bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A robust MCDM approach for ERP system selection under uncertain environment based on worst case scenario
Authors: Temur Gül Tekin , Bolat Bersam 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
ERP selection is a multi-faceted process and needs to be successful in dealing with high uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach, titled as cloud-based design optimization (CBDO), for ERP selection problem to handle high uncertainty with a computationally effective way.

Design/methodology/approach
CBDO has been utilized as an alternative method to fuzzy set theory and stochastic programming, and proposes robust findings for worst case scenario. In order to assess the proposed methodology, a numerical study is conducted by taking into account existing state-of-the-art study on the ERP selection problem for the small medium enterprises. The outputs of the existing state-of-the-art study are assumed as uncertain and varying across time as it is expected in real life; therefore, different scenarios are created in order to reveal the effect of uncertainty on decisions.

Findings
In the methodology, the results given under uncertain conditions are compared with the results obtained under stable conditions. It is clearly seen that ERP system selection problem area has high sensitivity to the uncertain environment, and decision makers should not undervalue the unsteadiness of criteria during the ERP system selection process, especially within volatile economies.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the relevant literature by utilizing CBDO as a MCDM tool in the selection of the ERP software as a first time, and validating the impact of unsteadiness on the ERP selection procedure. It is the first CBDO-based study that validates the effect of distributional differences on uncertainties in the ERP selection processes.
Rwanda’s innovation challenges and policies – lessons for Africa
Authors: Aubert Jean-Eric 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline the S&T and innovation policy challenges that Rwanda is experiencing in building a knowledge-based economy and draw some more general lessons for African countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach is based on methodological framework of country reviews used by international organizations in the field of science, technology and innovation policies.

Findings
The paper presents government policies that have been decisive for the good performance of the country in rebuilding its economy and society since the genocide (1994). It highlights the policy measures that have been taken in the fields of education, information and communication technologies, industry, science and so on with a view to put the country on a knowledge-driven development process. It pinpoints the need for more proactive policies to stimulate the diffusion of new technologies and innovation throughout the economy and the different sectors, including agriculture which employs still 80 percent of the population.

Research limitations/implications
The paper is based on a short field mission (conducted for an international organization) and the collection of published data, in focusing on important messages that should be given to the government, without an in-depth empirical and detailed research.

Practical implications
The paper is a kind of summary of a 80-page report to be published in the course of 2017. It is expected that the analysis will be clear enough to stimulate appropriate action by the Government of Rwanda.

Social implications
There is no direct social implications, but one may expect that the ideas if adopted by the government will help improving the living conditions in the country.

Originality/value
Such country reviews performed by international organizations are unique. They provide key insights on the innovation climate and policy of the nation that is studied, while they offer useful perspectives for countries at similar level of development.
Between Tribute and Unequal Treaties: How China Saw the Sea World in the Early Nineteenth Century
Authors: WANG DONG 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis article attempts to analyse the Chinese ideology and practice in the sea world from the perspective of the Jiaqing emperor (r. 1796–1820), whose 25‐year reign ushered in modern China in historiography.1 Since the seventeenth century, the Manchu Chinese rulers and civil and military officials had increasingly acknowledged that China was inferior to European naval powers, while at the same time holding fast to their claim to universal greatness as expressed in the tribute system. It took the collusion of all sides involved – including the complicity of foreign powers – to sustain this dual ideology and practice. Qing China did not bear sole responsibility. Contrary to prevailing scholarly interpretations, such duality did not result in abject defeat for China, or total victory for western countries as embodied in the unequal treaties later on, but rather bestowed a measure of success on all parties.
Reproductive performance of cows after fixed‐time artificial insemination with ovulation synchronisation and re‐synchrony in southern Australian dairy herds
Authors: Izzo MM , Humphris M , Pryor L , Perry A , Morton JM 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo describe reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows after fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) with ovulation synchronisation and re‐synchrony in Australian dairy herds, and to compare reproductive outcomes with those of conventional mating programs.MethodsThe study was conducted in two seasonally calving dairy herds in which lactating dairy cows (n = 675) were enrolled into three treatment groups: group 1, oestrus detection and AI for 34 days followed by a natural service period; group 2, FTAI on day 1 followed by re‐synchrony of all cows prior to ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis at day 31 and FTAI of cows diagnosed not pregnant at day 34, then a natural service period; group 3, FTAI on day 1 followed by oestrus detection and AI for 34 days, then a natural service period. First‐service conception rate (FSCR), 6‐week in‐calf (6WIC) rate and proportions pregnant at the end of mating were compared using logistic regression with farm fitted as a fixed effect. Times from mating start date to conception were described using survival analysis with Kaplan‐Meier failure functions.ResultsFSCRs (45.3%, 49.1% and 45.6% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and proportions pregnant at the end of mating (77.6%, 76.0% and 76.8% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) were similar for all groups. The 6WIC rate in group 2 was similar to that in group 3 (70.4% vs. 67.2%; P = 0.486), but tended to be higher than in group 1 (70.4% vs. 62.0%, P = 0.066). The median days to pregnancy for cows that conceived was 1 day in groups 2 and 3 and 10 days in group 1.ConclusionMating plans that use FTAI with ovulation synchronisation and re‐synchrony during the AI period can achieve comparable reproductive performance to conventional mating programs in seasonally calving dairy herds.
A survey of northern Victorian dairy farmers to investigate dairy calf management: colostrum feeding and management
Authors: Phipps AJ , Beggs DS , Murray AJ , Mansell PD , Pyman MF 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo describe colostrum management practices carried out in northern Victorian dairy herds and to identify weaknesses in these areas that may affect calf health and welfare by comparing the results with the current industry recommendationsMethodsA questionnaire to obtain information about colostrum management and calf‐rearing practices was sent to commercial dairy farming clients of Rochester Veterinary Practice between June and September 2013. The questionnaire consisted of a general herd overview and colostrum harvesting practices.ResultsThe response rate was 39% (58/150). Many dairy producers were not meeting the current industry recommendations in the following areas: (1) time of removal calf from the dam, (2) relying on calf suckling colostrum from the dam to achieve adequate passive transfer, (3) failing to supplement calves with colostrum, (4) feeding inadequate volumes of colostrum, (5) delayed colostrum harvesting, (6) pooling of colostrum, (7) failing to objectively assess colostrum quality or relying on visual assessment and (8) storing colostrum for a prolonged periods of time at ambient temperatures.ConclusionThe results from this survey highlight the need for greater awareness of industry standards for colostrum management and feeding hygiene.
A survey of northern Victorian dairy farmers to investigate dairy calf management: calf‐rearing practices
Authors: Phipps AJ , Beggs DS , Murray AJ , Mansell PD , Pyman MF 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo describe the calf‐rearing practices carried out in northern Victorian dairy herds and to identify weaknesses that may affect calf health and welfare by comparing the results with current industry recommendations.MethodsSurvey of dairy farms from Rochester and the surrounding farming area.ResultsThe response rate was 39% (58/150). Many dairy producers were not meeting the current industry recommendations in the following areas: (1) delayed access to pellets and roughage, (2) failing to provide access to water from birth, (3) delayed disbudding of calves, (4) delayed timing of booster vaccinations, (5) weaning based on age alone, (6) failing to isolate sick calves and (7) early sale age of excess calves.ConclusionThe results from this survey highlight the need for greater awareness of industry standards for calf husbandry and weaning.
Zebrafish as a useful model for immunological research with potential applications in aquaculture
Authors: Lee‐Estevez Manuel , Figueroa Elías , Cosson Jacky , Short Stefanía E. , Valdebenito Ivan , Ulloa‐Rodríguez Patricio , Farías Jorge G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) is a Teleost fish, which offers several practical advantages concerning manipulation, maintenance and versatility as well as short life cycle, low cost and physiological similarity with most farmed species. Zebrafish have been used as model for several aquaculture‐relevant infectious agents, since the cost of infections to aquaculture can be great, making failure of immunity a major risk for commercial fish farming. This have allowed scientist to understand pathogens biology as well as fish immune response against infection, and thus have helped to improve disease control in aquaculture. This review summarizes the recent reports and main knowledge concerning the cellular and molecular aspects of the immune response in zebrafish and its potential applications in the fish farming industry. Several research results in zebrafish and other teleosts reveal that mucosal tissues have a strong and well‐structured immune response involving both innate and adaptive components. Together with the advantages of low maintenance cost, easy handling and genetic tools available, zebrafish comes up as a useful and reliable animal model for in vivo study of fish immune response and mechanisms as well as fish‐affecting infectious and inflammatory diseases which are a cause of concern for the aquaculture industry. Also, vaccines development, drugs screening and immunologically focused fish food assessment seem to be promising fields where zebrafish model can be used to generate positive impacts to the aquaculture practice.
How to diagnose renal artery stenosis correctly using ultrasound? Evaluation of results of renal arteries duplex ultrasonography examinations
Authors: Zhu Rong , Xu Zhonghui , QI Zhenhong , YE We , Wang Jian , Kong Jing , Jin Jin , Li Jianchu 
Published: April 2018

Aim: Renal artery duplex ultrasonography (RDU) is an effective and non-invasive screening test in diagnosing renal artery stenosis. The discordance of results in multiple RDU is common. We aim to evaluate the discordance and the reasons for discordance between diagnoses and measurements from multiple RDU examinations.Material and method: A retrospective study was performed in 64 examinations of renal arteries from 32 patients that were referred for two or more RDU examinations and renal artery digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within six months, between August 2013 and January 2016. Using DSA as gold standard, we divided the renal arteries into three groups: discordant (one diagnosis of RDU was correct and one was wrong), misdiagnosed (neither RDU diagnosis was correct) and correct (both RDU diagnoses were correct) groups.We evaluated the discordance and reasons for discordance of diagnoses and measurements from multiple RDU examinations. Results: Among 64 renal arteries included in this study, 37 renal arteries had two correct diagnoses, 19 renal arteries had two discordant diagnoses, and eight renal arteries were misdiagnosed twice by RDU. The discordance of peak systolic velocity (PSV), the ratio between PSV in the renal artery with stenosis and PSV in the aorta (RAR), and tardus-parvus waveform measurements were clearly higher in the discordant diagnoses group than in the correctly diagnosed group. The most common reason for a discordant diagnosis was failure in obtaining correct tardus-parvus waveforms of the interlobar artery (26.31%). Themost common reason for misdiagnosis was the presence of an extremely severe stenosis with an atrophic kidney (31.25%). Overall, 87.50% of patients underwent RDU examinations had correct diagnoses of stenosis or occlusion at least once (including location and degree), as confirmed by DSA.Conclusions: Our study indicates that standard operating procedures and improvements in examination technique by ultrasound doctors could reduce the discordance between multiple tests.
The Protease ClpXP and the PAS Domain Protein DivL Regulate CtrA and Gene Transfer Agent Production in Rhodobacter capsulatus
Authors: Westbye Alexander B. , Kater Lukas , Wiesmann Christina , Ding Hao , Yip Calvin K. , Beatty J. Thomas 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Several members of the
Rhodobacterales
(
Alphaproteobacteria
) produce a conserved horizontal gene transfer vector, called the gene transfer agent (GTA), that appears to have evolved from a bacteriophage. The model system used to study GTA biology is the
Rhodobacter capsulatus
GTA (RcGTA), a small, tailed bacteriophage-like particle produced by a subset of the cells in a culture. The response regulator CtrA is conserved in the
Alphaproteobacteria
and is an essential regulator of RcGTA production: it controls the production and maturation of the RcGTA particle and RcGTA release from cells. CtrA also controls the natural transformation-like system required for cells to receive RcGTA-donated DNA. Here, we report that dysregulation of the CckA-ChpT-CtrA phosphorelay either by the loss of the PAS domain protein DivL or by substitution of the autophosphorylation residue of the hybrid histidine kinase CckA decreased CtrA phosphorylation and greatly increased RcGTA protein production in
R. capsulatus
. We show that the loss of the ClpXP protease or the three C-terminal residues of CtrA results in increased CtrA levels in
R. capsulatus
and identify ClpX(P) to be essential for the maturation of RcGTA particles. Furthermore, we show that CtrA phosphorylation is important for head spike production. Our results provide novel insight into the regulation of CtrA and GTAs in the
Rhodobacterales
.

IMPORTANCE
Members of the
Rhodobacterales
are abundant in ocean and freshwater environments. The conserved GTA produced by many
Rhodobacterales
may have an important role in horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in aquatic environments and provide a significant contribution to their adaptation. GTA production is controlled by bacterial regulatory systems, including the conserved CckA-ChpT-CtrA phosphorelay; however, several questions about GTA regulation remain. Our identification that a short DivL homologue and ClpXP regulate CtrA in
R. capsulatus
extends the model of CtrA regulation from
Caulobacter crescentus
to a member of the
Rhodobacterales
. We found that the magnitude of RcGTA production greatly depends on DivL and CckA kinase activity, adding yet another layer of regulatory complexity to RcGTA. RcGTA is known to undergo CckA-dependent maturation, and we extend the understanding of this process by showing that the ClpX chaperone is required for formation of tailed, DNA-containing particles.
Borrelia burgdorferi SpoVG DNA- and RNA-Binding Protein Modulates the Physiology of the Lyme Disease Spirochete
Authors: Savage Christina R. , Jutras Brandon L. , Bestor Aaron , Tilly Kit , Rosa Patricia A. , Tourand Yvonne , Stewart Philip E. , Brissette Catherine A. , Stevenson Brian 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

The SpoVG protein of
Borrelia burgdorferi
, the Lyme disease spirochete, binds to specific sites of DNA and RNA. The bacterium regulates transcription of
spoVG
during the natural tick-mammal infectious cycle and in response to some changes in culture conditions. Bacterial levels of
spoVG
mRNA and SpoVG protein did not necessarily correlate, suggesting that posttranscriptional mechanisms also control protein levels. Consistent with this, SpoVG binds to its own mRNA, adjacent to the ribosome-binding site. SpoVG also binds to two DNA sites in the
glpFKD
operon and to two RNA sites in
glpFKD
mRNA; that operon encodes genes necessary for glycerol catabolism and is important for colonization in ticks. In addition, spirochetes engineered to dysregulate
spoVG
exhibited physiological alterations.

IMPORTANCE
B. burgdorferi
persists in nature by cycling between ticks and vertebrates. Little is known about how the bacterium senses and adapts to each niche of the cycle. The present studies indicate that
B. burgdorferi
controls production of SpoVG and that this protein binds to specific sites of DNA and RNA in the genome and transcriptome, respectively. Altered expression of
spoVG
exerts effects on bacterial replication and other aspects of the spirochete's physiology.
Clinical prediction rules for abusive head trauma: a systematic review
Authors: Pfeiffer Helena , Crowe Louise , Kemp Alison Mary , Cowley Laura Elizabeth , Smith Anne S , Babl Franz E 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveMisdiagnosis of abusive head trauma (AHT) has serious consequences for children and families. This systematic review identifies and compares clinical prediction rules (CPredRs) assisting clinicians in assessing suspected AHT.DesignWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and Cochrane databases (January 1996 to August 2016). Externally validated CPredRs focusing on the detection of AHT in the clinical setting were included.ResultsOf 110 potential articles identified, three studies met the inclusion criteria: the Pediatric Brain Injury Research Network (PediBIRN) 4-Variable AHT CPredR, the Predicting Abusive Head Trauma (PredAHT) tool and the Pittsburgh Infant Brain Injury Score (PIBIS). The CPredRs were designed for different populations and purposes: PediBIRN: intensive care unit admissions (<3 years) with head injury, to inform early decisions to launch or forego an evaluation for abuse (sensitivity 0.96); PredAHT: hospital admissions (<3 years) with intracranial injury, to assist clinicians in discussions with child abuse specialists (sensitivity 0.72); and PIBIS: well-appearing children (<1 year) in the emergency department with no history of trauma, temperature <38.3°C, and ≥1 symptom associated with high risk of AHT, to determine the need for a head CT scan (sensitivity 0.93). There was little overlap between the predictive variables.ConclusionThree CPredRs for AHT were relevant at different stages in the diagnostic process. None of the CPredRs aimed to diagnose AHT but to act as aids/prompts to clinicians to seek further clinical, social or forensic information. None were widely validated in multiple settings. To assess safety and effectiveness in clinical practice, impact analyses are required and recommended.
Current detection rates and time-to-detection of all identifiable BRCA carriers in the Greater London population
Authors: Manchanda Ranjit , Blyuss Oleg , Gaba Faiza , Gordeev Vladimir Sergeevich , Jacobs Chris , Burnell Matthew , Gan Carmen , Taylor Rohan , Turnbull Clare , Legood Rosa , Zaikin Alexey , Antoniou Antonis C , Menon Usha , Jacobs Ian 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundBRCA carrier identification offers opportunities for early diagnoses, targeted treatment and cancer prevention. We evaluate BRCA- carrier detection rates in general and Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) populations across Greater London and estimate time-to-detection of all identifiable BRCA carriers.MethodsBRCA carrier data from 1993 to 2014 were obtained from National Health Service genetic laboratories and compared with modelled predictions of BRCA prevalence from published literature and geographical data from UK Office for National Statistics. Proportion of BRCA carriers identified was estimated. Prediction models were developed to fit BRCA detection rate data. BRCA carrier identification rates were evaluated for an ‘Angelina Jolie effect’. Maps for four Greater London regions were constructed, and their relative BRCA detection rates were compared. Models developed were used to predict future time-to-identify all detectable BRCA carriers in AJ and general populations.ResultsUntil 2014, only 2.6% (3072/111 742 estimated) general population and 10.9% (548/4985 estimated) AJ population BRCA carriers have been identified in 16 696 608 (AJ=190 997) Greater London population. 57% general population and 54% AJ mutations were identified through cascade testing. Current detection rates mirror linear fit rather than parabolic model and will not identify all BRCA carriers. Addition of unselected ovarian/triple-negative breast cancer testing would take >250 years to identify all BRCA carriers. Doubling current detection rates can identify all ‘detectable’ BRCA carriers in the general population by year 2181, while parabolic and triple linear rates can identify ‘detectable’ BRCA carriers by 2084 and 2093, respectively. The linear fit model can identify ‘detectable’ AJ carriers by 2044. We did not find an Angelina Jolie effect on BRCA carrier detection rates. There was a significant difference in BRCA detection rates between geographical regions over time (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe majority of BRCA carriers have not been identified, missing key opportunities for prevention/earlier diagnosis. Enhanced and new strategies/approaches are needed.