Appropriate Technology for Access to Universal Basic Services: A Case Study on Basic Electricity Service Provision to Remote Communities in the Napo River Basin

Appropriate technologies (ATs) refer to technologies that are controlled by the communities that benefit from their implementation. Technologies have become a fundamental element in projects aiming to solve problems related to poverty and access to basic needs in some areas in emerging countries, and appropriation of these technologies is necessary to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and sustainability. However, due to the lack of consensus on the definition of ATs, there is a need to clarify and define the scope and boundaries of the term to facilitate the implementation of technology in projects in developing countries. This study addresses this gap by means of a scoping review, which presents a detailed analysis of 17 journal articles (from an initial selection of 95 articles) and provides a comprehensive definition of ATs. To guide AT-oriented interventions in technology-intensive cooperation projects, this study proposes an Action Framework based on that definition of ATs. The Action Framework provides guidance on how to implement technology in these projects to ensure that the technology is appropriated. To facilitate the understanding of the Action Framework, the study showcases its application in a real project of rural electrification in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.

A stepwise route to domesticate rice by controlling seed shattering and panicle shape

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is consumed by more than half of the world’s population, but despite its global importance the mechanisms of domestication remain unclear. During domestication, wild rice (O. rufipogon Griff.) was transformed by acquiring non-seed-shattering behaviour, an important genetic change that allowed humans to increase grain yield. However, we show previously identified loci, sh4 and qSH3, are individually insufficient to explain loss of seed shattering nor increases in harvest yield in wild rice. We identify the complementary interaction of key mutations for abscission layer interruption and panicle architecture that were causal in the early domestication of Asian rice. An interruption of abscission layer formation requires both sh4 and qSH3, which presents an apparent barrier to selection of shattering loss. We identified the causal single nucleotide polymorphism at qSH3 within a seed-shattering gene OsSh1 conserved in indica and japonica subspecies, but absent in the circum-aus group of rice. We demonstrate through harvest experiments that seed-shattering alone does not significantly impact yield. Instead, we observed yield increases under a SRR3-controlled closed panicle formation, which is augmented by the integration of sh4 and qSH3 alleles causing a slight inhibition of abscission layer. Complementary manipulation of seed shattering and panicle shape result in a panicle structure that is mechanically stable. We propose a stepwise route in the earliest phase of rice domestication in which selection for visible SRR3-controlled closed panicle morphology was instrumental in the sequential recruitment of sh4 and qSH3 and leading to loss of shattering.Significance StatementRice is one of the most important crops worldwide. Loss of seed shattering in domesticated rice, previously attributed to single mutations such as in sh4, is considered the principal genetic change which resulted in yield increases. However, we show that sh4 is insufficient on its own to cause abscission layer disruption and other genes, such as qSH3 are required, making mechanisms for the initial selection of non-shattering unclear. We show that shattering loss in wild rice genetic backgrounds does not increase yields. We identify an interaction in which a second trait, closed panicle formation controlled by SPR3, both increases yield and facilitates recruitment of sh4 and qSH3 which synergistically augment yield, leading to a stepwise route for rice domestication.

PROBLEM OF A DISCRETE DATA ARRAY APPROXIMATION BY A SET OF ELEMENTARY GEOMETRIC ALGORITHMS

Context. In this paper, a problem of a discrete data array approximation by a set of elementary geometric algorithms and a recognition model representation in a form of algorithmic classification tree has been solved. The object of the present study is a concept of a classification tree in a form of an algorithm trees. The subject of this study are the relevant models, methods, algorithms and schemes of different classification tree construction. Objective. The goal of this work is to create a simple and efficient method and algorithmic scheme of building the tree-like recognition and classification models on the basis of the algorithm trees for training selections of large-volume discrete information characterized by a modular structure of independent recognition algorithms assessed in accordance with the initial training selection data for a wide class of applied tasks. Method. A scheme of classification tree (algorithm tree) synthesis has been suggested being based on the data array approximation by a set of elementary geometric algorithms that constructs a tree-like structure (the ACT model) for a preset initial training selection of arbitrary size. The latter consists of a set of autonomous classification/recognition algorithms assessed at each step of the ACT construction according to the initial selection. A method of the algorithmic classification tree construction has been developed with the basic idea of step-by-step arbitrary-volume and structure initial selection approximation by a set of elementary geometric classification algorithms. When forming a current algorithm tree vertex, node and generalized attribute, this method provides alignment of the most effective and high-quality elementary classification algorithms from the initial set and complete construction of only those paths in the ACT structure, where the most of classification errors occur. The scheme of synthesizing the resulting classification tree and the ACT model developed allows one to reduce considerably the tree size and complexity. The ACT construction structural complexity is being assessed on the basis of a number of transitions, vertices and tiers of the ACT structure that allows the quality of its further analysis to be increased, the efficient decomposition mechanism to be provided and the ACT structure to be built in conditions of fixed limitation sets. The algorithm tree synthesis method allows one to construct different-type tree-like recognition models with various sets of elementary classifiers at the preset accuracy for a wide class of artificial intelligence theory problems. Results. The method of discrete training selection approximation by a set of elementary geometric algorithms developed and presented in this work has received program realization and was studied and compared with those of logical tree classification on the basis of elementary attribute selection for solving the real geological data recognition problem. Conclusions. Both general analysis and experiments carried out in this work confirmed capability of developed mechanism of constructing the algorithm tree structures and demonstrate possibility of its promising use for solving a wide spectrum of applied recognition and classification problems. The outlooks of the further studies and approbations might be related to creating the othertype algorithmic classification tree methods with other initial sets of elementary classifiers, optimizing its program realizations, as well experimental studying this method for a wider circle of applied problems.

Using insensitive PPD-D1a allele for the early forms selection of bread wheat in the initial selection stages

Determination the photoperiod-insensitive allele (Ppd-D1a) in wheat cultivars is necessary for use in breeding development of newly wheat cultivars. The aim of our study was to select breeding material by screening Ppd-D1 gene alleles and estimation value and the degree of heterosis in F1. Using these two methods, it is possible to select genetic material for increased breeding of new wheat lines that combine earliness and increased productivity. In this study 26 varieties of spring soft wheat were screened for the Ppd-D1 gene alleles. The Ppd-D1a allele was detected in 12 wheat varieties (ITMI 10, 29, 47, 57, 58, 59, 60, 89, 94, AFI-91, AFI-177, Opata 85), the recessive Ppd-D1b allele was detected in 14 wheat varieties (ITMI 7, 31, 32, 44, 80, 88, 83, 115, Zlata, Lisa, Agata, Lubava, W7984). Based on the results of a comprehensive assessment, parental pairs were chosen and 10 recombinants were obtained. Based on estimation value and the degree of heterosis of the main ear traits in F1, such as "ear length", "number of grains from the ear" and "weight of grains from the ear" were identified 4 crosses as initial to create wheat cultivars that combine earliness and increased productivity.

Material Discrimination Algorithm Based on Hyperspectral Image

Hyperspectral information can be used to express the material properties of objects, which has a strong effect on camouflage recognition. However, it is difficult to process it directly because of the huge hyperspectral image data. Therefore, this paper proposes a new band selection algorithm to achieve band selection by simulating visual perception. The subspace clustering self-attention adversarial network is constructed to realize the initial selection of band. According to the visual chromatic aberration principle, a model is constructed to determine the band that combines the strongest response intensity of a particular material, and then this band is selected as the final band, therefore realizing the algorithm of material demarcation in this way.

Agreement

Principals delegate in order to resolve disagreements. We would be unwilling to invest energy in any sort of enterprise or activity, without a method to resolve the disputes that may arise. We grant someone the authority to interpret rules. Whether disciplining players in the NFL, deciding which country will host the soccer World Cup or settling disputes between governments in the World Trade Organization, principals turn to a dispute-resolving agent to sort it out. This chapter discusses the use of delegation to solve disagreements. Some scholars depart from principal-agent theory to use the term trustee to describe the autonomy in this type of delegation relationship, but this is an unnecessary departure. The key to controlling this agent lies in the initial selection process.

Using parasites as biological tag for Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) migration in Bangladesh waters

The study was aimed at following the movement of adolescent Tenualosa ilisha from nursery grounds to feeding and spawning grounds or other type of movements in Bangladesh waters. To accomplish this, data on metazoan endoparasites were used as biological tags for detection of migratory route. A total of 2667 host fishes were collected from eleven sites covering the three different ecological habitats of Bangladesh. Initial selection of parasites as biological tags was executed by using established criteria, primarily on the basis of different level of infection in different habitats. The role of incidental parasites as tags is also discussed. Overall fourteen species under eleven genus of endohelminths were identified from alimentary canal and associated organs of host, only three species of them had satisfied the criteria of being as biological tag. These are cestode parasite Ilisha parthenogenetica and acanthocephalan parasite Acanthosentis indica and Acanthosentis hilsai. Higher prevalence of these parasites at respective sites and the trend of prevalence of infection in size class of host fish demonstrated host‟s anadromous nature and reinforced the belief that the T. ilisha as a whole, migrates from the sea to the rivers via the estuaries and vice versa. Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 243-251, 2020

The Influence of Chosen Statistical Methods of Detecting Outliers on Property Valuation Result

The subject of the thesis concerns the application of selected statistical methods searching for outliers in the process of determining the value of real estate, based on a functional model adjusted to market data. The collected research material consisted of data on land properties, which were the subject of transactions on local markets, for which there was no information regarding the specific conditions of concluding the sale agreement. After the initial selection of data regarding the purpose of the property in the local plan, the type of property rights being sold and the size of the shares sold - a functional model was adjusted to the obtained data, showing the relationship between the price being the dependent variable and the features of the property being the independent variables. Then, two statistical methods of searching for outliers which are significantly different in their algorithms, i.e. Cook’s distance and robust estimation method called Pope’s method, were applied to each model. The last stage was to determine the model values of selected properties and to compare the obtained results with the known transaction prices of the parcels being the subject of the valuation. The conducted research allowed for the verification of the influence of significantly different statistical methods searching for outliers on the property valuation result and its accuracy.

Simulation of a low-voltage distribution network when arranging voltage stabilizers

A computer algorithm for optimal voltage regulation using voltage stabilizers is presented. The applied voltage stabilizers are suitable for operation with radial distribution networks, taking into account various load models. The proposed algorithm makes the initial selection, installation, and adjustment of voltage stabilizers, which provide smooth voltage regulation throughout the network, using the existing algorithms, which are appropriately modified and optimized. The algorithm is fast, efficient, and reliable, which is confirmed by its practical application in distribution networks.