Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Firm Performance of Malaysian Public Listed Firms

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure has become a rising concern for the public listed firms worldwide due to its ability to enhance firm’s market performance and financial performance. The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between CSR disclosure and firm performance of Bursa Malaysia’s listed companies based on their market value added (MVA), return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). 324 samples of public listed companies’ annual report for the period of 2014 to 2016 were obtained from Bursa Malaysia and examined. The extent of their CSR disclosure were measured and analyzed. After accounting for control variables such as firm size, firm age, firm leverage and firm liquidity, the result shows that there is a positive significant relationship between CSR disclosure and firm performance in terms of ROA and ROE. This reveals that high level of CSR disclosure helps firms to achieve optimum performance through increased competitiveness, improved firm’s image amongst society, and creates new opportunities in the marketplace. The findings also showed mix results among the control variables towards firm performance. For future research, this paper recommends to extend the study by using different CSR disclosure measurement, different firm performance measurement such as return on investments (ROI) and Tobin’s Q and different samples

Fecal Viral Concentration and Diarrhea in Norovirus Gastroenteritis

Fecal viral concentrations of 40 patients infected with norovirus genogroup GII.4 correlated with diarrhea duration and frequency of vomiting. Higher viral concentration and older age were independently associated with prolonged diarrhea (>4 days). These findings provide information on the pathogenesis and transmission of norovirus infections

Presence of tumour capsule on contrast-enhanced CT is associated with improved outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Purpose Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a novel local therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While effective, there is currently noreliable radiological marker to guide patient selection. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of capsule appearanceon contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for patients undergoing SBRT. Materials and Methods Between 2006 and 2017, 156 consecutive patients with Child-Pugh score class A/B and HCC ≥5cm that underwent SBRT were retrospectively analysed. Baseline triple-phase CTs of the abdomen were reviewed for the presence of capsule appearances and correlated with objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and pattern of treatment failure. Results Capsule appearance on CT was present in 83 (53.2%) patients.It was associated with improved ORR by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) (60.2% vs 24.7%; p<0.001) andModified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours(mRECIST) (ORR 78.3% vs 34.2%; p<0.001). The presence of a capsule was also associated with superior 2-year local control (89.1% vs. 51.4%; p<0.001) and 2-year OS (34.1% vs. 14.8%, p<0.01). Hepatic out-field failure was the dominant mode of progression, which was less common in patients with intact capsule (54.2% vs. 60.3%, p=0.01). Conclusion Capsule appearance on CT could potentially be a non-invasive prognostic marker for selecting HCC patients undergoing SBRT. Larger cohort is warranted to validate our findings

Effects of physical activity on functional health of older adults: a systematic review

Reviews on the relationships between functional health and physical activity of general older adults have been well documented in literature. However, specific age range of older adults, in particular, older adults of 75 years or above, is currently under-examined. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effects of physical activity on functional health older adults aged 75 years or above. The reviewed articles cover a variety range of functional health outcomes, including balance, muscle conditioning, joint range of motion, quadriceps strength, reaction time, gait speed, health-related quality of life, back and knee pain, muscle mass, and walking ability. In general, interventions of the reviewed articles had favourable effects on function health of older adults. While physical activity has been identified as an important determinant of functional health, the ways to engage in and accumulate sufficient daily physical activity warrant investigation. It is also important to explore interventions which enhance daily, self-driven physical activity of elderly, as normally supervised physical activity bears higher costs

Interaction of freight modes : automotive : electronics : fashion retail industries

With globalization, firms are now competing on a supply chain basis. It is no longer feasible to based decisions on only local considerations, it is important to look at the whole picture and increase the effectiveness of the entire supply chain thereby maximizing supply chain profitability. Global sourcing and distribution network is now the norm and transportation plays a large part in supply chains through the logistic network linking procurement, production and distribution. Transportation costs, once a secondary issue, are now a big worry for manufacturers trying to balance a global production network. Some firms are finding their shipping costs being higher than their production costs. Intermodalism allows shippers the flexibility of choosing a combination of transport modes based on its characteristics that best suits their requirements. Other than that, other factors such as the product value, life cycle, demand variability, value-weight ratio etc play a part in selecting the most suitable transportation mode. The choice of transport mode is also dependent on the logistic tradeoffs between the three key activities namely transportation, inventory and facilities. The electronics industry is one of the most globalize and highly competitive industries that uses a combination of ocean and air transport depending on the product characteristics. As the electronics market is characterized, in general, by high product value, short-product life cycles, high product varieties and high demand volatility, most firms in the industry would opt to use air freight. However, air freight is losing its attractiveness as prices in the consumer electronic industry decreases. Even though firms in the electronics market shares similar characteristics, the tradeoffs each firm has to face will not be exactly the same due to many variables like design of distribution network and business strategy.Bachelor of Science (Maritime Studies

Interconnectedness Is Associated with a Greater Sense of Civic Duty and Collective Action Participation through Transcendental Awareness and Compassion during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has a unprecedented impact on the way individuals make sense of the interconnected nature of themselves in relation to the world. This study investigated the mediating role of transcendental awareness and compassion in the association of interconnectedness with a sense of civic duty and collective action participation during COVID-19 using a longitudinal design. A total of 336 young adult participants were recruited at baseline and were asked to complete measures of interconnectedness, transcendental awareness, compassion, civic duty, and collective action participation at three time points over a 6-month period. Path analysis was used to test the hypothesized mediation model. The results showed that compassion fully mediated the positive association between interconnectedness and collective action participation and partially mediated the positive association between interconnectedness and civic duty. Transcendental awareness also partially mediated the positive association between interconnectedness and civic duty but not collective action participation. This study highlighted the potential of interconnectedness in promoting civic duty and engagement in collective action through transcendental awareness and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic

(68)Gallium-labelled PSMA-PET/CT as a diagnostic and clinical decision-making tool in Asian prostate cancer patients following prostatectomy

10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0288CANCER BIOLOGY & MEDICINE161157-

HMGB1/RAGE Signaling and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Responses in Non-HIV Adults with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

<div><p>Background</p><p>We aimed to study the pathogenic roles of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) / Receptor-for-Advanced-Glycation-End-products (RAGE) signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).</p><p>Methods</p><p>A prospective study was conducted among non-HIV adults newly-diagnosed with active PTB at two acute-care hospitals (n = 80); age-and-sex matched asymptomatic individuals (tested for latent TB) were used for comparison (n = 45). Plasma concentrations of 8 cytokines/chemokines, HMGB1, soluble-RAGE, and transmembrane-RAGE expressed on monocytes/dendritic cells, were measured. Gene expression (mRNA) of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 was quantified. Patients’ PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant-HMGB1 and MTB-antigen (lipoarabinomannan) for cytokine induction e<i>x vivo</i>.</p><p>Results</p><p>In active PTB, plasma IL-8/CXCL8 [median(IQR), 6.0(3.6–15.1) <i>vs</i> 3.6(3.6–3.6) pg/ml, P<0.001] and IL-6 were elevated, which significantly correlated with mycobacterial load, extent of lung consolidation (<b><i>r</i></b>_{<b><i>s</i></b>} +0.509, P<0.001), severity-score (<b><i>r</i></b>_{<b><i>s</i></b>} +0.317, P = 0.004), and fever and hospitalization durations (<b><i>r</i></b>_{<b><i>s</i></b>} +0.407, P<0.001). IL-18 and sTNFR1 also increased. Plasma IL-8/CXCL8 (adjusted OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.02–1.23 per unit increase, P = 0.021) and HMGB1 (adjusted OR 1.42 per unit increase, 95%CI 1.08–1.87, P = 0.012) concentrations were independent predictors for respiratory failure, as well as for ICU admission/death. Gene expression of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 were upregulated (1.2−2.8 fold). Transmembrane-RAGE was increased, whereas the decoy soluble-RAGE was significantly depleted. RAGE and HMGB1 gene expressions positively correlated with cytokine levels (IL-8/CXCL8, IL-6, sTNFR1) and clinico-/radiographical severity (e.g. extent of consolidation <i>r</i>_s +0.240, P = 0.034). <i>Ex vivo</i>, recombinant-HMGB1 potentiated cytokine release (e.g. TNF-α) when combined with lipoarabinomannan.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In patients with active PTB, HMGB1/RAGE signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines may play important roles in pathogenesis and disease manifestations. Our clinico-immunological data can provide basis for the development of new strategies for disease monitoring, management and control.</p></div

Higher Estimated Net Endogenous Acid Production May Be Associated with Increased Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chinese Adults in Hong Kong

<div><p>Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with reduced growth hormone levels and signaling. Such hormonal changes also occur in metabolic acidosis. Since mild metabolic acidosis can be diet induced, diet-induced acid load may constitute a nutritional factor with possible influence on NAFLD development. This study explored whether a higher diet-induced acid load is associated with an increased likelihood of NAFLD. Apparently healthy Chinese adults (330 male, 463 female) aged 19-72 years were recruited through population screening between 2008 and 2010 in a cross-sectional population-based study in Hong Kong. Estimated net endogenous acid production (NEAP) was calculated using Frassetto’s method and potential renal acid load (PRAL) was calculated using Remer’s method based on dietary data from a food frequency questionnaire. NAFLD was defined as intrahepatic triglyceride content at >5% by proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Possible advanced fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness at >7.9 kPa by transient elastography. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between each measure of dietary acid load and prevalent NAFLD or possible advanced fibrosis with adjustment for potential anthropometric and lifestyle factors. 220 subjects (27.7%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. Estimated NEAP was positively associated with the likelihood of having NAFLD after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, current drinker status and the presence of metabolic syndrome [OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.02-1.52), <i>p</i> = 0.022]. The association was slightly attenuated but remained significant when the model was further adjusted for other dietary variables. No association between PRAL and NAFLD prevalence was observed. Both estimated NEAP and PRAL were not associated with the presence of possible advance fibrosis. Our findings suggest that there may be a modest association between diet-induced acid load and NAFLD. More studies are needed to ascertain the link between diet-induced acid load and NAFLD and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.</p></div