Many scientific fields, such as engineering, data analytics, and deep learning, focus on optimization. Optimization problems are classified into two types based on the number of optimized objective functions: single objective and multi objective optimization problems. In this paper, a comparative review since 2000 using one of the deterministic and stochastic modelling approaches called goal programming (GP) and genetic algorithm (GA) in multi-objective optimization problem is discussed. This study gives a prime review of the application of GP and GA in various criteria of project portfolio selection problem. GP is a method for solving large-scale multi-objective optimization problems to assist decision makers in finding solutions that satisfy several competing goals. GA on the other hand are global meta-heuristic search algorithms that are used to provide approximation or optimal solutions to large-scale optimization problems. Of the 23 articles considered in this review showed that, from more than 100 projects, GA proved near optimal, feasible solution and efficient frontier in projects ranking, projects interaction and a preferred decision support tool of project portfolio selection. In addition, the two models select projects on risk-based approach, but GA proved to be more effective in terms of number of projects proposed, central processing unit (CPU) time and accuracy. The review concludes that, in multi-objective optimization model for project portfolio selection problems on a large-scale, very large or complex problems and less CPU time, GA is more effective than GP in multi-objective optimization problems. The review also showed gaps in previous studies of GP and GA application on project portfolio selection problem (PPSP). This review will aid scholars and demanding practitioners in gaining a broader understanding of goal programming and genetic algorithms in the context of project portfolio selection problems.

Cassava products are among the cheap processed foods that are available, accessible and affordable by the majority of households in the developing countries including Nigeria. Therefore, this study assessed the adoption of cassava processing technologies among entrepreneurs in Ekiti State, Nigeria. However, the technologies for the processing are largely inadequate. Personal interview and 200 well-structured questionnaires were distributed among the cassava processors. Multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select 180 cassava processors and these were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. The results showed that the cassava processing business was dominated by female households (70.4%) with an average age of 48 years. Majority (89.6%) of them were married with at most secondary school education (85.0%) and an average of 8 persons per household. The results also showed that cassava processing business were profitable in the area. It revealed that gari, lafun, fufu, pupuru, starch and tapioca were the main consumable products from cassava tubers in the area. Sieve, miller, peeler, hydraulic press, grater and dryer were the most commonly used equipment for processing cassava tubers into other forms. The results of multiple regression showed that age of the processors, processing experience, family size, education, total cost of processing and quantity of cassava tubers processed were the factors significantly affecting numbers of technologies adopted in the study area. Therefore, Government should make the environment conducive for the processors and help researchers to improve on the technologies and come up with affordable technologies.   Key words: , , , ,

This paper presents a research on the Development and Assessment of the cracking and sorting processes of palm kernels nuts in a mechanical cracking machine. The palm kernel oil is an important agricultural produce, it has a wide range of usage aside from cooking. In attempt to reduce energy exploitation, in conjunction with the regular high rate of demand for products been extracted from palm kernel nut, the need to improve on the manual method of cracking and sorting became eminent. The mechanical cracker was made up of two units: the cracking and sorting unit. Experimental studies of properties of machine components were considered with the purpose of avoiding fatigue failure and fracture on the palm nuts during the processing duration. The mechanical cracker was designed, fabricated and performance evaluation carried out using locally sourced materials. It was developed with a 5hp electric motor to drive the machine coupled with belts and pulleys. The average data assessment shows a 2.01% of un-cracked nuts, 2.36% of partially cracked nuts, 93.58% of un-cracked nut and 2.05% broken nuts. The cracking-sorting efficiency was estimated at 94% and throughput capacity was determined to be 80kg/h while the overall palm kernel recovery efficiency was 85%. These suggest that the machine is very suitable for separating the palm kernel nuts from the cracked shells clearly and completely.

It is widely known that quarry industry has great importance in developing countries, such as Nigeria. There is paucity of information regarding effects of noise experienced by quarry workers during their working time. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of age of workers, years of exposure of workers and noise level of the machine used in quarry on hearing threshold. A factorial design of experiment was employed for the investigation. Two hundred and four quarry workers volunteered for this study from four quarries in South western Nigeria. Emitted noise, which quarry workers were exposed to during machinery operation, was measured with a digital sound level meter and workers hearing threshold was measured in an audiogram sound proofing testing booth at standard conditions. Predicted models were established from experimental design to determine main and interactions effects towards the response (hearing threshold). These were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). All terms of the models were significant at p<0.05. The best fitted model was at 4kHz (R2 = 0.639, p<0.05). The magnitudes of the main effect of the factors are in ascending order of noise level >years of exposure>age. The analysis of the experimental response indicated that there is no interaction of any factors on the hearing threshold. It can be concluded that age, years of exposure and noise level have main effects at various capacities at different frequency to predict the hearing threshold of the quarry workers. This work determined the factors and the predicted model to spell out safe hearing threshold of quarry workers that fitted for the job at a particular noisy workstation as well as ensuring comfortable, safe and effective workstation design.

No abstract