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The aim of this thesis was to critically evaluate whether biodata could be used as a valid tool in the pre-selection process of trainee chartered accountants. Biographical details of recently qualified accountants who trained within the whole spectrum of ICAS training offices, were collected from a self-completion questionnaire. The data collected was used to develop statistical models predicting two relevant pre-selection criteria for the accounting profession, namely the ability to pass the professional examinations at the first attempt and the probability of remaining with the training provider for at least 18 months post qualification. The validity of the developed models for use within the Scottish accountancy profession was then evaluated. Phase I of the thesis developed two models which considered examination performance, one based on honours graduates (n--183) and the other based on ordinary graduates (n=366) who qualified in the years 1988-1992. An empirical approach was adopted. Whilst statistically significant explanatory powers were identified for each model, a disappointing shrinkage was experienced when the models were applied to trainees who qualified in the years 1993-94. Two possible explanations were offered, the instability of the reference group and the empirical nature of the model derivation. Phase 11 of the thesis therefore adopted a more rational approach through the formulation of a conceptual framework. General background areas were hypothesised to be relevant in the determination of the criteria, and within these general areas specific factors were highlighted and entered into the logistic regression models using data from trainees who qualified in the years 1993-4. Statistically significant models were developed for both fully-accredited honours (n---149) and ordinary graduates (n--225) and these models continued to retain their validity when applied to trainees who qualified in 1995. The model developed for non-relevant honours students (n--61) was not significant highlighting the need for further work in this area. Likewise, from the data collected, an effective tenure model was not developed. This thesis has provided an additional validity study for the technique of biodata. by identifying that rationally derived biodata models can be used to differentiate between fully-accredited trainees who pass their WAS examinations at the first attempt and those who experience failure. This work therefore provides training principals who employ fully-accredited graduates to undertake WAS training with a useful preselection tool. It also provides evidence that rationally derived models appear to retain their validity and experience less shrinkage than models which were developed using a more empirical approach. Finally, the work demonstrates that it is possible to develop biodata models which are transportable across the full spectrum of ICAS authorised training offices and that biodata can therefore be transportable from one organisation to another.

Conserving biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes requires protecting networks of ecological reserves and managing the intervening matrix to maintain the potential for species to move among them. This dissertation provides original insights towards (1) identifying areas for protection in reserves that are critical to maintain biodiversity and (2) assessing the potential for species' movements among habitat patches in a reserve network. I develop and test methods that will facilitate conservation planning to promote viable, resilient populations through time. The first part of this dissertation tests and develops reserve selection strategies that protect either a single focal species in a dynamic landscape or multiple interacting species in a static landscape. Using a simulation model of boreal forest dynamics, I test the effectiveness of static and dynamic reserves to maintain spatial habitat requirements of a focal species, American Marten (Martes americana). Dynamic reserves improved upon static reserves but re-locating reserves was constrained by fragmentation of the matrix. Management of the spatial and temporal distribution of land-uses in the matrix will therefore be essential to retain options for re-locating reserves in the future. Additionally, to include essential consumer-resource interactions into reserve selection, a new algorithm is presented for American marten and its two primary prey species. The inclusion of their interaction had the benefit t of producing spatially aggregated reserves based on functional species requirements. The second part of this dissertation evaluates and synthesizes the network-theoretic approach to quantify connectivity among habitat patches or reserves embedded within spatially heterogeneous landscapes. I conduct a sensitivity analysis of network-theoretic connectivity analyses that derive least-cost movement behavior from the underlying cost surface which describes the relative ecological costs of dispersing through different landcover types. Landscape structure is shown to aff ect how sensitive least-cost graph connectivity assessments are to the quality (relative cost values) of landcover types. I develop a conceptual framework to classify network connectivity statistics based on the component of habitat connectivity that they quantify and the level within the network to which they can be applied. Together, the combination of reserve design and network connectivity analyses provide complementary insights to inform spatial planning decisions for conservation.

The origin and maintenance of phenotypic variation has generated considerable interest among students of functional morphology, sexual selection and behavioral ecology. In particular, hybridization has been suggested as a phenomenon which may generate novel phenotypic variation. In this dissertation I focus on the Xiphophorus birchmanni - X. malinche hybrid system to assess the role of hybridization in altering behavioral, morphological, sexual and non-sexual traits. I determine the relationship between the sword sexual ornament and body condition to support previous work which suggests that the sword is an inexpensive means to increase apparent size. My findings support the prediction that, while body size is condition-dependent, the sword is not. I show a trend toward hybrid populations displaying increased phenotypic variance and reduced phenotypic integration in sexual ornaments and body size. These findings provide evidence for a potential answer to a central question in the study of sexual selection, that of reduced genetic and phenotypic variance in sexual ornaments as the result of persistent direction selection generated by female choice. I take advantage of reduced phenotypic integration in hybrids allowing the evaluation of locomotor performance across a broad range of multivariate trait values. Sexual ornaments did not impair swimming performance per se. Rather, the sword negatively affected performance only when paired with a sub-optimal body shape. I evaluated how natural hybridization changes the relationship between boldness and anti-predator response. In poeciliid fishes, bold individuals have increased survival in the presence of predators. This non-intuitive observation may result from bold individuals being more likely to engage in anti-predator behaviors. Counter to my prediction, bold individuals were less likely to perform a fast-start response to a predator threat. This correlation was consistent among populations and species but was only significant in hybrids. My findings suggest that hybridization could influence correlations between behavioral traits in a manner similar to that documented for morphological traits.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-53). / xi, 53 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Zugl.: Ilmenau, Techn. Universiẗat, Diss., 2007.

Zugl.: Aachen, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2007 u.d.T.: Pruss, Vera: Gestaltungsempfehlungen zur Asset-Allokation von Privatinvestoren unter der Berücksichtigung von Steuern.

Zugl.: Zürich, Swiss Banking School, Diplomarbeit.

Zugl.: Köln, University, Diss., 2005.

Zugl.: Zürich, Univ., Diss.