Emerging countries have enriched supply chains of influential multinational organizations. Business in emerging markets have led to both positive and negative outcomes. Stakeholders have a strong impact in emerging markets in relation to local communities. There have been lots of research connecting stakeholder responsibility with sustainability. Those studies have been the inspiration for this study. This research recognizes how stakeholders can contribute in the emerging market through the help of third parties. The study models the relation between CSR and stakeholders. The risk factor is more pronounces in some industries more than others, so this study primarily seeks to examine how risk factors can be mitigated in the Bangladesh garments industry.  In this case study, the qualitative method was approached and followed up by semi-structured interviews to answer the research question. The interview was held in various organizations, and 13 respondents shared their experiences through interviews. Six of the interviewees were managers from different parts of ready-made garments business and operations functions. The rest of the interviewees belong to the production floor. The interviewees answered questions related to the importance of buyers, safety regulations, and NGOs in the industry. From the findings, thematic analysis was conducted. Based on the findings, the study has concluded that engagement of third parties can impact work conditions in the examined setting. The importance of audit is underscored by in the data and seems to be instrumental for efforts of preventing accidents. To successfully develop an industry without creating negative effects on society, stakeholders need to be more involved in the safety of factory workers. Approaching this issue with third party involvement can be a useful solution for the buyer. / <p>Confidential</p>

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that there are 517 million people in the world who are visually impaired due to uncorrected presbyopia. Equal sphere ready-made bifocal and single vision reading spectacles are an inexpensive alternative to custom made spectacles. Methods: A visual satisfaction questionnaire was administered before patients were examined at an outreach clinic and again after ready-made bifocals or reading spectacles were dispensed. The results of both sets of questions along with presenting acuities, corrected acuities, refractive data, and willingness to pay were analyzed. Results: There was an unmet need of 38% (of the 338 subjects that needed glasses only 208 had them). There was no gender bias; the unmet need was higher in the rural areas (47% rural, 36% urban). Those who could not read were 3.4 times less likely to have the glasses they needed than the literate. Unmet need decreased with every level of education. Those without any schooling showed 77% prevalence of unmet need and those with university education had an unmet need rate of 32%. Ready-made spectacles were dispensed to 89.5% of those examined. The ready-made bifocals were very well accepted, with the percentage of subjects giving the highest satisfaction rating improving from a presenting value of 11% to 89.4% with the bifocals at distance and from 6.6% to 89.4% at near. Distance visual acuity of 20/40 or better improved from the presenting value of 60% to 84.5% and near vision of 20/40 or better improved from the presenting value of 44% to 97%. With ready-made single vision readers, functionally good near vision (20/40 or better) improved from a presenting value of 38% to 97%. The highest ranking for near satisfaction improved from 6.3% to 86.6%. The subjects indicted that they would be willing to pay US$18.39 to replace the bifocals and US$16.67 to replace the readers. Conclusion: There is a high unmet need for vision correction in the population over age 35 in Nicaragua. Dissatisfaction with distance and near vision is very high. Although custom made glasses are ideal, ready-made bifocals and ready-made single vision readers are an acceptable and affordable alternative.

No description available.

While manufacturing fiber reinforced concrete, it is of utmost importance that quality and homogeneous fiber distribution are ensured. To verify that the fibers are evenly distributed in ready-mixed concrete, SS-EN 206 has introduced requirements for continuous control of fiber distribution. The requirement for test frequency was originally the same as for compressive strength. Since this frequency requirement would result in an unreasonably large workload, it has been opened for national adjustments. In order to proceed with this work, there is a need to develop documentation and investigate eventual impact on fiber distribution of the timing and the way the fibers are added to concrete. The purpose of this thesis is to study the possible impact of when and how fibers are added to the concrete. Based on the results, prepare a basis for recommendations for routine description. The hypothesis is that there are no measurable differences regardless how and when the fibers are added to concrete. The correctness of the foregoing is fully confirmed. Samples from real insitu steel fiber reinforced concrete deliveries were extracted at the beginning, middle and end of the discharge. The steel fibers were, thereupon, separated from the fresh concrete and washed. Thereafter, lab tests were performed; steel fibers of each sample were dried in a special oven and then weighted by a high accuracy weight scale. The rule of proportions was subsequently used, in order to compare the final result with the client’s order and study the deviation from the average. The results have shown that the variation between the three different methods of adding the fibers, namely, in the central concrete mixer plant, in the concrete mixer truck after concrete is filled, in the concrete mixer truck at the same time that concrete is filled, as well between start, middle and end of the discharge is negligible.  A questionnaire survey, focusing on different aspects about how a concrete company handles steel fiber reinforced concrete, was additionally performed in order to provide supplementary data to the literature study and the testing process. The initial hypothesis was once again verified; the differences between the methods used to produce steel fiber reinforced concrete as well as when the fibers are added to the concrete mix are insignificant, according to the surveyed companies.  Preliminary investigation, continuous control as well as careful procedures for addition and mixing are recommended for a more reasonable test frequency. Preliminary investigation includes a detailed documentation process from the manufacturer for adding and mixing fibers, before the concrete containing fibers is manufactured; fiber parameters (shape, length and type), duration of mixing, how fibers should be added, type of mixer that should be used. Continuous control includes tests that should be conducted if fibers are added to the concrete mixer truck and the acceptance criteria shall be according to B.5 in SS-EN 206.

Public libraries are a free community resource available to families in communities across the United States. The Every Child Ready to Read Program (ECRR) is currently the only known research-based early literacy parent initiative available for public libraries to use. This current study presents the findings of a case study that included both librarian and parent interviews to explore how one suburban library utilized the ECRR program. Building upon current ECRR research, the study explores how librarians and parents utilized library storytimes. The key findings of the study include the discovery that the two librarians differed substantially in their implementation of the ECRR program, with one librarian being more willing to offer instruction to parents while the other librarian not directly wanting this as her role. One possible reason for this difference involves the different educational background and specific job duties of each librarian. In regards to parents, the study found that parents utilized library storytimes largely for social reasons for both themselves and their child. Furthermore, new mothers and Spanish-speaking mothers showed a special appreciation for storytimes, in that both attended storytimes for personal guidance. In light of parent-school trust literature, the library in the current study appeared as a place to establish and maintain trusting partnerships with parents. Implications of ECRR are discussed, as well as recommendations for further research / Literacy & Learners

Understanding potential cross contamination pathways is essential to reducing the risk of food product contamination. The use of a fluorescing abiotic surrogate (GloGermTM) to visualize the potential spread of bacteria may be beneficial to researchers. To quantify cross contamination during experimental trials in a mock retail deli, a rating method for visualization of fluorescence levels using a trained sensory panel was developed. Panelists feedback led to a pre-defined strategy allowing for characterization of contamination seen in photographs and reduced variability within responses. Following validation, GloGermTM was used to visually represent how bacteria may spread through a deli environment. Six origination sites (slicer blade, meat chub, floor drain, preparation table, employee's glove, employee's hands) were evaluated separately and spread was photographed throughout the mock deli. The trained sensory panel then analyzed the photographs. Five of the six contamination origination sites transferred GloGermTM to surfaces throughout the mock deli. Contamination from the floor drain did not spread to any food contact surfaces. To determine the potential of using a GloGermTM/ bacteria mixture to simultaneously track and sample contamination spread; surfaces were co-inoculated with GloGermTM and bacteria to determine if co-inoculation would affect the recoverability of microorganisms from these surfaces. Three common foodborne bacteria (E. coli O157:H7,Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua) were inoculated on 2 by 2 stainless steel coupons alone and with GloGermTM . There was no significant difference found (p > 0.05) between the recovery of bacteria alone and the mixture for all bacteria. Finally, the use of co-inoculation was further explored by inoculating two contamination origination sites with either bacteria alone (L. monocytogenes and L. innocua) or a GloGermTM/bacteria cocktail. Nine recipient sites were sampled after a series of deli procedures were performed. Generally, no significant differences (p>0.05) were seen between the transfer of bacteria inoculated alone and the transfer of bacteria inoculated with GloGermTM to the selected recipient sites, regardless of contamination source or bacteria. These results suggest there may be potential in using L. innocua in combination with GloGermTM to visually track and sample contamination from a known source throughout a retail deli environment. / Ph. D.

The introduction of herbicide resistant crops offers producers many more options for weed control systems. These crops allow environmentally safe, non-selective herbicides to be used as selective herbicides, broadening the spectrum of weeds controlled, while not harming the crop. As these crops are very new on the market, investigation of their performance under various environmental conditions as well as in various weed control programs is needed. Liberty-link &reg; soybeans are resistant to the herbicide glufosinate, because of the incorporation of a gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyl-transferase (pat), which is able to detoxify glufosinate. Roundup-Ready &reg; soybeans are transformed with an altered, non-sensitive form of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate- 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), which confers glyphosate resistance. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of glufosinate and glyphosate on annual and perennial weeds. Also to determine whether the use of ammonium sulfate (AMS) or pelargonic acid (PA), a 9-carbon fatty acid, as additives of glufosinate or glyphosate would increase their efficacy, while maintaining their safety on the transgenic soybeans. Three annual weeds: common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, sicklepod, as well as two perennial weeds: common milkweed and horsenettle were included in studies. Uptake, translocation, and metabolism of 14C-glufosinate + AMS or PA, were studied in the five weeds in order to determine the basis for their differential weed sensitivity to glufosinate, and the effect of the two additives. The effect of temperature on Liberty-Link &reg; and Roundup-Ready &reg; soybeans after application of glufosinate or glyphosate was investigated. Injury was quantified by measuring chlorophyll content of herbicide treated soybean trifoliolates. Uptake, translocation, and metabolism studies of 14C-glufosinate and 14C-glyphosate in transgenic soybeans were conducted to determine the potential cause for the observed temperature-dependent sensitivity. Since glufosinate is a synthetic analog of a naturally occurring bacterial toxin, it was tested for possible bactericidal activity on the soybean pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Greenhouse and field-studies showed that the 5 weeds responded differently to glufosinate and glyphosate. Common milkweed was the most tolerant to glufosinate and common lambsquarters to glyphosate while giant foxtail was the most sensitive species to both herbicides. Some interactions between AMS or PA and glufosinate or glyphosate were also observed. Uptake and translocation studies showed that AMS increased the uptake of 14C-glufosinate in some weeds, whereas PA had only minimal effects on absorption and translocation of glufosinate. Metabolism of glufosinate was detected only in common lambsquarters. A rate dependent loss of chlorophyll in Liberty-Link &reg; soybeans treated with glufosinate was observed that was greater at 15° C than at 25° or 35° C. Metabolism studies showed a decrease in the rate of glufosinate metabolism 3 hours after treatment in Liberty-Link &reg; soybeans grown at 15° C versus 25° C. Conversely, chlorophyll loss in glyphosate-treated Roundup-Ready soybeans was greater at 35° C than at 15° or 25° C. Translocation studies showed a significantly greater percentage of absorbed 14C-glyphosate translocated to developing meristems at 35° C than at 15° C in Roundup-Ready&reg; soybeans. Glufosinate concentrations of 1 mM and higher significantly inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas syringae (L-529) in liquid media cultures. Typical field use rates of glufosinate also reduced the number of live P. syringae on Liberty-Link&reg; soybean leaves. Overall, the results of this research show that annual and perennial weeds differ in their sensitivity to glufosinate and glyphosate. Additives such as AMS and PA may enhance the efficacy of glufosinate on perennial weed species, and glyphosate in most weeds. Differences in weed sensitivity to herbicides and effects of additives can in most cases be explained by differences in absorption or metabolism. Variable temperatures may affect the engineered resistance of transgenic soybeans to the herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate. The herbicide glufosinate has some bacteriocidal activity on P. syringae. Nomenclature: Glufosinate, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid; Glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine; PA, pelargonic acid (nanoic acid); AMS, ammonium sulfate; giant foxtail, Setaria faberi Herrm.; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L.; sicklepod, Cassia obtusifolia L.; horsenettle, Solanum carolinense L.; common milkweed, Ascleipias syriaca L. pat, phosphinothricin acetyl transferase; EPSPS, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. / Master of Science

Soil is an important ecosystem that supports a wide variety of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, arthropods and nematodes. This sensitive ecosystem may be influenced by various factors, including agricultural management practices. With the introduction of genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-tolerant (RoundUp ® Ready: RR) crops, herbicides such as glyphosate have been increasingly used. However, little is known about the effect of glyphosate on the biological communities in these herbicide-sprayed soils. With the intimate proximity that microorganisms and nematodes have with the roots of plants, these organisms can be used to assess changes that may occur in the soil surrounding roots of RR crops. The aim of this study was to determine microbial community structure and nematode diversity, with emphasis on that of non-parasitic nematodes, in soil samples from conventional soybean (CS) - and RR- soybean fields compared to that in adjacent natural veld (NV) areas. Samples were collected from twenty three sites at six localities that are situated within the soybean-production areas of South Africa. These sites represented fields where RR and CS soybean grew, as well as surrounding NV. All RR fields have been treated with glyphosate for no less than five years. Microbial community structures of the twenty three sites in the RR, CS and NV ecosystems were determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses. Nematode diversity was determined by extracting the nematodes from soil samples and conducting a faunal analysis. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined by an independent laboratory, Eco-Analytica (North West University, Potchefstroom) according to standard procedures. Results from this study indicated differences in microbial community structure between the various localities. However, there were no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in microbial community structures between RR- and CS ecosystems. Soils of both RR- and CS crops were primarily dominated by bacteria. Nematode identification and faunal analysis also indicated no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the different non-parasitic/beneficial nematodes that were present in soils of these two ecosystems during the time of sampling. Non-parasitic nematode communities were primarily dominated by bacterivores. A faunal analysis indicated that most of the sites contained enriched, but unstructured soil food-webs. However, four of the sites showed enriched and structured food webs due to the presence of non-parasitic nematodes with high coloniser-persister (cp) values. Relationships between non-parasitic nematode – and microbial communities showed that there was a positive relationship between nematode functional groups and their corresponding microbial prey. From the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the community structures of both non-parasitic nematodes and microorganisms shared similarities. These community structures showed no long-term detrimental effects of glyphosate application in the soils surrounding roots of RR soybean crops. Relationships existed between non-parasitic nematode and microbial communities in the rhizosphere of soybean crops and natural veld. For example, bacterivore nematodes had a strong positive relationship with gram-negative bacteria. Similar but weaker relationships also existed between carnivores, omnivores, plantparasitic nematodes and gram-negative bacteria. A positive relationship also existed between fungivores and fungal fatty acids. This emphasises the value of these organisms as indicators of soil health and also the impact that agricultural practices can have on soils. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Soil is an important ecosystem that supports a wide variety of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, arthropods and nematodes. This sensitive ecosystem may be influenced by various factors, including agricultural management practices. With the introduction of genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-tolerant (RoundUp ® Ready: RR) crops, herbicides such as glyphosate have been increasingly used. However, little is known about the effect of glyphosate on the biological communities in these herbicide-sprayed soils. With the intimate proximity that microorganisms and nematodes have with the roots of plants, these organisms can be used to assess changes that may occur in the soil surrounding roots of RR crops. The aim of this study was to determine microbial community structure and nematode diversity, with emphasis on that of non-parasitic nematodes, in soil samples from conventional soybean (CS) - and RR- soybean fields compared to that in adjacent natural veld (NV) areas. Samples were collected from twenty three sites at six localities that are situated within the soybean-production areas of South Africa. These sites represented fields where RR and CS soybean grew, as well as surrounding NV. All RR fields have been treated with glyphosate for no less than five years. Microbial community structures of the twenty three sites in the RR, CS and NV ecosystems were determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses. Nematode diversity was determined by extracting the nematodes from soil samples and conducting a faunal analysis. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined by an independent laboratory, Eco-Analytica (North West University, Potchefstroom) according to standard procedures. Results from this study indicated differences in microbial community structure between the various localities. However, there were no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in microbial community structures between RR- and CS ecosystems. Soils of both RR- and CS crops were primarily dominated by bacteria. Nematode identification and faunal analysis also indicated no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the different non-parasitic/beneficial nematodes that were present in soils of these two ecosystems during the time of sampling. Non-parasitic nematode communities were primarily dominated by bacterivores. A faunal analysis indicated that most of the sites contained enriched, but unstructured soil food-webs. However, four of the sites showed enriched and structured food webs due to the presence of non-parasitic nematodes with high coloniser-persister (cp) values. Relationships between non-parasitic nematode – and microbial communities showed that there was a positive relationship between nematode functional groups and their corresponding microbial prey. From the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the community structures of both non-parasitic nematodes and microorganisms shared similarities. These community structures showed no long-term detrimental effects of glyphosate application in the soils surrounding roots of RR soybean crops. Relationships existed between non-parasitic nematode and microbial communities in the rhizosphere of soybean crops and natural veld. For example, bacterivore nematodes had a strong positive relationship with gram-negative bacteria. Similar but weaker relationships also existed between carnivores, omnivores, plantparasitic nematodes and gram-negative bacteria. A positive relationship also existed between fungivores and fungal fatty acids. This emphasises the value of these organisms as indicators of soil health and also the impact that agricultural practices can have on soils. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

By conceptualizing repetition with the Swedish avantgarde aesthetics of the 1960s as a point of departure, this thesis argues that the repetition phenomena in the mature works of Per Olov Enquist (1934–2020) are indebted to the period. Hereby it brings together two major trends in the Enquist research that previously have been separate. In accordance with the main tendency of the period, the Enquistian repetitions reuse concrete constituents and are of technical and combinatory nature. According to the taxonomy introduced in the thesis, they are mainly internarrative, i.e., they transcend the limits of the individual stories. Thus, in Enquist, the superficial, anti-mimetic as well as anti-hermeneutical qualities pertaining to the period are a consequence of the specifically internarrative character of the repetitions, whereas the individual stories remain mimetically coherent. Furthermore, the thesis investigates a metapoetic discourse in the mature works; in part, it demonstrates a continuity between this discourse and the non-metapoetic notion of repetition in Enquist’s novels of the ‘60s. Altogether, the thesis proposes a way of historically situating the Enquist oeuvre as a whole; supposedly, it will contribute to further studies with similar aims.