The articles in this chapter are introduced as a group rather than individually. The pieces by Mr. Nowzad and Dr. Baker are general surveys of recent developments in Africa and Latin America respectively. Both analyze the recent proliferation of regional and sub-regional organizations in these two continental areas. This ferment is indicative of the ongoing efforts to mold viable political institutions out of a confusing welter of nationalistic goals and aspirations in these regions.

A Survey of Recent Developments

A class of nonlinear diffusion-type problems is handled through a hybrid method. This method incorporates the ideas in the generalized integral transform technique to reduce the original partial differential equation into a denumerable system of coupled ordinary differential equations. These equations can then be solved through standard numerical techniques, once the system is truncated to a finite order. Sufficient conditions for the convergence of the truncated finite system are then examined. An application is considered that deals with a transient radiative fin problem, which is quite suitable for illustrating the solution methodology and convergence behavior.

Hybrid numerical/analytical approach to nonlinear diffusion problems

In order to enhance heat transfer between primary surface and the environment, radiating extended surfaces are commonly utilized. Especially in the case of large temperature differences, variable thermal conductivity has a strong effect on performance of such a surface. In this paper, variational iteration method is used to analyze convective straight and radial fins with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity. In order to show the efficiency of variational iteration method (VIM), the results obtained from VIM analysis are compared with previously obtained results using Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and the results from finite element analysis. VIM produces analytical expressions for the solution of nonlinear differential equations. However, these expressions obtained from VIM must be tested with respect to the results obtained from a reliable numerical method or analytical solution. This work assures that VIM is a promising method for the analysis of convective straight and radial fin problems.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/mpe/2007/042072.pdf

Analysis of Convective Straight and Radial Fins with Temperature-Dependent Thermal Conductivity Using Variational Iteration Method with Comparison with Respect to Finite Element Analysis

W. H. Sellers

Papers

Radiation Fin Effectiveness