Openness, Inequality and Poverty in Africa

This paper explores the relationships between openness, poverty and inequality in Africa. The analysis begins with a review of social development on the continent since 1980, followed by a discussion of openness and a lengthy exploration of the patterns of trade and finance that link Africa to the rest of the world. The macroeconomic policy framework that guided African policymaking over the last three decades is the lens through which poverty and inequality are further examined. The paper highlights the major factors underpinning openness and social development, and concludes with policy recommendations.Africa, inequality, income distribution, poverty, social development, globalization, international trade, debt, financial flows, economic growth, structural adjustment, liberalization.

The Structure and Performance of Ethiopia's Financial Sector in the Pre- and Post-Reform Period with a Special Focus on Banking

financial sector development, growth, banking, financial liberalization, Ethiopia, Africa

H2 optimal and μ-synthesis design of quarter car active suspension system

Better journey comfort and controllability of automobile are pursued via car industries with the aid of considering using suspension system which plays a very crucial function in handling and ride comfort characteristics. This paper presents the design of an active suspension of quarter automobile system using robust H2 optimal controller and robust μ - synthesis controller with a second order hydraulic actuator. Parametric uncertainties have been additionally considered to model within the system. Numerical simulation become completed to the designed controllers. Results display that during spite of introducing uncertainties, the designed μ - synthesis controller improves ride consolation and road protecting of the automobile while as compared to the H2 optimal controller

Intestinal helminth infections and dietary diversity score predict nutritional status of urban schoolchildren from southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia where schoolchildren are among the vulnerable groups. However, limited attention has been given for the nutritional status of schoolchildren including the lack of available evidence on the magnitude and modifiable risk factors in different parts of the country. Thus, we aimed at determining the magnitude and predictors of undernutrition among schoolchildren in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April, 2014 involving 532 schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years. A two-stage probability sampling procedure was applied to select study schools and subjects. Anthropometry measurements were taken using standardized techniques and calibrated equipment. Intestinal parasite infections were determined from stool samples using direct saline method and formal ether concentration technique; whereas data on demographic and relevant risk factors were gathered through structured interview of caretakers. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of stunting and wasting in the study population. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting and wasting were 26.0% (95% CI: 22.3, 30.1%) and 11.7% (95% CI: 9.1, 14.9%), respectively. In multivariable model, poor household wealth [AOR (95% CI) = 3.2 (1.2, 8.5)], living in large family [AOR (95% CI) = 2.3 (1.0, 5.1)], lack of maternal formal education [AOR (95% CI) = 4.1 (1.8, 9.4)], low Dietary Diversity Score [AOR (95% CI) = 2.3 (1.2, 4.7)], A. lumbricoides [AOR (95% CI) = 5.0 (2.7, 9.4)], hookworm [AOR (95% CI) = 8.0 (4.0, 15.8)] and T. trichuria [AOR (95% CI) = 6.3 (2.8, 14.1)] infections were associated with stunting. Wasting status was independently associated with not living with both parents [AOR (95% CI) = 2.0 (1.0, 4.1)], poor household wealth [AOR (95% CI) = 8.9 (2.0, 39.2)], and recent illnesses [AOR (95% CI) = 6.3 (3.1, 12.6)]. CONCLUSIONS: Both acute and chronic malnutrition are prevalent among schoolchildren in the study area where intestinal parasite infections, poor dietary quality and common illnesses are important modifiable risk factors. A comprehensive school-based health and nutrition intervention involving parents may help to alleviate the problem including regular deworming and promotion of personal hygiene and balanced diet

An economic model of the Ethiopian farm household

This paper presents a simple model of an Ethiopian farn household which captures three important aspects of the policy regime characterising the Derg period. These aspects are compulsory grain delivery, rationing in manufactured consumer goods, and rationing in modern farn inputs. The model involves two main innovations with the agricultural household modelling framework. First, a new procedure of analysing the impact of the policy of forced grain procurement is introduced. The procedure enables us to directly characterize the effects of that policy on farm households’ welfare, as well as the production and consumption choices they make. Second, it pulls together various strands of te relevant literature in a simple manner. In particular, it provides a more direct way of determining the welfare effects of rationing, compulsory grain delivery, prices and incomes. Both individual and joint effects can be handled this way. The comparative static properties of the model directly show that forced grain procurement by the state reduces the welfare of farm households and distorts their production choices. The results also indicate that shortages (rationing) in manufactures consumer goods and modern inputs make commodity demands, input demands, and output supplies less price responsive.

Compulsory grain delivery, crop prices and the dynamics of crop supply

An intertemporal acreage allocation model that allows for the impact of compulsory grain delivery is developed. Subsequently, an estimable dynamic acreage demand equation is derived, and estimated for a crop using region-level data. Generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators for dynamic panel data models are used. The elasticity estimates thus obtained suggest that the demand for crop acreage (and hence the supply of crop output) responds negatively to the level of forced grain procurement, positively to output own-price, and negatively to gross returns from alternative crops.

Taxes and Tax Reform in Ethiopia, 1990-2003

tax reform, fiscal policy, distribution of income, incidence analysis, Ethiopia, Africa

Design and Control of EMS Magnetic Levitation Train using Fuzzy MRAS and PID Controllers

In this paper, a Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) train is designed with a first degree of freedom electromagnetbased totally system that permits to levitate vertically up and down. Fuzzy logic, PID and MRAS controllers are used to improve the Magnetic Levitation train passenger comfort and road handling. A Matlab Simulink model is used to compare the performance of the three controllers using step input signals. The stability of the Magnetic Levitation train is analyzed using root locus technique. Controller output response for different time period and change of air gap with different time period is analyzed for the three controllers. Finally the comparative simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented fuzzy logic controller

Comparison of PID and MPC controllers for continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) concentration control

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) is amajorarea in process, chemical and control engineering. In this paper, PID and MPC controllers are designed for CSTR in order to analyze the output concentration of the system by comparing the two proposed systems using Matlab/Simulink. Comparison have been made using two desired concentration input (Random reference and step) signals with and without input side disturbance (Flow rate error). The simulation result shows that the continuous stirred tank reactor with MPC controller have better response in minimizing the overshoot and tracking the desired concentration for the system without input disturbance and with the effect of the disturbance makes the continuous stirred tank reactor with MPC controller output with small fluctuations and still better than the continuous stirred tank reactor with PID controller. Finally the comparative analysis and simulation results prove the effectiveness of the continuous stirred tank reactor with MPC controller