Performance Appraisal as a Strategic Intervention

An increasing number of organisations are instituting formal appraisal systems for employees at all levels. This article reviews major reasons for this widespread move and points out the failure of most performance appraisal systems to form an integral part of an organisation's forward strategic plan. While many organisations are adopting strategic plans designed to produce widespread organisational restructuring and the reformulation of organisational functions, the institution of PA systems in these same organisations can create reward structures which reinforce the status quo. PA should be a proactive intervention addressing future issues, supporting rather than subverting corporate strategy. To achieve a supportive link between strategy and PA, we suggest a series of questions to guide the planning of a PA system so that it becomes a vital ingredient in moving the organisation toward a future vision. 1988 Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of 95 Bone Marrow Reactive Plasmacytoses

We histologically and immunohistochemically studied 95 bone marrow (BM) reactive plasmacytoses. Ten biopsies from plasma cell myeloma (PCM) patients served as a control group. In addition, we studied 10 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) cases. Histologically, plasmacytosis varied between 5% and 25% with an interstitial pattern of plasma cell (PC) distribution being characteristically displayed. Immunohistochemically, we did not find any CD56/NCAM nor cyclin D1 expression in all biopsies (95 of 95, 100%), not even a weak, doubtful one; PCs were all polyclonal and CD138 positive. On the contrary, myeloma-associated PCs showed monoclonality for kappa- or lambda- light chain and strong CD56/NCAM immunoreactivity (8 of 10, 80%); four of them were cyclin D1 positive. Osteoblasts exhibited similar CD56/NCAM expression in both groups. Our data confirm the diagnostic utility of CD56/NCAM in the phenotypic characterization of polyclonal plasma cells, suggesting an important role of this particular immunomarker in the BM trephine study of polyclonal versus neoplastic plasmacytic infiltrations

Winds of change: engaging with conflicting perspectives in renewable energy

This study examines public attitudes towards climate change and policies to limit greenhouse gases such as through the expansion of renewable energy sources. The study includes a critical examination of the apparent contradiction between belief in climate change and generalized support for renewable energy, as revealed in this survey, and of opposition to the placement of large-scale renewable energy generators such as wind farms. The literature identifies significant psychogenic influences leading to opposition to specific wind farm sitting as well as strong policy support for coal mining in Australia, but these appear to be ignored or dismissed by environmentalists, leading to ineffective communication on the issues and, ultimately, to entrenched opposition to an energy transition. We use social marketing benchmarks to identify engagement strategies that may increase understanding of the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption, alleviate anxiety about wind farm impacts and improve acceptance of renewable energy generation strategies overall

Genetic analysis of the dry forest timber tree Sideroxylon capiri in Costa Rica using AFLP

Sideroxylon capiri (“Tempisque”) is a threatened and economically important timber species in the dry forest of Costa Rica. To assess the extent of the genetic diversity between and within populations of this species, 86 samples were obtained from four sites in the northwestern part of the country from protected and non-protected areas. They were analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism. Five primers were used to generate 254 polymorphic bands. Molecular variance indicated a 92 % within locations with a PhiPT (φ st) of 0.083 and a He from 0.204 to 0.249. PCoA analysis showed two different groups: one formed by Palo Verde and La Cruz samples, and another group with Nicoya and Barra Honda samples. The dendrogram arranged the samples in three groups: individuals from Palo Verde and La Cruz divided in two groups, and a more compact group from Barra Honda and Nicoya. A positive correlation between pairwise linearized geographical distance and genetic differentiation among populations was detected by Mantel test (R 2 = 0.76241, P = 0.04). Results are discussed in terms of fragmentation of the continuous forests and geographical barriers. Despite these results, it is evident that a great genetic diversity exists for this species and the results can be used for conservation purposes.Universidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaConsejo Nacional para Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas/[]/CONICIT/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de QuímicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí

Temporal variation in pollen dispersal and breeding structure in a bee-pollinated Neotropical tree

Variation among flowering seasons in the time of flowering, synchrony and length of flowering, and fluctuations in the abundance of pollinators may cause a variation in pollen dispersal distance. In this study, we analyzed the temporal variation in pollen dispersal and breeding structure in the Neotropical tree species Tabebuia aurea (Bignoniaceae) and evaluated pollen dispersal between a population inside the reserve and a patch of isolated individuals on the edge of the reserve, and tested the hypothesis that isolated individuals are sinking for pollen. All adult trees (260) within a population of 40 ha and 9 isolated individuals on the edge of the reserve were sampled, and from these adults, 21 open-pollinated progeny arrays were analyzed in 2 flowering seasons (309 seeds in 2004 and 328 in 2005). Genetic analyses were based on the polymorphism at 10 microsatellite loci. A high proportion of self-pollination found in both flowering seasons indicated a mixed-mating system. The mean pollen dispersal distance differed significantly between the two flowering seasons (307.78 m in 2004 and 396.26 m in 2005). Maximum pollen dispersal was 2608 m, but most pollination events (65%) occurred at distances <300 m. Our results also showed that isolated individuals are sinking for pollen, with high pollen flow between the population inside the reserve and individuals on the edge. These results are most likely due to the large pollinator species, which can potentially fly long distances, and also due to temporal variation in individual fecundity and contribution to pollen dispersal