The Bulgarian educational system and gender segregation in the labour market

School-to-work transitions are embedded in the institutional structures of educational systems. In particular, vocational education has been linked to greater horizontal gender segregation in employment. Similarly, research on higher education has uncovered how stratification at the tertiary level can promote gender segregation in the labour market. This paper investigates how gender typical employment is conditioned by the institutional features of the educational system in Bulgaria. Despite the post-socialist transformations of Bulgaria's educational system and its labour market, horizontal gender segregation has remained rather moderate from an international perspective. We use data from a 2012 nationally representative survey. We find that the educational system shapes the gendered occupational trajectories for men but it does not hold the same explanatory power for women. Neither vocational nor higher education has a significant effect for women. In contrast, men with vocational education are more likely to work in male-typed occupations and, in line with the literature, higher education steers men toward gender mixed and a-typical occupations. Our study points to the importance of educational institutional factors in shaping gender (a)-typical career paths. The Bulgarian case, in particular, offers insights into the mechanisms that can potentially decrease horizontal gender segregation in the labour market.

Traditional education vs modern education. What is the impact of teaching techniques' evolution on students learning process?

The main objective of this article is to focus on the analysis of teaching techniques, ranging from the use of the blackboard and chalk in old traditional classes, using slides and overhead projectors in the eighties and use of presentation software in the nineties, to the video, electronic board and network resources nowadays. Furthermore, all the aforementioned, is viewed under the different mentalities in which the teacher conditions the student using the new teaching technique, improving soft skills but maybe leading either to encouragement or disinterest, and including the lack of educational knowledge consolidation at scientific, technology and specific levels. In the same way, we study the process of adaptation required for teachers, the differences in the processes of information transfer and education towards the student, and even the existence of teachers who are not any longer appealed by their work due which has become much simpler due to new technologies and the greater ease in the development of classes due to the criteria described on the new Grade Programs adopted by the European Higher Education Area. Moreover, it is also intended to understand the evolution of students’ profiles, from the eighties to present time, in order to understand certain attitudes, behaviours, accomplishments and acknowledgements acquired over the semesters within the degree Programs. As an Educational Innovation Group, another key question also arises. What will be the learning techniques in the future?. How these evolving matters will affect both positively and negatively on the mentality, attitude, behaviour, learning, achievement of goals and satisfaction levels of all elements involved in universities’ education? Clearly, this evolution from chalk to the electronic board, the three-dimensional view of our works and their sequence, greatly facilitates the understanding and adaptation later on to the business world, but does not answer to the unknowns regarding the knowledge and the full development of achievement’s indicators in basic skills of a degree. This is the underlying question which steers the roots of the presented research.

Temperamento divergente em bovinos está associado à alteração no amaciamento de carne e atividade inibitória de calpastatina

Embora muitos avanços tenham ocorrido no entendimento dos fatores que afetam a maciez, a incidência de carne dura ainda é significativa. Animais mais reativos apresentam carnes mais duras, porém o mecanismo que determina este efeito ainda não foi estabelecido. Presume-se que o maior estresse nos animais reativos aumente a atividade de calpastatina afetando o amaciamento post mortem. Com objetivo de testar esta hipótese, foram avaliadas correlações da força de cisalhamento (FC), temperamento e temperatura corporal obtida de noventa e seis novilhos Nelore castrados, com cerca de 20 meses de idade. O temperamento foi baseado nas variáveis velocidade de fuga (VF) e escore de tronco (ET) avaliadas 3 - 4 semanas antes do abate (Manejo 1) e 2 dias pré-abate (Manejo 2). A análise de componentes principais com as variáveis de temperamento obtidas em ambos os manejos resultou em dois índices: índice de temperamento (IT) e índice de habituação (IH). Estes índices apresentaram maior correlação com a FC do que a VF. O IH apresentou correlação negativa e positiva com FC e pH (P < 0,05), respectivamente. A temperatura retal foi positivamente correlacionada com IT e negativamente com FC. A termografia infravermelho de várias regiões corporais apresentou correlações baixas com IT ou FC. Dois grupos divergentes quanto à FC (extremos da população para FC), cada qual com 6 novilhos, foram comparados para variáveis de temperamento, expressão dos genes CAPN1, CAST, CAST1 e CAST2, e características de carne. O grupo de alta FC (AFC) apresentou maior (P< 0,05) VF, ET, IT e índice de temperamento com base na média da VF e ET (ITM). Os grupos de AFC e baixa FC (BFC) não diferiram (P > 0,05) para comprimento de sarcômero e pH final, mas tiveram diferenças no amaciamento post mortem, com diferenças em maciez que persistiram em todos os tempos de maturação (2, 16 e 30 dias post mortem; P < 0,05). O grupo AFC apresentou maior atividade inibitória de calpastatina total 48 h post mortem medida no M. triceps brachii (P < 0,05), embora diferenças não tenham sido observadas no M. longissimus lumborum (P > 0,05). No entanto, o grupo AFC teve no M. longissimus maior expressão de CAST do que o grupo de BFC (P < 0,05). Em conclusão, temperamentos divergentes têm impacto na atividade de calpastatina que influência o amaciamento post mortem.

In vitro studies on the colonization of bovine colonic mucosa by Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC)

This study investigated host-related factors that influence intestinal colonization by Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC). A quantitative colonization assay was developed to comparatively measure attachment of STEC to bovine colonic tissues maintained in vitro. No differences were determined in colonization susceptibility between tissues derived from weaning calves and adult cattle, or for tissues from cattle fed grain and forage-based rations. Substrate conditions designed to represent various intra-enteric environments were tested for their effect on STEC/mucosal interaction. Under conditions corresponding to a well-fed ruminant (high volatile fatty acid and lactate concentrations, low pH), significantly less STEC colonized the mucosal surface of colonic biopsies. These results may help explain why fasted. poorly or intermittently fed cattle and pre-ruminant calves excrete STEC to a greater degree. Studies on the ecology of STEC within the ruminant gut help identify mechanisms to reduce their threat to public health.

Feeding strategies for grain-fed cattle in a hot environment

Six Bos taurus (Hereford) steers (body weight 324 22 kg) were used in a 45-day study with a replicated 3 x 3 Latin-square design. Three treatments [ad libitum feeding (ADLIB); limit feeding, 85% of ad libitum (LIMIT); bunk management feeding where steers were only given access to feed from 1600 to 0800 hours the following day (BUNK)] were imposed over 3 periods, with 2 steers assigned to each treatment in each period. Cattle were managed in a temperature-controlled metabolism unit and were exposed to both thermoneutral (17.7degreesC-26.1degreesC) and hot (16.7degreesC-32.9degreesC) environmental conditions. By design, during the thermoneutral period, the ADLIB cattle displayed greater intake (P < 0.05) than the LIMIT group, with the BUNK group being intermediate. However, during the hot period, both the LIMIT and BUNK treatment groups increased feed intake 4-5%, whereas feed intake of the ADLIB treatment group declined nearly 2%. During both periods respiration rate (RR, breath/min) followed the same pattern that was observed for feed intake, with the greatest (P < 0.05) RR found in the ADLIB treatment group (81.09 and 109.55, thermoneutral and hot, respectively) and lowest (P < 0.05) RR in the LIMIT treatment group (74.47 and 102.76, thermoneutral and hot, respectively). Rectal temperature (RT) did not differ among treatments during the thermoneutral period or the first hot day, although during the thermoneutral period the ADLIB treatment group did tend to display a lower RT, possibly as a result of other physiological processes (pulse rate and RR) aiding to keep RT lower. During the hot period, differences in RT were found on Day 5, with the LIMIT cattle having lower (P < 0.10) RT (38.92degreesC) than the ADLIB (39.18degreesC) cattle, with BUNK cattle RT (39.14degreesC) being intermediate. However, when hourly data were examined, the ADLIB cattle had greater(P < 0.05) RT than the BUNK and LIMIT at 1800 hours and greater RT (P < 0.05) than the LIMIT group at 1400, 1500, and 1600 hours. Clearly, a change in diurnal RT pattern was obtained by using the LIMIT and BUNK feeding regimen. Both of these groups displayed a peak RT during the hot conditions, between 2100 and 2200 hours, whereas the ADLIB group displayed a peak RT between 1400 and 1500 hours, a time very close to when peak climatic stress occurs. Based on these results it is apparent that feedlot managers could alleviate the effects of adverse hot weather on cattle by utilising either a limit-feeding regimen or altering bunk management practices to prevent feed from being consumed several hours prior to the hottest portion of the day.

Hormonal growth-promotant effects on grain-fed cattle maintained under different environments

Six steers (3/4 Charolaisx1/4 Brahman) (mean body weight 314 +/- 27 kg) and six spayed heifers (3/5 Shorthornx2/5 Red Angus) (mean body weight 478 +/- 30 kg) were used to determine the effects of climatic conditions and hormone growth promotants (HGP) on respiration rate (RR; breaths/min), pulse rate (beats/min), rectal temperature (RT; degrees C), and heat production (HP; kJ). Cattle were exposed to the following climatic conditions prior to implantation with a HGP and then again 12 days after implantation: 2 days of thermoneutral conditions (TNL) [21.9 +/- 0.9 degrees C ambient temperature (T-A) and 61.7 +/- 22.1% relative humidity (RH)] then 2 days of hot conditions [HOT; 29.2 +/- 4 degrees C (T-A) and 78.3 +/- 13.2% (RH)], then TNL for 3 days and then 2 days of cold conditions [COLD; 17.6 +/- 0.9 degrees C (T-A) and 63.4 +/- 1.8% (RH); cattle were wet during this treatment]. The HGP implants used were: estrogenic implant (E), trenbolone acetate implant (TBA), or both (ET). Both prior to and following administration of HGP, RRs were lower (P < 0.05) on cold days and greater (P < 0.05) on hot days compared to TNL. On hot days, RTs, were 0.62 degrees C higher after compared to before implanting. Across all conditions, RTs were > 0.5 degrees C greater (P < 0.05) for E cattle than for TBA or ET cattle. On cold days, RTs of steers were > 0.8 degrees C higher than for the heifers, while under TNL and HOT, RTs of steers were 0.2-0.35 degrees C higher than those of heifers. Prior to implantation, HP per hour and per unit of metabolic body weight was higher (P < 0.05) for cattle exposed to hot conditions, when compared to HP on cold days. After implantation, HP was greater (P < 0.05) on hot days than on cold days. Under TNL, ET cattle had the lowest HP and greatest feed intake. On hot days, E cattle had the lowest HP, and the highest RT; therefore, if the potential exists for cattle death from heat episodes, the use of either TBA or ET may be preferred. Under cold conditions HP was similar among implant groups.

The efficacy of a vitamin D-3 metabolite for improving the myofibrillar tenderness of meat from Bos indicus cattle

The influence of a once only administration of a metabolite of vitamin D-3 (HY center dot D-(R)-25-hydroxy vitamin D-3) on myofibrillar meat tenderness in Australian Brahman cattle was studied. Ninety-six Brahman steers of three phenotypes (indo-Brazil, US and US/European) and with two previous hormonal growth promotant (HGP) histories (implanted or not implanted with Compudose((R))) were fed a standard feedlot ration for 70 d. Treatment groups of 24 steers were offered daily 10 g/head HY center dot D-(R) (125 mg 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3) for 6, 4, or 2 d before slaughter. One other group of 24 steers was given the basal diet without HY center dot D-(R). Feed lot performance, blood and muscle samples and carcass quality data were collected at slaughter. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron and Vitamin D-3 metabolites were measured in plasma and longissimus dorsi muscle. Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear force (peak force, initial yield) and other objective meat quality measurements were made on the longissimus dorsi muscle of each steer after ageing for 1, 7 and 14 d post-mortem at 0-2 degrees C. There were no significant effects of HY center dot D-(R) supplements on average daily gain (ADG, 1.28-1.45 kg/d) over the experimental period. HY center dot D-(R) supplements given 6 d prior to slaughter resulted in significantly higher (P < 0.05) initial yield values compared to supplements given 2 d prior to slaughter. Supplementation had no significant effect on meat colour, ultimate pH, sarcomere length, cooking loss, instron compression or peak force. There was a significant treatment (HY center dot D-(R)) by phenotype/HGP interaction for peak force (P = 0.028), in which Indo-Brazil steers without previous HGP treatment responded positively (increased tenderness) to HY center dot D-(R) supplements at 2 d when compared with Indo-Brazil steers previously given HGP. There were no significant effects of treatment on other phenotypes. HY center dot D-(R) supplements did not affect muscle or plasma concentrations of calcium, potassium or sodium, but did significantly decrease plasma magnesium and iron concentrations when given 2 d before slaughter. There were no detectable amounts of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 in the blood or muscle of any cattle at slaughter. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Animal production potential of some new Leucaena accessions in the Markham valley, Papua New Guinea

Signal grass pastures were oversown with four Leucaena spp. planted in hedgerows and evaluated for their agronomic productivity and ability to support steer liveweight gains. Each Leucaena sp. (L. leucocephala, L. pallida, L colli. nst. i., L. trichandra) was planted as seedlings into two I ha paddocks in rows 5 m apart, with I m spacing between trees. Cattle were rotationally grazed on the 2 replicates of each species, as well as on two I ha paddocks of a signal grass on y (Brachiaria decumbens) control, over a 243-day period at a stocking rate of 3 steers/ha. Mean presentation yield and herbage allowance of the Leucaena accessions over the grazing period were highest for L pallida (1100 kg/ha and 0.8 kg DM/kg LW, respectively), followed by L. leucocephala (700 kg/ha and 0.5 kg DM/kg LW), L. collinsii (700 kg/ha and 0.4 kg DM/kg LW) and L. trichandra (300 kg/ha and 0.2 kg DM/kg LW). Despite only moderate presentation yields and herbage allowances, steers grazing L. leucocephala and L. collinsii accessions produced the highest mean liveweight gains (LWG) of 0. and 0.56 kg/hd/d, respectively. While L. pallida produced the highest DM yields, it supported the lowest LWG of 0.36 kg/hd/d. The mean LWGs of steers grazing L. trichandra and the control (grass only) treatments were similar at 0.48 kg/ hd/d. The possible reasons for the differences in steer performance on the different Leucaena accessions are discussed.

Fully spatial wide-band beamforming using a rectangular array of planar monopoles

This paper describes a spatial beamformer which by using a rectangular array antenna steers a beam in azimuth over a wide frequency band without frequency filters or tap-delay networks. The weighting coefficients are real numbers which can be realized by attenuators or amplifiers. A prototype including a 4 x 4 array of square planar monopoles and a feeding network composed of attenuators, power divider/combiners and a rat-race hybrid is developed to test the validity of this wide-band beamforming concept. The experimental results prove the validity of this wide-band spatial beamformer for small size arrays.

Prevalence, severity, and heritability of Stephanofilaria lesions on cattle in central and southern Queensland, Australia

Observations of cattle in central and southern Queensland are collated to de. ne the prevalence and area of Stephanofilaria lesions associated with infestations of the buffalo fly, Haematobia irritans exigua. The observations were made on herds that were being used for other purposes. In a survey of similar to 1500 animals at Belmont in central Queensland in 1982, 98% of cows and 70% of calves had lesions. Most lesions were on the neck and dewlap and 10% were raw and weeping at the time of sampling. The total area of lesions per animal was strongly related to cattle breed and age. Old Bos taurus animals had the greatest area of lesions, whereas young Bos indicus had the least. Heritability estimates were low, averaging 0.01 for calves and 0.18 for cows. A smaller survey of cows and steers at Craighoyle in central Queensland in 1986 showed a higher numbers of lesions and positive correlations between the total lesion area and animal size. The lesion area increased with tick survival, suggesting that tick-resistant animals are also resistant to Stephanofilaria infection. Steers had smaller areas of lesions than cows, as found previously with cattle ticks. Long-term monitoring observations in central and southern Queensland between 1981 and 1986 showed that the total area of lesions was seasonal with a peak in late summer, consistent with the seasonal incidence of buffalo fly. Animals segregated into Low and High lesion herds maintained their differences over time. The lesions penetrated the dermis of the cattle hides and rendered the affected area unusable, but few lesions occurred on valuable parts of the hide so such economic effects are likely to be insignificant. One animal nearly died of a haemorrhage from a lesion on the dewlap and had to be treated. The results can inform policy on buffalo fly control, and biosecurity preparations in relation to the potential establishment of the OldWorld screw-worm fly, Chrysomyia bezziana, in Australia, which will be facilitated by the lesions. The results emphasise the significant animal welfare and biosecurity risks posed by the lesions in northern Australia.

Supplementary feeding of horses with processed sorghum grains and oats

Two feeding experiments and in vitro hind gut fermentation tests were carried out to study the effect of processing sorghum grain on digestion of starch and on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract environment of the horse. In experiment 1, 12 yearling Australian stock horses were blocked on the basis of sex then randomly divided into four equal groups, each containing one castrated male and two females of approximately the same age and weight. Horses were offered at 0800 and 1500 h, 3 kg medium quality liverseed grass (Urochloa panicoides) hay and 2 kg of either oats (O), dry rolled sorghum (DRS), steam-flaked sorghum (SFS) or expanded sorghum (ES). Lanthanum was used as external solid marker for the measurements of apparent total tract digestibility. Fresh water was available ad libitum. Horses were allowed 18 days to adapt to the diets followed by a 3-day faecal collection period. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were higher (P

Effectiveness of evaporative cooling of beef cattle housed in confinement

Eighteen Angus steers exposed to high heat load conditions were used to assess the effectiveness of four spray cooling systems, on reducing the effects of heat load, the impact on microclimate and water usage. The steers were housed in groups of nine in a fully enclosed shed and were exposed to high heat load conditions for four days. The cooling systems used were water applied via a hose, via overhead sprinklers, via sprinklers at leg height and via misters. The water used was approximately 31 oC and contained 3% NaCl. Fans were used to ensure adequate air movement over the cattle. The animal parameters measured were feed intake, respiration rate, panting score and behaviour. Climatic factors were ambient temperature and wet bulb temperature. Ammonia levels were also measured. The hose, overhead sprinklers and misting were successful in reducing heat load on the cattle. The leg wetting system did not work because the dominant cattle blocked access to the sprinklers. The misting system used the most water (5483 L) and the hose the least (845 L). The application of water had minor impacts on wet bulb temperature, but resulted in significant reductions in dry bulb temperatures.

ROTATIVIDADE DOCENTE EM PROGRAMAS DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM ADMINISTRAÇÃO: UM ESTUDO DE CASOS MÚLTIPLOS

Esta pesquisa analisa a rotatividade docente como uma variável dependente do contexto em que os PPGAs (Programas de Pós-Graduação em Administração) analisados estão imersos. Portanto, foi adotada a Metodologia de Estudo de Casos Múltiplos com viés em redes sociais. Considera-se que as deliberações regulatórias da CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) e símbolos tais como estatutos, regimentos e cânones dos casos analisados neste estudo, influenciam as decisões de demitir. Foram encontrados indícios de que se trata da crença em uma rotatividade funcional como prática emergente no campo das IESs confessionais (UMESP, PUC/SP e UPM) como um recurso para adaptar-se às mudanças propostas pela CAPES. Para tal, com objetivo de produzir melhoras na produtividade científica e enquadrar-se aos critérios de avaliação da CAPES, os coordenadores de PPGA-Ego atribuem à rotatividade docente em outro PPGA-Alter como principal fator de sucesso do PPGA-Alter. As evidências encontradas se fundamentam na inter-subjetividade entre coordenadores de distintos programas dos casos analisados, portanto a rotatividade funcional pode ser dependente do contexto e não se trata de em fenômeno aleatório ou mesmo atomístico. O presente trabalho também contribui para a sugestão de futuros trabalhos, como por exemplo, a rotatividade disfuncional além de outros descritos no final. Em todos os três casos PPGA UMESP, PPGA UPM e PPGA PUC-SP ocorreu mobilidade docente para instituições estatais e particulares, que segundo os coordenadores entrevistados representava um movimento desfavorável sob algum aspecto para os docentes que se demitiram. Neste sentido passa a ser necessário um trabalho específico, eventualmente uma avaliação empírica com base nos constructos de intenção em demitir-se fundamentada nos estudos de Comportamento Organizacional ou Psicologia I/O (Industrial e Organizacional) como Congruência Pessoa-Organização (ARGYRIS, 1973, KRISTOFF, 1996), Modelos de RH (ARTHUR, 1982; MOBLEY, 1982; BAUM, 1993), Modelo Steers e Mowday e outros. Porém contextualizado e estruturado.

Absentismo nas PME'S: O caso Barcecom Têxteis S.A.

As relações laborais têm-se modificado nos últimos anos. Estas transformações trazem consigo disfuncionamentos organizacionais que têm de ser resolvidos, de forma a potenciar a competitividade das organizações e a qualidade dos seus produtos e/ou serviços. De entre os vários disfuncionamentos, encontramos o fenómeno do absentismo que, devido aos seus efeitos negativos, nomeadamente, custos elevados, baixa produtividade, baixa qualidade de serviços, desmotivação, insatisfação e mau ambiente de trabalho, tem vindo a preocupar os responsáveis da gestão. Com este trabalho procuramos compreender o fenómeno do absentismo, as suas causas e consequências, assim como as medidas e soluções para o seu combate. Para além disso, procuramos ainda enquadra-lo no contexto das PME´s. A metodologia usada assenta num estudo de caso, suportado num inquérito por questionário aos trabalhadores e numa entrevista ao responsável dos recursos humanos da Barcelcom Têxteis S.A. Da análise dos resultados obtidos, e para o caso específico, concluímos que o diálogo entre chefias e colaboradores é o fator que mais contribui para a diminuição do absentismo. E, ao contrário do que é evidenciado pelas teorias do absentismo, em concreto, a teoria de Steers & Rhodes (1990), os níveis de satisfação em relação à remuneração base, aos incentivos, ao ambiente de trabalho e a outras políticas organizacionais, não parecem influenciar as ausências ao trabalho. A falta de departamentos especializados em recursos humanos e a insensibilidade das chefias leva a que o absentismo nem sempre esteja nas prioridades dos gestores das PME´s, e que não sejam conhecidas as medidas mais usadas no seu combate. Assim, através deste estudo procuramos chamar atenção para a importância do estudo do absentismo nas PME´s.

The Audit Commission:guiding, steering and regulating local government

How does the non-executant state ensure that its agents are fulfilling their obligations to deliver nationally determined policies? In the case of elected local government in England and Wales, this function is carried out by the Audit Commission (AC) for Local Authorities and the Health Service for England and Wales. Since being established in 1983, it is the means by which local authorities are held to account by central government, both for its own purposes and on behalf of other interested stakeholders. Although the primary function of the AC is to ensure that local authorities are fulfilling their obligations, it does so by using different methods. By acting as a regulator, an independent expert, an opinion former and a mediator, the AC steers local authorities to ensure that they are compliant with the regulatory regime and are implementing legislation properly.