Development Of Life Stages Research Articles

EFFECTIVENESS OF OUTDOOR TREATMENT PROGRAM ALONG WITH ART THERAPY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER-AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

BACKGROUND: Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disability that appears within the early developmental stages of life. Outdoor play is seen as a crucial and valuable experience for all children. The goals of art therapy are to promote healing through creativity and enhance the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: AIM:The study aims to nd out the effectiveness of the Outdoor Treatment program along with art therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder and determine the better of these get best results & greater benets for autistic children. OBJECTIVES: To nd out the effectiveness of outdoor treatment program along with art therapy in increasing child's interest in treatment, improve verbal & nonverbal communication skills, improve coordination function, and minimize the aggression & repetitive movements in the autistic child. METHOD: Thirty patients selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The details of the treatment were explained to the subjects and written consent was taken from the participant's parents. They were treated with outdoor treatment program along with art therapy for 6 days/week, the patient were reassessed with CARS after 6 weeks. RESULTS: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Parametric test was used within the group analysis. A Greater signicant improvement in sensory & motor function was found after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Outdoor treatment program along with Art therapy is effective to reduce aggressive & improvement in sensory & motor function of autistic child.

Warming Causes Atypical Phenology in a Univoltine Moth With Differentially Sensitive Larval Stages

Climate change profoundly alters the phenology of insects, yet the mechanisms at play remain particularly elusive for univoltine species. Those species typically have to deal with contrasting thermal conditions across their development and life stages occurring at different seasons may have different thermal sensitivity. A modeling framework taking into account stage-specific thermal biology is lacking to predict the effect of climate change on the phenology of such species. Insect development rate scales non-linearly with temperature. This can be described with a thermal performance curve within each developmental stage, enabling higher accuracy near developmental thresholds than linear degree-day models. This approach, however, requires ample data to be correctly estimated. We developed a phenological model based on stage-specific performance curves to predict the phenology of a univoltine species undergoing uninterrupted larval development from summer to next spring, the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). This gregarious species is an important pine defoliator and is known to readily respond to climate change with a consistent and sustained range expansion/shift since the 1990s, as winter warming facilitates its survival in previously unsuitable areas. First, we determined the thermal performance curve of development rate for each stage from the egg to the fourth larval instar by monitoring molting in larval colonies exposed to fluctuating thermal treatments in controlled conditions. Second, we developed a phenology model to simulate the cumulated development rate across successive life stages, using observation data of adult flights and daily mean temperatures as input variables. A good fit was found between predictions and observations. Finally, the model was used to explore phenological consequences of hypothetical climate variations. With a simulated increase of temperature by 3°C, the model successfully predicted atypical ends of larval development before winter, which are being observed in nature in some regions or during years with autumnal heatwaves. With a simulated heatwave, carry-over effect on life stages development were predicted. On this winter-active species, we illustrate how variations in development rate caused by climate variations in early development can feedback into subsequent stages typically developing slowly in the cold season.

Analysis of Early-Life Growth and Age at Pubertal Onset in US Children

Earlier pubertal onset may be associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. However, the extent to which growth in the first 5 years of life-an important developmental life stage that lays the foundation for later health outcomes-is associated with pubertal onset remains understudied. To assess whether changes in weight, length or height, and body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) during the first 5 years of life are associated with earlier pubertal onset. This cohort study used data from 36 cohorts participating in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes program from January 1, 1986, to December 31, 2015. Participant inclusion required at least 1 anthropometric measure in the first 5 years of life and at least 1 measure of pubertal onset. Data were analyzed from January 1 to June 30, 2021. Standardized velocities of weight, length or height, and BMI gain in early infancy (0-0.5 years), late infancy (0.5-2 years), and early childhood (2-5 years). Markers of pubertal onset for boys and girls, including age at peak height velocity (APHV), time to puberty score greater than 1, time to Tanner pubic hair stage greater than 1, and time to menarche. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate mean differences in APHV by growth periods. Of 7495 children included in the study, 3772 (50.3%) were girls, 4505 (60.1%) were White individuals, and 6307 (84.1%) were born during or after the year 2000. Girls had a younger APHV (10.8 vs 12.9 years) than boys. In boys, faster weight gain (per 1-SD increase) in early infancy (β, -0.08 years; 95% CI, -0.10 to -0.06), late infancy (β, -0.10 years; 95% CI, -0.12 to -0.08), and early childhood (β, -0.07 years; 95% CI, -0.08 to -0.05) was associated with younger APHV after adjusting for the child's birth year, race, and Hispanic ethnicity as well as maternal age at delivery; educational level during pregnancy; annual household income during pregnancy; prenatal cigarette smoking; whether the mother was nulliparous; whether the mother had gestational diabetes, hypertension, or preeclampsia; mode of delivery; prepregnancy BMI; gestational weight gain; and gestational age at delivery. Similar associations were observed for length or height and BMI gains during the same age periods. In girls, faster gains (per 1-SD increase) in weight (β, -0.03 years; 95% CI, -0.05 to -0.01) and height (β, -0.02 years; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.00) in early childhood were associated with younger APHV. Faster BMI gain in late infancy was associated with earlier time to menarche, whereas faster BMI gain in early childhood was associated with earlier time to Tanner pubic hair stage greater than 1. This cohort study found that faster gains in weight, length or height, or BMI in early life were associated with earlier pubertal onset. The results suggest that children who experience faster early growth should be monitored closely for earlier onset of puberty and referred as appropriate for supportive services.

Ev hayvanlarının beslenmesinde böcek kullanımı

The world population is increasing swiftly and expected to reach 109 billion by 2100. As compared to population increment, food resources to feed a huge population are not increasing. Similarly, in the future country having enough food to feed its inhabitants will be considered more powerful. There are two main protein sources used by living beings which are from plant origin and animal origin. Furthermore, animal protein sources are more crucial for humans due to the presence of essential amino acids. It is a need of the hour to find alternative sources to fulfill the requirements. The insect protein source is one of them especially for animal feed leading to the usage of that protein being consumed by animals in human food. Especially pets food companies use hygiene meat of human consumption standards which can be replaced with an insect-based protein source. Insects are a rich source of proteins (40-60%), lipids (14-37%), energy, vitamins and minerals having variation with species (black soldier fly, mealworm, cricket and locust) and developmental stage of life (larva, pupa, nymph and adult one). Many trials have been conducted by using insect meal as an alternative protein source in pet’s food (dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, sugar gliders, birds, and ornamental fishes, which has been explained in this study. It can be concluded that insect-derived products can be used in pet food as an alternative source of protein to conventional protein sources (soybean meal, fish meal) with improved performance.

Effects of temperature on the survival and development of the early life stages of northern pike (Esox lucius)

In the context of global change, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature on the survival rate and various variables (development time, morphometric measures, energy values) for both embryos and post-hatch stages until first food intake of northern pike (Esox lucius). We applied five constant temperatures (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 °C) and their effects were analyzed during the entire endogenous feeding period at three stages: hatching, emergence and first food intake. Around 80,000 eggs from five females and five males were used. As expected, the development time was three times longer at 8 than at 16 °C. The survival rate of well-formed post-hatch stages at the end of the endogenous feeding period was similar between temperatures: 76% (10 °C), 73% (12 °C), 72% (14 °C), 72% (16 °C), except at 8 °C (70%). Also at 16 °C, post-hatch stages were larger and had the highest energy value when starting feeding exogenously. These results are in accordance with current models that predict an increase of the distribution area of northern pike in France in coming decades associated with climate change projections (1 to 5 °C increase by 2100 for France).

The quest for ongoing support by parents of learners with intellectual disabilities

In this article we explore the need for ongoing support for those parents/guardians raising children with intellectual disabilities. The aims of the study on which this article builds were: (i) to explore the experiences of support offered to parents of learners with intellectual disabilities in Soweto; and (ii) to evaluate how support services affect parents' perceptions and expectations of their children's future. Thirty-five parents of learners from four schools diagnosed with an intellectual disability were purposefully selected to participate in this qualitative research, with one focus group discussion conducted at each school. Findings highlight parents' concern about their children's future when exiting the school system. Furthermore, our findings emphasise the need for ongoing support in many aspects throughout the various developmental stages of the child's life. We propose a framework for coordinated support that may serve to guide parents to support their disabled children.

Size and concentration effects of microplastics on digestion and immunity of hybrid snakehead in developmental stages

Microplastics pollution has gained much attention for its harmful impact on aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the size-effects and concentration-effects of microplastics on the physiology of hybrid snakehead (Channa maculate × Channa argus). Parameters including antioxidant enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, immune-related genes, and oxidative-stress-related genes were tested in two life stages development. The results showed hybrid snakehead larvae (0.057 ± 0.009 g in weight) were more intolerant to high concentrations of small-sized microplastics. Hybrid snakehead juvenile (3.87 ± 1.19 g in weight) had been stimulated the immune response and triggered antioxidant defenses under the exposure stress. There were differential expressions of inflammatory and oxidative-stress-related genes coping with differential sizes and concentrations of microplastics. High concentrations of microplastics (2 mg/L, 20 mg/L) stimulated more severe immune response and shortened intestinal villi. In addition, the damaged intestinal morphology and function did not recover after 48 h of depuration. This work is expected to provide a meaningful perspective for better understanding the size and concentration dependent effects and life-stage specific effects of microplastics in hybrid snakehead.

Is the South-Mediterranean Canopy-Forming Ericaria giacconei (= Cystoseira hyblaea) a Loser From Ocean Warming?

Canopy-forming brown algae support highly productive ecosystems whose decline has been attributed to the interplay of several anthropogenic disturbances. Climate change could have disruptive effects on the biology of these species, but the role of temperature in the development of early life stages is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the response of Ericaria giacconei, a winter-reproducing Southern–Mediterranean endemic species, to thermal stress by testing five temperatures (12, 15, 18, 24, and 28°C) on adults and early stages. Chlorophyll a fluorescence of adult plants was measured at 0, 24, 72, and 120 h on nine fronds in each of the three aquaria per treatment. To assess egg release, zygote settlement, and embryo growth rate, approximately 1,200 receptacles were cultured on six Petri dishes per temperature treatment, and 10 random subsections of 2 ×2 mm were examined in three Petri dishes at 0, 20, 44, and 92 h after fertilization. Adult plants showed a plastic physiological response, and thermal stress had no significant effect on PSII efficiency. Embryos fully developed only at 12 and 15°C. Mortality increased at 18 and 24°C, and no zygotes survived at 28°C. In a scenario of further increasing temperatures, the effects of warming could affect the recruitment of E. giacconei and increase its vulnerability to further stresses. These effects on the survival of early stages, which are the bottleneck for the long-term survival of the species, should be taken into account in conservation and restoration measures to maintain canopy-forming macroalgal populations and associated biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn early to avoid metabolic meltdown in larvae.

To predict shifts in phenology and distribution of organisms we need to understand how survival through early life stages depends on environmental conditions. Here, we present a mechanistic model of development, feeding and bioenergetics of early life stages in bluefin tuna and predict the optimal time of the year for them to be born. We find that the availability of prey, particularly nauplii, is sufficient for fast growth in tuna larvae while temperature is moderate during midsummer, but not when temperatures increase later in summer. High temperatures benefit egg and yolk-sac stages, but the metabolic needs of feeding larvae are hard to sustain during the warmest periods. Heatwaves, such as the one in 2003, increase larval survival potential, but shorten the viable part of the season for the larvae. Atlantic bluefin tuna is a large, highly migratory marine top predator that spawns while temperatures are rising, but before the heat leads to a metabolic meltdown in larvae. This means that food resources modulate how temperature change shifts optimal phenology.

Temperature driven development of the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Temperature driven development of rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) population (biotype 4) was examined at seven constant temperatures (15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 32 and 35°C). Complete development of BPH from egg to adult was observed at constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 32°C with linear development observed till 30°C. Total immaturedevelopmental duration decreased from 74.4 days at 15°C to 22.4 days at 30°C. Linear and non-linear models fitted to describe developmental rates of life stages as a function of temperature, gave estimates of bioclimatic thresholds (lower, optimum and upper temperature thresholds). Thermal constants estimated from Campbell linear model for egg, nymph and cumulative immature development to adult were, 198.8, 275.5 and 473.9 degree days, respectively. Among empirical non-linear models, Lactin 2 model was selected for estimates of upper temperature threshold at 35°C based on higher coefficient of determination. Application of thermodynamic SSI model explained the observed nonlinear relationship of development of BPH life stages at temperatures higher than 30°C. The estimated thermal constants and bioclimatic thresholds were used in developing temperature dependent phenology model based on Campbell equation. Phenology model predicted closely the occurrence of different life stages of BPH with those observed under field conditions.

Exposure to the synthetic phenolic antioxidant 4,4′-thiobis(6-t-butyl-m-cresol) disrupts early development in the frog Silurana tropicalis

Many chemicals in commonly used household and industrial products are being released into the environment, yet their toxicity is poorly understood. The synthetic phenolic antioxidant, 4,4′-thiobis(6-t-butyl-m-cresol) (CAS 96-69-5; TBBC) is present in many common products made of rubber and plastic. Yet, this phenolic antioxidant has not been tested for potential toxicity and developmental disruption in amphibians, a sensitive and susceptible class. We investigated whether acute and chronic exposure to TBBC would interfere with thyroid hormone-dependent developmental processes in the frog Silurana tropicalis and thus affect its early life-stage development. We exposed S. tropicalis embryos at the Nieuwkoop-Faber (NF) 9–10 stage to TBBC at nominal concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 400 μg/L) to determine the 96h lethal concentrations and sublethal effects. We conducted a chronic exposure starting at stage NF47-48 to three sublethal TBBC nominal concentrations (0, 0.002, 0.1 and 5 μg/L) for 48–52 days to evaluate effects on growth and metamorphosis. The 96h lethal and effective (malformations) TBBC concentrations (LC50 and EC50) were 70.5 and 76.5 μg/L, respectively. Acute exposure to all TBBC concentrations affected S. tropicalis growth and was lethal at 200 and 400 μg/L. Chronic exposure to sublethal TBBC concentrations reduced body size by 8% at 5 μg/L and body mass by 17% at 0.002 μg/L when metamorphosis was completed. This study demonstrates that TBBC is toxic, induces malformations and inhibits tadpole growth after acute and chronic exposures. These findings call for further investigations on the mode of actions of TBBC and related antioxidants for developmental disruption in amphibians.

Effect of Neo-Boost Pesticide on Mortality and Development of Different Life Stages of Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae

The two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae, is a polyphagous agricultural pest that feeds on over a thousand plant species and more than 150 crops. Its status as an agricultural pest is exacerbated by its outstanding potential to evolve resistance to pesticides. The existence of multiresistant mite populations challenges mite management and creates a need for the development of pesticides with novel modes of action. In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal activity of Neo-Boost, a pesticide registered as a bactericide/fungicide/insecticide/miticide. Neo-Boost formulation contains three active ingredients: potassium silicate, sodium percarbonate and tetraacetylethylenediamine. In contact with water, the latter ingredients generate peroxyacetic acid, a potent contact bactericide and fungicide. Using the recommended field dose, we tested contact and residual effects of Neo-Boost onT. urticaeegg, larval, and adult life stages. We found that Neo-Boost had no ovicidal effect. When tested on larvae, Neo-Boost caused 87% mortality over 48 hours post-treatment that was comparable to the positive control AGRI-mek SC (active ingredient abamectin), in addition to delaying larval developmental progression. On adult mites, Neo-Boost acted as a deterrent and caused 35% mortality (an intermediate effect compared to the positive control AGRI-mek SC). We also tested the proposed ability of Neo-Boost to induce a systemic response, however, it had no priming effect on treated tomato plants against mites. Of the individual Neo-Boost components tested, peroxyacetic acid and potassium silicate were not effective in any assay. However, sodium percarbonate, surfactant, and other non-listed components were sufficient for the full effectiveness of Neo-Boost formulations. Additionally, phytotoxicity of Neo-Boost was rare and minor when it occurred. Overall, despite the inefficiency of some compounds, the Neo-Boost formulation, either in its original or simplified formulation, may be useful for mite control on crops that are destined for fresh human consumption or medicinal use.

Acute exposure to 17-α-ethinylestradiol disrupt the embryonic development and oxidative status of Danio rerio

17-Alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an estrogen derived from estradiol (E2). This compound and is one of the most widely used drugs both in humans and animals. Numerous studies have reported the ability of EE2 to alter sex determination and delay sexual maturity, but there are toxic effects that need to be explored. In this work, we analyzed the effect of EE2 on embryonic development and oxidative stress biomarkers in Danio rerio. For this effect, zebrafish embryos in the blastula period (2.5 h post fecundation) were exposed to different concentrations of EE2 (36–106 ng L−1) until 96 hpf. Survival, alterations to embryonic development, and teratogenic effects were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, lipid peroxidation (LPX), hydroperoxide content (HPX), and protein carbonyl content (POX) were evaluated at 72 and 96 hpf using spectrophotometric methods. LC50 and EC50 of malformations got values of 82 ng L−1 and 57.7 ng L−1, respectively. The main teratogenic effects found were: chorda malformation, body malformation, and developmental delay. These alterations occurred at 86, 96, and 106 ng L−1. Integrated biomarker index showed that the oxidative stress biomarkers that had the most influence on embryos were SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPX. Overall, our results allow us to conclude that low concentrations of EE2 may potentially alter the development and oxidative status in the early life stages of zebrafish. Therefore, this bio-active estrogen can be considered a hazardous substance for fish.

Late gestation hyperthermia: epigenetic programming of daughter's mammary development and function

Exposure to stressors during early developmental windows, such as prenatally (i.e., in utero), can have life-long implications for an animal's health and productivity. The mammary gland starts developing in utero and, like other developing tissues and organs, may undergo fetal programming. Previous research has implicated factors, such as prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors or alterations in maternal diet (e.g., maternal over or undernutrition), that can influence the developmental trajectory of the offspring mammary gland in postnatal life. However, the direct links between prenatal insults and future productive outcomes are less documented in livestock species. Research on in utero hyperthermia effects on early-life mammary development is scarce. This review will provide an overview of key developmental milestones taking place in the bovine mammary gland during the pre- and postnatal stages. We will showcase how intrauterine hyperthermia, experienced by the developing fetus during the last trimester of gestation, derails postnatal mammary gland development and impairs its synthetic capacity later in life. We will provide insights into the underlying histological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms taking place at key postnatal developmental life stages, including birth, weaning and the first lactation, that might explain permanent detriments in productivity long after the initial exposure to hyperthermia. Collectively, our studies indicate that prenatal hyperthermia jeopardizes the normal developmental trajectory of the mammary gland from fetal development to lactation. Further, in utero hyperthermia epigenetically programs the udder, and possibly other organs critical to lactation, yielding a less resilient and less productive cow for multiple lactations.

Identifying fungal-host associations in an amphibian host system.

Host-associated microbes can interact with macro-organisms in a number of ways that affect host health. Few studies of host-associated microbiomes, however, focus on fungi. In addition, it is difficult to discern whether a fungal organism found in or on an ectotherm host is associating with it in a durable, symbiotic interaction versus a transient one, and to what extent the habitat and host share microbes. We seek to identify these host-microbe interactions on an amphibian, the Colorado boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas). We sequenced the ITS1 region of the fungal community on the skin of wild toads (n = 124) from four sites in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, across its physiologically dynamic developmental life stages. We also sampled the common habitats used by boreal toads: water from their natal wetland and aquatic pond sediment. We then examined diversity patterns within different life stages, between host and habitat, and identified fungal taxa that could be putatively host-associated with toads by using an indicator species analysis on toad versus environmental samples. Host and habitat were strikingly similar, with the exception of toad eggs. Post-hatching toad life stages were distinct in their various fungal diversity measures. We identified eight fungal taxa that were significantly associated with eggs, but no other fungal taxa were associated with other toad life stages compared with their environmental habitat. This suggests that although pre- and post-metamorphic toad life stages differ from each other, the habitat and host fungal communities are so similar that identifying obligate host symbionts is difficult with the techniques used here. This approach does, however, leverage sequence data from host and habitat samples to predict which microbial taxa are host-associated versus transient microbes, thereby condensing a large set of sequence data into a smaller list of potential targets for further consideration.

The lived experience of children and adolescents with cancer.

The lived experience of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer differs greatly from that of the adult cancer patient. A diagnosis of cancer disrupts almost every developmental life stage and continues toaffect the child, and potentially their whole family, throughout adulthood. While it is important to recognise the potential for post-traumatic growth, a considerable proportion of children and adolescents will experience poorer psychological, social, educational and quality-of-life outcomes. Parents, particularly mothers, have been shown to experience levels of post-traumatic distress even greater than that of survivors. As such, there exists a critical need to provide family-centred support from diagnosis through to long-term survivorship or bereavement. Ongoing surveillance, proactive management of chronic health conditions, and health behaviour education are critical to survivors' lifelong wellbeing and can be facilitated locally by general practitioners with support from tertiary healthcare teams in a shared-care arrangement.

Subchronic impacts of 2,4-D herbicide Weedestroy®AM40 on associative learning in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens).

Aquatic herbicides are commonly used to control a wide variety of invasive and nuisance plants. One common active ingredient used in commercial herbicide formulations in Midwestern states is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Due to the stability of 2,4-D in aquatic environments, many non-target aquatic species experience prolonged exposure throughout critical developmental life stages that can affect essential behaviors. However, the impacts of 2,4-D exposure on learning behaviors in juvenile fish are poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments using a maze environment to determine the effects of a commercial 2,4-D amine salt herbicide formulation (Weedestroy®AM40; WAM40; at 0.00, 0.50, 2.00, and 50.00 mg/L 2,4-D acid equivalent (a.e.)) exposure on juvenile yellow perch's ability to perform a feed associated learning behavior. We observed a significant decrease in the ability of yellow perch to correctly complete the feed associated learning behavior within 200 s when exposed to WAM40 at 2.00 and 50.00 mg/L 2,4-D as compared to controls (p=0.0002; p < 0.0001, respectively) and within 600 s when exposed to WAM40 at 2.00 and 50.0 mg/L 2,4-D as compared to the controls (p=0.0107 and p < 0.0001). These data suggest that exposure to 2,4-D in WAM40 can both increase the amount of time it takes for yellow perch to complete a feed associated learning behavior and/or obstruct the behavior altogether. Further experiments showed no significant decreases in locomotion (p > 0.05), hunger motivation (p > 0.05), and a visually guided startle response (p > 0.05), in all treatment groups tested as compared to controls. This suggests that 2,4-D in WAM40 does not inhibit feed associated learning behaviors via interaction with these mechanisms. Altogether, the results indicate that the use of 2,4-D herbicides for weed control in aquatic ecosystems could present risks to cognitive functions that control essential behaviors of yellow perch.

Social-Ecological Factors Associated With Higher Levels of Resilience in Children and Youth After Disaster: The Importance of Caregiver and Peer Support.

Children and youth are among the most vulnerable to the devastating effects of disaster due to the physical, cognitive, and social factors related to their developmental life stage. Yet children and youth also have the capacity to be resilient and act as powerful catalysts for change in their own lives and wider communities following disaster. Specific factors that contribute to resilience in children and youth, however, remain relatively unexplored. This article examines factors associated with high levels of resilience in 100 children and youth aged 5- to 18-years old who experienced the 2016 Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire. A mixed-methods design was employed combining quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was obtained from the Children and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28) which measured individual, caregiver, and context factors influencing resilience processes among the participants. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews to gain further insight into the disaster experiences of children and youth. Quantitative findings reveal higher than average levels of resilience among the participants compared to normative scores. Qualitative findings suggest high levels of resilience were associated with both caregiver factors (specifically physical caregiving), and individual factors (primarily peer support). We discuss how physical caregiving and peer support during and after the wildfire helped mitigate the negative effects of disaster, thus bolstering children and youth's resilience. Implications for understanding the specific social-ecological factors that facilitate and support resiliency processes and overall recovery of children and youth following disaster are also discussed.

Ecotoxicology assessments in avian species using cell-based models: A review

Cell-based models in avian species have historically focused on virology due to the demands of animal agriculture and vaccine production industries. Recent years have witnessed a gradual rise in the use of these models ( in ovo, cell lines, primary cell cultures, organ slices, and organ-on-a-chip) in ecotoxicological studies as scientists and governments begin the shift to new approach methodologies, a shift validated by the recent memo by the Environmental Protection Agency announcing the end of mammalian testing in the next two decades. This rise has been hindered by the limited standards available for avian species and the unknowns surrounding cell-based assay applicability in extrapolation to in vivo. Toxicologists have incorporated these models in many different studies, including maternal deposition, mechanistic, metabolic, and non-target analysis methods, demonstrating the broad utility of cell-based assays. In ovo methods are ideal for reproductive and early life stage development studies, primary cell cultures for metabolic analysis, cell lines for long term studies requiring culture, organ slices for metabolic research, and organ-on-a-chip models for predictive analysis. These models all have their limitations that researchers need to consider when choosing which is most appropriate for the intended research, however. The current indications are that future avian cell-based model testing would benefit from expanding the species diversity available in cell lines and increasing metabolic conservation in full replacement methods. In ovo and primary cell culture methods should also be examined to increase efficiency and further reduce animal usage. This review examines the use, limitations, and published applications of these models in an ecotoxicological context to understand the current state of avian cell-based models to explain what future directions should be taken and how best to apply the methods available to current problems that avian researchers are approaching.

All shallow coastal habitats matter as nurseries for Mediterranean juvenile fish

Coastal zones are ecosystems of high economic value but exposed to numerous disturbances, while they represent nurseries for many fish species, raising the issue of the preservation of their functions and services. In this context, the juvenile fish assemblages of all types of habitats present in shallow coastal zones were studied on the south-east coast of France using underwater visual censuses in warm (June–July 2014) and cold (April 2015) periods. A total of fourteen habitat types were characterized, which could be grouped into three broad categories, rocky substrates (natural and artificial), sedimentary bottoms with all levels of granulometry, and seagrass beds including Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica meadows; the ecotones or interfaces between the three broad habitat categories were individualized as particular habitat types. The abiotic and biotic descriptors of the 14 habitat types individualized did not vary with time, except for a higher cover percentage and canopy height of macrophytes in the warm period, which increased the three-dimensional structure of some habitats. The taxonomic composition and density of juvenile fish assemblages were analyzed using both multivariate and univariate descriptors, after grouping the 57 fish species recorded into 41 well-individualized taxa. Juvenile fishes were recorded in all habitat types, with higher mean species richness and abundance during the warm than the cold period. The richest habitats in terms of both fish species richness and abundance were the natural rocky substrates and the interfaces between Posidonia beds and the other habitats. Although juvenile fish assemblage composition differed among habitat types and between periods, the most abundant fish species were Atherina sp., Sarpa salpa, Gobiidae, Symphodus spp., Pagellus spp. and several Diplodus species, which colonized 7 up to 14 different habitat types (depending on taxa) during their juvenile life. Most species settled in one or a few specific habitats but rapidly colonized adjacent habitats when growing. This study provided evidence of the role of all types of shallow coastal habitats as fish nurseries and their varying pattern of occupation in space and time by the different juvenile stages. It highlighted the importance of the mosaic of habitats and interfaces for the complete development of all juvenile life stages of fishes, and for the preservation of a high diversity of coastal fish assemblages and fisheries resources in the Mediterranean Sea.