Innovative Criteria Research Articles

Green Computing Innovation Index Measurement Using Fuzzy Inference System for Young Inventors

Green Computing Innovation (GCI) aims to address the negative effects of traditional computing on the environment and promote sustainable practices in computing. Subsequently, the Green Computing Innovation Index (GCII) was used to measure young inventors' inventiveness to evaluate from green computing perspectives. Nonetheless, one of the most significant challenges evaluators face in the measurement process includes uncertainty and imprecise data in measuring the young inventors' green computing innovation. Thus, this paper measures the Green Computing Innovation Index (GCII) with a novel approach utilizing Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) with the Mamdani method. The study measures the top 10 young inventors' innovations from the Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technology, UPSI. Fuzzy Inference System will assist in providing improved decision-making solutions for evaluators to prevent any uncertainty and subjectivity during the evaluation process. The development of FIS is based on four key innovation elements. It uses a triangular membership function with Centroid, Middle of Maximum (MOM), Smallest of Maximum (SOM), Bisector and Largest of Maximum (LOM) methods for defuzzification. The centroid defuzzification method is observed to perform better than other defuzzification methods. It is due to the fact that the adopted defuzzification approach is equally sensitive to all key innovation criteria inputs and can truly represent the minor change in the values of any parameters across all products. The centroid method was found to be the most efficient for decision-making, providing precise results with the ability to detect discrepancies as small as 0.001. Thus, the centroid method can improve decision-making efficiency, leading to fairness in selecting the best green computing innovation product. Ultimately, GCII rating contribute mainly on encouraging young inventors to innovate and promote sustainable practices in innovations.

Oscillatory behavior of second‐order nonlinear delay dynamic equations with multiple sublinear neutral terms utilizing canonical transformation

This paper aims to present innovative criteria for characterizing the oscillatory behavior of second‐order nonlinear delay dynamics expressed in noncanonical form with sublinear neutral terms. We achieve this by converting the noncanonical equation into an equivalent canonical form. The practical examples presented throughout this paper illustrate the significance of our findings and contribute to enhancing, generalizing, and augmenting the existing literature on this subject.

Development of novel antimicrobials with engineered endolysin LysECD7-SMAP to combat Gram-negative bacterial infections

BackgroundAmong the non-traditional antibacterial agents in development, only a few targets critical Gram-negative bacteria such as carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii or cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Endolysins and their genetically modified versions meet the World Health Organization criteria for innovation, have a novel mode of antibacterial action, no known bacterial cross-resistance, and are being intensively studied for application against Gram-negative pathogens.MethodsThe study presents a multidisciplinary approach, including genetic engineering of LysECD7-SMAP and production of recombinant endolysin, its analysis by crystal structure solution following molecular dynamics simulations and evaluation of antibacterial properties. Two types of antimicrobial dosage forms were formulated, resulting in lyophilized powder for injection and hydroxyethylcellulose gel for topical administration. Their efficacy was estimated in the treatment of sepsis, and pneumonia models in BALB/c mice, diabetes-associated wound infection in the leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice and infected burn wounds in rats.ResultsIn this work, we investigate the application strategies of the engineered endolysin LysECD7-SMAP and its dosage forms evaluated in preclinical studies. The catalytic domain of the enzyme shares the conserved structure of endopeptidases containing a putative antimicrobial peptide at the C-terminus of polypeptide chain. The activity of endolysins has been demonstrated against a range of pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Achromobacter spp, Burkholderia cepacia complex and Haemophylus influenzae, including those with multidrug resistance. The efficacy of candidate dosage forms has been confirmed in in vivo studies. Some aspects of the interaction of LysECD7-SMAP with cell wall molecular targets are also discussed.ConclusionsOur studies demonstrate the potential of LysECD7-SMAP therapeutics for the systemic or topical treatment of infectious diseases caused by susceptible Gram-negative bacterial species and are critical to proceed LysECD7-SMAP-based antimicrobials trials to advanced stages.

Soy Peptide Supplementation Mitigates Undernutrition through Reprogramming Hepatic Metabolism in a Novel Undernourished Non-Human Primate Model.

In spite of recent advances in the field of undernutrition, current dietary therapy relying on the supply of high protein high calorie formulas is still plagued with transient recovery of impaired organs resulting in significant relapse of cases. This is partly attributed to the inadequacy of current research models in recapitulating clinical undernutrition for mechanistic exploration. Using 1636 Macaca fascicularis monkeys, a human-relevant criterion for determining undernutrition weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), with a cutoff point of ≤ -1.83 is established as the benchmark for identifying undernourished nonhuman primates (U-NHPs). In U-NHPs, pathological anomalies in multi-organs are revealed. In particular, severe dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism characterized by impaired fatty acid oxidation due to mitochondria dysfunction, but unlikely peroxisome disorder, is identified as the anchor metabolic aberration in U-NHPs. Mitochondria dysfunction is typified by reduced mito-number, accumulated long-chain fatty acids, and disruption of OXPHOS complexes. Soy peptide-treated U-NHPs increase in WAZ scores, in addition to attenuated mitochondria dysfunction and restored OXPHOS complex levels. Herein, innovative criteria for identifying U-NHPs are developed, and unknown molecular mechanisms of undernutrition are revealed hitherto, and it is further proved that soypeptide supplementation reprogramed mitochondrial function to re-establish lipid metabolism balance and mitigated undernutrition.

An Empirical Study of the Use of Educational Techniques to Change Preschool Educators' Attitudes Toward Their Profession

Professional attitudes are one of the most important aspects that determine the level of success in one's work with preschool instructors as well as the quality of the professional activities that are performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of psychological approaches in influencing the attitudes of preschool teachers in order to favorably modify the participants' emotions and professional behaviors, which would ultimately result in participants having a more positive attitude toward their work. We recruited 70 preschool teachers from among the 347 participants who made up the entire sample. There were 36 teachers assigned to the experimental group, and 34 teachers assigned to the control group. The research utilizes psychological methods to influence the participants' perspectives on the nature of their work. After participating in the trial, the individuals' levels went from 1 and 2 to 4, according to the findings, which indicates that this change occurred immediately. The theory of teachers' professional attitudes and the actuality of the attitudes held by preschool teachers are discussed in relation to these findings. In addition, the administrator and educators are responsible for guiding the creation of the police document so that it satisfies the requirements of innovation, education, human resource development, current requirements, requirements of enterprises, employers, and employers, as well as satisfying the criteria for general education innovation.

Crystallographic micro-mechanism of faceted crack initiation in near-α titanium alloy Ti6321 under room-temperature fatigue and dwell fatigue loadings

Crack initiation mechanism of dwell fatigue has always been a key problem in rationalizing the dwell effect, and it is not completely understood yet. This study conducted stress-controlled low-cycle fatigue and dwell fatigue tests on Ti-6Al-3Nb-2Zr-1Mo alloy with bimodal microstructure to reveal its microstructural characteristics and crack initiation mechanisms. The study demonstrated that the faceted primary α nodules located near the specimen surface acted as crack initiation sites during both fatigue and dwell fatigue tests. Slip trace analysis revealed that faceted cracking occurred at (0001) basal plane with the maximum Schmid factor value through a special cracking mode referred to as (0001) twist boundary cracking. Innovative criteria of parameters C1 and C2 were proposed based on experimental observation and molecular dynamics simulations, which well identify candidates for (0001) twist boundary crack nucleation. It demonstrated that grain pairs combining a moderately high Schmid factor for basal slip and a well-orientated Burgers vector in the out-of-surface plane was the preferable location for surface (0001) twist-boundary crack initiation, and grain pairs combining a high Schmid factor for basal slip and a high normal stress on basal plane are perfect candidates for subsurface cracking. Based on this, phenomenological models are proposed to explain the surface (0001) twist-boundary cracking mechanism from the perspective of surface extrusion-intrusion-induced micro-notches.

Inclusion of Antifungal and Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains in Edible Alginate Coating as a Promising Strategy to Produce Probiotic Table Grapes and Exploit Biocontrol Activity

The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for the probiotic enrichment of minimally processed fruit is a well-established practice in the literature. In addition, several LAB demonstrated a strain-specific ability to control harmful microorganisms and decay agents, improving shelf life, maintaining quality, and promoting the safety of fruits and vegetables. Edible coatings can help modulate the phenomena of gas exchange and water loss by fruits, representing protection from physical damage and spoilage phenomena linked to oxidation and the development of undesired microorganisms. At the same time, the coating can represent an innovative delivery matrix for the LAB strains of potential interest to improve safety and quality in the postharvest management of fruits. In this work, five Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains, previously characterised for their probiotic and antifungal activity, were incorporated into a sodium alginate coating to develop edible probiotic coatings with antifungal properties for table grapes cv. Italia. The bacterial transfer and their survival were evaluated by comparing coated and uncoated table grapes during 14 days of cold storage at 4 °C. The alginate edible coating increased the number of viable cells transferred to the surface of the berries from about 5 to more than 7 Log CFU/g, with a crucial impact on the potential functional attributes of the final product. The ability of the functionalised coatings to counteract the decay development was evaluated on table grape berries artificially contaminated with Aspergillus niger CECT 2805. A significant reduction in lesion diameter was observed in the alginate coating with L. plantarum 11-A, with a reduction from 15.40 ± 1.14 mm of uncoated berries to 8.40 ± 1.14 mm of berries coated with L. plantarum 11-A. The lesion diameter reduction was also accompanied by a reduction in the symptoms of infection, such as browning around the wound. These results suggest the application of selected strains of L. plantarum as promising bio-resources to enhance the overall value of ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, particularly in combination with edible coating as a carrier matrix. While a strain-dependent effect was not detected with respect to the improvement in the number of cells in the edible coating, a variability depending on the biotype used was detected for the properties linked to biocontrol, suggesting that the inclusion in edible packaging may represent an innovative criterion in the selection of lactobacilli to be applied postharvest.

RESEARCH OF INNOVATIONS IN THE BANKING SECTOR OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

The article reveals the peculiarities of the functioning of the domestic banking system and examines the latest innovative solutions in the banking sector of the leading countries of the world for the period from 2020 to 2024. The prerequisites for the most popular innovative solutions and ideas in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are revealed. The author analyzes the situations that have contributed to instability, including the constant interference of cybercriminals and Russia's military actions against Ukraine.
 The author systematizes the main directions of development of innovations in the global banking sector and analyzes the possibilities of implementing the most promising ones in the functioning of Ukrainian banking institutions and ensuring their financial security.
 The author presents the signs and criteria of innovation and provides examples of an innovative approach to solving issues in the internal processes of banking activities. It is determined that the main features of banking innovations are: the presence of social and economic results, reduction of banking costs, reduction of banking risks, increase in the level of liquidity of banking institutions, the presence of unique consumer properties, globalization of banking institutions and increase in labor productivity in the banking sector. The author studies the trends of transformations in the digital component of the banking sector. Innovations in customer experience and marketing innovations in the global banking sector are analyzed.
 The main directions of development of the banking sector in the context of leading banking institutions are structured, direct ideas and solutions to modern economic challenges of both global and local scales are presented. Innovations in the internal processes of banking institutions in 2020-2023 in Poland, the USA and Spain are revealed.

Urban Area Policy Innovation From The Perspective of Public Policy in Serang Municipality, Indonesia

This article aims to discuss the policy implications and criteria for ideal urban area policy innovation from a public policy perspective. This research was conducted using a case study approach using semi-structured interview data collection techniques as a data collection instrument. The results of the research show that the policy implications for urban residential areas in Serang City are still not optimal due to the limited authority of the city government and the lack of integration of SiKasep policy innovations with urban needs and problems. Apart from that, SiKasep policy innovations have not been able to have an impact due to the low ability and willingness to innovate within the civil service. country. The policy innovation criteria for ideal urban residential areas in Serang City can be applied through the New Public Services (NPS) approach as a representation of policy innovation. Research findings show the importance of strengthening regulations and legitimacy, especially in formulating programs and policies for urban residential areas that are based on regional policy standards; second, the importance of encouraging policy interventions related to access to basic services for the community; third, it is important to encourage policy actors to develop integrated programs and minimize the various interests that hinder policy innovation in urban residential areas; and fourth, participation and involvement of non-governmental elements is very important to obtain broader policy support.

Novel criteria for silicone rubber insulators condition monitoring based on leakage current analysis: Considering asymmetric aging and pollution

Insulators' flashover due to pollution is the biggest challenge of power systems. This phenomenon will become more intense with the aging of the insulator. Precise and prompt determination of the severity of pollution and the insulator status in terms of aging is essential for preventing pollution flashovers. Therefor monitoring insulator leakage current is essential for preventing the pollution flashover phenomenon. This article proposes innovative criteria based on the insulator's leakage current analysis for the classification of aging and pollution severity. The leakage current signal of the virgin, fully aged, and asymmetric aged insulators have been examined under different pollution conditions. Based on the experimental results analysis, two new criteria have been proposed for assessing the silicon rubber insulator condition which have resulted from the first-order harmonic of leakage current (It1), the third and fifth-order harmonics ratio of leakage current (It3/5), and the cosine of first-order harmonic phase angle (PI). Analyzing the proposed criteria demonstrates that two proposed criteria have a strong correlation to aging and pollution, respectively. These two new criteria can be implemented to identify the early signs of pollution and aging of insulators. The ability of proposed criteria has been established based on random forest, support vector machine, decision tree algorithm, multi-layer perceptron, and decision-making level fusion in Python language. The obtained criteria based on experimental data in different conditions have been employed for classifier training which can be applied in industrial settings without the need for laborious data labeling, ensuring fast and accurate outcomes.

New criteria for metal oxide surge arrester condition monitoring based on leakage current analysis: Considering non‐uniform pollution effect

AbstractThe role of surge arresters is vital in power systems' protection against transient overvoltages, which can arise due to occurrences like lightning strikes or switching operations. Based on the performance of the surge arrester, assessing its condition is an essential requirement for early detection of any damage or deterioration. This article proposes innovative criteria based on the surge arresters’ leakage current analysis for the classification of uniform and non‐uniform pollution levels. The leakage current signal of clean, uniform, and non‐uniform polluted surge arresters has been examined under different contamination levels, humidity, and non‐uniformity degrees. Based on the experimental results analysis, a new criterion has been proposed for assessing the surge arrester condition, which has resulted from the fifth and first‐order harmonics ratio of resistive leakage current. Analysis of the proposed criterion demonstrates that this index has a significant correlation to the pollution level. The proposed criterion ability has been established based on random forest, support vector machine, decision tree algorithm, and multi‐layer perceptron in Python language. The obtained criterion based on experimental data in different conditions has been employed for classifier training, which can be applied in the power network for better condition monitoring of surge arresters ensuring fast and accurate outcomes.

INTENTIONALITY AND FUNCTIONAL POTENTIAL OF ENGINEERING THINKING IN THE CONDITIONS OF MODERN MILITARY CHALLENGES

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. The works of S. Winchester, E. Meyers, K. Mitch, K. Smythe, A. Ustundag, E. Chevikkan, E. Schatzberg, and others are devoted to the study of the role of technology and engineering in the human life space. Axiological and cultural-anthropological aspects of engineering thinking are considered in the works of Ukrainian researchers. First of all, this is the research of V. Voronkova, I. Goliad, I. Markus, and O. Shulga. Discussions about the responsible use of technology in the context of military operations and the creation and development of more peaceful innovations are of particular importance. The statement of basic materials. Philosophy of technology is an important area of study because it examines the impact of technology on human existence, society, and the future of humanity. Technologies have a significant impact on human life and international relations, creating new challenges and fundamental questions about the ethics of their use, the responsibility of developers and users, as well as possible consequences for the future world. Issues related to establishing a balance between technological capabilities and general values of society require special attention. The question of the genesis of the definition of engineering success requires special attention, which can conditionally occur depending on the context where the project is carried out. In peacetime, the success of this project is evaluated according to the criteria of efficiency, economy and innovation, since the task is to improve technologies, optimize processes and ensure sustainable development. Engineering thinking in the conditions of a globalized world and longterm geopolitical claims must be ready for such challenges. First of all, it is about responsibility in ensuring the ethical and safe use of their developments. It is about supporting international efforts to control and regulate the export of military equipment, developing principles and standards for the ethical development and use of technologies for military purposes. In addition, engineers can play an active role in the development of technologies aimed at peaceful purposes and limiting the possibility of using technology in military conflicts. The functional potential of engineering thinking in the creation of state-of-the-art technologies in the conditions of war is specified through the ability to develop, implement and adapt technical solutions capable of responding to complex military challenges. This covers the following aspects: innovativeness, adaptability, cooperation.

Presenting Innovative Solutions in Response to Variety-Seeking Behavior in Online Retail Customers

Objective: Owners and managers of online retail stores, along with researchers, consistently strive to identify success factors in the online retail domain. One significant factor in the success of online retail stores is attention to consumer behavior. The aim of this research was to present innovative solutions for recognizing variety-seeking behavior in online retail customers. Methodology: This study was applied-descriptive and of the survey type. The research was conducted in two stages. Initially, innovation criteria were extracted from the literature, followed by an examination of the criteria's impact intensity and the causal relationships between them using the DEMATEL technique and MATLAB software, with the tool of pairwise comparison matrices. Findings: The results of the study demonstrated that product innovation, service innovation, process innovation, innovation in online services, and innovation in tools play an effective role in the variety-seeking behavior of online retail customers. Furthermore, the results specified that product innovation, tools and equipment, processes, online services, and after-sales services have the most significant impact on the variety-seeking behavior of customers, in that order. Conclusion: Given the results of the study, it seems that the use of ideation, innovation, creativity in production, presentation, and sale in online retail is essential. In other words, it is necessary for manufacturers of goods and service providers to use new and innovative ideas in the production and presentation of goods and services to be an appropriate response to the needs and variety-seeking behavior of customers.

Revitalizing Higher Education Institutions: Embracing Frugal Innovation for Transformation

This conceptual paper aims to investigate the interrelationship between intellectual capital (IC) and frugal innovation (FI) in higher education institutions (HEI), considering the mediating role of information technology (IT) capabilities. With many private HEI facing financial challenges, it is crucial to explore how IC can be effectively managed to achieve frugal innovation. By drawing on the knowledge-based view (KBV), this study examines key factors that influence intellectual capital and its impact on frugal innovation in HEI. The findings emphasize the importance of leveraging intangible assets in HEI to enhance their capabilities and address the dynamic business environment. Specifically, the study highlights the need to identify the extent to which HEI can exploit IT capabilities to develop intellectual capital aligned with the criteria of frugal innovation for value creation. This research contributes to the development of evolving approaches in IC knowledge for effective IC management and highlights the benefits for HEI, including a focus on core functions, stronger integration with industry and local/international communities, and enhanced operational efficiency. By shedding light on the formalization, capture, and leveraging of intangible assets, rather than solely focusing on tangible assets, HEI can achieve frugal innovation. Overall, this paper provides a novel perspective by bridging the gap between frugal innovation and IC research in the context of HEI. It highlights the mediating role of IT capabilities in the relationship between IC and frugal innovation, adding valuable insights to the existing literature and contributing to the ongoing scholarly discourse in this field.

Анализ конструкций, параметров и перспективы развития инновационных грузовых вагонов

A retrospective and prospective analysis of the development and production of innovative freight cars was carried out. We considered approaches determining criteria for innovation on the part of regulatory authorities, all participants in the transportation process and representatives of the scientific and professional environment. The design solutions of companies producing seventh generation freight cars were studied in detail. The technical characteristics and economic efficiency of innovative cars are presented. The parameters of future innovative cars and their design solutions are considered. Fundamentally new innovative designs include six-axle articulated cars, high-speed platforms for container and piggyback transportation and cars with removable bodies. Proposals are given for the development of a single consolidated interpretation of the term «innovative car» with its subsequent consolidation in regulatory documents.

ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ ЗАКУПКИ ИННОВАЦИЙ В РОССИИ

The research focuses on the analysis of open data on public procurement of innovative products and on procurement of research and development services (R&D). The principle of stimulating innovations is enshrined in the legislation governing public procurement. However, the complexity of testing products for innovation criteria, the differences in classifying products as innovative and the specifics of conceptual and categorical framework in this sphere indicate the peculiarities of the implementation of the principle of stimulating innovation by contracting authorities regulated by 44-FL and by 223-FL. This research empirically answers the following questions: What procured products in the market are considered innovative by contracting authorities? What characteristics and peculiarities are specific to innovative public procurement in Russia? What types and categories of contracting authorities perform such procurement? We reveal that the procurement of innovations is related to the law under which the organization conducts purchases, as well as to the organizational and legal form of the contracting authority. The procurement of innovations is also influenced by the method of determining the supplier, the price of the product and the subject of the purchase. The results of the study show heterogeneity in the procurement of innovations by Russian contracting authorities and link this heterogeneity with the differences in the procurement legislation.

International experience by using of the SJMB protocols in treatment of children with medulloblastoma in the age group over 3 years (literature review)

During the last 30 years, unique international experience has been accumulated in the treatment of children with medulloblastoma, especially in the age group over 3 years. Evolutionary representations about one of the most well – known international protocols – SJMB (in versions since 1996 – SJMB96, since 2003 – SJMB03, since 2012 – SJMB12) are shown in this article. Innovative criteria for stratifying patients into risk groups were established according to clinical, therapeutic, morphological and molecular-biological prognostic factors. Despite the accumulated experience, it is necessary to continue studying the relationship between age groups and the molecular biology of tumor cells for the purpose of subsequent optimization of the treatment program.

#61 : Frugal Exoscope: A Potential Option for Microsurgery and Training Program in Male Infertility in the Context of Emerging Markets

Background and Aims: Conventional microscopes and exoscopes currently play pivotal roles in the microsurgery or training of male infertility. However, they are expensive and unaffordable in low resource settings which limits training or application of advanced methods. The study aimed to introduce a new, low–cost exoscope system and evaluate its frugal innovation. Method: Using animal models, we evaluated a new frugal exoscope system (called DKTA) in experimental microsurgery of vas deferens repair. Five experts in male infertility surgery undertook an anonymous survey to elucidate their experience with DKTA system use. Three crucial criteria (i.e., substantial cost reduction, concentration on core functionalities, optimised performance level) were evaluated to determine whether the DKTA is effective as frugal innovation. The survey used a 5-point Likert scaling of responses to eight statements investigating surgical, ergonomic, and educational aspects. Results: The DKTA system, including an optical microscope and ultrahigh definition camera (4K), was an exoscope placed between 20–40 cm from the surgical field. It was held in position with a camera support arm on casters and connected to a 65-inches smart TV. DKTA system met the three crucial criteria of frugal innovation, including substantial cost reduction, concentration on core functionalities, and optimised performance level. Five male infertility microsurgeons reported positive evaluations of the DKTA system (use modal scores) when performing experimental vasovasostomy. Conclusions: DKTA system, a frugal innovation, has a valuable contribution to the training programme and performance of male infertility microsurgery in low–resource settings. Acknowledgements: We want to send special thanks to the Centre for Training and Scientific Research staff, Tam Anh General Hospital for their logistics support.

Review on Lightweight Cryptography Techniques and Steganography Techniques for IOT Environment

In the modern world, technology has connected to our day-to-day life in different forms. The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an innovative criterion for mass implementations and a part of daily life. However, this rapid growth leads the huge traffic and security problems. There are several challenges arise while deploying IoT. The most common challenges are privacy and security during data transmission. To address these issues, various lightweight cryptography and steganography techniques were introduced. These techniques are helpful in securing the data over the IoT. The hybrid of cryptography and steganography mechanisms provides enhanced security to confidential messages. Any messages can be secured by cryptography or by embedding the messages into any media files, including text, audio, image, and video, using steganography. Hence, this article has provided a detailed review of efficient, lightweight security solutions based on cryptography and steganography and their function over IoT applications. The objective of the paper is to study and analyze various Light weight cryptography techniques and Steganography techniques for IoT. A few works of literature were reviewed in addition to their merits and limitations. Furthermore, the common problems in the reviewed techniques are explained in the discussion section with their parametric comparison. Finally, the future scope to improve IoT security solutions based on lightweight cryptography and steganography is mentioned in the conclusion part.

Assessing the reliability of innovative criteria to certify that cattle are non-Persistently Infected (non-PI) with the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV)

Persistently Infected (PI) animals play a central role in the transmission of BVDV infection between cattle herds. Thus, promoting the certification of non-PI animals is a relevant approach for improving control, as it contributes to securing the trade. The objectives of this study were: i) to assess the reliability of diverse certification criteria, and ii) to identify risk factors for erroneous certification. To do so, the proportion of animals wrongly certified as non-PI on the basis of tests performed after the certification date, was calculated for each criterion. The data used were collected in herds located in Brittany, involved in either a clearance process for those that were infected, or in a surveillance process for herds that were BVDV-free. A total of 23 criteria were defined by combining the technical characteristics of the tests (individual vs. pool; single vs. repeated; direct vs. indirect tests), and some pathogenic characteristics of BVDV infection. Overall, the rates of wrongly-certified animals were low (mean: 1.3 10−4). Direct and indirect criteria had equivalent performances. Heifers from birth, and even foetuses in the last third of gestation, are certified, provided that the herd to which they belong has been free of BVDV for more than 2.5 years. The risk for wrong certification increased in the case of PIs present in the herd or its surroundings. The simplicity of the output-based approach described here, and the excellent performance of indirect criteria relying on serological monitoring of BTM, make it particularly interesting, as its use could facilitate trade between countries.