Bio-chemical characterization of bacterial flora associated with spoilt vegetables in kaduna markets Northern Nigeria

Some vegetables such as Capsicum annum (Pepper), Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato), Allium cepa (Onion), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum tubero- sum (Potato) and Daucus carrota (Carrot) which are consumed more frequently in the area were obtained from Kaduna central market and Kawo market with the aim of isolating and characterizing the different bacterial flora associated with their spoilage. Four bacteriological media: Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA), MacConkey Agar (MA), Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA) and Blood Agar (BA) were used for the isolation of the bacterial populations. The results obtained from Kaduna central market indicated the presence of two Gram positive bacteria viz: Staphylococcus and Streptococcus strains as well as three Gram negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Klebsiella spp. Staphylococcus aureus is the most abundant (with 80% relative occurrence) with Strep-tococcus spp being the least abundant (with 10% relative occurrence). Furthermore, among the Gram negative isolates, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Kleb- siella spp had the highest occurrence of 30% each, while Enterobacter spp had the least. Similar results were obtained of the isolates from Kawo market except that among the Gram negatives, Edwardsiella spp was found in Kawo market but E. coli is absent. More so, S. aureus and K. spp has the highest percentage of 605 each in Kawo market. The result showed that the people consuming these vegetables are at higher risk of boils, carbuncles, impetigo, infections of wounds and burns, breast abscesses, whitlow, osteomyelitis, bronchopneumonia, septicemia, bacteremia, acute endocarditis, food poisoning and scalded skin syndrome due to these bacterial populations.

An Inventory Model for Deteriorating Items with Generalised Exponential Decreasing Demand, Constant Holding Cost and Time-Varying Deterioration Rate

In this present paper, an inventory model with a generalised exponential decreasing demand is considered. A numerical example is used to illustrate the application of the model. Sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution with respect to various parameters is carried out to see the effect of parameter changes on the solution.

The Beam-Forming Technique for Enhancement of Noisy Seismic Refraction Data

We have described a method of obtaining useful information from noisy seismic refraction data. The simple method, tagged beam-forming technique, is based on the basic time-distance equations of refraction seismology. It involves basically of introducing relative time delays to individual seismic traces of seismic refraction spread to correct for the non-coincidence of the incidence seismic energy at different geophones, and averaging the traces to obtain the beam. The assumption here is that the signal is coherent between the geophones while the noise is random, and for groups of geophones corresponding to the same refraction segments of the travel time curve, this basic assumption is valid. The process of beam forming therefore leads to improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and correct determination of the intercept times which are subsequently used to compute other geologic layer parameters. The ability of the applied technique to filter out or minimize random noise has been tested using a modified random number routine. The performance test on computation of geologic layer parameters using very noisy synthetic data reveals that the method is still very reliable even with very poor quality data having SNR as small as 0.05.

Conceptual Analysis of a Time-Dependent Double-Diffusive Flow over a Semi-Infinite Vertical Plate

This study is devoted to the analysis of a one-dimensional time-dependent double-diffusive flow over a semi-infinite vertical plate, under a convective surface boundary condition. Using similarity variable, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations have been transformed into a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are solved numerically by using shooting method alongside with Runge-Kutta integration scheme as embedded in Maple software programme. The numerical results of the skin-friction coefficient, the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are discussed and depicted graphically.

Groundwater Flow Modelling of Galma Basin, Nigeria： Using Finite Element Method

The groundwater flow characteristics of the Galma River Basin were simulated numerically by using the finite element method. The two-dimensional partial differential equation governing transient flow in an unconfined aquifer was modified to incorporate the effect of precipitation as a measurable source as it affects groundwater flow, such that for a given amount of precipitation over the basin, the flow of groundwater can be predicted at any point in the basin. With appropriate initial and boundary conditions, the modified equation was solved and the solution programmed for computer run. After calibration and verification, the borehole hydraulic data for the basin was used to predict flow due to groundwater hydraulic heads for 20 years. Findings revealed that there is a direct correlation of 0.79 and a strong linear relationship between simulated and observed hydraulic heads, and that data availability and choice of appropriate initial and boundary conditions are significant for good numerical modelling results. The contour plot of the hydraulic heads showed variation of heads from higher values at the upstream to lower values downstream, and groundwater flow follows the natural topography of the land from the upstream end of the basin towards the main streams and Galma River.

Liberation Size and Beneficiation of Enyigba Lead Ore, Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria

This research work centered on the determination of Liberation Size and Enrichment of Enyigba Lead Ore in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study reviews the fundamental operations in mineral processing i.e. the comminution process for the release and liberation of the valuable minerals particles from the ore association, and the eventual separation and concentration of the valuables from the gangue. The ore was pulverized, sieved to liberation size and beneficiated. The mesh of grind was found to be 189 μm, and the liberation size was established to be 63 μm sieve size having the highest percentage of lead of 15.1% then enriched to 69.8% by froth flotation method and was assessed by using x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The lead concentrate by weight was obtained to be 81.80%, confirmed being of high economic grade having surpassed 60% wt Pb element in an ore. It is hoped that this will enhance its development to meet both local and international demand for potential investment opportunities.

Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Suspected Seepage Channels in an Earthen Dam in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria

To determine and map the subsurface conditions of a dam, a 2D electrical resistivity tomography study was carried out within the two flanks of Zaria dam at Shika. This was done to ascertain if the variations in the volume of water content in the dam is due to an anomalous seepage beneath the subsurface or seasonal effects. On the basis of the interpretation of the acquired data, various zones of relatively uniform resistivity values were mapped and identified. The first zone is characterized by moderate resistivity values of 150 - 600 ohm-m. It represents unsaturated topsoil with thicknesses varying from 1 - 4.5 m. The second (intermediate depth) resistivity zone, with values ranging from 5 - 100 ohm-m and thickness varying from 3.5 - 10 m, represents a silt clay layer with high moisture content. The third resistivity zone represents fairly weathered granite and is characterized by relatively high resistivity values ranging from 700 - 6000 ohm-m. The available borehole log data correlated well with the pseudo-sections in relation to the obtained resistivity values and depth. Zones of relatively low resistivity within the bedrock are interpreted to represent potential seepage pathways. Hence, this geophysical method can be successfully used to delineate and map these seepage pathways within the subsurface of the earth dam.

Plane Stagnation Double-Diffusive MHD Convective Flow with Convective Boundary Condition in a Porous Media

A numerical analysis has been carried out to study the problem of plane stagnation double-diffusive MHD convective flow with convective boundary condition in a porous media. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations have been reduced to systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by the similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved numerically by using the classical fourth order Runge-Kutta method together with the shooting technique implemented on a computer program. The effects of the physical parameters are examined on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles. Numerical data for the skin-friction coefficients, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers have been tabulated for various parametric conditions and are also shown graphically and discussed.

Erratum to “An Inventory Model for Deteriorating Items with Generalised Exponential Decreasing Demand, Constant Holding Cost and Time-Varying Deterioration Rate” [American Journal of Operations Research 8 (2018) 1-16]

The original online version of this article (Isiyaku Aliyu, Babangida Sani (2018) [18] An Inventory Model for Deteriorating Items with Generalised Exponential Decreasing Demand, Constant Holding Cost and Time-Varying Deterioration Rate. AJOR, 8, 1-16. doi: 10.4236/ajor.2018.81001.) was published as some results data reported mistakenly. The author wishes to correct the errors to: