Average Mean Score Research Articles

Influence of Coffee Pricing on Reviving Coffee Production in Cooperative Societies in Meru County, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of coffee pricing on reviving coffee production in cooperatives societies in Meru county, Kenya.Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was used in the study. The respondents were the coffee farmers and managers from coffee cooperative societies. A sample of 30%, that is,42 cooperative societies in Meru county was considered. Coffee farmers were sampled using simple random sampling for those who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, while all managers in all the sampled cooperative societies participated in the study. Data collection was done using closed-ended questionnaires and interviews. To ensure validity and reliability, pre-testing of questionnaires was done on 10 active coffee farmers, while pre-test interviews were administered to 5 managers from Kamuthi housing cooperative society of Murang’ a County. Coded data in SPSS 24.0 computer program was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, and standard deviation. Univariate regression and multiple regression were used to test the hypothesis of the study. Tables, graphs, and detailed explanations were used to present the final results of the study. Results: Coffee pricing had the highest average mean score of 4.42 and a standard deviation of 0.89. The model summary of coffee pricing indicated that R-value was 0.932 and R-square was 0.869. This confirmed that coffee pricing predicted 86.9 % of the revival of coffee production. While being interviewed managers came out strongly that effective coffee pricing had increased new customers; there were improved sales quantities and there was retainment of old customers; clearance of stocks on time which improved revenue and reduced spoilage of coffee beans. The study therefore found out that coffee pricing significantly influences reviving coffee production in cooperative societies in Meru county Kenya.Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study contributed that coffee pricing significantly influenced reviving coffee production in cooperative societies in Meru county Kenya. Coffee farmers should be encouraged to be interested in different types of coffee pricing to offer innovative suggestions to coffee cooperative societies. Managers should be well versed with different price types and also be innovative enough to suggest new ones based on various locations and different quality of the coffee sold. The marketing department in a cooperative society should do more research on their current market base to see what prices are working and the ones that are not. The government should set up policies that will see to it that local coffee consumption has improved. This is because only 5% of coffee is consumed locally while 95% is exported

Impact of HR Practices on Employee Turnover and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Pakistani Universities

This research examines the impact of pertinent HR practices/policies upon a person’s job contentment and turnover in higher educational institutes. A special context of universities of KP have been chosen where numerous employees have developed job dissatisfaction and increased turnover because of deteriorating security conditions including but not limited to terrorism attacks, civil unrest, widespread diseases and unconducive working environment. This has ultimately compelled them to leave their jobs and flee to other cities such as Islamabad and Karachi. More specifically, three HR policies i.e. employee participation, training and performance appraisal are analysed to affect job satisfaction and turnover. A quantitative survey was conducted to assess job outcomes of University teachers in multiple cities especially where living conditions have deteriorated in the recent past. Respondents were segregated on the basis of age, income per month, designation and gender basis. Frequency analysis and Mean Average Scores are reported for each construct. The regression results suggest a positive significant relation of employee participation and performance appraisal with that of job satisfaction while a significant negative relation is found with turnover ratio. The study concludes that universities should focus on implementing HR policies and practices effectively in workplace which will help retain employees and keep them motivated. This can be one of the many effective strategies to retain workforce and discourage brain-drain out of the country. The study ends with acknowledging limitations and offering future research directions.

Operational Assessment of Public Transport: A Case of Kathmandu, Nepal

In absence of the railway at Kathmandu, Nepal, public transport effectiveness needs to be assessed. The paper aims to assess the operational performance of public transportation in Kalanki-Kalimati-Tripureshwor-Bhotahity forward 6700 m and backward 6200 m section of Kathmandu. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for performance assessment were listed from the literature review and finalized through departmental expert consultation based on average mean score analysis of availability, cost of collection, quality and necessity of the data. Based on the finalized 4 KPI along with 29 micro KPI, performance of SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus were compared categorizing under economical, service, safety and people perception by collecting data through field survey. The economic analysis reveals that microbus has the highest internal rate of return and benefit cost ratio highest as 28.55% and 1.35 respectively while the bus has the highest revenue per kilometer and cost per kilometer as 104.94 and 79.012 respectively. Service indicators analysis reveals that SajhaYatayat has the highest travel time ratio and running time as 1425sec and 1.66, microbus has the highest journey time as 1555.86 sec, the bus has the highest running speed, journey speed and running index as 17.39 kph, 16.42 kph and 0.68 while traveling from Kalanki to Bhotahity respectively. The average passenger waiting index is 0.88. The affordability index of microbus is 4.47% respectively. Bus punctuality of SajhaYatayat is non-frequent but bus and microbus are Frequent. According to a schedule questionnaire survey with 94 respondents, the result of people perception indicators reveals that 21.27% of respondents are not satisfied with SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus. It is concluded that SajhaYatayat is performing better among three-selected public transport in the study route i.e. SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus are performing in decreasing order.

Operational Assessment of Public Transport: A Case of Kathmandu, Nepal

In absence of the railway at Kathmandu, Nepal, public transport effectiveness needs to be assessed. The paper aims to assess the operational performance of public transportation in Kalanki-Kalimati-Tripureshwor-Bhotahity forward 6700 m and backward 6200 m section of Kathmandu. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for performance assessment were listed from the literature review and finalized through departmental expert consultation based on average mean score analysis of availability, cost of collection, quality and necessity of the data. Based on the finalized 4 KPI along with 29 micro KPI, performance of SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus were compared categorizing under economical, service, safety and people perception by collecting data through field survey. The economic analysis reveals that microbus has the highest internal rate of return and benefit cost ratio highest as 28.55% and 1.35 respectively while the bus has the highest revenue per kilometer and cost per kilometer as 104.94 and 79.012 respectively. Service indicators analysis reveals that SajhaYatayat has the highest travel time ratio and running time as 1425sec and 1.66, microbus has the highest journey time as 1555.86 sec, the bus has the highest running speed, journey speed and running index as 17.39 kph, 16.42 kph and 0.68 while traveling from Kalanki to Bhotahity respectively. The average passenger waiting index is 0.88. The affordability index of microbus is 4.47% respectively. Bus punctuality of SajhaYatayat is non-frequent but bus and microbus are Frequent. According to a schedule questionnaire survey with 94 respondents, the result of people perception indicators reveals that 21.27% of respondents are not satisfied with SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus. It is concluded that SajhaYatayat is performing better among three-selected public transport in the study route i.e. SajhaYatayat, bus and microbus are performing in decreasing order.

Gender differences in brain type according to the Empathy/Systemising Quotient for Children (EQ/SQ-C) questionnaire in Indonesia

Objective: This research was conducted to support the hypothesis that boys and girls have different brain types that affect their empathy and systemising quotients. Method: This was a cross-sectional study using an online survey. The Indonesian version of the Empathy/Systemising Quotient for Children (EQ/SQ-C) questionnaire was used to identify the brain type and empathy and systemising quotients. Participants were 620 parents who had primary school children and having minimal junior high school background. The data analysis used chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U-test on SPSS program for Mac version 20. Results: Boys and girls had different brain types (p < 0.05). The extreme-empathising brain type consisted of 1.9% girls and 0.5% boys; the empathising brain type was 15.8% in girls and 9.0% in boys. Further, 0.8% of girls and 2.6% of boys had the extreme-systemising brain type. Although the empathy quotient average mean score of the boys was significantly lower than the girls (p < 0.05), the systemising quotient average mean score was slightly higher than that of the girls. Conclusion: This study found that gender plays an important role in empathy and systemising skills. Therefore, creating a stimulating program that supports empathy and systemising quotients in primary school students should be developed according to gender.

Functional, Sensory and Cooking Qualities of Acha-Tigernut Noodles

The functional, sensory and cooking characteristics of noodles from blends of Acha-tigernut composite flour were investigated. The flour blends and noodles produced were analyzed for functional properties and cooking characteristics. The tiger nut flour was substituted into acha flour at 5, 10, 15 and 20% to produce Acha-tigernut composite flour which was used with other ingredients (salt and powdered ginger) to produce acha-tigernut based noodles. The functional properties of the flour, sensory and cooking characteristics of the noodles produced were determined. The water absorption capacity and swelling capacity increased from 210.59 to 215.53 (g/g) and 524.43 to 586.57, respectively with increase in tigernut flour. While oil absorption, solubility and bulk density decreases from 209.80 to 192.72 (g/g), 10.17 to 5.19 and 0.79 to 0.61 (g/ml) respectively. The swelling capacity ranged from 524.43 to 586.57 (%) with an increase in tigernut flour. The final viscosity of the samples was found to range from 2833.00to 2201.00 (m2/s). The peak properties decreased from 2680.67 to 1580.33 (RVU). The pasting temperature increases from 82.47to 87.57°C. The addition of tigernut decreased the trough, breakdown and peak time from 1730.67 to 1205.67, 985.67 to 434.67, and 5.84 to 5.71 RVU, respectively. The average mean scores for colour decreased from 6.95 to -6.30(%) While that of taste, flavor, texture and general acceptability increased from 5.55 to 6.60, 5.95 to 6.85 (%), 5.95 to 6.44 (%) and 6.70 to 6.83 (%), respectively, as the percentage of tigernut increased.

Quality Evaluation of Sweet Potato - Acha Flour Blend Biscuits

The study investigates the chemical, physical and sensory properties of sweet potato and acha flour based biscuits. The work was aimed at ameliorating the quality of acha-based biscuit with addition of sweet potato flour. Flour blends were produced by substituting sweet potato into acha flour at 20, 40 and 60%. Proximate, physical and sensory properties of the biscuit were analyzed. The carbohydrate, moisture content, fat content, fibre and ash increased from 67.21 to 75.94, 5.69 to 6.74, 13.81 to14.87, 1.4 to 1.68, and 2.48 to 3.45 respectively with an increase in added sweet potato flour (20-60), while the protein decreased from 8.14 to 3.73. The relative decrease could be due to the low inherent protein of sweet potato. Magnesium, phosphorus and potassium increased from 220.33 to 375.22, 0.438 to 0.632 and 218 to 252.33mg/100g respectively with added sweet potato flour. There was an increase in break strength and spread ratio from 1.35 to 2.95 kg 4.80 to 5.13, respectively, with an increase in the level of sweet potato flour substitution. The reverse was observed for thickness and diameter of the biscuit which decreased from 0.70 to 0.60 and 4.28 to 4.13 cm, respectively. The average mean score of texture, colour, taste, flavour and general acceptability ranges from 6.05 to 7.65, 6.55 to 6.40, 5.55 to 6,25, 6.70 to 5.75 and 6.10 to 6.95, respectively. The sample 40:60 sweet potato-acha flour blend biscuit with average means scores of 6.95 was most preferred and acceptable with the corresponding increment of 3.45, 14.87, 8.14, and 1.68 of ash content, fat content, protein and crude fibre, respectively.

STUDENTS’ ACCEPTANCE OF THE USE OF GOOGLE CLASSROOM AS A PLATFORM IN BLENDED LEARNING

This study aims to identify the students’ acceptance level of the use of Google Classroom as a platform in Blended-learning and to compare the results between three departments of Language and Arts Department in FKIP of Universitas Riau. Data of this survey research were collected through an online survey using Google form and analysed descriptively. The survey was distributed to all students and 205 of them responded the survey coming from three departments: English Language and Arts Department, Indonesian Language and Arts Department, and Japanese Language and Arts Department in FKIP of Universitas Riau. The questionnaires in the survey used Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) proposed by Davis (1986) with four indicators to measure the students’ acceptance: Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Behavioral Intention (BI), and Actual System Use (AU). The students’ acceptance levels in terms of Perceived usefulness (62,8%) was in very good category; Perceived Ease of Use (67,2%) was in very good category; Behavioral Intention (69%) was in very good category; and Actual System Use (48,55%) was good category. The result shows that the level of the students’ acceptance of Google Classroom, in general, is Very Good (62%). It means, the students positively accepted Google Classroom as a platform in blended-learning. Behavioral Intention was the indicator with the highest percentage (69%) which explains that students are interested and intend to increase their use of the Google Classroom. Data also shows that out of the three departments, English Language and Arts Department has the highest average mean score (3.67) followed by Indonesian Language and Arts Department (3.57) and Japanese Language and Arts Department (3.54). This study implies that English department students experienced more acceptance in using the Google Classroom compared to the other two departments.

Pronunciation Recognition of –ed Ending Words by the Students of English Education Study Program of the University of Bengkulu

This research concerned with the English Education Study Program students’ recognition in pronouncing –ed ending words and the English Education Study Program students’ recognition of different enrollments. This research was a descriptive quantitative research. In this research, form of –ed ending pronunciation test of written sentences was used. The words used in the test items which consist of 40 questions. The data of this research was analyzed by using qualitative and quantitative method. The results of this research shows that the recognition of the English Education Study Program students in pronouncing –ed ending words was low with 46.6 of the average mean score. It confirmed the previous study on the ability in pronouncing morphophonemic or –ed ending words by Ningrum (2019) which conducted in the same place. Furthermore, comparison of the test result among three enrollments of samples shows that different mean score of first and third semester is 1.6 points. It is similar to the different mean score of the first and fifth semester students is 1.4 points. While, the different mean score of the fifth and third semester students is 3 points. It can be concluded that there are not any significant differences between them.

EXTENT OF HEMODIALYSIS NURSES’ PRESENCE AS PERCEIVED BY PATIENTS

Background: Nursing presence is an essential nurse caring behavior of being with the patient. This is particularly true for those with chronic renal disease and who regularly undergo maintenance hemodialysis treatment in the hospital setting. When nursing presence is perceived by patients in a nurse-patient relationship, it is more likely to result in enhanced satisfaction with the quality of nursing care. Thus, it is important for hemodialysis nurses to be aware of the relevance of nurse-patient interactions in planned care considering that these interactions are integral to the extent to which nursing presence is experienced and perceived by patients.Objective: This study aims to determine the hemodialysis nurses’ extent of nursing presence as perceived by patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment in two hospitals in Iligan City, Philippines.Methods: Utilizing the descriptive research design, the study was conducted in two hospitals in Iligan City, Philippines. A total of 121 hemodialysis patients were purposely selected to determine their perception as to the extent of hemodialysis nurse’s nursing presence utilizing the 25-item Presence of Nursing Scale (PONS) instrument. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Result: The overall rating by the hemodialysis patients in both hospitals was “always" on the hemodialysis nurses’ extent of nursing presence with an average mean score of 4.47 in all 25 items of the PONS. The highest rated item which reflects that the nurse cares for the patient as a person had an average mean score of 4.63 (always) while the lowest rated item indicating that the nurse is meeting the spiritual needs of the patient had an average mean score of 4.23 (always).Conclusion: The nurse-patient relationship is enhanced by the presence of nurses who are more responsive and interactive with the patients, resulting in patients who are more satisfied with nursing care. Thus, it is suggested that nurses in dealing with patients of varying backgrounds should consider their unique needs when giving information, explanations, health education and nursing care.

User Perception on Electronic Payment Services in Kathmandu Valley

There have been significant efforts in Nepal to increase the outreach of electronic payments services (EPS) in the last couple of years but the usage of these services has not seen significant progress. People are showing reluctance to accept the new form of payments as there are issues on users’ acceptance of this new mode. There is a need to understand users’ perception on EPS and act accordingly to improve the usage. This paper analyses users’ perception on EPS from four aspects - perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived security and perceived trust. Results of the survey show that there are low average mean scores for security and trust when compared to perceived usefulness and ease of use. Respondents have cited accessibility of EPS as one of the major issues behind such a low usage. Most of the responses are found to be independent by gender, age group, income level and other attributes. Further, perceived usefulness and ease of use have higher effect on willingness to adopt EPS in future when compared to perceived security and perceived trust.

APPLYING ITEM RESPONSES THEORY FOR MEASURING STUDENT’S ABILITY IN ACADEMIC SPEAKING

Purpose of the study: Every human being is required to be skilled at communicating, skilled at expressing thoughts, ideas, and feelings. This research aims to explain student’s ability in academic speaking based on the framework of item responses theory. Methodology: This research uses a mix method research approach; qualitative and quantitative approaches are used together to answer the formulated problems. A qualitative approach is used for digging up information about the needs to develop the speaking test. The try out subjects was 25 university student taking Bahasa Indonesia subject; while 125 students were used as the measurement subject. The data were students’ responses to the speaking test which was scored by two people (rater). The reliability of the instrument was estimated by the Generalizability theory. Rasch model analysis was used to estimate the item parameter; while the Maximum Likelihood was used to estimate the students’ ability. Main Findings: The value of 𝜎 ̂(𝑜) s influenced by the similarity to the average mean score observed in academic speaking. The value of 𝜎 ̂(𝑝) and 𝜎 ̂(𝑜) suggests that the distribution of variability in person and item is the same and high. A sufficiently large value of 𝜎 ̂(𝑝i) implies the fact that the value involves all residual sources for a variance. Balance alternatives, weigh consequently and decide rationally. Applications of this study: Based on the design proposed for the Indonesian Language Proficiency assessment, other generalizability design (G-Design) used is a cross design because each student (p) becomes the object of observation of two observers (r) who both assess four aspects of observation/indicator. It is used to determine the reliability (i.e., reproducibility) of measurements under specific conditions in academic speaking. Novelty/Originality of this study: Some rater qualifications that must be met include the process of gathering and using the appropriateness of background information before assessing. Measuring the ability of students in academic speaking by applying G theory and conducting an IRT analysis approach needs.

Expansile cribriform Gleason pattern 4 has histopathologic and molecular features of aggressiveness and greater risk of biochemical failure compared to glomerulation Gleason pattern 4.

Molecular testing of prostate cancer biopsies with Gleason pattern 4 suggests the expansile cribriform pattern is more aggressive than the glomerulation pattern. These two extreme patterns have not been compared at prostatectomy. We hypothesized that at prostatectomy the expansile cribriform pattern would be associated with histopathologic and molecular features of aggressiveness and with greater risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) than the glomerulation pattern. In a retrospective cohort study, radical prostatectomy reports with expansile cribriform pattern or glomerulation pattern were analyzed for percentage of total pattern 4, extraprostatic extension (EPE), positive lymph nodes, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), and intraductal carcinoma (IDC). Cases with pattern 5 or with both expansile cribriform and glomerulations patterns present were excluded. The electronic medical record was reviewed for BCR-free survival and for Decipher test results. Of 1020 radical prostatectomies from July 2015 to July 2018, 110 (11%) had either expansile cribriform or glomerulation pattern present. The expansile cribriform group was associated with more histopathologic features of aggressiveness, with higher average total percentage pattern 4 (43.7 vs 27.0, P = .002), a trend of greater extensive EPE (32.7% vs 17.2%, P = .06), a trend toward statistical significance of higher rate of SVI (11.5% vs 3.4%, P = .1), greater positive lymph nodes (9.6% vs 0%, P = .02), and a higher percentage of cases with or suspicious for IDC (23.1% vs 8.6%, P = .04). The risk of BCR was 4.4 (1.3-15.4) fold greater for the expansile cribriform group vs the glomerulations group (P = .02). For the 38 patients who underwent Decipher testing, the expansile cribriform group had a high-risk assay category mean score whereas the glomerulations group had an average risk assay category mean score (0.61 vs 0.47, P = .02). In a comparison of prostatectomy cases with expansile cribriform pattern to those with glomerulation pattern, the expansile cribriform pattern was associated with more histopathologic features of aggressiveness, greater risk of biochemical failure, and higher scores with a molecular classifier (Decipher) test. These findings underscore the importance of reporting the types of pattern 4 and supports the argument that men with expansile cribriform likely require more aggressive management.

Polikliniğe Başvuran Hastaların Sağlık Hizmet Algısına Yaşam Kalitesi Ve Sosyodemografik Özelliklerinin Etkisi

Aim: To determine the effect of quality of life and sociodemographic characteristics of patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital on Health Service Perceptions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 367 patients (236 female, 131 male) who met the criteria of participation in the study and applied to the policlinic at a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital between June 15 and September 15, 2019. Data were collected using a structured form measuring the socio-demographic characteristics and satisfaction levels of the patient and Nottingham Health Profile Scale (NHP) to measure the general perceived quality of life of the patient. Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between age values and total satisfaction mean scores (r = 0.215 p = 0.0001). Total satisfaction average scores of the literate group were found to be significantly higher than the other groups (p = 0.032, p = 0.005).The total satisfaction mean scores of the Hospital Advise (+) group were found to be statistically higher than the Hospital Advise (-) group (p = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between NHP Pain average scores and total satisfaction mean scores (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Health service perception may be affected by many different factors in patient-hospital communication. Age, education, hospital referral status and presence of pain are important parameters that we defined in our study. In the development of the health service provided, it will be guided to examine and define all factors in detail.

Multidimensional model to assess the readiness of Kuwait to implement evidence-based child maltreatment prevention programs at a national level

ObjectiveTo assess the readiness to implement child maltreatment (CM) prevention programs at a national level. Study designThis is a cross-sectional study. MethodsThis study was completed alongside similar studies undertaken by the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and led by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study will allow further understanding of possible obstacles that may be encountered while implementing a nationwide prevention program. The 10-dimensional model of readiness had been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with five countries (Brazil, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa) through a five-stage process. Stakeholders and decision makers were invited to participate. Scores for each dimension were compared with those for the rest of the GCC countries. ResultsThe overall score of Kuwait was 39.17 out of 100. This was below the mean average score for the GCC countries (47.83). Out of the 10 dimensions, key informants scored the highest on legislation, mandates and policies (6.61). The lowest score was reported on attitudes towards CM prevention (1.94). Informal social resources (5.72) ranked the highest as compared to the rest of the GCC countries. ConclusionsThe readiness of Kuwait is weak on several dimensions and needs to be strengthened. Despite that, the country is moderately ready to implement large-scale evidence-based CM prevention programs because it is strong in the infrastructure of knowledge, legislation, mandates, and policies and informal social resources.

Inclusive programmes in Malaysia: mainstream school teachersrsquo; acceptance towards special education students

Inclusive Education is a programme where special education students are placed in mainstream classes with normal students. This study attempts to identify the acceptance and readiness of mainstream teachers and students’ performance in Inclusive Education programme. Using quantitative method, the study focused on teachers from 17 schools in three districts in Sabah, Malaysia. Teachers’ acceptance and their readiness and students’ performance are measured through survey. Through the items assessed, the average mean score on the mainstream teachers’ acceptance and their readiness level, and students’ performance has a mean value of more than 3.00 which indicats that the teachers are positive and they are acceptive towards the presence of special students. The t-test on the teachers’ acceptance and readiness level and their gender factor shows no significant relations. Thus, the gender is not affecting teachers’ acceptance level. Furthermore, Correlation results on teachers’ acceptance level shows positive relationships. Therefore, the results of this study show that mainstream teachers are more acceptive and willing to teach special education students. However, gender, age, education qualification and teaching experience of the teachers do not affect the level of teachers’ acceptance. Overall, the results of this study shows that mainstream teachers are positive and ready to teach students who have learning disabilities.

Management Accounting Practices by Some Selected Manufacturing Enterprises Enlisted in Chittagong Stock Exchange, Bangladesh: An Evaluation

Management accounting (MA) helps to formulate strategies in manufacturing enterprises (ME). This paper is the outcome/product of a study on the Management Accounting Practices (MAP) of Nine (9) manufacturing enterprises from 4 sectors listed in the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) on the year of 2019. The study aims to evaluate the present scenario of MA practices. The primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 139 respondents selected from nine enterprises and found that the highest mean score was 4.71, on Management accounting information is very essential for manager to take decision making and lowest mean score is 4.28, for the practice of management accounting to enhance profitability and the average mean score was 4.4871 in the scale of 5. The study also revealed that about 59% to 98% of enterprises have disclosed the management accounting information both in descriptive & monetary nature. New and innovative techniques of management accounting should be implemented to gain competitive advantages. The study has recommended improving the management accounting practices in this regard.

The Use of Natural Products for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affects 40% of the world’s females, most of which are disorders linked to desire or interest/excitement. Whilst all types of therapy that attempt to improve female sexual desire have long been established, the results are contradictory. Objective: To analyze all available evidence to validate the effectiveness of natural therapies in the treatment of FSD. Method: The study was registered at http://www.prospero.org (CRD42019127700). We searched the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane databases for all articles published in peer- reviewed journals in April 2019 (in any language). The PICOS standard is women with FSD; (intervention) of any type of Natural therapy; (outcome) primary outcome: frequency of changes, severity, and average mean scores on sexual symptoms measured with a validated instrument, secondary outcome: quality of life; (study design) and randomized clinical trial (RCT). Results: The literature search strategy identified 95 articles, 81 of which were excluded at the different search stages. Finally, we systematically reviewed 15 RCTs, 11 of which referred to primary FSD, and four of which analyzed women with drug-induced FSD (DFSD). Most of them analyzed hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Although differences related to placebo were found in most people, the majority of the studies are considered to be of poor quality and low external effectiveness. Conclusion: Although the quality of the evidence is not high, most natural product interventions appear to improve FSD, particularly hypoactive sexual desire disorders including those categorized as primary and drug-induced.

Fuzzy Parameterized Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Soft Sets and Its Application in TOPSIS

The purpose of this work is to present a new theory namely fuzzy parameterized dual hesitant fuzzy soft sets (FPDHFSSs). This theory is an extension of the existing dual hesitant fuzzy soft set whereby the set of parameters have been assigned with respective weightage accordingly. We also introduced the basic operation functions for instance intersection, union, addition and product operations of FPDHFSSs. Then, we proposed the concept of score function of FPDHFSSs of which these scores function were determined based on average mean, geometry mean and fractional score. The said scores function then were divided into the membership and non-membership elements where the distance of FPDHFSSs was introduced. The proposed distance of FPDHFSSs has been applied in TOPSIS which will be able to solve the problem of fuzzy dual hesitant fuzzy soft set environment.

Open reduction and internal fixation for radial head fractures: A prospective observational study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of open reduction and internal fixation on radial head fracture and assess the post-operative function. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from June 2016 to July 2017 at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Altogether, 28 patients with radial head and neck fractures were enrolled in our study. These patients were admitted to the hospital and their fractures were fixed with open reduction and internal fixation. Baseline information of the patients was collected, and patient-rated elbow evaluation scores were calculated. Results: Out of the 28 patients, 21 were male and 7 were female. Besides, 16 fractures were on the right side and 12 were on the left side and 17 involving the dominant hands. In addition, 8 patients had Mason type II fracture and 20 had Mason type III fracture. The mean age of patients was (31.0 ± 8.0) years, and the mean follow-up is (1.2 ± 0.5) years. The mean average patient-rated elbow evaluation scores were (27.64 ± 1.60) at 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: The majority of the patients who had radial head fractures and treated by open reduction and internal fixation have attained an excellent range of motion postoperatively.