Marketers’ Perception about Marketing Ethics: Evidence from Malaysia

This paper presents the results of a study that investigates the role of religiosity and perceived ethical values of marketers on marketing ethics, using the measure developed by Forsyth (1980). One dimension of the study is relativism and idealism affecting the importance of ethics moderated by religion. The study showed that people having high idealism have high ethics but having high relativism does not show that there is a decrease in ethics even both idealism and relativism were moderated by one’s strength of a religion. Overall, the study was found significant to as it and provides an understanding of marketing ethics in different cultures and company’s practice

Prediction of Soil Macronutrients Using Machine Learning Algorithm

In this research work, machine learning algorithms were applied to find the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables for soil data analysis. The independent variables include moisture, temperature, soil pH, Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC) whereas, the dependent variables include Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK). This research concludes relationships between Phosphorus, Potassium,  soil pH and CEC; Nitrogen and soil moisture and temperature using machine learning(ML) algorithms so as to deduce NPK content of soil. A comparative analysis with obtained results from each ML method is also presented. Machine learning algorithms are best performed on data with multiple independent variables. The values computed for nitrogen relationship were more accurate than PK relationship values. The accuracy of data set I was less than data set II. A large data set would produce more accurate results for both data sets

EMBOLIZATION OF RENAL ANGIOMYOLIPOMA: CASE SERIES

Renal angiomyolipomas (AML) are benign lesions usually left alone. However, lesions larger than 4 cm carry the risk of spontaneous haemorrhage and need treatment. Angiography and embolisation are the current standard of care particularly in patients with high operative risks. Angio-embolisation is a safe, minimally invasive procedure preserving maximum renal parenchyma, with the added advantage of preventing peri-procedural morbidity. Two cases of AML are presented in this case series. Key words: Angiomyolipoma, embolisation, renal

ANALYSING THE ROLE OF DRIVER BEHAVIORS IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: AN APPLICATION OF MACHINE LEARNING

Continuous innovations are taking place worldwide to develop solutions for problems encountered by human beings. The prevention of a variety of accidents due to burning, drowning, terrorism, electric shocks, and road traffic is among the important concerns of researchers and solution developers. Specifically, this current study aims to analyse the contributions of different driver behaviours that resulted in road accidents, followed by proposing a viable solution and reducing the road accident frequencies to benefit society at large. This study employed two methods to analyse data. One was through SEM, and the second was through Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The study is descriptive in nature and it used the survey method to collect sample data from 345 drivers from various professional backgrounds. The questionnaire consisted of independent variables, namely slips, errors, mistakes, lapse violations and unintentional violations. To measure the contributions of these variables towards accidents, age was taken as the moderator. The statistical techniques used included reliability, correlation, and normality analyses, in addition to artificial neural networks and regression analyses. Each factor was found to be a significant contributor to road accidents. Moreover, no significant difference was found in drivers’ behaviour between males and females, but age was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between driver behaviours and accidents. Additionally, the rate of accidents decreases with the increases in age and vice versa.

DOES PATHOLOGICAL T3A UPSTAGING OF CLINICAL T1 STAGE HAS ANY DIFFERENCE ON LONG-TERM SURVIVAL WHEN COMPARED TO PATHOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL T1 STAGE RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Background: A high number of clinical T1 (cT1) stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is upstaged to pathological T3a (pT3a) stage on histopathological findings. Several study results show that there is no survival difference among those cT1 stage who are upstaged on histopathological findings to those who remain pT1 stage RCC.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess any survival difference for cT1 stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) which is upstaged to pT3a stage as compared to those which remain pT1 stage RCC on histopathological findings.Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study looking at patient aged ≥18 years with cT1 RCC who underwent nephrectomy between January 2006 and December 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on histopathological findings (pT1 vs. pT3a). Survival was analysed for the  two groups using Kaplan–Meier method, and the difference in survival was calculated using log-rank model.Results: The study included 187 patients. The mean age at presentation was 52.56 years, with 58.3% of the patients being male while 41.7% were female. The most common presentation was incidental diagnosis (50.3%). Overall5-year survival for cT1a and pT1a RCC was 68% while that for cT1a and pT3a RCC was 100%. There was no significant survival difference among the two groups (P = 0.316). The overall 5-year survival for cT1b and pT1b RCC was 81% while that for cT1b and pT3a was 65%. There was no significant survival difference among the two groups (P = 0.136).Conclusion: We found no survival difference in cT1 RCC who were upstaged to pT3a on histopathology as compared to cT1 RCC-staged pT1 on histopathology.Key words: Clinical T1 stage, pathological T3a stage, radical nephrectomy, renal cell carcinoma, surviva

EVALUATION OF SERUM ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND LIVER FUNCTIONS IN HEPATITIS B AND C VIRAL INFECTIONS

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum antioxidant capacity and status of liver function parameters in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infected patients. METHODS: In this case-control study, fifty patients with HBV (28 male & 22 females), fifty HCV patients (28 male & 22 females) and age and gender matched fifty healthy controls were enrolled from May to August 2016. The antioxidant status was determined by measuring trolox equivalent oxidant capacity (TEAC) through the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assay. Serum levels of alkaline phosphates (ALP), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and Albumin were estimated. Results: Serum ALT levels (U/L) were 119.69±5.03 & 24.3±3.01 in male HBV patients and controls; 176.34±75.48 and 25±3.01 in female HBV patients & Controls; 114.71±5.03 and 22.61±2.33 in male HCV patients and controls and 165±5.03 & 25±3.01 in female HCV patients & Controls respectively. Serum ALP levels (U/L) were 317.69±5.13, 240.17±23.9 in male HBV & controls, 159.34±5.03 & 138.4±3 in female HBV & Controls; 129.28±4.57, 230.47±33.5 in male HCV & controls and 169±3.65 and 165.10±5.70 in female HCV & Controls respectively (p<0.01). Serum TEAC (μg/mL) were 266.1±13.71, 413±18.21, 214.42±11.1, 395.71±16.33 in male HBV & control and female HBV & control respectively as compared to 264.6±14.55, 409.8±17.54, 273.4±13.84 and 395.5±14.23 in male HCV & control and female HCV & control respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: A significantly high HBV & HCV induced oxidative stress and deranged liver parameters were observed in male and female patients, suggesting a possible association between viral pathogenesis and level of oxidative stress

A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds

Aloe vera is an herbaceous and perennial plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family and used for many medicinal purposes. Aloe vera have been associated with the treatment of skin burns and postoperative wound healing but not many clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness against chronic wounds such as pressure injury. The present study aimed to systematically review clinical trials investigating the effect of Aloe vera on the prevention and healing of chronic wounds. To identify all related published studies, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Ovid MEDLINE databases were searched in English language from the year 2015-2022. All clinical trials using Aloe vera gel, cream, or derivatives that included a control group with placebo or comparison with other treatments were included in the study according to the PRISMA selection process. In total, 11 trials that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The results of the studies showed successful use of Aloe vera in the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds including pressure injuries, chronic wound ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, chronic anal fissures, and traumatic oral ulceration due to orthodontic appliances. Based on its safety and efficacy profile, this review concluded that Aloe vera has potential benefits to be used as a complementary or alternative treatment in chronic wounds along with conventional methods. Its ability to retain skin moisture and preservation of skin integrity supports its use in the prevention of ulcers

Techno-economic feasibility of combine harvester (class denominator

ABSTRACT Techno-economic feasibility of using combine harvester (Class Denominator) was carried out by determining harvesting losses, timeliness of harvesting, field capacity, fuel consumption, noise and dust pollution, frequency of repair/maintenance and operating cost of the machine. The results indicated that combine had an average harvesting losses of about 1.25% of wheat yield. Grain breakage losses (5.7%) were bit higher. The machine was able to harvest 2.5 to 3.0 acres in an hour. The fuel consumption of the combine was found to be 15 L of diesel per acre. As the machine was not equipped with a proper cab, dust and noise pollution posed threat to the operator&apos;s health. The machine needed only two to three persons for its operation and costs about Rs 860/acre to the user. The combine is an efficient, economical, labor and time saving machine but its initial cost is quite high. To promote this high cost technology, it is suggested that the District Governments of present set up should make arrangements at Tehsil Council level to provide combine to the farmers on rental basis

Prestige and Nuclear Security of Iran: A Pakistani Perspective

The nuclear program of Iran has been fraught with controversies and it has faced several economic sanctions over the years. These controversies emerged and grew stronger with Iran refusing to provide the international experts access to controversial sites like Natanz where it is assumed that illegal activities relating to uranium enrichment are taking place. Iran assumes an important position in the region. However, it shares ideological and political differences with its neighboring Sunni majority Arab states. Iran considers United States and Israel as its main adversaries and, historically, there have been several exchanges of threats of war to each other. With these threats it is implied that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons for; firstly, to have hegemonic position in the region; secondly, to make the threat to US and Israel more credible; and lastly, to have a greater say in the world affairs. Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program has been a source of concern for its regional countries and Pakistan also, being a neighboring country. The relations between them may get complicated; however, the differences between Iran and Pakistan are not huge enough to result in the hot conflict