Why have so many firms in emerging economies internationalized quite aggressively in the last decade? What competitive advantages do these firms enjoy and what are the origins of those advantages? ...Through what strategies have they built their global presence? How is their internationalization affecting Western rivals? And, finally, what does all this mean for mainstream international business theory? In Emerging Multinationals in Emerging Markets, a distinguished group of international business scholars tackle these questions based on a shared research design. The heart of the book contains detailed studies of emerging-market multinationals (EMNEs) from the BRIC economies, plus Israel, Mexico, South Africa, and Thailand. The studies show that EMNEs come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the home-country context. Furthermore, EMNEs leverage distinctive competitive advantages and pursue distinctive internationalization paths. This timely analysis of EMNEs promises to enrich mainstream models of how firms internationalize in today's global economy.
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•Silver nanorods (AgNRs) were embedded into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for ultra-sensitive detection of trace amounts of pesticides.•The embedded AgNRs layers show good adhesion onto ...the PDMS surface as shown by the scotch tape peeling test.•The flexible nature of the substrate enables conformal contact with the surfaces under investigation leading to efficient sample collection.
Flexible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates have advantage over the conventional rigid substrates as they can conform to the underlying object for the efficient extraction of target molecules from complex surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a simple and facile method for fabricating large area SERS-active, flexible and robust substrate for conformal and rapid extraction and detection of trace molecules. The novel SERS substrate was fabricated by embedding Ag nanorods into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer. The AgNRs embedded SERS substrates exhibited a high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility for analytes employed, demonstrating a direct application in trace detection for on-field applications. The in situ SERS measurements on these flexible substrates under mechanical tensile strain conditions were performed. Our results show that flexible SERS substrates can withstand a tensile strain (ε) value as high as 30% without losing SERS performance. The functionality of AgNRs embedded PDMS SERS substrate was demonstrated by directly extracting trace amount (∼10−9g/cm2) of thiram pesticide directly from fruit peels via simple “paste and peel off” method.
To mitigate the effects of COVID-19, a vaccine is urgently needed. BBV152 is a whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine formulated with a toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist molecule adsorbed to alum ...(Algel-IMDG) or alum (Algel).
We did a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, controlled phase 1 trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of BBV152 at 11 hospitals across India. Healthy adults aged 18–55 years who were deemed healthy by the investigator were eligible. Individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and/or serology tests were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either one of three vaccine formulations (3 μg with Algel-IMDG, 6 μg with Algel-IMDG, or 6 μg with Algel) or an Algel only control vaccine group. Block randomisation was done with a web response platform. Participants and investigators were masked to treatment group allocation. Two intramuscular doses of vaccines were administered on day 0 (the day of randomisation) and day 14. Primary outcomes were solicited local and systemic reactogenicity events at 2 h and 7 days after vaccination and throughout the full study duration, including serious adverse events. Secondary outcome was seroconversion (at least four-fold increase from baseline) based on wild-type virus neutralisation. Cell-mediated responses were evaluated by intracellular staining and ELISpot. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04471519).
Between July 13 and 30, 2020, 827 participants were screened, of whom 375 were enrolled. Among the enrolled participants, 100 each were randomly assigned to the three vaccine groups, and 75 were randomly assigned to the control group (Algel only). After both doses, solicited local and systemic adverse reactions were reported by 17 (17%; 95% CI 10·5–26·1) participants in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group, 21 (21%; 13·8–30·5) in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group, 14 (14%; 8·1–22·7) in the 6 μg with Algel group, and ten (10%; 6·9–23·6) in the Algel-only group. The most common solicited adverse events were injection site pain (17 5% of 375 participants), headache (13 3%), fatigue (11 3%), fever (nine 2%), and nausea or vomiting (seven 2%). All solicited adverse events were mild (43 69% of 62) or moderate (19 31%) and were more frequent after the first dose. One serious adverse event of viral pneumonitis was reported in the 6 μg with Algel group, unrelated to the vaccine. Seroconversion rates (%) were 87·9, 91·9, and 82·8 in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG, 6 μg with Algel-IMDG, and 6 μg with Algel groups, respectively. CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were detected in a subset of 16 participants from both Algel-IMDG groups.
BBV152 led to tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses. Both Algel-IMDG formulations were selected for phase 2 immunogenicity trials. Further efficacy trials are warranted.
Bharat Biotech International.
BBV152 is a whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (3 μg or 6 μg) formulated with a toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist molecule (IMDG) adsorbed to alum (Algel). We previously reported findings from ...a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, controlled phase 1 trial on the safety and immunogenicity of three different formulations of BBV152 (3 μg with Algel-IMDG, 6 μg with Algel-IMDG, or 6 μg with Algel) and one Algel-only control (no antigen), with the first dose administered on day 0 and the second dose on day 14. The 3 μg and 6 μg with Algel-IMDG formulations were selected for this phase 2 study. Herein, we report interim findings of the phase 2 trial on the immunogenicity and safety of BBV152, with the first dose administered on day 0 and the second dose on day 28.
We did a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of BBV152 in healthy adults and adolescents (aged 12–65 years) at nine hospitals in India. Participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and serology tests were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either 3 μg with Algel-IMDG or 6 μg with Algel-IMDG. Block randomisation was done by use of an interactive web response system. Participants, investigators, study coordinators, study-related personnel, and the sponsor were masked to treatment group allocation. Two intramuscular doses of vaccine were administered on day 0 and day 28. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 wild-type neutralising antibody titres and seroconversion rates (defined as a post-vaccination titre that was at least four-fold higher than the baseline titre) at 4 weeks after the second dose (day 56), measured by use of the plaque-reduction neutralisation test (PRNT50) and the microneutralisation test (MNT50). The primary outcome was assessed in all participants who had received both doses of the vaccine. Cell-mediated responses were a secondary outcome and were assessed by T-helper-1 (Th1)/Th2 profiling at 2 weeks after the second dose (day 42). Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of the vaccine. In addition, we report immunogenicity results from a follow-up blood draw collected from phase 1 trial participants at 3 months after they received the second dose (day 104). This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04471519.
Between Sept 5 and 12, 2020, 921 participants were screened, of whom 380 were enrolled and randomly assigned to the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group (n=190) or 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group (n=190). Geometric mean titres (GMTs; PRNT50) at day 56 were significantly higher in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group (197·0 95% CI 155·6–249·4) than the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group (100·9 74·1–137·4; p=0·0041). Seroconversion based on PRNT50 at day 56 was reported in 171 (92·9% 95% CI 88·2–96·2 of 184 participants in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group and 174 (98·3% 95·1–99·6) of 177 participants in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group. GMTs (MNT50) at day 56 were 92·5 (95% CI 77·7–110·2) in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group and 160·1 (135·8–188·8) in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group. Seroconversion based on MNT50 at day 56 was reported in 162 (88·0% 95% CI 82·4–92·3) of 184 participants in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group and 171 (96·6% 92·8–98·8) of 177 participants in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group. The 3 μg with Algel-IMDG and 6 μg with Algel-IMDG formulations elicited T-cell responses that were biased to a Th1 phenotype at day 42. No significant difference in the proportion of participants who had a solicited local or systemic adverse reaction in the 3 μg with Algel-IMDG group (38 20·0%; 95% CI 14·7–26·5 of 190) and the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group (40 21·1%; 15·5–27·5 of 190) was observed on days 0–7 and days 28–35; no serious adverse events were reported in the study. From the phase 1 trial, 3-month post-second-dose GMTs (MNT50) were 39·9 (95% CI 32·0–49·9) in the 3μg with Algel-IMDG group, 69·5 (53·7–89·9) in the 6 μg with Algel-IMDG group, 53·3 (40·1–71·0) in the 6 μg with Algel group, and 20·7 (14·5–29·5) in the Algel alone group.
In the phase 1 trial, BBV152 induced high neutralising antibody responses that remained elevated in all participants at 3 months after the second vaccination. In the phase 2 trial, BBV152 showed better reactogenicity and safety outcomes, and enhanced humoral and cell-mediated immune responses compared with the phase 1 trial. The 6 μg with Algel-IMDG formulation has been selected for the phase 3 efficacy trial.
Bharat Biotech International.
For the Hindi translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study, examine and apply lean management principles to the curriculum revision and internship placement process in an academic program at an institution of ...higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper consists of two sections. The first section reviews the literature on lean principles, lean tools, nonvalue-added activities and the application of lean methodology to academic settings. The second section presents a case study, where a team of faculty members applied lean principles to the process of curriculum revision and internship placement at an academic institution.
Findings
Lean principles can be successfully applied to curricular revision and the internship placement process. By applying the concepts of value, identification of value stream, removal of wasteful activities to achieve flow and creation of a pull-based system, faculty and program leaders can streamline processes at academic institutions. Furthermore, ongoing data collection helps to foster the culture of continuous improvement and ensure that processes are revisited and adapted to meet the needs of customers.
Practical implications
This paper is of value to faculty members and college administrators interested in applying lean principles to academic processes. Usage of lean methodology may lead to the identification and elimination of waste in curriculum and the field placement process.
Originality/value
This manuscript can provide a structure for the application of lean in academic processes at institutions of higher education.
We report highly hydrogen selective Pd contacted ZnO nanorods based sensor detecting low concentration even at low operating temperature of 50 °C. The sensor performance was investigated for various ...gases such as H
, CH
, H
S and CO
at different operating temperatures from 50 °C to 175 °C for various gas concentrations ranging from 7 ppm to 10,000 ppm (1%). The sensor is highly efficient as it detects hydrogen even at low concentration of ~7 ppm and at operating temperature of 50 °C. The sensor's minimum limit of detection and relative response at 175 °C were found 7 ppm with ~38.7% for H
, 110 ppm with ~6.08% for CH
, 500 ppm with ~10.06% for H
S and 1% with ~11.87% for CO
. Here, Pd exhibits dual characteristics as metal contact and excellent catalyst to hydrogen molecules. The activation energy was calculated for all the gases and found lowest ~3.658 kJ/mol for H
. Low activation energy accelerates desorption reactions and enhances the sensor's performance.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pneumonia, responsible for the recent pandemic, and originated from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The causative agent of the outbreak was ...identified as coronavirus and designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). Few years back, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS- CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were reported to be highly pathogenic and caused severe infections in humans. In the current situation SARS-CoV-2 has become the third highly pathogenic coronavirus that is responsible for the present outbreak in human population. At the time of this review, there were more than 14 007 791 confirmed COVID-19 patients which associated with over 597 105 deaths in more then 216 countries across the globe (as reported by World Health Organization). In this review we have discussed about SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARC-CoV-2, their reservoirs, role of spike proteins and immunogenicity. We have also covered the diagnosis, therapeutics and vaccine status of SARS-CoV-2.
An updated review of emerging cornoaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and potential therapeutic and preventive approaches.
•Tillage permutations modified soil enzymes and microbial biomass N.•Continuous no tillage improved soil quality during rice cultivation.•Most of the extracellular enzymes showed dependence on soil ...temperature and moisture as per PCA.•β-Glucosidase and its relation with other enzymes could indicate impact of tillage permutations.
Extracellular soil enzymes hold a cardinal position in nutrient dynamics by regulating bioavailability of elements, and hence are linked with soil health. The present study aimed to analyze the responses of extracellular enzymes involved in mineralization of carbon (β-d-glucosidase (BG), cellobiohydrolase (CBH), polyphenol oxidase (PPO)), nitrogen (urease (UR), glycine-amino peptidase (GAP)) and phosphorous (alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) under four permutations of conventional tillage and no tillage under rice–wheat system in eastern Indo-gangetic plains during rice cultivation period. The permutations were: tillage before sowing/transplantation of each crop (RCT–WCT), tillage before transplantation of rice and no tillage before sowing of wheat (RCT–WNT), tillage before sowing wheat and no tillage before sowing of rice (RNT–WCT) and no tillage before sowing of each crop (RNT–WNT). Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and activities of BG, CBH, ALP and UR increased with reduction in tillage frequency, becoming the highest under RNT–WNT and the lowest under RCT–WCT. Principal component analyses (PCA) condensed the variables in to two components, apparently described by soil temperature and moisture content under all the tillage permutations. Most of the enzymes and soil properties identified to be associated under PCA followed linear relationships. Under RCT–WCT, CBH, UR and ALP were related with BG. Different orders of residue incorporation and tillage under RCT–WNT, RNT–WCT and RNT–WNT masked these relations. Results indicated that reduction in tillage frequency made the soil healthier. Relationship of BG with other enzymes appeared as a probable indicator to reflect deviations from the conventional cultivation practice in the study region.
Quality education at the age of foundation to produce dynamic manpower is a public concern in developing countries including Nepal. Preschool children do not get proper care and support from their ...parents due to insufficient knowledge of proper feeding habits, nutrition status and methods of psychosocial stimulation, which may affect their proper cognitive development. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence cognitive development in preschool children aged 3-5 years in Rupandehi district of western Terai, Nepal. In this school based cross-sectional survey, a total of 401 preschool children were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. The study was conducted from 4th February to 12th April, 2021 in Rupandehi district of Nepal. Data on the children's socio-economic and demographic status, level of psychosocial stimulation, nutritional status, and stage of cognitive development were collected through scheduled interviews and direct observation. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of cognitive development in preschool children. A p-value less than 0.05 considered as statistical significance. Of 401 participants, 44.1% had a normal nutritional status based on height for age Z-score (HAZ). Only 1.2% of primary caregivers provided their children with high levels of psychosocial stimulation, and 49.1% of children had a medium level of cognitive development. Furthermore, cognitive development in preschoolers is positively associated with nutritional status based on the height for age z score (β = 0.280; p<0.0001), psychological stimulation from caregivers (β = 0.184; p<0.0001), and advantageous castes/ethnicity (β = 0.190; p<0.0001), but negatively associated with the child's age (β = - 0.145; p = 0.002) and family type (β = -0.157; p = 0.001). Nutritional status and psychosocial stimulation appear to be major factors affecting cognitive development of preschoolers. Nutritional promotion strategies, as well as techniques for optimal psychosocial stimulation behavior, may play an important role in enhancing preschoolers' cognitive development.
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