A differential-equation-based model of the glass ceiling in career progression

ABSTRACT

We introduce a model based on Ordinary Differential Equations to describe how two mutually exclusive groups progress through a career hierarchy, whether in a single organization, or in an entire economic sector. The intended application is to gender imbalance at the top of the academic hierarchy in European Universities; however, the model is entirely generic and may be applied in other contexts also. Previous research on gender imbalance in European universities has focused on large-scale statistical studies. Our model represents a point of departure, as it is deterministic (i.e., based on Ordinary Differential Equations). The model requires a precise definition of the progression rates for the different groups through the hierarchy; these are key parameters governing the dynamics of career progression. The progression rate for each group can be decomposed into a product: the proportion of group members at a low level in the hierarchy who compete for promotion to the next level a given year, multiplied by the in-competition success rate for the group in question. Either of these two parameters can differ across the groups under consideration; this introduces a group asymmetry into the organization’s composition. We introduce a glass-ceiling index to summarize this asymmetry succinctly. Using case studies from the literature, we demonstrate how the mathematical framework can pinpoint the proximate cause of the glass ceiling in European academia.     

Female Faculty: Why So Few and Why Care?

Despite slow ongoing progress in increasing the representation of women in academia, women remain significantly under-represented at senior levels, in particular in the natural sciences and engineering. Not infrequently, this is downplayed by bringing forth arguments such as inherent biological differences between genders, that current policies are adequate to address the issue, or by deflecting this as being “not my problem” among other examples. In this piece we present scientific evidence that counters these claims, as well as a best-practice example, Genie, from Chalmers University of Technology, where one of the authors is currently employed. We also highlight particular challenges caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we conclude by proposing some possible solutions to the situation and emphasize that we need to all do our part, to ensure that the next generation of academics experience a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environment.     

Determination of Trimethylamine N-oxide and Betaine in Serum and Food by Targeted Metabonomics

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), as a gut-derived metabolite, has been found to be associated with enhanced risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. We presented a method for targeted profiling of TMAO and betaine in serum and food samples based on a combination of one-step sample pretreatment and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The key step included a processing of sample preparation using a selective solid-phase extraction column for retention of basic metabolites. Proton signals at δ 3.29 and δ 3.28 were employed to quantify TMAO and betaine, respectively. The developed method was examined with acceptable linear relationship, precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy. It was successfully applied to detect serum levels of TMAO and betaine in TMAO-fed mice and high-fructose-fed rats and also used to determine the contents of TMAO and betaine in several kinds of food, such as fish, pork, milk, and egg yolk.     

Differences in Salivary Proteins as a Function of PROP Taster Status and Gender in Normal Weight and Obese Subjects

Taste plays an important role in processes such as food choices, nutrition status and health. Salivary proteins contribute to taste sensitivity. Taste reduction has been associated with obesity. Gender influences the obesity predisposition and the genetic ability to perceive the bitterness of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), oral marker for food preferences and consumption. We investigated variations in the profile of salivary proteome, analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS, between sixty-one normal weight subjects (NW) and fifty-seven subjects with obesity (OB), based on gender and PROP sensitivity. Results showed variations of taste-related salivary proteins between NW and OB, which were differently associated with gender and PROP sensitivity. High levels of Ps-1, II-2 and IB-1 proteins belonging to basic proline rich proteins (bPRPs) and PRP-1 protein belonging to acid proline rich proteins (aPRPs) were found in OB males, who showed a lower body mass index (BMI) than OB females. High levels of Ps-1 protein and Cystatin SN (Cyst SN) were found in OB non-tasters, who had lower BMI than OB super-tasters. These new insights on the role of salivary proteins as a factor driving the specific weight gain of OB females and super-tasters, suggest the use of specific proteins as a strategic tool modifying taste responses related to eating behavior.     

组织性别构成多样性对员工组织承诺影响的实证分析

本文采用组织承诺的三维度概念模型探讨组织性别多样性对组织承诺的影响,研究认为员工工作级别中的性别多样性对其组织承诺(情感承诺、连续承诺)有显著的负影响,而上一级性别多样性只对其情感承诺有显著的正影响,并对此结果进行了深入讨论。     

Post-primary students’ images of mathematics: findings from a survey of Irish ordinary level mathematics students

A questionnaire survey was carried out as part of a PhD research study to investigate the image of mathematics held by post-primary students in Ireland. The study focused on students in fifth year of post-primary education studying ordinary level mathematics for the Irish Leaving Certificate examination – the final examination for students in second-level or post-primary education. At the time this study was conducted, ordinary level mathematics students constituted approximately 72% of Leaving Certificate students. Students were aged between 15 and 18 years. A definition for ‘image of mathematics’ was adapted from Lim and Wilson, with image of mathematics hypothesized as comprising attitudes, beliefs, self-concept, motivation, emotions and past experiences of mathematics. A questionnaire was composed incorporating 84 fixed-response items chosen from eight pre-established scales by Aiken, Fennema and Sherman, Gourgey and Schoenfeld. This paper focuses on the findings from the questionnaire survey. Students’ images of mathematics are compared with regard to gender, type of post-primary school attended and prior mathematical achievement.     

中国的百岁老人研究Ⅰ.百岁老人的地区分布、性别差异和民族特征

利用全国人口普查资料及部分地区的调查资料,统计分析了百岁老人的百岁比和性别比。结果显示,中国百岁老人存在明显的地区分布不均衡性、性别差异的可变化性,以及民族长寿的特异性。我国至少有4个省和自治区的百岁老人数男性多于女性,有13个民族的百岁老人比例达到联合国规定的长寿之乡标准,这些民族可称作长寿民族。     

性别差异对研发投资决策影响的实验研究

基于Z-Tree实验平台利用研发投资自然博弈实验研究发现风险规避导致女性的研发投入强度低于男性,但女性在研发投资过程中愿意投入的研发努力程度高于男性。随着时间推移,男性的研发努力程度明显下降,但女性的研发努力程度反而上升。男性和女性在决策中均表现出心理账户效应,女性更加愿意通过努力来提高业绩。男性在投资中更多体现期权思想,而女性更多表现出长期倾向下的持续努力。文章在揭示性别因素影响研发投资机理基础上,为董事会性别多样性、分级董事会以及递延薪酬等治理机制发挥作用机理提供了新解释。研究结论可以为企业职位的性别配置、分级董事会以及激励契约设计提供借鉴。关键词:性别差异;研发投资;实验研究;心理账户;风险规避;长期倾向     

The Gender Productivity Gap in Croatian Science: Women Are Catching up with Males and Becoming Even Better

How much different genders contribute to citations and whether we see different gender patterns between STEM and non-STEM researchers are questions that have long been studied in academia. Here we analyze the research output in terms of citations collected from the Web of Science of males and females from the largest Croatian university, University of Zagreb. Applying the Mann–Whitney statistical test, for most faculties, we demonstrate no gender difference in research output except for seven faculties, where males are significantly better than females on six faculties. We find that female STEM full professors are significantly more cited than male colleagues, while male non-STEM assistant professors are significantly more cited than their female colleagues. There are ten faculties where females have the larger average citations than their male colleagues and eleven faculties where the most cited researcher is woman. For the most cited researchers, our Zipf plot analyses demonstrate that both genders follow power laws, where the exponent calculated for male researchers is moderately larger than the exponent for females. The exponent for STEM citations is slightly larger than the exponent obtained for non-STEM citations, implying that compared to non-STEM, STEM research output leads to fatter tails and so larger citations inequality than non-STEM.     

Improving senior secondary school students’ attitude towards mathematics through self and cooperative-instructional strategies

This study investigated the effects of self and cooperative-instructional strategies on senior secondary school students’ attitude towards Mathematics. The moderating effects of locus of control and gender were also investigated. The study adopted pre-test and post-test, control group quasi-experimental design using a 3 ×?2 ×?2 factorial matrix with two experimental groups and one control group. Three hundred and fifty SSS II students from six purposively selected secondary schools in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State were the subjects. Three instruments were developed, validated and used for data collection. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Scheffé post hoc analysis were the statistics used for data analysis. Findings showed that the treatments had significant main effect on students’ attitude towards Mathematics. The participants exposed to self-instructional strategy had the highest post-test mean attitude score. The study found no significant main effects of locus of control and gender on the participants’ attitude towards Mathematics. It was concluded that Mathematics teachers should be trained to use self and cooperative learning packages in the classroom, since the strategies are more effective in improving students’ attitude towards Mathematics than the conventional method.