Acclimation of thermal physiology to new basking regimes in a widespread Australian skink.

Changes in thermal environments are a challenge for many ectotherms, as they would have to acclimate their physiology to new thermal environments to maintain high-levels of performance. Time spent basking is key for many ectothermic animals to keep their body temperature within optimal thermal ranges. However, little is known about the impact of changes in basking time on the thermal physiology of ectothermic animals.

How do the physiological traits of a lizard change during its invasion of an oceanic island?

Physiology is crucial for the survival of invasive species in new environments. Yet, new climatic conditions and the limited genetic variation found within many invasive populations may influence physiological responses to new environmental conditions. Here, we studied the case of the delicate skinks (Lampropholis delicata) invading Lord Howe Island (LHI), Australia.

Negotiating with the partners: a role of the HMO mental health director.

The mental health director in a health maintenance organization must successfully negotiate with a number of "partners" in the community and within the HMO in order to deliver high-quality services in a cost-effective fashion. These partners are companies whose employees are members, the members themselves, the HMO's primary care professionals, the mental health professionals, and the HMO administration. In addition, the models of treatment prevalent within a community constitute an intangible partner.

Shifting from external to internal provision of mental health services in a health maintenance organization.

A health maintenance organization whose mental health services had been supplied under contract by two successive external providers changed in 1978 to in-house provision of most services for both HMO and fee-for-service patients. The changeover necessitated a greatly enlarged staff, development of a treatment philosophy and utilization review procedures, and establishment of good cmmunications with external providers who supplied inpatient services. One objective of the change to in-house services was to further reduce hospital admissions and hospitalization costs; comparisons of admissions and costs over a five-year period before and after the change indicated substantial reductions in both areas.