We prove that for any positive integers n and k such that n≥ k≥ 1, there exists an [n, k] generalized Reed-Solomon (GRS) code that has a sparsest and balanced generator matrix (SBGM) over any finite field of size q ≥ n+ ⌈ k(k−1) n ⌉, where sparsest means that each row of the generator matrix has the least possible number of nonzeros, while balanced means that the number of nonzeros in any two c...

Surface water is used for irrigation of food plants all over the World. Such water can be of variable hygienic quality, and can be contaminated from many different sources. The association of contaminated irrigation water with contamination of fresh produce is well established, and many outbreaks of foodborne disease associated with fresh produce consumption have been reported. The objective of...

Previous evidence has suggested an association between consumption of unfiltered water from Loch Lomond, Scotland, and cryptosporidiosis. Before November 1999, this water had been only microstrained and disinfected with chlorine; however, since that time, physical treatment of the water (coagulation, rapid gravity filtration) has been added. To determine risk factors, including drinking water, ...

The study was designed to investigate the comparative analysis of agricultural credit users and non-users among cassava farmers in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. A sample of 50 credit users and 50 non-credit user cassava-based farmers were selected by multistage random sampling technique. Data were collected with a well structured questionnaire administered to a total of 100 random...