Lovastatin biosynthesis depends on the carbon-nitrogen proportion: model development and controller design

Lovastatin biosynthesis depends on the relative concentrations of dissolved oxygen and the carbon and nitrogen resources. An elucidation of the underlying relationship would facilitate the derivation of a controller for the improvement of lovastatin yield in bioprocesses. To achieve this goal, batch submerged cultivation experiments of lovastatin production by Aspergillus flavipus BICC 5174, using both lactose and glucose as carbon sources, were performed in a 7 liter bioreactor and the data used to determine how the relative concentrations of lactose, glucose, glutamine and oxygen affected lovastatin yield. A model was developed based on these results and its prediction was validated using an independent set of batch data obtained from a 15-liter bioreactor using five statistical measures, including the Willmott index of agreement. A nonlinear controller was designed considering that dissolved oxygen and lactose concentrations could be measured online, and using the lactose feed rate and airflow rate as process inputs. Simulation experiments were performed to demonstrate that a practical implementation of the nonlinear controller would result in satisfactory outcomes. This is the first model that correlates lovastatin biosynthesis to carbon-nitrogen proportion and possesses a structure suitable for implementing a strategy for controlling lovastatin production.

An exploration of business model development in the commercialization of technology innovations

Research on business model development has focused on the relationships between elements of value conceptualization and organization having a linear sequence in which business models are first designed and then implemented. Another stream of research points to business model development with these elements interacting in a cyclical manner. There is a need to improve our understanding of the connective mechanisms and dynamics involved in business model development, particularly from the challenging perspective of commercializing innovations. The aim of this paper was to explore business model development during the commercialization of innovations through a case-based qualitative study. This study found from four case studies that specific elements of business model development, representative of the conceptualization of value and organizing for value creation, integrate in a dynamic and cyclical process in the commercialization of technology innovations. The study provides empirical evidence that adds new insights to literature on sequential and more interactive processes of business model development. It also contributes to literature on business model development and particularly how it relates to the commercialization of innovations.

Out of the wilderness? Achieving sustainable development within Scottish national parks

The introduction of national parks to Scotland represents a significant shift in the evolution of protected area management within the UK. Although the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 adopts the established national park aims of conservation and recreation, provisions are also made for advancing notions of sustainable development. This paper provides an assessment of the degree to which the Scottish national park model is likely to enable the realisation of multiple national park objectives. Five key areas are considered for analysis. These relate to management aims, institutional arrangements, implementation, democratic accountability and funding. The evaluation reveals that whilst management provisions have been established in accordance with international sustainable development guidelines, a number of concerns relating to operational processes remain.

Inclusive development? State-led land development model in New Town, Kolkata

Urban land development in India is changing under the auspices of economic liberalisation. Kolkata has been in the forefront of this transformation through development of new townships in the urban peripheries based on a distinctive state-led land development model. Within this context New Town, Kolkata (also known as Rajarhat) provides a highly illuminative case to articulate the ways in which the state is implementing its neoliberal agenda in land development. It rides on political and ideological high ground by seeking to create a ‘model development’ of state–market partnership for dual goals of fostering capitalist interest while fulfilling welfarist principles. Interesting insights have emerged that point to a policy paradox. On one hand, the process follows market principles of efficacy and efficiency; on the other hand, state’s keenness to extend control persists, thereby creating a highly uneven terrain for state–market interaction. New Town reflects a typical quasi-market condition shaped by the monopolistic state, the poorly structured role of the private sector, an absence of civic bodies, and minimal land and housing provision for the poor. In India, as internationally, the economic liberalisation market ideology is increasingly construed as good governance. In this context New Town is a step in the right direction, but the progress is patchy, uneven, and still evolving.

Development of a Vehicle-Bridge-Soil Dynamic Interaction Model for Scour Damage Modelling

Damage detection in bridges using vibration-based methods is an area of growing research interest. Improved assessment
methodologies combined with state-of-the-art sensor technology are rapidly making these approaches applicable for real-world
structures. Applying these techniques to the detection and monitoring of scour around bridge foundations has remained
challenging; however this area has gained attraction in recent years. Several authors have investigated a range of methods but
there is still significant work required to achieve a rounded and widely applicable methodology to detect and monitor scour.This
paper presents a novel Vehicle-Bridge-Soil Dynamic Interaction (VBSDI) model which can be used to simulate the effect of scour
on an integral bridge. The model outputs dynamic signals which can be analysed to determine modal parameters and the variation
of these parameters with respect to scour can be examined.The key novelty of this model is that it is the first numerical model for
simulating scour that combines a realistic vehicle loadingmodel with a robust foundation soil responsemodel.This paper provides a
description of the model development and explains the mathematical theory underlying themodel. Finally a case study application
of the model using typical bridge, soil, and vehicle properties is provided.

Providing psychological services for people with diabetes

Previous research and service development guidelines have highlighted the importance of psychological issues in diabetes care, and both people with diabetes and diabetes professionals recognise the need for specialist psychological input. This article outlines the development of a service delivery model for psychological services in diabetes care, based on a patient needs assessment and the advice of diabetes professionals. This involved an assessment of the psychological needs of people with diabetes within an urban Health Trust in Northern Ireland, and the collation of the views of local diabetes professionals. Questionnaires to assess for depression, anxiety, binge eating behaviour and diabetes-specific worries were completed by 300 people with diabetes. The participants were accessed through both primary and secondary care diabetes teams. As expected, a high level of psychological distress relative to population norms was illustrated by the patient needs assessment. Particularly high levels of binge eating behaviour were reported, and levels of distress were higher for community-managed patients than for hospital-managed patients. The diabetes professionals unanimously agreed that there is a need for specialist psychological input and contributed to the service delivery model which is outlined in this article.

A Hydrodynamic Modelling Framework for Strangford Lough Part 1: Tidal Model

Hydrodynamic models are a powerful tool that can be used by a wide range of end users to assist in predicting the effects of both physical and biological processes on local environmental conditions. This paper describes the development of a tidal model for Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, a body of water renowned for the location of the first grid-connected tidal turbine, SeaGen, as well as the UK’s third Marine Nature Reserve. Using MIKE 21 modelling software, the development, calibration and performance of the modelare described in detail. Strangford Lough has a complex flow pattern with high flows through the Narrows (~3.5 m/s) linking the main body of the Lough to the Irish Sea and intricate flow patterns around the numerous islands. With the aid of good quality tidal and current data obtained throughout the Lough during the model development, the surface elevation and current magnitude between the observed and numerical model were almost identical with model skill >0.98 and >0.84 respectively. The applicability of the model is such that it can be used as an important tool for the prediction of important ecological processes as well as engineering applications within Strangford Lough.

Atomic data for modelling fusion and astrophysical plasmas

Trends and focii of interest in atomic modelling and data are identified in connection with recent observations and experiments in fusion and astrophysics. In the fusion domain, spectral observations are included of core, beam penetrated and divertor plasma. The helium beam experiments at JET and the studies with very heavy species at ASDEX and JET are noted. In the astrophysics domain, illustrations are given from the SOHO and CHANDRA spacecraft which span from the solar upper atmosphere, through soft x-rays from comets to supernovae remnants. It is shown that non-Maxwellian, dynamic and possibly optically thick regimes must be considered. The generalized collisional-radiative model properly describes the collisional regime of most astrophysical and laboratory fusion plasmas and yields self-consistent derived data for spectral emission, power balance and ionization state studies. The tuning of this method to routine analysis of the spectral observations is described. A forward look is taken as to how such atomic modelling, and the atomic data which underpin it, ought to evolve to deal with the extended conditions and novel environments of the illustrations. It is noted that atomic physics influences most aspects of fusion and astrophysical plasma behaviour but the effectiveness of analysis depends on the quality of the bi-directional pathway from fundamental data production through atomic/plasma model development to the confrontation with experiment. The principal atomic data capability at JET, and other fusion and astrophysical laboratories, is supplied via the Atomic Data and Analysis Structure (ADAS) Project. The close ties between the various experiments and ADAS have helped in this path of communication.

The Development of a Two-Dimensional Transient Catalyst Model for Direct Injection Two-Stroke Applications.

This paper describes the development of a two-dimensional transient catalyst model. Although designed primarily for two-stroke direct injection engines, the model is also applicable to four-stroke lean burn and diesel applications. The first section describes the geometries, properties and chemical processes simulated by the model and discusses the limitations and assumptions applied. A review of the modeling techniques adopted by other researchers is also included. The mathematical relationships which are used to represent the system are then described, together with the finite volume method used in the computer program. The need for a two-dimensional approach is explained and the methods used to model effects such as flow and temperature distribution are presented. The problems associated with developing surface reaction rates are discussed in detail and compared with published research. Validation and calibration of the model is achieved by comparing predictions with measurements from a flow reactor. While an extensive validation process, involving detailed measurements of gas composition and thermal gradients, has been completed, the analysis is too detailed for publication here and is the subject of a separate technical paper.