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Working Papers | 1990

Computer Graphics, Peripheral Vision & Non Euclidian Geometry

Jayanth R. Varma

Computer graphics in Decision Support Systems is often confronted with the task of providing the decision maker with a visual picture of some object which is too large to fit on a computer screen unless the image is scaled down so drastically that much of the detail is lost. The viewer is then asked to work with a partial view of the object, and use a keyboard or a mouse to (a) scroll this image horizontally or vertically, or (b) zoom in or out, or (c) rotate the object. These techniques are strikingly similar to those that the human visual system uses to deal with a similar problem. One crucial difference is that of peripheral vision-the human eye while concentrating on a small part of the field of vision still retains a hazy view of the peripheral region preventing it from losing sight of the total picture. This paper argues that the lack of a similar peripheral vision is perhaps the single gravest deficiency in computer graphics today. It then goes on to develop a mapping technique which simulates this peripheral vision, and thereby makes computer graphics truly powerful and versatile. The paper analyses the distortions induced by such a mapping, and argues at length why these do not pose serious problems. The suggested mapping is closely related to non Euclidian geometry; this ties in with the fact known to psychologists for over fifty years that the perceptual geometry of human visions strongly non Euclidian. Thus, if one were to adapt the Turing test for artificial intelligence to computer vision, then non Euclidian geometry can be expected to play a key role in any attempt to satisfy that the test. Building on these ideas, the paper demonstrates that computer graphics has a great deal to lean from non Euclidian geometry, and that in turn computer graphics can contribute significantly to the intelligent application of non Euclidian geometryies to real life problems. What is needed is the willingness to set aside the shackles and shibboleths of Euclidian geometry.

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Working Papers | 1990

Initiative, Innovation and Institutions: The Study of Emerging Trends in Voluntarish in Rural Development in India

Gupta Ramesh

Working Papers | 1990

The Right to Resource: Present Knowledge Protocol of Its Extraction and Ethics of Collaboration in Extractions

Gupta Ramesh

Paper deals with the dilemma that arise in the mind of scholar using on the issue of local technical knowledge. How can academics extract sent by using knowledge produced by peasants and what are the ways if dealing with it are discussed in the paper.

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Working Papers | 1990

Lessons for Learners

Gupta Ramesh

How do we conceptualize the process of learning in public development organizations which are designed to deal with only articulated, aggregated and persistent demand from the clients. I have listed in this paper some lessons which have been culled from the experience of 'developmental deviants 'or' 'Organizational Insurgents'. Several propostions have been listed which point to the need for further research in collaboration with the administrators and development managers. Barriers to learning have been identified along with the ways by which learners can generate experiential knowledge. International aspects of learning have been given precedence over the individual aspects. It is argued that generating choices for actions both for poor and the development managers without creating capacity amongst them to exercise these choice will impair the learning abilities of both.

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Working Papers | 1990

Arbitration by a Bayesian Statistician and Bounded Rationality

Lahiri Somdeb

In this paper we formalize the framework of an arbitration game, to accommodate a large class of situations where public decisions are implemented in a noncooperative setting. We then present a method of computing the equilibrium strategies of the players under assumptions of bounded rationality, so that the solutions correspond to what is observed in any realization of an arbitration game.

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Working Papers | 1990

Reaching the Rural Poor Experience of Public Distribution System in India

Bapna S L

The Public Distribution System (PDS) accounts for about one-third of total subsidy expenditure of the Government of India and about three percent of the GNP. If managed efficiently, the PDS could be more effective in alleviating poverty and hunger. However, it did not receive as much attention of the researchers as was received by progrmmes on poverty alleviation which claim much less expenditure. In this paper, interface of the rural consumers with PDS channels is analysed. The extent of benefits derived by rural consumer under different typologies of PDS is examined. Evaluation of channels of PDS is done by using 'management by objectives' approach. It is found that strategy formulation in PDS is not worked out well and therefore, its cost of reaching the poor become very high. It is suggested that unless a targetting approach is adopted and strategy based on the needs of the target group is done, programme would remain very expensive. Alternatives of phasing out PDS and substituting it with food stamps and proper employment projects are suggested.

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Working Papers | 1990

Valuation of Environmental Impacts of Forestry Projects

Tewari Devi D

In this paper, an attempt is made to discuss approaches to valuing environmental impacts of forestry project. More specifically, how the static basic exchange model can be modified and simplified for valuation of the same. It is suggested that the social benefit-cost analysis can be used to the valuate nontimber products of forestry project; and, different methods to valuing different nontimber outputs are discussed and reviewed.

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Working Papers | 1990

Transferring Science for Development and Diffusion of Technology: Agenda for Recasting Extension Science Research for Drylands/Rainfed Regions

Gupta Ramesh

We argue that both, the system of technology generation as also transfer in dry regions/rainfed high risk environments have to be differently designed than the systems suitable for irrigated regions. In Part-I, we discuss the characteristics of dry region and implications for participative organizational design. Various dimensions discussed include: ecological diversity; low population density and poor demand system; lack of timeliness in operations; inability of markets to act as monitors of farmers' needs; rainfed economy is not just crop centered; survival through commons; need for research on group based technologies as against individual based technologies etc. Part-II includes the concept of horizontal diffusion and a brief review of literature on the subject. Part-III provides socio-ecological implications for institutional restricting such as, (a) need for on-farm research, (b) concept of ecological mapping, (c) method of manual discriminant analysis, (d) building upon local knowledge, (e) ethics of knowledge transfer, (f) agro-industrial watershed, (g) sustainable institutional design through linkage between communication and power etc. Need for incorporating concerns of women and poor multi-enterprise rural households is highlighted. It is suggested that instead of technology transfer, emphasis in future will have to be on science transfer. This will help people develop technologies by linking formal and informal knowledge system.

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Working Papers | 1990

Forestry Development Projects in India: Finance and Bankability

Gupta Tirath

The main objectives of this study were (i) to assess the procedures and problems of institutional finance for forestry development projects, (ii) to discuss the steps to enhance bankability of forestry development projects, and (iii) to present some thoughts for future policies and practices for forest land development. A number of measures can be taken to enhance the social relevance and financial feasibility of projects aimed at improved management of forest wasteland with or without clearfelling/raising manmade plantations. A few of such measures are discussed in this section. 1. All possible attempts should be made to enhance the outputs of a variety of goods including, but not confined to, timber and fuelwood. 2. Necessary steps to save on the projects costs should be taken. 3. The intangible benefits "stemming from" and "induced by" a project must be carefully identified and evaluated.

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Working Papers | 1990

Review of Post-Graduate Research in Agriculture (1973-1984): Are We Building Appropriate Skills for Tomorrow

Gupta Ramesh, Simmons George B, and Shah Rekha N

Post Graduate Research (PGR) has been an important source of generating technological breakthrough in social as well as natural sciences. The skills for solving problem of 21st century have to be created now. We have reviewed all the abstracts of PGR reported to Haryana Agricultural University Journal of Abstracts of the period 1973-1984 (n = 1817). Five disciplines viz., Genetics and Plant Breeding (n = 242), Economics, Sociology and Extension (1229), and Agronomy (376) were selected for analyzing these abstracts from the point of view of area, method, purpose, commodity/crop etc. of the study, Despite various limitations of the data, several vital research gaps emerge. We have specifically focussed on the importance attached to the problem of rainfed/dry farming regions. Suggestions have been made for (a) making research on risky problems more attractive for students by modifying degree granting system and providing attractive fellowships, (b) periodically reviewing PGR so that corrective measures can be taken, (c) encourage research on research process itself, and linkage between on-station and on-farm research. Some other problems which need urgent attention are: crop-livestock interactions, institution building for common property resources as well as private resources under watershed development; problems of pastoralists rearing small and large ruminants, effects of stress fodder on post-drought performance of livestock; hand tools, conjunctive use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, breeding for low input environment as well as for grain and fodder quality and quantity; screening under inter or mixed crop environments for crops that are predominantly sown under such conditions; longitudinal research on ecological systems including watershed, household adjustment with risks in different agro-climatic zones etc.

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