Hypothesis / aims of study Urogenital reconstructive techniques include perineal reconstruction, vaginoplasty, urethral reconstruction, and vesico-vaginal (VVF) and recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) repair. Many of these procedures require the use of local or distant flaps for reconstruction, of which the pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous perforator (PTF) flap is an option. We frequently use this flap f...

W study the demand forecast-sharing process between a buyer of customized production equipment and a set of equipment suppliers. Based on a large data collection we undertook in the semiconductor equipment supply chain, we empirically investigate the relationship between the buyer’s forecasting behavior and the supplier’s delivery performance. The buyer’s forecasting behavior is characterized b...

The concern for environment due to the ever increasing use of fossil fuels and rapid depletion of the conventional sources of energy has led to the development of alternative sources of energy. Wind energy, the kinetic energy associated with movement of large masses of air, is an inexhaustible source of energy which generates electricity without harming our environment. But it is unreliable ene...

Introduction This paper will discuss the need for a robust conceptual framework for supplychain management. It forms part of a continuing research programme at UMIST aimed at producing a broadly applicable theoretical basis for work in this important area. The discussion adopts the following structure. First it is argued that despite the explosion of interest in the field, there remain signific...

In the developing world, multi-drug resistant malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum is an epidemic that claims the lives of 1-3 million people per year. Artemisinin, a naturally occurring small molecule that has seen little resistance from malarial parasites, is a valuable weapon in the fight against this disease. Several easily accessible artemisinin derivatives, including artes...

In the automotive assembly process, improvements to paint application technology have increasingly relied on a consistent, high quality supply of high purity water. The water is used to improve the adhesion of anti-corrosive compounds to a car’s frame and body parts, and for rinse water between paint coats to improve adhesion and consistency of the finish. The industry has traditionally operate...

Leachate and groundwater samples were collected from Vendipalayam, Semur and Vairapalayam landfill sites in Erode city, Tamil Nadu, India, to study the possible impact of leachate percolation on groundwater quality. Concentrations of various physicochemical parameters including heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn) were determined in leachate samples and are reported. The concentrati...