Multiple case study of the supplier selection decision process

The complex and important problem of the supplier selection has been modelled with the involvement and integration of different multiple criteria decision techniques. Nevertheless, there is little empirical evidence of the relevance of such approaches to the procurement practice. In order to overcome the relevance gap it is imperative to analyze the practical decision process in the procurement function. With this aim an exploratory multiple case study was undertaken, based on semi-structured interviews with senior procurement managers of eight Portuguese enterprises, and triangulation with previous research. The results suggest that supplier selection decisions tend to be based on the non-compensatory decision strategy (conjunctive decision rule) in the pre-selection stage, followed by the price bidding and qualitative analysis in the stage of final choice.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Technologia within the Project Scope: PEst-OE/EEI/UI0319/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of multiple criteria decision analysis approaches in the supplier selection process: a case study

Supplier evaluation and selection is recognized as a multiple criteria problem. Having considerable economic impact and influencing a competitive position of a buyer, supplier selection has been modelled by different multiple criteria decision analysis approaches. This case study focuses on the reported "relevance gap" between theoretical approaches to the supplier selection problem and practice. The research was conducted in a textile group, addressing a typical buying situation of a main raw material. The decision process was structured with weighted score, AHP and goal programming models. Three models elaborated have led to the very similar output, recognized as realistic and consistent by the decision makers. Acquired skills of multiple criteria decision analysis were considered as beneficial for supplier selection decisions.This work has been supported by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia in the scope of the PEst-UID/CEC/00319/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Arvutimängude mängimine Narva gümnaasiumide õpilaste hinnangul ja selle seosed impulsiivsusega

http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b2611471~S1*es

Supplier pre-qualification method for the Portuguese construction industry

The construction process is so dependent on supply chain partners that selecting the best ones has an impact on its performance. The literature on supplier selection in the construction industry is little explored and its proposals are complex using techniques that industry managers are unfamiliar. This work's purpose was to study a construction organization's needs and, thus, develop a method of supplier qualification, capable of matching best practices while responding to the company's specific needs, according to its context. Thereby, a case study was used in the metal construction industry. The paper describes the development of a simple and fast supply chain partner pre-qualification method, which corresponds to a questionnaire, an automatic assessment, and a classification method. The study' main conclusions are the managers' lack of familiarity with analysis and improvement techniques, the difficulty of defining “quality” in this industry and the need for further studies in this area.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020

Exclusive breastfeeding: does the presence of a partner have a positive impact on its duration? cohort study

Abstract Objectives: to identify whether the presence of a partner is a protective factor for a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of women living in João Pessoa and assisted by the Public Health System. Methods: cohort with pregnant women recruited from health services and followed up at their homes. Socioeconomic and demographic information, information on prenatal care, childbirth, puerperium care and baby nutrition were collected. Median EBF was calculated by survival analysis, Kaplan-Meyer, with log-rank test for group comparison. The independent EBF factors were estimated with multiple Cox regression. A 5% significance level was considered. Results: 162 women and their children were assessed. The median EBF was 120 days. Until the first four months of postpartum, women with a partner had longer EBF (p=0.002). In the final model, “having received prenatal guidance” (HR= 1.67; 95%CI= 1.05 - 2.65), “not having difficulty in breastfeeding after hospital discharge” (HR= 1. 58; 95%CI= 1.03 - 2.42) and “not using a pacifier” (HR= 1.64; 95%CI= 1.07 - 2.53) favored longer EBF duration. Conclusion: encouraging partner’s support for longer periods may be a viable strategy for improving EBF. Promotional actions and not offering pacifiers are important for a longer duration of EBF, and support and management in the puerperium period needs to be strengthened

Ribosoomi valkude eL19 ja eL24 funktsioonid pagaripärmi ribosoomis

Väitekirja elektrooniline versioon ei sisalda publikatsiooneValkude biosüntees on kõige enam energiat tarbiv protsess rakus. Seetõttu on loogiline, et häired selles protsessis mõjutavad raku füsioloogiat negatiivselt ja põhjustavad mitmesuguseid haigusi. Valke sünteesivad suured makromolekulaarsed kompleksid – ribosoomid. Kuigi nende ülesehituse ja toimimise põhimõtteid on kaua uuritud, on paljud ribosoomidega seotud aspektid veel ebaselged. Struktuuriuuringud näitavad, et ribosoomid koosnevad kõikides eluslooduse domeenides (Bacteria, Archaea ja Eukarya) RNA-st ja valkudest, mis moodustavad väikese ja suure ribosomaalse alaühiku. Eukarüoodi ribosoomi iseloomustab ulatuslik valkude vaheliste interaktsioonide võrgustik. Selle oluline osa on kontaktid ribosomaalsete alaühikute vahel: sillad, mis tagavad alaühikute liikumise valgusünteesi käigus ning seega kindlustavad ribosoomi optimaalse funktsioneerimise. Käesoleva uurimistöö raames uuriti kahte interaktsioonide võrgustikku kuuluvat ribosomaalset valku - eL19 ja eL24. Mõlemad valgud koosnevad kolmest struktuursest domeenist, mida saab jagada esiteks arhe- ja eukarüoodispetsiifilisteks ning teiseks eukarüoodispetsiifilisteks. Valkude eL19 ja eL24 mutatsioonianalüüsil selgus, et nende arhele ja eukarüoodile eriomased domeenid tagavad suure ribosomaalse alaühiku struktuuri korrektse moodustamise. Eukarüoodile eriomased domeenid ulatuvad suurest alaühikust kaugele ja osalevad alaühikutevaheliste sildade eB12 ja eB13 moodustamisel. Käesolevas töös näidatakse esmakordselt, et need sillad toetavad efektiivset valgusünteesi, stabiliseerides ribosomaalsete alaühikute koospüsimist. Kokkuvõtteks saab järeldada, et valkude eL19 ja eL24 funktsioonid on jagatud nende struktuursete domeenide vahel. Saadud tulemused laiendavad meie teadmisi sellest, kuidas ribosoomi ülesehitus on seotud tema funktsiooniga.Protein biosynthesis is known to be the dominant energy consuming process in cells. It is no wonder that alterations in this process disturb cell physiology and lead to a variety of diseases. Proteins are exclusively synthesized by large macromolecular complexes called ribosomes. Ribosome structure and mechanism of their function have been extensively studied, but many aspects of the ribosomal machinery are still obscure. Structural studies demonstrate that in all domains of life (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya) ribosomes consist of RNAs and proteins that are organized into a small and a large ribosomal subunit. Structure of the eukaryotic ribosome is distinctive by a comprehensive neuron-like network of interactions between ribosomal proteins. An important part of this network is assigned to contacts between ribosomal subunit – intersubunit bridges that guide movements of subunits during protein synthesis. Two ribosomal proteins, eL19 and eL24, are in the focus of the present study. Both proteins consist of three structural domains that can be divided into archaea/eukaryote-specific and eukaryote-specific domains. Mutational analysis of eL19 and eL24 revealed that archaea/eukaryote-specific domains ensure formation of the proper structure of the large ribosomal subunit. The eukaryote-specific domains of eL19 and eL24 extend far from the large ribosomal subunit and form intersubunit bridges eB12 and eB13, respectively. The data show for the first time that eukaryote-specific bridges eB12 and eB13 support protein synthesis by stabilizing the association of ribosomal subunits. The current thesis demonstrates that archaea/eukaryote-specific and eukaryote-specific domains of proteins eL19 and eL24 bear distinctive functions. Altogether, a link between structural organization and functionality of the eukaryotic ribosomes is uncovered in this studyhttps://www.ester.ee/record=b524477