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The effect of applying change management strategies on job performance and empowering employees of the administrative department of Islamic Azad University
No full textAs businesses evolve to outpace their competitors, so do their expectations of their employees' performance. An employee is a critical element of an organization, and their overall performance can determine its achievements or failures. Because of the constantly changing business environment, every business has its way of doing things. Therefore, these changes require the manager to adopt internal changes that affect employee performance, thus increasing organizational growth, etc. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of change management strategies on job performance and empower employees of electronics administrative department in the Islamic Azad University (IAU). The statistical population of the research included 200 administrative employees of electronics department of IAU (60 female and 140 male). Data analysis was done using SPSS software and regression coefficients. The results showed that the use of change management strategies has a positive and significant effect on the job performance and empowerment of the of the IAU administrative department’s employees from Electronics Unit. For future studies, we suggest to increase the statistical population and perform the study on more diverse organizations
Effects of Bioherbal Compounds on Performance and Intestinal Characteristics of Laying Chickens
No full textSince the European Union banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feed in 2006 (EC Regulation No 1831/2003), alternative feed additives have been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a bioherbal combination of probiotics and phytobiotics as a feed additive in drinking water on the performance and intestinal characteristics of male laying chickens. The study was performed on 200 male laying chickens for 60 days. This research method was a field experiment with a completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments and five replications. The treatments were T0 (drinking water without bioherbal, control), T1 (control + bioherbal code 1 M), T2 (control + bioherbal code 2 H), and T3 (control + bioherbal combination of 1M and 2H). The investigated parameters included growth performance and intestinal profile of the male laying chickens. The addition of bioherbal increased the number of villi in the intestines of the male laying chickens; however, there was no significant difference among other parameters. It can be concluded that the addition of bioherbal code 2H as a feed additive with a composition of herbal leaves can improve the performance and intestinal characteristics of male laying chickens
Thermal Manipulation During Incubation: Effects on Embryo Development, Production Performance, Meat Quality, and Thermal Tolerance of Broiler Chickens
No full textThermal manipulations during the embryonic period have positive effects on thermotolerance and the productive performance of broilers subjected to acute heat stress. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of Thermal manipulation during incubation (TMI) on productive performances and thermotolerance of broiler chickens growing in tropical climates. A total of 900 Cobb 500 broiler chicken eggs from a 35-week-old breeder flock were incubated in standard incubation conditions (37.8°C, 60 relative humidity) until day 7, when they were divided into 3 groups (300 eggs per group). The control group (C) was incubated at standard incubation conditions while T6 and T12 groups were subjected to, respectively, 6 hours/day and 12 hours/day of TMI (T° = 39.5°C, relative humidity = 65, Embryonic day = 7-16). The relative embryo and albumen weight were determined from 10 to 18 days of incubation. The hatching event was checked between 450 and 504 hours of incubation, and egg hatchability, chick quality, and cloacal temperature were also determined. One hundred and twenty-five chicks from each incubation group were transferred to the farm and raised for 6 weeks. During this period, their post-hatch performances were determined. At week 6, blood samples were collected to measure T3, T4, and corticosterone hormone levels. Then, the 6-week-old broilers were slaughtered to determine meat yield and quality. Results showed that the chick�s rectal temperature was significantly reduced in T6 and T12 groups compared to the C group, while hatchability and one-day-old chick weight were not affected. Final body weight and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in the T12 group, compared to other groups. Thermal manipulation during incubation for 6 and 12 hours significantly reduced mortality rate and pectoralis major muscle drip loss while it increased muscle pH at 24 hours post-mortem (pH24). Corticosterone, T3, and T4 plasma hormone levels at week 6 were also significantly reduced by TMI. Therefore, exposing hatching eggs to 39.5°C and 65 of relative humidity from days 7 to 16 of incubation for 12 hours/day is recommended for the poultry industry in tropical climates. © 2023,Journal of World''s Poultry Research. All Rights Reserved
Effects of Using Commercial and Homemade Extenders on Sperm Quality of Liquid Stored Semen of Horro Chicken Breed
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the suitability of homemade tris-egg yolk-based and Commercial Beltsville poultry extenders for short-term storage of semen from the Ethiopian Indigenous Horro chicken breed at refrigeration temperature. A total of 30 Horro roosters with an average age of 40 weeks were used to collect semen. The treatments (T) in the sperm quality experiment were control (semen without extender added), semen extended with homemade extender (E1), and semen extended with commercial Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (E2). Changes in spermatozoa motility, in vitro viability, and morphology were evaluated in fresh semen and semen diluted as 1:4 (v/v semen to extender) and stored for 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours at 4°C. During semen storage, there was a decrease in mass motility, an increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa with a high incidence of the bent tail, and an increase in dead spermatozoa. The commercial Beltsville poultry extender was found to be the most suitable extender regarding mass motility and in vitro viability of stored spermatozoa, but there was no significant difference in sperm abnormalities across all extenders. The results showed locally prepared tris-egg yolk-based extender could be a suitable extender for short-term storage of chicken sperm regarding the sperm quality attributes. © 2023, Journal of World''s Poultry Research. All Rights Reserved
Comparative Analysis of Contract Farming Effect on Technical Efficiency of Broiler Chicken Farms in Indonesia
No full textThe development of broiler chicken farms in Indonesia has taken two forms, namely non-contract and contract farming. This study aimed to compare the technical efficiency levels of production in these two types of farming in Banten Province, Indonesia. Data were collected randomly from 180 broiler chicken farmers, consisting of 103 non-contract and 77 contract farmers. The study used the stochastic frontier production function to meet its objectives. The results showed that non-contract broiler chicken farmers were less efficient in their production than those under contract. The mean technical efficiency of the production factor for non-contract broiler chicken farmers was 0.689, ranging from 0.339 to 0.996. On the contrary, broiler chicken farmers under contract had a higher mean efficiency value of 0.893, ranging from 0.638 to 0.988. Moreover, the type of input supplier had a significant positive effect on technical inefficiency in non-contract farms. Non-contract farmers who purchased their production needs from a poultry shop showed higher technical efficiency compared to those who used distributors. This research sheds light on the efficiency of broiler chicken farms, both non-contract and contract, enabling all stakeholders, including the government, to devise appropriate policies for the development of broiler chicken farming. The study provided valuable insights into the technical efficiency levels of broiler chicken farming in Indonesia, which can help farmers identify areas that need improvement and develop strategies to increase productivity and profitability. © 2023, Journal of World''s Poultry Research. All Rights Reserved
The Effect of Nano-bentonite Supplementation on Reducing the Toxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan Chickens’ Diet
No full textAspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are fungi that produce toxic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins. These toxins can contaminate various food and feed products, including grains and nuts, before or after they are harvested. This contamination is most commonly found in tropical countries. Many studies have demonstrated that clay additions can reduce animal aflatoxin toxicity. The objective of this research was to study how the usage of Pacitan's local bentonite, located in East Java, Indonesia, could potentially decrease the harmful effects of aflatoxin B1 in native chicken species. The Masking Gel Calcification method was used to create bentonite nanoparticles at the Center for Ceramics in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The in vivo study was conducted at a native chicken farm in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, with 1200 unsexed Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) chickens. Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan chickens were divided into 4 treatments and 6 replications, each containing 50 chickens. The diets in the treatments were named as T0 (the control group in which chickens were fed basal diet, without aflatoxin B1), T1 ( T0 + 200 μg/kg aflatoxin B1), T2 (T0 + 200 μg/kg aflatoxin B1 + 1 g/kg Factory Feed with standard factory absorbent), and T3 (T0 + 200 μg/kg aflatoxin B1 + 1 g/kg nano bentonite). Aspergillus flavus isolates from PAU Universitas Gadjah Mada were created using crude aflatoxin (FNC 2262). This study found a significant difference in KUB chicken performance, specifically in feed conversion ratio (FCR). Compared to T0, the findings indicated that T1 had the highest FCR value, followed by T2 and T3. It can be concluded that nanoparticle bentonite has a looser structure because of decreased packing density with the lowest FCR. Based on hematology analysis, it can suppress aflatoxin B1 toxicity in KUB chickens. © 2023, Journal of World''s Poultry Research. All Rights Reserved
The Protective Effects of Melatonin against Brain Disorders Induced by the Western Diet in Male Rats
No full textGlobally, the effects of consuming a diet rich in fat have gained great concerted attention. The current study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin on neurological disorders induced by the western diet in rats. A total of 30 adult male white local Iraqi rats were randomly assigned to three equal groups, including control (CC), high-fat diet (HFD), and melatonin group (HFD+M, a high-fat diet along with intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg body weight melatonin) for 8 weeks. The rats were analyzed in terms of brain tissue concentration of dopamine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and nervous system impairment using Barns maze task and elevated plus maze. The findings revealed a significant decline in the dopamine concentration of the HFD group after 8 weeks of treatment, compared to CC and HFD+M groups. Moreover, there was a significant increase in brain TNF-α concentration in the group fed HFD, compared with CC and HFD+M. Finally, the melatonin treatment significantly reduced spatial memory impairments and anxiety induced by HFD in rats. After 8 weeks, the histological examination revealed that brain section rats on an HFD indicated significant congestion in the blood vessels with marked cerebral edema, where there was a dilation of Virchow-Robin space, severe congestion, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the meninges. The HFD+M groups showed normal meninges without any inflammatory exudate except for a few congestions in the blood vessels and no or mild vacuolations in the cerebral tissue, gliosis, and astrocytosis. In contrast, male rats fed an HFD showed vacuolation and aerophagia in brain tissue and a marked aggregation of the proliferation of astrocytes and a proliferation of microglial cells in the cerebral. In conclusion, HFD impairs brain neurotransmitters, induces pro-inflammatory changes, and affects learning ability and memory by changing the structure of neural tissue. Melatonin can ameliorate HFD-caused effects. © 2023, World''s Veterinary Journal. All Rights Reserved
Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella Serotypes Isolated from Environment, Humans, Animals, and Animal Products in Morocco: A Systematic Review
No full textSeveral studies have been carried out in Morocco on Salmonella contamination in humans, domestic and wild animals, food products, and the environment. This bacterial genus is responsible for several infections and foodborne illnesses worldwide. The epidemiological situation of contamination by Salmonella is worsened by the development of antibiotic resistance to the main antibiotics used in human and veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to review the leading research carried out in this field, emphasizing the antibiotic resistance of this bacterium to antibiotics in humans and animals. Although some studies could not demonstrate the presence of Salmonella in the environments studied, the prevalence of contamination remained relatively high in humans, animals, food products, and the environment. The most critical contaminations were observed in poultry farms and poultry meat. Salmonella causes 42.8 of food poisoning cases in Morocco. It is the second most common cause of poisoning after pesticide poisoning. Morocco ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa for human salmonellosis, with a prevalence of 17.9 (1997-2012). Its prevalence in food products, especially those of animal origin, is very high and could reach 52.9 in turkey meat. Food products have been studied more for their contamination by Salmonella species. Meat products accounted for 17.35 of food poisoning cases. This study revealed that the isolation rate of Salmonella from food products of animal origin was dominated by isolations from meat products, with prevalence rates of 41.76 from red meat and meat products and 25.88 from poultry meat, followed by prevalence rates of 12.44 from fish products and 11.80 from eggs. On the coast of Agadir, the incidence rates of Salmonella were 6.8 and 4.1 in sediment and seawater, respectively. This occurrence was 2.38 in the surface waters of Oued Khoumane. The development of resistance, particularly multi-resistance to antibiotics of therapeutic interest in both humans and animals, is alarming, especially with the ease of transmission of the bacterium to humans and facilitates its dissemination. Research findings indicated that 93.02 of isolates of Salmonella from humans, 79.37 of the strains isolated from poultry, and 46.27 of isolates from food products were resistant to at least one antibiotic © 2023, World's Veterinary Journal.All Rights Reserved
CAUSES OF HONEYBEE COLONY DECLINE IN SOUTH ETHIOPIA
No full textThe purpose of this study was to identify the major causes of colony decline in the Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. Three districts, namely, Yirga Cheffe, Wonago, and Dilla Zuria, were purposefully selected based on beekeeping potential. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 135 beekeepers and 15 key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, and personal observation of apiary sites. The results revealed two main causes of colony declines in the Gedeo zone: colony management-related factors and natural factors. Seventy percent of beekeepers lack the practical skills to perform hive inspection; 47 do not feed their colonies; 45 spray pesticides and insecticides near their apiaries; and 82 fail to control swarming. As a result, 87 of sampled beekeepers have experienced frequent colony absconding. The trends of colony decline showed an increase from 2008 to 2020 in the highlands and from 2008 to 2017 in the midlands and lowlands, respectively. The number of households facing colony declines increased in all agro-ecologies from 2008 to 2020. Pests and predators, like wax moths, and small hive beetles were take the first rank followed by ants, the inherent behavior of honeybees, a shortage of flora, and the presence of poisonous plants were the top five challenges among natural factors, respectively. Therefore, we strongly recommend educating beekeepers on scientific methods of colony management and planting bee flora. Laboratory diagnostics are required to identify bee diseases. © (2023). All Rights Reserved
The Effect of Deformation Parameters of Clay-Core on Arching Behaviour of Rockfill Dam
No full textIn zoned embankment dams, horizontal and vertical cracks developing in the upstream-downstream direction for various reasons cause internal erosion, resulting in serious consequences such as dam failure. Hydraulic fracturing is one of the mechanisms that cause these cracks to develop in the upstream-downstream direction. Hydraulic fracturing occurs when the stresses at the upstream face of the core are less than or equal to the hydrostatic stresses originating from the reservoir. The arching phenomenon creates the stress environment in which hydraulic fracturing can develop. In transverse arching, one of the arching types, stress transfer occurs from the core to the transition and shell zones. As a result of this stress transfer, the vertical stresses on the upstream surface of the clay core decrease. This study examines the effect on zoned dam transverse arching behavior in combinations where the geomechanical characteristics of the clay core (Elasticity modulus and Poisson ratio) change, provided that the material characteristics in the transition and shell zones are constant. Numerical analyses were carried out using the finite element method using the maximum cross-section of Çınarcık Dam. As a result of numerical analysis, it was seen that the increase in the elasticity modulus and Poisson ratio values, which are the deformation parameters of the clay core, was effective in reducing the transverse arching potential