The impact of education policy on economic development: Quantity,quality and earnings of labor

Education policy is viewed as affecting the content, and hence production functions, of different types of training and skill-formation. The relationship between skill type and level of education is considered. Optimal investment requires equating rates of return on the extensive and intensive margins, making endogenous the trade-offs between quantity and quality for each skill type. Selected education production functions are discussed with respect to implications for the distribution and levels of different skills and for skill-related earnings differentials. Equality of educational opportunity increases skill levels, upgrades the occupational structure and reduces relative earnings differentials.     

Exploring relationships among internationalization,choice for research and development approach and technology source and resulting innovation intensity: Case of a transition country Croatia

The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of internationalization on innovation. Specifically we explored the impact of internationalization on firms' choice for research and development (R&D) approach and technology source, impact of choice for research and development (R&D) approach and technology source on innovation and finally impact of business hampering factors on innovation. We had focused on innovation intensity to measure impact on innovation. A survey of foreign investment enterprises in Croatia was conducted. A total of 145 firms responded to the questionnaire. Multivariate analyses are used to analyze the data. In addition we identified key factors impacting different types of innovation.     

Resistive pulse sensing of magnetic beads and supraparticle structures using tunable pores

Tunable pores (TPs) have been used for resistive pulse sensing of 1 μm superparamagnetic beads, both dispersed and within a magnetic field. Upon application of this field, magnetic supraparticle structures (SPSs) were observed. Onset of aggregation was most effectively indicated by an increase in the mean event magnitude, with data collected using an automated thresholding method. Simulations enabled discrimination between resistive pulses caused by dimers and individual particles. Distinct but time-correlated peaks were often observed, suggesting that SPSs became separated in pressure-driven flow focused at the pore constriction. The distinct properties of magnetophoretic and pressure-driven transport mechanisms can explain variations in the event rate when particles move through an asymmetric pore in either direction, with or without a magnetic field applied. Use of TPs for resistive pulse sensing holds potential for efficient, versatile analysis and measurement of nano- and microparticles, while magnetic beads and particle aggregation play important roles in many prospective biosensing applications.     

Development of the Nine-Ball Skills Test to discriminate elite and high-level amateur golfers

Currently, there is a lack of appropriate skill assessments available for use in golf. The aim of this study was to examine the discriminative validity and the test-retest reliability of the newly developed "Nine-Ball Skills Test". Participants of two ability levels (elite, n = 14; high-level amateur, n = 16) each hit nine golf shots of differing combinations of trajectory (straight, fade, draw) and height (normal, high, low) at an individually determined target area. Each shot was scored on its percent error index from the target and whether it achieved the maximum height as required. Participants completed the test twice using a 5-iron club. The elite group scored significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the amateur group for both the first and second rounds of the test as well as the combined scores. The between-round test-retest reliability was deemed to be not acceptable, thus we propose that the test's protocol should include use of the two rounds as standard. Due to the importance of ball striking and flight control to performance in golf, the Nine-Ball Skills Test is appropriate for providing a measure of this skill component in elite and high-level amateur golfers.     

Planning agricultural education in India

Abstract

The study is an attempt to report the growth and status of agricultural education in India and to project a future scenario. The forecast made for trained agricultural manpower is based on socio-economic considerations which are then converted into an educational plan. Issues relating to educational policy to achieve supply-demand adjustments are subsequently discussed. Three main recommendations have emerged from this study. First, the number of diploma holders at the lower end of the professional ladder needs to be increased to cater for the social demand for more trained and readily available manpower to help clientele (farmers) to enhance the level of their awareness concerning technological developments in agriculture. Second, the number of specializations at postgraduate level needs to be decreased and agricultural education needs to be more broad based in commensuration with occupational demands. This would allow skilled and qualified manpower to be directed into areas of employment where they are needed most. Third, the participation of the private sector in the institutionalization of agricultural education may offer healthy competition to state supported agricultural universities and inculcate better entrepreneurship. Finally, recommendations pertaining to the job preferences of graduates and remedies to certain internal inconsistencies such as inbreeding in the system are also made.     

Profile of scientific staff in agricultural universities in India

Abstract

A brief profile of scientific staff in the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in India is described. The data collected through a survey sketches the scientific staff background, age, gender, education, mobility, career details and time spent on various activities. Interesting differences were found in the activities of scientific staff of different grades. The findings show certain positive and negative features. The positive features are: scientific staff spend time on all four activities of SAUs, namely, research, teaching, extension and administration; increase in the number of scientific staff from urban background; increase in female scientific staff, and satisfactory career growth. Negative features are: lack of training opportunities; senior scientific staff in management grade spend more time in administration at the cost of teaching and research, and scientific staff selection becoming more localised. Amongst the scientific staff, readers are relatively more associated with academic activities, whereas professors are more associated with administration.