Optimization of Process Parameters for the Extraction of Gelatin from the Skin of Freshwater Fish and the Evaluation of Physical anal Chemical Characteristics

Faculty of Marine Sciences,Cochin University of Science and Technology

Impact of process parameters on chitinase production by an alkalophilic marine Beau6eria bassiana in solid state fermentation

A chitinolytic fungus, Beau6eria bassiana was isolated from marine sediment and significant process parameters influencing chitinase production in solid state fermentation using wheat bran were optimised. The organism was strongly alkalophilic and produced maximum chitinase at pH 9·20. The NaCl and colloidal chitin requirements varied with the type of moistening medium used. Vegetative (mycelial) inoculum was more suitable than conidial inoculum for obtaining maximal enzyme yield. The addition of phosphate and yeast extract resulted in enhancement of chitinase yield. After optimisation, the maximum enzyme yield was 246·6 units g 1 initial dry substrate (U gIDS 1). This is the first report of the production of chitinase from a marine fungus.

Impact of process parameters on L-glutaminase production by marine Vibrio costicola in solid state fermentation using polystyrene as an inert support

Process parameters influencing e-glutaminase production by marine Vibrio costicola in solid state fermentation (SSF) using polystyrene as an inert support were optimised. Maximal enzyme yield (157 U/g dry substrate) was obtained at 2% (w/w) t:glutamine, 35°C and pH 7.0 after 24 h. Maltose and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at 1% (w/w) concentration enhanced enzyme yield by 23 and 18%, respectively, while nitrogen sources had an inhibitory effect. Leachate with high specific activity for glutaminase (4.2 U/mg protein) and low viscosity (0-966 Ns/m 2) was recovered from the polystyrene SSF system

An empirical study of process-related attributes in segmented software cost-estimation relationships

Parametric software effort estimation models consisting on a single mathematical relationship suffer from poor adjustment and predictive characteristics in cases in which the historical database considered contains data coming from projects of a heterogeneous nature. The segmentation of the input domain according to clusters obtained from the database of historical projects serves as a tool for more realistic models that use several local estimation relationships. Nonetheless, it may be hypothesized that using clustering algorithms without previous consideration of the influence of well-known project attributes misses the opportunity to obtain more realistic segments. In this paper, we describe the results of an empirical study using the ISBSG-8 database and the EM clustering algorithm that studies the influence of the consideration of two process-related attributes as drivers of the clustering process: the use of engineering methodologies and the use of CASE tools. The results provide evidence that such consideration conditions significantly the final model obtained, even though the resulting predictive quality is of a similar magnitude.

Dielectric properties of process cheese from 0.3 to 3 Ghz

Dielectric properties of 16 process cheeses were determined over the frequency range 0.3-3 GHz. The effect of temperature on the dielectric properties of process cheeses were investigated at temperature intervals of 10 degrees C between 5 and 85 degrees C. Results showed that the dielectric constant decreased gradually as frequency increased, for all cheeses. The dielectric loss factor (epsilon") decreased from above 125 to below 12 as frequency increased. epsilon' was highest at 5 degrees C and generally decreased up to a temperature between 55 and 75 degrees C. epsilon" generally increased with increasing temperature for high and medium moisture/fat ratio cheeses. epsilon" decreased with temperature between 5 and 55 degrees C and then increased, for low moisture/fat ratio cheese. Partial least square regression models indicated that epsilon' and epsilon" could be used as a quality control screening application to measure moisture content and inorganic salt content of process cheese, respectively. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved..

The voice of the consumer speaks forcefully in brand identity: user-generated content forces smart marketers to listen

User-generated content (UGC) is attracting a great deal of interest - some of it effective, some misguided. This article reviews the marketing-related factors that gave rise to UGC, tracing the relevant development of market orientation, social interaction, word of mouth, brand relationships, consumer creativity, co-creation, and customization, largely through the pages of the Journal of Advertising Research over the last 40 (or so) of its 50 years. The authors then discuss the characteristic features of UGC and how they differ from (and are similar to) these concepts. The insights thus gained will help practitioners and researchers understand what UGC is (and is not) and how it should (and should not) be used.

Understanding advances in the simulation of intraseasonal variability in the ECMWF model. Part II: the application of process-based diagnostics

In Part I of this study it was shown that moving from a moisture-convergent- to a relative-humidity-dependent organized entrainment rate in the formulation for deep convection was responsible for significant advances in the simulation of the Madden – Julian Oscillation (MJO) in the ECMWF model. However, the application of traditional MJO diagnostics were not adequate to understand why changing the control on convection had such a pronounced impact on the representation of the MJO. In this study a set of process-based diagnostics are applied to the hindcast experiments described in Part I to identify the physical mechanisms responsible for the advances in MJO simulation. Increasing the sensitivity of the deep convection scheme to environmental moisture is shown to modify the relationship between precipitation and moisture in the model. Through dry-air entrainment, convective plumes ascending in low-humidity environments terminate lower in the atmosphere. As a result, there is an increase in the occurrence of cumulus congestus, which acts to moisten the mid troposphere. Due to the modified precipitation – moisture relationship more moisture is able to build up, which effectively preconditions the tropical atmosphere for the t ransition t o d eep convection. R esults from this study suggest that a tropospheric moisture control on convection is key to simulating the interaction between the convective heating and the large-scale wave forcing associated with the MJO.