No abstract

This study aims to test the relationship between perceived empowering leadership behavior and the work engagement. Also, the mediating role of psychological empowerment in this relation has been examined. The study applied on a sample of 360 employees at the Egyptian cement industry in Upper Egypt. Data was collected using work engagement questionnaire based on the Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, and Bakker (2002) scale. The current study used the scale of the Zhang & Bartol study (2010), prepared by Ahearne et al., (2005) to measure the empowering leadership behaviors. Psychological empowerment has been measured using Spreitzer (1995) and Zhung and Bartol (2010). The study was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program in data processing for AMOS to test the quality of compatibility between the collected data and the theoretical data, and the structural model to test the study hypotheses. The results did not support the direct relationship between leadership empowered behavior and work engagement. The empowering leadership behavior is positively affecting the psychological empowerment. Psychological empowerment was found to be positively affecting work engagement. However, the psychological empowerment was found to be mediating the relationship between the two variables. The study reached some conclusions related to this relationship and how to have it enhanced in the Cement industry in Upper Egypt.

Background: Skin is the largest organ of the body in surface area and weight. One of the most important side effects of topical glucocorticoids therapy is skin atrophy. This study aimed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of curcumin versus aftamed gel (Hyaluronic Acid) on glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy, as well as on subsequently induced abrasion wounds. Methods: Forty two adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Group1 (Control group) of 6 rats, Group II (Steroid-Exposed Group), Group III (Curcumin-Treated Group) and Group IV (Aftamed-treated group). Each of group II, III and IV were subdivided into two subgroups IIA, IIIA, IVA (subjected to clobetasol propionate cream) each included 6 rats and IIB, IIIB, IVB (subjected to clobetasol propionate cream, then exposed to skin abrasion) each included 6 rats. Skin biopsies were taken from the dorsum of rats 12th days from the stoppage of clobetasol propionate application. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemichal stain for PCNA & CK19. Epidermal thicknesses, mean area percent of collagen fibers and mean number of PCNA & CK19 immunopositive cells were measured. Results: Steroid-exposed group showed thinning of epidermal and dermal layers with scanty hair follicles and sebaceous glands as well as delay in wound healing. Increased epidermal thickness and reorganized dermal structural elements with increased PCNA & CK19 immunopositive cells were more obvious in curcumin treated group than aftamed treated group. Conclusion: topical application of curcumin had more improving effect on skin and its abrasions rather than aftamed gel.

No abstract

This work was carried out in the Rabbitry of the poultry farm, Animal Production Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, during the period from September 97 till August 98. Forty New Zealand White (NZW) does were used in this study. Does were individually housed and fed commercial pelleted rabbits ration. Twenty does were used in cold season and other twenty were used in hot season. Does were divided in both seasons into two equal groups according to reproductive status (non-pregnant and pregnant does). The effects of climatic fluctuations in air temperature on the thermoregulations reactions (rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), fur temperature (FT), ear lobe temperature (ET), respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR)) of the does were tested at day time hours, 07:00, 12:00, 17:00 and 22:00 twice monthly throughout the season (6 months). Climatic conditions (ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH)) were recorded twice weekly throughout the experiment. Values of AT and RH averaged 13-20°C and 55-80% in cold season and 26-30°C and 62-82% in hot season, respectively. Blood measurements (hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), total protein (TP), albumin and glucose were determined twice monthly during the season. Reproductive performance of does (conception rate, gestation length, litter size and weight at birth, litter size and weight at weaning, pre-weaning mortality and milk yield) was recorded.Thermoregulation measurements (ST, FT, ET and RR) were significantly higher in hot than cold season. FT, and ET were significantly higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant does. The determination of pulse rate had no trend due to seasonal variation in pregnant and in non-pregnant does. Ht%, Hb, TP and Albumin reduced significantly as AT increased during hot season for non-pregnant and pregnant does, while the level of level of glucose in serum increased with elevation of air temperature. Reproductive performance of does, generally, was better in cold season than in hot season, except conception rate was higher in hot season than in cold season. However most differences in reproductive performance due to seasonal variation were not significant.