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Background. In today’s business environment firms are highly supplier dependent, and with a changing landscape of legislations affecting product requirements it is challenging for firms to keep a compliant and competitive supplier base. The post-COVID effects of supply shortages affect demand and with geopolitical uncertainties apparent, it becomes imperative that firms manage and develop suppliers to ensure competitiveness. To combat this, the concept Supplier development has been proven to enhance buying firm-competitive advantage, supplier performance and buyer-supplier relationship. It refers to any efforts by the buying firm, together with the supplier, to enhance the capabilities of the supplier to meet the firm’s short- and long-term needs. It is imperative for firms in today’s markets, due to the volatile factors mentioned, to develop a stable supplier base effectively and successfully. Purpose. Explore and identify the activities and factors that lead to successful supplier development in the context of an electronics manufacturing company in the video and surveillance industry. Methods. A qualitative case study was chosen as it allows for a deep and context specific understanding as to why activities and factors lead to success in supplier development. It further helps in finding relationships and uncovering complexities that exist. Semi-structured interviews were with professionals from Sourcing, Quality and Sustainability departments were conducted to understand the factors and activities profoundly while gaining different perspectives on the matters to enhance validity. Results. It is found that for a buying firm to initiate supplier development there are some essential factors that must be present in the relationship with a supplier. These are called enablers and consist of the following: Trust, Commitment, Information sharing, Communication, and Top management support. The factors that enhance the performance of supplier development initiatives are ca, Bakgrund. I dagens affärsmiljö är företag starkt beroende av leverantörer, och med ett föränderligt landskap av lagstiftningar som påverkar produktkrav är det utmanande för företag att upprätthålla en efterlevande och konkurrenskraftig leverantörsbas. Efter-covid-effekterna av leveransbrist påverkar efterfrågan och med geopolitiska osäkerheter är det nödvändigt att företag hanterar och utvecklar leverantörer för att säkerställa konkurrenskraft. För att bekämpa detta har konceptet Leverantörsutveckling visat sig förbättra köpande företags konkurrensfördel, leverantörsprestanda och relationen mellan köpare och leverantör. Det syftar på alla insatser från det köpande företaget, tillsammans med leverantören, för att förbättra leverantörens kapacitet att möta företagets kort- och långsiktiga behov. Det är nödvändigt för företag i dagens marknader, på grund av de nämnda volatila faktorerna, att utveckla en stabil leverantörsbas effektivt och framgångsrikt. Syfte. Syftet med studien är att utforska och identifiera faktorer och aktiviteter som leder till framgångsrik leverantörsutveckling i kontexten av ett elektronikföretag inom video- och övervakningsindustrin. Metod. En kvalitativ fallstudie valdes eftersom den tillåter en djup och kontextspecifik förståelse för varför de identifierade aktiviteterna och faktorerna leder till framgång inom leverantörsutveckling. Den hjälper även att finna relationer och undersöka komplexitet bland faktorer. Ett elektronikföretag i video- och övervakningsindustrin användes som ett fall-företag. Semi-strukturerade intervjuer gjordes med representanter från avdelningar inom inköp, kvalitet, och hållbarhet, för att förstå faktorer och aktiviteter på djupet samtidigt som olika perspektiv på ämnena kunde fångas upp. Resultat. För att ett inköpsföretag ska påbörja utvecklingen av en leverantör krävs det vissa avgörande faktorer som måste finnas närvarande i relationen. Dessa benämns, "möjliggörare" och inkluderar förtroende, engagemang, informat

The date is a fruit of the palm family (Phoenix dactylifer), grown in Morocco in the southern regions. It is a very important fruit in the Moroccan table, especially during Ramadan (9th month of the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar consisting of 354 days), where it becomes an essential food that is very nutritious and invigorating to the breaking of the fast added to milk. The present work aimed to determine the contents of mineral elements (fluorine, calcium, magnesium and chlorides) and sugar levels (Brix, glucose) of 12 varieties: Ajwa (Saudi Arabia), Deglet nour (Algeria), Anbara (Saudi Arabia), Anbara (United Arab Emirates), Boufeggous (Errachidia; Morocco), Aziza (Figuig; Morocco), Majhoul (Erfoud; Morocco) Majhoul (Errachidia; Morocco), Elkhalsse (Tafilalt; Morocco) Tarzawa (Tafilalt; Morocco), Deglet nour (Tunisia), Majhoul Sghir (Tafilalt; Morocco)) of dates marketed in Morocco of North African and Middle Eastern origin. Fluoride analyses were performed using a fluoride-specific ion electrode (HI-4110). The analyses of Ca, Mg, Cl and glucose levels were performed by Spectrophotometric methods. The results of the fluoride levels revealed in the different varieties of dates varied from 0.26 to 1.05 mg in 100g of fresh weight. The sucrose and glucose levels varied between 11.8 g to 17.75 g and 18 to 40.9 g in 100g of fresh date weight, respectively. The Mg, Ca and Cl levels varied between 46.89 to 93.71mg, 11.20 to 279.28 mg and 30.66 to 47.33 mg in 100g fresh date weight, respectively. Thus, it is possible to classify the varieties of dates on the basis of their nutritional qualities and mode of consumption and to warn the population about their consumption in excess with the risk (if any) of an attack of dental or osseous fluorosis.

Purpose: This study is “Role of Television Talk Shows in Political Conflict Resolution after General Elections 2013: A Study of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf and Pakistan Muslim League –N”. The research has aimed to explore the role of political talk shows in resolving the political conflict between PTI and PML-N, to assess their issues regarding their conflict, to examine the discussion on matters of common interest among them and to compare and analyze the discussion on matters of common interests and disputing issues between PTI and PML-N in television political talk shows. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research has used quantitative content analysis for collecting data and has concluded that the political talk shows have not been playing a positive role in resolving the political conflict between conflicting parties and moreover the role of political talk shows has been escalating in the process of political conflict resolution between PTI and PML-N.  Findings:  This study has also concluded that the role of anchor persons has not facilitated the discussion of talk shows towards a need of any possible solution regarding the discussed problem between PTI and PML-N.   Implications/Originality/Value: It has been concluded that the political talk shows have highlighted the disputing and controversial issues between the conflicting parties instead of discussing the matters of common interests among them. The political talk shows have not encouraged a need of any possible solution regarding the political conflict resolution between PTI and PML-N after general elections 2013.

Agriculture is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide, but knowledge of how agriculture modifies animal movement, which is crucial for survival, is limited. Here, we examined the effect of landscape composition on the movements of the oriental garden lizard Calotes versicolor in agricultural landscapes of north-central Pakistan. We radio-tracked 32 individuals over 5 months to determine whether land cover type (farmland, tree patches, grassland) influences hourly movement rate, inter-day distance moved, and activity area size. We found that hourly movement rates were higher in tree patches compared to grasslands, and higher when animals moved between land cover types rather than within individual land cover types. Activity area size and movement rates became smaller as the season progressed, but they did not differ according to animal sex or body size. Habitat selection analysis showed that lizards preferred tree patches, avoided farms, roads, water bodies and human dwellings, and used grasslands in proportion to availability. When lizards used farmlands, they were found in field margins 85% of the time. Our results emphasize the importance of treed areas as reptile habitat in these highly modified agricultural lands. Agricultural intensification that reduces the availability of tree patches and field margins will likely reduce the extent to which lizards can use the landscape by removing preferred habitat. Maintaining tree cover and small fields with field margins should promote the coexistence of wildlife conservation and food production in agricultural landscapes.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of teachers' curriculum literacy on their job performance with the mediating role of principals' leadership style among high school teachers in Chabahar city. The research method was descriptive and of correlational type. The statistical population included all high school teachers in Chabahar city which was 337 people and its sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula with 180 people. Data collection tools in this study were three standard questionnaires of curriculum literacy, job performance and leadership style the reliability of which, in the present study, were calculated by Cronbach's alpha method being 0.79, 0.79 and 0.69, respectively. Based on the results of the research hypotheses, there was a significant relationship between the teachers' curriculum literacy and the leadership style of principals in Chabahar high schools. In addition, based on the results of this study, a significant effect was found with the teachers' curriculum literacy on their job performance in high schools in Chabahar city, which was expected by the researcher since similar research has been done in this field or with similar variables that have shown the direct impact of the above variables. Furthermore, the results showed that there was a significant effect between the leadership style of school principals in Chabahar city and teachers' job performance. Similar studies in this field or with similar variables have also shown a direct effect of the two variables. Finally, we concluded that the leadership style of managers plays a mediating role in the effect of curriculum literacy on job performance.

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral amoxicillin for patients who have pneumonia with tachypnea, yet trial data indicate that not using amoxicillin to treat this condition may be noninferior to using amoxicillin. METHODS We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled noninferiority trial involving children at primary health care centers in low-income communities in Karachi, Pakistan. Children who were 2 to 59 months of age and who met WHO criteria for nonsevere pneumonia with tachypnea were randomly assigned to a 3-day course of a suspension of amoxicillin (the active control) of 50 mg per milliliter or matched volume of placebo (the test regimen), according to WHO weight bands (500 mg every 12 hours for a weight of 4 to <10 kg, 1000 mg every 12 hours for a weight of 10 to <14 kg, or 1500 mg every 12 hours for a weight of 14 to <20 kg). The primary outcome was treatment failure during the 3-day course of amoxicillin or placebo. The prespecified noninferiority margin was 1.75 percentage points. RESULTS From November 9, 2014, through November 30, 2017, a total of 4002 children underwent randomization (1999 in the placebo group and 2003 in the amoxicillin group). In the per-protocol analysis, the incidence of treatment failure was 4.9% among placebo recipients (95 of 1927 children) and 2.6% among amoxicillin recipients (51 of 1929 children) (between-group difference, 2.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 3.7). Results were similar in the intention-to-treat analysis. The presence of fever and wheeze predicted treatment failure. The number needed to treat to prevent one treatment failure was 44 (95% CI, 31 to 80). One patient (<0.1%) in each group died. Relapse occurred in 40 children (2.2%) in the placebo group and in 58 children (3.1%) in the amoxicillin group. CONCLUSIONS Among children younger than 5 years of age with nonsevere pneumonia, the frequency of treatment failure was higher in the plac

The present study investigates the preparation of a newly prepared Schiff base BHNMXD and Schiff based resin PMBHNMXD via polymerization. The condensation or polymerization procedure was used with formaldehyde (HCHO) at temperature 70 to 80 ˚C for 2-3 h. The prepared Schiff base BHNMXD and its respective resinPMBHNMXD were recrystallized from methanol to attain pure resin. After successful synthesis of Schiff base and resin was characterized by different instrumental techniques such as; CHN, elemental microanalysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies of Schiff based resin, energy- dispersive x-ray spectroscopy EDS mass spectrometry, E.I-MS (electron impact ionization), 1HNMR spectroscopy and MALDITOF mass spectrometry clearly investigated the molecular weight and structural information of synthesized compounds. The FT-IR spectra of resin PMBHNMXD showed stronger absorption band at 1632 cm-1 of azomethine >C=NH confirming the compound formation. The SEM analysis showed the morphology of Schiff base and resin showing, longitudinal spherical rough, inflexible and rigid structure. The structures and components were carefully investigated by X-ray diffraction .The crystallographic evaluation of Schiff base and its resin, aproved the monoclinic sharp crystalline structure. These active materials have shown high efficiency against the antifungal growth of Aspergillus Flavus (G-ve), Candida albicans (G-ve) and Aspergillus Niger (G-ve),by agar well diffusion method.

Mechanisms that sense and regulate epithelial morphogenesis, integrity, and homeostasis are incompletely understood. Protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2), the Par2-activating membrane-tethered protease matriptase, and its inhibitor, hepatocyte activator inhibitor 1 (Hai1), are coexpressed in most epithelia and may make up a local signaling system that regulates epithelial behavior. We explored the role of Par2b in matriptase-dependent skin abnormalities in Hai1a-deficient zebrafish embryos. We show an unexpected role for Par2b in regulation of epithelial apical cell extrusion, roles in regulating proliferation that were opposite in distinct but adjacent epithelial monolayers, and roles in regulating cell-cell junctions, mobility, survival, and expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling and inflammation. The epidermal growth factor receptor Erbb2 and matrix metalloproteinases, the latter induced by Par2b, may contribute to some matriptase- and Par2b-dependent phenotypes and be permissive for others. Our results suggest that local protease-activated receptor signaling can coordinate cell behaviors known to contribute to epithelial morphogenesis and homeostasis.

The experiment was conducted on 12 buffaloes between 6 +1 years of age, weighing between 500 + 50 kg kept at a commercial dairy farm, Tandojam. Four Kundhi Buffaloes were randomly allocated to each group A, B and C. Buffaloes in group A was fed on traditional ration, buffaloes in group B were fed on scientifically balanced ration prepared by researcher at department of Animal Nutrition, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam and buffaloes in group C were given commercial dairy ration purchased from Hyderabad market. Milk yield of group-A, B and C was 4.93 ± 0.50, 6.73 ± 1.02 and 6.27 ± 1.198 liter/d, respectively. Milk production was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in Group-A than B and C, whereas, group-B produced significantly more (P<0.01) milk per day than C. Milk yield of Group-A, B, and C were 1794.30 ± 41.04, 2450.32 ± 64.95, 2280.38 ± 61.57 liter/buffalo, respectively. Milk production was significantly lower (P<0.01) in group-A than C, whereas, group-B produced significantly more (P<0.01) milk per buffalo than group-A and C. The total cost per day on feeding of traditional, scientific balanced and commercial ration were 124, 155 and 139 rupees and total profit per day was 48.38, 80.55 and 80.45 rupees respectively On scientific balanced rations buffaloes produced high milk yield and it was comparatively more profitable than traditional and commercial dairy rations.

Cruzain is a member of the papain/cathepsin L family of cysteine proteases, and the major cysteine protease of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. We report an autoinduction methodology that provides soluble cruzain in high yields (>30 mg/L in minimal medium). These increased yields provide sufficient quantities of active enzyme for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based ligand mapping. Using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy, we also examined the solution-state structural dynamics of the enzyme in complex with a covalently bound vinyl sulfone inhibitor (K777). We report the backbone amide and side chain carbon chemical shift assignments of cruzain in complex with K777. These resonance assignments were used to identify and map residues located in the substrate binding pocket, including the catalytic Cys25 and His162. Selective [(15)N]Cys, [(15)N]His, and [(13)C]Met labeling was performed to quickly assess cruzain-ligand interactions for a set of eight low-molecular weight compounds exhibiting micromolar binding or inhibition. Chemical shift perturbation mapping verified that six of the eight compounds bind to cruzain at the active site. Three different binding modes were delineated for the compounds, namely, covalent, noncovalent, and noninteracting. These results provide examples of how NMR spectroscopy can be used to screen compounds for fast evaluation of enzyme-inhibitor interactions to facilitate lead compound identification and subsequent structural studies.

Shah, A. A., Umar, A. A., Balouch, A., Ahmed, S. F., & Ali, M. M. (2019). Geant4 step towards the durability and smooth response of silicon based neutron dosimeter, and protection from thermal neutrons. Paper presented at the 2018 IEEE 5th International Conference on Engineering Technologies and Applied Sciences, ICETAS 2018. Available here.