Several factors could threaten the effectiveness of the panel, but the most significant ones from the provided options are:
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Mark can't make it to the meetings and has to contribute by telephone. - This could hinder effective communication and collaboration, since he may miss non-verbal cues and the dynamics of in-person discussions.
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Ted gets mad at the rest of the panel, turns in his diary, and quits the panel. - Ted's departure could lead to a loss of diverse perspectives and group cohesion, which are important for the effectiveness of the panel.
While the fact that the panel members are all different ages and do not know each other outside of the study can influence group dynamics, these factors are less directly threatening to effectiveness compared to the situations involving Mark and Ted.