Entropy Generation in MHD Flow of a Uniformly Stretched Vertical Permeable Surface under Oscillatory Suction Velocity

This paper reports the analytical calculation of the entropy generation due to heat and mass transfer and fluid friction in steady state of a uniformly stretched vertical permeable surface with heat and mass diffusive walls, by solving analytically the mass, momentum, species concentration and energy balance equation, using asymptotic method. The velocity, temperature and concentration profiles were reported and discussed. The influences of the chemical reaction parameter, the thermal and mass Grashof numbers, heat generation/absorption and Hartmann number on total entropy generation were investigated, reported and discussed

Two Steps Block Method for the Solution of General Second Order Initial Value Problems of Ordinary Differential Equation

In this paper, an implicit block linear multistep method for the solution of ordinary differential equation was extended to the general form of differential equation. This method is self starting and does not need a predictor to solve for the unknown in the corrector. The method can also be extended to boundary value problems without additional cost. The method was found to be efficient after being tested with numerical problems of second order

A One Step Method for the Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

In this paper, an implicit one step method for the numerical solution of second order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations has been developed by collocation and interpolation technique. The introduction of an o step point guaranteed the zero stability and consistency of the method. The implicit method developed was implemented as a block which gave simultaneous solutions, as well as their rst derivatives, at both o step and the step point. A comparison of our method to the predictor-corrector method after solving some sample problems reveals that our method performs better

Four Steps Implicit Method for the Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

Four steps implicit scheme for the solution of second order ordinary differential equation was derived through interpolation and collocation method. Newton polynomial approximation method was used to generate the unknown parameters in the corrector. The method was tested with numerical examples and it was found to be efficient in solving second order ordinary differential equations

Improving sustainability performance through supplier relationship management in the tobacco industry

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how tobacco manufacturing companies can improve their sustainability performance via effective supplier relationship management (SRM). Design/methodology/approach: This study has adopted a single case study of an international tobacco company. The primary data involved semi-structured interviews with participants from the case company who are familiar with sustainable SRM in the tobacco industry and are engaging in various techniques to improve sustainability performance. Findings: The drivers for sustainable SRM commonly identified in literature are observable within the case company. There is also clear evidence of integrating sustainability in its SRM processes. However, the perception of sustainability as a requirement to meet stringent regulations limits its scope and drive in pursuing sustainable SRM. It has also limited supplier sustainability evaluation and performance metrics. Furthermore, the findings of this paper reinforce the importance of a procurement team’s ability to work with other functional teams in implementing sustainable SRM. The findings also contribute to the emerging literature on the impact of sustainability on supplier segmentation and multi-tier supplier management. Research limitations/implications: This study provides insight into the varying SRM methods used in the tobacco industry to ensure compliance and improve sustainability performance. However, further research is required to explore the generalisability of the findings of this study derived from a single case study. Originality/value: The tobacco industry is an under-researched industry, particularly in terms of sustainable operations and supply chain management practices. The findings of this study seem to be relevant to those comparable industries with stringent regulations as well

Chemotherapy treatment of multiple myeloma patients increases circulating levels of endothelial microvesicles

Correspondenc

Millennium Development Goals and the Impact of Registration on the Performance of Construction Subcontractors in Nigeria

Arising from the quest to achieve sustainable built environment and the millennium development goals in developing countries, the study examined the influence of registration on the performance of subcontractors in the Nigerian construction industry. The principal objective was to find if any relationship exists between registration and the performance of subcontractors in the Nigerian construction industry By focusing on three commercial nerve centers oft he country (Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt), 90 main contractors wer~ randomly selected from the study population of 880 in the register of the Federal Registration Board of Nigeria, 96 subcontractors, 90 clients and 92 consultants were also randomly selected from the population. Descriptive and inferential (Chi-square probabilities) statistical techniques were used for the analysis. The results showed that the registration had no significant effect on the overall performance of subcontractors on construction sites in Nigeria (x = 2. 07, P < 0. 05). The results also indicated that majority of the main contractors (49.4%) give notification to these specialty contractors when they are needed on site. On the other hand, a paltry number of the contractors (33.3%) affirmed that it is left for the subcontractors to monitor the progress of their bidding and final selection on sites. The study concluded that for a meaningful monitoring, sincere attention should be shifted towards registration of subcontractors with the relevant professional bodies and that competitive bidding should be encouraged among the subcontractor