Solution-processed organic devices developed by a novel cost-effective patterning technique based on electrical erosion

Application of arc erosion to the patterning of metallic contacts in organic devices is presented. A home-made systems and details of the working principles are described. Advantages and drawbacks of this novel technology are discussed

Climate Vulnerability, Adaptation, and Grassroots Renewable Energy in Nicaragua: A case study responding to the El Niño of 2015-2016 in Las Mariitas, Somotillo, Chinandega

The Major Research Project examines the application of Community Based Adaptation practices in the community of Las Mariitas, municipality of Somotillo in Chinandega, Nicaragua. The study takes particular interest in community based renewable energy projects and how these technologies are applied to improve resiliency alongside other adaptation strategies during droughts such as that of the El Niño of 2015-2016. In collaboration with the Humboldt Center, a leading Nicaraguan NGO dedicated to environmental advocacy, this research documents the benefits, deficiencies, and opportunities provided by these technologies in responding to climate vulnerabilities and environmental threats. This study applies participatory action research and mixed methods to analyze socioecological risks and vulnerabilities in Las Mariitas, as well as the Community Based Adaptation practices, socio-economic activities, and supportive civil society networks that work to improve resiliency and adaptation. The study applies an action oriented research framework called “the Approach to Designing Energy Delivery Models for People Living in Poverty”, which cumulated in the creation of a community energy project proposal that responds to the energy gaps and opportunities identified through field work and conversations with residents in Las Mariitas. The study concludes that climate and socio-environmental risks, including future El Niño drought patterns, natural resource exploitation, and socio-political crisis as of April 19, 2018, are likely to place strains on community health, wellbeing, and the local environment. Furthermore, residents in Las Mariitas engage in multifaceted approaches and income generating activities to improve overall climate resiliency and adaptation, including development projects, business ventures, migration, and sustainable agriculture, with support from external civil society networks and internal community organizations. Community energy projects contribute positively to community health and wellbeing with high appreciation from the community despite of the costs and deficits that may occur in implementation. The study recommends future inquiry into climate vulnerability indexes and Community Based Adaptation strategies in rural communities in Nicaragua through Participatory Action Research methods

Deciphering the Genetic Architecture of Key Female Floral Traits for Hybrid Wheat Seed Production

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple cereal that provides 20% of the calories and proteins in human intake (Ray et al., 2013). Global population is projected to increase to 9.7 billion by 2050. Food production must increase by 70% to feed this future population. Wheat production is in crisis due to political and environmental challenges and is projected to decline by 0.8% in 2022 (FAO, 2022). To ensure food security yield genetic gain must increase by around 1.4% annually. Taking advantage of heterosis, hybrid wheat has the potential to boost grain yield. However, hybrid wheat seed production systems are not profitable due to the cleistogamy of the crop (Longin et al., 2012). Selection of parental lines with beneficial floral traits is necessary to improve outcrossing ability and thus seed set in hybrid wheat production fields. While several studies have focused on the morphological and genetic variation of male floral traits, few have studied in detail the phenotypic and genetic architecture of female floral traits and their crucial importance in hybrid wheat seed production systems. This study aims to unravel the genetic architecture of key female floral traits for hybrid wheat seed production by phenotyping key female floral traits and conducting a genome wide association study to decipher the genetic basis of the phenotyped traits. We studied a panel of winter wheat breeding lines sprayed with the Chemical Hybridizing Agent Croisor®100. Gape Date, Gape Score, and CHA damage were measured during seven years and genotyped with 44,240 SNP markers. The phenotypic variation was very wide for all female traits in the phenotyped lines. We identified 73 significant marker-trait associations for all assessed traits. Three candidate genes coding for unknown proteins were the most promising and their specific biological function need to be explored. The understanding of the genetic architecture of the female floral traits, and the identified marker-trait associations and candidate genes in this study might serve as a foundation for future studies on developing female floral traits to enhance cross-pollination for effective hybrid wheat seed production. Advisor: Katherine Frel

State-Uncertainty preferences and the Risk Premium in the Exchange rate market

This paper introduces state-uncertainty preferences into the Lucas (1982) economy, showing that this type of preferences helps to explain the exchange rate risk premium. Under these preferences we can distinguish between two factors driving the exchange rate risk premium: “macroeconomic risk” and “the risk associated with variation in the private agents’ perception on the level of uncertainty”. State-uncertainty preferences amount to assuming that a given level of consumption will yield a higher level of utility the lower is the level of uncertainty perceived by consumers. Furthermore, empirical evidence from three main European economies in the transition period to the euro provides empirical support for the modelForecasting, subspace methods, combining forecasts.