Balancing a multistage vehicle number plate production line using effective cycle time model

Shortest product cycle time is a key criterion for job sequencing and measuring competitiveness among entrepreneurial-based firms. Now, the long waiting time of job orders constitutes a deterministic production line problem in vehicle number plate production plants in Nigeria. Case studies were conducted on those plants, confidentially identified in this paper as A, B, C, and D. Delays caused by non-value-adding work processes are major culprits among other contributors to the long queues at these plants. The value stream mapping technique was applied to identify non-value adding activities before the production line was balanced using an effective cycle time model. The index cases to a balanced line, as shown in the results, are increases in process rate by 41 %, 59 %, 42 %, and 71 % for  A, B, C, and D, respectively, and overall line efficiency. Next, the system capacities correspondingly increased with the elimination of wastages.  These increments imply that bottleneck activities have been minimized, and we have a balanced production line. The devised solution procedure is reliable and recommended to other line manufacturing concerns that experience delays and bottleneck problems

Nutrient characteristics assessment of two variants of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.) found in Anambra State, Nigeria

Nutrient analysis was carried out on the leaves and fruits of two variants of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) namely: Clemson spineless and dwarf long green varieties of A. esculentus commonly found in Anambra State, Nigeria, to determine their nutritional data with regards to protein, carbohydrate, moisture, ash contents, crude fibre and crude fat contents of A. esculentus using standard analytical techniques. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance. The leaves and fruits of the two varieties of A. esculentus investigated were found to contain the examined nutrient in varying compositions. Carbohydrate and moisture were higher in the fruits of both varieties of A. esculentus (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) when compared to the leaves (67.09±0.02 and 11.45±0.07), respectively. Ash content, protein, crude fat and crude fibre of A. esculentus were higher in the leaves of both varieties when compared to the fruits (9.10±0.14, 21.55±0.21, 5.33±0.18 and 18.68±0.04) of A. esculentus, respectively. Protein and ash of A. esculentus were higher in the leaves of Clemson spineless when compared to dwarf long green. Crude fat and crude fibre were higher in the leaves of dwarf long green when compared to Clemson spineless. This study has demonstrated that these varieties (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) of A. esculentus examined are power house of nutrients and can contribute significantly to human health. The study revealed that the leaves of A. esculentus are more nutritious than fruits. It is concluded from the present study that nutritional trials of both varieties (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) of okra could be an additional aid to the breeding improvement programme of A. esculentus.Breeding improvement programm

Prediction of low birth weight from other anthropometric parameters in Nnewi, south eastern Nigeria

Background: Low birth weight is a global problem but presents a major burden on the neonatal services in developing countries such as Nigeria, and brings to bear a greater strain on the meagre resources available for health care delivery and family financing. In a resourceconstrained setting as ours, proper weighing of all newborn infants and medical surveillance of low birth weight infants, although highly desirable, are often not achieved due to unavailability of suitable, functional weighing scales. There are serial cut-off points for the various anthropometric indices for the normal birth weight babies below which any baby is termed low birth weight. This study assessed the predictive values of anthropometric measurements in the detection of low birth weight newborn babies and also determined the local specific cut-off points for these measurements in Nnewi, Southeast Nigeria.Methods: This was a crosssectional study in which length, occipitofrontal circumference, mid-arm circumference and maximum thigh circumference of 428 singleton babies were ascertained within 24 hours of delivery. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Correlation and linear regression analyses were done to examine the linear relationship between the predictors and birth weight. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated at serial cut–off points and the points of best discrimination determined.Results: The low birth weight prevalence was 15.2%. Maximum thigh circumference attained the highest correlation with birth weight (r = 0.904), greatest coefficient of determination (r2=0.817), and least measure of dispersion around the actual birth weight. Thus maximum thigh circumference, which has a cut-off point of 16.75cm, was the best predictor of low birth weight, with 98.5% sensitivity, 92.3% specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 93.2% (P<0.001).Conclusion: Routine measurements of maximum thigh circumference in resource-poor countries is an effective proxy for weight at birth in prenatal assessments and epidemiologic surveys.Key words: anthropometric parameters,low birth weight, newborn, Nigeri

Experimental Investigation on Effect of Head and Bucket Splitter Angle on the Power Output of A Pelton Turbine

This paper investigates through experiment, the effect of head and bucket splitter angle on the power output of a pelton turbine (water turbine), to improve the power generation by the use of efficient Hydro-electric power generation systems. Experiments were conducted on pelton turbine head conditions, high head and low flow with increased pressure delivered more energy on the bucket splitter which then generates a force in driving the wheel compared to the result obtained from low head and high flow operating conditions. The power output was maximum at 23o splitter angle followed by 21o, 15o, 10o and 3o using varied turbine speed (1700, 1400, 1200 and 1000rpm). The force generated by the bucket due to the splitter was increased as the turbine speed was increasing. The force generated by the bucket was increased (0 to 0.38N) due to the energy delivered to the wheel by the head, the turbine output increases from (0 to 7.47kW) which influences the output. This increase in the power output was as a result of their head conditions and the bucket splitter angle

Modeling and Optimization of Performance of Four Stroke Spark Ignition Injector Engine

The performance of an engine whose basic design parameters are known can be predicted with the assistance of simulation programs into the less time, cost and near value of actual. This paper presents a comprehensive mathematical model of the performance parameters of four stroke spark ignition engine. The essence of this research work is to develop a mathematical model for the analysis of engine performance parameters of four stroke spark ignition engine before embarking on full scale construction, this will ensure that only optimal parameters are in the design and development of an engine and also allow to check and develop the design of the engine and it’s operation alternatives in an inexpensive way and less time, instead of using experimental method which requires costly research test beds. To achieve this, equations were derived which describe the performance parameters (sfc, thermal efficiency, mep and A/F). The equations were used to simulate and optimize the engine performance of the model for various engine speeds. The optimal values obtained for the developed bivariate mathematical models are: sfc is 0.2833kg/kwh, efficiency is 28.77% and a/f is 20.75. Keywords: Bivariate models, Engine performance, Injector engine, Optimization, Performance parameters, Simulation, Spark ignitio

Evaluation of Frictional Heat and Oil Cooling Rate in Mechanical Contact Due to Debris Formation

This paper evaluated experimentally, the amount of frictional heat generated in a Mitsubishi main journal bearing and the cooling performance of the lubricating oils A, B and C. The test rig used in this experiment is a mechanical apparatus that consists of mechanical drive, metal support, bevel gear, a rotating shaft and a bearing attached at its lower end. When the shaft was rotated by the mechanical drive of power 0.75kw and speed 1440rpm, the frictional force in journal bearing helped to convert the mechanical energy of the drive into frictional heat. The amount of heat absorbed from the surface of the journal bearing by the oil cooled the surface. The cooling rate of the oil was obtained at each time interval. The vibrating movement of the molecules helped to transfer the frictional heat to the lubricant and the calorimeter. This effect caused the temperature of the system to rise. The frictional heat generated at the contact increased linearly with the change in temperature in the mechanical contact which was absorbed differently in the three lubes, depending on their heat capacity and molecular movement. When there was no debris in the contact, the temperature changed within the range of 1.2-1.80C at interval of 3minutes in oil B, 10C in oil C and 0.8-1.20C in oil A. When there was sand debris in the contact, the temperature changed within the range of 2-2.50C at interval of 3minutes in oil B, 1.5-20C in oil C and 20C in oil A. Oil B has the best cooling performance based on the three local lubes used and was equally the most expensive. Mechanical failures like galling, fatigue and surface indentation occurred when the vibrational force (energy) of the molecules were greater than the binding force or energy of the atomic lattice of the bearing

Diasporic Literary Archives Network and the Commonwealth: Namibia, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, and other examples

This article brings together three themes: primary sources for the study of literature; the diasporic nature of literary manuscripts; and the impact of the diaspora on the English-speaking world, in general, and the Commonwealth, in particular. The article begins by describing some general characteristics of literary manuscripts, focusing in particular on their diasporic nature. It then outlines the work of the project known as the Diasporic Literary Archives Network in the years 2012-15. It concludes with an assessment of the archival diaspora as it affects cultural and literary heritage work in Commonwealth countries

Africanizing scientific knowledge: the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria as a model?

In November 2009, the fifth Pan African Malaria conference was held in Nairobi. Thirteen years after the founding initiative in Dakar, the first African Secretariat based in Africa (TANZANIA) organized this major event for the malaria community. Looking back, it has been a long way: changes in the research landscape, new funding opportunities came out and establishment of new partnerships between Europe, America and Africa. Goals identified in 1997 have not all been achieved because the critical mass of scientists has not been reached yet. However a new generation of African scientists have emerged through MIM/TDR funding and advocacy for more support remains on the agenda. Could it be rightly stated today that the MIM concept reflects the africanization of malaria research

Anaesthetic management of post-burn contractures, a recurrent challenge from oil pipeline vandalization in Nigeria: a case report

A 13 year- old girl presented to the department with sternomental contractures as a result of facial burns from kerosene explosion. Difficult airway was envisaged. Over the period of time she developed sub-mental contracture with keloids; and was scheduled for release of contractures and flap closure