A one-way dissection of high-order compact scheme for the solution of 2D Poisson equation

We present a one-way dissection formulation of high-order compact scheme for the solution of 2D Poisson equation. One-way dissection is a type of matrix reordering, divide and conquers procedure. Efficient and concise compact schemes of 4th and 6th orders are derived using the truncation errors of the Taylors’ series expansion of the governing equation. The system is split into sub-domains and each sub-domain is treated separately. Two test problems are solved to show the fourth order performance of the scheme. The direct method is used to achieve a quick solution to the problems

Exploring the Potentials of Community Theatre as a Tool for Social Change: the Participatory Communication Method

It is observed that most development modalities employed over the years for achieving community development in Africa have not leaved up to expectation in terms of involving the majority of people in the quest for national transformation and development; rather, these modalities tend to complicate the very problems they are set out to solve. The situation is mostly like this because the adopted development strategies have not taken adequate cognizance the essence of effective communication methods and the importance of people’s perspectives and peculiarities in these processes. Mostly, the so-called outsiders and experts in development matters who are physically and socially separated from the people think for them and about their development. This situation is inimical to genuine and sustainable development. It is important therefore to note that development can only be meaningful and sustainable when it is people generated; involving people’s real needs and their participation in the process of achieving them. It is at this point therefore that community theatre can come handy as it has the potentials to bring people together to discuss issues that disempowered them and participatorily proffer solutions to the negatives. Community theatre can be explored to work with rural and urban people; mostly the rural dwellers who are mostly disempowered. In view of this therefore, this paper posits that community theatre is a method of participatory communication towards achieving social change

Emotional Intelligence And Cross-Cultural Communication Competence: An Analysis Of Group Dynamics And Interpersonal Relationships In A Diverse Classroom

This study discusses the significance ofemotional intelligence and intercultural communication competence in globallydiverse classroom settings.  Specifically,the research shows a correlation between degrees of emotional intelligence and humancommunication competence (age, gender, and culture). The dataset consists of364 participants.   Nearly six tenths (n= 215; 59.1%) were women. About two-thirds of participants were undergraduate students(n = 243; 66.8%), and one-third were graduate students (n = 121; 33.2%).  Further, most respondents were AfricanAmerican (n = 303; 83.2%). The remaining students were of African and Caribbeanorigin (n = 61; 61.8%). Among the African/Caribbean students, they had thefollowing national origins: Nigerian, 45 students; Jamaican, 5, Ghanaian, 4;Ugandan, 3; Trinidadian, 2; and Liberian, 2

Experimental Analysis of Shale for Evaluating Shale Drilling Fluid Interaction in Agbada Formation

Aims: To characterize the shale samples from Agbada formation and to develop an inhibitive water-based mud for the shale types. Study Design: Experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Petroleum, University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Agbada Formation Niger-Delta Region, between March 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: This study includes the determination of shale properties such as mineralogy, cation exchange capacity, native moisture content and total organic carbon content of the shale samples collected from two wells in Agbada Field. It also involves the establishment of an adsorption isotherm for the shale and the modeling of these isotherms using the Guggenheim, Anderson and Deboer model. Results: Based on the results of the dispersion and swelling tests, 3% Bentonite + 1% Potassium Chloride (KCl) were selected as the promising fluid. Well A exhibited the Type II isotherm which is common to most shale while Well B showed the Type V isotherm. Adsorption isotherm model predictions were in agreement with experimental observations. The samples from the wells exhibited dispersion after testing with deionized water. For Well A and B, 3% Bentonite + 1% Potassium Chloride (KCl) inhibits and yielded higher shale percent recovery values from dispersion tests. Conclusion: It was observed from adsorption isotherm models that the total organic carbon content is not a significant factor in the adsorptive and dispersive behaviors exhibited by the shale samples

Workforce Diversity And Organizational Communication: Analysis Of Human Capital Performance And Productivity

The twenty-first century organizations are increasingly becoming multicultural workplaces for communication. This paper explores recent literature on the increasing global influence of workforce diversity and its affect on workplace communication. It provides a model for the discussion of the opportunities and challenges of diversity in the workplace. The paper then provides an analytical framework that guides readers with practical ideas that can assist them in their endeavors to effectively communicate in a globally diverse work environment.  The paper stresses that effective communication in a diverse workforce ensures a high level of performance and productivity for human and intellectual capital and   provides business organizations a competitive advantage in their expanded markets and in the global economy

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of polyphenols from ethnomedicinal plants of Nigeria

The antioxidant properties and antimicrobial potential of three ethnomedicinal plants, (Momordica charanta, Senna alata and Nauclea lafifolia) extracted with acetone were investigated. Polyphenols fromthe medicinal plants were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against pathogenic micro organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Esherichia coli and Candida albicans). The medicinal plants displayed different polyphenols contents and antioxidant activities. In addition, varying antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were exhibited. The highest amount of total phenolic compounds was shown by S. alata and the lowest one was M. charanta. The extract of S. alatashowed the highest antioxidant activity. Some micro organisms (S. aureus and C. albicans) were susceptible to the polyphenol extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 1.25 to 5.00 mg/ml while other microorganisms (S. pyogenes and E. coli) appeared to be resistant to theextracts. The results suggested that these plants are not only potential sources of phenolic antioxidants but also potentially, good source of antimicrobial agents

Outcome of gastroplasty and gastric bypass in a single centre in the UK

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Morbid obesity is defined as BMI>40 kg/m². It affects 124,000 men and 412,000 women in England and Wales (NICE, July 2002). According to NICE guidelines, Bariatric surgery is indicated if the treatments for obesity such as exercise, diet and drugs fail. Procedures include laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB), vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), and Gastric Bypass (GB).</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>The aim of this audit was to determine if NICE guidelines on the use of Bariatric surgery in the Manor Hospital, Walsall was being adhered to. <b>Secondary aims were </b>also to establish if Bariatric surgery is achieving its goal in the long-term and if weight reduction is being maintained in this group of patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective cohort study was carried out on patients who underwent Bariatric surgery between 1990 and 2004. Retrieved records were scrutinised and the following parameters were collated: pre-operative morbidities, intra and post-operative complication rates and weight reduction on follow-up.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>129 patients were operated on in the 14 year period. For VBG, 40 out of 105 patients had weight gain by the 5th follow-up visit. This compared with 5 out of 18 patients after the same timescale for the GB group and 1 out of 6 in the LGB group. The most common post-operative complication was stenosis (28% of VBG group).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bariatric surgery is relatively safe as an intervention for morbid obesity. Weight loss however is not maintained in the long term. VBG and LGB are short term interventions. Further research is required to look into the merits of gastric bypass surgery.</p

Determinants of Stock Price Movement in Nigeria: (Evidence from the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Stock prices serve as the basis for the assessment of whether a firm is breaking even or not. These prices are relevant metrics of returns to stakeholders, therefore the value attached to them matters so much to both existing and prospective investors in the capital market. This study thus examined by a means of robust analysis, factors that determine stock price movement in Nigeria for the period 2001 – 2011. Data were sourced from the financial statements of 99 listed firms in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The analysis of the data sourced was done with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method.  The results suggest that earnings per share, book value per share and dividend cover serve as factors in the determination of stock prices.  The results of the study thus calls for recommendation that the government and policy makers in Nigeria should implement more stringent rules, backed up by legislations that will enhance the information reported in the financial statements of firms listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange as well as compelling listed firms to adopt IFRS. Also, the accounting information reported in the capital market should constantly reposition itself in response to changing expectations. This implies that it should be viewed as an open system and in other words, feedback both from within and outside its environment should drive the constant repositioning of accounting information. Keywords: Earnings Per Share; Dividend Per Share; Book Value Per Share; Stock Market