We present a prototype of the flood early warning system (EWS) developed within the UrbanFlood FP7 project. The system monitors sensor networks installed in flood defenses (dikes, dams, embankments, etc.), detects sensor signal abnormalities, calculates dike failure probability, and simulates possible scenarios of dike breaching and flood propagation. All the relevant information and simulation results are fed into an interactive decision support system that helps dike managers and city authorities to make informed decisions in case of emergency and in routine dike quality assessment. In addition to that, a Virtual Dike computational module has been developed for advanced research into dike stability and failure mechanisms, and for training the artificial intelligence module on signal parameters induced by dike instabilities. This paper describes the UrbanFlood EWS generic design and functionality, the computational workflow, the individual modules, their integration via the Common Information Space middleware, and the first results of EWS monitoring and performance benchmarks.

A synthetic route for the preparation of glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor N-[5-(adamantan-1-yl-methoxy)-pentyl]-1-deoxynojirimycin methanesulfonic acid salt (AMP-DNM) has been developed. Herein we report the development and optimization of this synthetic route from its initial version in an academic research laboratory at milligram-scale to the final optimized route that was implemented in a cGMP miniplant on kilogram-scale. The definitive route starts with the separate synthesis of building blocks 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-deoxynojirimycin and 5-(adamantan-1-yl-methoxy)-pentanal. The aldehyde was synthesized from 1,5-pentanediol in five steps and 45% overall yield. Protected 1-deoxynojirimycin was prepared by a successive hemiacetal reduction/Swern oxidation/double reductive amination sequence of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-benzyl-d-glucopyranose in 52% overall yield. Reductive amination of the two building blocks produced the benzyl-protected penultimate that was isolated as its crystalline (+)DTTA salt in 68% yield. Hydrogenolysis of the penultimate and crystallization of the end product as its methanesulfonic acid salt produced AMP-DNM in 76% yield with a purity of >99.5%. The described route enables the production of multikilogram amounts of inhibitor AMP-DNM as a stable crystalline solid with high purity under cGMP control.

No abstract