PREDICTING CONSUMER PERCEPTION AND ITS IMPACT ON PURCHASE INTENTION FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of customer perceived value on customer purchase intention in the residential property market in Malaysia. The research proposes extension of Seth et al., 1991 model for property market by including relational aspect of the value as an added new parameter. Explanatory research design approach is used in this study with primary data collection through questionnaire survey of 172 respondents using convenience sampling method. The collected data and results are then analysed using SPSS 22 for Demographic analysis, Normality and Reliability test, Data Distribution. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis and Regression test is done to find the correlation between any two variables and relationship among the variables. The analysis indicated overall positive significant relationship with epistemic value being the highest among all. Regression analysis indicated functional value, social value, relational value, conditional value, and epistemic value shows positive significant effects on customer purchase intention while emotional value shows positive insignificant effect on customer purchase intention.The research is useful for marketers and researchers to understand perceived value based customer purchase intention for residential property sector among Malaysians and the tested model will be of great utility to property developers to devise appropriate value proposition based on consumer perceived value.Â

Single stage High Tibial Osteotomy and ACL reconstruction: Insights into the intricacy

Knee instability due to chronic complete anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) tear can be really debilitating and an additional deformity in the lower limb may worsen the scenario further by the transmission of abnormal stresses over the joint surfaces. We report a case of 38 years female with a chronic complete tear of left ACL along with clinically significant varus deformity. She was managed by single-stage biplanar single-stage medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) along with ACL reconstruction(ACLR) using hamstring autograft

Non-functioning adrenocortical carcinoma requiring radical nephrectomy-case report with review of literature

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare malignancy of the adrenal gland and is the second most aggressive endocrine malignant disease after anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. These tumours can be detected very late as majority are non-functional, i.e., does not secrete any hormones, and only present with vague symptoms. Surgical management of such tumours can be challenging as it can invade the surrounding structures making it very difficult for resection. This is a case of a 61-year male with a large non-functioning adrenal tumour which appeared to be separate from the kidney in the radiological imaging but was found stuck to the renal parenchyma posing a dilemma for the operating team

Artificial neural network–genetic algorithm-based optimization of biodiesel production from Simarouba glauca

A transesterification reaction was carried out employing an oil of paradise kernel (Simarouba glauca), a non-edible source for producing Simarouba glauca methyl ester (SGME) or biodiesel. In this study, the effects of three variables – reaction temperature, oil-to-alcohol ratio and reaction time – were studied and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) and an artificial neural network (ANN) on the free fatty acid (FFA) level. Formation of methyl esters due to a reduction in FFA was observed in gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis. It was inferred that optimum conditions such as an oil-to-alcohol ratio of 1:6.22, temperature of 67.25 and duration of 20 h produce a better yield of biodiesel with FFA of 0.765 ± 0.92%. The fuel properties of paradise oil meet the requirements for biodiesel, by Indian standards. The results indicate that the model is in substantial agreement with current research, and simarouba oil can be considered a potential oil source for biodiesel production

Assessment of Extended E-S-Qual Model in an M-Commerce Setting

The research goal is to fill the current research gap by determining the service factors that influence M-commerce Apps customer satisfaction and loyalty in Malaysia by adopting e-service quality (e-SQ) model and relationship quality theories in the context of mobile commerce apps. A framework proposed by Zeithaml, et al., (2005) for e-service quality (e-SQ) and its extension is used to study the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty in the context of M-commerce. The data is collected through administered online survey with sample of 152 respondent selected using convenience sampling in order to test the hypotheses of the proposed framework model. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) as well as path analysis is carried out using AMOS 22. The results of this study show that, out of all service quality elements, only fulfilment has the highest significant influence on customer satisfaction, while privacy has the highest significant impact on customer loyalty. This also mean, adopting e-SQ model as it is for mobile businesses can be erroneous. This research is useful and has important implication for marketers, businesses that are looking to improve M-Commerce by understanding customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in relation with e-SQ among Malaysian working professionals. Academically, it uncovers need to investigate service quality factors specifically for mobile businesses

Quality of Occupational Therapy Research in India - A Descriptive Review

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) enhances functional independence in the daily activities of people with disabilities and subsequently their quality of life. Research in OT generates evidence to provide safe and effective services to the disabled. However, OT research in India has been shown to have various methodological limitations. These methodological limitations are expected to impact the quality of OT research as well as the evidence derived from this research to inform decision‑making in rehabilitation. The majority of the OT research is disseminated and promoted through the All India Occupational Therapists’ Association’s (AIOTA) annual national conference (ANC). Analyzing the abstracts, selected for the presentation at the ANC could help understand and strategically improve the quality of OT research in India. Objectives: To explore and describe the quality of OT research in India. Study Design: Descriptive analysis. Methods: Descriptive, nonsystematic review and analysis of the key methodological aspects of the conference abstracts submitted for the AIOTA ANC published in the Indian Journal of OT (IJOT) from 2017 to 2021 was carried out. Information related to the methodological aspects of the research abstracts was extracted using a data extraction form and the data were synthesized and reported descriptively. Results: About 218 abstracts had been selected for either poster or oral presentations in the AIOTA ANC. All the abstracts were included for the review. A total of 8055 participants were recruited for the studies conducted from 2017 to 2021. About 5757 (72) of the participants were recruited for cross‑sectional studies. Nearly 72 (33) of the abstracts presented were related to cross‑sectional studies, 52 (24) were case studies and 66 (30) were experimental studies. However, research designs implying highest level of evidence such as systematic reviews were only 4 (2) and randomized controlled trials were only 9 (4) with 297 participants. Notably, 203 (98) of the all the studies evaluating effectiveness of interventions or aiming to investigate associations reported positive results with statistically significant improvements and associations. Conclusion: The review provides invaluable information relatedto the quality of OT research in India. It implies the need to improve the scientific rigor of the evidence generated in relation to OT research in India. This review also implies the need for a radical change and strengthening of OT research within OT education and professional practice in India. National and global OT associations need to prioritize good quality OT research by enhancing the research skills and competencies of OTs in India. This could help promote evidence‑based OT science and develop the OT profession in the world’s second‑most populous country. In addition, it is also expected to encourage those OT researchers who have been striving to build OT research standards in India

Depression and its determinants among elderly in selected villages of Puducherry – A community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Depression is the leading cause of disease burden in most regions of the world. But depression among the elderly is usually unrecognized and they have higher morbidity and mortality than those without depression. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of depression among the elderly and identifying its determinants in selected villages of Puducherry. Materials and Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in three villages in Puducherry. Systematic random sampling is done to select households. Any person above the age of 60 years is considered as elderly. After obtaining informed consent, a pretested questionnaire is administered to obtain sociodemographic characteristics. Height and weight were measured. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, osteoarthritis, reduced vision, hard of hearing, and substance use were self-reported. Geriatric Depression Scale – Short form questionnaire was used as a screening tool for depression. Results: Among the 359 participants, 57% were females. The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 67.4 (5.9) years. The majority of them belonged to nuclear family (88%), had no formal education (62%), were unemployed (69%), currently married (68%), and receiving a pension (81%). The prevalence of depression among elderly age 60 years and above is 69% [95% confidence interval (CI) 63.6–73.1). Binary logistic regression showed that single/widow [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.9, 95% CI 2.0–7.5] and hard of hearing (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.1) are significant risk factors for depression. Conclusion: Prevalence of depression among elderly in this rural area is high. All elderly persons must be screened for depression and appropriate treatment should be initiated

Evaluation of microshear bond strength and nanoleakage of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives to dentin pretreated with silver diamine fluoride/potassium iodide: An in vitro study

Aims: The aim of this in vitro study was to comparatively evaluate the microshear bond strength (MSBS) of etch-and-rinse and self-etch (ER and SE) bonding systems to dentin pretreated with silver diamine fluoride/potassium iodide (SDF/KI) and nanoleakage at the resin-dentin interface using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Subjects and Methods: Seventy-two dentin slabs of 3 mm thickness were prepared from extracted human permanent third molars and divided into four groups (n = 18) based on the dentin surface treatment as follows: (1) ER adhesive bonding without dentin pretreatment; (2) SDF/KI pretreatment of dentin followed by ER adhesive bonding; (3) SE adhesive bonding without dentin pretreatment; and (4) SDF/KI pretreatment of dentin followed by SE adhesive bonding. Resin composite was built on the dentin slabs to a height of 4 mm incrementally, and dentin-composite beams of approximately 1 mm 2 cross-sectional area were prepared. The beams were subjected to MSBS analysis, and the fractured surface was observed under scanning electron microscope to determine the mode of failure. The resin-dentin interface was examined under TEM for evaluation of nanoleakage. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey′s post hoc multiple comparison tests. Results: Pretreatment of dentin with SDF/KI increased the MSBS of ER and SE adhesives, though not statistically significant, except between Groups 2 and 3. In all the groups, the predominant mode of failure was adhesive followed by cohesive in resin, mixed and cohesive in dentin. TEM examination of resin-dentin interface showed that pretreatment with 38% SDF/KI reduced nanoleakage regardless of the type of bonding system used. Conclusions: Pretreatment of dentin with SDF/KI minimized nanoleakage at the resin-dentin interface without adversely affecting the bond strength of resin composite to dentin

Menstrual disorders and quality of life of women in an urban area of Puducherry: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Menstrual disorders are common among women in reproductive age group and affect their normal functioning and social life. Due to cultural reasons, menstrual problems often get unreported. In India, the literature on the effect of menstrual disorders on the quality of life (QOL) of women is limited. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea among women in an urban field practice area and to compare their QOL with women without menstrual disorders. Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional study among women who have attained menarche and not yet attained menopause in an urban field practice area of a tertiary care teaching institute in Puducherry. Households were selected by systematic random sampling, and a door-to-door survey was done using an Android-based mobile phone app Epi Info. A pretested questionnaire was used for collection of sociodemographic details. QOL was measured using World Health Organization BREF scale. Results: A total of 119 women were interviewed, and their mean (standard deviation) age was 33 (10) years. The majority was homemakers (63%), belonging to lower socioeconomic status (60%) and one-fifth had no formal education. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 45% [95% confidence interval (CI): 36.6%–54.4%] and that of menorrhagia was 17% (95% CI: 11.6%–25.3%). QOL in women with dysmenorrhea was poor compared with normal women in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains (mean score 57.9 vs. 69.7, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia is comparatively high in this study area. QOL of women with these disorders was poor