Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling of Modular Multilevel Converter Using Input Admittance Approach

With increasing Distributed Energy Resources (DER) penetration and increased High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) applications, Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is becoming an integral part of the power system due to its advantages in terms of scalability, harmonic performance and efficiency. One of the most challenging topics as with regard to MMC lies in its modelling as the detailed model offers computational challenge during transient simulations. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to derive an input admittance model that can be used for stability studies and controller designs. In this thesis, the topology and operating principles of MMC are studied and an input admittance model is derived analytically. The derived input admittance is then compared with the input admittance of two level converter. Moreover, an average model of an MMC with four Sub Modules (SM) per arm is simulated in PLECS and used to validate the analytical model using frequency domain approach. Furthermore, the impact of different controller parameters, switching schemes and switching frequency variations on the derived input admittance is investigated. It is found that the analytical and the simulated models agree very well for the entire frequency range with the exception of slight discrepancy at low frequency ranges (between 1 and 10 Hz). It is demonstrated that the input admittance model remains the same regardless of the changes in modulation schemes. Moreover, the derived input admittance is able to predict the changes in the input admittance of MMC due to control parameter variations.
The effects of fasting and grazing on Na-glucose cotransporter-1 (SGLT-1) gene expression of rectal epithelia in beef cattle.

The expression of SGLT-1 mRNA has been reported in the small intestine of mammals and the rectum of chickens. However, the expression and functional significance of SGLT-1 in bovine rectum is not known. In this study, we studied the effects of fasting and grazing on SGLT-1 gene expression in biopsy epithelial tissue of bovine rectum. In Japanese Black beef cattle, i) SGLT-1 gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the biopsy rectal epithelia samples obtained through an endoscope, ii) SGLT-1 gene expression in the rectal epithelial tissues increased at 48 and 72 h after fasting correlating with a decrease in body weight. iii) SGLT-1 gene expression decreased after one month from the start of grazing (May to June) and then stabilized until the end of the grazing period (June to October) in the rectal epithelial tissues of grazing cattle. In conclusion, it is clear that SGLT-1 gene expression in the rectal epithelial tissue is increased by a restricted dietary condition.
Management of collar rot disease in chili by farmyard manure and commercial biofertilizers

Collar rot of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is a very destructive disease caused by a soil-borne fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Generally, chemical fungicides are used to combat the menace but this practice is being discouraged because of health and environmental concerns. In the present study, an alternative environment friendly strategy was used to manage this disease by using farmyard manure (FYM) and two commercial biofertilizers namely Biopower and Feng Shou. S. rolfsii inoculated pot soil was amended with 1% and 2% FYM and the two commercial biofertilizers. Inoculation of soil with S. rolfsii only (positive control) resulted in the highest disease incidence (73%) and plant mortality (60%). Biopower and Feng Shou application reduced disease incidence to 20% and 7%, respectively and plant mortality to 0%. Likewise, 1% and 2% FYM amendment reduced disease incidence to 33% and plant mortality to 26% and 7%, respectively. Under biotic stress of S. rolfsii, FYM and biofertilizers applications, either alone or in combination, significantly enhanced root and shoot growth over positive control. S. rolfsii inoculation significantly increased peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in chili plants which were further increased by application of either of the two biofertilizers. The present study concludes that biofertilizers Biopower and Feng Shou alone or in combination with 2% FYM can be effectively utilized to manage southern blight of chili.
Random graph models: an overview of modeling approaches

This article nonexhaustively reviews random graph models designed to model interaction networks. It begins with the Erd˝os-Renyi model. It has been deeply studied, as it is based on simple assumptions: independence and homogeneity of the links, which are however too simplistic for applications. The article then focuses on modeling approaches of the hetereogeneity and of the dependences between the links. It starts from probabilistic models reproducing generative processes of the real-world networks (Barabasi-Albert or Watts-Strogatz models for instance) and arrives to models more suitable for statistics. Exponential models (ERGM or p) enable to introduce dependences between the desired links. Models with latent variables enable to model heterogeneity of the population and to analyze it.
- Credit Risk And Efficiency In The European Banking Systems: A Three-Stage Analysis

Increased competition and the attempts of European banks to increase their presence in other markets may have affected the efficiency and credit risk. The first of this aspects is based on the incentive to the banks to reduce cost in order to gain in competitiveness. The second is associated to their lack of knowledge of such markets and/or acceptance of a higher risk in order to increase their market share. Despite the importance of these aspects, banking literature has usually analyzed the effects of competition on the efficiency of banking systems without considering these aspects. The few studies that attempt to obtainrisk adjusted efficiency measures do not consider that part of the risk is due to exogenous circumstances. This article proposes a new three stage sequential technique, based on theDEA model and on the decomposition of risk into its internal and external components, for obtaining efficiency measures adjusted for risk and environment. It is seen that the technique allows the use of any existing technique of incorporation of environmental variables in DEA analysis. El incremento de la competencia y los intentos de los bancos europeos por aumentar supresencia en otros mercados pueden haber afectado tanto al nivel de eficiencia bancaria como alriesgo de credito. El primero de los aspectos se fundamenta en el incentivo que tienen los bancosa reducir los costes para ganar competitividad. El segundo, esta asociado a la ausencia decompetencia en tales mercados y/o a la aceptacion de niveles mayores de riesgo con el fin deincrementar la cuota de mercado. A pesar de la importancia de estos aspectos, la literaturabancaria tradicionalmente ha analizado los efectos de la competencia en la eficiencia de lossistemas bancarios sin considerar estos efectos sobre el riesgo. Los escasos estudios queintentan obtener medidas de eficiencia ajustadas por el riesgo no consideran que parte del riesgoes debido a circunstancias exogenas. Este articulo propone una nueva tecnica secuenciencial entres etapas, basado en el modelo DEA y en la descomposicion del riesgo en sus componentesexterno e interno, para la obtencion de medidas de eficiencia ajustadas por el riesgo y elambiente. La tecnica se aplica al analisis de la eficiencia de los sistemas bancarios europeos ypermite el uso de cualquiera de las tecnicas existentes para la incorporacion de variablesambientales en un contexto DEA.
Assessing the Impact of Employee Work Design on Performance and Profit Optimization of Nigerian Commercial Banks

The major problem confronting most human resources managers in organization is how can a job be designed or structured so that the employee’s performance can be enhanced and profitability increased. There is the need to understand that how workers responsibilities and duties are segmented helps to shape and determine virtually all other facets of organizational functioning. This research work has the objective of assessing the impact of work design on profit optimization of Nigerian commercial banks. The study adopted a survey research method and both primary and secondary sources of data were applied. Formulated hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Work design enhances productivity in banks, Work design increases profitability, influences behavior, staff motivation and autonomy in banks. The study recommends that Work should be design to influence potential behavior in line with technological trends, and Management should endeavour to discourage the notion that work design exercises are carried out for performance evaluation purposes only. This can be done by laying more emphasis on training and retraining of staff to fit into ever changing information technology especially in banks.
Adolescent sensitivity to rewards, risk-taking, and adaptive behaviour: development of the dual systems perspective

Purpose: According to current developmental neuroscience, adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to rewards that results in the increased tendency towards risk. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the consequences of adolescent sensitivity to rewards and indicates directions for future research. The following sections describe how sensitivity to rewards can be directed towards risk-taking, safe or prosocial behaviour, and improved cognitive performance, depending on different task demands and various social contexts. Views: Studies on adolescent behaviour conducted from the dual systems perspective indicate that heightened sensitivity to rewards can constitute vulnerability. The results gathered in this paper, however, demonstrate that in several situations adolescent sensitivity to rewards can be redirected from risk-taking towards safe or prosocial behaviour, or can result in the increased cognitive performance. Particularly interesting are the findings showing that individual differences in neural reward-related activity during risk and social dilemma tasks performed in a laboratory make it possible to predict risky behaviours (e.g. substance use, skipping school) and depressive symptoms, one year after the study. Conclusions: Investigating consequences of reward sensitivity in various tasks and diverse social contexts can shed more light on the nature of adolescent behaviour and lead to the development of the dual systems perspective.
Shell quality: Everlasting problem in the today poultry science

Shell breakage (6-20%) is of major concern for its economic consequences and safety of egg consumption. A great deal of effort in the fields of nutrition, genetics and enviromental conditions have been carried out to improve eggshell quality but understanding the formation of the eggshell fabric and the origin of shell defects is perhaps the key to solving eggshell problems. The aim of this review is to summarise new information on eggshell problems. The aim of this review is to summarise new infotmation on eggshell formation and update the nutritional unfavourable enviromental conditions.
First report of Gallibacterium isolation from layer chickens in Iran

Gallibacterium, a gram-negative coccobacillus, is a genus of the Pasteurellaceae family with capability of infecting a wide range of avian host species. In 2003, Gallibacterium was selected instead of different previous names. Four different species has been recognized in Gallibacterium genus so far. Members of the genus can cause a wide range of pathological lesions, from upper respiratory tract lesions, follicle degeneration, enteritis, pericarditis, hepatitis, oophoritis, septicemia to more important problems such as salpingitis and peritonitis. Salpingitis and peritonitis of layer farms caused by Gallibacterium result in decreased egg-production and increased mortality. Gallibacterium is the most common single bacterial infection in egg-laying farms with reproductive disorders. During a microbiological survey on bacterial infectious agents of reproductive tract of layers, some isolates from salpingitis cases were suspicious of Gallibacterium. According to culture and biochemical properties, the primary identification was in support of genus Gallibacterium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test using primers specific for the genus identification was carried out. The suspected isolate showed bands of 970 and 1080 bp, which are specific for Gallibcterium. To confirm the identification, a positive sample was sent to University of Copenhagen for repeating the PCR test. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and identification of Gallibacterium in Iran. This study shows the possibility of a role for Gallibacterium in poultry industry of Iran. This study also shows the need for further investigations on epidemiological situation of the infection, as well as the isolation and identification of different species of the genus Gallibacterium.
Determining the Effect of Electronic Services Quality on Electronic Satisfaction and Positive Word of Mouth (Case Study: Different Branches of Shiraz Mellat Bank Customers

Electronic satisfaction and electronic services quality are regarded among main issues in globalizing electronic trade. Upon enterprising banking industry and products similarity, services quality is declared as competitive advantage and has a direct impact on customers' satisfaction. Services quality has a approximate connection with satisfaction in banking industry and product improvement increases customers' satisfaction probability which leads to behavioral result such as commitment, remaining desire, making a bilabiate link between service presenter and customer, increasing customers' tolerance toward fails in service presenting and positive advertisement about bank. This research objective is surveying the effect of services quality on electronic satisfaction and Positive Word of Mouth among Shiraz Mellat bank customers. For this purpose a questionnaire was designed and collected in Shiraz with 300 people sample mass among different branches of Shiraz bank that were available that time. And they were analyzed by structural equations modeling method and using Amos and SPSS software. Acquired results show that electronic services quality has positive effect on electronic satisfaction and electronic satisfaction has positive impact on word of mouth In addition electronic services quality has negative effect on word of mouth The results showed that electronic services quality has direct and positive effect on Word of Mouth directly.
Effect of supplementing certain vitamins and chelated trace minerals on reducing incidence of sub-clinical mastitis in crossbred cows

Crossbred cows (93) having a history of sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) in previous lactation were selected from 57 farms in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. Twenty crossbred cows from 12 farms served as control, and the remaining (n=73) were fed daily 10 g supplement per animal containing coated vitamins E and A, chelated copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), along with iodine(I), for 4 weeks prior to calving. Milk samples were collected post calving on day 10, 30, 60 and 90 for analysis of somatic cell counts (SCC), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl) content, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Blood samples were also collected for neutrophil count, measurement of immunoglobulin and ferric reduction anti-oxidant power (FRAP). The milk producers were provided with Mastect strip for weekly checkup of SCM. Out of 73 supplemented cows, only 15 (21%) showed signs of SCM and CM with Mastect strip and California mastitis test, which was confirmed by SCC in milk (average 7.26×105 cells/ml milk). However, 16 animals (80%) out of 20 in control group were affected by SCM as indicated by the SCC (average 10.11×105 cells/ml milk), which was later aggravated to CM. Milk pH, EC, Na and Cl content in milk were higher in animals affected by SCM than the normal animals. In supplemental group, SCC in 58 (79%) animals was within the normal range (1.22–2.36×105 cells/ml milk) and no signs of SCM or CM were observed. Milk lactose, protein, solids-not-fat (SNF) content and FRAP were higher in unaffected as compared to mastitis affected animals. On feeding the supplement, blood neutrophil count decreased, whereas, immunoglobulin and FRAP activity increased significantly (P<0.05). The inference could be drawn that feeding a vitamins and chelated minerals based supplement 4 weeks prior to calving could significantly help in reducing the incidence of SCM in crossbred cows.
ACCUMULATION OF A 70 KDA STRESS PROTEIN IN THE NILE TILAPIA, OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS, AND ITS USE AS A BIOMARKER OF CU EXPOSURE

The induction of 70 kDa heat - shock protein (hsp70) in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was investigated. The accumulation of hsp70 was determined in tissues of the liver, gills, spleen and heart of heat shocked fish. Other specimens were also exposed for 96 hr to four concentrations (1,0, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.001 mg/1) of Cu as copper sulphate and the accumulation of hsp70 was determined in the liver and gills. In both experiments, antibodies raised against hsp70 were employed as probes for dot-blot analysis and immunobinding assay of tilapia tissues. Decreasingly, hsp70 was abundant in the spleen, gills, heart and iiver of heat shocked fish. Also, data showed greater hsp70 level in the liver and gills of fish exposed to elevated Cu concentration s than the that of controls. These data suggest that hsp70 accumulation may hold a promise as a molecular indicator of contaminant exposure and may give an early warning of adverse biological effects. The present study indicates that the biomarker method is very easy to use, practical, rapid, and sensitive for assessing water quality in tropical water and is recommended for their incorporation into the future monitoring program.
A summarized review about natural polymers role in floating drug delivery system and in-vivo evaluation studies

The approach of eco-friendly and safe environmental materials for various industrial applications like medicine, agriculture and similar areas is growing rapidly. The advantages of biologically degradable and non-toxic materials like the natural polymers are evident by the mounting level of its use in pharmaceutical field particularly. The various natural polymers have been aiding the drug delivery systems for long time as the drug transporters with the objective of improving the efficacy and efficiency. The floating drug delivery systems are required to possess proper floating capability in gastric systems and use of natural polymers in such delivery systems has been very beneficial. The physical characteristics of natural polymers facilitate them to be brilliant drug carriers for such type of drug delivery systems. The aim of this review is to provide the overview of role of natural polymers in floating drug delivery system, its characteristic effects, ongoing research and trend of future developments and applications in the field. Javaid et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, March 2017, 6(4): 23-26 http://www.icpjonline. com/documents/Vol6Issue4/01.pdf
Analysis of Dimensional Stability of Thermally Modified Wood Affected by Re-Wetting Cycles

The dimensional stability of thermally modified wood exposed to several wetting-drying cycles was analyzed. Specimens of dimensions 15×15 ×15 mm were thermally modified at 180 and 200 °C. The mass loss and chemical composition of the wood were determined in order to evaluate the effect and degree of modification. Afterwards, the radial, tangential, and volumetric swelling, anti-swelling efficiency, water absorption, water repellence efficiency, and mass loss due to wetting-drying cycles were determined and compared. The specimen’s mass tended to decrease with each additional rewetting cycle. Additional extractives that were formed via thermal decomposition leached out during wetting cycles. Thermal modification positively affected the dimensional stability of all investigated species. The wood’s swelling was reduced, a result attributed to hemicellulose degradation. Dimensional stability was improved by 24 to 30% following mild treatment and by 26 to 54% following more severe treatment. When specimens were exposed to six consecutive rewetting cycles, the swelling of the modified wood increased, whereas it slightly decreased for the control (hornification). The effective dimensional stability of thermally modified wood was reduced by 34 and 28.4% for beech, 47 and 19.6% for poplar, and 19.3 and 24.5% for spruce compared to the initial anti-swelling efficiency following the first wetting cycle.
EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROLESS ACTIVATED CARBON-NICKEL OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES

Over the years, different experimental techniques have been employed to prepared activated carbon-metal oxide composite materials. However, some of these methods entail cutting-edge equipment and long processing time which may result in the destruction of the carbon structure. Electroless plating, which is a simple and efficient method, have been used to deposit nickel oxide nanoparticles on activated carbon prepared from oil palm shell (OPS) using microwave –assisted CO 2 activation. The nanocomposites have been heated at various temperatures (300, 400 and 500 o C) for 1 and 2 h. The prepared activated carbon has BET surface area and total pore volume of 574.37 m 2 g -1 and 0.244 cm 3 g -1 , respectively. The optimum heat treatment temperature has been found to be 400 o C. Also, the weight percent composition of nickel has been shown to increase with increase in treatment time.
SPIHT BASED COMPRESSION OF HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGES

Hyper spectral images are image data consisting of hundreds of spectral bands leading to very large raw data size. Hyper spectral images are usually captured by satellites that use embedded processors with limited resources, so encoding complexity is critical. The space borne sensors cannot store all the data and need to transmit them to a ground station, there is a need of reducing the data size in order to match the available bandwidth, large compression techniques can be employed to mitigate this problem. Therefore, a high performance and a low-complexity compression codec is necessary for hyper spectral imagery.The proposed compression scheme achieves lossy compression of hyper spectral images with less mean squared error, based on the discrete cosine transform (DCT) and then coded with SPIHT(Set Partitioning In Hierarchical Trees).