Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is considered an effective treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and many researchers have further investigated factors associated with treatment outcomes. However, few studies have focused on whether treatment intensity and duration have differential influences on separate skills. The aim of the current study was to investigate how treatment intensity and duration impact learning across different treatment domains, including academic, adaptive, cognitive, executive function, language, motor, play, and social. Separate multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate these relationships. Participants included 1468 children with ASD, ages 18 months to 12 years old, M=7.57 years, s.d.=2.37, who were receiving individualized ABA services. The results indicated that treatment intensity and duration were both significant predictors of mastered learning objectives across all eight treatment domains. The academic and language domains showed the strongest response, with effect sizes of 1.68 and 1.85 for treatment intensity and 4.70 and 9.02 for treatment duration, respectively. These findings are consistent with previous research that total dosage of treatment positively influences outcomes. The current study also expands on extant literature by providing a better understanding of the differential impact that these treatment variables have across various treatment domains.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social and communication impairments as well as restricted, repetitive behavior patterns. Despite the fact that ASD is reported worldwide, very little research exists examining ASD characteristics on a multinational scale. Cross-cultural comparisons are especially important for ASD, since cultural differences may impact the perception of symptoms. Identifying behaviors that are similarly reported as problematic across cultures as well as identifying behaviors in which there is cultural variation could aid in the development and refinement of more universally effective measures. The present study sought to examine similarities and differences in caregiver endorsement of symptom severity through scores on the Baby Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT). The BISCUIT was utilized to examine ASD core symptomology in 250 toddlers diagnosed with ASD from Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, and the United States. Significant differences in overall ASD symptom severity and endorsement were found between multinational groups. Implications of the results are discussed.

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.