Combination of Genome-Scale Models and Bioreactor Dynamics to Optimize the Production of Commodity Chemicals

The current production of a number of commodity chemicals relies on the exploitation of fossil fuels and hence has an irreversible impact on the environment. Biotechnological processes offer an attractive alternative by enabling the manufacturing of chemicals by genetically modified microorganisms. However, this alternative approach poses some important technical challenges that must be tackled to make it competitive. On the one hand, the design of biotechnological processes is based on trial-and-error approaches, which are not only costly in terms of time and money, but also result in suboptimal designs. On the other hand, the manufacturing of chemicals by biological processes is almost exclusively carried out by batch or fed-batch cultures. Given that batch cultures are expensive and not easy to scale, technical means must be developed to make continuous cultures feasible and efficient. In order to address these challenges, we have developed a mathematical model able to integrate in a single model both the genome-scale metabolic model for the organism synthesizing the chemical of interest and the dynamics of the bioreactor in which the organism is cultured. Such a model is based on the use of Flexible Nets, a modeling formalism for dynamical systems. The integration of a microscopic (organism) and a macroscopic (bioreactor) model in a single net provides an overall view of the whole system and opens the door to global optimizations. As a case study, the production of citramalate with respect to the substrate consumed by E. coli is modeled, simulated and optimized in order to find the maximum productivity in a steady-state continuous culture. The predicted computational results were consistent with the wet lab experiments

Public Choices and Decision-Making Processes: a Case Study on Sustainable Mobility

The definition of a decision process, which implies the capacity to implement and realize an action involving all the actors interested, is crucial not only for taking adequate political decisions but even mainly for getting a democratic control of the decisions themselves. From a strategic planning point of view, decision process on public issues should be essentially considered as a process of participation, which involves political decision-makers as well as all the administrative organizations which have to realize the decisions taken and citizens and more generally all the stakeholders who will be impacted in a positive or negative way by such decisions. If this is the case, important issues arise: which is the methodology that should be followed to assess all the alternative solutions to adopt? How are analyzed the effects and the impacts of political decisions? How are evaluated the consequences of a set of actions? To answer to all these questions, Decision Support Systems (DSSs) have been developed. They include measurement tools such as cost-benefit analysis as well as relational methods of “rational analysis” such as multicriteria analysis. DSSs’ allow decision makers to implement the best choices and decisions with the aim of reaching a Pareto improvement for the territory considered. Though these tools may be implemented to any socio-political decisions, in these last years the democratic and, therefore, political pressure has led to adopt DSSs’ mainly for two specific themes: the environment and the sustainable mobility. Moreover, in the agenda of European institutions and local and national administrative governments, sustainable mobility is become a high priority. In this framework, the methodology1 proposed combines two different approaches. On the one hand, the “classic” or top-down approach based on statistical data analysis is considered where the main target is the definition of some synthetic indicators, while on the other hand, the bottom-up approach is adopted, which is based on the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) framework and on citizens’ participation. This decision process as defined, should be followed for implementing specific and appropriate solutions at local level and for taking into consideration the peculiarities of the territory considered. Finally, a case-study regarding the ex-13th District of the Municipality of Rome is presented

Managing organisational change through the application of strategic thinking.

Thesis (M. Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2007.The frequency of organisational change is accelerating to a level where change is becoming a norm of organisational life today. This change comes in different forms, whether planned or emergent. Regardless of whether it comes as planned or as emergent, organisations must respond to change by adopting and applying dynamic and responsive management approaches in order to manage the transition successfully. The overall aim of this study is to view organisational change through the application of strategic thinking. A framework of strategic thinking is therefore developed. In terms of this framework, successful management of organisational change is attributed to the following key elements: • Vision-building • Systems thinking • Complex adaptive systems • Organisational learning • Scenario planning Following the framework of strategic thinking developed, an assessment of two organisations that are currently undergoing a process of organisational change is undertaken. The two organisations are the Lesotho Electricity Corporation and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The key motivation for this study was to determine whether or not the two aforementioned organisations apply the key elements of strategic thinking in managing their change-related endeavours. With regard to vision-building, the findings of the research reveal that in the case of the Lesotho Electricity Corporation, a comprehensive process of vision-building or vision development of the desired future of the Corporation was carried out. This process was designed to facilitate a better understanding of the Corporation's major strategic purpose with the key focus on defining and creating a desired future state of the restructuring programme. In contrast, the findings reveal that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare does not have a vision for its restructuring programme. In relation to systems thinking, the findings suggest that the Lesotho Electricity Corporation has partly applied the principles of systems thinking. However, in the case of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, systems thinking is not applied at all. With regard to the concept of complex adaptive systems, the findings reveal that in managing its restructuring programme, the Lesotho Electricity Corporation is behaving like a complex adaptive system, since it applies adaptive strategic approaches, which are determined by the circumstances at hand. On the other hand, the findings suggest that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is not behaving like a complex adaptive system in managing its restructuring programme, as it relies only on predetermined strategic approaches, which inhibit the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. In terms of organisational learning, it is evident from the findings that the learning culture is encouraged and facilitated in the case of the Lesotho Electricity Corporation. Conversely, the findings indicate that the restructuring programme of the health sector is restricted by inadequate organisational learning efforts undertaken by the management of the Ministry. In relation to scenario planning, the findings reveal that the Lesotho Electricity Corporation does not apply scenario planning in its restructuring programme as a strategic tool that explores alternative futures in uncertain environments. On the other hand, the findings indicate that although the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare suggests that it applies scenario planning as a strategic approach, it is evident that its application is done at a very superficial level. The above findings indicate the diverse strategic approaches applied by the two organisations. Following the framework of strategic thinking, the Lesotho Electricity Corporation is in a better position than the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in many respects. However, even though the Corporation is in a better position in this case, there still remain other areas of strategic thinking that are not applicable or not fully explored by management when addressing the problem situation of the Corporation. In particular, systems thinking is one key element of strategic thinking that has been found partly evident in addressing the problem situation of the Corporation, while scenario planning was found to be not applicable at all. It is in this respect that the study concludes that, in order to achieve successful and sustainable organisational change, the two organisations that are currently undergoing organisational change have to apply the integrated elements of strategic thinking.Kellog Foundation

a case study of South Korea

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Public Mangement,2020The purpose of the research is to improve the methodologies for setting water losses targets applicable to local water supplies in South Korea. Recently, South Korea has been suffering serious water scarcity due to frequent droughts caused by climate change. Accordingly, Non-revenue water (NRW) reduction projects, given the uniform goals of NRW ratio either 15% or 20%, have been introduced as a countermeasure. The currently uniform water losses target does not take into account the different water supply conditions of local municipalities and should be revised with a proper rationale to determine the optimal water losses level. Through the literature review, the standardized methodologies for economic leakage target widely used in international countries and new approaches of South Korea were reviewed. MCW method, which is regarded as an applicable approach considering domestic conditions and an alternative of cumulative method are considered for the application. While MCW method revealed limitations as a result of the case study, the alternative method was able to calculate the economic leakage standard. MCW method was especially sensitive to data quality, and it was found that a clear relationship between the leakage level and the cost is not feasible considering domestic data characteristics. In addition, the effect of natural rate of rise of leakage and separation of effective NRW expenditure from total costs were identified as significant factors in calculating the leakage target. On the other hand, the cumulative method shows a more robust correlation than MCW, yielding the economic leakage target. Through the case study, the cumulative method is demonstrated to be more suitable than the MCW method. And consideration of natural rate of rise of leakages and the social and environmental cost and benefits are proven to be significant elements of leakage calculations. In particular, it was confirmed that further research was required to estimate the natural rate of rise of leakage accurately, as the water losses target can be substantially lower. Besides, due to the effect of the previously established multi-area waterworks system in South Korea, it is likely to result in the less marginal cost of water. If the social and environmental aspects are taken into consideration, the high water losses level will lower and eventually contribute to efficient water management. Lastly, two cases of a short-term and long-term perspective have been considered, but further research is recommended to establish multiple water losses targets varying with time changes.1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Case Study 4. Implications 5. ConclusionOutstandingmasterpublishedHee-Keun MOON

A Study on the predictors for O&M cost estimation of K-water's overseas hydropower projects (focused on the E&M equipment)

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Public Mangement,2020The purpose of the research is to improve the methodologies for setting water losses targets applicable to local water supplies in South Korea. Recently, South Korea has been suffering serious water scarcity due to frequent droughts caused by climate change. Accordingly, Non-revenue water (NRW) reduction projects, given the uniform goals of NRW ratio either 15% or 20%, have been introduced as a countermeasure. The currently uniform water losses target does not take into account the different water supply conditions of local municipalities and should be revised with a proper rationale to determine the optimal water losses level. Through the literature review, the standardized methodologies for economic leakage target widely used in international countries and new approaches of South Korea were reviewed. MCW method, which is regarded as an applicable approach considering domestic conditions and an alternative of cumulative method are considered for the application. While MCW method revealed limitations as a result of the case study, the alternative method was able to calculate the economic leakage standard. MCW method was especially sensitive to data quality, and it was found that a clear relationship between the leakage level and the cost is not feasible considering domestic data characteristics. In addition, the effect of natural rate of rise of leakage and separation of effective NRW expenditure from total costs were identified as significant factors in calculating the leakage target. On the other hand, the cumulative method shows a more robust correlation than MCW, yielding the economic leakage target. Through the case study, the cumulative method is demonstrated to be more suitable than the MCW method. And consideration of natural rate of rise of leakages and the social and environmental cost and benefits are proven to be significant elements of leakage calculations. In particular, it was confirmed that further research was required to estimate the natural rate of rise of leakage accurately, as the water losses target can be substantially lower. Besides, due to the effect of the previously established multi-area waterworks system in South Korea, it is likely to result in the less marginal cost of water. If the social and environmental aspects are taken into consideration, the high water losses level will lower and eventually contribute to efficient water management. Lastly, two cases of a short-term and long-term perspective have been considered, but further research is recommended to establish multiple water losses targets varying with time changes.1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Case Study 4. Implications 5. ConclusionOutstandingmasterpublishedSeong Soon PARK

The role of local sustainable agri-food systems in enhancing the resourcefulness and well-being of communities – experiences from the Portuguese Oeste region

This communication aims to present a PhD research project in its early stage. It intends therefore on discussing the main questions posed, the main goals established, and the main methodologies foreseen in order to foment a debate about its merits and in this way allow further improvements to be made while still in the designing phase of the research. The research project here presented aims to shed light on current sustainable farming practices that are established around alternative agri-food systems and to analyze how these practices (re)connect to the territory. In other words, it aims to help understand how these environmentally friendly farming practices interact with their socio-economic and cultural contexts, and how can local communities benefit from their presence. It should be pointed out that the existing literature examining the “empirical foundations for place-based agriculture” is scarce (Chapman et al., 2017). And on the other hand, sustainable farming practices’ studies are most frequently focused either on the biotechnical functioning of the systems or on the social-political movements they represent, but “they do not explicitly consider how farming systems interact with their socio-economic environment” (Therond et al., 2017). Regarding the methodology, a mixed methods research strategy is envisaged, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods but still keeping a focus on inductive and interpretative approaches. Being the main goal of this research to expand the current understanding of the territorial integration of agroecological practices, a case-study instrument, supported by personal interviews, will be used. Later, an action-research method will be applied in order to debate and prioritize the most relevant activities that could be undertaken toward an agroecological transition. Outcomes are expected in the form of governance guides for decision-makers and practitioners, and for academia, in the form of scientific research papers providing a deeper understanding of the territorial integration of alternative sustainable farming practices

“There is only a single life in all living things” : medieval ecological contemplation in John of Hildesheim’s Speculum fontis vitae

The theme of ecological contemplation sounds very appealing to our modern ears, given the steady rise of an ever greater and ever more urgent ecological awareness not just within the realms of economics, politics, and science, but also within the realms of philosophy, theology, and spirituality. With the case of humanity’s lasting impact on the environment nearing a dangerous precipice, a point of no return we are told, becoming ecologically conscious is no longer a matter of alternative off-the-grid lifestyles accessible only to the few, but truly a responsibility to be shouldered by each human individual for the good of all creation. Indeed, Pope Francis has called for an ecological conversion, which makes any argument for ecological sustainability not just a matter of economics or political powers but, perhaps more importantly, a matter of the soul. The act of returning to simplicity, natural rhythms, integrity, and spirituality is, hence, the ecological path forward that this paper contemplates. In her study on ecological activism in the context of secular spirituality, Lois K. Daly speaks of two contrasting approaches when it comes to discussing humanity’s relationship with nature, namely, an anthropocentric one and a biocentric one. Anthropocentrism assumes that human beings are fundamentally different from all other creatures, they can choose their own goals and learn to do what it takes to achieve them. On the other hand, biocentrism calls into attention the interdependencies among all forms of life. It sees the living planet as something to be cherished for its intrinsic value, not for its utility. In this case, humans are seen as a part of nature and not set apart from it. Whereas Daly sees these two approaches as radically opposed to each other, the Christian ecological sensibility does not. Proof of this comes not only from recent papal pronouncements and other official texts that are published by the Holy See but also – and this is the real contribution of this paper – from ancient ecological texts. [excerpt]peer-reviewe

A comparison of two techniques for bibliometric mapping: Multidimensional scaling and VOS

VOS is a new mapping technique that can serve as an alternative to the well-known technique of multidimensional scaling. We present an extensive comparison between the use of multidimensional scaling and the use of VOS for constructing bibliometric maps. In our theoretical analysis, we show the mathematical relation between the two techniques. In our experimental analysis, we use the techniques for constructing maps of authors, journals, and keywords. Two commonly used approaches to bibliometric mapping, both based on multidimensional scaling, turn out to produce maps that suffer from artifacts. Maps constructed using VOS turn out not to have this problem. We conclude that in general maps constructed using VOS provide a more satisfactory representation of a data set than maps constructed using well-known multidimensional scaling approaches

On the effects of alternative optima in context-specific metabolic model predictions

Recent methodological developments have facilitated the integration of high-throughput data into genome-scale models to obtain context-specific metabolic reconstructions. A unique solution to this data integration problem often may not be guaranteed, leading to a multitude of context-specific predictions equally concordant with the integrated data. Yet, little attention has been paid to the alternative optima resulting from the integration of context-specific data. Here we present computational approaches to analyze alternative optima for different context-specific data integration instances. By using these approaches on metabolic reconstructions for the leaf of Arabidopsis thaliana and the human liver, we show that the analysis of alternative optima is key to adequately evaluating the specificity of the predictions in particular cellular contexts. While we provide several ways to reduce the ambiguity in the context-specific predictions, our findings indicate that the existence of alternative optimal solutions warrant caution in detailed context-specific analyses of metabolism