Why are pro-poor exemption Policies in Tanzania better implemented in some districts than in others?

Like other African countries, Tanzania has in recent years, been implementing various exemptions and targeting programmes to protect and ensure equitable access to health care by poorer segments of the population. A body of evidence indicates that exemption policies, while potentially effective in principle, are ineffective in implementation. However, there is evidence that some districts, despite the challenges, perform better than others in terms of identifying the poor and allocating funds for the poor and vulnerable groups. Drawing from the review of minutes, health facility visits, and key informant interviews with the community representatives and the district health managers, the study explored why exemption policies in Tanzania are relatively better implemented in some districts than in others. The findings indicate that in Lindi district the pro-poor exemption mechanism was ineffective in implementation. There were no clear ways of identifying and protecting the poor household members. In contrast, in Iramba district the policy was relatively better implemented. The poor were identified at the village, ward, health facility and district levels. In some villages, the poor were grouped in 10s to form one household. Then, using the village funds, the Community Health Fund cards were purchased for them. Personal initiatives of the key district leaders, commitment of the district health management team and local government officials, regular supervisory visits, as well as incentives to the health facility committees and boards were the main factors that facilitated the implementation of the pro-poor exemption policy. It is concluded from this study that management and leadership practices including personal initiatives of the key district leaders, effective supervision mechanisms, commitment of the district health management team and local government officials, as well as incentives for the health facility committees and board members are pivotal for the implementation of the pro-poor exemption policies

Magnesium Oxide Use as a Pigment in Coating Formulations

The objective of this project was to evaluate the performance of magnesium oxide as a possible pigment for use in paper coatings. The use of magnesium oxide as a pigment in coatings is not currently nor has it ever been practiced in a mill situation. The principle goal of using magnesium oxide was to increase brightness and opacity in coatings at the level of performance found with titanium dioxide at a far lower cost. The evaluation was done of the basis of rheological performance as well as optical testing. Coatings of various levels of magnesium oxide and titanium dioxide were applied to a recycled base sheet similar to that of a topliner of a coated board. The coatings were applied on the Dow Laboratory coater at low speeds with a blade applicator. All coatings were evaluated by the Brookfield viscometer as well as the Hercules high shear viscometer before coating was done so coating could be analyzed at similar viscosities. The results during experimentation have given the following conclusions. Some shear thinning occurred with the substitution of magnesium oxide for titanium dioxide at high shear rates. Dispersion without any dispersant caused rheological problems with the magnesium oxide. At similar coat weights, the optical objectives of the experiment were satisfied with these results: equal brightness with 100% substitution of magnesium oxide for titanium dioxide, higher gardner gloss with magnesium oxide than titanium dioxide, equal opacity for pure substitution, with optimum opacity coming at an even 50/50 split of the pigments, improved smoothness with total replacement, as measured by Parker Print Surf, and a higher ink absorbtivity in the magnesium oxide coatings due to less dense coating structure containing more pores. Overall, the use of magnesium oxide is warranted if the problems of dispersion and coater rheology are overcome or managed with the use of dispersant. The unknowns to be explored with further study are the runnability on a machine coater and the abrasiveness of the magnesium oxide on equipment

District conditions

Economic conditions - West (U.S.) ; Federal Reserve District, 12th

Commercial objectives, technology transfer, and systems analysis for fusion power development

Fusion is an inexhaustible source of energy that has the potential for economic commercial applications with excellent safety and environmental characteristics. The primary focus for the fusion energy development program is the generation of central station electricity. Fusion has the potential, however, for many other applications. The fact that a large fraction of the energy released in a DT fusion reaction is carried by high energy neutrons suggests potentially unique applications. In addition, fusion R and D will lead to new products and new markets. Each fusion application must meet certain standards of economic and safety and environmental attractiveness. For this reason, economics on the one hand, and safety and environment and licensing on the other, are the two primary criteria for setting long range commercial fusion objectives. A major function of systems analysis is to evaluate the potential of fusion against these objectives and to help guide the fusion R and D program toward practical applications. The transfer of fusion technology and skills from the national labs and universities to industry is the key to achieving the long range objective of commercial fusion applications

District agricultural outlook

Federal Reserve District, 12th ; Agriculture - West

The Twelfth District agricultural outlook

Federal Reserve District, 12th ; Agriculture - West

1994 District agricultural outlook

Agriculture - Forecasting ; Federal Reserve District, 12th ; Agriculture - West

District agricultural outlook

Federal Reserve District, 12th ; Agriculture - West