Rural Resource Centre (RRC) business model: A new agri-based knowledge hub

Poster prepared for a share fair, Addis Ababa, May 201

Electric vehicle possibilities using low power and light weight range extenders

Electric cars have the disadvantage of a limited range, and drivers may experience a range anxiety. This range anxiety can be solved by adding a range extender. But, the range extender should be light so as not to significantly increase the weight of the original vehicle. In urban areas with dense traffic (usually developing countries), the average speed around cities is typically lower than 50km/h. This means, the rolling resistance losses are more important than aerodynamic losses, and a weight reduction results in a bigger electrical range. Therefore, smaller and lighter range extenders are of much interest. The contribution of this paper is to indicate the possibility of range extenders with less than 25 kg with a capacity of 150 to 200 cc to suit a condition where weight counts. In this paper, the cost, environmental and grid impacts of going electric are also discussed. The effect of high altitude and driving style on the performance of an electric vehicle is assessed. The challenges and opportunities of vehicle electrification between countries with decarbonated power generation and fossil fuel dominated power generation are highlighted. Throughout the article, the case of Ethiopia is taken as an example

Effect of Landauer's blowtorch on the equilibration rate in a bistable potential

Kinetic aspect of Landauer's blowtorch effect is investigated for a model double-well potential with localized heating. Using the supersymmetric approach, we derive an approximate analytical expression for the equilibration rate as function of the strength, width and the position of the hot zone, and the barrier height. We find that the presence of the hot zone enhances the equilibration rate, which is found to be an increasing function of the strength and width of the hot zone. Our calculations also reveal an intriguing result, namely, that placing the hot zone away from the top of the potential barrier enhances the rate more than when it is placed close to it. A physically plausible explanation for this is attempted. The above analytical results are borne out by detailed numerical solution of the associated Smoluchowski equation for the inhomogeneous medium.Comment: 15 pages in LaTeX format and 6 figures in postscript E-Mail : [email protected] [email protected]

In-situ Conservation of wild forest coffee-Exploring the potential of participatory forest management in south west Ethiopia

Maintaining the gene pool of Coffea arabica in the forests of South West Ethiopia, where this plant evolved and has its genetic hearth, is a challenge of global importance. Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and Biosphere Reserves (BR) are among the various initiatives being tested to maintain this forest and its biodiversity that includes major stands of wild Arabica coffee. This paper makes a comparative analysis of PFM and BR approaches to conservation as applied in Ethiopia. While BR legislation provides a framework for enforcement, there can be difficulties in achieving this on the ground especially with the pressures from communities on these forests and the limited resources of the state to enforce protection. In some cases because core zones are alienated from communities these areas are seen as open access by local communities and have suffered especially from fires and focused deforestation. An alternative approach for in situ conservation of wild coffee using PFM has been explored in South West forest of Ethiopia. PFM, by engaging local communities in the management of forests is believed to increase economic and environmental benefits while reducing costs of conservation..Monthly field monitoring by communities and annual reviews with the government have turned this forest from open access to community controlled. Critically the development of market links and value chains for forest products is motivating communities to maintain and improve their forest. It is hoped that PFM will create a win-win goal – enhancing the role played by the forest in rural development and ensuring the conservation of wild coffee genetic resources

Optimal barrier subdivision for Kramers' escape rate

We examine the effect of subdividing the potential barrier along the reaction coordinate on Kramers' escape rate for a model potential. Using the known supersymmetric potential approach, we show the existence of an optimal number of subdivisions that maximises the rate.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, To appear in Pramana - J. Phys, Indi

The causes of ethio-somali war of 2006

Somalia y Etiopía se embarcaron en tres conflictos mutuamente destructivos en cinco décadas. Puede decirse que en diciembre de 2006 una combinación de razones condujo a Etiopía y Somalia hacia la guerra, incluyendo consideraciones internas de ambos estados, tales como aspiraciones territoriales, resolución de problemas internos, la amenaza del fundamentalismo islámico, la intervención de fuerzas externas y los intereses y políticas de otros estados, tales como Eritrea. Debido a estas causas, Etiopía emprendió una campaña militar contra la Unión de Cortes Islámicas (UCI), la cual, en parte confiada por su victoria sobre los señores de la guerra y por su relativa buena aceptación entre los somalíes, erró en sus cálculos al enfrentarse a las fuerzas etíopes, mucho mayores que las suyas y mejor preparadas para la batalla. Además, Estados Unidos desempeñó un papel en el estallido de la guerra, dada su política orientada a contrarrestar elementos de al-Qaeda, que aparentemente mantenían vínculos con la UCI. En términos generales, el objetivo del presente estudio es analizar los factores que condujeron a los dos estados vecinos, Etiopía y Somalia, a la guerra en 2006. Más específicamente, se proporcionará una valoración sólida sobre los actores involucrados, así como sus intereses y motivaciones.Somalia and Ethiopia were engaged in three mutually destructive conflicts within five decades. It can be said that, in December 2006, a combination of reasons led Ethiopia and Somalia to war including internal considerations in both states such as territorial aspirations, resolution of internal problems, the threat of Islamic fundamentalism, the intervention of external forces and the interests and policies of other states such as Eritrea. Because of these causes, Ethiopia undertook a military campaign against the Union of Islamic Courts which, in part misguided by their victory over the warlords and by their relative acceptance among the Somalis, miscalculated by engaging the very much bigger and battle-ready Ethiopian forces. Furthermore, the US played a part in the outbreak of the war because its policy of countering Al-Qaeda elements which were said to have links with the UIC. In broad terms, the study is aimed at analyzing the factors that led the two neighboring states, Ethiopia and Somalia, to war in 2006. More specifically, it will give a sound assessment of the actors involved, their interest and motivation