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Background: Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a frequently occurring health and welfare issue in weaned piglets. Behavioral changes indicating impaired health may be detectable before the onset of signs and could be useful to detect the development of PWD early, enabling targeted and timely interventions. Current algorithms enable automated behavioral classification on the group level, while PWD may not affect all piglets in one pen and individual level analysis may be required. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether changes in pen activity or individual piglet behavior can be early indicators of the occurrence of PWD. During 3 replicated rounds, 72 piglets (Sus scrofa domestica, Landrace x Large White) weaned at 27 days of age, were housed in 4 pens with 6 piglets each. Individual fecal color and consistency were scored (0–5; ≥ 3 considered as aberrant feces) six times during the first two weeks post-weaning using rectal swabs. Additionally, using a similar scoring scale, feces on the pen floor were assessed daily. Two methods were applied for behavioral scoring. Individual behaviors (eating, drinking, standing, walking; n = 48) were scored manually and instantaneously with a five-minute interval from videos of the first two rounds, while pen activity (eating, drinking, moving; n = 12) was analyzed automatically and continuously using a commercially available algorithm from videos of all three rounds. Results: Piglets showing a relatively higher proportion of standing behavior one day before fecal scoring had increased odds of an aberrant fecal color score (odds ratio (OR): 4.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5–15.3). Furthermore, odds of aberrant colored feces increased in pens where piglets showed more moving activity two days before (OR: 6.14; 1.26 < 95%CI < 29.84), which was also found for fecal consistency (OR: 4.77; 95%CI: 1.1–21.6). Conclusions: Our results indicate that increased standing in individual piglets and an increased moving activity on the pen level may be important behavioral indicators of PWD before the onset of diarrhea. Further development of current algorithms that can identify behavioral abnormalities in groups, from the pen to the individual level, may therefore be a promising avenue for improved and targeted health and welfare monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a frequently occurring health and welfare issue in weaned piglets. Behavioral changes indicating impaired health may be detectable before the onset of signs and could be useful to detect the development of PWD early, enabling targeted and timely interventions. Current algorithms enable automated behavioral classification on the group level, while PWD may not affect all piglets in one pen and individual level analysis may be required. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether changes in pen activity or individual piglet behavior can be early indicators of the occurrence of PWD. During 3 replicated rounds, 72 piglets (Sus scrofa domestica, Landrace x Large White) weaned at 27 days of age, were housed in 4 pens with 6 piglets each. Individual fecal color and consistency were scored (0–5; ≥ 3 considered as aberrant feces) six times during the first two weeks post-weaning using rectal swabs. Additionally, using a similar scoring scale, feces on the pen floor were assessed daily. Two methods were applied for behavioral scoring. Individual behaviors (eating, drinking, standing, walking; n = 48) were scored manually and instantaneously with a five-minute interval from videos of the first two rounds, while pen activity (eating, drinking, moving; n = 12) was analyzed automatically and continuously using a commercially available algorithm from videos of all three rounds. Results Piglets showing a relatively higher proportion of standing behavior one day before fecal scoring had increased odds of an aberrant fecal color score (odds ratio (OR): 4.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5–15.3). Furthermore, odds of aberrant colored feces increased in pens where piglets showed more moving activity two days before (OR: 6.14; 1.26

Intellectual precocity in children poses unique challenges and opportunities for educational systems. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze intellectual precocity in children until 6 years old, including its definition, manifestations, and various educational programs for intellectually precocious learners. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted. The study included 26 articles published between 2013 and 2023 that provided a conceptualization of precocity or giftedness, and/or focused on characteristics of precocity, and/or investigated educational programs for intellectually precocious children. The authors' conceptualizations of precocity varied, with some providing clear definitions based on a developmental view of precocity, while others merely mentioned the concept. Early indicators of superior traits have been observed in areas such as reading, math, problem-solving, and even in fields that have been traditionally disregarded, such as visual arts. Educational provisions varied widely, including approaches based on enrichment and project-based learning; however, interventions based on socioemotional elements are also highlighted. The findings emphasize the importance of early identification and targeted educational strategies to support the unique needs of intellectually precocious individuals. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and the development of evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The neurodevelopment of numerical skills prior to formal education are reviewed. • A right-hemisphere dominance underpins initial numerical processing capacities. • Early neural responses to number properties transcends other non-numerical features. • Signatures of small/large numerical representations emerge from 6 months of age. • Tracking the neurodevelopment of early numeracy skills requires further research. Infants are thought to possess an innate specific capacity to process numerical information. In this article, we review the past research that has focused on unveiling the timing and localization of the related brain mechanisms with the purpose of depicting a neurodevelopmental blueprint of this capacity from birth. A systematic search of studies published between 1998 and 2023 was conducted. A total of 21 studies with 732 participants (age rage: 30 weeks of gestation to 6 years) met the study selection criterion. EEG, fMRI and fNIRS studies consistently support the existence of brain responses (mainly in the right parietal, bilateral frontal and occipital cortex) that reflect sensitivity to numerical features even before birth. These enable the infant brain to code numerical information independently of other non-numerical magnitude dimensions. Small (<4) or large (>4) numerosities seem to diverge in dissociable brain responses from the second semester of life, suggesting a neurodevelopmental specialization. Variations in the brain's sensitivity to numerical information across participants and whether they can anticipate the individual's development of future numerical skills remains uncertain, due to the scarcity of longitudinal studies. Understanding how familial and other contextual factors shape these initial biological predispositions and give rise to typical and atypical trajectories requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are inherited monogenic disorders resulting in defective immune response. Non‐infectious presentations are increasingly more apparent. Widely available, cost‐effective early indicators are needed. Peripheral‐blood cytopenia may be a presenting laboratory feature or an observed secondary phenomenon. This retrospective review of the South African Primary Immunodeficiency Registry (SAPIDR) aimed to assess the haematological indices at presentation and their association with the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) 2019 IEI classification and mortality. Of 396 patients on the SAPIDR, 66% (n = 257) had available haematological results. Sixty percent were males and 85% under 18 years. A majority (53%) had predominantly antibody deficiency. At presentation, infection was prominent (86%) followed by cytopenia (62%). Neutropenia was associated with IUIS III [odds ratio (OR) 3.65, confidence interval (CI) 1.44–9.25], thrombocytopenia with IUIS II (OR 14.39, CI 2.89–71.57), lymphopenia with IUIS I (OR 12.16, CI 2.75–53.73) and pancytopenia with IUSI I (OR 12.24, CI 3.82–39.05) and IUIS II (OR 5.99, CI 2.80–12.76). Cytopenia showed shorter overall survival (OR 2.81, CI 1.288–4.16). Cytopenias that are severe, persistent, unusual and/or recurrent should prompt further investigation for IEI. The full blood count and leucocyte differential may facilitate earlier identification and serve as an adjunct to definitive molecular classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a four-state collaboration––Texas, New York, Virginia, and Illinois––that uses Student Unit Record Database Systems that track students from high school into college. The goal is to determine whether it is possible to accurately predict whether individual students will not graduate using very early indicators available at college entry or during the first semester. Using similar statistical models across four state university systems, we identify individual students at greatest risk of non-completion quite accurately at early stages, allowing college staff to prioritize interventions and supports aimed at improving completion for those at greatest risk. Our logistic regression models rely on variables available to university administrators at student entry, including high school GPA, standardized test scores, parental income, remediation requirements, declared major, and college credits attempted in the first semester. Our models do not use gender, race, or ethnicity in determining probability of non-completion, making them useful for public university administrators. The fact that the same factors accurately predict graduation and non-completion in four very different state contexts suggests that similar dynamics are at play across the country. Our findings suggest that current commercial products that require extensive effort from faculty to input data on student progress, to act as an early warning system, may be unnecessary. More easily obtainable data can accurately predict students at risk of non-completion.

Aim: Forest regeneration data provide an early signal of the persistence and migration of tree species, so we investigated whether species shifts due to climate change exhibit a common signal of response or whether changes vary by species. Location: California Floristic Province, United States; mediterranean biome. Methods: We related Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from 2000-07 for 13 tree species to high-resolution climate and geographical data. Using methods from invasion ecology, we derived indices of species-specific regeneration overlap and central tendency change (range-wide global indicators) based on kernel density estimation of presence and absence of regeneration. We then built regeneration surfaces to identify areas of occurrence of high regeneration (regeneration hotspots, local indicators) in both geographical and climate space for 13 common tree species. Results: Differences between presence and absence of regeneration in forests varied in magnitude across species, with little evidence that tree regeneration is shifting to higher latitudes and elevations, the expected geographical fingerprint of climate change. We also identified potential topographic mediators of regeneration dynamics. Multiple regeneration hotspots were found for many species, suggesting the influence of non-climatic factors on regeneration. Differences between the presence and absence of regeneration in geographic and climate spaces were not always congruent, suggesting that shifting climate space and range area are not entirely coupled. Main conclusions: The distributions of regeneration in Californian forests show diverse signals, not always tracking the higher latitudinal-elevation fingerprint of climate change. Local regeneration hotspots are common in our analysis, suggesting spatially varying persistence of forest linked to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Our results emphasize that projections of tree range shifts in the context of climate change should consider the variation of regeneration drivers within species ranges, beyond the overall climate signal.

Aim: Forest regeneration data provide an early signal of the persistence and migration of tree species, so we investigated whether species shifts due to climate change exhibit a common signal of response or whether changes vary by species. Location: California Floristic Province, United States; mediterranean biome. Methods: We related Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from 2000-07 for 13 tree species to high-resolution climate and geographical data. Using methods from invasion ecology, we derived indices of species-specific regeneration overlap and central tendency change (range-wide global indicators) based on kernel density estimation of presence and absence of regeneration. We then built regeneration surfaces to identify areas of occurrence of high regeneration (regeneration hotspots, local indicators) in both geographical and climate space for 13 common tree species. Results: Differences between presence and absence of regeneration in forests varied in magnitude across species, with little evidence that tree regeneration is shifting to higher latitudes and elevations, the expected geographical fingerprint of climate change. We also identified potential topographic mediators of regeneration dynamics. Multiple regeneration hotspots were found for many species, suggesting the influence of non-climatic factors on regeneration. Differences between the presence and absence of regeneration in geographic and climate spaces were not always congruent, suggesting that shifting climate space and range area are not entirely coupled. Main conclusions: The distributions of regeneration in Californian forests show diverse signals, not always tracking the higher latitudinal-elevation fingerprint of climate change. Local regeneration hotspots are common in our analysis, suggesting spatially varying persistence of forest linked to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Our results emphasize that projections of tree range shifts in the context of climate change should consider the variation of regeneration drivers within species ranges, beyond the overall climate signal.

The spread of pandemics such as COVID-19 is strongly linked to human activities. The objective of this article is to specify and examine early indicators of disease spread risk in cities during the initial stages of outbreak based on patterns of human activities obtained from digital trace data. In this study, the Venables distance (Dv) and the activity density (Da) are used to quantify and evaluate human activities for 193 United States counties, whose cumulative number of confirmed cases was greater than 100 as of March 31, 2020. Venables distance provides a measure of the agglomeration of the level of human activities based on the average distance of human activities across a city or a county (less distance could lead to a greater contact risk). Activity density provides a measure of level of overall activity level in a county or a city (more activity could lead to a greater risk). Accordingly, Pearson correlation analysis is used to examine the relationship between the two human activity indicators and the basic reproduction number in the following weeks. The results show statistically significant correlations between the indicators of human activities and the basic reproduction number in all counties, as well as a significant leader-follower relationship (time lag) between them. The results also show one to two weeks’ lag between the change in activity indicators and the decrease in the basic reproduction number. This result implies that the human activity indicators provide effective early indicators for the spread risk of the pandemic during the early stages of the outbreak. Hence, the results could be used by the authorities to proactively assess the risk of disease spread by monitoring the daily Venables distance and activity density in a proactive manner.

Although several screening tests for recognizing early signs of reading and spelling difficulties have been developed, brief and methodologically grounded tools for teachers are very limited. The present study aimed to lay the foundation for a new screening tool for teachers: the Checklist for early Indicators of risk Factors in Reading Ability (CI-FRA). The proposed checklist consists of 20 items, based on a 7-point Likert scale, and it investigates five domains: reading, writing, attention, and motor skills. Six hundred sixty-seven children were evaluated by 40 teachers during the first year of primary school and, longitudinally, in the second year. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to verify structural validity. Concurrent validity was assessed by Spearman correlation to analyze the link between CI-FRA and reading and spelling standardized tests and cognitive tests. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach α and interclass correlation coefficient. The CFA reported a three-factor structure as the optimal solution, including language (reading and writing), visuospatial attention, and fine motor skills subscales. Good reliability, good internal consistency, and acceptable test–retest indices were found. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations between CI-FRA total score and standardized reading and spelling test, as well as by correlations between CI-FRA subscales and neuropsychological standardized test scores. Preliminary evaluation of sensitivity by receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the CI-FRA score has particularly high sensitivity and specificity for word reading speed deficit. In conclusion, the results confirm that CI-FRA is a theoretically grounded and statistically valid tool that could help the teachers to screen for early signs of reading and spelling difficulties.

Although several screening tests for recognizing early signs of reading and spelling difficulties have been developed, brief and methodologically grounded tools for teachers are very limited. The present study aimed to lay the foundation for a new screening tool for teachers: the Checklist for early Indicators of risk Factors in Reading Ability (CI-FRA). The proposed checklist consists of 20 items, based on a 7-point Likert scale, and it investigates five domains: reading, writing, attention, and motor skills. Six hundred sixty-seven children were evaluated by 40 teachers during the first year of primary school and, longitudinally, in the second year. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to verify structural validity. Concurrent validity was assessed by Spearman correlation to analyze the link between CI-FRA and reading and spelling standardized tests and cognitive tests. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach α and interclass correlation coefficient. The CFA reported a three-factor structure as the optimal solution, including language (reading and writing), visuospatial attention, and fine motor skills subscales. Good reliability, good internal consistency, and acceptable test–retest indices were found. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations between CI-FRA total score and standardized reading and spelling test, as well as by correlations between CI-FRA subscales and neuropsychological standardized test scores. Preliminary evaluation of sensitivity by receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the CI-FRA score has particularly high sensitivity and specificity for word reading speed deficit. In conclusion, the results confirm that CI-FRA is a theoretically grounded and statistically valid tool that could help the teachers to screen for early signs of reading and spelling difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Aim of this study was to explore the screen characteristics of children who have been newly diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and context of initial concerns of parents at the time of the first diagnosis. Method: Fifty-seven ASD and 63 typically developing children were included. Data retrieved from families such as concerns at the time of referal and characteristics that comprised use of electronics were recorded. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Autism Behavior Checklist was administered by the clinician to evaluate the symptom severity of ASD. Furthermore, the Ankara Development and Screening Inventory were applied to the children to evaluate the general developmental level. Results: ASD was generally diagnosed around 36th month and parents of these children were found to have suspected of something going wrong regarding developmental characteristics of their children approximately 14 months prior formal diagnosis. Age at index use of electronics was smaller and screen time was higher in children with ASD. It has also been found that families most frequently were referred to the clinician due to problems in communication. Discussion: Our findings suggest children with ASD might be more prone to problematic use of electronics. Smaller index age for initiating use of electronic devices might predominantly affect socioemotional processes negatively. The clinicians should evaluate screen characteristics in these children. Lastly, It is important to encourage parents to report concerns to clinicians for early detection of ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This conceptual article is inspired by the first phase of a doctoral research project that aimed to develop and validate a bilingual language assessment test for IsiZulu-English-speaking children in grades 1, 2 and 3 with language-based learning disabilities (L-b LDs) in South Africa. Objectives: Phase 1, systematic literature review, pretesting and formulating of a theoretical framework, with the aim to determine early indicators of L-b LDs; this is important for developing a clinical language test as it determines its constructs. Method: Thematic analysis was used to develop the models. Results: This article reviews the literature on indicators and definitions of L-b LD, introduces models that were developed in the study to conceptualise L-b LD and discusses implications for language test development. Conclusion: The models provided in this article conceptualise L-b LD and identify its early indicators. The application of these models in both educational and clinical settings is proposed for differentiation of L-b LD.

Several metabolic parameters were assessed in juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and staghorn sculpin ( Leptocottus armatus ) residing in two estuaries receiving wastewater treatment effluent and one reference estuary. We also conducted a laboratory study with fish dosed for 32 days with 16 of the most common contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) detected in feral fish. Several blood chemistry parameters and other indicators of health were measured in fish from the field and laboratory study that were used to assess potential metabolic disruption. The blood chemistry values observed in feral juvenile Chinook salmon were relatively consistent among fish collected from effluent-impacted sites and substantially different compared to reference site fish. These responses were more pronounced in Chinook salmon, which is supported by the disparity in accumulated CECs. The blood chemistry results for juvenile Chinook salmon collected at effluent-impacted sites exhibited a pattern generally consistent with starvation because of similarities to observations from studies of food-deprived fish; however, this response is not consistent with physical starvation but may be contaminant induced. The altered blood chemistry parameters are useful as an early indicator of metabolic stress, even though organismal characteristics (lipid content and condition factor) were not different among sites indicating an early response. Evidence of metabolic disruption was also observed in juvenile Chinook salmon that were exposed in the laboratory to a limited mixture of CECs; however, the plasma parameters were qualitatively different possibly due to exposure route, season, or the suite of CECs. Growth was impaired in the high-dose fish during the dosing phase and the low- and medium-dose fish assayed after 2 weeks of depuration. Overall, these results are consistent with metabolic disruption for fish exposed to CECs, which may result in early mortality or an impaired ability to compete for limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we develop a model describing the evolution of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation products, typically used as early indicators of fish quality loss, during storage and transport conditions. The model is constructed following a modular approach that includes essentially three mechanisms: (1) enzymatic transformation of inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), inosine (Ino) and hypoxanthine (Hx) with some reactions catalyzed by bacteria; (2) bacterial growth and (3) nucleotide diffusion through the food matrix. This approach allows us to combine the different underlying mechanisms to account for other fish species and conditions. We compare alternative mechanisms explaining the catalytic effect of Pseudomonas and Shewanella populations on the reaction linking IMP, Ino and Hx. The selection is carried out in terms of the Akaike Information Criteria. The predictive capabilities of the selected model are demonstrated with experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption raw oil may cause different pollutants which may have various environmental and health effects upon those occupationally exposed workers in industrial activities that used this energy. A total of 60 workers from Qubiasa cement factory and 10 individuals from well away sites were examined during this work for vanadium blood content after being subjected to personal interview using questionnaire sheet consisting information health background and any signs that may be accounted for certain organic and psychological syndromes.The results have found that vanadium blood content in occupationally exposed sample was varied from 9.07 ± 3.73 µg/cm³ to 16.89 ± 7.79 µg/cm³ and in environmentally exposed sample was 6.82 ± 1.69 µg/cm³ while in control sample was 4. 42 ± 0.7 µg/cm³. This, blood vanadium content was significantly (P ≥ 0.05) related to the exposure periods. Also, this work has shown that several health symptoms such as teeth decay , hair fallen , weight fluctuation and vision impairment in most of those occupationally exposed workers while such signs were not found in both environmental and control samples Interestingly, the number of health syndromes that tested workers had, were found to be due ( P ≥ 0.05 ) to exposure times and not to the worker age. However, the most occupationally examined workers have shown several psychological problems such as stress, depression and malaise. Finally, this study may need further investigations on similar samples to support a conclusion that these signs may be accounted for early diagnosing of any health sever or even lethal diseases to avoid such various diseases infections by different air contaminants caused by raw oil consumptions.

The identification of early markers has become a focus for early intervention in bipolar disorder. Using a retrospective, qualitative methodology, the present study compares the early experiences of participants with bipolar disorder to those with unipolar depression up until their first diagnosed episode. The study focuses on differences in early home and school environments as well as putative differences in personality characteristics between the two groups. Finally we a compare and contrast prodromal symptoms in these two populations. Thirty-nine participants, 20 diagnosed with unipolar depression and 19 diagnosed with bipolar disorder, took part in the study. A semi-structured interview was developed to elicit information about participants' experiences prior to their first episode. Participants with bipolar disorder reported disruptive home environments, driven personality features, greater emotion dysregulation and adverse experiences during the school years, whereas participants with depression tended to describe more supportive home environments, and more compliant and introvert personality traits. Retrospective data collection and no corroborative evidence from other family members. No distinction was made between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder nor between melancholic and non-melancholic depression in the sample. Finally the study spanned over a 12-month period which does not allow for the possibility of diagnostic reassignment of some of the bipolar participants to the unipolar condition. These findings indicate that there may be benefits in combining both proximal and distal indicators in identifying a bipolar disorder phenotype which, in turn, may be relevant to the development of early intervention programs for young people with bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is lot of emphasis on early identification of autism, as it would facilitate early management, which in turn would improve the condition significantly. As there are no robust biological markers, understanding the early developmental and behavioral indicators is a viable option. Aim: This study attempts to re-evaluate the early developmental and behavioral indicators identified in Indian context, with a larger population of children with autism. Methods: This study included 54 mothers of children with autism who were interviewed to elicit information on specific indicators. Results: Results indicated that early indicators could be any of the three core domains of autism. The early developmental and behavioral indicators reported in the study could be used in routine screening of infants to identify those at-risk for autism. Conclusion: Early identification is possible in children with autism if we carefully monitor the development and behavioral pattern. Specific nature of the indicators and their implication for early detection is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical transitions are of great interest to scientists in many fields. Most knowledge about these transitions comes from systems exhibiting the multistability of spatially uniform states. In spatially extended and, particularly, in pattern-forming systems, there are many possible scenarios for transitions between alternative states. Quenched disorder may affect the dynamics, bifurcation diagrams and critical transitions in nonlinear systems. However, only a few studies have explored the effects of quenched disorder on pattern-forming systems, either experimentally or by using theoretical models. Here, we use a fundamental model describing pattern formation, the Swift–Hohenberg model and a well-explored mathematical model describing the dynamics of vegetation in drylands to study the effects of quenched disorder on critical transitions in pattern-forming systems. We find that the disorder affects the patterns formed by introducing an interplay between the imposed pattern and the self-organized one. We show that, in both systems considered here, the disorder significantly increases the durability of the patterned state and makes the transition between the patterned state and the uniform state more gradual. In addition, the disorder induces hysteresis in the response of the system to changes in the bifurcation parameter well before the critical transition occurs. We also show that the cross-correlation between the disordered parameter and the dynamical variable can serve as an early indicator for an imminent critical transition.

This article covers the basics of scenario planning: Why scenarios? What are scenarios? How do you develop scenarios? After covering the preliminaries—the constitution of the scenario team; interviews; research; the identification of a focal issue; set and setting for a scenario workshop; staffing; the trajectory of a scenario planning project—the article moves on to describe several methods for identifying a finite set of diverse scenario logics. After a set of scenarios has been developed, there are several different routes from scenarios to strategy. Early indicators can help identify which of several scenarios is in fact unfolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nitrogen leaching from urine patches has been identified as a major source of nitrogen loss under intensive grazing dairy farming. Leaching is notoriously variable, influenced by management, soil type, year-to-year variation in climate and timing and rate of urine depositions. To identify early indicators for the risk of N leaching from urine patches for potential usage in a precision management system, we used the simulation model APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator) to produce an extensive N leaching dataset for the Waikato region of New Zealand. In total, nearly forty thousand simulation runs with different combinations of soil type and urine deposition times, in 33 different years, were done. The risk forecasting indicators were chosen based on their practicality: being readily measured on farm (soil water content, temperature and pasture growth) or that could be centrally supplied to farms (such as actual and forecast weather data). The thresholds of the early indicators that are used to forecast a period for high risk of N leaching were determined via classification and regression tree analysis. The most informative factors were soil temperature, pasture dry matter production, and average soil water content in the top soil over the two weeks prior to the urine N application event. Rainfall and air temperature for the two weeks following urine deposition were also important to fine-tune the predictions. The identified early indicators were then tested for their potential to predict the risk of N leaching in two typical soils from the Waikato region in New Zealand. The accuracy of the predictions varied with the number of indicators, the soil type and the risk level, and the number of correct predictions ranged from about 45 to over 90%. Further expansion and fine-tuning of the indicators and the development of a practical N risk tool based on these indicators is needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ecosystem regime shifts are regarded as abrupt global transitions from one stable state to an alternative stable state, induced by slow environmental changes or by global disturbances. Spatially extended ecosystems, however, can also respond to local disturbances by the formation of small domains of the alternative state. Such a response can lead to gradual regime shifts involving front propagation and the coalescence of alternative-state domains. When one of the states is spatially patterned, a multitude of intermediate stable states appears, giving rise to step-like gradual shifts with extended pauses at these states. Using a minimal model, we study gradual state transitions and show that they precede abrupt transitions. We propose indicators to probe gradual regime shifts, and suggest that a combination of abrupt-shift indicators and gradual-shift indicators might be needed to unambiguously identify regime shifts. Our results are particularly relevant to desertification in drylands where transitions to bare soil take place from spotted vegetation, and the degradation process appears to involve step-like events of local vegetation mortality caused by repeated droughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine if a sample of children currently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) would have shown motor milestone delays before age three as compared to typically developing children. Given delays in motor skills, the study also strived to determine which specific skills might be delayed. Parents of 44 children who had been diagnosed with ASDs answered survey questions related to their child’s early motor milestone development. Survey responses were compared to Bayley’s motor milestone data for typically developing children. Results suggested that all 44 children (age range 82–90 months) with ASDs were delayed on all 26 motor milestones. Specifically, children with autistic disorder (n = 26) were significantly delayed on 11 motor milestones; nine of them delayed before age two. Children with Asperger Syndrome (n = 18) showed significant delay on four milestones; three of them delayed before the age of two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper identifies the information content at the firm level of qualitative business survey data by examining the consistency between these data and the quantitative data that are provided by the same respondents to the UK's Office for National Statistics in official surveys. Since the qualitative data are published ahead of the quantitative data the paper then assesses the ability of the qualitative data to predict the firm level quantitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is a need to identify early indicators in autism, particularly with reference to comorbid mental retardation and specific culture so that early intervention can be given. In this backdrop, this study aims to understand the early indicators of autism as perceived by the Indian mothers: the age of reporting and receiving diagnosis, and their variability due to comorbid mental retardation (MR). The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase-I, information about early concerns, age of reporting concerns, and subsequent diagnoses were elicited from 50 mothers of children later diagnosed with autism. From a wide range of concerns, only four showed significant correlation with the clinical diagnosis of autism, which were considered the early indicators. In Phase-II, information about the early indicators was collected from mothers of 10 children with autism and mental retardation and from mothers of another 10 children with mental retardation alone, matched for age gender, and severity of mental retardation. Results indicated that specific indicators could be identified from the mothers’ concerns, which could be from any of three core areas of autism. Comorbid mental retardation did not have any effect on early recognition and subsequent diagnosis. Implications of early indicators are discussed from a cultural perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of children with autism served in early intervention or the public school system appears to be growing at an alarming rate. This article provides a basis for understanding this dramatic increase. In addition, the authors present a brief overview of the characteristics of autism, research on early behavioral indicators of infants and toddlers at risk for the disorder, and indicators that may go overlooked in school-aged children. The authors discuss the effect of autism on the early intervention system and the educational implications of the disorder. Last, the authors address current and pending federal policy initiatives (e.g., the passage of autism insurance legislation) that affect families and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines several types of eating disorders among school-age children and their risk factors. A table is provided that details the types of eating disorders in such children including selective eating and anorexia nervosa (AN). It is said that dietary restraint and reduced carbohydrate intake usually cause binge eating and that poorer family functioning are commonly observed in families of those with eating disorders. Two tables that list the signs of restrictive and binge/binge-purge eating disorders are also offered.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) on the Autism Diagnostic Interview– Revised (ADI-R: Lord, Rutter, & Le Couteur () were examined in 165 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), 49 children with non-spectrum developmental disorders (DD), and 65 children with typical development (TD) at approximately 2 years of age. A factor analysis found evidence for a repetitive sensorimotor (RSM) factor and an insistence on sameness (IS) factor. Behaviors that loaded on the RSM factor were prevalent in children with ASD and significantly more common and severe than in children with DD or TD. On average, children with ASD had more RSM behaviors. Behaviors that loaded on the IS factor were relatively uncommon and did not differ in prevalence or severity across groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the application of the Delphi technique, this study draws on the expertise of British child protection academics and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines in seeking to develop a consensus opinion on possible early indicators of child abuse and neglect. The search for early indicators is described in the context of a secondary preventative approach to the problem of child maltreatment. A very tentative conclusion arising from the study is that the early indicators of child abuse and neglect that achieved consensus of agreement may help in diagnosing child abuse and neglect at an earlier stage, although they are not necessarily diagnostic. Alternative explanations, differential diagnoses and information-gathering are paramount, as is a willingness and ability to act on concerns. Although great caution is urged, it is suggested that the findings from the study are credible and of interest to those who are working towards more timely recognition and referral of abused and neglected children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]