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Aim: Of this prospective cohort study was to assess early childhood caries (ECC) incidence and, based on the data, build a model that not only predicts future ECC onset in clinically caries-free children, but also is prognostic for children with ECC. Methods: ECC incidence was assessed at the 12-month follow-up examination on a cohort of 291 preschool children. Weighted general estimation equation (WGEE) was used to estimate the effects of covariates on ds (decayed primary tooth surfaces) and dfs (decayed and filled primary tooth surfaces). Results: The mean dfs at the baseline examination was 0.81. Of the 116 children who completed the study, approximately 22% examined at baseline had ECC (dfs > 0). At 12-months, 36% had ECC with a mean dfs of 2.22. Children with dfs = 0 at baseline had 2.95 fewer ds in the primary dentition at the end of the study than children who had ECC at the baseline examination (dfs > 0) (p < 0.0001). Children with dfs = 0 at baseline had 5.49 fewer ds and dfs in the primary dentition at the end of the study than children who had ECC at the baseline examination (dfs > 0) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: ECC incidence at 1 year was 14%. The prevalence of ECC at the 12-month follow-up examination was approximately 36%. The model developed from these data strongly indicate that past caries experience in the primary dentition is a significant predictor of future caries activity and severity, as well as a predictor of future caries onset in clinically caries-free children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to culture and conserve acroporid corals in aquaria have led to the discovery of a corallivorous polyclad flatworm (known as AEFW - Acropora-eating flatworm), which, if not removed, can eat entire colonies. Live observations of the AEFW, whole mounts, serial histological sections and comparison of 28S rDNA sequences with other polyclads reveal that this is a new species belonging to the family Prosthiostomidae Lang, and previously monospecific genus Amakusaplana (Kato ). Amakusaplana acroporae is distinguished from Amakusaplana ohshimai by a different arrangement and number of eyes, a large seminal vesicle and dorsoventrally compressed shell gland pouch. Typical of the genus, A. acroporae, lacks a ventral sucker and has a small notch at the midline of the anterior margin. Nematocysts and a Symbiodinium sp. of dinoflagellate from the coral are abundantly distributed in the gut and parenchyma. Individual adults lay multiple egg batches on the coral skeleton, each egg batch has 20-26 egg capsules, and each capsule contains between 3-7 embryos. Embryonic development takes approximately 21 days, during which time characteristics of a pelagic life stage (lobes and ciliary tufts) develop but are lost before hatching. The hatchling is capable of swimming but settles to the benthos quickly, and no zooxanthellae were observed in the animal at this stage. We suggest that intracapsular metamorphosis limits the dispersal potential of hatchlings and promotes recruitment of offspring into the natal habitat. The evolutionary and ecological significance of retaining lobes and ciliary tufts in the embryo are discussed. Camouflage, high fecundity and possible dispersal dimorphisms probably explain how Amakusaplana acroporae can cause Acropora sp. mortality in aquaria where natural predators may be absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the gasoline price elasticity of ridership on a city transit system. Multiple regression models to explain variations in ridership; Insight into the possible relationship between federal energy policies that may influence gasoline prices and urban transportation modal choices.

Replies to the comments of Peter V. Garrod and Walter Miklius on the authors' article on the impact of gasoline prices on urban bus transportation in Tucson, Arizona published in the March 1978 issue of the 'Annals of Regional Science' journal. Basis of consumer budget decisions; Marginal cost of utilizing automobiles for individual urban trips; Population elasticity of ridership.

Green leaf volatiles were shown to interrupt responses to aggregation pheromones of three species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) which infest pines in the southern United States [the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.; the four-spined engraver, Ips avulsus (Eichhoff); and the five-spined engraver, Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff)]. The order of effectiveness of the compounds tested for each species was hexanal>hexanal+hexan-1-ol>hexan-1-ol. Neither hexanal, hexan-1-ol nor hexanal+hexan-1-ol was as effective in interrupting pheromone responses of D. frontalis as verbenone, a known inhibitor of this species. Other than interspecific chemical signals, this is the first report of an interruptant for Ips species, and the only report of a pheromone interruptant active for both Ips and Dendroctonus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially useful market solutions to minimize flood damage includepurchase of space in existing reservoirs, purchase of flooding rights from farmers and other land owners, and privately produced levees to protect housing and commercial development. These private solutionsare often limited by risk considerations, free riders, and the transactions costs associated with large groups, necessitating public sector provision of flood control measures. Thus, most market participants will be public entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]