Cluster Complexes: A Framework for Understanding the Internationalisation of Innovation Systems

The literature on clustering that has developed over the last two decades or so has given us a wealth of information on the formation and competitiveness of places in the global economy. Similarly, the systems literature on innovation has been valuable in moving the debate around technology from a focus on the entrepreneur to one than encompasses institutions, government, suppliers, customers and universities. However, there remains an important limit to this research; the borders of political jurisdictions, usually nation states, typically delineate the studies. It is argued in this paper that during an era when the international architecture of production relationships is changing, this view of systems is hindering its further development. This paper briefly examines what we have learnt of innovation systems, including clustering and also explores the limitations of this work. From this foundation it is proposed in this paper that a framework which understands clusters as nodes within extra-territorial networks is a promising approach for internationalising the systems of innovation perspective. The advantage of the approach presented here is that it can simultaneously capture regional specialisations and be disaggregated enough to apply on a technology / sectoral basis. Another principle advantage is that such a framework goes someway towards an understanding of interregional and international trade that is consistent with what other studies have shown of the development of innovation within particular geographic locations. The paper draws from extensive data analysis of industrial interdependencies that cross national borders to support the case for cluster complexes that transcend regional and national borders.innovation systems; clusters; internationalisation

The Structures, Purpose and Funding of Academic Research Networks

The Canadian Innovation Systems Research Network (ISRN) has been a highly successful approach to fostering a small branch of social sciences research and managing a large research project on technological clustering in Canada. In the light of this success, the purpose of this paper is to examine the structure and function of networks of academic research in relevant fields in a number of other countries with advanced systems for funding and overseeing university research

An adaptive neuro-fuzzy propagation model for LoRaWAN

This article proposes an adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model for accurate estimation of signal propagation using LoRaWAN. By using ANFIS, the basic knowledge of propagation is embedded into the proposed model. This reduces the training complexity of artificial neural network (ANN)-based models. Therefore, the size of the training dataset is reduced by 70% compared to an ANN model. The proposed model consists of an efficient clustering method to identify the optimum number of the fuzzy nodes to avoid overfitting, and a hybrid training algorithm to train and optimize the ANFIS parameters. Finally, the proposed model is benchmarked with extensive practical data, where superior accuracy is achieved compared to deterministic models, and better generalization is attained compared to ANN models. The proposed model outperforms the nondeterministic models in terms of accuracy, has the flexibility to account for new modeling parameters, is easier to use as it does not require a model for propagation environment, is resistant to data collection inaccuracies and uncertain environmental information, has excellent generalization capability, and features a knowledge-based implementation that alleviates the training process. This work will facilitate network planning and propagation prediction in complex scenarios

Cluster Complexes: A Framework for Understanding the Internationalisation of Innovation Systems

It is argued in this paper that during an era when the international architecture of production relationships is changing, this view of systems is hindering its further development. It draws from extensive data analysis of industrial interdependencies that cross national borders to support the case for cluster complexes that transcend regional and national borders

Antimicrobials from the fungal endophytes of Santalum lanceolatum

The emergence of drug resistance in organisms is a serious human health concern due to the subsequent reduction in treatment options. One way to combat resistance is the discovery and development of novel antimicrobial compounds with novel modes of action. Fungal endophytes live within the tissues of plants and cause no visible symptoms of infection. Research already conducted in the field indicates that fungal endophytes are diverse, largely undiscovered and are potential key sources of novel bioactive compounds. High probability sources of bioactive endophytes include plants used for medicinal purposes. Santalum lanceolatum has been used by the Indigenous Australian population to treat skin and upper respiratory infections, making it a prime candidate for investigation. This study isolated 67 fungal and 4 bacterial isolates from the leaves, bark and fruit from five S. lanceolatum plants at five sites located in the Darling Downs. Histology of leaf samples showed fungal hyphae residing in the epidermal layer of the leaf, with projections into the mesophyll layer. Nigrospora spp. accounted for 45 isolates across the five sites, indicating possible host preference. Eight fungal genera in total were identified; Aspergillus, Diaporthe, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Pestalotiopsis, Preussia, Pyronema and Xylaria. One bacteria was identified as a Bacillus sp. Initial antimicrobial activity was observed in 5 isolates – 2 unidentified bacteria, 2 Pyronema sp. and Xylaria grammica. X. grammica and one of the Pyronema sp. bulked sufficiently to fractionate for further antimicrobial testing. All fractions of both fungi, as well as the Pyronema crude extract, showed bacteriostatic activity to S. marcescens at varying minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The X. grammica crude extract showed bactericidal activity against S. marcescens at a MIC of 1.25mg/ml. Bacteriostatic activity towards S. aureus was also seen in Pyronema sp. fractions S4R 4 and S4R 5-7 at MIC of 1mg/ml and 0.125mg/ml respectively. These results indicate that S. lanceolatum as found on the Darling Downs is a source of potential novel fungal endophytes which produce secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties against clinically significant pathogens

Mori Ōgai, “The Grouch” – A Kanshi (Sino-Japanese Poem) about Paintings for Sale in a Modern Department Store

Mori Ōgai 森鷗外 (1862–1922) stands at the fountainhead of modern Japanese literature. He is most famous for his prose writings: the groundbreaking short story, Maihime 舞姬 (The Danseuse); the full-length novel, Gan 雁 (The Wild Goose); and a half-dozen lengthy historical biographies. Much of Ōgai’s most creative writing is found in his translations. In Sokkyō shijin 即興詩人, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Improvisatore is transformed into mesmerizing quasi-classical Japanese. Fausuto ファウスト, written in a pithy Japanese vernacular full of wit, provides the first full-length translation of the Goethe classic. And his renderings of plays by Ibsen and Strindberg stand at the forefront of modern Japanese theatre. Mori Ōgai’s Sino-Japanese poems are especially important. They are revealing in biographical terms, the better to understand Ōgai (the person, the author, the public figure); in historical terms, to comprehend better the era in which he wrote, as well as how he experienced it and perceived earlier periods; and in literary terms, the better to appreciate his achievement as a writer. The selection presented here is revelatory on all three counts. One should keep in mind that, by writing in classical Chinese, Ōgai was not only participating in a centuries-long tradition in Japan. He was also “enacting civilization”, as it were, by writing in the pan-East Asian idiom that anyone educated was assumed to know. By the time the following poem was written, such a view had become quite conservative, if not reactionary