The role of facet importance as a moderator in job satisfaction processes

Two studies were designed to test hypotheses derived from Locke's (1969, 1976, 1984) model of job satisfaction. Consistent with the model, both studies found that perceived have-want discrepancy scores were powerful predictors of facet job satisfaction. In addition, facet importance tended to moderate this relationship in the manner predicted by Locke. Workers who viewed a job facet as having high importance were more satisfied with a small perceived have-want discrepancy and more dissatisfied with a large discrepancy than workers who viewed the facet as having low importance. Finally, as expected, facet importance failed to moderate the relationship between facet satisfaction and overall job satisfaction. This finding supports Locke's proposition that facet satisfaction scores are ‘implicitly weighted’ by facet importance. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.     

Effects of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) on the Production of Poly(β-Hydroxybutyrate) by Azotobacter vinelandii UWD

Azotobacter vinelandii UWD, ATCC 53799, an engineered strain derived from Azotobacter vinelandii UW was used in the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modulated synthesis of poly(-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on modulating the production of PHB by amending the fermentation broth with PEG using A. vinelandii UWD. It was determined that A. vinelandii UWD is prone to back-mutation to the parent strain; hence fermentation experiments require the use of the antibiotic rifampicin. Diethylene glycol (DEG) and PEGs with molecular weights of 400, 2000, and 3400 Da and pentaerythritol ethoxylate (PEE) were used in the modulated fermentation experiments in a concentration of 2% (w/v). The molecular weight of the resulting polymers was reduced by up to 78%. No impact on the productivity of the strain was observed. Spectroscopic evidence showed that PEG-modulated synthesis resulted in the covalent attachment of the ethylene glycol moiety only when a small molecule, DEG, was used. PEGs had the same effects on the polymer formation in terms of molecular weight reduction as DEG, but no spectroscopic evidence was found for the formation of a covalent linkage between PHB and higher molecular weight PEGs.     

Metal bioavailability and speciation in a wetland tailings repository amended with biosolids compost,wood ash,and sulfate

Lead poisoning of waterfowl from direct ingestion of wetland mine tailings has been reported at the Coeur d'Alene River basin in Idaho. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effects of surface applications of amendments on lead bioavailability in the tailings. Treatments included sediment only, and sediment with three different surface amendments: (i) biosolids compost plus wood ash, (ii) compost + wood ash + a low SO4(2-) addition as K2SO4, and (iii) compost + wood ash + a high SO4(2-) addition. Measured variables included growth and tissue Pb, Zn, and Cd concentration of arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia Willd.) and cattail (Typha latifolia L.) and soil pH, redox potential (Eh), pore water Pb, Pb speciation by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and in vitro Pb bioavailability. The compost + ash amendment alleviated phytotoxicity for both plant species. Bioavailability of Pb as measured by a rapid in vitro extract decreased by 24 to 34% (over control) in the tailings directly below the amendment layer in the compost + SO4 treatments. The ratio of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) to simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) also indicated a reduction in Pb bioavailability (1:40 control, 1:20 compost, 1:8 compost + low SO4, and 1:3 compost + high SO4). Extended X-ray adsorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy data indicated that lead sulfide was greater after 99 d in the treatments that included additions of sulfate. These results indicated that, under reducing conditions, surface amendments of compost + wood ash (with or without sulfate) decreased the bioavailability of Pb in metal-contaminated mine tailings.     

Agricultural Land Use Effects on Sediment Loading and Fish Assemblages in Two Minnesota (USA) Watersheds

We examined the relationship between water quality and fish communities within two agricultural areas using a computer simulation model. Our analyses focused on a coolwater stream, Wells Creek in southeastern Minnesota, and a warmwater stream, the Chippewa River in western Minnesota. We used the Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport (ADAPT) model in relation to land use to calculate instream suspended sediment concentrations using estimates of sediment delivery, runoff, baseflow and streambank erosion, and quantified the effects of suspended sediment exposure on fish communities. We predicted the effects of agricultural practices on stream fish communities under several possible land use scenarios, with reference to current conditions. Land use changes led to reductions in sediment loading of up to 84% in Wells Creek and 49% in the Chippewa River. The reduction in sediment loading across scenarios may be directly related to a reduction in runoff by about 35% in both study areas. We found a 98% decrease in lethal concentrations of suspended sediment on fish in Wells Creek with an increase in conservation tillage, riparian buffers, and permanent vegetative cover. However, the effects of suspended sediment did not significantly decrease in the Chippewa River. This difference between study areas was likely due to differences in tolerance to suspended sediment between coolwater and warmwater fish communities and differences in topography, runoff and bank erosion between the two streams. The Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is jointly sponsored by the US Geological Survey, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Wildlife Management Institute.     

Female brown-headed cowbirds' (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Molothrus ater</Emphasis>) social assortment changes in response to male song: a potential source of public information

In many species, females' behavior appears to be influenced by that of other females, particularly regarding mate choice. Females theoretically can reduce the costs associated with independent male assessment by observing conspecifics. Studies of brown-headed cowbirds suggest that females pay attention to other females' behavior. Group-housed females modify their song preferences, whereas females housed in pairs do not. What information is available to females in a group environment? To address this question, we studied two groups of juvenile (i.e. hatch-year birds) and adult female cowbirds in a naturalistic group setting. We used a longitudinal ABA design, consecutively introducing and removing males that differed in age, amount of song production and stage of song development, to isolate the male characteristics that related to changes in female behavior. Juvenile and adult females assorted by age class when singing adult males were in the aviary, but not when singing juveniles or silent males of any age class were in the aviary. Results from playback tests confirmed that adult male song alone influenced female age class assortment. Videotape analysis from playback tests revealed that females also wing stroked in response to male song. Other females sometimes approached females who wing stroked and observed them. We hypothesize that group-level changes in social organization and individual females' responses can serve as visual signals for other individuals.     

Persistent Impacts of Trace Metals from Mining on Floodplain Grass Communities Along Soda Butte Creek, Yellowstone National Park

Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.001) on plots with more than 250 ppm copper. Above-ground biomass of Phleum pratense was also significantly lower on plots with copper levels above 250 ppm. Decreased mean grass density was found on plots with pH < 6.4, but the only statistically significant difference was for Juncus balticus, which had increased density on plots with pH < 6.4. In contrast to the clear impacts of trace metals and pH on vegetation, other site characteristics did not alter measured vegetation characteristics.     

EFFECTS OF CHELATED IRON ON THE GROWTH OF TWO SPECIES OF VALLISNERIA1

ABSTRACT: Iron, added as (Fe-EDTA)^-, was found stimulatory to V. spiralis at a concentration of 0.05 ppm. (Fe-EDTA)^- had no effect upon growth of V. neotropicalis as measured by changes in dissolved oxygen and dry weight. Results are compared with those derived from similar studies with Hydrilla verticillata and Egeria densa. The implications of lake drawdown and aeration are discussed.     

LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS AS AN AID TO LAKE RESTORATION DECISIONMAKING1

ABSTRACT: The choice of a lake rehabilitation technique can be assisted by laboratory experiments concerned with the composition and properties of the sediments. This work on Sawgrass Lake, Pinellas County, Florida, provides an example of the type of laboratory information that can be useful towards making decisions regarding the most effective restorative techniques. Experiments include chemical analysis of sediment (water content, organic content, pesticides, nutrients), rate of sediment compaction and rehydration at ambient conditions, and the effect of treatment with alum and other chemicals.     

The sensitivity of OMI-derived nitrogen dioxide to boundary layer temperature inversions

We assess the sensitivity of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) derived from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), to episodes of temperature inversion in the lower boundary layer. Vertical temperature data were obtained from a 91-m meteorological tower located in the study area, which is centered on the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area, Ontario, Canada. Hamilton is an industrial city with high traffic volumes, and is therefore subjected to high levels of pollution. Pollution buildup is amplified by frequent temperature inversions which are commonly radiative, but are also induced by local physiography, proximity to Lake Ontario, and regional meteorology. The four-year period from January 2005 to December 2008 was investigated. Ground-level data for validation were obtained from in situ air quality monitors located in the study area. The results indicate that OMI is sensitive to changes in the NO₂ levels during temperature inversions, and exhibits changes which roughly parallel those of in situ monitors. Overall, an 11% increase in NO₂ was identified by OMI on inversion days, compared to a 44% increase measured by in situ monitors. The weekend effect was clearly exhibited under both normal and inversion scenarios with OMI. Seasonal and wind direction patterns also correlated fairly well with ground-level data. Temperature inversions have resulted in poor air quality episodes which have severely compromised the health of susceptible populations, sometime leading to premature death. The rationale for this study is to further assess the usefulness of OMI for population exposure studies in areas with sparse resources for ground-level monitoring.