Feeding use of a tropical agroecosystem (Cuba) by Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura L)

The Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura L.) is a species subjected to high consumptive use in Cuba, but there are a few publications related to its feeding habits in tropical regions. The goal of the present study was feeding analysis of Mourning dove to know its food spectrum, dietary importance and impact on a Caribbean agroecosystem. Seventy six samples of dove’s crop were collected in a hunting area of Cienfuegos province. The farming habitat presented higher feeding quality for this dove. The diet spectrum showed 88% plant, 9% mineral and 3% from animal origin. The seeds of Euphorbia heterphylla and Panicum maximum were the most important food items consumed by this species. Its main diet composed of 79% of seeds from herbaceous plants, with a preference for the small seeds. Crop damage caused by this dove was low, because only 10% of consumed food came from agricultural species and this dove ate seeds from plants considered weeds by farmers. Thus we concluded that this dove is a beneficial species in tropical agrosystems

Safety training for migrant workers in the construction industry: A systematic review and future research agenda

In the construction sector, there is a high risk for accidents, injuries, and fatalities, particularly for migrant workers who comprise a large proportion of the workforce. This article presents a systematic literature review of current safety training provision for migrant construction workers. In the interests of rigor, we draw on the learning, training transfer, and training effectiveness literatures, exploring not only the extent to which training brings about the intended outcomes, in terms of enhanced safety behaviors, and reduced accidents and injuries, but also the factors that influence learning and transfer of training back to the working environment. The literature search revealed only 18 peer-reviewed articles have been published since 2000, which is particularly surprising, given the disproportionate accident and fatality rates for migrant workers. Consequently, we propose a research agenda to enhance safety training for low skilled, migrant and native construction workers, drawing on cognitive and social constructivist instructional design models, which view training as a dynamic process involving active participation of trainees. We advocate the importance of attending to the situational context in which workers are embedded, including labor market conditions, social relations, and cultural differences. Finally, we propose the need for further longitudinal, multidimensional research to evaluate the impact of safety training on learning, transfer of training, and individual- and organizational-level outcomes, such as behavior change, and accident and fatality rates

Complex relationships among personality traits, job characteristics, and work behaviors

The aim of the study was to investigate the additive, mediating, and moderating effects of personality traits and job characteristics on work behaviors. Job applicants (N = 161) completed personality questionnaires measuring extraversion, neuroticism, achievement motivation, and experience seeking. One and a half years later, supervisors rated the applicants' job performance, and the job incumbents completed questionnaires about skill variety, autonomy, and feedback, work stress, job satisfaction, work self-efficacy, and propensity to leave. LISREL was used to test 15 hypotheses. Perceived feedback mediated the relationship between achievement motivation and job performance. Extraversion predicted work self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Work stress mediated the relationship between neuroticism and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction and experience seeking were related to propensity to leave. Autonomy, skill variety, and feedback were related to job satisfaction