August 26, 2003

Examination of brain's command center is helping to identify, classify and treat, relatively new learning disorder called executive dysfunction; Dr Anthony Bashir, Emerson College (Boston) communications disorder specialist, holds that executive function allows person to maintain mental image of destination and without this ability person is, in effect, future-blind; various tests, like Stroop Test and Towers of Hanoi, that measure and establish level of executive function are presented; effects of disorder on learning and occupational choices and possible therapies are discussed; drawings (M)

Computer security experts and law enforcement officials are struggling to understand motives of mysterious software author who appears intent on prying open many of electronic locks on Internet; program that is known as SoBig, which is transmitted as e-mail attachments and then is widely present on its own via Internet, is sixth variant in experiment by unknown attacker; one theory is that program is attempt to create software engines for sending spam by using unprotected computers that have been surreptitiously commandeered by virus; access to such computers could then be sold to e-mail marketing companies; writer of program appears to be engaged in dark game with antivirus companies, repeatedly eluding their defenses with ever more virulent adaptations (M)

Russia's Lukoil acquires 79.5 percent of Serbian retailer Beopetrol for $226 million; purchase will increase number of gas stations that Lukoil owns by about 20 percent (S)

Article on assault in The Daily Telegraph by British novelist Tibor Fischer on Martin Amis's forthcoming novel, Yellow Dog, and mixture of envy and fury Amis inevitably raises among fellow writers; Fischer's own new novel is due to be released on September 4, same day as Amis's, raising questions about his motives; photo (M)

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study shows side air bags that include head protection systems can reduce risk of dying in side-impact collisions by half; says seat belts and and air bags perform different functions and are not mutually exclusive; group's senior vice president Susan Ferguson comments; chart; photo (M)