bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the response of carrot somaclones to Pythium violae, causal agent of cavity spot
Authors: Cooper C. , Crowther T. , Smith B. M. , Isaac S. , Collin H. A.
Published: March 2006

Cavity spot is a major disease of carrots, causing cavities on the surface of the root. Available commercial varieties show a range of susceptibility but no significant resistance. Seed progeny from 46 tissue culture‐derived carrot (Daucus carota) somaclones were screened for viability, then 19 selected somaclone families were sown under glasshouse conditions, along with commercial cultivars (Bertan, Nandor, Bolero and Vita Longa) as controls. Mature roots were exposed to Pythium violae in a cavity spot bioassay to determine their response as measured by disease incidence and severity. Some somaclones formed fewer lesions than the least susceptible control cultivar, Vita Longa. Seven somaclonal families that showed a range of susceptibility were sown under field conditions and the assessment was repeated. Although there was little relationship between glasshouse and field‐trial results, under field conditions one of the somaclones had a mean incidence of disease, as estimated by transformed data, of 1·9 compared with 37·9 for the most susceptible somaclone and 3·5 for Bolero, the most resistant commercial cultivar. The results indicated that significant genetic variation in susceptibility to cavity spot disease was present in the somaclones.
An apparatus for collecting total conidia of Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei from leaf colonies using electrostatic attraction
Authors: Moriura N. , Matsuda Y. , Oichi W. , Nakashima S. , Hirai T. , Nonomura T. , Kakutani K. , Kusakari S. , Higashi K. , Toyoda H.
Published: March 2006

Conidia from living conidiophores of barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) on host leaves were collected consecutively using an electrostatic spore collector. The collector consisted of an electrical conductor plate linked to an electrostatic voltage generator and insulator plates placed abreast on a timed conveyer. The conductor plate was negatively charged by the potential supplied from the voltage generator. The negatively charged conductor plate caused dielectric polarization of the insulator plate, and the surface charge on the insulator plate attracted mature conidia abstricted from conidiophores on colonies growing on leaves placed 2 cm from the insulator plate. The surface charge on the insulator plate was proportional to the voltage applied to the conductor plate. Under optimized conditions, abstricted conidia were attracted to the electrostatically activated insulator plates without any detriment to their survival. During a colony's life span of c. 460 h, conidia were released throughout the day and c. 12 × 104 conidia were collected during the lifetime of the colony. This is the first report on the direct quantification of progeny conidia produced by powdery mildew infecting host leaves.
Phylogenetic relationships among the Ithomiini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) inferred from one mitochondrial and two nuclear gene regions
Authors: Brower Andrew V. Z. , Freitas André V. L. , Lee Ming‐Min , Silva‐Brandão Karina L. , Whinnett Alaine , Willmott Keith R.
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  A phylogenetic hypothesis for the tribe Ithomiini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae) is presented, based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II (COI–COII) region and regions of the nuclear genes wingless and Elongation factor 1‐alpha. Branch support for each clade is assessed, and a partition congruence index is used to explore conflict among gene regions. The monophyly of the clade is strongly supported, as are many of the traditionally recognized subtribes and genera. The data imply paraphyly of some genera and tribes, but largely support recent classifications and phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphological characters.
An evaluation of ensign wasp classification (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) based on molecular data and insights from ribosomal RNA secondary structure
Authors: Deans Andrew R. , Gillespie Joseph J. , Yoder Matthew J.
Published: March 2006

Abstract. Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) are colourful, frequently collected and easily distinguished from other parasitic Hymenoptera. Despite many fascinating biological attributes, this group of insects has been overlooked by ecologists and systematists. An imposing obstacle inhibiting research on these wasps is the current state of their chaotic and potentially flawed classification, which has more than 50% of all described species assigned to the genusEvania– a taxon long suspected of being polyphyletic. The generic classification has recently been redefined on the basis of morphological characters. We tested this reinterpreted classification by analysing sequence data from three genes [28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI)] under parsimony and Bayesian criteria. For the 28S and 16S rRNAs, we illustrate the predicted secondary structures and provide a series of summary statistics for them; information pertaining to these structures was incorporated into our phylogenetic analyses where appropriate. Phylogenetically, our results indicate that this new generic classification is relatively sound, but that more data are required to understand intergeneric relationships.
Physiological changes associated with senescence and abscission in mature citrus fruit induced by 5‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐pyrazole and ethephon application
Authors: Alferez Fernando , Pozo Luis , Burns Jacqueline K.
Published: March 2006

This research compares effects of the compound 5‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐1H‐pyrazole (CMNP), a plant growth regulator that selectively promotes abscission in mature citrus fruit (Citrus sinensis), and the ethylene‐releasing agent ethephon (2‐chloroethylphosphonic acid). Application of CMNP and ethephon to mature citrus fruit reduced fruit detachment force and changed peel color from green to orange. More total chlorophyll was extracted from flavedo in early season (November) than late season (January), and both compounds caused a similar reduction in chlorophyll. In contrast, total carotenoid content was similar in November and January. Both abscission compounds increased total carotenoids, but induction was greater in January, and CMNP was more effective in both months. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity increased after CMNP but not ethephon application. Electrolyte leakage increased 2 h after CMNP treatment, and total protein content was reduced by 50% after 72 h. Ethephon caused only minor changes in electrolyte leakage and total protein content. Inhibition of PLA2 activity with aristolochic acid did not reduce leakage but inhibited total protein loss and reduced visual peel damage associated with CMNP. Ultrastructural observations indicated decreased number, and length of starch grains 3 h after CMNP treatment. A transient increase in soluble sugars was measured 3 h after CMNP application. Ethephon had little effect on soluble sugar content and changes in starch grains. Collectively, the results indicate that CMNP and ethephon induced color change in peel and advanced mature fruit abscission. However, CMNP but not ethephon promoted other physiological changes associated with senescence.
Characterization of the alternative oxidase of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in response to oxidative stress and a shift in nitrogen source
Authors: Molen Teresa A. , Rosso Dominic , Piercy Sarah , Maxwell Denis P.
Published: March 2006

To study the transcriptional regulation of Aox1, the major alternative oxidase (AOX) gene, we fused 1072 bp of its promoter to the promoterless arylsulfatase reporter gene. We find that the reporter is strongly activated when cells are shifted from a medium containing ammonium to one containing nitrate but is unresponsive to treatments known to induce Aox1 in higher plants – H2O2, antimycin A and cold stress. However, induction of Aox1 by all these factors was found when changes in gene expression were monitored using RNA blot analysis. Our data suggest that transcriptional upregulation of Aox1 by H2O2, antimycin A and cold‐stress requires one or more enhancers which are not found in the proximal promoter region of the gene. Interestingly, while nitrate, H2O2 and cold stress result in increased AOX abundance and increased alternative pathway respiration, these changes are not seen when cells are treated with antimycin A. We find that H2O2, antimycin A and cold‐stress result in an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) but that a significant change in ROS does not occur when cells are shifted into a medium‐containing nitrate. Overall, our data are consistent with there being two distinct pathways regulating Aox1 transcription and AOX abundance in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: one in response to oxidative stress and a second due to metabolic changes brought about by a shift in nitrogen source from ammonium to nitrate.
Immunocytochemical characterization of the cell walls of bean cell suspensions during habituation and dehabituation to dichlobenil
Authors: García‐Angulo Penélope , Willats William G. T. , Encina Antonio E. , Alonso‐Simón Ana , Álvarez Jesús M. , Acebes José L.
Published: March 2006

The effects of the cellulose inhibitor dichlobenil on the cell wall composition and structure during the habituation/dehabituation process of suspension‐cultured bean cells were assessed. A range of techniques were used including cell wall fractionation, sugar analysis, immunofluorescence and fluorochrome labelling of resin‐embedded sections, and immunodot assays (IDAs) of cell wall fractions. The cell walls from bean cell suspensions with initial levels of habituation to dichlobenil had decreased levels of cellulose, but this effect lessened with increasing numbers of subcultures. All cell walls analysed showed calcofluor‐stained appositions. However, in habituated and dehabituated cells, appositions were not recognized by an anticallose antibody. This finding suggested the accumulation of an extracellular polysaccharide different to callose, probably a 1,4‐β‐glucan in these cell lines. Appositions in habituated cells also contained homogalacturonan (HG) with a high degree of methyl esterification (DE), rhamnogalacturonan (RG) and xyloglucan. Habituated cell walls were also enriched in pectins, particularly HG, with a low DE, and RG. The levels of extensin epitope that colocalized with RG in habituated cells also diminished with the increasing number of subcultures. Habituated cells also liberated less extensin into the medium. In habituated cells, a decrease in the cell wall arabinogalactan protein (AGP) labelling was observed both in cell walls and in the culture medium. The increase in the number of subcultures in 0.3 µM dichlobenil was accompanied by an increment in some pectic epitopes (JIM5 and LM5) and a decrease in other pectic and in protein epitopes (JIM7, PAM1, LM6, LM2 and MAC207), indicating a re‐structuring of cell walls throughout the habituation procedure. Dehabituated cells showed an overall composition similar to that of non‐habituated cells, with exception of an increase in glucose in hemicellulosic fractions tightly bound to cellulose. However, these cells also showed reduced levels of extensin and AGP labelling. These differences could be related to the high tolerance to dichlobenil observed in dehabituated cells.
Phytochrome B and shade signals regulate phytochrome A expression
Authors: Finlayson Scott A. , Mullet John E. , Morgan Page W.
Published: March 2006

The control of phytochrome A expression at the protein and mRNA levels was investigated in wild‐type and phyB‐1 mutant sorghum (Sorghum bicolor[L.] Moench). PHYA mRNA abundance follows a diurnal rhythm in both genotypes, with maximal accumulation near the latter part of the light period. PHYA mRNA is more abundant in the phyB‐1 mutant. The level of PHYA message correlates with both R : FR and photon flux density in wild‐type, but only with photon flux density in the phyB‐1 mutant. The differences in mRNA abundance are reflected in the level of phyA protein, which is elevated in the phyB‐1 mutant and accumulates under low photon flux density. During de‐etiolation, PHYA message accumulation is initially repressed solely by a very low fluence response (VLFR) presumably mediated by phyA. The phyB‐mediated low fluence response maintains the repression of accumulation past the time controlled by the VLFR. With repetitive photoperiods, the transition from the etiolated growth form to autotrophic competency is accompanied by a transition from light‐induced reduction of PHYA mRNA abundance to enhanced accumulation during the light period. The loss of phyB function allows partial de‐repression of PHYA message accumulation under repetitive photoperiods, resulting in plants deficient in phyB but enriched in phyA. The modification of PHYA mRNA and protein levels in the phyB‐1 mutant documented in this study may help clarify the molecular basis of the phyB‐1 phenotype. The tailoring of phyA abundance in wild‐type to the time of day and shade signals suggests a plastic role for this pigment in controlling development in light‐grown plants.
Ontogenic sources of variation in sexual size dimorphism in a viviparous lizard
Authors: Le Galliard J.-F. , Massot M. , Landys M. M. , Meylan S. , Clobert J.
Published: March 2006

To elucidate the developmental aspects of the evolution of sexual size dimorphism (SSD), an understanding of the sex-specific ontogeny of body size is critical. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of genetic and environmental determinants of SSD in juvenile common lizards (Lacerta vivipara). We examined the prenatal and post-natal effects of population density and habitat humidity on SSD, as well as the maternal effects of food availability, corticosterone level, humidity and heat regime during gestation. Analyses indicated strong prenatal and post-natal plasticity in body size per se and yielded three main results with respect to SSD. First, SSD in juvenile common lizards matches qualitatively the SSD observed in adults. Secondly, SSD was influenced by none of the prenatal factors investigated here, suggesting poor sex-biased maternal effects on offspring size. Thirdly, SSD was sensitive to post-natal habitat humidity, which positively affected growth rate more strongly in females than in males. Thus, natural variation in SSD in juvenile common lizards appears to be primarily determined by a combination of sex-biased genetic factors and post-natal conditions. We discuss the possibility that viviparity may constrain the evolution of sex-biased maternal effects on offspring size.
Limb disparity and wing shape in pterosaurs
Authors: Dyke G. J. , Nudds R. L. , Rayner J. M. V.
Published: March 2006

The limb proportions of the extinct flying pterosaurs were clearly distinct from their living counterparts, birds and bats. Within pterosaurs, however, we show that further differences in limb proportions exist between the two main groups: the clade of short-tailed Pterodactyloidea and the paraphyletic clades of long-tailed rhamphorhynchoids. The hindlimb to forelimb ratios of rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs are similar to that seen in bats, whereas those of pterodactyloids are much higher. Such a clear difference in limb ratios indicates that the extent of the wing membrane in rhamphorhynchoids and pterodactyloids may also have differed; this is borne out by simple ternary analyses. Further, analyses also indicate that the limbs of Sordes pilosus, a well-preserved small taxon used as key evidence for inferring the extent and shape of the wing membrane in all pterosaurs, are not typical even of its closest relatives, other rhamphorhynchoids. Thus, a bat-like extensive hindlimb flight membrane, integrated with the feet and tail may be applicable only to a small subset of pterosaur diversity. The range of flight morphologies seen in these extinct reptiles may prove much broader than previously thought.
Role of sexual and natural selection in evolution of body size and shape: a phylogenetic study of morphological radiation in grouse
Authors: Drovetski S. V. , Rohwer S. , Mode N. A.
Published: March 2006

We use standardized independent contrasts (SICs) to elucidate the effect of ecology and mating systems on morphological radiation in grouse. The analysis of SICs for 38 skeletal measurements from 20 taxa, showed that changes in mating system had a significant effect on body size of both sexes. Sexual size dimorphism in grouse is consistent with Rensch's rule; the slope of the regression of male vs. female size SICs was 1.4, significantly >1. Changes in habitat were associated with accelerated rates of evolution of body proportions. SICs for male and female scores of size independent factors were directly proportional to each other (slope = 1), indicating extreme similarities between male and female ecology. Females, however, were better adapted to longer, more energy efficient flight than males. Size independent morphological differences among grouse are adaptive and are related to the differences in habitat and foraging behaviour among the species.
Evolutionary aspects of population structure for molecular and quantitative traits in the freshwater snail Radix balthica
Authors: Evanno G. , Castella E. , Goudet J.
Published: March 2006

Detecting the action of selection in natural populations can be achieved using the QST–FST comparison that relies on the estimation of FST with neutral markers, and QST using quantitative traits potentially under selection. QST higher than FST suggests the action of directional selection and thus potential local adaptation. In this article, we apply the QST–FST comparison to four populations of the hermaphroditic freshwater snail Radix balthica located in a floodplain habitat. In contrast to most studies published so far, we did not detect evidence of directional selection for local optima for any of the traits we measured: QST calculated using three different methods was never higher than FST. A strong inbreeding depression was also detected, indicating that outcrossing is probably predominant over selfing in the studied populations. Our results suggest that in this floodplain habitat, local adaptation of R. balthica populations may be hindered by genetic drift, and possibly altered by uneven gene flow linked to flood frequency.
Whole‐metagenome amplification of a microbial community associated with scleractinian coral by multiple displacement amplification using ϕ29 polymerase
Authors: Yokouchi Hiroko , Fukuoka Yayoi , Mukoyama Daikichi , Calugay Ronie , Takeyama Haruko , Matsunaga Tadashi
Published: March 2006

Limitations in obtaining sufficient specimens and difficulties in extracting high quality DNA from environmental samples have impeded understanding of the structure of microbial communities. In this study, multiple displacement amplification (MDA) using ϕ29 polymerase was applied to overcome these hindrances. Optimization of the reaction conditions for amplification of the bacterial genome and evaluation of the MDA product were performed using cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. An 8‐h MDA reaction yielded a sufficient quantity of DNA from an initial amount of 0.4 ng, which is equivalent to approximately 105 cells. Uniform amplification of genes randomly selected from the cyanobacterial genome was confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The metagenome from bacteria associated with scleractinian corals was used for whole‐genome amplification using ϕ29 polymerase to analyse the microbial diversity. Unidentified bacteria with less than 93% identity to the closest 16S rDNA sequences deposited in DNA Bata Bank of Japan were predominantly detected from the coral‐associated bacterial community before and after the MDA procedures. Sequencing analysis indicated that α‐Proteobacteria was the dominant group in Pocillopora damicornis. This study demonstrates that MDA techniques are efficient for genome wide investigation to understand the actual microbial diversity in limited bacterial samples.
Perkinsoide chabelardi n. gen., a protozoan parasite with an intermediate evolutionary position: possible cause of the decrease of sardine fisheries?
Authors: Gestal Camino , Novoa Beatriz , Posada David , Figueras Antonio , Azevedo Carlos
Published: March 2006

Phenotypic scrutiny on the life cycle of Icthyodinium chabelardi (Perkinsoide chabelardi n. gen.) based on ultrastructural techniques, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of RNA gene sequences, were carried out in order to elucidate the taxonomic position of this parasite. The absence of plastid, presence of trichocysts, and chromosomes or chromatin condensed and low in number, suggested that this protozoan could be considered a dinoflagellate syndinial parasite. However, the life cycle, schizogonic divisions and structure of schizonts inside the host, the nuclei without the typical dinoflagellate appearance, presence of rhoptrias‐like structures, a possible pseudo‐conoid, and the biflagellated spore, resembled those of the genus Perkinsus. Phylogenetic analysis of genes transcribing for the RNA forming the small subunit and the large subunit suggests that this parasite has an ambiguous evolutionary position within the group formed by dinoflagellates, perkinsids and syndinials. Because of differences with dinoflagellates and similarities with perkinsids, we propose to change the generic name to P. chabelardi n. gen. High stationary infection prevalence on Sardina pilchardus eggs was observed. This protozoan parasite caused the death of all the infected sardine eggs, and therefore a high impact in the recruitment of this fishery in the Atlantic coast is expected.
Detection of free‐living and plankton‐bound vibrios in coastal waters of the Adriatic Sea (Italy) and study of their pathogenicity‐associated properties
Authors: Baffone Wally , Tarsi Renato , Pane Luigi , Campana Raffaella , Repetto Barbara , Mariottini Gian Luigi , Pruzzo Carla
Published: March 2006

Culturable vibrios were isolated from water and plankton fractions collected during an 18‐month sampling study performed along the north‐central coast of the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Unculturable Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus were detected in plankton fractions by polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA sequences for cytotoxin‐haemolysin and thermolabile haemolysin respectively. The presence of V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. cholerae virulence genes and the expression of pathogenicity‐associated traits were analysed in all isolates. The results showed the spreading of these properties among the environmental isolates and confirm the need of both monitoring the presence of vibrios in coastal areas and studying their pathogenicity potential in order to properly protect human health.
Soluble di‐iron monooxygenase gene diversity in soils, sediments and ethene enrichments
Authors: Coleman Nicholas V. , Bui Nga B. , Holmes Andrew J.
Published: March 2006

Soluble di‐iron monooxygenases (SDIMOs) are key enzymes in the bacterial oxidation of hydrocarbons, and have applications in environmental and industrial biotechnology. SDIMOs from pure cultures are unlikely to represent the total diversity of this enzyme family, so we used polymerase chain reaction to survey the diversity of SDIMO alpha subunit genes in environmental samples, ethene enrichments and ethene‐degrading bacterial isolates. From 178 cloned amplicons, 98 restriction fragment length polymorphism types were seen, from which 75 representative SDIMO sequences were obtained; 45 from environmental samples, 25 from enrichments and seven from isolates. The sequences were diverse, including genes similar to ethene (etnC), propene (amoC, pmoC), propane (prmA) and butane (bmoX) monooxygenases, in addition to many novel sequences comprising a new SDIMO group (group 6). Environmental samples showed the highest diversity, with strong representation of group 6 SDIMOs and prmA‐like genes. Ethene stimulation of samples resulted in increased frequencies of group 4 SDIMOs (etnC‐like). Four ethene‐utilizing Mycobacterium isolates (NBB1–NBB4) from enrichments all contained etnC; one isolate (NBB4) also contained three additional SDIMO genes (bmoX‐like, amoC‐like and group 6). The primers, database, clone libraries and strains reported here provide a resource for future bioremediation and biocatalysis studies, with particular relevance for chlorinated alkene and alkane compounds.
A Closer Look at Reactions to Realistic Recruitment Messages
Authors: Reeve Charlie L. , Highhouse Scott , Brooks Margaret E.
Published: March 2006

Recently there has been a great deal of interest among consumer and behavioral judgment researchers on how immediate affective reactions influence overall evaluations. The current study seeks to determine whether immediate affective reactions to organizational attributes warrant the attention of recruitment researchers as well. Using a customized web‐based computer program that elicits immediate affective reactions to organizational previews, the study finds that overall evaluations of the organization are influenced more by the average intensity of immediate affective reactions experienced during the message than by the relative balance of positive and negative information contained in the message. Results suggest that practitioners using realistic information need to be more concerned about the average intensity of recipients' reactions than about the relative balance of positive or negative information.
From the Work One Knows the Worker: A Systematic Review of the Challenges, Solutions, and Steps to Creating Synthetic Validity
Authors: Steel Piers D. G. , Huffcutt Allen I. , Kammeyer‐Mueller John
Published: March 2006

Synthetic validity has been promised as the future for selection, providing an inexpensive, fast, high‐quality, legally defensible, and easily administered process. Despite 50 years of development, this promise has yet to be realized. However, recent advances in areas such as validity generalization indicate that synthetic validity is technically feasible and practically achievable. Consolidating new and previous work carried out on two synthetic validity strategies, the job‐requirement matrix and job component validity, we review the methodological steps required to build them and provide working examples. Although the resources required for full realization of synthetic validity are large, similar, although larger, projects have been undertaken in the past and in the present, and there is increasing infrastructure to facilitate them in the future.
Relationship Between Work Performance and Personality Traits in Hong Kong Organizational Settings
Authors: Tyler Graham P. , Newcombe Peter A.
Published: March 2006

Four hundred and thirty‐seven employees from four Hong Kong organizations completed the Traditional Chinese versions of the Fifteen Factor Personality Questionnaire Plus (15FQ+) and the Cross‐Cultural Personality Assessment Inventory (CPAI‐2) (indigenous scales) and provided objective and memory‐based recent performance appraisal scores. A number of significant bivariate correlations were found between personality and performance scores. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that a number of the scales from the 15FQ+ contributed to significantly predicting four of the performance competency dimensions, but that the CPAI‐2 indigenous scales contributed no incremental validity in performance prediction over and above the 15FQ+. Results are discussed in the light of previous research and a call made for continued research to further develop and increase the reliability of the Chinese instruments used in the study and to enable generalization of the findings with confidence.
360 Degree Feedback and Developmental Outcomes: The Role of Feedback Characteristics, Self‐Efficacy and Importance of Feedback Dimensions to Focal Managers' Current Role
Authors: Bailey Caroline , Austin Michelle
Published: March 2006

This longitudinal study investigates whether developmental changes following 360 degree feedback are predicted by the favourability of ratings received, and moderated by focal individuals' self‐efficacy and perceived importance of feedback. Five developmental criteria are investigated longitudinally: (i) self‐assessments, (ii) line managers' ratings, (iii) amount of developmental activity, (iv) global self‐efficacy and (iv) self‐efficacy for development. Feedback ratings from certain rater groups predicted changes in ratings, but not changes in self‐efficacy or amount of developmental activity. Self‐efficacy significantly moderated the feedback–performance association for certain rater groups, but feedback importance did not. Contrary to expectations, the focal individual's initial self‐assessment predicted changes in self‐efficacy, over the favourability of ratings received. The implications of these findings for organizations using 360 degree feedback for developmental purposes are discussed.
Construct Validity of Multi‐Source Performance Ratings: An Examination of the Relationship of Self‐, Supervisor‐, and Peer‐Ratings with Cognitive and Personality Measures
Authors: van Hooft Edwin A. J. , van der Flier Henk , Minne Marjolein R.
Published: March 2006

Although more and more organizations prefer using multi‐source performance ratings or 360° feedback over traditional performance appraisals, researchers have been rather skeptical regarding the reliability and validity of such ratings. The present study examined the validity of self‐, supervisor‐, and peer‐ratings of 195 employees in a Dutch public organization, using scores on an In‐Basket exercise, an intelligence test, and a personality questionnaire as external criterion measures. Interrater agreement ranged from .28 to .38. Variance in the ratings was explained by both method and content factors. Support for the external construct validity was rather weak. Supervisor‐ratings were not found to be superior to self‐ and peer‐ratings in predicting the scores on the external measures.
Application of an African Ancestry Index as a Genomic Control Approach in a Brazilian Population
Authors: Zembrzuski V. M. , Callegari‐Jacques S. M. , Hutz M. H.
Published: March 2006

Ten ancestry informative markers were investigated in 101 coronary artery disease patients and 102 healthy controls from a Southern Brazilian population, in order to determine if stratification occurs in this population. The degree of African admixture detected in this population was estimated to be as high as 6%, but no differences between cases and controls were observed. Using an African Ancestry Index (AAI) that estimates admixture at the individual level it was possible to remove from the samples those individuals with evidence of African admixture. Therefore we have shown that it is possible to control for population stratification by choosing individuals, without the loss of statistical power that occurs with the use of other methods of genomic control.
Quantitative‐trait‐locus Mapping in the Presence of Locus Heterogeneity
Authors: Wang K , Peng Y
Published: March 2006

Locus heterogeneity is a concern for quantitative trait locus mapping where phenotypes are likely to be influenced by more than one gene. We introduce a model which generalizes the locus heterogeneity model of Smith (1961) from dichotomous traits to quantitative traits and consider some test statistics for this model. The type I error rates and the power of these statistics are assessed through simulation studies. These statistics are applied to a linkage study of asthma genes.
Population structure in a saproxylic funnelweb spider (Hexathelidae: Hadronyche) along a forested rainfall gradient
Authors: Woodman J. D. , Ash J. E. , Rowell D. M.
Published: March 2006

We present research undertaken at Tallaganda State Forest, Australia, describing how current climatic conditions impact upon the saproxylic (decaying wood) habitat and the relationship between this habitat and the demography and morphology of a saproxylic funnelweb spider (Hadronyche sp.). Climatic data support a north–south habitat cline and, to a lesser extent, a short‐range, aspect‐driven habitat cline. Rainfall and log moisture content increased with latitude through the forest, and aspect affected the amount of solar radiation penetrating to ground level. The distribution and abundance of Hadronyche varied among sites along both clines in response to several variables. The decay state of logs was highly influential, with wet, highly decayed logs favoured over dry, hard ones. Population density was highest in wetter, southern sites where these logs were abundant, but rare, suitably decomposed logs in dry, northern sites still typically hosted a comparable number of individuals. Morphological measurements showed some phenotypic variation along the north–south habitat gradient, but not over the short‐range, aspect‐driven gradients. Hadronyche would not be expected to show similarly strong patterns of molecular variation as seen in saproxylic Collembola and Onychophora within Tallaganda as it appears to be more vagile.
Arctic roars – laryngeal anatomy and vocalization of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus Zimmermann, 1780, Bovidae)
Authors: Frey R. , Gebler A. , Fritsch G.
Published: March 2006

The impressive roaring of adult male muskoxen most often occurs during rutting contests. Roaring in adult females is primarily relevant to mother–infant communication. Loud roars are produced by taking up a specific roaring posture. Acoustic recordings were made in a small herd of zoo muskoxen during three successive rutting seasons. Earlier recordings of a different herd were used for comparison. Head‐and‐neck specimens were subjected to vascular injection, macroscopic anatomical dissection, computer tomographic analysis and skeletonization. Isolated preserved larynges of young animals were dissected for ontogenetic comparison. Despite a pronounced sexual dimorphism of head mass, larynx size is almost identical in adult male and female muskoxen, as is the fundamental frequency of their roars. Remarkably, the larynges of both sexes of muskoxen are provided with an unpaired ventrorostral ventricle. Probably, this ventricle is inflated during the initial phase of a roar. The ventricle may have two functions: to increase the amplitude of roaring and to darken the timbre of the roars by acting as an additional resonance space. The vocal fold of adult female and young individuals has a sharp rostral edge and a vocal ligament is still present. During male ontogeny the vocal ligament becomes transformed into a large fat pad extending into the wall of the laryngeal vestibulum. Accordingly, the glottic region in the adult male lacks any sharp edges of the mucosa. In both sexes the thyroarytenoid muscle is divided into three portions. A single roar may comprise phases of different sound volume. The roars of both muskox sexes are characterized by a pulsed structure. We suggest that two oscillating systems are involved in the production of roars: one comprising only the medial portion of the vocal fold and one including its lateral portion.
Delayed parturition: constraint or coping mechanism in a viviparous gekkonid?
Authors: Rock J.
Published: March 2006

The extended gestation of fully developed embryos in viviparous reptiles can be the consequence of a lack of appropriate environmental conditions and/or an adaptive contribution to increased offspring viability. I examined the cause and effects of extended gestation in a gekkonid lizard Hoplodactylus maculatus, which delays parturition of developed embryos for up to 9 months from autumn into a second spring. Comparisons of microhabitat temperatures showed that thermal opportunities were equally conducive to birth in autumn and spring. The responsiveness of females to a hormonal stimulant for parturition also did not differ between these seasons. Multiple offspring traits were measured, including body size, locomotory ability and lipid reserves, and were found not to increase with extended gestation. Incorporating these results with previously published evidence for microhabitat thermal variation, I discuss whether delayed parturition may be an adaptive mechanism maintained by the selective pressures of an uncertain thermal environment on components of reproduction, including vitellogenesis, maternal birthing cues and neonatal survival.
Distribution and frequencies of shark‐inflicted injuries to the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi)
Authors: Bertilsson‐Friedman P.
Published: March 2006

I analyzed the frequencies of wounds inflicted by sharks to the endangered Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi at three colonies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands between 1990 and 2000. I applied specific criteria typical of shark bites to all injuries to avoid bias. Pooling data from all years and the three colonies revealed several patterns. Sharks injured more pups (nursing and weaned) and juveniles (1–2 years old) than adults and subadults. More female pups and male juveniles than any other size classes were injured by sharks. Almost all (97%) of the injured pups were from French Frigate Shoals. More juveniles than expected were wounded at Laysan Island and Lisianski Island. Most shark wounds were between the diaphragm and the pelvic girdle, but pups were bitten most often just behind the pelvis compared with adults who were bitten more often near the head and neck.
Overview and Commentary
Authors: Philip Susan
Published: March 2006

The California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP)—established in 2003 in response to new state legislation aimed at enhancing the evaluation of potential changes in health benefit packages—represents a unique marriage of academic analysis and real‐time legislative decision making. CHBRP is based within the University of California (UC) Office of the President and provides analyses to the legislature within a 60‐day timeframe on the potential consequences of specific benefit changes under consideration as part of legislative mandates. The consequences examined include current known medical effectiveness of the services for which coverage is to be mandated as well as potential costs and impact on public health considerations associated with the mandate. Teams throughout the University system specialize in analyzing medical effectiveness, costs, and public health impacts and work with a statewide faculty task force and a private actuarial firm to generate literature reviews and analyses in response to legislative requests. These teams work on multiple requests simultaneously, all within the constraints of the legislative calendar. In its first 2 years, CHBRP generated 22 such analyses.
Evaluating Medical Effectiveness for the California Health Benefits Review Program
Authors: Luft Harold S. , Rappaport Karen M. , Yelin Edward H. , Aubry Wade M.
Published: March 2006

An important aspect of the mandate assessments requested by the California legislature is a review of the scientific and medical literature on the medical effectiveness of the proposed health insurance benefit mandate. Although such a review bears many similarities to effectiveness reviews that might be undertaken for publication as research studies, several important differences arise from the requirements of the California legislation.

Our reviews are intended to assist the legislators in deciding whether to support a specific mandate to modify health insurance benefits in a particular way. Thus, our assessments focus on how the scientific literature bears on the proposed mandate, which may involve a complicated chain of potential effects leading from altered coverage to ultimate impact on health. Evidence may be available for only some of the links in the chain. Furthermore, not all the evidence may be directly applicable to the diverse population of California or the subpopulation affected by the mandate.

The mandate reviews, including the medical effectiveness analyses, may be used in a potentially contentious decision making setting. The legislative calendar requires that they need to be timely, yet they must be as valid, credible, and based on the best information available as possible. The focus on applicability also implies the need for informed, technical decisions concerning the relevance of the articles for the report, and these decisions need to be made as transparent as possible. These goals and constraints yield an approach that differs somewhat from an investigator‐initiated review of the literature.
The California Cost and Coverage Model: Analyses of the Financial Impacts of Benefit Mandates for the California Legislature
Authors: Kominski Gerald F. , Ripps Jay C. , Laugesen Miriam J. , Cosway Robert G. , Pourat Nadereh
Published: March 2006

Objective. To produce cost estimates of proposed health insurance benefit mandates for the California legislature.

Data Sources. The 2001 California Health Interview Survey, 2002 Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Education Trust California Employer Health Benefits Survey, Milliman Health Cost Guidelines, and ad hoc surveys of large health plans were used.

Study Design. We developed an actuarial model to estimate short‐term (1 year) changes in utilization and total health care expenditures, including insurance premiums and out‐of‐pocket expenditures, if insurance mandates were enacted. This model includes baseline estimates of current coverage and total current expenditures for each proposed mandate.

Principal Findings. Analysis of seven legislative proposals indicated 1‐year increases in total health care expenditures among the insured population in California ranging from 0.006 to 0.200 percent. Even when proposed mandates were expected to reach a large target group, either utilization or cost was sufficiently low to keep total cost increases minimal.

Conclusions. Our ability to develop a California‐specific model to estimate the impacts of proposed mandates in a timely fashion provided California legislators during the 2004 legislative session with more‐detailed coverage and cost information than is generally available to legislative bodies.
Assessing the Public Health Impact of State Health Benefit Mandates
Authors: McMenamin Sara B. , Halpin Helen A. , Ganiats Theodore G.
Published: March 2006

Objective. To document the process used in assessing the public health impact of proposed health insurance benefit mandates in California as part of the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) to serve as a guide for other states interested in incorporating a public health impact analysis into their state mandated benefit review process.

Background. As of September 2004, of the 26 states that require reviews of mandated benefit legislation, 25 required an assessment of the cost impact, 12 required an assessment of the medical efficacy, and only 6 had language requiring an assessment of the public health impact.

Methodology. This paper presents the methodology used to calculate the overall public health impact of each mandate. This includes a discussion of data sources, required data elements, and the methods used to quantify the impact of a mandated health insurance benefit on: overall public health, on gender and racial disparities in health outcomes, on premature death, and on the economic loss associated with disease. In addition we identify the limitations of this type of analysis.

Conclusions. The approach that California has adopted to review proposed health benefit mandates represents a leap forward in its consideration of the impact of such mandates on the health of the population. the approach is unique in its specific requirements to address public health impacts as well as the attempt to quantify these impacts by the CHBRP team. The requirement to make available this information to the state government has the potential, ultimately, to increase the availability of health insurance products in California that will maximize public health.
An Analysis of California Assembly Bill 2185: Mandating Coverage of Pediatric Asthma Self‐Management Training and Education
Authors: Halpin Helen Ann , McMenamin Sara B. , Pourat Nadereh , Yelin Edward
Published: March 2006

Objective. To summarize for the California Legislature the evidence on the medical effectiveness of pediatric asthma self‐management training and education (PASMTE), including the use of peak flow meters, spacers, and nebulizers and the impact that mandated coverage of these services and devices under Assembly Bill (AB) 2185 would have on total health care expenditures, monthly premiums, health services utilization, and the public's health.

Medical Effectiveness Findings. The review of the literature finds that PASMTE is medically effective and has favorable effects on the health of children with symptomatic asthma, as well as reduces asthma‐related emergency room visits and hospitalizations. There was inadequate evidence to assess the effectiveness of the three medical devices independently of PASMTE.

Cost and Utilization Findings. One‐hundred percent of children in health maintenance organization (HMO) plans in California are already covered for PASMTE, with fewer having coverage for the specific medical devices. However, despite full coverage of PASMTE in HMOs, these services are underutilized. We expect that the enactment of AB 2185 would increase utilization of PASMTE among children who are currently covered by 10 percent as a result of increased awareness of current coverage by all HMOs and increased awareness of the importance of these services. We estimate that this increased utilization by children who are already covered may result in a total statewide premiums increase of $170,000 or 0.006 percent, equal to one to two cents per member per month (PMPM).

Public Health Findings. It is estimated that the public health impact of the mandate, as a result of new utilization of PASMTE by 10 percent of children who are already covered, would reduce the number of school days missed because of asthma per year by 158,000; the number of children reporting restricted activity days by 6,020; the number of emergency department visits by 350; and the number of hospitalizations by 1,105.

Legislative Action. AB 2185 passed the legislature after being amended six times. The bill as it was signed into law did not mandate coverage for PASMTE, as all HMOs in California presently reported covering these services. However, the bill retained the mandate for coverage of the three medical devices, as their coverage was not as universal across health plans.