Word-Picture Conjunction: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Cellular Network Companies Slogans in Pakistan

Word -picture conjunction is an effective mode of communication. Words cannot be understood without pictures and vice versa. The present study investigates how linguistic and meta-linguistic features of cellular network companies are employed to propagate desired ideology to the target audience to win their consent through discursive moves.  The data for the present research has been collected from Mobilink Jazz's slogans. The time span for data collection ranges from year 2015-16. The methodological perspectives used in the present research include Fairclough (1993) model of Critical Discourse Analysis, Barthes' (1974) model of Semiological Discourse Analysis and Kruger's (2000) model of Focus Group Discussion analysis. The data used in the study comprises three modes (linguistic, visual and views of focus group participants). This justifies the use of tri-angular research method employed in the study. The research contends that role of new media has increased communication among the people the world over. Additionally, it finds that new media is one of the best sites for ideological investment because significance of visual and verbal practices has increased many folds.</p

The Effects of Islamic Management Ethics on Organizational Commitment of Employees in Libyan Public Banks

Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to review the relationship of Islamic management ethics and organizational commitment among employees of Libyan public banks .This study due to the lack of previous study regarding the effects of Islamic management ethics on commitment in Libyan environment. From this study, management ethics measured to prove whether they can influence employees&apos; commitment towards their organizations. Questionnaire contained of five sections which were demographic characteristic, Islamic management ethics, affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. The data analyzed by using SPSS. The results confirmed that there is a positive relationship between Islamic management ethics and three dimensions of commitment. Specifically, affective commitment correlates highly with Islamic management ethics compared to continuance and normative commitment

Antioxidant activity of Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS) from Sargassum sp. for Improving the Cutaneous Wound Enclosure in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Sargassum sp. classified as brown seaweed which is known as an alginophyte (alginate producer). Alginate has undergone a depolymerization process called alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) and has been shown to have antioxidant activities to increase wound tissue recovery. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) and their ability to improve the cutaneous wound enclosure in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). The IC50 value was used to calculate the ability of extract to inhibit free radicals using DPPH (516 nm). Zebrafish were immersed 12 hours before the injury and shortly after injury with a two factorial design, i.e., alginate concentration and immersion time. Zebrafish were immersed for 1 hour, 3 hours, and 5 hours with serial concentration of 200 ppm, 400 ppm, and 600 ppm, respectively. Morphological observations were carried out at the the first day, fourth day, tenth day, and twenty-first-day post wounding. The results of this study showed that alginate from Sargassum sp. has a yield of 40.5 ± 1.125% with a purity level of 89.95%. Based on antioxidant activity, alginate is categorized as moderate (178,377 ppm) and evidently has the ability to increase wound recovery compared to control. It has indicated by the formation of the wound enclosure

Supplemental chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles affect growth, serum metabolites and intestinal histology in broilers

The goal of the present research was to evaluate the effects of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Cr-CNPs) on production performance, viscera development, serum metabolites and intestinal histology in broilers. Two hundred (200) day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups with five replicates (n = 8). Birds in the first group served as control and were fed a corn soybean-based diet, while the remaining four supplemented groups were offered 200, 400, 800, and 1200 μg Cr-CNPs/kg of feed, respectively, for 35 days. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unaffected with Cr-CNP supplementation. No changes were observed in the relative weights of viscera. The relative length of the small intestine was decreased in birds supplemented with 200 and 800 μg Cr-CNPs/kg compared with the 1200 μg Cr-CNP-supplemented group and control. Serum metabolites remained unaffected with Cr-CNP supplementation except for serum HDL, which was increased. Cr-CNPs decreased the retention of chromium in the bone at higher concentrations. Jejunal villus height, villus surface area, and villus height to crypt depth ratio were increased in the 800 μg Cr-CNP-supplemented group. In conclusion, Cr-CNPs did not affect growth performance, viscera development, and most of the serum metabolites, but enhanced jejunal morphological attributes at 800 μg Cr-CNPs/kg of feed. Keywords: blood biochemistry, health, nano-biotechnology, prebiotics, poultry, trace minera

Influence of β-galacto-oligosaccharide on growth performance and components of intestinal barrier in broilers during heat stress

This study aimed to investigate the influence of β-galacto-oligosaccharides (β-GOS) on growth performance, organ development and intestinal microarchitecture of broilers during heat stress. Day-old chicks (n = 125) were divided into five groups. The control or thermoneutral zone group (TNZ) was raised under standard management until the 35th day. Four groups were exposed to cyclic heat stress (35 °C 8 h/d) from the 22nd to the 35th day. The TNZ and heat stress control (HSCT) groups were fed a corn-based diet and HS + 0.1% β-GOS; HS + 0.2% β-GOS; and HS + 0.5% β-GOS were fed a corn-based diet supplemented with β-GOS (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%), respectively. Exposure to heat stress reduced feed consumption, feed efficiency and the relative weight of the liver, bursa of Fabricius, and small intestine, compared with the TNZ group. Morphometric evaluation of the small intestine revealed reduced villus surface area, villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH : CD) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in all segments, and reduced acidic goblet cells (AGCs) in the ileum of the HSCT group compared with the TNZ group. Compared with the HSCT group, dietary β-GOS (0.2% and 0.5%) improved the feed efficiency and relative weight of the small intestine. Furthermore, dietary β-GOS (0.1%) increased villus surface area in the duodenum and IEL count in the small intestine compared with the HSCT group. Dietary β-GOS 0.5% increased villi surface area (VSA) in the jejunum and ileum, whereas the IEL count in the small intestine and acidic goblet cells (AGCs) in the jejunum and ileum were reduced compared with the HSCT group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of β-GOS (0.2% and 0.5%) improved the growth performance and intestinal microarchitecture of broilers during heat exposure, along with partial immune stimulation. Keywords: Feed efficiency, goblet cell, intraepithelial lymphocytes, mucosal architecture, prebiotics, poultry, villus morphometr

Probiotics supplementation reduces cigarette smoke-induced damage in the respiratory micro-architecture of mice

This study evaluated the protective efficacy of probiotics supplementation against cigarette smoke-induced lung emphysema, inflammation, and loss of cilia in mice. Probiotics are known to promote mucosal tolerance and mitigate respiratory injuries. Twenty-four adult mice were randomly divided into three groups: control (Ctr), cigarette smoke (CS), and cigarette smoke + probiotics (CS+P). Probiotics were given for 7 days before exposure to smoke in the CS+P group. Tissue samples of the trachea (goblet cell count and index, loss of cilia), lungs (airspace distention), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected and processed. The results showed a significant increase in acidic and neutral goblet cells in the CS group compared to the Ctr and CS+P groups (P &lt; 0.05). Overall, goblet cell number and index were lower in the CS+P group (41.71 ± 5.76, 0.67 ± 0.073) than CS group (56.28 ± 5.34, 1.31 ± 0.28). Inflammatory cells and loss of cilia significantly decreased in mice fed probiotics before exposure to cigarette smoke (P &lt; 0.05). Lung emphysema was also significantly reduced in the CS+P group compared to the CS group (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of probiotics reduced lung emphysema, inflammatory cells, goblet cell index, and loss of cilia under conditions of cigarette smoke exposure in mice.O presente trabalho avaliou a eficácia da suplementação com probióticos contra a indução de enfisema, inflamação e perda de cílios por fumaça de cigarro em camundongos. Sabe-se que os probióticos promovem a tolerância da mucosa e mitigam as injúrias respiratórias. Vinte e quatro camundongos foram divididos, ao acaso, em três grupos: controle (CTR), fumaça de cigarro (CS) e fumaça de cigarro + probióticos (CS+P). Os probióticos foram fornecidos por sete dias antes da exposição à fumaça no grupo CS+P. Foram colhidas e processadas amostras de tecidos da traqueia (contagem de células caliciformes e index, perda de cílios), pulmões (distensão do espaço aéreo) e fluido de lavagem broncoalveolar. Os resultados obtidos revelaram um aumento significativo em células caliciformes acidificadas e neutralizadas no grupo CS quando comparado aos grupos Ctr e CS+P (P&lt;0,05). Os números global e o índice de células caliciformes foram menores no grupo CS+P (41,71+ 5,76; 0,67+ 0,073) que no grupo CS (56,28+ 5,34 e 1,131+ 0,28). As células inflamatórias e a perda de cílios decresceram em camundongos alimentados com probióticos antes da exposição à fumaça de cigarro (P&lt;0,05). O enfisema pulmonar também foi significativamente reduzido no grupo CS+P quando comparado ao grupo CS (P&lt;0,05). A conclusão obtida foi que o fornecimento de dieta suplementada com probióticos reduziu o enfisema pulmonar, as células inflamatórias, o índice de células caliciformes e a perda de cílios nos camundongos expostos à fumaça de cigarro

Effects of Bacillus subtilis on performance, immune system and gut in Salmonella-challenged broilers

The goal of this study was to compare the effects of Bacillus subtilis and the antibiotic enrofloxacin on growth performance, immune response, intestinal histomorphometry and cecal Salmonella numbers in broilers challenged with S. gallinarum. Salmonella-free chicks (n = 240) were allocated to four groups, comprising six replicates (n = 10) each. Group NN was not infected and received no treatment. Group SN was infected with Salmonella and received no treatment. Group SE was infected with Salmonella and treated with the antibiotic enrofloxacin. Group SP was infected with Salmonella and treated orally with the probiotic B. subtilis. Initially the groups that were infected with Salmonella had reduced growth performance compared with NN. By the fourth week, SE and SP had recovered and weighed as much as or more than NN. The SP group had greater cellular immunity and relative weights of the bursa and thymus than the other groups. SN had the lowest villus height in all the segments of the small intestine and a larger Salmonella population in the ceca. Probiotic supplementation reduced the pathological outcomes more than enrofloxacin. Prophylactic use of B. subtilis-type probiotics had similar effects to the use of antibiotics, alleviated the stress related to infection of S. gallinarum, and improved the growth performance, immune function, and gut mucosal development in broilers. Keywords: growth promoters, immunity, probiotics, poultry villi lengt

Effect of maternal yeast feeding on dam performance and serum health biomarkers of Beetal goat kids

Supplementation with dietary yeast has improved digestibility and productive performance in ruminants. In this research the primary objective was to appraise the effects of dietary yeast supplementation of female goats during the transition period on milk composition and yield and on production and serum health biomarkers of their kids. Twenty-four Beetal goats (4 ± 1.2 years) were randomly assigned to three groups, which received 0, 5, and 10 grams/animal/day of live dried yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 60 days (30 days pre- and post-partum). All goats were fed 500 grams of concentrate with water and green fodder ad libitum. Milk samples were collected at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post kidding. Kids were weighed on days 0, 7, 15, 22, and 30, and blood samples were collected on days 15 and 30 for serum metabolites (glucose, urea, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, albumin to globulin ratio, serum oxidant and antioxidant activity (malondialdehyde) (MDA) and catalase), and liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) assessment. Milk yield was significantly (P =0.02) higher during the post-partum period in yeast-fed goats. Yeast-fed goats also produced milk containing more fat (P &lt;0.001) and protein (P &lt;0.001) compared with control goats. Birth weight, average daily gain, and serum health biomarkers of the kids were not influenced by the treatments. In conclusion, dietary yeast supplementation resulted in increased production performance of the dams without significant impact on their offspring.Keywords: average daily gain, catalase activity, hepatic enzymes, milk production, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, transition perio

Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, Meat Quality, and Jejunal Basal Morphology in Broilers

Simple Summary: Iron is a necessary micronutrient in animal feed. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and the enzymes participating in redox reactions. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation on production performance, organ development, blood biochemistry, redox status, meat quality, and jejunal histology in broilers. The results indicated that iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation improved the feed conversion ratio, pectoral muscle, and jejunal histology. However, iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation showed no effects on visceral organ development, blood metabolites, redox status, and carcass traits. Abstract: The current research aimed to evaluate the supplemental effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on production performance, viscera development, blood metabolites, redox status, meat quality, and jejunal histology in broilers. A total of 300 day-old broilers were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates per group. Birds were fed on a corn soybean-based diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg IONPs or 80 mg/kg of FeSO4 for 35 days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in birds supplemented with 60 mg/kg IONPs. The pH24h was lower in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs compared to that of the bulk group. Pectoral muscle fascicle diameter and fiber density were significantly increased in 20 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared to those of the bulk group, respectively. The muscle fiber diameter was higher in 40 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared with the bulk group. The jejunal villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area were significantly increased with 60 mg/kg IONP supplementation, whereas villus width was decreased in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs. The villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio was lower in IONP-supplemented birds compared to the bulk group. IONP supplementation improved the FCR, jejunal, and pectoral muscle morphology without affecting the carcass characteristics and redox status of broilers