Identification and field bioassays of the sex pheromone of the yellow-legged clearwing Synanthedon vespiformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

The yellow-legged clearwing (YLC) Synanthedon vespiformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) occurs in the Mediterranean and central Europe. It is polyphagous, boring into the woody parts of broadleaf species including forest trees as well as various Rosaceae species. S. vespiformis has been reported as an economically important pest causing severe injury to stone fruit plantations. Many attractants for sesiid species were discovered by random field screening using 2,13- and 3,13-octadecadienyl alcohols, acetates and aldehydes, including one for S. vespiformis; and about 20 sex pheromones of sesiids have been identified so far. In the present study we identified the natural composition of the sex pheromone of YLC laboratory reared females as a blend of E3,Z13- and Z3,Z13-octadecadienyl acetates, at a ratio of 4:1. We developed an efficient lure for monitoring the pest. Pheromone funnel traps with rubber septa, impregnated with 1 mg pheromone blend, efficiently captured males for 10 weeks. Suspension of Shin-Etsu^? ropes containing a 2:1 blend of E3,Z13-18:Ac and Z3,Z13-18:Ac at 13.74 mg/ha/h, resulted in shutdown of trap catches in the treated plots and closely situated neighboring plots indicating that mating disruption is feasible.     

DNA-based carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1A)

We describe molecular prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection of tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1A) in two families. In one family, we carried out DNA-based prenatal diagnosis of OCA1A. In the other family, mutation analysis and carrier detection obviated the need for prenatal diagnosis. Molecular analysis is safer and probably more accurate than fetoscopy and fetal scalp biopsy, and should become the method of first choice for prenatal diagnosis of OCA1.     

Active learning climate and employee errors: The moderating effects of personality traits

This study developed and tested a cross‐level model of the relationship between two components of active learning climate—enactive exploration and guided learning—and employee errors, and the moderating roles of the individual's traits of openness to experience and conscientiousness. The study examined the medical errors made by 142 resident physicians in 22 hospital departments. Results demonstrated significant interactions between climate and traits: when an individual had a low level of the trait of openness to experience, there was a curvilinear relationship between enactive exploration climate and number of errors. With a high level of openness to experience, the enactive exploration climate was positively associated with the number of errors up to a certain point. In addition, when an individual had a low level of conscientiousness, there was a negative association between guided learning climate and number of errors; with a high level of conscientiousness, there was a positive association between guided learning climate and number of errors. Thus, individual performance was better when the climate complemented the individual's lack of a trait. When the level of the individual's trait was high, the climate intensified the already pronounced trait up to an extent that impaired the individual's performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.