Comparative study for evaluating two honey bee races, Apis mellifera jementica (indigenous race) and Apis mellifera carnica (carniolan race) in brood production, population development and foraging activity under the environmental conditions of the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

AbstractThis field study was carried out to evaluate two honeybee races namely; Apis mellifera jementica (indigenous race) and Apis mellifera carnica (carniolan race) based on brood production, population development, foraging activity, and queens status through the experimental period extended from March, 2009 up to March, 2010 under main physical environmental conditions of the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The obtained results showed that, indigenous bees transferred from traditional hives (Aoud) into Langstroth (modern) hives and supplied with frames contained 33cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for indigenous bees) (group I) had significantly higher brood production and population development than indigenous bees transferred from traditional hives into Langstroth hives and supplied with frames contained 25cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for European bees) (group II) and carniolan bees transferred from honey bee nuclei into Langstroth hives and supplied with frames contained 25cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for European bee) (group III). The general mean of brood area in cm2, frames of brood and frames covered with adult bees were (2813.13, 1730.94 and 1867.05cm2/colony), (3.13, 2.21 and 2.07 brood comb/colony) and (6.39, 4.44 and 4.38 comb of bees/colony), in groups I, II and III, respectively. The indigenous race significantly surpassed the carniolan race in brood production during summer season during high temperature commonly exceeds 45°C. Data also showed that no significant difference in foraging activity between the two examined races (indigenous and carniolan race) for gathering pollen during the first inspection period extended from 6 to 7am during the relatively cold, moderate and very high air temperature during inspection months. This situation differed between the two examined races during the second and third inspection period extended from 11 to 12am and 4 to 5pm, relatively high air temperature in June, August and October, during which the indigenous race significantly surpassed the carniolan race in foraging activity for gathering pollen. Moreover, the foraging activity was significantly higher in the first inspection period (6–7am) than the other two periods (11–12am and 4–5pm). When the numbers and percentages of died or superseded queens in the three inspection groups (I, II and III) were studied, no died or superseded queens were found in honey bee colonies in group (I) during the experimental period which was extended from March, 2009 to March, 2010. However, the percentages of failed queens during the experimental period were 0.00%, 45.00% and 60.00% in groups (I, II and III), respectively. The results also showed that increasing the size of the worker cells negatively affected brood production and population density in indigenous race and indigenous race is more tolerant and well adapted to the environmental conditions in the search area than carniolan race (imported). Therefore, this study recommends that improving the characteristics of indigenous and carniolan races should take place through breading programs, because the indigenous race shows high ability and good adaptation to the environmental conditions in the area but it is small in size, in addition their honey stomach and pollen basket are small, meanwhile the carniolan race is large in size and their honey stomach and pollen basket are great, but is not acclimatized to environmental conditions in the region, especially during the hot summer when the air temperature exceeds 45°C

Impact of hostel students’ satisfaction on their academic performance in Sri Lankan universities

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of hostel students’ satisfaction on their academic performance in Sri Lankan Universities. The selected sample for the study contained 367 final year hostel students from two universities in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka using random sampling method. A questionnaire survey was administered. The level of measuring variables was interval and the relevant statistical techniques for these measures were univariate analysis, and bivariate analysis. One hypothesis was tested to assess the empirical relationships among variables. The overall average hostel student’s satisfaction was 3.29 with significantly greater P values and the average GPA of the hostel students was 3.054 with significantly greater than the normal pass. Looking at the overall association among the variables it was observed that there is a significant positive correlation between the student’s GPA and overall satisfaction factors (r.= 0.632). Finally, these findings may lead to making some recommendations to improve the present level of satisfaction of students in hostels which might lead to an increase in their academic performance

Impact of job design on employees’ performance : with special reference to school teachers in the Kalmunai Zone

33- 41 p.The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of job design on employees’ performance in the school of Kalmunai Zone in Sri Lanka and which factors of job design highly influence on employees’ performance in the organizations. To analyze this condition, one hypothesis was formulated using deductive approach. The study was conducted by using a random sample of five school in Kalmunai Zone. Type of investigation was correlational and it was cross-sectional on time horizon. The unit of analysis was organizational level; each school. Teachers served as respondents on behalf of the firm. Measures of the study were of good quality after assuring reliability and validity. Data were collected from 103 respondents which was 100% response rate. In order to test the hypothesis that was concerned with relationship between perceived level of job design and perceived degree of employees’ performance the Pearson Product-Movement Correlation technique was applied. The results of the study showed a significant and positive relationship between perceived level of job design and perceived degree of employees’ performance in the schools. Found relationship was significant (correlation coefficient was .363 that was significant at 0.01 level) implying that a school should adopt an effective task identity, autonomy and feedback in order to improve teachers’ performance

Occupational Health and Safety and Employee Engagement: A Case of Solid Waste Employees in Urban Council in Ampara

This paper aimed to examine the relationship between occupational health and safety (OHS) and employee engagement (EE), identify the level of occupational health and safety, identify the level of employee engagement of SW employees, and determine whether the OHS impacts on employee engagement of SW employees. In this study, the authors gathered primary data from the Urban Council in Ampara, and the questionnaire method has been used as a data collection method. To carry out this research, a sample size of 85 employees was selected. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between the OHS and EE (r = 0.736) which was significant at a 0.01 level. Organisations need to formulate strategies to promote occupational health and safety through continuous education and training for solid waste employees, which will increase their occupational health and safety competencies and ultimately help them improve their efficiency. A periodic medical examination should be performed on all solid waste employees continuously. The management of the Urban Council in Ampara should cooperate with their employees for better performance and place safety above work. Recently, most of the studies on occupational health and safety are focused on employees who work on construction sites, but a little attempt to study the health and safety of local government employees in Sri Lanka, especially those in urban councils or municipal councils. This paper examined the relationship between occupational health and safety and employee engagement in a different setting. To better understand the OHS, the study recognised OHS dimensions such as management commitment, OHS training, safety committees and representatives, and safety learning and compliance to identify the relationship between OHS and EE. Keywords: Employee Engagement, Occupational Health and Safety, OHS Programmes, Urban Counci

Impact of stress on absenteeism at divisional secretariats: a study at Ampara district

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of Stress on Absenteeism in the divisional secretariats of Ampara District in Sri Lanka and which factors highly influence to develop stress in the organizations. A hypothesis was developed using deductive approach. The study was conducted by using a convenience sample of whole eight divisional secretariats in Ampara District in Sri Lanka. Type of investigation was correlational and it was crosssectional on time horizon. The unit of analysis was organizational level: each firm. Non managerial employees served as respondents on behalf of the firm. Measures of the study were of good quality after assuring reliability and validity. Data were collected from 80 respondents which was 100% response rate. In order to test the hypothesis that was concerned with relationship between perceived level of stress and perceived degree of employees' absenteeism the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation technique was applied. The results of the study showed a significant and positive relationship between perceived level of stress and perceived degree of absenteeism in Sri Lanka. Found relationship was strong (correlation coefficient was .548 that was significant at 0.01 level) implying that a divisional secretariat should adopt an effective working environment to reduce the level of stress so as to decline absenteeism

Effects of supplemental feed and fertilizer on growth and survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) post larvae in pond nursery system

The study was conducted to compare the performance of different nursing practices of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) post-larvae (PL). Three treatments such as only fertilizers (T1), fertilizers with 5% supplementary feed (local feed) (T2), and 10% commercial feed (T3) were applied in the nursing system of prawn PLs in earthen pond. An earthen pond (315m²) was divided into nine equal small ponds by fine meshed nylon nets. Feeds were used once daily on a tray placed near the pond bottom. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in some water quality parameters like pH and total alkalinity, but all measured water quality parameters viz. water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen and ammonia-nitrogen were within the acceptable range for nursing of prawn PL. The results showed that the mean final lengths of prawn post-larvae were 6.3±0.07 cm, 7.12±0.22 cm and 8.17±0.16 cm in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. There were significant difference (p<0.05) in mean final length of prawn PL among the treatments. Significantly higher (p<0.05) average daily weight gain was observed in T3 (0.071 ±0.007 g) than in T2 (0.052±0.006 g) and T1 (0.031 ±0.002 g). The specific growth rate (SGR) of T3 (8.81±0.26) was found significantly higher (p<0.05) than T2 (8.35±0.22) and T1 (7.42±0.11). Survival rate (%) was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 (66.24±1.58) than in T2 (60.52±1.64) and T1 (53.86±2.71). Therefore, it may be concluded that the growth and survival in prawn nursery was better in commercial feed than only fertilizers and fertilizers with local feeds

Impact of effective performance appraisal system (PAS) on employees’ commitment in the selected branches of State Banks of Sri Lanka

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between Performance Appraisal System and Employees Commitment in selected branches of state banks in the Trincomallee district of Sri Lanka. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 85 respondents from both People’s bank and Bank of Ceylon through simple random sampling method. The key constructs for this study were Performance Appraisal System as an independent variable and Employees’ Commitment as a dependent variable. A Hypothesis also formulated to test the relationship between the constructs. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0) and the interpretation made on using several statistical techniques. The findings of the study revealed that, most of the employees agreed upon, that their commitment level is moderate and also there is a significant positive relationship between Performance Appraisal System and Employees Commitment. Although employees performance appraisal system in high level, should adopt a more methodical system of performance Appraisal in the dimensions of policies of PAS, criteria and standards, forms and procedures, decision making and storing, review and renewal in order to improve employees commitment to very high level

N-doped TiO2 synthesised via microwave induced photocatalytic on RR4 dye removal under LED light irradiation

Nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (N-doped TiO2) was synthesized by microwave using urea as nitrogen sources with commercially available TiO2-P25. The N-doped TiO2 was compared with unmodified TiO2 by carrying out the investigation on its properties using x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The photocatalytic activities of N-doped TiO2 and unmodified TiO2 were studied for photodegradation of reactive red 4 (RR4) under light emitting diode (LED) light irradiation. An active photoresponse under LED light irradiation was observed from N-doped TiO2 with 60 min of time irradiation to complete RR4 color removal while no photocatalytic degradation was observed from unmodified

Performance Appraisal System and Business Performance: An Empirical Study in Sri Lankan Apparel Industry

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether Performance Appraisal (PA) significantly relates to business performance in Sri Lankan apparel firms; to find out whether a significant difference exists between large apparel firms and non-large apparel firms with regard to perceived quality of PA and to reveal whether a significant difference exists between large apparel firms and non-large apparel firms with regard to business performance. Three hypotheses were formulated using deductive approach. The study was conducted by using a stratified random sample of 274 apparel firms in Sri Lanka. Type of investigation was correlational and it was cross-sectional in time horizon. The unit of analysis was organisational level: each firm. General Manager or Human Resource Manager served as the respondent on behalf of the firm. Measures of the study were of good quality after assuring reliability and validity. Data were possible to be collected from 68 apparel firms-18 non-large firms and 50 large firms. In order to test the first that was concerned with relationship between perceived systematic use of performance appraisal system of a firm and perceived degree of business performance the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation technique was applied. The second hypothesis and third hypothesis were concerned with difference between large apparel firms and non-large apparel firms  with regard to perceived quality of PA and perceived degree of business performance respectively and Independent Sample T test was the appropriate technique to test the validity of the two hypotheses. The results of the study showed a significant and positive relationship between perceived systematic use of PA system and perceived degree of business performance of apparel firms in Sri Lanka. Found relationship was strong (correlation coefficient was .826 that was significant at .0005)  implying that an apparel firm, though it is large or non-large, should adopt a more systematic PA system so as to improve its business performance. However the study revealed no statistical evidence to claim that the degree of perceived quality of PA of large apparel firms is significantly different from that of non-large apparel firms and that the perceived degree of business performance of large apparel firms is significantly different from that of non-large apparel firms.   Key words: Business Performance, Performance Appraisal, Sri Lankan Apparel Industr

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries