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Many studies are conducted in which replication of units is prohibitive. Traditional methods of hypothesis testing do not allow for analysis of unreplicated experiments. An abundance of subsampling allows for accurate estimation of within-treatment variance, but does not constitute experimental error. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) is a ratio involving both the within-treatment variance and the between-treatment variance. We propose a method for analyzing unreplicated experiments that exploits the relationship among the ICC, within treatment variance, and between-treatment variance by placing a reasonable upper bound on the ICC (from prior research) and using subsampling to carry out classical tests of significance that have conservative levels of significance. The methodology has wide applicability for analyzing unreplicated experiments and may be implemented in SAS (Cary, NC) using the MIXED procedure. As a demonstration of the methodology, the authors used data from an unpublished study in which a researcher tested the effectiveness of four different treatments [(i) control; (ii) sample-dependent release of the predacious phytnseiid mite (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, PP); (iii) scheduled release of PP; (iv) Floramite (2-(4-methoxy-[l,l-biphenyl]-3-yl)-l-methylethyl ester; UniRoyal Chemical Company, Inc., Middlesbury, CT] pesticide application] controlling two-spotted spider mites (hereafter refered to as just mites) in commercial greenhouses. Four greenhouses were used for the study. Within each greenhouse, eight potted ivy geranium [Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L'Her. ex Ait., 'Summer-Rose Red'] plants were inoculated with mites. One of the four treatments was applied in each of the four greenhouses. At the end of 1 wk, the number of mites was counted on each potted plant in each greenhouse. Using the proposed methodology, one-factor ANOVA was performed with follow-up tests identifying significant differences among the treatment means.

The identification and characterization of the Arabidopsis homologue of MSH4 (AtMSH4) is reported which can only be detected in floral tissues, consistent with a role in reproduction. Immunofluorescence studies indicate that its expression is limited to early meiotic prophase I, preceding the synapsis of homologous chromosomes.

This article is an account of the screening for Bacillus anthracis in the samples collected after the bioterrorism attack in the Washington D.C. area. DNA extracted from the bacterial colonies obtained from the samples test positive for the lethal factor, pXO1, and for the capA and vrr gene amplicons by polymerase chain reaction. Replicon sequence analysis show greater than 99% homology with W-21 strains of B. anthacis.

SUMMARY: In this study, we examine the structure of the state auditor or equivalent function to determine the relationship with federal corruption convictions. Specifically, we explore whether differences in the responsibilities for (1) financial statement audits of state or local governments (i.e., state audit function versus private-sector auditor) and (2) fraud investigations through whistleblower programs within states are associated with federal corruption prosecutions within the state. We find that states' efforts in the fight against corruption appear to be more effective where state audit functions are responsible for both financial statement audits and fraud investigations. We interpret our results as support for deterrence benefits achievable through state auditor functions' active involvement in financial statement audits and fraud investigations. Data Availability: All data are publicly available from various internet sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Climate change presents a particularly complex challenge in the context of flyway scale conservation of migratory bird species as it requires coordinated action by multiple countries along these species' migratory routes. Coordinating conservation responses requires understanding the vulnerability of species and their habitats to climate change at the flyway scale throughout each species' annual cycle. To contribute to such understanding, we used species distribution models to assess the exposure to climate change of waterbird species that are the focus of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). We found that the species with the smallest proportion of their current range projected to be climatically suitable by 2050 (those whose distributions respond to changes in water availability but that do not perform synchronised migration) are dispersive species in the Afrotropical biogeographic realm, and migratory species in their breeding season, particularly Arctic breeding waders. These species also have the most limited availability of newly suitable areas. Projections for most other Palearctic migratory waterbird species suggest that losses of suitable areas in their current passage and wintering ranges may be largely offset by new areas becoming climatically suitable. The majority of migratory Palearctic waterbirds in the breeding season and Afrotropical waterbirds are widely dispersed with only a small proportion of their populations currently supported by 'Critical Sites' (i.e. sites that are either important for Globally Threatened Species or support 1% of the bioregional population of any waterbird species). This makes it unlikely that climate change adaptation measures focusing only on key sites will be sufficient to counter the predicted range losses. Therefore, climate change adaptation responses should also be implemented at the landscape scale for Afrotropical waterbirds and for breeding populations of Palearctic migrant waterbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa‐Eurasia, varying from 20.1% in Eastern Europe to 87.0% in Africa. African and Middle East sites are particularly threatened, comprising 71 of the 100 most vulnerable sites. By highlighting priority sites for conservation and classifying Critical Sites into Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS) classes, our results can be used to support the climate change adaptation of both individual sites and the entire site network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new product development programs attempting to meet challenging targets for time-to-market, quality, and cost were in urgent need of space and facilities. A decision was made to reengineer a light commercial building 50 miles from the main research and development and manufacturing facility. This satellite facility that housed a supplier of electroformed parts to another original equipment manufacturer would need to be entirely retrofitted to accommodate the research and development and manufacturing requirements of the four groups. The existing corporate facilities engineering group was unable to deliver the array of requests generated by the product development programs. This included 31 different projects, ranging from clean rooms and labs to air handling systems and offices. A project management team was spun off with the directive to meet customer requirements on time and within budget--even if it meant breaking rules. The project had many of the earmarks of a 'skunkworks,' the concept originally developed by Lockheed Martin, as a way to quickly develop solutions by bypassing some of the time-consuming bureaucracy and allowing the team to make ad hoc decisions. The skunkworks project management team was able to deliver the projects on time and within budget by: (1) adhering to a clear focus on their mission; (2) including extensive up-front planning efforts; (3) critically analyzing customer needs; (4) leveraging project overlaps; (5) involving suppliers early; (6) empowering the team; and (7) breaking roles. Many of the lessons learned from this project are being treated as organizational learning and are currently being incorporated into other facilities engineering groups to improve their operations. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2002) 18:1(21) CE Database keywords: Project management; Partnerships; Project planning.

Several sample preparation methods for extracting high-quality DNA for PCR were evaluated. For Escherichia coli, Xtra Amp tube, Isocode paper, Instagene matrix, and PrepMan matrix methods were all suitable. For Cryptosporidium parvum, Xtra Amp and Instagene methods were suitable.