A test for the differences between two groups' T-distributed statistics

Researchers occasionally perform a statistical test for gains on two groups separately, and compare the results via significance for the two tests. While that procedure is incorrect statistically, there is a statistical test due to Ghosh (1975) that allows comparison of the difference between two independent t-distributed variables. It is presented here with a reanalysis of an incorrect result presented by Levy (1982).     

Children's constitutional rights: Interpretations and implications

Constitutional law, as it applies to children, is a new and evolving area. It is essential that school psychologists, educators, and others professionally involved with children have an understanding of children's developing legal rights. While school psychology is shaped by both education and psychology, in greater part its parameters are described in law. Thus, school psychologists, as consultants to education and advocates for children, require a working knowledge of law. This paper discusses a brief historical overview; children's constitutional rights as delineated in the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments; and implications for the role of the school psychologist.     

A polymeric micro-optical interface for flow monitoring in biomicrofluidics

We describe design and miniaturization of a polymeric optical interface for flow monitoring in biomicrofluidics applications based on polydimethylsiloxane technology, providing optical transparency and compatibility with biological tissues. Design and ray tracing simulation are presented as well as device realization and optical analysis of flow dynamics in microscopic blood vessels. Optics characterization of this polymeric microinterface in dynamic experimental conditions provides a proof of concept for the application of the device to two-phase flow monitoring in both in vitro experiments and in vivo microcirculation investigations. This technology supports the study of in vitro and in vivo microfluidic systems. It yields simultaneous optical measurements, allowing for continuous monitoring of flow. This development, integrating a well-known and widely used optical flow monitoring systems, provides a disposable interface between live mammalian tissues and microfluidic devices making them accessible to detection∕processing technology, in support or replacing standard intravital microscopy.     

The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry presented to Samuel J. Danishefsky, Ph.D.

Organic synthesis of natural products began in 1828 with Wohler's synthesis of urea, the first time a substance derived from a living organism had been produced by combining inorganic materials. Progress in the field was slow at first, due to the limited purification and analytical methods. Advances in those areas gave rise to rapid progress in synthesis, as chemists could now focus their energies on devising new approaches to the preparation of increasingly complex molecules. While it is possible to prepare many molecules by using known chemistry in new combinations, real progress has been the result of keen insight and creativity on the part of only a few individuals.Professor Samuel J. Danishefsky established himself early on as a leader in this field when he recognized that a well-known ring forming reaction could be greatly extended by adding chemical functionality to one of the components. He then found that these new reactive components could react with heretofore unreactive components to produce new rings containing oxygen atoms both in the ring and as attachments to the ring. These products were very similar to naturally occurring sugars. Danishefsky realized that he could develop this chemistry further to produce precisely defined polysaccharides as well. Some of these polysaccharides occur on the surface of cancer cells. Using the chemistry he developed, he was able to prepare these cancer cell markers, and after combining them with certain proteins, showed that the resulting molecules behaved as cancer vaccines. Several have entered clinical trial.Danishefsky has synthesized many other natural products, but he is particularly interested in those that may be useful in treating cancer. His syntheses allow for the modification of the final product in ways that improve both safety and efficacy. Several of these compounds have also entered clinical trials. Thus his work has not only advanced the art and science of organic synthesis, but stands to make dramatic advances in the treatment of cancer as well.     

Getting Better Faster: Accelerating Learning and Improvement

Acquiring process knowledge and skills and transferring technology into and across the organization creates a distinctive competitive advantage. A world-class methodology that accelerates improvement is presented. This methodology is proven effective in manufacturing and service industries, various government agencies and educational institutions. The process of planning and accelerating improvement using an integrated, self-evident set of principles distinguishes between mediocrity and excellence. This approach through systematic application results in more depth and breadth of process learning and facilitates greater acceptance of new thinking and using the latest technology. Our findings through this approach demonstrate that a pathway to continuous improvement can be achieved; thus, unbounded performance levels exist. Since improvement is always a people business, the model also enables each person to attain a greater sense of accomplishment, to acquire skills and knowledge that serve our lives and achieve our goals with a greater sense of confidence and hope.     

Developmental dyslexia: Related to specific or general deficits?

The present study was designed to examine the question of whether developmental dyslexia in 12-year-old students at the beginning of secondary education in the Netherlands is confined to problems in the domain of reading and spelling or also is related to difficulties in other areas. In particular, hypotheses derived from theories on phonological processing, rapid automatized naming, working memory, and automatization of skills were tested. To overcome the definition and selection problems of many previous studies, we included in our study all students in the first year of secondary special education in a Dutch school district. Participants were classified as either dyslexic, garden-variety, or hyperlexic poor readers, according to the degree of discrepancy between their word recognition and listening comprehension scores. In addition, groups of normal readers were formed, matching the poor readers in either reading age or chronological age. A large test battery was administered to each student, including phonological, naming, working memory, speed of processing, and motor tests. The findings indicate that dyslexia is associated with deficits in (1) phonological recoding, word recognition (both in their native Dutch and in English as a second language), and spelling skills; and (2) naming speed for letters and digits. Dyslexia was not associated with deficits in other areas. The results suggest that developmental dyslexia, at the age of 12, might be (or might have become) a difficulty rather isolated from deficiencies in other cognitive and motor skills.