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The mirror neuron system consists of fronto-parietal regions and responds to both goal-directed action execution and observation. The broader action observation network is specifically involved in observation of actions and is thought to play a role in understanding the goals of the motor act, the intention of others, empathy, and language. Many, but not all, studies have found mirror neuron system or action observation network dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder. The objective of this study was to use observation of a goal-directed action fMRI paradigm to examine the action observation network in autism spectrum disorder and to determine whether fronto-parietal activation is associated with language ability. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (n = 23) were compared to typically developing adolescents (n = 20), 11–17 years. Overall, there were no group differences in activation, however, the autism spectrum group with impaired expressive language (n = 13) had significantly reduced inferior frontal and inferior parietal activation during action viewing. In controls, right supramarginal gyrus activation was associated with higher expressive language; bilateral supramarginal and left pars opercularis activation was associated with better verbal-gesture integration. Results suggest that action-observation network dysfunction may characterize a subgroup of individuals with autism spectrum disorder with expressive language deficits. Therefore, interventions that target this dysfunctional network may improve expressive language in this autism spectrum subgroup. Future treatment studies should individualize therapeutic approaches based on brain-behavior relationships.

The introduction of high power LED lighting systems for horticulture has stimulated substantial interest from both the research community and the protected horticulture industry. LED lighting systems have the potential to reduce electrical energy consumption compared to conventional high pressure sodium lights and their energy efficiency continues to improve. In addition to the potential of LEDs to reduce carbon footprints and reduce running costs, LED lighting also provides considerable opportunities to exploit the wealth of photobiological knowledge to produce horticultural benefits. The narrow emission spectra of LEDs allows lighting systems to be tightly designed to stimulate specific plant photoreceptors, allowing plants to be manipulated to produce desirable characteristics. Lighting systems can be designed to maximize growth, control morphology, and optimize flavor and pigmentation. This review outlines how the light spectrum influences photosynthesis and how plant photoreceptors sense light and control growth. The review then discusses the ways in which this knowledge is being implemented in commercial horticulture to improve factors such as yield, flavor, color, plant growth, and flowering as well as pest and pathogen management and control. Research in this area is moving rapidly as the LED systems improve and increase in efficiency and as the range of novel horticultural applications expands. This review outlines how the light spectrum influences photosynthesis and how plant photoreceptors sense light and control growth. The review then discusses the ways in which this knowledge is being implemented in commercial horticulture to improve factors such as yield, flavor, color, plant growth, and flowering. Research in this area is moving rapidly as the LED systems improve and increase in efficiency and as the range of novel horticultural applications expands.

This study provided preliminary validation of the Autism Detection in Early Childhood-Virtual (ADEC-V) for telehealth assessment of possible autism. Participants were 121 children (24.79% female) aged 18–47 months who completed telehealth evaluations at a large pediatric hospital in the Midwestern United States between October 2020 and February 2021. The ADEC-V showed good sensitivity (0.82) and specificity (0.78) and was significantly correlated with other ASD symptom measures (i.e., CARS-2, ADI-R). Internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.77). These results need replication in a larger and broader sample including more children without ASD. This preliminary validation study identifies the ADEC-V as a promising measure for telehealth ASD assessments in young children.

Tap water is not sterile, and its use in home medical devices can result in infections from waterborne pathogens. However, many participants in a recent survey in the United States said tap water could safely be used for home medical devices. These results can inform communication materials to reduce the high consequence of infections.

Sensory processing abnormalities are frequently reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but few studies have evaluated the utility of the measures used to evaluate sensory responses. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify current trends in sensory processing assessments. Across the 93 studies included in this review, 16 measures were identified. The results of this review indicate that the majority of assessment measures are based on informant-report rather than behavioral observation, and that the most commonly used measure is the Sensory Profile (Dunn 1999 , 2014 ). Some of these measures lacked well-established psychometric properties, which highlights the need for further validation of these measures. The authors also suggest a more multi-method approach to sensory processing assessment.

Young children ( n  = 7526) assessed within a statewide early intervention program between 2008 and 2015 were screened for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits- Part 1 (BISCUIT- Part 1). The relationship between premature birth, birth weight, and ASD screening outcome was examined using bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses (adjusted for child’s gender, ethnicity, age at screening, and developmental delays). Results indicated that birth weight was a stronger predictor of screening outcome than premature birth, with very low birth weight (<1500 g) significantly reducing the odds of a positive ASD screen by approximately 50%. Delays in the developmental domains of Personal-Social and Communication were the strongest predictors of a positive ASD screen, increasing the odds by more than three times.

Background Handwashing with soap and water is an important way to prevent transmission of viruses and bacteria and worldwide it is estimated handwashing can prevent 1 in 5 viral respiratory infections. Frequent handwashing is associated with a decreased risk for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when handwashing is not feasible can also help prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria. Objective Since early 2020, the public has been encouraged to handwash frequently with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This study’s objectives were to assess U.S. adults’ perceptions of components of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior (COM-B) Model in relation to these two hand hygiene behaviors and to identify relationships between these components and hand hygiene behaviors. Methods Items assessing capability, opportunity, motivation, and hand hygiene behaviors were included in FallStyles, a survey completed by 3,625 adults in the fall of 2020 through an online panel representative of the U.S. population. We calculated composite capability, opportunity, and motivation measures and descriptive statistics for all measures. Finally, we conducted multiple logistic regressions to identify predictors of handwashing and hand sanitizer use. Results Most respondents reported frequently washing hands with soap and water (89%) and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer (72%) to prevent coronavirus. For capability, over 90% of respondents said that neither behavior takes a lot of effort, but fewer agreed that they knew when, or how, they should engage in handwashing (67%; 74%) and hand sanitizer use (62%; 64%). For opportunity, over 95% of respondents said lack of time didn’t make it hard to engage in either behavior; fewer said visual cues reminded them to engage in the behaviors (handwashing: 30%; sanitizer use: 48%). For motivation, the majority believed the two behaviors were good ways to prevent coronavirus illness (handwashing: 76%; sanitizer use: 59%). Regressions indicated that capability, opportunity, and particularly motivation were positively associated with both hand hygiene behaviors. Conclusions The COM-B model was a helpful framework for increasing understanding of hand hygiene behavior; it identified capability, opportunity, and motivation as predictors of both handwashing and hand sanitizer use.

The study of early diagnosis and intervention has been a central theme in recent autism research. In support of the validity of early autism diagnoses, researchers have found discriminating variables that are identifiable within the first three years of life. In addition, autism diagnoses made within this time period are typically stable over time. Separate symptoms, however, seem to exhibit differential patterns across development. The current study examined the stability of autism screening outcomes and symptomology in 637 toddlers between the age of 17 and 36 months. Confirmatory of previous findings, results of the current study suggest that overall screening outcomes and symptom severity across three domains (i.e., socialization/nonverbal communication, restricted repetitive behaviors and interests, and communication) are stable across time. Further, the effects of age and time between testing were found to vary between groups. Implications of these results are discussed.