COVID-19 infection in global scale. Based on the surveillance information (reported cases and vaccination data) between 22 January 2020 and 18 July 2022, we validated the model by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) fitting method. We found that (1) if without adaptive behaviours, the epidemic could sweep the world in 2022 and 2023, causing 3.098 billion of human infections, which is 5.39 times of current number; (2) 645 million people could be avoided from infection due to vaccination; and (3) in current scenarios of protective behaviours and vaccination, infection cases would increase slowly, levelling off around 2023, and it would end completely in June 2025, causing 1.024 billion infections, with 12.5 million death. Our findings suggest that vaccination and the collective protection behaviour remain the key determinants against the global process of COVID-19 transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a mechanism model which allows for simulating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission dynamics with the combined effects of human adaptive behaviours and vaccination, aiming at predicting the end time of COVID-19 infection in global scale. Based on the surveillance information (reported cases and vaccination data) between 22 January 2020 and 18 July 2022, we validated the model by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) fitting method. We found that (1) if without adaptive behaviours, the epidemic could sweep the world in 2022 and 2023, causing 3.098 billion of human infections, which is 5.39 times of current number; (2) 645 million people could be avoided from infection due to vaccination; and (3) in current scenarios of protective behaviours and vaccination, infection cases would increase slowly, levelling off around 2023, and it would end completely in June 2025, causing 1.024 billion infections, with 12.5 million death. Our findings suggest that vaccination and the collective protection behaviour remain the key determinants against the global process of COVID-19 transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptability refers to cognitive, behavioural and emotional adjustments that assist in effectively responding to novel and uncertain situations. It is acknowledged as a key attribute of the successful management of dynamic interpersonal interactions. Yet, adaptability remains largely unstudied in the field of psychology and law. Here, we take the first steps to fill this research gap. In Study 1, university students (n = 30) acted as 'agents' that had to complete three 'undercover missions' that required an adaptive response. Adaptability was measured through a self‐report scale. In Study 2, practitioners (n = 22), experienced with covert policing, watched recordings of the undercover missions from Experiment 1. The practitioners rated the adaptive responses of the agents, as well as their ability to attain the mission objectives. The findings showed that our experimental set‐up successfully elicited adaptive behaviour. Practitioners' ratings of adaptability were strongly related to their ratings of trustworthiness, rapport and belief in whether the agent would accomplish their missions, but not with actual mission success. The results highlight the potential importance of adaptability for law enforcement contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, German cities were heavily impacted by pluvial flooding and related damage is projected to increase due to climate change and urbanisation. It is important to ask how to improve urban pluvial flood risk management. To understand the current state of property level adaptation, a survey was conducted in four municipalities that had recently been impacted by pluvial flooding. A hybrid framework based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and the Protection Action Decision Model (PADM) was used to investigate drivers of adaptive behaviour through both descriptive and regression analyses. Descriptive statistics revealed that participants tended to instal more low‐ and medium‐cost measures than high‐cost measures. Regression analyses showed that coping appraisal increased protection motivation, but that the adaptive behaviour also depends on framing factors, particularly homeownership. We further found that, while threat appraisal solely affects protection motivation and responsibility appraisal affects solely maladaptive thinking, coping appraisal affects both. Our results indicate that PMT is a solid starting point to study adaptive behaviours in the context of pluvial flooding, but we need to go beyond that by, for instance, considering factors of the PADM, such as responsibility, ownership, or respondent age, to fully understand this complex decision‐making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the importance of adaptive behaviour (AB) for the identification of intellectual disability and the design of intervention plans for people with Down syndrome (DS), this cross-sectional study explored AB in infants with DS, compared to infants with typical development (TD). Method: we evaluated 60 infants (10–36 months) with ABAS-II (32 with DS, 28 with TD). Using the developmental trajectories method for data analysis, we compared AB between the two groups. We found significant differences between groups in most of the skills assessed, in favour of infants with TD. Three different patterns of trajectories were found for the AB and the relation between the groups: (1) no differences (Leisure and Self-Care Skills); (2) differences at the beginning of the trajectory and then a similar slope (Home Living, Self-Direction, Social and Motor Skills); and (3) a similar starting-point with differences in the trajectories (Communication, Community Use, Pre-Academic, and Health and Safety). This empirical cross-sectional study contributes to the understanding of the development of AB in children with DS, showing both weak areas and skills that continue improving over time in these early years. Contributions and limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska. Sectio J. Paedagogia-Psychologia is the property of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown aetiology but with a known contribution of pathogenic immune-mediated mechanisms. HERVs are associated with several neuropsychiatric diseases, including ASD. We studied anti-HERV-W, -K and -H-env immune profiles in ASD children to analyse differences between their respective mothers and child/mother control pairs and possible correlations to ASD severity and loss of adaptive abilities. Of the 84 studied individuals, 42 children (23 ASD and 19 neurotypical) and their paired mothers underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluations. ASD severity was analysed with standardised tests. Adaptive functioning was studied with ABAS-II and GAC index. Plasma anti-env responses of HERV-K, -H and -W were tested with indirect ELISA. ASD and neurotypical children did not differ in age, gender, comorbidities and anti-HERV responses. In children with ASD, anti-HERV levels were not correlated to ASD severity, while a significant inverse correlation was found between anti-HERV-W-248-262 levels and adaptive/social abilities. Upregulation of anti-HERV-W response correlates to dysfunctional social and adaptive competences in ASD but not in controls, suggesting anti-HERV response plays a role in the appearance of peculiar ASD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, communication along with restrictive and repetitive behaviour patterns. These deficits were found to negatively impact child's development and adaptive functioning skills. Hence, early diagnosis and assessing the child's strengths and needs at an early age will yield promising outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the profile of adaptive behaviour skills of young children with ASD in comparison to children with non-ASD having developmental delay on Vineland social maturity scale (VSMS) and also to understand the correlation between autism symptom severity with adaptive functioning. The sample consisted of 60 study participants, divided into two groups according to Childhood autism rating scale (CARS) as mild to moderate autism and non-ASD. The two groups of children were evaluated using developmental screening test (DST) and vineland social maturity scale (VSMS) to measure developmental quotient (DQ) and adaptive skills. Pearson product moment correlation was computed to identify the correlation between adaptive skills and autism symptom severity and adaptive behaviour skills of children with ASD and non-ASD with developmental delays were compared using independent sample ttest. Children with mild-moderate ASD reported uneven social capacities. The social capacities obtained by the children with mild-moderate ASD were significantly lower than those of children with non-ASD having developmental delays. The correlation analysis indicated moderate negative relationship between severity of autistic symptoms and adaptive behaviour. Adaptive behaviour assessment is an essential aspect in the diagnosis of ASD. Present study found that adaptive behaviour of children with ASD was negatively correlated with severity of autism, children with ASD obtained highest scores on motor skills and lowest on socialization domain. Limitations and future research recommendations were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia, a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder, is considered by WHO to be one amongst the foremost ten illnesses which contribute to the global burden of disease (Murray & Lopez, 1996). Antipsychotic medicines, considered to be first-line treatment of Schizophrenia, do not meaningfully improve cognitive deficits, negative symptoms and concomitant poor social adaptive functioning. Inclusion of empirically validated psychosocial interventions can enhance the quality of life and independent life skills in persons with Schizophrenia. The study aimed at evaluating efficacy of a Social Skills Training (SST) intervention of six months duration, on adaptive behavior among stabilized outpatients of chronic schizophrenia availing day care rehabilitation services. 96 stabilized outpatients with chronic schizophrenia, diagnosed as per DSM-V criteria, availing day care rehabilitation services, were allotted either to a wait list control group receiving standard care of treatment with antipsychotic medication (n=48) or experimental (active treatment) group, receiving SST in addition to standard care (n=48), through simple random sampling. This was a centre based pretest-posttest control group study. Both the groups were assessed once at the baseline and thereafter 6 months of SST intervention, comprising of 75 sessions, using Social Adaptive Functioning Evaluation (SAFE). Statistical analysis was conducted through independent samples t test on gain score (pre-intervention or baseline assessment post-intervention assessment) of the two groups. The results revealed an overall significant effect of SST program in the form of enhancing adaptive behaviour. At post intervention, the experimental group's gain scores on SAFE were found to be significantly higher (t= 2.458, p<0.05) while compared to the wait list control group. Thus, the present study highlighted efficacy of SST intervention in improving adaptive behaviour in persons with chronic schizophrenia. Therefore, in view of these favourable effects, it can be concluded that, although not routinely recommended in treatment guidelines of schizophrenia, integration of SST can improve present standard services, and can be recommended for wider implementation in rehabilitation centres in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of a longitudinal field study which aims to investigate adaptive comfort behaviours (i.e. turning on air-conditioner, turning on fans and opening windows or doors) in residential buildings. Field measurements were conducted in 43 homes in Tianjin, northern China, from Spring through early Winter in 2016. Occupants' 'right-here-right-now' thermal perception and adaptive comfort behaviours were collected through online questionnaires delivered to their smartphones. Results indicated that clothing insulation adjustment was the requisite adaptive behaviour to attain thermal comfort. Clothing insulation was more climate-responsive in Tianjin's autumn than in summer. Statistical models were developed to predict the likelihood of various thermally adaptive behaviours with regard to outdoor air temperatures. An outdoor air temperature of 25.2°C was associated with maximum use of windows/doors for comfort ventilation and minimum use of air conditioning (AC). When outdoor air temperature exceeded 32.5°C, 50% of occupants turned on AC for cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to monitor and adjust our performance is crucial for adaptive behaviour, a key component of human cognitive control. One widely studied metric of this behaviour is post‐error slowing (PES), the finding that humans tend to slow down their performance after making an error. This study is a first attempt at generalizing the effect of PES to an online adaptive learning environment where children practise mathematics and language skills. This population was of particular interest since the major development of error processing occurs during childhood. Eight million response patterns were collected from 150,000 users aged 5 to 13 years old for 6 months, across 23 different learning activities. PES could be observed in most learning activities and greater PES was associated with greater post‐error accuracy. PES also varied as a function of several variables. At the task level, PES was greater when there was less time pressure, when errors were slower, and in learning activities focusing on mathematical rather than language skills. At the individual level, students who chose the most difficult level to practise and had higher skill ability also showed greater PES. Finally, non‐linear developmental differences in error processing were found, where the PES magnitude increased from 6 to 9‐years‐old and decreased from 9 to 13. This study shows that PES underlies adaptive behaviour in an educational context for primary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive façades are multifunctional systems that are able to change their functions, features, or behaviour over time in response to changing boundary conditions or performance requirements. As one of the significant developments in the façade industry over the last decade, the adaptive façade offers an intelligent solution that can decrease energy consumption and potentially increase users' comfort in a building. From an engineering perspective, these advanced technologies aim to improve the overall performance of the building while generating a better indoor environment for the users, but unfortunately, investigations show that this goal is not always achieved. This is why, to bridge this performance gap, we embark on a change of perspective in façade design, from a technology-centred to a human-centred one. This research emphasizes that, with their changeability aspects, adaptive façade technologies offer unique potential, although the design of such façades requires a deeper understanding of users. With this as its focus, this paper aims to identify the factors affecting the user experience in a working environment, considering the interactions of the user with building services and façade systems from a holistic point of view, in which façade-user relationships are to be distinguished, towards the larger aim of developing a human-centred approach for adaptive façade design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile app users uninstall their downloaded mobile apps after a few days of usage, and split their digital time between a few common mobile apps. This contemporaneous mobile app user behaviour, and the empirical literature in the area affirm the importance of examining user perspectives, and how they can influence user behaviour. Furthermore, when compared to the Theory of Mind (TOM), the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) focuses only on cognitive perspectives and lacks the incorporation of affective and conative perspectives in understanding adaptive behaviour. Accordingly, the purpose of the study is to examine the influences of multiple perspectives on adaptive behaviour. Moreover, the empirical literature suggests that gender influences on the relationship between flow experiences and adaptive behaviour have not been addressed adequately. Therefore, this paper also addresses the moderating influence of gender on the relationship between flow experiences and adaptive behaviour. The quantitative research approach was adopted using a sample of individual mobile app users which is the unit of analysis, in the age group 21 to 30 years, who use more than 60% of their digital time on mobile apps. The findings have revealed that the cognitive, conative and affective perspectives of an individual user influence adaptive behaviour positively. However, no moderating effect was found on the direct effect of flow experiences on adaptive behaviour. Furthermore, the conceptualisation of mobile app adaptive behaviour, and the development of a scale based on multiple perspectives to measure this construct, are significant empirical and theoretical contributions flowing from the current study. The findings of the study also have managerial implications for businesses and other similar organisations. Finally, this paper discusses the limitations of the study as well as directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has explored executive functions (EFs) and adaptive behaviour in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS), but there is a paucity of research on the relationship between the two in this population. This study aims to shed light on the profile of EFs and adaptive behaviour in DS, exploring the differences by age and investigating the relationship between these two domains. Method: Parents/caregivers of 100 individuals with DS from 3 to 16 years old participated in the study. The sample was divided into preschoolers (3–6.11 years old) and school‐age children (7–16 years old). Parents/caregivers completed either the Preschool Version of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (for children 2–6.11 years old) or the Second Edition of the same Inventory (for individuals 7 + years old). Adaptive behaviour was assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Interview, Second Edition. Results: Findings suggest that individuals with DS have overall difficulties, but also patterns of strength and weakness in their EFs and adaptive behaviour. The preschool‐age and school‐age children's EF profiles differed slightly. While both age groups showed Emotional Control as a relative strength and Working Memory as a weakness, the school‐age group revealed further weaknesses in Shift and Plan/Organise. As concerns adaptive behaviour, the profiles were similar in the two age groups, with Socialisation as a strength, and Communication and Daily Living Skills as weaknesses, but with a tendency for preschoolers to obtain intermediate scores for the latter. When the relationship between EFs and adaptive behaviour was explored, Working Memory predicted Communication in the younger group, while in the older group the predictors varied, depending on the adaptive domains: Working Memory was a predictor of Communication, Inhibit of Daily Living Skills, and Inhibit and Shift of Socialisation. Conclusion: As well as elucidating the EF profiles and adaptive behaviour in individuals with DS by age, this study points to the role of EFs in adaptive functioning, providing important information for targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Difficulties with executive functions (EF) are very common among individuals with Williams syndrome (WS). To characterise the pattern of relative strengths and weaknesses in EF for children and adolescents with WS, we considered the performance of a large sample on the parent version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐2 (BRIEF‐2). Associations between distinct components of EF and adaptive behaviour, behaviour problems and intellectual ability were investigated. The concurrent effects of components of behaviour regulation and emotion regulation on attention problems and anxiety problems also were evaluated. Methods: Participants were 308 6–17‐year‐olds with genetically confirmed classic WS deletions. Parent report of EF was measured by the BRIEF‐2 questionnaire. Most participants (223/308) completed the Differential Ability Scales‐II as a measure of intellectual ability. The parents of these individuals also completed the Child Behavior Checklist and the interview form of the Scales of Independent Behavior‐Revised. Results: As a group, the participants evidenced considerable parent‐reported EF difficulty. A profile of relative strength and weakness was found at the index level, with performance on both the Behavior Regulation Index and the Emotion Regulation Index significantly better than performance on the Cognitive Regulation Index. Within each index, a statistically significant pattern of relative strength and weakness also was identified. Difficulties with behaviour regulation and emotion regulation were related to both behaviour problems and adaptive behaviour limitations. Higher inflexibility and more difficulty with self‐monitoring were associated with lower overall intellectual ability. Difficulty with inhibition was uniquely associated with attention problems, and inflexibility was uniquely associated with anxiety problems. Conclusions: Executive function difficulties are highly prevalent among children and adolescents with WS and are associated with adaptive behaviour limitations, both internalising and externalising behaviour problems and more limited intellectual ability. These results highlight the importance of designing and delivering research‐based interventions to improve the EF of children and adolescents with WS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing deaf adults' cognitive ability and adaptive behaviour is complex due to confounding factors such as language deprivation, the influence of deaf-cultural norms, and the need to adapt assessment measures, impacting on their validity and reliability. This systematic literature review investigated the types of assessments currently used for deaf people, their common adaptations, and the implications for clinical practice. There appears to be little academic agreement on these issues, and an associated lack of methodological rigour in the literature. The review highlighted a need to further develop valid, psychometrically sound assessment tools for this population, and provides suggested best-practice guidelines for the assessment of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF) allows for the assessment of frequency and severity of challenging behaviours of individuals with ID with one combined rating. However, frequency and severity rating of challenging behaviours may be in disagreement. Therefore, the efficacy of frequency and severity independent ratings for each NCBRF item was investigated. Method: Professional caregivers of 105 individuals with ID completed the NCBRF with separate frequency and severity ratings and the Vineland-II. Results: Magnitudes of correlation coefficients between frequency and severity rating of each NCBRF item were mostly trivial, small, or medium. However, the differences between the magnitude of the corresponding correlation coefficients of frequency and severity rating of each NCBRF item when related to the Vineland-II adaptive behaviour dimensions were rarely statistically significantly. Conclusions: Despite the need for further comparisons with other challenging behaviour scales, the separate use of frequency and severity ratings seems to be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atypical reactions to the sensory environment are often reported in autistic individuals, with a high degree of variability across the sensory modalities. These sensory differences have been shown to promote challenging behaviours and distress in autistic individuals and are predictive of other functions including motor, social, and cognitive abilities. Preliminary research suggests that specific sensory differences may cluster together within individuals creating discrete sensory phenotypes. However, the manner in which these sensory differences cluster, and whether the resulting phenotypes are associated with specific cognitive and social challenges is unclear. Methods: Short sensory profile data from 599 autistic children and adults between the ages of 1 and 21 years were subjected to a K-means cluster analysis. Analysis of variances compared age, adaptive behaviour, and traits associated with autism, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive and compulsive disorder across the resultant clusters. Results: A five-cluster model was found to minimize error variance and produce five sensory phenotypes: (1) sensory adaptive, (2) generalized sensory differences, (3) taste and smell sensitivity, (4) under-responsive and sensation seeking, and (5) movement difficulties with low energy. Age, adaptive behaviour, and traits associated with autism, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive and compulsive disorder were found to differ significantly across the five phenotypes. Limitations: The results were based on parent-report measures of sensory processing, adaptive behaviour, traits associated with autism, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive and compulsive disorder, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Further, not all measures are standardized, or psychometrically validated with an autism population. Autistic individuals with an intellectual disability were underrepresented in this sample. Further, as these data were obtained from established records from a large provincial database, not all measures were completed for all individuals. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sensory difficulties in autistic individuals can be clustered into sensory phenotypes, and that these phenotypes are associated with behavioural differences. Given the large degree of heterogeneity in sensory difficulties seen in the autistic population, these sensory phenotypes represent an effective way to parse that heterogeneity and create phenotypes that may aid in the development of effective treatments and interventions for sensory difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toilet training is important for children's development so that they are always in a comfortable, dry and clean state. Educating children to urinate and defecate becomes effective if training is done early. This study used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 60 respondents consisted of two groups 30 children received toilet training and 30 children did not receive toilet training among parents and preschool children at Persatuan Tadika Islam Malaysia. The results of the study found that there was a significant difference between parents' knowledge of children's toilet training and there was a significant difference between toilet training on the adaptive behaviour developments of preschool children. The results of this study explained the effect of toilet training on the development of adaptive behaviour of preschool children as well as differences in the level of knowledge of parents about toilet training on children's toilet training practices. This study adds to the theoretical findings on the influence of parental behaviour on child development in describing in detail and better about the level of parental knowledge of toilet training and the development of adaptive behaviour of children. Parents especially need to know critically about children's developmental needs better and support from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia can help prospective couples to gain knowledge of parenting through marriage courses conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to understand and characterize occupant behaviour from a perspective of air conditioner (AC) usage. Therefore, it analyses data collected via a questionnaire applied throughout the Brazilian territory, which resulted in 3,259 valid answers explored by non-parametric statistical methods. The main results obtained were: (i) 89% of interviewed occupants prefer naturally ventilated environments at home; (ii) their preference impacts their behaviour, as those who prefer naturally ventilated environments tend to ventilate their house instead of turning on the air conditioner; (iii) climate and family income influence the availability of appliances, i.e. 93.2% of the high-income groups have at least one AC at home in extremely hot climates; (iv) there are groups with a tendency of high AC use, especially those who use AC often, also use it for a longer period of time; and (v) there is a significant difference between the setpoint temperature used in different climates; for instance, the lowest setpoint temperature is used in the hottest climate. This paper intends to contribute to a better understanding of occupants' preferences and behavioural tendencies, especially in Brazilian residences and hot climates, while showing the influence of variables like family income and climate on such issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS) are characterised by phenotypical traits that can be experienced as challenging by their environment. This study assessed parenting stress and Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in parents of individuals with PMS and identified potential contributing variables. Method: Mothers (n = 14) and fathers (n = 13) of individuals with PMS (n = 14; 6 females, 8 males; age 2–37, M = 20, SD = 11.92) completed questionnaires on parenting stress, FQOL, adaptive behaviour and background characteristics. Results: Mothers and fathers experienced high, similar and related levels of parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction. Parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction were inversely related. High and low ratings were retrieved for subscales measuring feelings of parental role restriction and emotional well‐being, respectively. The adaptive skills of the individuals with PMS were related to fathers' parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction. Conclusions: Clinical practice is encouraged to be attentive to family dynamics and grasp opportunities to interact with these dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When executing a sport-specific movement, athletes cannot use all perceptual resources to control their actions. The complexity of a basketball match, demands that individuals command their attention towards the context to make decisions. The dependency on the perceptual sources to control a movement should be kept to a minimum. During a match due to situational constraints, players often see themselves with impaired perceptual sources (e.g. auditory and peripheral vision occlusions). Assuming that professional basketball players are more skilled than amateurs, we analysed how both groups were affected by perceptual impairment, within and in-between groups in a dribbling task. A variability analysis (correlation dimension, approximate entropy and Lyapunov exponent) was used to evaluate how an increased variability or stability, in a specific joint movement, contributes to a better adaptive behaviour when facing perceptual impairment. Professionals showed a significantly lower variability of the wrist movements, but had a significantly higher value of variability in the shoulder horizontal movements (anterior-posterior and lateral), and also in the lateral elbow movements when their downwards peripheral vision was impaired. The increase in variability in such joint movements reflects adaptive behaviour and might be a performance factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adaptive functioning is an important area of assessment with implications for differential diagnosis, educational placement, service eligibility and criminal sentencing. While periodic normative and content updates of adaptive functioning measures are necessary to keep measures relevant, knowledge of equivalence between versions is also required if adaptive measures are to be used to track the stability of adaptive functioning skills over time. Method: This paper presents two studies that used between‐group and within‐group comparison designs to examine the equivalence of the second and third editions of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) in a mixed clinical sample. In study 1, ABAS‐2 scores for children assessed between 2014 and 2015 (n = 1036; mean age = 10.24, SD = 3.44) were compared with ABAS‐3 scores for children assessed between 2015 and 2016 (n = 1291; mean age = 10.51, SD = 3.70). Study 2 examined a separate sample of clinically referred children (n = 572) for whom parent ratings had been obtained on both the ABAS‐2 (mean age = 9.65, SD = 2.80) and ABAS‐3 (mean age = 13.33, SD = 2.95) in the course of repeated assessment. Results: For Study 1, while no intelligence quotient score differences were observed between the ABAS‐2 group (mean Verbal Comprehension Index = 93.67, SD = 16.95) and the ABAS‐3 group (mean Verbal Comprehension Index = 93.08, SD = 17.42), ABAS‐2 scores were lower than ABAS‐3 scores on the Conceptual, Practical, and General Adaptive Composite scales. In study 2, a similar pattern was observed (ABAS‐2 < ABAS‐3 on the Conceptual, Practical, and General Adaptive Composite scales), and concordance correlation coefficients ranged from 0.54 [0.49, 0.58] (Practical composite) to 0.68 [0.64, 0.72] (Conceptual composite). The Practical composite had the lowest concordance correlation coefficient value and the largest mean score difference between ABAS versions. Conclusions: The ABAS‐3 scores may be higher than ABAS‐2 scores in clinical populations. Knowledge of these potential discrepancies will be critical when interpreting standard score changes across ABAS versions in the course of clinical, educational and forensic assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are not only sensitive to exogenous anaesthetics, but they also produce multitudes of endogenous substances, especially when stressed, that often have anaesthetic and anelgesic properties when applied to both humans and animals. Moreover, plants rely on neurotransmitters and their receptors for cell-cell communication and integration in a similar fashion to the use of neural systems in animals and humans. Plants also use their plant-specific sensory systems and neurotransmitter-based communication, including long-distance action potentials, to manage stress via cognition-like plant-specific behaviour and adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrarare Marshall–Smith and Malan syndromes, caused by changes of the gene nuclear factor I X (NFIX), are characterised by intellectual disability (ID) and behavioural problems, although questions remain. Here, development and behaviour are studied and compared in a cross‐sectional study, and results are presented with genetic findings. Methods: Behavioural phenotypes are compared of eight individuals with Marshall‐Smith syndrome (three male individuals) and seven with Malan syndrome (four male individuals). Long‐term follow‐up assessment of cognition and adaptive behaviour was possible in three individuals with Marshall–Smith syndrome. Results: Marshall–Smith syndrome individuals have more severe ID, less adaptive behaviour, more impaired speech and less reciprocal interaction compared with individuals with Malan syndrome. Sensory processing difficulties occur in both syndromes. Follow‐up measurement of cognition and adaptive behaviour in Marshall–Smith syndrome shows different individual learning curves over time. Conclusions: Results show significant between and within syndrome variability. Different NFIX variants underlie distinct clinical phenotypes leading to separate entities. Cognitive, adaptive and sensory impairments are common in both syndromes and increase the risk of challenging behaviour. This study highlights the value of considering behaviour within developmental and environmental context. To improve quality of life, adaptations to environment and treatment are suggested to create a better person‐environment fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in deploying robotic systems in public environments able to effectively interact with people. To properly work in the wild, such systems should be robust and be able to deal with complex and unpredictable events that seldom happen in controlled laboratory conditions. Moreover, having to deal with untrained users adds further complexity to the problem and makes the task of defining effective interactions especially difficult. In this work, a Cognitive System that relies on planning is extended with adaptive capabilities and embedded in a Tiago robot. The result is a system able to help a person to complete a predefined game by offering various degrees of assistance. The robot may decide to change the level of assistance depending on factors such as the state of the game or the user performance at a given time. We conducted two days of experiments during a public fair. We selected random users to interact with the robot and only for one time. We show that, despite the short-term nature of human–robot interactions, the robot can effectively adapt its way of providing help, leading to better user performances as compared to a robot not providing this degree of flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite substantial investments in customer‐relationship‐management (CRM) systems, companies continue to experience pain rather than profit. Meanwhile, the concept of "adaptive behaviour" of frontline employees has received little attention in the literature related to CRM systems in which the frontline employees are the primary users. In this study, we propose that with the aid of CRM systems, individual employees are able to immediately access information about customers and service offerings, thus enabling their adaptive behaviours to provide personalized service to individual customers. Based on coping theory, we develop a CRM system‐driven adaptive behaviour model that explains how CRM systems facilitate individual employees' service performance by enabling adaptive behaviour during their service encounters. Multisourced data from a financial company in China largely support our proposed model, showing that employees' postadoption of CRM systems (routinization and infusion of use) enables interpersonal and offering adaptive behaviours, which in turn enhance employees' service performance. In addition, forming a postadoption behaviour of CRM systems relies on the frequent use. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of adaptive behaviour in service encounters with the aid of CRM systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal comfort is essential for optimized performance of daily activities. Continuous variation in the thermal conditions of the environment influences humans' thermoregulation adaptive behaviour, in which people seek to find the most preferred places. Detecting individuals' behaviour and correlated physical adaption measures can help in enhancing the built environment and minimizing energy consumption. Occupants' behaviour in buildings has been widely investigated, focusing largely on energy consumption, however, fewer studies have examined the socio-economic aspects in domestic spaces. This study investigates the relationship between indoor thermal conditions of dwellings and occupants' adaptive behaviour in response to thermal seasonal variations. A field survey was conducted in a residential compound in Amman, Jordan, to detect occupants' spatial behaviour in 35 apartments in response to thermal seasonal changes. The results revealed that spatial behaviour was used as an effective adaptive thermoregulation technique, driven by socio-economic aspects. Seasonal thermal variation motivated occupants to move across their apartment seeking the most thermally preferred zones. The occupants' behaviour was based on achieving thermal satisfaction, and on their performed activity at the occupied zone. The developed model is based on family size and other family characteristics; and is proposed to optimize domestic spatial needs in apartment buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluated the role of adaptive behaviour, individual variables (age, gender and problem behaviours) and environmental variables (living arrangements, employment status and city dimension) in affecting the quality of life of individuals with IDD measured from third‐party (caregiver) and individuals with IDD' perspective. Method: For 93 adults with an IDD diagnosis (47% males) aged 19–65 years, third‐party and participants' perspective on participants' quality of life (Personal Outcome Scale), adaptive behaviour (Vineland‐II scale), problem behaviours (PIMRA and DASH‐II scales), and individual and environmental variables were collected. Results: Adaptive behaviour was the main determinant of quality of life for individuals with IDD. The effect of adaptive behaviour was significant and relevant from both third‐party and participants' perspectives. Problem behaviours had a modest negative impact on the quality of life. Conclusions: Adaptive behaviour is relevant for planning support and interventions for people with IDD to increase their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose and aim: The overall aim of this study was to examine the relationship between adaptive function and cognitive factors in young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adult age. Methods: The study included 30 adults (age 18-30) diagnosed with ASD in adulthood. All participants were clinically referred to an adult psychiatric clinic for assessment. Adaptive functioning was measured with Adaptive Behavior Assessment System – 2nd edition (parent version). Wechsler scales of intelligence and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System were used to measure intelligence and executive function. Results: We found considerable adaptive functioning deficits regardless of Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) level. FSIQ, working memory and processing speed were positively associated with adaptive functioning. No associations were found between adaptive functioning and cognitive flexibility, inhibition, word generation or shifting. Regression analysis showed that working memory and processing speed predicted 23% of the variance in adaptive functioning in this group. Conclusions: The results suggest that cognitive dysfunction could be an important area for intervention to improve adaptive functioning in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to current research about determinants of climate change and flood risk perception, and intentions to take adaptive measures. We propose a research model that distinguishes between vulnerability and severity components of perceived risks, and adds perceived adaptive capacity as a third factor to predict the intention to take adaptive measures. We used this combined model as a conceptual lens for an explorative survey among 1086 residents of coastal and delta communities in Vietnam. Pairwise analyses revealed a significant association of flood and climate change risk perceptions with individual's flood experience, climate change knowledge, frequency of community participation and socio-demographic factors. However, in multivariate analysis, the influence of most socio-demographic factors became weak or patchy. Flood experience was the most influential driver of flood-related risk perceptions but weak for climate change-related risk perceptions and behavioural intentions. Knowledge strongly increased the intention to adapt to flood and climate risks and the perceived vulnerability to and severity of climate change risks, but reduced the perceived capacity to adapt to climate risks. Frequency of community participation increased the perceived vulnerability and severity of climate change risks, the intention to adapt to both climate and flood risks and the perceived capacity to adapt to flood risks, but reduced the perceived capacity to adapt to climate risks. Our research confirms earlier findings that individuals' knowledge, place-specific experience and social-cultural influences are key predictors of both flood and climate change risk perceptions and intentions to take adaptive measures. These factors should therefore receive ample attention in climate risk communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Animals that face unusual situations react instinctively in order to efficiently adapt to changes in the environment. Persistence leads training and learning the developed solution, which can then be applied to similar challenges in the future. We experimented on adult narrow-clawed crayfish extracted from both lentic and lotic habitats. We proved that the latter were more prone to grabbing objects during acute exposure to water currents. Chronic exposure of specimens from lentic habitat to water currents led to intense training in clumping activity, gripping quickly to adherent side objects regardless of the origin (natural or artificial). The behaviour was significantly reduced after the trained specimens were returned to an environment without water currents for a four-week period. The results suggest that crayfish can learn a solution when faced with a disturbance; once the disturbance disappeared, the trained response was no longer needed and lost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'High functioning autism' is a term often used for individuals with autism spectrum disorder without an intellectual disability. Over time, this term has become synonymous with expectations of greater functional skills and better long-term outcomes, despite contradictory clinical observations. This study investigated the relationship between adaptive behaviour, cognitive estimates (intelligence quotient) and age at diagnosis in autism spectrum disorder. Participants (n = 2225, 1–18 years of age) were notified at diagnosis to a prospective register and grouped by presence (n = 1041) or absence (n = 1184) of intellectual disability. Functional abilities were reported using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. Regression models suggested that intelligence quotient was a weak predictor of Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales after controlling for sex. Whereas the intellectual disability group's adaptive behaviour estimates were close to reported intelligence quotients, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales scores fell significantly below intelligence quotients for children without intellectual disability. The gap between intelligence quotient and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales scores remained large with increasing age at diagnosis for all children. These data indicate that estimates from intelligence quotient alone are an imprecise proxy for functional abilities when diagnosing autism spectrum disorder, particularly for those without intellectual disability. We argue that 'high functioning autism' is an inaccurate clinical descriptor when based solely on intelligence quotient demarcations and this term should be abandoned in research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]