The Kirton Adaption - Innovation Inventory: A re-examination of the factor structure

Although the Kirton Adaption - Innovation Inventory (KAI) has almost always been used as a single scale purporting to measure a dimension of cognitive style, the KAI Manual characterizes three factors. This paper provides further confirmatory evidence of the structure of the three-factor model and of the high reliability coefficients of the three subscales. However, it questions whether three factors are sufficient and examines four- and five-factor models. Evidence is provided that the ‘O’ subscale in the orthodox three-factor model contains two conceptual elements, a major component concerned with idea generation and a minor component concerned with preference for stability/change. A four-factor model of KAI is proposed and an argument is advanced which leads to concern about the idea generation element of the ‘O’ subscale as a measure purely of cognitive style. Some implications for the development of the KAI are outlined.     

Pathways of arsenic uptake and incorporation in estuarine phytoplankton and the filter-feeding invertebrates Eurytemora affinis,Balanus improvisus and Crassostrea virginica

Arsenic uptake from water and from phytoplankton was followed in the copepod Eurytemora affinis and the barnacle Balanus improvisus collected from the Patuxent River estuary, Chesapeake Bay, eastern coast of the USA in 1987, and in the oyster Crassostrea virginica obtained from a hatchery on the shore of Chesapeake Bay in 1987. Dissolved arsenic was readily taken up by phytoplankton and by shell material of B. improvisus and C. virginica; however, no dissolved arsenic was incorporated into the invertebrate tissues. When E. affinis, B. improvisus and C. virginica were fed phytoplankton containing elevated arsenic contents, significant arsenic incorporation occurred. Juvenile B. improvisus incorporated relatively more arsenic than adults of all three species. Compared to the 100 to 200% increase in arsenic content by phytoplankton exposed to dissolved arsenic, the 25 to 50% increase in these invertebrate species via trophic transfer is relatively small. Even though the trophic pathway for arsenic transfer is the major one for higher trophic levels within an ecosystem, the potential for direct arsenic impact to trophic levels other than phytoplankton appears to be minimal.     

Role stress,physical symptomatology,and turnover intentions: A causal analysis of three alternative specifications

Causal relationships involving role stressors, physical symptomatology, and turnover intentions were examined within three alternative specifications. These specifications stemmed from Beehr and Newman's (1978) and Schuler's (1982) models of role stress and Locke's (1976) theory of job satisfaction. The results, derived from LISREL VI analyses, indicate that a revised Schuler model is the most plausible specification. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for understanding role stress and employee withdrawal.     

The Impact of Brown-Headed Cowbird Parasitism on Populations of the White-Crowned Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbirds, Molothrus ater , are brood parasites on many species of North American Passerines. Cowbird parasitism is frequently cited as a contributing factor in the decline of United States passerine populations, based on three lines of evidence. First, range expansion and population increases by Cowbirds in this century are dramatic and well documented. Second, increasing rates of parasitism have been discovered in a variety of host species populations. Finally, direct negative effects of parasitism on certain vulnerable species notably Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii , have been demonstrated. It remains unproven, however, that Cowbirds have significant negative effects on more abundant and widely-distributed hosts.
We report here on the impact of Cowbird parasitism on populations of Nuttall's White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli , in the San Francisco Bay Area. This widespread songbird is now subject to a 40–50% rate of parasitism in San Francisco, an increase from 5% only 15 years ago. Using known mortality and fecundity values, we calculate that this population of White-crowns cannot maintain its numbers when the parasitism rate exceeds approximately 20%. Present levels of parasitism thus appear to threaten the longevity survival of this adaptable Songbird in the San Francisco Bay Area.     

Scarce water resources and priority irrigation schemes from agronomic crops

Global environmental change places unavoidable pressure on water resources and agronomic crop production systems. Irrigation development is a credible measure to alleviate the challenge of food safety under water shortages, but it needs sufficient basis. The aim of this study is to address the problem of balancing water scarcity with food requirements, which are the key components of water security in regions with population growth. Marginal water productivity (MWP) indices for irrigation water performance and productivity evaluation were established in the current study. Based on the analysis of the regional water-crop relationship and spatial differences of MWP in China, the priorities for developing irrigation areas in different types of regions are discussed in this study. The results show that high MWPs are mainly in semi-arid regions with precipitation (P) between 500 and 1000 mm, while low MWPs mostly occur in areas with P more than 1000 and less than 500 mm. The significance and spatial distribution patterns of MWP are different than those of conventional irrigation water use efficiency evaluation indices, so its role cannot be replaced for the real production capacity of irrigation water evaluation. The strategies for global environmental change adaptation suggested in this study are taking MWP for irrigation water productivity evaluation and the priority irrigation schemes for agronomic crop determination; increasing MWP by means of irrigation efficiency and crop variety improvement worldwide; and raising global food production through the expansion of irrigation area in the regions hold high MWP and abundant water resources.