Health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with high functioning autism-spectrum disorder

Aim: Over the last years, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as an important measure not only in somatic medicine but also in psychiatry. To date, there are only few reports on HRQOL in patients with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed at studying HRQOL in ASD patients with an IQ >70, using a self-report HRQOL questionnaire with cross-cultural validity

Identifying predictive features of autism spectrum disorders in a clinical sample of adolescents and adults using machine learning

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a complicated, time-consuming process which is particularly challenging in older individuals. One of the most widely used behavioral diagnostic tools is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Previous work using machine learning techniques suggested that ASD detection in children can be achieved with substantially fewer items than the original ADOS. Here, we expand on this work with a specific focus on adolescents and adults as assessed with the ADOS Module 4. We used a machine learning algorithm (support vector machine) to examine whether ASD detection can be improved by identifying a subset of behavioral features from the ADOS Module 4 in a routine clinical sample of N = 673 high-functioning adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 385) and individuals with suspected ASD but other best-estimate or no psychiatric diagnoses (n = 288). We identified reduced subsets of 5 behavioral features for the whole sample as well as age subgroups (adolescents vs. adults) that showed good specificity and sensitivity and reached performance close to that of the existing ADOS algorithm and the full ADOS, with no significant differences in overall performance. These results may help to improve the complicated diagnostic process of ASD by encouraging future efforts to develop novel diagnostic instruments for ASD detection based on the identified constructs as well as aiding clinicians in the difficult question of differential diagnosis

Autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents with Moebius sequence

Moebius sequence is a rare congenital disorder usually defined as a combination of facial weakness with impairment of ocular abduction. A strong association of Moebius sequence with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has been suggested in earlier studies with heterogenous age groups. The primary caregivers of all children and adolescents with Moebius sequence aged 6–17 years known to the German Moebius foundation were anonymously asked to complete two screening measures of ASD [Behavior and Communication Questionnaire (VSK); Marburger Asperger’s Syndrome Rating Scale (MBAS)]. For those who reached the cut-off for ASD, well standardized diagnostic instruments (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, WISC-III, and Kinder-DIPS) should be administered. Minimal diagnostic criteria for Moebius sequence were congenital facial weakness (uni- or bilateral) and impairment of ocular abduction (uni- or bilateral). Familiar cases should be excluded. The primary caregivers of 35/46 children and adolescents (18 males, 17 females, mean age 11.5 years) sent back completed questionnaires, but only 27 subjects met inclusion criteria. According to the primary caregivers, none of these subjects showed mental retardation. Two probands (both males 9 and 16 years old) reached the cut-off of the MBAS whereas the results of the VSK did not indicate ASDs in any of the patients. The 9 year old boy could be examined personally and did not meet diagnostic criteria of ASD. ASDs might be not as frequent as reported in previous studies on patients with Moebius sequence, at least not in patients without mental retardation

UBVRI CCD photometric study of the open clusters Basel 4 and NGC 7067

In this paper we present UBVRI CCD photometry in the region of two young open star clusters Basel 4 and NGC 7067 for the first time. Our sample consists of ~ 4000 stars down to V ~ 21 mag. Stellar surface density profile indicates that radius of Basel 4 and NGC 7067 are about 1.8 and 3.0 arcmin respectively.The (U-B) versus (B-V) diagrams indicate that metallicity of NGC 7067 is solar while that of Basel 4 is Z ~ 0.008. We estimate the mean value of E(B-V) = 0.45$\pm$0.05 and 0.75$\pm$0.05 mag for Basel 4 and NGC 7067 respectively. The analysis of 2MASS JHK data in combination with the optical data in both the clusters yields E(J-K) = 0.30$\pm$0.20 mag and E(V-K) = 1.60$\pm$0.20 mag for Basel 4 while E(J-K) = 0.40$\pm$0.20 mag and E(V-K) = 2.10$\pm$0.20 mag for NGC 7067. Furthermore, colour excess diagrams show a normal interstellar extinction law towards both the clusters. Using the intrinsic colour-magnitude diagrams of the cluster members, we estimated the distances of the clusters as 3.0$\pm$0.2 and 3.6$\pm$0.2 Kpc for Basel 4 and NGC 7067 respectively. By fitting the proper metallicity isochrones to the bright cluster members we estimated the age of the clusters as 200$\pm$50 and 100$\pm$25 Myr for Basel 4 and NGC 7067 respectively. The mass function slope which is derived by applying the corrections of field star contamination and data incompleteness are $1.55\pm0.25$ and $1.68\pm0.47$ for Basel 4 and NGC 7067 respectively. The values of mass function slopes are thus not too different from the Salpeter's (1955) value. Mass segregation is observed in both the clusters which may be due to the dynamical evolutions or imprint of star formation processes or both.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Driving change in dtap batch release testing

The complexity of vaccine manufacturing has raised the need to drive standardization and quality control requirements as well as batch release of vaccines. The purpose of release testing is to ensure that efficacy and safety of the vaccine product are maintained in all batches. Classical testing includes challenge experiments in animals that provide proof of vaccine potency and identify subpotent vaccines. However, novel concepts such as “consistency testing” question the continued need for in vivo experiments and propose to implement rigorous QC for lot-to-lot consistency testing with other methods at an earlier stage. Please click Download on the upper right corner to see the full abstract

HVS7: a chemically peculiar hyper-velocity star

Context: Hyper-velocity stars are suggested to originate from the dynamical interaction of binary stars with the supermassive black hole in the Galactic centre (GC), which accelerates one component of the binary to beyond the Galactic escape velocity. Aims: The evolutionary status and GC origin of the HVS SDSS J113312.12+010824.9 (HVS7) is constrained from a detailed study of its stellar parameters and chemical composition. Methods: High-resolution spectra of HVS7 obtained with UVES on the ESO VLT were analysed using state-of-the-art NLTE/LTE modelling techniques that can account for a chemically-peculiar composition via opacity sampling. Results: Instead of the expected slight enrichments of alpha-elements and near-solar Fe, huge chemical peculiarities of all elements are apparent. The He abundance is very low (<1/100 solar), C, N and O are below the detection limit, i.e they are underabundant (<1/100, <1/3 and <1/10 solar). Heavier elements, however, are overabundant: the iron group by a factor of ~10, P, Co and Cl by factors ~40, 80 and 440 and rare-earth elements and Hg even by ~10000. An additional finding, relevant also for other chemically peculiar stars are the large NLTE effects on abundances of TiII and FeII (~0.6-0.7dex). The derived abundance pattern of HVS7 is characteristic for the class of chemical peculiar magnetic B stars on the main sequence. The chemical composition and high vsini=55+-2km/s render a low mass nature of HVS7 as a blue horizontal branch star unlikely. Conclusions: Such a surface abundance pattern is caused by atomic diffusion in a possibly magnetically stabilised, non-convective atmosphere. Hence all chemical information on the star's place of birth and its evolution has been washed out. High precision astrometry is the only means to validate a GC origin for HVS7.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

How Do Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participate in the Labor Market? A German Multi-center Survey

International studies show disadvantages for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the labor market. Data about their participation in the German labor market are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the integration of adults with ASD in the German labor market in terms of education, employment and type of occupation by means of a cross-sectional-study, using a postal questionnaire. Findings show above average levels of education for adults with ASD compared to the general population of Germany and simultaneously, below average rates of employment and high rates of financial dependency. That indicates a poor integration of adults with ASD in the German labor market and emphasizes the need for vocational support policies for adults with ASD

Luminescent silver nanoclusters decorated on ZnO tetrapods: a detailed understanding of their role in photoluminescence features

Optical spectroscopic measurements are conducted on luminescent silver nanocluster (AgNC) decorated ZnO tetrapods (ZnO Tp), AgNC@ZnO Tp, synthesized via a colloidal route. Their properties are compared with those of the corresponding AgNC and ZnO Tp to understand their impact on the photoluminescence (PL). Raman spectroscopy reveals the high structural integrity of the ZnO structure in the AgNC@ZnO Tp. PL analysis of the ZnO Tp shows a well-resolved near band edge emission and a green band comprised by the overlapping of at least three emitting optical centres. The addition of AgNC to ZnO Tp in the hybrid material enhances the emission from ZnO surface states. The recombination of the AgNC in water solution is dominated by a red emission band peaking at ∼1.9 eV and the PL excitation spectra monitored at the band maximum reveal that the red PL of AgNC is preferentially populated by well-defined excitation bands corresponding to discrete electronic transitions of the NCs. Yet, a shift to lower energies of the AgNC emission occurs in the AgNC@ZnO Tp hybrid when excited with energies below the ZnO bandgap, while for energies above this value no emission from the AgNC was observed, with the ZnO-related recombination dominating the spectra. A gradual loss in the PL intensity of the AgNC is observed in the hybrid with increasing time, which is consistent with their coalescence to transform into larger Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the tetrapod surface, as revealed by confocal microscopy.publishe

Understanding B-type Supergiants in the Low Metallicity Environment of the SMC

Spectroscopic analyses of 7 SMC B-type supergiants and 1 giant have been undertaken using high resolution optical data obtained on the VLT with UVES. FASTWIND, a non-LTE, spherical,line-blanketed model atmosphere code was used to derive atmospheric and wind parameters of these stars as well as their absolute abundances. The implications of these results for stellar evolution and line driven wind theory are discussed.Comment: 19 pages, 6 tables, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (5/12/2003

Электрооборудование тепловой насосной станции

В данной работе выполнен расчет электроснабжения тепловой насосной станции №2 города Саяногорска. В работе так же рассмотрен механизм управления сетевым насосом при помощи преобразователя частоты с целью снижения потребляемой электрической энергии.In this paper, the power supply to the heat pump station No. 2 in Sayanogorsk has been calculated. In work the mechanism of management of the network pump by means of the frequency converter with the purpose of decrease in consumed electric energy is also considered