Some information on my previous education
Computer Science (knowledge representation)
PhD in conputer science (italian classification: INF/01), with thesis sucessfully defended in public on April 28, 2008, Free University of Bozne-Bolzano, Italy (www.unibz.it)
Thesis: A formal theory of granularity
Several publications on granularity, published during and after the study
BSc(hons) IT & Computing
BSc(hons), first class, IT and Computing (graduated 3-'04), Open University UK (Programme B13, minus level 1 courses and additional level 3 courses). Passed courses (grade 1 or 2): object-oriented analysis, design and programming (Smalltalk), microprocessor-based computers, relational databases, digital communications, C++, database computer project, AI for technology and software systems & development (resp. M206, T223, M358, T305, MT262, TM422, T396 and M301). www.open.ac.uk
Publications
Project (grade 1): Bacteria and bacteriocins in the food industry - modelled and documented in a relational database
The report provides an overview of the main issues in bioinformatics and outlines five main challenges in modelling biological data characteristics before modelling the semantics of bacteriocins (non-therapeutic antibiotics applied in the food industry for safety and preservation) in ER and, improved, in ORM. The main modelling considerations are discussed. Through the iterative database development process, the "bacteriocin database" has been successfully implemented to the satisfaction of the customer.
This research was carried out at the Department of Computing, Faculty of Mathematics and Computing, Open University UK. The database is developed for University College Dublin, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Food Science.
Project report available upon request; related papers online:
Keet, C.M. Biological Data and Conceptual Modelling Methods. Journal of Conceptual Modeling, Issue 29, October 2003.
Keet, C.M. Conceptual Modelling and Ontologies for Biology: experiences with the bacteriocin database. Agropecuaria Conference (Interjoven 2004). 3-6 June 2004, San Jose de las Lajas, Cuba.
Keet, C.M. (2003). Conceptual Modelling for Applied Bioscience: the Bacteriocin Database. CSPS/computational intelligence/0310001. article
Small irrelevant but funny programs I wrote:
Easter (197kb) - Calculates easter in any given year, alsmede carnaval voor degene die daarin geinteresseerd is.
Squareball (204kb) - I needed to program something with "moving objects" for a course assignment (C++); I came up with this lame game.
GAS (288kb) - Graphing Acoustic Stability. The resulting pictures look like nice fractals; options include zooming and changing the colours of the stable and instable areas.
Microbiology & Biochemistry, with some food science
MSc Food Science free specialisation (graduated 1-'98): Microbiology & Biochemistry (including related philosophy and politics), Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherlands (www.wau.nl), renamed into Wageningen University and Research in the meantime (www.wur.nl)
Overview of the theses carried out during my MSc degree:
Effect of maize rhizosphere on degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate by Pseudomonas B13 or Alcaligenes L6
Investigation into in situ bioremediation, by aforementioned bacteria, of soil contaminated with 3CBA (an intermediary in degradation of PCBs in soil). Also with drawings of the biochemical structures of the 7 possible aerobe degradation pathways of 3CBA and the involved enzymes. The research was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands.
In vitro digestibility of weaning food based on sweet potato (products)
or: Digestibilidad in vitro de la comida de destete en base de (harina de) camote.
Mimicking the digestive tract in the lab with relevant enzymes and bacteria, using sweet potato varieties and weaning food based on sweet potato as samples to be 'digested'. The research was carried out at the Centro Internactional de la Papa [International Potato Centre], Peru.
Microbial cyanide assimilation on behalf of detoxification of cyanogen glycosides
or: Mikrobiele cyanide-assimilatie t.b.v. ontgifting van cyanogene glykosiden
The search for micro-organisms to achieve biotechnological detoxification of cyanogen glycosides, like amygdalin, or the hydrogen cyanide that is released when processing cassava and apricot seeds. The research was carried out at the Department of Food Science, Section Food Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands.
Akseptatie van genetisch gemodifceerde mikro-organismen op basis van verschillende levensbeschouwingen
Een studie naar de motieven van vegetariers, new Age-ers, moslims en de mensen met een christelijke moraal om genetisch gemodificeerde mikro-organismen geheel of gedeeltelijk af te wijzen dan wel toe te staan.
A spin-off is a summarized translation of one section of a chapter about an immanent or transcendent god. The research was carried out at the Department of Applied Philosophy, Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands.
Peace & Development
MA Peace and Development Studies (graduated 12-'03), Department of Government & Society, University of Limerick, Ireland. www.ul.ie
Publications
MA Dissertation (grade A): Terrorism and Game Theory
An analysis of the causes, goals and actors involved in the 'terrorist theatre' and on the possibilities of Game Theory (coalitions, negotiations and audience costs) as a more rational approach to this emotion-laden topic.
The aim of the research was to investigate theories of terrorism and its changes over time and apply this to game theory, in particular the concept of audience costs and coalition formation within the game theoretical framework.
Causes and goals of terrorism were identified and modifications of ideas of terrorism in time observed, accompanied with an analysis of involved actors.
Based on a premise of justification derived from the Just War theory, negotiations with aggrieved groups (terrorists) can be a rational approach to such type of protracted conflicts and uncovered dynamics based on the composition and character of organised actors. This includes averting the joint bargaining paradox when asymmetric actors cooperate to achieve a joint goal, governments who may fare better from their point of view when dividing up refugees into geographically separate areas to decrease the possibility of cooperation between aggrieved groups and recognising two-speed negotiations, which can have a (detrimental) effect on (deadline) negotiations. Secondly, an adaptation of the audience cost model explained the "war of nerves" of the terrorist theatre involving the generation of fear amongst its targets and the updating of information on moderate actors by action of extremists. Several mutations of the Prisoner's Dilemma were discussed as options to prevent mutual harm. Summary - Conclusions - full report (PDF, 763kb).
The research was carried out at the Department of Government and Society, University of Limerick, Ireland.
A selection of essays written during the first and second semester (academic year 02/03):
Neo-Marxist Dependency Theories
An overview of Neo-Marxist Dependency theories and a brief discussion of Cuba as case study on how to end the dependency trap via its 'greening of the socialist revolution'.
Women's Rights in Islamic Marriage
I'm outlining the situation in the pre-Islamic era, and the women's current position when establishing a marriage contract, polygamy, divorce and the relation to conflict and peace.
Democracy in the European Union
I compare ideas about modern democracy as surfaced in the 18th century, with the EU and the nations that make up the EU, and the validity/sustainability of claims to introduce democracy as a means to achieve lasting peace in non-Western nations. With a related description of the EU governing bodies (in 2002).
The blind leading the blind?
A comparison of EU and US policy relations with the Middle East.
Three presentation write-ups:
EU Policies towards the Middle East (pdf): A synopsis of the policies resulting from the Barcelona Declaration and the subsequent bilateral Association Agreements, with a focus on Lebanon.
Aspects of the agricultural sector on development issues: The analysis starts with the Green revolution (post-colonial situation), moves into the international political and economical arena and ends with current and emerging technologies in agriculture, in what can be described as a neo-colonial situation.
Towards a Theory of Terrorism: Basic theory, categorisation of involved actors, terrorist activities and main responses on those actions. Some suggestions on possibly more constructive responses are discussed as well.
