How to apply academic supply chain management: The case of an international university

Supply chain management concepts and models are not just confined to improving business operations in the manufacturing sector. They can also be developed and applied in the service industry by focusing on the service based supply chain. This paper will explore the application of academic supply chain management at an educational institution namely, RMIT University Vietnam. This paper will first identify the upstream and downstream activities at RMIT University Vietnam with reference to the ITESCM (Integrated Tertiary Educational Supply Chain Management) model developed by Habib and Jungthirapanich (2008). It will then do a thorough analysis of the internal and external environment. Finally, based on the analysis, this paper will apply the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model developed by the Supply-Chain Council to build a robust supply chain relationship for RMIT Vietnam

cMRI-BED: A novel informatics framework for cardiac MRI biomarker extraction and discovery applied to pediatric cardiomyopathy classification

Background\ud Pediatric cardiomyopathies are a rare, yet heterogeneous group of pathologies of the myocardium that are routinely examined clinically using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cMRI). This gold standard powerful non-invasive tool yields high resolution temporal images that characterize myocardial tissue. The complexities associated with the annotation of images and extraction of markers, necessitate the development of efficient workflows to acquire, manage and transform this data into actionable knowledge for patient care to reduce mortality and morbidity.\ud \ud Methods\ud We develop and test a novel informatics framework called cMRI-BED for biomarker extraction and discovery from such complex pediatric cMRI data that includes the use of a suite of tools for image processing, marker extraction and predictive modeling. We applied our workflow to obtain and analyze a dataset of 83 de-identified cases and controls containing cMRI-derived biomarkers for classifying positive versus negative findings of cardiomyopathy in children. Bayesian rule learning (BRL) methods were applied to derive understandable models in the form of propositional rules with posterior probabilities pertaining to their validity. Popular machine learning methods in the WEKA data mining toolkit were applied using default parameters to assess cross-validation performance of this dataset using accuracy and percentage area under ROC curve (AUC) measures.\ud \ud Results\ud The best 10-fold cross validation predictive performance obtained on this cMRI-derived biomarker dataset was 80.72% accuracy and 79.6% AUC by a BRL decision tree model, which is promising from this type of rare data. Moreover, we were able to verify that mycocardial delayed enhancement (MDE) status, which is known to be an important qualitative factor in the classification of cardiomyopathies, is picked up by our rule models as an important variable for prediction.\ud \ud Conclusions\ud Preliminary results show the feasibility of our framework for processing such data while also yielding actionable predictive classification rules that can augment knowledge conveyed in cardiac radiology outcome reports. Interactions between MDE status and other cMRI parameters that are depicted in our rules warrant further investigation and validation. Predictive rules learned from cMRI data to classify positive and negative findings of cardiomyopathy can enhance scientific understanding of the underlying interactions among imaging-derived parameters

Ultrastructure of egg membrane of rohu (Labeo rohita)

The fine structure of the egg envelope and micropyle of unfertilised spawned eggs of rohu (Labeo rohita) was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The outer surface showed regularly arranged pores (dia. 0.20 - 0.25 μm) but was devoid of any filaments, fibrils or wrinkles. The micropyle was funnel shaped which exibited an outer pit (10 μm dia.) narrowing into a distinct canal (4.5 μm dia.). The larger diameter of the micropylar canal in comparison with the sperm head size of rohu and some other cyprinids make intergeneric and interspecific hybridisation easy in rohu

Fine structural changes of Rohu (Labeo rohita) sperm after dilution with cryoprotectants

Spermatozoa of rohu (Labeo rohita) were diluted in two cryodiluents and fine structural changes were investigated. Damages were observed in head, mid-piece and tail of about 51% spermatozoa immediately after dilution in one of the cryodiluents. After 10 minutes of equilibration period, the frequency of damaged sperms increased to 85%. The other diluent did not exhibit signif~cant structural changes unlike the former one and nearly 60% sperms remained visibly intact even after 10 minutes of equilibration time. The present investigation points out (1) diluents inhibiting sperm motility alone need not always be ideal for a species and (2) usefulness of ultrastructural images of fish sperms in determining the fertilizing ability of milt and in preliminary screening and selection of cryodiluents for deepfreezing programmes

Jallikattu – beyond a heroism sport for SKCRF

Learning outcomes The learning objectives have been prepared in accordance with the Blooms Taxonomy (Engelhart et al., 1984). After completion of this case, students would be able to examine and expand the concept of institutions (i.e. a sport as an institution in this case) and understand how important it is to incorporate them in the policy level decision-making (Knowledge); understand a different form of the social institution (i.e. Jallikattu) and capture its relevance for all the involved stakeholders by taking into consideration the challenges that could stem from their interplay (Application); analyze the interests of various stakeholders and their concerns that add to the complexity of a socially relevant issue (Analysis); and integrate the developments of an event (i.e. Jallikattu) over its timeline and develop an action plan for being prepared or for resolving such exigencies, especially for public policy decision making (Synthesis). Case overview/synopsis The case is centred on Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation whose primary aim is conservation and breeding of native breeds of cattle. The protagonist of the case, Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, managing trustee of this foundation, has invested significant efforts to create awareness on the importance of Jallikattu. Jallikattu is an ancient Indian sport played in the rural regions of Tamil Nadu state in India and has been in existence for over 5,000 years. This issue has come into limelight due to its initial ban by the Supreme Court of India in 2014 and its subsequent stay on the ban in 2016. While there are several arguments surrounding this controversy, the arguments can be broadly classified under those who support the ban (i.e. oppose Jallikattu) and those who oppose the ban (i.e. support Jallikattu). Due to the involvement of various stakeholders (government supreme court, animal welfare boards and breed saviour groups) with conflicting objectives, the dynamics of decision-making to settle this issue became very complicated, confusing and time-consuming for Karthikeya. By using the lens of institutions and stakeholder theory, the authors explain the issue around Jallikattu in this teaching note. Teaching note also documents the unfolding of events that happened after 12 January 2017 which succeeded in lifting the ban on Jallikattu. Complexity academic level The case is written for undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing business programmes and for senior management professionals participating in the executive education programmes. The case is suitable for those who are expected to work in an environment where there is a multitude of complex, formal as well as informal institutions. This case can be used to teach the concepts of institutions, the dynamics involved and to give the flavour of the interactions between these different institutions in solving a social issue. It will fit well into courses on strategic management, social movement and institutional theory. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and Finance. </jats:sec

Esterases in Indian major carps - 'Rohu' (Labeo rohita) and 'Mrigal' (Cirrhinus mrigala) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

Soluble esterases of rohu and mrigal were characterised by electrophoresis using different substrates and inhibitors. Four separable regions of esterolytic activity were observed in liver, brain and white muscle extracts of rohu and in three regions in mrigal, with liver of both species exhibiting maximum number of bands. Species-specific differences were observed in some of the regions. Striking substrate-specific reactions were not observed but based on sensitivity to inhibitors, the liver esterases of both species were classified into aryl, carboxyl, choline, ER and Esdp esterases