There is considerable interest in the assessment of executive function (EF) in pediatric clinical populations but only a few well-standardized measures exist. We examined EF in 53 children aged 8 to 18 years with recent onset epilepsy (31 males, 22 females) and 50 control children (23 males, 27 females) using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Thirty children had localization-related epilepsy and 23 had idiopathic generalized epilepsy; average duration of 10 months (SD 4y 1mo) and onset age of 11 years 6 months (SD 3y 6mo). The study sample was characterized by good seizure control, with 40 participants taking one antiepileptic drug (AED), one taking two AEDs, and 12 not treated pharmacologically. Children with epilepsy showed greater executive difficulties on both measures than children in the control group. The BRIEF and D-KEFS were significantly correlated, and an 'at-risk' group identified from the BRIEF was more significantly impaired on the D-KEFS than a 'low risk' group. The BRIEF was also a better predictor of performance on the D-KEFS than the Child Behavior Checklist. These findings indicate that children with recent onset epilepsy show significant difficulties in EF, and demonstrate the utility of parent ratings (BRIEF) in the assessment of EF.Cognitive impairment is common in childhood epilepsy and considerable attention has been devoted to identify related seizure characteristics.

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Space tethers have been investigated widely as a means to provide easy access to space.However, the design and construction of such a device presents significant unsolved technological challenges. We propose an alternative approach to the construction of a space elevator that utilises a free-standing core structure to provide access to near space regions and to reduce the cost of space launch. The structure is comprised of pneumatically inflated sections that are actively controlled and stabilised to balance external disturbances and support the structure. Such an approach avoids problems associated with a space tether including material strength constraints, the need for inspace construction, the fabrication of a cable at least 50,000 km in length, and the ageing and meteorite-damage effects associated with a thin tether or cable in Low Earth Orbit.An example structure constructed at 5 km altitude and extending to 20 km above sea level is described. The stability and control of the structure, methods for construction and its utility for space launch and other applications are discussed.