Intelligent Voltage Sag Compensation Using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Dynamic Voltage Restorer in MATLAB Simulink

An innovative Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) system based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technology, implemented in MATLAB Simulink, accurately detects, and dynamically restores voltage sags, significantly improving power quality and ensuring a reliable supply to critical loads, contributing to the advancement of power quality enhancement techniques. Voltage sags are a prevalent power quality concern that can have a significant impact on sensitive electrical equipment. An innovative approach to address voltage sags through the operation of a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technology. The proposed system, developed using MATLAB Simulink, leverages the ANN's capabilities to accurately detect voltage sags and dynamically restore the voltage to the affected load. The ANN is trained using a comprehensive dataset comprising voltage sag events, enabling it to learn the intricate relationships between sag characteristics and optimal compensation techniques. By integrating the trained ANN into the DVR control scheme, real-time compensation for voltage sags is achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed system is rigorously evaluated through extensive simulations and performance analysis. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the ANN-based DVR in terms of voltage sag detection accuracy and restoration precision. Consequently, the proposed system presents an intelligent and adaptive solution for voltage sag compensation, ensuring a reliable and high-quality power supply to critical loads. This research contributes to the advancement of power quality enhancement techniques, facilitating the implementation of intelligent power system

Intelligent Voltage Sag Compensation Using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Dynamic Voltage Restorer in MATLAB Simulink

An innovative Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) system based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technology, implemented in MATLAB Simulink, accurately detects, and dynamically restores voltage sags, significantly improving power quality and ensuring a reliable supply to critical loads, contributing to the advancement of power quality enhancement techniques. Voltage sags are a prevalent power quality concern that can have a significant impact on sensitive electrical equipment. An innovative approach to address voltage sags through the operation of a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technology. The proposed system, developed using MATLAB Simulink, leverages the ANN's capabilities to accurately detect voltage sags and dynamically restore the voltage to the affected load. The ANN is trained using a comprehensive dataset comprising voltage sag events, enabling it to learn the intricate relationships between sag characteristics and optimal compensation techniques. By integrating the trained ANN into the DVR control scheme, real-time compensation for voltage sags is achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed system is rigorously evaluated through extensive simulations and performance analysis. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the ANN-based DVR in terms of voltage sag detection accuracy and restoration precision. Consequently, the proposed system presents an intelligent and adaptive solution for voltage sag compensation, ensuring a reliable and high-quality power supply to critical loads. This research contributes to the advancement of power quality enhancement techniques, facilitating the implementation of intelligent power system

A simple method to screen for azo-dye-degrading bacteria

A stab-culture method was adapted to screen for azo dyes-decolorizing bacteria from soil and water samples. Decolorized azo dye in the lower portion of the solid media indicates the presence of anaerobic azo dyes-decolorizing bacteria, while aerobic decolorizing bacteria decolorizes the surface portion of the solid media. Of twenty soil samples tested, one soil sample shows positive results for the decolourisation of two azo dyes; Biebrich scarlet (BS) and Direct blue 71 (DB) under anaerobic conditions. A gram negative and oxidase negative bacterial isolate was found to be the principal azo dyes degrader The isolate was identified by using the Biolog identification system as Serratia marcescens

Islamic Counseling Approach by Abdullah Nasih Ulwan for Preventing Aggressive Behaviour Among School Students

The issue of aggressive behaviour is often the subject of serious discussion amongst discipline teachers and school counselors. From the Islamic perspective, aggressive behaviour is caused by the lack of Islamic values in aspects of student interaction at schools. Thus, the readiness of discipline teachers and school counselors to tap into the skills and knowledge of counseling using the Islamic approach is crucial in realizing the outlined educational development plan. This concept paper aims to enhance the effectiveness of Islamic counseling based on Abdullah Nasih Ulwan’s views in addressing aggressive behaviour among school students. The methodology of the study is in the form of literature reviews by examining books, journals and previous studies related to the topic of discussion. The study has found that there are 4 ways of dealing with aggressive behaviours among secondary school students based on Abdullah Nasih Ulwan’s view which are the responsibility of faith education, the responsibility of educating the mind, the responsibility of educating the mind awareness and the responsibility of educating the soul. The guidelines above should be utilized by school counselors in handling the issue of aggressive behaviours amongst school students

Critical time of nitrogen application during panicle initiation on the yield of two Malaysia rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.)

Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient in rice production. N fertilizer is susceptible to losses when the time of application does not match with period of crop demand. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to determine the critical time of nitrogen fertilizer application at panicle initiation on grain yield of two Malaysian rice cultivars (MR219 and MR232). The experiment consisted of five N treatments applied each at 60 kg ha-1 at 45 (NI), 50 (N2), 55 (N3), 60 (N4) and 65 (N5) days after seeding (DAS) with five replications. Prior to this stage, a total of 75 kg N ha-1 was applied during vegetative growth stage (at 15 and 35 DAS). Plant physiological parameters such as height, SPAD value and LAI showed statistical difference among some treatments. Application of N also resulted in an increase in plant biomass. The results demonstrate that the split application of fertilizer N at PI stage (55 DAS) significantly increased percentage of filled grains, 1000-grain weight and total grain yield. Incorrect timing of N application (65 DAS) at P1 stage, drastically reduced rice yield to approximately 39% for MR2 19 and 17% for MR232. Farmers should be advised to apply N between 50 DAS and 55 DAS, even though application of N at 55 DAS was far better than 50 DAS in terms of yield parameters

Alleviation of soil acidity improves the performance of oil palm progenies planted on an acid Ultisol

Soil acidity is one of the main factors that limit profitable and sustained agricultural production. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is mainly planted in acidic soils. In the last years, there has been a stagnated yield and increases in disease incidence and severity worldwide that could be attributed in some extent to soil acidity. This study was conducted to determine the effects of soil acidity alleviation on oil palm seedlings. The effects of ground magnesium limestone or dolomite and magnesium carbonate (0, 1.1, 2.2, 3.3 and 4.4 t ha -1) applied to an Ultisol dominated by kaolinite (pH in water 4.4) were evaluated on selected morphological, physiological and nutritional characteristics of hybrid (Deli dura-AVROS pisifera) and clonal (clone 366) oil palm progenies under nursery conditions for 8 months. Increasing rates of ground magnesium limestone and magnesium carbonate showed a significant effect on improving soil pH and lowering exchangeable aluminium. The hybrid oil palm showed significant either linear or quadratic trends for most of the parameters evaluated, indicating that the best responses for morphological and physiological traits were achieved from 2.5 to 4.23 t ha -1 with ground magnesium limestone and 2.87 to 3.45 t ha -1 with magnesium carbonate. Positive effects of increasing rates of ground magnesium limestone and magnesium carbonate were observed on nitrogen and magnesium uptake. Aluminium concentration in the third frond decreased significantly with increasing ground magnesium limestone rate. A significant reduction of manganese uptake was also observed with increasing rates of both ameliorants. The clonal oil palm progeny exhibited a better performance on un-amended treatment. This may be explained by the significant higher root growth of this progeny. Soil acidity alleviation improved the oil palm seedling growth. These results are important for the oil palm industry and could be applied in the nursery stage as well as extended to the immature stage

Variations in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) progeny response to high aluminium concentrations in solution culture

Aluminium (Al) phytotoxicity is an important soil constraint that limits crop yield. The objectives of this study were to investigate how growth, physiology, nutrient content and organic acid concentration is affected by Al, and to assess the degree of Al tolerance in different oil palm progeny (OPP). Four OPPs [‘A’ (Angola dura × Angola dura), ‘B’ (Nigerian dura × Nigerian dura), ‘C’ (Deli dura × AVROS pisifera) and ‘D’ (Deli dura × Dumpy AVROS pisifera)] were grown in different Al concentrations (0, 100 and 200 μm) in aerated Hoagland solution, pH 4.4, for 80 days. We observed a severe reduction (57.5%) in shoot dry weight, and root tips were reduced by 46.5% in 200 μm Al. In ‘B’ and ‘C’, the majority of macro- and micronutrients in plants were reduced significantly by 200 μm Al, with Mg being lowered by more than 50% in roots and shoots. The 200 μm Al treatment resulted in a 56.50% reduction in total leaf area, a 20% reduction in net photosynthesis and a 17% reduction in SPAD chlorophyll value in the third leaf. Root tips (0–5 mm) showed a significant increase in oxalic acid content with increasing Al concentration (∼5.86-fold); progeny ‘A’ had the highest concentration of oxalic acid. There was a significant interaction between Al concentration × OPP on total leaf number, root volume, lateral root length, Mg and K in root and shoot tissues, and Ca and N in shoots. The OPPs could be ranked in their tolerance to Al as: ‘A’ > ‘D’ > ‘B’ > ‘C’

Aluminium speciation of amended acid tropical soil and its effects on plant root growth

Exchangeable and soluble soil aluminum (Al) is limiting plant growth in many soils worldwide. This study evaluated the effects of increasing rates of dolomite and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) on Al3+, pH, dissolved organic carbon, cations, anions, and Al speciation on oil palm Deli dura × AVROS pisifera root growth. Dolomite and MgCO3 additions significantly raised linearly soil solution pH, magnesium (Mg2+), nitrate (NO3 −) and chlorine (Cl−) concentrations; exponentially decreased the activity of phytotoxic Al species [aluminum (Al3+), aluminum sulfate (Al2SO4), and aluminum fluoride (AlF3)]; and reduced manganese (Mn) concentration and activity. High activity of those species exponentially reduced root dry weight. Optimum oil palm growth was achieved at: <50 μM monomeric Al, < 30 μM Mn, and <0.20 unit of the ratio Al+Mn to calcium (Ca)+Mg. High activity of Al species and Mn in acidic soil solution cause significant reduction of the root growth. Soil acidity alleviation either with dolomite or MgCO3 mitigates the toxic effect of Al and Mn

Total Quality Management System in an Education Environment: The Case of a Private University in Bahrain

The study aims to analyze and explain the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing total quality management principles in private educational institutions. The context of the study narrowed down the areas of comparisons to tutorial conducts, student affairs and infrastructure. A detailed analysis of the existing total quality management currently in place at the selected university was duly comprehended. This resulted in finding the flaws/weaknesses in the system of universities in the kingdom of Bahrain generally. Findings through a survey and interview sessions indicated that teachers were not consulted for any changes in curriculum which leads to a lack of co-operation between management and teachers. Another problem in regards to the total quality management implementation was that students perceived the university as not being concerned with maintenance of the premises. Moreover, student affairs/services section was seriously lacking sport facilities, limited training sessions, poor equipment maintenance

Biological Remediation of Cyanide: a Review

Cyanide and its complexes are produced by industries all over the world as waste or effluents. Biodegradation is considered to be the cheapest and the most effective method to get rid of cyanide in the environment. Several studies on different types of microorganisms that can degrade cyanide in the environment have been carried out. Hydrolytic, oxidative, reductive, and substitutive/transfer reactions are some of the common pathways used by microorganisms in cyanide degradation. Biodegradation of cyanide can occur aerobically or an-aerobically depending on the environmental conditions. Immobilised enzymes or microorganisms prove to be very effective method of degradation. Microorganisms such as Klebsiella oxytoca, Corynebacterium nitrophilous, Brevibacterium nitrophilous, Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Rhodococcus UKMP-5M have been reported to be very effective in biodegradation of cyanide