Abstract Many studies about medial outcomes in rural areas or medial resource deficient areas have been published, but few discuss outcomes in areas deficient in oral medical resources. The program, improving underserved dental health care resources, has been implemented for near ten years, but no study explores the business models in different areas that are underserved dental health care resources. The purpose of this study is to compare different models of operating the program ¡§improving underserved dental health care resources¡¨. As to the business model, the program ¡§improving underserved dental health care resources¡¨ is executed in two main models. One is execution in fixed sites. The advantage of this model is high stability. Dentals can plan and set the equipments that they need to use. The other is medical tour. The advantage of this model is high flexibility, which let dentals can provide services as far as possible for patients in medial resource deficient areas. Finally, based on the research findings, this study proposes some suggestions, including that to use the medical-tour model as the major business to implement the program, to carefully assess the site for exestuation need, to consider the financial support on equipments (especially the dental mobile medical vehicle ), to strengthen local infrastructure investment is prior to plunge into health care resources, and so on. Keywords: Remote area, Health care delivery, No-dentist Rural Areas

Abstract: I studien undersöks hur myndighetspersoner upplever att samverkan fungerar, samt vad det finns för likheter samt skillnader på samverkan i Uppsala respektive Östersunds kommun. Dessa aktörer är betydelsefulla i arbetet med våldsutsatta kvinnor, därför är det en viktig förutsättning att ta tillvara varandras kompetenser för en god samverkan. Ämnet våld i nära relationer är fortfarande nytt för socialtjänsten, vilket gör att det finns bristande kunskap i arbetet för våldsutsatta kvinnor. Detta är en kvalitativ studie som är grundad på semistrukturerade intervjuer, respondenterna till undersökningen arbetar på socialtjänsten och kvinnofridsverksamheter. Resultatet i studien kan sammanfattas med att samverkan mellan verksamheterna och organisationerna är nödvändiga och att samarbetet leder till bättre insatser samt förutsättningar i arbetet med våldsutsatta kvinnor. Resultatet visar att samverkan inte fungerar optimalt då ansvarsfördelningen kan bli otydlig ibland samt att det behövs vissa förutsättningar som gemensamma mål, samsyn och resurser för en god samverkan. / <p>141007</p>

Η διπλωματική εργασία έχει σκοπό την πρόβλεψη της διείσδυσης των ευρυζωνικών υπηρεσιών στις αγροτικές περιοχές με την χρήση μοντέλων διάχυσης. Η θεωρία της διάχυσης των καινοτομιών εξετάζει πώς μια νέα ιδέα ή η υιοθέτηση μιας νέας συμπεριφοράς, εξαπλώνεται σε όλη την αγορά κατά τη διάρκεια του χρόνου. Με την χρήση των μοντέλων διάχυσης μπορούμε να προβλέψουμε την υιοθέτηση των ευρυζωνικών υπηρεσιών μέχρι αυτές να φτάσουν στον κόρο. Αφού γίνει η πρόβλεψη παρουσιάζονται διάφοροι τρόποι με τους οποίους η ελληνικές αρχές δείχνουν το ενδιαφέρον τους για την αύξηση της ευρυζωνικότητας στις αγροτικές περιοχές. / Aims to predict the penetration of broadband services in rural areas using diffusion models. The theory of diffusion of innovations examines how a new idea or adopting a new behavior spreads throughout the market over time. By using the diffusion models we can predict the adoption of broadband services until reaching these in gross registered tonnage. Once the forecast presented several ways in where the Greek authorities show their interest for broadband growth in rural areas.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Smart Grid is an initiative to make the existing utility grid more effective and efficient by making utility infrastructure smarter. The initiative affects all areas of the utility grid and all utility hardware. Communication to utility hardware for monitoring and remote configuration is central to the smart grid vision. The focus of this project is the Smart Transformer, a distribution transformer with built-in intelligence and communication capabilities. Data acquisition and remote configuration hardware and software was developed and installed on a distribution transformer for application in deep rural areas. The solution included communication capabilities and adheres to industry standards. The solution was tested and data acquisition and management were done using the OSIsoft PI System software. Field tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution in a deep rural setting. It was found that the smart transformer can be effectively monitored, configured and controlled in a deep rural setting. The smart transformer concept was investigated in a microgrid context. The potential of a smart transformer within a microgrid was explored and the smart transformer as a microgrid market-enabler was focussed on. A simulation was performed to evaluate the role of a smart transformer as a microgrid market-enabling device. It was found that the smart transformer has the potential to serve as a market-enabling device. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die slim kragnetwerk is 'n initiatief om die bestaande kragnetwerk meer effektief en doeltreffend te maak deur kragnetwerk infrastruktuur se intelligensie te vermeerder. Die initiatief beïnvloed alle aspekte van die kragnetwerk en kragnetwerk hardeware. Kommunikasie met kragnetwerk hardeware vir moniteering en instelling oor 'n afstand is sentraal aan die slim kragnetwerk visie. Die fokus van hierdie projek is die slim transformator, 'n distribusie transformator met ingeboude intelligensie en kommunikasie vermoëns. Data verkryging en afstandelike instelling hardeware en sagteware was ontwikkel en installeer op 'n distribusie transformator vir toepasing in diep-landelike gebiede. Die oplossing sluit kommunikasie vermoëns in en voldoen aan industrie standaarde. Die oplossing was getoets en data verkryging en bestuur was geïmplementeer met gebruik van OSIsoft se PI Stelsel sagteware. Veldtoetse was gedoen om die effektiwiteit van die oplossing in diep-landelike gebiede te evalueer. Dit was gevind dat die slim transformator effektief gemoniteer, ingestel en beheer kan word in 'n diep-landelike omgewing. Die slim transformator konsep was ondersoek in 'n mikro-kragnetwerk konteks. Die potensiaal van 'n slim transformator binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk was verken en die vermoë van 'n slim transformator om 'n mark binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk in staat te stel was op gefokus.‘n Simulasie was uitgevoer om die vermoë wat 'n slim transformator het om 'n mark binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk in staat te stel te evalueer. Dit was gevind dat 'n slim transformator die vermoë het om 'n mark binne 'n mirko-kragnetwerk in staat the stel.

Magister Artium - MA / Telecentres in Malawi are being established to bridge the digital divide. Though the basic assumption is that once telecentres have been established many will adopt them, they are being used by a relatively small percentage of the population. However, limited systematic research has been done to understand why. The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing the acceptance and use of telecentres and their services in Malawi. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing: the access and usage patterns of telecentres and their services; relevance of telecentre service to the community members; factors affecting the usage of telecentres; and challenges facing telecentres and their users. The study employed Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory which explains how innovations are taken up. This was a quantitative and qualitative case study of one Multipurpose Community Telecentre: Lupaso Telecentre. Questionnaires were given to 130 users who visited the Telecentre during a two-week data collection period in May 2014. Face to face interviews were conducted with three telecentre staff and management committee; and one Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority staff, the implementers of the project. Document and records analysis and observation were used to verify data from the Telecentre users, staff and the management committee; and to formulate some questions for interviews with some key informants. The study reveals that a majority (94.6%) view the Telecentre as an important project; it is improving human skills, increasing the finances and strengthening social capital of the community members and many (85%) users are satisfied with Telecentre service. The negative finding is that only a few people use and benefit from the Telecentre; there is uneven access: users are generally male, young, with low educational and income levels, farmers and Nkhondes; and the ICTs are not the chief attraction. The study finds that convenience and cheaper services; compatibility of services with community’s needs; communication channels, social system, visibility of the benefits of using the Telecentre; and complexity of ICTs influence the use and non-use of the Telecentre. Furthermore, the Telecentre and users are facing several challenges that have a negative impact on telecentre usage. Some of the challenges are: lack of Internet searching skills, frequent blackouts, lack of local content and high costs of services. The study concludes that working on these factors and challenges may help in increasing user base. Hopefully, the results will help those implementing and operating the telecentres on how best to attract more users to the telecentres. The results also add to the body of literature in general

An imperative of the South African government is to increase agricultural production in rural areas. In support of this, a project was initiated in the Mlondozi district of Mpumalanga Province under the National LandCare programme. The goal was to assess land management practices contributing to sustainable and profitable agricultural production. Medium-term liming experiments were sampled to a range of lime treatments in a Hutton and Oakleaf soil. Critical thresholds where a reduction in relative grain yield was found were at a pH (H2O), extractable acidity, Al and acid saturation of 5.49, 0.277 cmolc kg soil-1, 0.145 cmolc kg soil-1 and 13%, respectively. Critical soil fertility threshold levels were established at 50 mg K kg-1, 228-345 mg Ca kg-1, 78-105 mg Mg kg-1 and 1.68-2.83 mg Cu kg-1. Nutrient vector analysis showed a toxic build-up of Fe, followed by Al and to a lesser extent Mn, which depressed the uptake of Ca, Mg and B in the Hutton soil. In the Oakleaf soil, Al toxicity, followed by high concentrations of Mn and Fe, markedly reduced the uptake of Ca, Mg and K by maize. Net rates of acid production in the soil profile varied between 1.61 and 2.44 kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 for the Hutton soil and between 4.59 and 8.82 kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 in the Oakleaf soil due to liming. A decline of 0.046 pH unit year-1 for an initial pH(H2O) value of 5.33, and 0.140 pH unit year-1 for an intial pH(H2O) of 6.47, respectively, in the Hutton was recorded. For the Oakleaf these declines were 0.044 and 0.110 pH unit year-1, from pH(H2O) 4.54 and 5.15. Maintenance liming amounts at different pH values for the Hutton soil were equivalent to 0.2, 0.3 and 1.4 tonnes CaCO3 ha-1 annually, while 0, 0.8 and 0.8 tonne CaCO3 ha-1 annually were recorded for the Oakleaf soil. The study was extended to 80 random topsoil samples in the district. Relationships of soil BC over limited pH ranges showed that at soil BC (pH<4.5) the main buffering mechanism was extractable Al > organic C > clay. At soil BC (pH4.5-6.5) the buffering mechanism was extractable Al > clay > CBD-Al > organic C > CBD-Fe. The main buffering mechanism between pH 6.5-8.5 was clay > CBD-Fe, organic C > CBD-Al. Acid production for 30 crop production sites varied from a measured 0.21 to 10.31 (mean 3.70) kmol H+ ha-1 year-1 The rate of pH decline for the top 0-250 mm depth was between 0.051 and 0.918 (mean 0.237) pH units year-1. In the absence of remedial lime applications, pH (H2O) values in most of the area are projected to decrease to the critical value of 5.68 or lower within 4 years. Soil with a pH (H2O) value of >5.73, extractable Al and acidity of <0.18 and <0.25 cmolc kg-1 soil, respectively, clay content of ≤26%, and a ECEC value of ≤3.29 cmolc kg soil-1, are at greater risk of acidification as gradual acceleration in soil acidification takes place at the above-mentioned critical thresholds. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

The majority of South African household live in poverty with a limited variety of foods available in their home. In most rural villages domestic poultry plays an important role in improving household food security, but is limited by shortage of feed and high feed costs. Using non-conventional feed ingredients in poultry diets may ease the situation of malnutrition in rural populations, providing the family with high quality animal protein at more affordable prices. Macadamia oil cake meal (MOCM) is an inexpensive by-product from the macadamia oil industry of the Limpopo Province. Although it is relatively high in crude protein (20-25%), MOCM has never been considered as a feed ingredient for poultry feeds. The high and varying fibre content (up to 25%, depending on the extrusion method applied) of MOCM may render it unsuitable as an ingredient for high producing poultry such as broilers. The question, however, arouse whether the inclusion of MOCM in the growing diet of meat-producing chickens typically found in rural areas, would be cost-effective. Calcium (Ca) in poultry rations is usually supplied as calcium carbonate from limestone. Wood ash (WA) from fireplaces at homestead in rural villages was found to be rich in Ca (approximately 26%) and has the potential of being a free and readily available Ca supplement that could easily be added to the diet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of MOCM and WA as alternative feed ingredients in growth rations for chickens in rural areas. New Hampshire chickens were randomly divided into eight treatment groups with four replicates per treatment and twelve chicks in each replicates. The chicks were housed in an environmentally controlled broiler house from day-old to 15-weeks of age. Four diets were formulated, one without MOCM and the other three containing different levels of MOCM, viz. 10, 50 and 100% plus salt and a trace nutrient mixture. Each of these treatments was split in two with one receiving limestone (CaCO3) and the other WA, as Ca sources, giving eight treatments in total. All the treatments received diets with a Ca level close to 1 %. Parameters measured on weekly basis were body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was determined. The analysis of the carcass composition and tibia bone strength was done at the end of the 15 week period. An analysis of variance with the ANOVA model (SAS) was used to determine the significance between different treatments for the balanced data. Significance of difference (5%) between means was determined by multiple comparisons using Tukey t-test. The treatment of 100% MOCM was terminated at eight weeks since the chickens had retarded growth and low body weight gains, demonstrating that the 100% MOCM diet both with and without Ca were not feasible. The BW and feed intake of the diet of 100% MOCM plus WA was, however,significantly higher than the diet of 100% MOCM plus lime. However, the inclusion level of up to 50% MOCM had no significant differences in (muscle and fat), except for FI, BWG and FCE between treatment diets. In conclusion, the results prove that MOCM can be added to the ration at a 10% concentration level without any adverse effect on growth. Higher inclusion levels of MOCM might also be beneficial,especially when included at an older age of the bird. Wood ash proved to be an efficient Ca source, as the substitution of limestone with WA showed no negative effect on the tibia bone parameters measured. Copyright / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

In developing countries rural communities are normally geographically isolated contributing to both poverty levels and the deficiency in the participation of social and economic activities. Accessibility to education constitutes one of the primordial links between the economic growth of a country and the development of high skilled population. Given South Africa's unique history, divisions throughout the landscape incapacitate inhabitants of rural communities in reaching opportunities and services, therefore, aggravating issues related to social exclusion and inequality. This study aims to determine accessibility levels in South African rural regions by looking at different aspects that entangle the theory behind it, specifically: the zone attractiveness and impedance. With that in mind, the investigations carried out are firstly directed towards accessibility at the provincial level and thereafter a focus area is determined. At the provincial level, it was found that the Northern Cape presented the greatest disadvantages. However, given insufficient resources and data related to this province, the Cape Winelands Municipality District was chosen as the area to extend the investigations. When assessing the focus area, the study deployed a GIS-based analysis wherein potential and real accessibility were determined. Initially using the gravity measure, and subsequently using a survey carried out in the region. The study has revealed that Stellenbosch and Robertson are the towns experiencing high accessibility levels. Notwithstanding, most principal towns still experience critically low accessibility indexes. The findings of this study can, therefore, be useful in indicating areas that need further studies or are experiencing disadvantages regarding accessibility.

In the rural areas of Kwa Zulu Natal small scale farming is the main agricultural activity, which is often carried out in addition to other employment taken on in another location by at least one member of the household. Although Veterinary services (VS) was aware of several diseases occurring in this area and has implemented a dipping strategy for tick borne diseases as well as a regional annual vaccination campaign for Rabies, Anthrax and Black quarter, uncertainty remained about the relative importance of other diseases such as brucellosis, leptospirosis and enzootic bovine leucosis. Further it was of interest to investigate the serological resistance of cattle against the tick borne diseases babesiosis and anaplasmosis. In addition to this veterinary services wanted to increase their understanding of the perceptions and practices of local cattle owners that were relevant for the context of disease control. A serological survey of cattle was carried out between March 2001 and December 2003 to determine the prevalence of the above-mentioned diseases. The survey was designed as a two-stage survey, considering the diptank as the primary sampling unit. The conduction of the questionnaire survey was based on a convenience sample and took place during the dipping procedure. The apparent prevalence at district level was adjusted for clustering, and diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity and displayed in maps. The mean true prevalence of brucellosis varied from zero to 15.8 percent in the north eastern region with the large majority of the districts being disease free. Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL) was widely present in the province at generally low prevalences, except in the central region where the highest prevalence at district level was recorded to be 70 percent. Leptospirosis also occurred frequently with the highest prevalence noted being 62 percent at district level. The southern regions showed a higher leptospirosis prevalence than other areas of the province, while in some of the northern and western districts a lower prevalence is noted. The encountered servovars were pomona, which occurred most frequently, tarrasovi, bratislava, hardjo, canicola and icterohaemorrhagica. While Babesia bovis and anaplasmosis occurred at a high prevalence throughout the province, B. bigemina was found to be much less established and is absent from many of the northern districts. Most prevalences calculated at district level do show large confidence intervals due to uncertainty that arose from the sampling frame and should be interpreted with care. / Dissertation (MSc (Production Animal Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Production Animal Studies / MSc / unrestricted

BACKGROUND Work related stress is a globally discussed and known phenomenon in countries irrespective of their stage of economic development. The nature of work related stress is harmful and uneconomic as it hampers productivity in the provision of quality services in organisations and give rise to undesirable socio-economic effects. Work related stress is a mismatch that occurs between an individual and the work environment, wherein the higher the imbalance between the external demands and an individual’s abilities. Nursing is noted for producing relatively high levels of stress due to the pressure-full and demanding nature of the job. Within nursing, nurse managers are noted to be specifically vulnerable to experiencing higher stress levels due to the stressful situations they are constantly facing, the higher the level of stress that will be experienced. Work related stress may have negative consequences for nurse managers such as lack of concern for themselves or their work and a negative self-image AIM AND OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurse managers in a rural public hospital regarding work related stress. METHOD The study was explorative and descriptive qualitative in nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 nurse managers working at the designated hospital. By using content analysis five themes were identified: 1) Causes of work related stress, 2) Signs and symptoms of work related stress, 3) Consequences of work related stress, 4) Current strategies to cope with work related stress, 5) Recommended strategies to cope with work related stress. FINDINGS Nurse managers in the rural district hospital are aware of the nature of work related stress in their work, the causes and contributory factors, and several strategies they deem important to assist in the management of work related stress were recommended. CONCLUSION Nurse managers in a rural district hospital are exposed to high levels of work related stress due to the nature of their job and poor working conditions in the hospital. Recommendations to assist in the management of work related stress were made. KEYWORDS: work related stress, nurse managers, rural areas, district hospital / Dissertation (MNurs Nursing Management)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Nursing Science / MNurs (Nursing Management) / Unrestricted