A distribution network design for fast-moving consumer goods

A distribution network design of fast-moving consumer goods ensures distribution of products in an effective manner by giving  maximum customers’ satisfaction and minimum distribution cost. The study evaluates the distribution through direct shipment and the use of intermediate shipment for distribution of products from plant to depots. A real-life case study in Southwestern Nigeria was defined and solved as a linear programming model to minimise total cost of distribution from plant to the depots with consideration of four routing options. The results show that distribution through intermediaries gives a better solution than routing option with  direct shipment. The best routing option with intermediate points when compared with the routing option with direct shipment gives a savings of 1,819,490.00 Naira which translates to 13.46% cost savings. The study shows that the location of intermediaries is a key decision in distribution network design and that the intermediaries add value to the distribution networks in supply chain. Keywords: Distribution network; Supply chain design; Fast-moving consumer goods; Linear programmin

Construction Design and Sustainability in Architecture

The study aims to access the implementation of sustainable housing indicators (SHI) in the building design and construction in Ondo State, Nigeria. Generally, the overall degree of incorporating SHI in the building construction showed that Ondo Central District (OCAEZ) has the highest design compliance, while the awareness is unpopular in Ondo North District (ONAEZ) and Ondo South District (OSAEZ). Conversely, the selection of sustainability key indicators is very important at the early design stage and this would be veritable to projecting the environmental impact, energy and air quality sustainability potency of building. This development will go a long way to integrate and improve the building design and construction and enabling sustainability in building development

Microbiota of gills and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolates from Clarias gariepinus in different holding facilities

Gill is a key respiratory and excretory organ in fish as it provides oxygen need for survival and excretes waste products. However, gills can be infected with pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria leading to increasing fish morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to isolate, estimate and identify bacteria on the gills of Clarias gariepinus reared in different holding facilities. The susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were also studied using 10 antibiotics commonly used in pisciculture in Nigeria. A total of 84 bacteria belonging to 12 genera were isolated from the gills of 75 Clarias gariepinus. Gram-negative bacteria isolated included Salmonella species (3.6%), Pseudomonas species (7.1%), Aeromonas species (2.4%), Escherichia coli (13.1%), Proteus species (11.9%) Klebsiella species (3.6%), Citrobacter species (4.8%), and Shigella species (3.6%). Gram-positive Corynebacterium species (3.6 %), Staphylococcus species (20.3%), Bacillus species (19.0%) and Streptococcus species (7.1%) were also isolated. The result showed varying bacteria species when considering the different holding facilities. Greater than 50 % of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated were resistant to 5 and 6 different antibiotics respectively while greater than 80 % of all the bacteria were resistant to ≥ 3 antibiotics. The presence of these bacteria in fish predict subsequent impediment in pisciculture and may lead to socioeconomic losses, environmental contaminations and high public health risk. This study calls for concern and an urgent intervention on antibiotic stewardship among fish farmers. Keywords: Antibiotics resistance, Clarias gariepinus, Fish farms, Gills microbiota, Kaduna stat