The effects of cellular phone innovation on brand image and purchase intention amongst UKZN students.

Master’s Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Abstract Given the rapidly and continually changing economy, innovation has become a necessity for companies that wish to endure and grow. This study approached innovation from a consumer perspective and aimed to discover whether innovation is associated with brand image and purchase intention in the cellular phone industry amongst Generation Y consumers. Brand image is important as it influences purchasing decision; when customers see one brand as more innovative as compared to others, they are more likely to purchase. The importance of purchase intention stems from its ability to determine actual purchase of a product and thereby to determine the success of innovation; therefore these two variables, brand image and purchase intention, were selected. The study also aimed to answer the question of which innovation factors - performance or appearance - are most valued by consumers, with focus on the cellular phone industry from the perspective of South African students. A quantitative approach was employed in the study to survey students and a four part questionnaire was physically distributed to 372 students at the Westville Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). A five point Likert scale was used with responses to questions ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). An interval scale was used to measure the responses. The data was captured and a software program, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), was used to analyse the data and create graphs to present the findings. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-tests and regression were conducted so as to obtain comprehensive results. The highly competitive nature of the cellular phone industry and high penetration in South African markets has created a demand for brands to become more innovative and to differentiate their products in order to survive and maintain a competitive advantage. The findings of the study were consistent with the literature sources and indicated that features related to performance were slightly more important than those related to appearance. Based on the findings it was also concluded that by improving innovation in cellular phone technology, brand image is consequently improved. Enhancing innovation and strengthening brand image in turn increases purchase intention. This creates a further incentive to implement and practice innovative initiatives which have a positive trickledown effect

Physico-mechanical properties and bacterial adhesion of resin composite CAD/CAM blocks : an in-vitro study

The recent introduction of CAD/CAM technology has been strongly impacting the workflow in dental clinics and labs. Among the used CAD/CAM materials, resin composite CAD/CAM blocks offer several advantages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physic

EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PERCEPTUAL LOAD PATTERNS, SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND VISUOSPATIAL WORKING MEMORY OF TWICE EXCEPTIONAL PUPILS WITH DYSCALCULIA OF PRIMARY STAGE

The research aims to examine the relationships between perceptual load patterns, selective attention and visuospatial working memory of twice exceptional pupils with dyscalculia of primary stage. The sample size consisted of 20 twice exceptional pupils with dyscalculia from sixth primary grade. The instruments were used for date collection: ordinary matrices test, prepared by Raven (1938); reading comprehension test, prepared by researcher; basic mathematical operations test, prepared by researcher; Bender gestalt test of motor visual disorder, prepared by Loretta Bendar (1938); Arabization by Fahmi, Ghoneim, Abu Al-Azayem Hospitalization (1990); quick survey form prepared by researcher; Wechsler 's Test of Children's Intelligence - Revised (1974), Arabization by Ismael and Malika (1999) ; selective attention task, prepared by researcher ;Computerized Verbal and Visual perceptual load pattern tasks (high-medium-low) prepared by researcher and Computerized Visuospatial working memory tasks (Pattern memory-Visual spatial sequencing) prepared by researcher. The date collected were analyzed by using the following statistical methods: frequency counts, percentages, Step-wise multiple regression analysis statistics, Z scores. The research concluded that perceptual load patterns, selective attention were very good predictors of visuospatial working memory of twice exceptional pupils with dyscalculia of primary stage.  Article visualizations

Evaluation of Propolis Gel in Two Different Polymeric Systems as an Adjunctive Aid to Non-Surgical Therapy in the Management of Stage III Grade B Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The goal of this study was to clinically evaluate the effect of propolis gel in different polymeric systems as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy in the management of periodontitis patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis were divided into the following three groups: group I patients, who received propolis in a chitosan polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, group II patients, who received propolis in a polyox polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, and group III patients who served as a control treated with non-surgical therapy only. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months. Results: At three months, the mean gingival index (GI) of groups I and II was the same (0.6 ±0.52), and there was no change in the mean GI in group III. There was a reduction in the mean probing depth (PD) in group I (4.80 ±0.63) and group II (4.90 ±0.74) at the end of the study. The greatest percent gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) was noted in group II (17.26 ±6.71) followed by group I (5.93 ±9.87), whereas the least percent decrease was noted in group III (3.67 ±7.77). Conclusion: The adjunctive use of propolis in a polyox polymer with non-surgical therapy demonstrated superior clinical results over the use of propolis in a chitosan polymer in periodontitis patients

T & D Hijab / Ainor Syarfirah Osman... [et al.]

T&D Hijab Enterprise is a partnership with its headquarters located tn Batu 6 1/2, Jln Putatan, 88873 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and its shop in Lot 10, 1st Floor, Centre Point, Sabah. This shop sells varieties of designs and colors of hijabs inspired from tie and dye t-shirts. T & D Hijab tries to apply this concept on scarfs and shawls intending to make women wearing hijab look more colorful and trendv. T & D Hijab is different from other hijab retailers as we give more attention to bright colors and attract customers with these various colors and designs. We also intend to excel in giving customer service to our beloved customers. Through unheralded customer attention and its unique design, T&D Hijab will slowly gain market share in the business market. Women wearing hijabs across Malaysia are always searching for new designs and colors of hijab. T&D Hijab foreseen this opportunity to provide hijabs with the finest quality from the finest material as well as designs that fit with their unique taste. This proves that T&D Hijab will have the chance to be one of the most successful hijab retailers in Malaysia. We, T&D Hijab Enterprise saw’ the opportunity that this business has the potential of success provided that it is handled efficiently. Women wearing hijabs are always looking for hijabs with new designs and at least will buy a new scarf or shawl once a month. T&D Hijab sees this as a way to prosper in this market, by taking advantage of their nee

Assessing Bottled Unfortified Natural Yogurt Product Quality of Different Brands or Unbranded Sold in New Valley Governorate, Egypt

Consumers have been more concerned about maintaining a healthy diet. This behavior has affected the dairy products processing industries. Therefore, this study was conducted in the laboratories of the Dairy Departments, Faculty of Agriculture of New Valley University and Assuit University. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical properties, chemical composition, microbiological parameters, and organoleptic indices of branded yogurt samples (produced from large industrial companies) and unbranded yogurt samples (produced from homemade or small industrial units) offered on the market.The obtained results indicated significant differences in physical properties, chemical composition, microbiological properties and organoleptic indices of physiochemical properties, microbiological parameters, and organoleptic indices of branded unfortified natural yogurt samples and unbranded yogurt samples offered on the market in New Valley Governorate. The microbiological quality of some homemade yogurt being sold and consumed in New Valley Governorate; Egypt is poor. There is a need for the Government to sponsor educational programs for producers so that they can be sensitized on the different branded and unbranded yogurt types found in the market so that there can be uniformity in the end products

Evaluating the Feasibility of Pro-Neurotensin and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as Possible Indicators for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased vitamin D. In contrast, high pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) levels are linked with an increased risk of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the validity of pro-NT and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 levels as predictors for T2DM complications; (2) Methods: One hundred T2DM, and one hundred healthy volunteers participated in this case-control study. Their Pro-NT and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were evaluated using the ELISA technique; (3) Results: Pro-NT and 25 (OH) vitamin D3 have significant validity and accuracy in T2DM prediction, 84.5%, and 90.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). At a value of \u3c29.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 showed 88% sensitivity and 93% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of \u3e124 Pmol/L, Pro-NT showed 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of 16.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 had 78.4% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity in predicting T2DM complications. At a value of \u3e158 pmol/L, Pro-NT predicted T2DM complications with 67.6% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity; (4) Conclusions: 25 (OH) Vit D3 and Pro-NT could identify T2DM patients and predict T2DM complications. More extensive research is required to adequately validate this novel perspective with a large population study

DINAMIKA UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH ADAT DI NEGERI SEMBILAN: KAJIAN PERKEMBANGAN DAN ISU UNDANG-UNDANG

Adat Perpatih yang menjuraikan keturunan nasab sebelah ibu merupakan pegangan utama dalam struktur pentadbiran tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan. Kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji sejarah perkembangan undang-undang tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan khasnya yang keseluruhannya diadaptasi daripada perbilangan adat. Tumpuan utama dalam perbincangan kertas kerja ini merangkumi undang-undang yang berkaitan dengan sistem tanah Adat Perpatih seperti perlembagaan, Kanun Tanah Negara, Enakmen Pemegangan Tanah Adat dan juga Akta Pengambilan Tanah. Kajian yang dibuat adalah berdasarkan penyelidikan kepustakaan dan juga hasil temubual dengan beberapa individu yang terlibat secara langsung dengan tanah adat. Konklusi kertas kerja ini menggariskan pemahaman berkenaan perkembangan dan isu perundangan berkaitan tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan sejak zaman penjajahan hingga ke hari ini. Adat perpatih which is based on matrilineal lineage forms the main structure of the administration of customary land in Negeri Sembilan. This paper aims to to study the development of customary land law in particular the state of Negeri Sembilan, which is generally derived from customary sayings/idioms (perbilangan adat). The main focus of discussion in this paper comprises of the laws relating to customary land law in Adat Perpatih such as the Federal Constitution, National Land Code, Customary Tenure Enactment and the Land Acquisition Act. This study applies library based research and interview of relevant key individuals who are directly involved in customary land law. It concludes with a developed understanding on the evolution and legal issues pertaining to customary land in Negeri Sembilan since the colonial era until the present day. &nbsp