Adulthood in teachers of higher education: difference in the management of their work-life balance and organizational commitment

This study aimed to compare the extent to which a sample of Portuguese teachers in Higher Education Institutions, divided into two groups (young adults, ages 20-39 years; and advance adults, ages 40-70 years), differed in the management of their work-life balance and organizational commitment. Data collection was conducted using the Work-Family Scale, the Organizational Commitment Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Between 2012 and 2019, 652 participants were enrolled in the study. Through a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA, General Linear Model procedure), results suggest that young adult teachers display higher scores of family to work facilitation, while advance adult teachers evidence higher scores of normative commitment. Given the results found, recommendations for Higher Education Institutions were outlined.

Sources and Determinants of Wholegrain Intake in a Cohort of Australian Children Aged 12–14 Months

In the first two years of life, exposure to wholegrain foods may help establish life‑long consumption patterns associated with reduced risk of chronic disease, yet intake data are lacking for this age group. This cross‑sectional analysis aimed to determine intakes and food sources of wholegrains in a cohort of 828 Australian children aged 12–14 months, and to identify determinants of wholegrain intake. Three non‑consecutive days of dietary intake data were collected using a 24‑h recall and 2‑day estimated food record. The multiple source method was used to estimate usual wholegrain intake, and the multivariable general linear model procedure used to identify associations between usual wholegrain intake and socio‑demographic determinants. The mean wholegrain intake was 19.5 (±14) g/day, and the major food sources were ready to eat breakfast cereals (40%) breads and bread rolls (26.6%), flours and other cereal grains (9.4%), and commercial infant foods (8.3%). Lower wholegrain intakes were observed for children whose mothers were born in China (p < 0.001) and other Asian countries (p < 0.001), with the exception of India (p = 0.193); those with mothers aged less than 25 years (p = 0.001) and those with two or more siblings (p = 0.013). This study adds to the weight of global evidence highlighting the need to increase children’s intake of foods high in wholegrain, including in the first few years of life.

Polymorphisms of kappa-casein gene and their effects on milk production traits in Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss cattle

The objectives of this study were to detect kappa-casein (κ-CN, CSN3, CASK) gene polymorphisms and to investigate the association between the κ-CN gene polymorphisms and milk yield and composition in cattle. For this purpose, a total of 365 blood and milk samples were collected from Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss cows. Polymorphisms of κ-CN gene were detected by the PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. A 776-bp fragment of exon IV was amplified by PCR and digested with HindIII and HaeIII restriction endonuclease to distinguish allele A, B and E. The analysis of associations between κ-CN genotypes and milk yield and composition were conducted with the use of the general linear model procedure. As a result, allele frequencies were detected as 0.736, 0.357, 0.308 for A allele, 0.186, 0.643, 0.692 for B allele in Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey breeds, respectively, and 0.079 for E allele in Holstein. This study also demonstrated the presence of E allele in Turkish Holstein. Although κ-CN genotypes were associated with protein and solids-not-fat content of milk in Hostein and Brown Swiss, they were associated with milk fat content in Jerseys (P < 0.05).

The relationships between performance traits and the bGH/Alu I and Pit-1/Hinf I polymorphisms in Holstein cows

Progress in genetic selection in livestock can be increased by marker asisted selection. The identification of favorable genetic markers is one of the most important stages in marker-asisted selection. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of the bGH/AluI and Pit-1/HinfI polymorphisms on the production traits of organic reared cows. Genotyping was performed on total 245 Holstein cows, n=181 for Pit-1 gene and n=186 for bGH gene. Milk yields and some reproduction traits analyzed by analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure, and 703 production records from cows were used to. The results showed that neither the Pit-1/Hinf I nor bGH/Alu I polymorphisms affect the tested milk traits (p>0.05).

Lack of Commitment? Work Orientations of Finnish Employees in a European Comparison

It has been argued that individuals’ employment commitment, that is, their commitment to work in general is crucial in today’s labor markets where life-long employment relationships are less frequently offered by organizations. In addition, employees’ organizational commitment, that is, their commitment to their own organization is also vital for organizations and firms, affecting many areas of importance to them. This article asks how Finnish employees rank in both employment commitment and affective organizational commitment compared with employees in 15 other European countries. The data were collected in 2005–2007 through the International Social Survey Program (ISSP), Work Orientation Module III. The results show Finnish employees scoring below European averages in both types of commitment when employee-level and organizationlevel factors are taken into account. Employment commitment was highest in Norway and affective organizational commitment highest in Portugal. The perceived intrinsic rewards of the job were the strongest predictor of employment and affective organizational commitment in most of the countries researched, increasing both these types of commitment. However, the perceived social relations between management and employees were found to be the most powerful determinant of affective organizational commitment in Finland, with perceived good relations adding to the affective organizational commitment of employees. The data were analyzed mainly by means of a general linear model procedure.

Comparative Performance of Bovans Nera (Rhode Black) and other Commercial Pullet Strains

The present study examined the comparative performance between Bovans Nera and other commercial pullet strains in Nigeria. This study was carried out in the pullet house at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, from January to April, 2002. The experiment was carried out to compare the growth performance and profitability of Bovans Nera with three other commercial pullet strains, Bovans Godline, Lohmann White and Lohmann Tradition. All data collected were subjected to the analysis of variance using the SAS General Linear Model procedure. Differences between treatment means were separated using Duncans New Multiple Range Test. Profitability was assessed using net returns by subtracting costs (rearing pullet, feed and packaging excluding overheads and labour) from income (from egg sales and spent birds). The results showed that Bovans Nera was better in feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency (a greater weight gain per unit feed intake) and attained a greater weight and a better market value than the other pullet strains. There was a higher production cost for Bovans Nera when compared with other strains. However, Bovans Nera will give more returns on investment even when their eggs are translated to monetary terms. These differences can be attributed to variation in the genetic constitution of individual strains.

A comparison of the fat composition and prices of margarines between 2002 and 2006, when new Canadian labelling regulations came into effect

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of the new Canadian labelling regulations on the fat composition and prices of margarines.Study designA survey of all margarines sold in major supermarkets in the Greater Toronto area was conducted in 2006, and results were compared with those of a similar survey conducted in 2002. Average fat composition, proportion of ‘trans fat-free’ margarines and average prices of margarines were compared. A general linear model procedure was used to compare the relationship between price and fat composition in 2002 and 2006.ResultsAverage amounts of trans fatty acids (TFA) and MUFA decreased, while average amounts of PUFA increased significantly from 2002 to 2006. The proportion of margarines with less than 0·2 g TFA/10 g serving rose significantly from 31 % in 2002 to 69 % in 2006. Margarines lower in TFA on average cost significantly more than margarines with greater amounts of these fats, and this relationship appeared stronger in 2006 relative to 2002.ConclusionsThere is evidence of reductions in TFA in margarines since new labelling regulations came into effect in Canada; however, TFA reductions appeared to be restricted to higher-priced margarines. Results suggest that voluntary approaches (i.e. manufacturer incentives via labelling) to reduce population intakes of TFA will yield little changes in TFA content of low-cost products and thus may have limited benefit for lower-income groups, who are at higher risk of heart disease.

Evaluation of Buffalo Colostrum Quality by Estimation of Enzyme Activity Levels

A study to evaluate the value and potential use of colostral enzymes as markers for the evaluation of buffalo colostrum quality was conducted. The enzymes γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in buffalo's colostrum were measured spectrophotometrically, and their activities were correlated with the gamma-globulin content. Gamma-globulin concentration was determined following the electrophoretic separation of the colostral proteins and quantified with a densitometer. Colostrum was obtained from 15 dams, soon after calving. Means, standard deviations, correlation coefficients, and degree of significance were calculated using the general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis Systems program. The activity of GGT in the colostrum was the highest, followed by LDH and ALP. A significant correlation (r = 0.86; P &lt; 0.001) was seen between GGT and gamma-globulin concentration in the colostrum, supporting the suggestion of using this enzyme as a marker for the evaluation of colostrum quality.

A note on relationship of plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine rate to body weight in growing male camels

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and body weight in young Majaheem male camels. Eighteen camels aged 6 to 7 months were divided equally into three groups (Gl, G2 and G3). All groups were given concentrate pellets (187 g crude protein per kg) at the rate of 15 g/kg body weight daily. In addition, each group was given one of the following roughages: lucerne hay to Gl, rhodes grass hay to G2 and ammonia-treated wheat straw to G3. Roughages, salt and water were measured and given ad libitum. Every 2 weeks all camels were weighed and blood samples were collected. Data were statistically analysed using a general linear model procedure. There was a positive correlation between T4 concentration and body weight. T4 was higher in camels given either hay or straw compared with those given rhodes grass hay, while there were no differences among the three groups in T3 and in body weight.