Advanced Animal Track-&-Trace Supply-Chain Conceptual Framework: An Internet of Things Approach

Information and data transmission, as well as total visibility in terms of supply chain track-&-trace, is seriously lacking in current industrial logistics-&-supply-chain management activities. This paper proposes the application of RFIDs and the Internet of things’ enterprise systems architecture to, propose a low-cost feasible cloud solution. This solution would keep track of health history, birth records, ownership history and track location of each animal by using an electronic solar-powered tag instead of the current passive ear tags. This paper employs GPRS, GSM and the Google Earth function along with RFIDs to design an enhanced proposed enterprise system-architecture framework in the form of a business process model. Various areas such as e-health, e-commerce, and cloud-based manufacturing have been revolutionized by discoveries in digitized practices. Advancements in the Internet of things led to the advent of asset tracking systems, condition monitoring and various intelligent systems that exchange data over the cloud. Farmers are very vulnerable to stock theft, straying animals and high business risks due to poor animal health management practices. Existing tracking systems have high ownership costs since some of them rely on GSM network providers whose services are costly for farmers. Innovations in digitized systems continue to add more value to businesses and individuals across broad range sectors. Authors of this paper propose a low-cost intelligent animal tracking system for an African free-ranging environment. Economies worldwide are ever becoming digital and animal husbandry practices stand to benefit from this digitisation approach

Mechanical Properties of Heat-treated Medium Carbon Steel in Renewable and Biodegradable Oil

The heat treatment of steels under controlled conditions alters their physical and mechanical properties, enabling them to meet the desired engineering applications. In this study, the suitability of a Namibian local oil (marula oil) as an alternative quenchant to SAE40 engine oil (Standard quenchant – a synthetic oil derived from natural or crude oil) for industrial heat treatment of medium carbon steels was investigated. SAE40 engine oil served as the control. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and hardness) of the treated and untreated samples were investigated at the temperatures of 850oC, 900oC, 950oC and 1000oC. The untreated sample had the highest amount of elongation (40%), while the sample quenched in marula oil had the highest hardness (24.33HRD) and tensile strength (530.32 N/mm²) values compared with both the untreated and the SAE40 engine oil quenched samples. Hence, marula oil showed high potential as an alternative quenchant to petroleum based SAE40 engine oil for quenching medium carbon steels, without cracking or distortion

Detection and phenotypic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from clinical and community samples in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this study was to isolate and phenotypically characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)from clinical and community samples in Abakaliki, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 709 clinical (303) and community samples (406) samples were obtained for this study. MRSA isolates were detected using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with the inclusion of 1 μg oxacillin and cefoxitin antibiotic disc. The isolates were screened for the β-lactamase production using nitrocefin sticks.Results: A total of 44 MRSA isolates were obtained from the samples with prevalence frequency of 22.6 % and 20.8 % from clinical and community samples respectively. The clinical isolates were completely resistant (100 %) to ceftazidime, tetracycline and penicillin. Gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against the clinical and community isolates respectively with a susceptibility frequency of 63.2 % and 80 %. Exactly 38.1 % and 24.2 % of the clinical and community S. aureus isolates were positive for beta-lactamase production respectively. The HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA isolates had MARI valueswithin the range of 0.3 to 1.0.Conclusion: This present findings of multi-drug resistance MRSA is very worrisome as it further highlights the pressing need to keep a strict watch on MRSA emerging from this study area.Keywords: MRSA, beta-lactamase, antibiotics, multidrug resistance, clinical samples, community samples

The freshwater Sponge Ephydatia Fluviatilis harbours diverse pseudomonas species (Gammaproteobacteria, Pseudomonadales) with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity

Bacteria are believed to play an important role in the fitness and biochemistry of sponges (Porifera). Pseudomonas species (Gammaproteobacteria, Pseudomonadales) are capable of colonizing a broad range of eukaryotic hosts, but knowledge of their diversity and function in freshwater invertebrates is rudimentary. We assessed the diversity, structure and antimicrobial activities of Pseudomonas spp. in the freshwater sponge Ephydatia fluviatilis. Polymerase Chain Reaction - Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) fingerprints of the global regulator gene gacA revealed distinct structures between sponge-associated and free-living Pseudomonas communities, unveiling previously unsuspected diversity of these assemblages in freshwater. Community structures varied across E. fluviatilis specimens, yet specific gacA phylotypes could be detected by PCR-DGGE in almost all sponge individuals sampled over two consecutive years. By means of whole-genome fingerprinting, 39 distinct genotypes were found within 90 fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates retrieved from E. fluviatilis. High frequency of in vitro antibacterial (49%), antiprotozoan (35%) and anti-oomycetal (32%) activities was found among these isolates, contrasting less-pronounced basidiomycetal (17%) and ascomycetal (8%) antagonism. Culture extracts of highly predation-resistant isolates rapidly caused complete immobility or lysis of cells of the protozoan Colpoda steinii. Isolates tentatively identified as P. jessenii, P. protegens and P. oryzihabitans showed conspicuous inhibitory traits and correspondence with dominant sponge-associated phylotypes registered by cultivation-independent analysis. Our findings suggest that E. fluviatilis hosts both transient and persistent Pseudomonas symbionts displaying antimicrobial activities of potential ecological and biotechnological value.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE (Operational Competitiveness Programme); national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) [PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011]; FCT-funded project [PTDC/BIA-MIC/3865/2012]; Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cloud Based 3D Printing Business Modeling in the Digital Economy

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is becoming the industry standard for manufacturing and prototyping. Although the technology is very old, it gained a huge traction in the past two decades. 3D printing favors unique once-off orders (mass customization) in contrast to mass production. This calls for innovative business models in order to realize economic gains from the technology. Increased product innovations in the global economy also contribute to wide adoption of 3D printing unlike in the old days. A transition in the manufacturing field has brought e-manufacturing and now cloud-based manufacturing. Machines, including 3D printers, in the past were not Internet-enabled but modern designs have the capability of Internet connectivity. Cloud-based 3D printing is a new model of design that has a significant impact on today's entrepreneurs. This article focuses on a business case for a cloud-based approach in consumer product niches. A cloud-based 3D printing business model (3D-Cloud) is developed based on the business model canvas, which promises major breakthroughs in e-entrepreneurship innovation. The model uses a virtual community approach to bring together technocrats, enthusiasts, and shared 3D printer facilities of common interests, whilst promoting an enterprising spirit

Social Communities of Design and Makers and their Impact on Learning

The past two decades have seen a rapid growth in the Maker communities and Communities of Enquiry. Unlike social media, these communities have a unique goal of sharing special skills as well as enquiring about special knowledge areas. Advancements in web technologies and models of delivery, in particular, cloud computing (CC), enables the communities to thrive virtually. The authors focus on the technocratic communities interested in designing and making things. These are also known as hobbyists or hackers, in their respective scientific or engineering disciplines. Various online platforms continue to surface, modelled around the Maker concept. The article scrutinizes the value and impact of these communities in learning. A new model for inspiring innovation in knowledge-based economies and building communities of industry and end-user ready product maker is presented and discussed

Drop weight Impact Response of Woven Natural Silk/Epoxy Laminated Composite Plates

Abstract: Woven natural silk fabric has been commonly used in textile industries for centuries. Irrespective of their mechanical and environmental merits, their utilizations as reinforcement material for composites structures are very rare. Therefore, this work is focused on the use of woven natural silk as a reinforcement material in composites panels. Since a major concern over laminated composite is their being susceptible to internal damage caused by impact loads; the impact response of woven natural silk fabric reinforced epoxy (WNS/Epoxy) were investigated. Composite panel, prepared in configurations of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30layers of WNS and tested under a drop weight impact of 32J, 48J and 64J were analyzed. Load bearing capability and damage fragmentations were investigated. An increased load bearing capability was observed with increase in number of WNS ply. Delamination and surface damage area fragmentation also increased with increase in impact load. The SEM showed failure mechanism as a combination of failures

Implementation of Lean manufacturing tools in an abattoir: A case study of a Botswana Private Beef Abattoir

Application of lean manufacturing tools in abattoirs promise great process improvements, despite limited sources and literature specific to abattoirs. Due to the inadequacy of research papers in application of lean manufacturing tools in abattoir; audits, process efficiency measurements, document analyzing, identification of value adding and non-value adding activities, site visits, plant tours, conducting trainings and awareness, motion study, work and method study, plant tour and observation were used. Data collection, recommendations and improvements were made on the basis of authors’ knowledge, observations, audits results, change management responses, feedbacks, process measurements, and abattoir staff advice. Lean manufacturing tools, practices and philosophies that succeeded in carrying out the research in abattoirs are takt, standardization, 5S and waste elimination, value stream mapping. These lean manufacturing tools improved business processes, work methods and productivity. This paper reports on the introduction of lean manufacturing tools in one of Botswana Private Beef Abattoir. The contribution highlights before and after lean implementation in terms cost saving improvements, work method improvements, workplace safety awareness, 21-23 % cycle time improvements, 20-22% process efficiency improvement and recommendation to waste management practices that the company can absorb