Diversity attitudes and norms: the role of ethnic identity and relational demography

This study investigated attitudes and subjective norms related to workplace diversity initiatives and intentions to engage in diversity‐related behaviors in a sample of 852 public service employees. Participants completed a survey measuring behavioral intentions, attitudes, belief‐based norms, ethnic identity achievement, and demographic characteristics. Comparisons were made between people of color and Whites as well as between those with high and low ethnic identity achievement. Results showed a triple interaction among supervisor race, employee race, and employee ethnic identity achievement. Specifically, among people of color with high ethnic identity achievement, having a supervisor of color was more strongly associated with positive views of subjective norms toward inclusive behavior, understanding others, and treating others with respect than among people of color with low ethnic identity achievement. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of quality improvement practices on team effectiveness: a mediational model

Researchers have been challenged to specify the processes that quality improvement (QI) practices could be expected to generate and to explain how they might contribute to organizational effectiveness. This research article meets that challenge through a study of 97 teams in the health care field. The authors developed a ‘Quality Improvement Practices Index’ and showed that QI practices could be differentiated from traditional team‐level variables, and that such practices affect both directly and indirectly (through team‐level variables) team effectiveness. Two models were tested using structural equation modelling. It was found that the perceptions of the impact of QI practices on team effectiveness varied depending on who was assessing the team's performance—members of the team or managers who were external to the team but responsible for the team's performance. The authors discuss the implications of these results both for researchers and practitioners. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Review of strategic planning guidance in Scotland

In Scotland, land use planning decisions have been aided by a series of National Planning Guidelines published over a period of nearly 20 years. The Guidelines represent a distinctive contribution to planning practice and have enabled the Scottish Office to inform local authorities of governmental policy on key land use issues. The Guidelines have been accompanied by Land Use Summary Sheets, providing assessments of specific land resources, and Circulars setting down ministerial policy. These instruments have attracted considerable interest outwith Scotland and their future development is also of wider significance. Current proposals seek to change these arrangements and, in particular, to replace the Guidelines with National Planning Policy Guidelines. The effects of the proposed changes are reviewed and discussed.     

Some effect of CuSO4 on carp

Abstract Copper treatment, muscle and liver accumulate a great amount of copper ions. The higher concentration of copper ions in the organism caused an elevated level of metallothionein. Copper induced the synthesis of metallothionein, mostly in the livers. In gel chromatography heat stable low molecular weight protein certain coming from the destruction of high molecular weight proteins could be observed. On the effect of higher copper ion concentration in the liver, the level of the metallothionein bound to copper (as related to total protein bounded to copper) was decreased. This phenomenon shows the weaker affinity of apothionein to copper, compared to other proteins.

Follows copper sulphate treatment, every measured blood serum parameter was changed. GOT activity rose to 130% and the GPT to 300% of control. LDH activity increased, too. According to this, the anaerobic way became preferred in glucose metabolism. On the effect of copper sulphate stress the blood serum glucose concentration was higher than the control value.     

Environmental Determinants of Recent Endemism of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infections in Amphibian Assemblages in the Absence of Disease Outbreaks

The inconsistent distribution of large‐scale infection mediated die‐offs and the subsequent population declines of several animal species, urges us to understand how, when, and why species are affected by disease. It is often unclear when or under what conditions a pathogen constitutes a threat to a host. Often, variation of environmental conditions plays a role. Globally Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes amphibian declines; however, host responses are inconsistent and this fungus appears equally capable of reaching a state of endemism and subsequent co‐existence with native amphibian assemblages. We sought to identify environmental and temporal factors that facilitate host–pathogen coexistence in northern Europe. To do this, we used molecular diagnostics to examine archived and wild amphibians for infection and general linear mixed models to explore relationships between environmental variables and prevalence of infection in 5 well‐sampled amphibian species. We first detected infection in archived animals collected in 1999, and infection was ubiquitous, but rare, throughout the study period (2008–2010). Prevalence of infection exhibited significant annual fluctuations. Despite extremely rare cases of lethal chytridiomycosis in A. obstetricans, Bd prevalence was uncorrelated with this species’ population growth. Our results suggest context dependent and species‐specific host susceptibility. Thus, we believe recent endemism of Bd coincides with environmentally driven Bd prevalence fluctuations that preclude the build‐up of Bd infection beyond the critical threshold for large‐scale mortality and host population crashes. Determinantes Ambientales del Endemismo Reciente de Infecciones de Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis en Conjuntos de Anfibios en Ausencia de Brotes de Enfermedades Spitzen et al.     

Climate forecasts in disaster management: Red Cross flood operations in West Africa, 2008

In 2008, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) used a seasonal forecast for West Africa for the first time to implement an Early Warning, Early Action strategy for enhanced flood preparedness and response. Interviews with disaster managers suggest that this approach improved their capacity and response. Relief supplies reached flood victims within days, as opposed to weeks in previous years, thereby preventing further loss of life, illness, and setbacks to livelihoods, as well as augmenting the efficiency of resource use. This case demonstrates the potential benefits to be realised from the use of medium‐to‐long‐range forecasts in disaster management, especially in the context of potential increases in extreme weather and climate‐related events due to climate variability and change. However, harnessing the full potential of these forecasts will require continued effort and collaboration among disaster managers, climate service providers, and major humanitarian donors.