Simulating Microbial Count Records with an Expanded Fermi Solution Model
Simulating Microbial Count Records with an Expanded Fermi Solution Model
This Demonstration generates simulated microbial count records with and without zero entries. It is based on the assumption that each count is determined by the combination of several factors, specified by their upper and lower limits, which promote or suppress the population size. Where no zero entries are allowed, the counts' distribution is approximately lognormal. Where the organism, such as a pathogen, is not always present, the probability of its presence is also included as a factor. This Demonstration displays the generated counts and their histogram and calculates the risk of encountering a count exceeding a specified level considered hazardous.