How career orientation shapes the job satisfaction–turnover intention link

This study examined the impact of career orientation on the static and dynamic relationships between job satisfaction and turnover intention. Longitudinal data of 255 employees were collected at three waves of measurement 1 year apart. Results for career orientations as a moderator differed between the static and dynamic job satisfaction–turnover links. The static relationship was found to be similar and less negative for employees with independent and loyalty‐focused career orientations than for promotion‐focused and disengaged employees. Regarding the dynamic relationship between job satisfaction change and turnover intention change, however, independent and loyalty‐focused employees differed: An increase (decline) in job satisfaction was more strongly related to a decline (increase) in turnover intention for independent employees than for loyalty‐focused employees. These findings provide new insights into the differential dynamics involved in assessing work situations and responding to them based on different career aspirations and interests. Consequences for research and practice regarding more effective human resource management are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polylactide (PLA)—Halloysite Nanocomposites: Production, Morphology and Key-Properties

To evaluate the potential of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) as nanofiller for polylactide (PLA), various nanocomposites have been successfully produced by melt-blending the polyester matrix with HNT (HNT(QM)). HNT were also surface treated by silanization reaction with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPM). The morphology, thermal, tensile and impact strength properties of the nanocomposites containing 3?C12?% HNT were evaluated and compared to those of pristine (unfilled) PLA. The nanocomposites were characterized by higher rigidity (with Young??s modulus increasing with HNT loading), higher tensile strength (about 70?MPa at 6?% HNT(QM)), whereas the elongation at break and impact strength did not decrease. As demonstrated under dynamic solicitation (DMA), melt-blending PLA with HNT led to enhancement of storage modulus (E??) and offers the possibility to use PLA in applications requiring higher temperatures of utilization. However, with few exceptions, TGA and DSC measurements did not reveal important changes of thermal parameters. The surface silanization treatment proved to improve the quality of the nanofiller dispersion even at higher loading. As a result, good thermal stability associated to high tensile strength, and noticeable increases in impact properties were recorded. Furthermore, enhanced nucleating ability and crystallization kinetics of the PLA matrix were revealed as specific characteristics.     

Calcium amendment improved the performance of fragrant rice and reduced metal uptake under cadmium toxicity

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cadmium (Cd) toxicity has detrimental effects on plant metabolism and yield formation. This study examined the effects of Cd stress in rice and the...     

Expressing forgiveness after interpersonal mistreatment: Power and status of forgivers influence transgressors' relationship restoration efforts

One adverse consequence of interpersonal mistreatment is that it damages the relationship between the victim and the transgressor. Scholars have promoted forgiveness of such mistreatment as a victim response that can motivate transgressors to work towards relationship restoration. Building on social exchange theory and the social perception literature, we provide an account of when transgressors are less (vs. more) willing to restore their relationship with the victim in response to forgiveness. Specifically, we argue that transgressors perceive forgiveness from a victim who has high (vs. low) power, relative to the transgressor, as insincere, making transgressors less willing to restore the relationship. We further argue that this effect of high (vs. low) victim power is pronounced especially when the victim also has low (vs. high) status. Two experiments and two field studies support these predictions. These findings highlight the relevance of studying how contextual conditions color transgressors' perceptions of victims' behavior to understand relationship restoration after interpersonal mistreatment.     

Male and female developmental differences in chemosensory investigations by African elephants (Loxodonta africana) approaching waterholes

Although communication is vital for members of a social species, the sexes may differ in the type and degree of information sought. In many polygynous societies, males search for reproductively active females and compete intrasexually for access to females with older males often being most successful. In social mammals, females may mature sooner than males and thus at an earlier age behave more like adults. This maturation may include the assessment of potential mates directly or via indicative signals. In this study, we observed the behavior of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) during their approach to waterholes. Waterholes provide an opportunity for elephants to investigate conspecific chemical signals from feces and urine, and each other. We examined the presence of sexual dimorphism in behaviors of the trunk that are indicative of olfactory investigation. We predicted that upon approach to a waterhole, adult males would show greater interest than females in conspecific chemical signals. Females were predicted and observed to exhibit adult-like rates of investigatory behavior at a younger age than males because females mature sooner. Adult males took the longest to reach the waterhole in the last 100 m of approach; they also demonstrated greater investigatory rates to conspecific feces. Each sex showed adult-type investigative behaviors with the trunk before the age of reproduction. Rather than showing a common chronological developmental pattern across sex, the exhibition of investigatory, chemosensory behaviors reflected sex-specific changes in reproductive development, perhaps reflective of the relative strength of intra- and intersexual selection on communication patterns.     

Simultaneous observations of boundary-layer aerosol layers with CL31 ceilometer and 1064/532 nm lidar

Aerosol backscatter measurements from a Vaisala CL31 ceilometer are compared directly with a co-located 532/1064 nm lidar in order to validate the CL31 for remote sensing of vertical aerosol structure. The cases examined include a significant aerosol event (biomass burning), which by virtue of its vertical extent, provides a robust measure of the vertical range of the ceilometer for aerosol applications. A second case is presented when the instruments were separated in order to illustrate the utility of a network of such instruments for elucidating spatial patterns in aerosol distribution and the advection of elevated pollutant layers. When co-located, the instruments show remarkable agreement and indicate that the CL31 can detect aerosol layers up to 3000 m AGL in ideal conditions (at night and with high aerosol concentrations as found in biomass burning or dust plumes). When separated, multiple instruments provide an opportunity to examine advection of pollutant layers as well as their evolution. This suggests that installation of a ceilometer network would provide a cost-effective means of examining three-dimensional aspects of regional air quality as well as distinguishing between regional and local sources of pollution     

A proposal to conserve black-footed ferrets and the prairie dog ecosystem

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) have been poisoned throughout this century because of grazing competition with livestock. Recent evidence showed these early claims were exaggerated, but animal control was already entrenched in government policy. As a result, ongoing government subsidized poisoning has reduced prairie dogs to about 2% of their former distribution. The reduction of prairie dogs diminished species diversity in the arid grasslands of North America, including the potential extinction of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Cost-benefit analysis revealed that poisoning costs more than any grazing benefits accrued. This analysis did not consider the long-term costs of reversing ecosystem degradation, the intangible value of biological diversity as a public benefit, or the depletion of biotic resources as a loss of actual or potential wealth. The government presently finances the poisoning policy and the preservation of endangered species like the black-footed ferret, two apparently conflicting programs. We, therefore, propose an integrated management plan that considers both interests. We propose that federal monies allocated to the poisoning program be converted into a rebate for ranchers who manage livestock while preserving the prairie dog community. This would redirect funds and personnel already allocated to prairie dog eradication to an incentive for ranchers who manage for livestock and wildlife. Livestock interests and grassland biotic diversity would both benefit.     

A two-dimensional simulation model of phosphorus uptake including crop growth and P-response

Modelling nutrient uptake by crops implies considering and integrating the processes controlling the soil nutrient supply, the uptake by the root system and relationships between the crop growth response and the amount of nutrient absorbed. We developed a model that integrates both dynamics of maize growth and phosphorus (P) uptake. The crop part of the model was derived from Monteith's model. A complete regulation of P-uptake by the roots according to crop P-demand and soil P-supply was assumed. The soil P-supply to the roots was calculated using a diffusion equation and assuming that roots behave as zero-sinks. The actual P-uptake and crop growth were calculated at each time step by comparing phosphate and carbohydrate supply–demand ratios. Model calculations for P-uptake and crop growth were compared to field measurements on a long term P-fertilization trial. Three P-fertilization regimes (no P-fertilization, 42.8 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 94.3 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) have led to a range of P-supply. Our model correctly simulated both the crop development and growth for all P-treatments. P-uptake was correctly predicted for the two non-limiting P-treatments. Nevertheless, for the limiting P-treatment, P-uptake was correctly predicted during the early period of growth but it was underestimated at the last sampling date (61 day after sowing). Several arguments for under-prediction were considered. However, most of them cannot explain the observed magnitude in discrepancy. The most likely reason might be the fact that biomass allocation between shoot and root must be modelled more precisely. Despite this mismatch, the model appears to provide realistic simulations of the soil–plant dynamic of P in field conditions.     

Gravity currents and intrusions of stratified fluids into a stratified ambient

We consider high-Reynolds-number Boussinesq gravity currents and intrusions systems in which both the ambient and the propagating “current” are linearly stratified. The main focus is on a current of fixed volume released from a rectangular lock; the height ratio of the fluids H, and the stratification parameter of the ambient S, are quite general. We develop a one-layer shallow-water (SW) model which is an extension of previously used and tested formulations for currents and intrusions of constant density. The internal stratification enters as a new dimensionless parameter, s ? [0,1]{\sigma \in [0,1]} . Analytical results are obtained for the initial “slumping” stage during which the speed of propagation is constant, and finite-difference solutions are presented for the more general time-dependent motion. Overall, this is a versatile and robust self-contained prediction tool, which reduces smoothly to the classical case when σ = 0. We show that, in general, the speed of propagation decreases when the internal stratification becomes more pronounced (σ increases). An interesting non-expected behavior was detected: when the stratification of the ambient is weak and moderate then the height of the current decreases with σ, but the opposite occurs when the stratification of the ambient is strong (S ≈ 1, including the case of an intrusion). Moreover, when the stratification of the ambient is strong a current with internal stratification may “run out” of driving power. We also consider the Benjamin-type steady state current with internal linear stratification in a non-stratified ambient, and show that an analytical solution exists, and that the maximal thickness decreases to below half-channel depth when σ increases.