An Ethical (Descriptive) Framework for Judgment of Actions and Decisions in the Construction Industry and Engineering-Part I.

The construction industry is usually characterized as a fragmented system of multiple-organizational entities in which members from different technical backgrounds and moral values join together to develop a particular business or project. The greatest challenge in the construction process for the achievement of a successful practice is the development of an outstanding reputation, which is built on identifying and applying an ethical framework. This framework should reflect a common ethical ground for myriad people involved in this process to survive and compete ethically in today's turbulent construction market. This study establishes a framework for ethical judgment of behavior and actions conducted in the construction process. The framework was primarily developed based on the essential attributes of business management identified in the literature review and subsequently incorporates additional attributes identified to prevent breaches in the construction industry and common ethical values related to professional engineering. The proposed judgment framework is based primarily on the ethical dimension of professional responsibility. The Ethical Judgment Framework consists of descriptive approaches involving technical, professional, administrative, and miscellaneous terms. The framework provides the basis for judging actions as either ethical or unethical. Furthermore, the framework can be implemented as a form of preventive ethics, which would help avoid ethical dilemmas and moral allegations. The framework can be considered a decision-making model to guide actions and improve the ethical reasoning process that would help individuals think through possible implications and consequences of ethical dilemmas in the construction industry.

Association of genetic polymorphism -670A>G in the Fas gene and serum markers AST platelet ratio index, AST/ALT with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C.

AIM: This study was carried out to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphism -670A>G in the promoter of Fas gene as well as serum biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase (AST) platelet ratio index (APRI) and AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Seventy-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C in addition to 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated for genetic polymorphism -670A>G of Fas gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and serum biomarkers APRI and AST/ALT in relation to significant fibrosis and cirrhosis diagnosed by liver biopsy. RESULT: Genetic polymorphism -670A>G in Fas gene was associated with significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Heterozygous mutation was found in 11.4% of patients and 10% of controls, while homozygous mutation was found only in 7.6% of patients. Odds ratio (OR) was statistically not significant (OR=1.93, 95% confidence interval=0.76-4.92). Mean values of APRI and AST/ALT were significantly higher in patients with (F3-F4) compared with those with (F0-F2). (p-value <0.001 for APRI and p=0.007 for AST/ALT). In addition, APRI showed a better sensitivity than AST/ALT for prediction of significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphism -670A>G of Fas gene was associated with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. APRI and AST/ALT are independent predictors for significant fibrosis. APRI showed a better sensitivity than AST/ALT for prediction of significant fibrosis. Moreover, APRI can be used as an index to exclude liver cirrhosis without performing liver biopsy.