Spatial Coupling in Turbo Equalization

In this paper we consider spatial coupling in turbo equalization and demonstrate that the code design trade-off between the performance in waterfall and error floor regions can be avoided. We introduce three coupling schemes and compare their performances, where the first method introduces coupling between the encoder and the channel, while the second uses a spatially coupled (SC) code. In the third scheme we use both a coupled code and couple between the code and the channel. We show by computer simulations that, with spatial coupling, we can have good performance in both the error floor and the waterfall region with reasonable decoding latency by using a window decoder. We show this for both the maximum a posteriori (MAP) and linear minimum mean square (MMSE) equalizers

Is Kilimo Kwanza a Reliable Answer to The Paradox of Hunger in The Midst of Plenty in Tanzania? Challenges and Prospects of KILIMO KWANZA (Agriculture first) Strategy in Tanzania

This paper is of the position that KILIMO KWANZA (Agriculture first) with minimal differences with previous strategies to promote agriculture in Tanzania, among many other challenges is still operating in the raw and unprocessed agricultural products as opposed to agribusiness manufacturing operations or using agricultural revolution as a tool to non agribusiness manufacturing operations reflecting global market preferences. To be precise, this paper is of the opinion that KILIMO KWANZA has come at a right time to promote Tanzanian agriculture but the scope and focus of the strategy is narrow and unrealistic in Tanzanian context with the current market demands. Based on the findings and discussions raised in this paper, it is concluded that, Kilimo Kwanza is a relevant strategy to fight hunger and poverty in Tanzania. However its scope and focus is too theoretical to bring the impact expected. This paper to gather with other things, recommends revision of Kilimo Kwanza strategy to see what can be done to make it more effective and efficiently. Keywords: KILIMO KWANZA (agriculture first), arable land, agribusiness manufacturing sector, entrepreneurial agriculture

A Prospective Study on Assessment of Pesticide Effects (Particularly Anticholinesterases) on Health of Exposed Workers Tanzania

A prospective study was conducted in two agricultural Research institutes in Tanzania on.111 workers who were exposed to various groups of pesticide compounds including cholinesterase inhibitors from 19. 3. - 20. 4. 1977. The workers were categorized into A, B, C, D occupational groups, and group E comprised of 54 subjects was selected as a control group. The objectives for the study were to assess the effects of the pesticide chemical compounds on health of the workers; and to try how to design a methodology for assessing the degree of exposure risk based on external influencing factors. For determination of cholinesterase activity, usually inhibated by some anticholinesteras pesticide compounds Spectrophotometeric and Tintometric methods were used simultaneously, while interviews, questionnaires and clinical examinations were the other objective and subjective methods applied for assessing the clinical pesticide effects. It was revealed in the study that there was significant inhibition in cholinesterase activity among the exposed subjects particularly in groups A and B who handled cholinesterase inhibitors which correlates with exposure factors and the clinical manifestations observed during the investigations. A proposed model for assessing the degree of exposure risk to anticholinesteraeee in form of a screening test is also described

Tariff Impact on Industrialization in Tanzania: Evidence from Edible Oil Sub-Sector

The research is financed by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the auspices of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food, Germany Abstract Developing countries implement protectionist policies like imposing tariffs, with the aim of promoting domestic production. This study assesses the impact of the imposed tariffs on edible oil on Tanzania’s economy using a recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model (CGE). Findings from this study show that implementing the tariff intervention on the dibble oil sub-sector has two principle outcomes; first, it triggers domestic producers to supply more due to the rise in demand and prices for the commodities, thus increases domestic production to meet demand; second, it reduces imports, consequently, decreasing citizens’ welfare by limiting the availability and access options from imported commodities. Protectionist policies, when solely used as a solution to increase domestic production in a sector that is inefficient in terms of productivity, creates a supply deficit in the market, thus reducing consumers’ welfare. Therefore, to improve sustainability and increase industrial competitiveness, it is imperative to promote policies and interventions that target increasing productivity. Interventions, like the use of improved seed and other modern technologies, that reduce costs of production are critical as commodities will be sold at a slightly competitive premium or the same prices as imported commodities. Keywords: Tariff; Industrialization; Edible oil; Recursive dynamic CGE; Tanzania DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-10-02 Publication date:May 31st 201

Reducing Edible Oil Import Dependency in Tanzania

Reducing food imports and promoting domestically produced food commodities are long-standing goals for policymakers and other stakeholders in sub-Saharan African countries. For instance, Tanzania, after a long period of dependency on imported food commodities, such as sugar and edible oils, intends to meet its demand for these commodities through domestic production by transforming its agriculture sector to achieve this goal. Applying a general computable equilibrium (CGE) model, this study determines the multiplier effects of technological progress that is assumed to foster domestic edible oilseed crop production, other crops, and Tanzania’s economy in general. Findings from the model establish an increase in domestic production not only for the edible oilseed crops but also for other commodities from other sectors of the economy. In addition, there is a decrease in prices on domestically produced commodities sold in the domestic market, and an increase in disposable income is predicted for all rural and urban households, as well as government revenues. Based on model results, we recommend that the Tanzanian government invests in technological progress and interventions that increase production in sectors such as agriculture, where it has a comparative advantage. Interventions that increase smallholder farmer’s production, such as the use of improved seed and other modern technologies that reduce costs of production, are critical for reducing food imports and improving food security.Peer Reviewe

To Examine the Effectiveness of Secondary School Budgets in Implementation of School Projects of Sengerema District,Mwanza

This study intended to examine the effectiveness of secondary school budgets in implementation of school projects. The objectives of the study was to identify the school priorities when planning the school budgets, to find out challenges the secondary school experience in the budget planning and management and to analyze strategies to improve the budget planning and implementation in secondary schools. The population of this study was all secondary school teachers, DEO and all heads of schools in Sengerema Districts. The sample size consisted of 31 school teachers, school board members 30, Heads of school 4, DEO 1; a total of 66 respondents, the study used both structured questionnaire and interview to assess the realities of the study. Descriptive survey design helps to describe the information pertaining the effectiveness of school budget planning and management in schools. The findings revealed that 80% of school heads plan their school budget according to the needs of school and directives with guidelines from the central authority like the ministry of education and vocational training. The results from the study according to its objectives observed that 93% of the school administrators maintained their budget through considering the priorities which the government has planned for its uses. In addition, most of the heads of school suggested that capacity building through workshops, seminars is of prime importance in order to support their daily activities in area of procurement, book-keeping, fund raising techniques, project planning and management. The study recommends that the heads of schools should continue to struggle for the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate their management in all areas by employing personal initiatives and through networking

On the Universality of Spatially Coupled LDPC Codes over Intersymbol Interference Channels

In this paper, we derive the exact input/output transfer functions of the optimal a-posteriori probability channel detector for a general ISI channel with erasures. Considering three channel impulse responses of different memory as an example, we compute the BP and MAP thresholds for regular spatially coupled LDPC codes with joint iterative detection and decoding. When we compare the results with the thresholds of ISI channels with Gaussian noise we observe an apparent inconsistency, i.e., a channel which performs better with erasures performs worse with AWGN. We show that this anomaly can be resolved by looking at the thresholds from an entropy perspective. We finally show that with spatial coupling we can achieve the symmetric information rates of different ISI channels using the same code

Assessment of Nitrogen Management on Sunflower Yield and Its Economic Response in Smallholder Farms in a Semi-Arid Region

Although sunflower production in Tanzania is increasing, smallholder farmers still face a number of constraints that result in poor yields. Lack or inadequate nutrient supply is one of the main factors limiting crop productivity in Tanzania. However, mineral fertilizer is not always easily available and not economically affordable by smallholder farmers. Therefore, the use of animal manure could be a feasible and financially viable alternative, especially in the Dodoma region, where there is abundant livestock production. The aim is to analyze the effects of different animal manure rates on sunflower yield and the economic response of smallholder farms from Dodoma region. The dataset used in this study was obtained from a 2-year in loco survey. Sunflower yields under different animal manure rates were obtained using a process-based biophysical model, and results linked to an economic assessment. Results considering the 2015 and 2045 period showed a positive effect of animal manure application in sunflower yield (866.8 kg ha(-1)) under manure rate limiting 5000 kg ha(-1). The high rates of animal manure showed a decrease on yield providing evidence that water stress becomes the main limit factor for sunflower growth. Taking the economic assessment into account, an animal manure rate of 3000-5000 kg ha(-1) is the most appropriate fertilization management under the environmental and social conditions of Dodoma region, providing a profitable financial return to the farmers (283-416 USD ha(-1)). Therefore, sunflower is an attractive cash crop for Tanzanian farmers when the soil fertilization is properly managed