Role Strain and Its Influence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior among Faculty Staff

Context: The quality of university education is highly affected by faculty staff engagement that drives them to go beyond their assigned ‎roles and job description to have Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs). Aim: To investigate the influence of role strain on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) among nursing faculty staff. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was carried out at the Faculty of Nursing at Ain Shams University on a convenience sample of 89 faculty members. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with OCBs and role strain scales. Results: Participants' age ranged from 25 and 53 years. 83.1% had high citizenship behaviors, and 68.5% had high role strain. The citizenship behavior and role strain scores were positively and significantly correlated (r=0.253). The multivariate analysis identified role strain score as a positive predictor of OCB score. Conclusion: The nursing faculty staff in the study setting have high scores in OCBs and fewer scores in role strain. Their role strain positively predicts their OCBs. It is recommended to carry out a similar study with a prospective follow-up design. The roles of leadership style and job satisfaction in the relationship between role strain and OCBs need to be investigated. &nbsp

IMPACT OF SOME BIO-STIMULANTS ON PERFORMANCE OF ZINNIA ELEGANS SEEDLINGS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of Spirulina platensis algae extract (seaweed) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast extract as bio-stimulants on the growth, flowering, and chemical composition of the Zinnia elegans plants during 2021 and 2022 seasons. When the seedlings reached about 10 cm in length, they were transplanted into individual pots filled with a mixture of clay and sand (1:1, v/v). Seedlings were sprayed with algae extract at 0.5 and 1% and yeast extract at 3 and 6 g/l however, control plants were sprayed with distilled water. The obtained results indicated that algae extract at 1% treatment increased all vegetative parameters including plant height, stem diameter, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, root length, leaf area, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, flowering parameters including number of inflorescences/plant, inflorescence F.W. and D.W. in both seasons and inflorescence diameter in the second season only. The chemical composition was also positively affected by the same treatment and gave the highest values for photosynthetic pigments, total amino acids, crude protein, macronutrient elements (N, P and K%), total sugar content and total indoles followed by plants sprayed with yeast extract at 6 g/l for all the mentioned parameters during both seasons. It was concluded that algae extract at 1% or yeast extract at 6 g/l can be used as bio-stimulants to boost the growth of the Zinnia elegans plan

Validated stability indicating methods for determination of nitazoxanide in presence of its degradation products

AbstractThree sensitive, selective and reproducible stability-indicating methods are presented for determination of nitazoxanide (NTZ), a new anti-protozoal drug, in presence of its degradation products. Method A utilizes the first derivative of ratio spectra spectrophotometry by measurement of the amplitude at 364.4nm using one of the degradation products as a divisor. Method B is a chemometric-assisted spectrophotometry, where principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) were applied. These two approaches were successfully applied to quantify NTZ in presence of degradation products using the information included in the absorption spectra in the range 260–360nm. Method C is based on the separation of NTZ from its degradation products followed by densitometric measurement of the bands at 254nm. The separation was carried out on silica gel 60F254, using chloroform–methanol–ammonia solution–glacial acetic acid (95:5:1:1 by volume, pH=5.80) as a developing system. These methods are suitable as stability-indicating methods for the determination of NTZ in presence of its degradation products either in bulk powder or in pharmaceutical formulations. Statistical analysis of the results has been carried out revealing high accuracy and good precision

Review Multi Pass Friction Stir Processing

The aim of this article is to provide a review of multiple passes friction stir processing technology and their effect on the microstructure refinement, improving mechanical properties furthermore enhancement of reducing distortion and defects in materials. Multi-pass FSP achieves uniform dispersion of reinforcement particles in the metal matrix composites. The present paper reviews the work done in the above mentioned areas and concludes the effect of multi-pass FSP on the mechanical properties

Mejora del valor nutricional y tiempo de almacenaje de patatas fritas en presencia de vitaminas con actividad antioxidante

The frying shelf life of commercial frying oil was increased by the addition of synthetic and natural antioxidants, e.g. TBHQ, retinyl palmitate and ascorbyl palmitate (antioxidant vitamins).The results revealed that TBHQ had the best effect in retarding the deteriorative effect of frying conditions throughout 24h of frying potato chips at 180±10 ºC followed by the effect of retinyl palmitate and the effect of ascorbyl palmitate compared to the control without any additives. Fried potato chips in oils either with or without antioxidant were collected during the first 8h of frying, divided into 3 main portions each portion had different treatment; 1) without any additives (control samples for fried potatoes resulting from the control oil or from oil containing TBHQ or containing retinyl or ascorbyl palmitate. 2) fortification of the above 4 samples with vitamin E (tocopherol) by dipping each of the resulting samples from the four frying trials separately in oil containing 0.1 % tocopherol. 3) fortification of each of the above mentioned samples with vitamin C by dispersing the mixture of fine salt and ascorbyl palmitate on the fried chips' surface and vigorous shaking in bags. The control samples and fortified samples were packed in aluminum bags and stored in an electric oven at 63±1 ºC . The storage ability of fried potatoes at 63±1 ºC was increased by the fortification with antioxidant vitamins either with vitamin E (tocopherol) or with vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate) before packaging and storing at 63±1 ºC. The results indicated that potatoes fried in oil without any additives (control) had the lowest storage stability and that it was increased by the fortification with antioxidant vitamins, C or E. Potato chips fortified with vitamins A or C by frying in oil containing retinyl palmitate or ascorbyl palmitate and also in oil containing TBHQ had better storage ability at 63 ºC and this was also prolonged by the addition of vitamin E or C after the frying processes and before storing at 63 ºC in aluminium bags. This demonstrated the synergistic effect of the antioxidant vitamins which work either alone or complementary to each other along with the protective effect of the phenolic antioxidant (TBHQ) which protected these vitamins by supporting their antioxidant function.Mediante la adición de antioxidantes sintéticos y naturales, como TBHQ, retinil palmitato y ascorbil palmitato, es posible aumentar la estabilidad de aceites para la fritura comercial. Los resultados indican que TBHQ, seguido de retinil palmitato y ascorbil palmitato, en este orden, es el mejor para retrasar el deterioro de las condiciones para la fritura, 24 h a 180 °C , de patatas fritas cuando se compara con un control sin aditivos. Se tomaron muestras de patatas fritas en aceites con y sin vitaminas antioxidantes durante las primeras 8 horas de fritura, y se dividieron en tres porciones para someterlas a diferentes tratamientos: 1) sin aditivos (muestras control de patatas fritas con aceite control o con aceite que contenía TBHQ, retinil palmitato o ascorbil palmitato; 2) enriquecimiento de las cuatro muestras anteriores con vitamina E (tocoferol) mediante la inmersión de las patatas fritas en aceite con 0,1 % tocoferol; y 3) enriquecimiento de las muestras anteriores con vitamina C mediante la dispersión de una mezcla de sal fina y ascorbil palmitato sobre la superficie de las patatas fritas y agitación de las mismas en el interior de paquetes. Las muestras controles y enriquecidas se empaquetaron en paquetes de aluminio y fueron guardadas en un horno eléctrico a 63±1 ºC . La estabilidad de las patatas fritas a 63±1 ºC aumentó en presencia de vitamina E y de vitamina C antes del empaquetamiento y almacenamiento a esa temperatura. Las patatas fritas con aceite enriquecido en vitaminas A, C y TBHQ fueron las que mejor se conservaron a 63 ºC ; este efecto se prolongó mediante la adición de vitaminas E ó C después del proceso de fritura y antes de su almacenamiento a 63 ºC en paquetes de aluminio. Estos resultados demuestran el efecto sinérgico de vitaminas con actividad antioxidante que pueden actuar de manera independiente o complementaria a TBHQ, el cual además las protege en estas condiciones termo-oxidativas

Preparation of a Combined Inactivated Vaccine against Riemerella anatipestifer and Duck Viral Hepatitis

Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) infection and duck virus hepatitis (DVH) are enormous dangers for the duck industry and its investment. So, in the current study, a combined inactivated vaccine against both of them was prepared to combat their adverse effect. One hundred and thirty-three ducks of one-day-old of age were used and grouped randomly into four groups. Group (1) was vaccinated with R. anatipestifer vaccine, group (2) was vaccinated with DHV vaccine, group (3) was vaccinated with the prepared combined vaccine of both and finally, group (4) was kept as a negative control. Vaccination was at one day old of age. The vaccinated groups with Riemerella vaccine had 72.7% protection against challenges with the virulent strain with the highest antibody titers in 6th week as measured by the indirect Hemagglutination test. The control group had 90.9% mortality when challenged against R. anatipestifer, with no detectable antibody titers. DVH-vaccinated groups exhibited their highest serum-neutralizing antibody titers by the 5th and 6th weeks post-vaccination. The Control group had no detectable antibody titers against DVH. Statistically, it was clear that there were no significant differences between the results of different groups vaccinated with combined or single vaccines of the same agent. Briefly, combined vaccines of R. Anatipestifer and duck viral hepatitis have harmonized effects with the priority to decrease the stress on birds and workers. Besides its efficiency, the economic side as providing one-shot vaccines instead of each one separately

Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of fucoxanthin from Dilophys fasciola and as a food additive in stirred yoghurt

We investigated the effects of fucoxanthin isolated from the edible macroalga Dilophys fasciola on pathogenic microbes and probiotics in vitro and the antioxidant activity of fucoxanthin. The yield concentration of the obtained crude was 50.5% fucoxanthin. We found strong inhibition against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and lower inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The probiotic strains progressed between 1.2 and 1.67 log cycles at a concentration of 30 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity ranged between 54.76% and 88.36% at a concentration of 40 μg/mL. The 50% lethal dose of algal fucoxanthin was shown to be more than 2511.88 mg/kg. The production of stirred yoghurt incorporated with 20 mg and 30 mg of fucoxanthin per kilogram of milk was evaluated through chemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses during storage for 21 days and compared with control samples. The maximum growth for probiotics (Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lacticaseibacillus casei) was found on day 14, but more viability counts were detected in the treatment with 30 mg/kg. All treatments were free from mould and yeast counts up to 7 days, and the small numbers of mould, yeast, and psychrotrophic counts appeared first in control samples. Also, the highest dry matter content was observed for treatments with 30 mg/kg. Moreover, the protein, fat, and ash content of all treatments increased with a progressive cold storage period. Greater reductions in the pH were found in treatments than in the control, and were consistent with the development of acidity. During storage, the amount of crude fucoxanthin had no significant impact on the flavour, colour, or appearance scores. Significance: • Fucoxanthin is a type of carotenoid that offers many benefits to human health. • The fucoxanthin of edible Dilophys fasciola had a strong antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. • Stirred yoghurt fortified with crude fucoxanthin had good overall acceptability and the percentage of crude fucoxanthin had no noticeable effects on the flavour, colour, or appearance. Fucoxanthin, therefore, has potential benefit as a food additive

Redesigning Price Setting under the Universal Health Insurance in Egypt / إعادة تصميم التسعير في ظل التأمين الصحي الشامل في مصر

Since the Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations Development Programme, Universal Health coverage became the main target for many nations. One of the main challenges facing the governments to achieve universal health coverage is maintaining adequate policies to set fair pricing for the healthcare services. Each country has different strategies to apply fair pricing and this paper is discussing the current pricing methods in Egypt and suggesting three policies to tackle its challenges

Potential impact of iron oxide conjugated nano-fertilizer on growth, flowering and isozyme expression in Gardenia jasminoides

Nano-fertilizers protect the soil from the excessive addition of traditional fertilizers, enhancing the efficiency of the elements and diminishing the number of additive fertilizers. The effect of Fe2O3NPs-Boron (Fe2O3NPs-B), and Fe2O3 NP-Humic Acid (Fe2O3NPs-HA) at 100, 150 and 250 ppm, Fe2O3, and control (without any iron fertilizers) on the vegetative growth, flowering, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient element content and isozymes activity (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and polyphenol oxide) of Gardenia jasminoides plants was investigated. Gamma-rays at 25 kGy were conducted for the promising synthesis of Fe2O3NPs-B, and Fe2O3NPs-HA. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions during two successive seasons. The results stated that Fe2O3NPs-B and Fe2O3NPs-HA at the highest concentration (250 ppm) had a significant positive effect in all vegetative characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient element content and isozymes activity. Fe2O3NPs-HA showed the optimal result in all morphological and biochemical characteristics. The highest activity of enzymes appeared in the treated plants with Fe2O3 NPs-B followed by Fe2O3 NPs-HA at 250 ppm. The advantage nano-fertilizer usage may be summarized as saving the soil from the unreasonable accumulation of classic fertilizers, improving the use efficiency of parts and reducing the number of different fertilizers as a consequence of their increased surface area and their nano-size

Assessment of the Menstrual Cycle and Its Effect on Glycemic Control in a Sample of Egyptian Adolescent Females with Type 1 Diabetes: A Clinical Prospective Study

Objective: Assessing the effect of the menstrual cycle on glycemic control and basal insulin requirements in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes (T1D) receiving multiple daily insulin injections. Materials and methods: A clinical prospective study was conducted, involving 78 adolescent females with T1D, who were following at the Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolism Pediatric Unit (DEMPU) of Cairo University Children’s Hospital. We collected data on their ages at menarche and the regularity and duration of their menstrual cycle, and then followed them for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles during the late luteal, menstrual bleeding, and early follicular phases to observe the effect of hormonal variation on glycemic control and the need for basal insulin dose adjustments. Results: The median age of adolescent females with T1D was 17.3 years. Their median age at menarche was 13 years, and the median duration of T1D was 7 years. Forty-eight (61.5%) patients required modification of their basal insulin dose during the days of menstrual bleeding. Forty-four of them required an increase in their basal insulin by a mean of 10% of their usual dose, while 4 required a decrease in their basal dose by a mean of 9%. The remaining 30 (38.5%) did not require any change in their basal insulin during the days of menstrual bleeding. Conclusions: In adolescent females, individualized basal insulin dose adjustment, mostly an increase and less frequently a decrease, can prevent worsening of glycemic control and diabetic ketoacidosis during menses