ODD dimensions, ADHD, and callous–unemotional traits as predictors of treatment response in children with disruptive behavior disorders.

To answer several questions pertinent to DSM–V, the authors examined the predictive validity of pretreatment oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) dimensions, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and callous–unemotional (CU) traits in relation to several treatment outcomes in 177 children diagnosed with ODD or conduct disorder (CD). Multiple informants completed diagnostic interviews and rating scales at 6 assessment points (pretreatment to 3-year follow-up) to document emotional and behavioral outcomes. After controlling for pretreatment CD, the ODD dimension of hurtfulness was related to treatment-resistant CD, delinquent behaviors, and externalizing problems. In contrast, the ODD dimension tapping irritability was associated with treatment-resistant ODD, internalizing problems, and global functional impairment following treatment. Whereas pretreatment ADHD was associated with posttreatment ODD and social problems, it was unrelated to posttreatment CD symptoms and diagnosis. Contrary to predictions, CU traits were unrelated to any posttreatment outcomes after controlling for other covariates. These findings remained after controlling for measures of pretreatment global functional impairment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using 5-isogenies to quintuple points on elliptic curves

Finding multiples of points on elliptic curves is the most important computation in elliptic curve cryptography. Extending the work of C. Doche, T. Icart, and D. Kohel (Efficient scalar multiplication by isogeny decomposition, in: M. Yung, Y. Dodis, A. Kiayias, T.G. Malkin (Eds.), Public Key Cryptography 2006, in: Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci., vol. 3958, Springer, Heidelberg, 2006, pp. 191-206) we use 5-isogenies to compute multiples of a point on an elliptic curve. Specifically, we find explicit formulas for quintupling a point. We compare the results with other published formulas for quintupling. We find that when the point is represented in Jacobian coordinates with z=1, our method is potentially among the fastest on specially chosen elliptic curves. We also see that using l-isogenies to compute the multiplication by l map (for l larger than five) is unlikely to be more efficient than other techniques.     

On‐Demand Nanoscale Manipulations of Correlated Oxide Phases

Controlling material properties at the nanoscale is a critical enabler of high performance electronic and photonic devices. A prototypical material example is VO₂, where a structural phase transition in correlation with dramatic changes in resistivity, optical response, and thermal properties demonstrates particular technological importance. While the phase transition in VO₂ can be controlled at macroscopic scales, reliable and reversible nanoscale control of the material phases has remained elusive. Here, reconfigurable nanoscale manipulations of VO₂ from the pristine monoclinic semiconducting phase to either a stable monoclinic metallic phase, a metastable rutile metallic phase, or a layered insulating phase using an atomic force microscope is demonstrated at room temperature. The capability to directly write and erase arbitrary 2D patterns of different material phases with distinct optical and electrical properties builds a solid foundation for future reprogrammable multifunctional device engineering.     

Thermally Stable Silver Nanowire–Polyimide Transparent Electrode Based on Atomic Layer Deposition of Zinc Oxide on Silver Nanowires

The performance of a flexible transparent conductive electrode with extremely smooth topography capable of withstanding thermal processing at 300 °C for at least 6 h with little change in sheet resistance and optical clarity is reported. In depth investigation is performed on atomic layer deposition (ALD) deposited ZnO on Ag nanowires (NWs) with regard to thermal and atmospheric corrosion stability. The ZnO coated nanowire networks are embedded within the surface of a polyimide matrix, and the <2 nm roughness freestanding ­electrode is used to fabricate a white polymer light emitting diode (PLED). PLEDs obtained using the ZnO‐AgNW‐polyimide substrate exhibit comparable performance to indium tin oxide (ITO)/glass based devices, verifying its efficacy for use in optoelectronic devices requiring high processing temperatures.     

Identifying fall-related injuries: Text mining the electronic medical record

Unintentional injury due to falls is a serious and expensive health problem among the elderly. This is especially true in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) ambulatory care setting, where nearly 40% of the male patients are 65 or older and at risk for falls. Health service researchers and clinicians can utilize VHA administrative data to identify and explore the frequency and nature of fall-related injuries (FRI) to aid in the implementation of clinical and prevention programs. Here we define administrative data as structured (coded) values that are generated as a result clinical services provided to veterans and stored in databases. However, the limitations of administrative data do not always allow for conclusive decision making, especially in areas where coding may be incomplete. This study utilizes data and text mining techniques to investigate if unstructured text-based information included in the electronic medical record can validate and enhance those records in the administrative data that should have been coded as fall-related injuries. The challenges highlighted by this study include data extraction and preparation from administrative sources and the full electronic medical records, de-indentifying the data (to assure HIPAA compliance), conducting chart reviews to construct a “gold standard” dataset, and performing both supervised and unsupervised text mining techniques in comparison with traditional medical chart review.     

Computation of through-space NMR shielding effects by small-ring aromatic and antiaromatic hydrocarbons

The GIAO-HF method in Gaussian 03 was employed to calculate the isotropic NMR shielding values of a diatomic hydrogen probe above simple small-ring aromatic and antiaromatic hydrocarbons, including neutral and ionic examples. Subtraction of the isotropic shielding of diatomic hydrogen by itself allowed the prediction of through-space proton NMR shielding increment surfaces for these systems. Substantial shielding was observed above the center of aromatic rings, regardless of whether the ring was pi-aromatic or sigma-aromatic, and also regardless of the charge. In sharp contrast, deshielding was observed above the center of antiaromatic rings, regardless of whether the ring was pi-aromatic or sigma-aromatic, and also regardless of the charge. Shielding increment values at 2.5 angstrom above the ring centers were compared to NICS values at the same position. The shielding effects predicted by using diatomic hydrogen as a computational probe are diagnostic of whether a structure possesses aromaticity or antiaromaticity.     

Ka Loko Dam Break

On March 14, 2006, the Ka Loko Dam broke on the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii, sending millions of gallons of water downstream. Seven people were killed and dozens of homes and properties were damaged. Multiple parties faced liabilities for the disaster, including the owner of the dam, the State of Hawaii, and the County of Kauai. This paper aims to provide information regarding the history of the dam and a discussion of the case issues. The owner faces charges for the disaster because he allegedly filled an emergency spillway, although no direct observations of him doing so exist. The State of Hawaii came under scrutiny for the break because they failed to follow their own regulations regarding dam inspections. The state was also vulnerable because water originating on state lands was being diverted to the Ka Loko Reservoir at the time of the break. The County of Kauai was accountable because it did not properly manage illegal construction activities by the owner that probably led to the filling of the spillway. In November 2008, the owner was indicted on seven counts of manslaughter and one count of reckless endangerment. The owner, the State of Hawaii, and the County of Kauai faced two civil lawsuits leveled by families of the seven victims and by homeowners whose properties were damaged. The criminal trial against the owner was scheduled in April 2010, while the civil trials were settled on October 2009.     

Electrophoretic deposition of CdSe nanocrystal films onto dielectric polymer thin films

The electrophoretic deposition of cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystal films from a stable hexane suspension onto a dielectric polymer film is reported. The electrodes were prepared by spin casting a ~ 30 nm thick smooth, defect-free, polystyrene film on silicon substrates. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the CdSe films deposited atop polystyrene possessed morphology comparable to CdSe films deposited on the bare silicon electrodes. Factors affecting deposition, such as nanocrystal charging in suspension and wetting of electrode surfaces, are reviewed. This approach to preparing nanocrystal films onto homogeneous dielectric layers will facilitate the fabrication of novel polymer-nanocrystal composites.     

Optically Transparent Polycrystalline Al2O3 Produced by Spark Plasma Sintering

The spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique was used to produce mid-infrared (IR) transparent alumina with the desired transmittance. An excellent transmittance of 85% has been obtained in a sample sintered at 1300°C for 5 min. The heating rate, sintering time, and annealing have a significant influence on IR transmittance. The improvement in transmission may be attributed to the progressive elimination of residual porosity when applying a slower heating rate, longer sintering time during SPS, and postsinter annealing. It is suggested that localized residual strain/stress at grain boundaries and oxygen vacancy concentration are other factors influencing the optical properties of the SPS-sintered alumina.