Self-organising multi-agent control for distribution networks with distributed energy resources

Recent years have seen an increase in the connection of dispersed distributed energy resources (DERs) and advanced control and operational components to the distribution network. These DERs can come in various forms, including distributed generation (DG), electric vehicles (EV), energy storage, etc. The conditions of these DERs can be varying and unpredictably intermittent. The integration of these distributed components adds more complexity and uncertainty to the operation of future power networks, such as voltage, frequency, and active/reactive power control. The stochastic and distributed nature of DGs and the difficulty in predicting EV charging patterns presents problems to the control and management of the distribution network. This adds more challenges to the planning and operation of such systems. Traditional methods for dealing with network problems such as voltage and power control could therefore be inadequate. In addition, conventional optimisation techniques will be difficult to apply successfully and will be accompanied with a large computational load. There is therefore a need for new control techniques that break the problem into smaller subsets and one that uses a multi-agent system (MAS) to implement distributed solutions. These groups of agents would coordinate amongst themselves, to regulate local resources and voltage levels in a distributed and adaptive manner considering varying conditions of the network. This thesis investigates the use of self-organising systems, presenting suitable approaches and identifying the challenges of implementing such techniques. It presents the development of fully functioning self-organising multi-agent control algorithms that can perform as effectively as full optimization techniques. It also demonstrates these new control algorithms on models of large and complex networks with DERs. Simulation results validate the autonomy of the system to control the voltage independently using only local DERs and proves the robustness and adaptability of the system by maintaining stable voltage control in response to network conditions over time.Recent years have seen an increase in the connection of dispersed distributed energy resources (DERs) and advanced control and operational components to the distribution network. These DERs can come in various forms, including distributed generation (DG), electric vehicles (EV), energy storage, etc. The conditions of these DERs can be varying and unpredictably intermittent. The integration of these distributed components adds more complexity and uncertainty to the operation of future power networks, such as voltage, frequency, and active/reactive power control. The stochastic and distributed nature of DGs and the difficulty in predicting EV charging patterns presents problems to the control and management of the distribution network. This adds more challenges to the planning and operation of such systems. Traditional methods for dealing with network problems such as voltage and power control could therefore be inadequate. In addition, conventional optimisation techniques will be difficult to apply successfully and will be accompanied with a large computational load. There is therefore a need for new control techniques that break the problem into smaller subsets and one that uses a multi-agent system (MAS) to implement distributed solutions. These groups of agents would coordinate amongst themselves, to regulate local resources and voltage levels in a distributed and adaptive manner considering varying conditions of the network. This thesis investigates the use of self-organising systems, presenting suitable approaches and identifying the challenges of implementing such techniques. It presents the development of fully functioning self-organising multi-agent control algorithms that can perform as effectively as full optimization techniques. It also demonstrates these new control algorithms on models of large and complex networks with DERs. Simulation results validate the autonomy of the system to control the voltage independently using only local DERs and proves the robustness and adaptability of the system by maintaining stable voltage control in response to network conditions over time

Combined management of large aggressive central giant cell granuloma of the mandible: A case report

AbstractThe aim of this study is to report a case of large aggressive central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the mandible treated with corticosteroids and surgery. A 22-year-old male presented with painless progressive swelling in the chin region. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of CGCG. Management of the lesion was carried out in 3 phases. Phase-1 comprised of intra-lesional corticosteroids, phase-2 comprised of surgical management and phase-3 consisted of post-surgical intra-lesional corticosteroid. In this extensive case, although intra-lesional corticosteroid was given pre-operatively, there was no evidence of a reduction in size of the lesion both clinically and radio-graphically. This case suggests that injection of a low dose of corticosteroids pre-operatively may not be effective in such large aggressive CGCGs. Nevertheless, combined medical and surgical management is always advantageous for extensive aggressive lesions in order to reduce the size and thus minimize the need for mutilating bone resections and loss of teeth that ultimately result in functional and esthetic defects

THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE IN OMAN: BARRIERS TO SOCIAL INCLUSION

This thesis investigates factors that might lead to the limited inclusion of disabled young people in Omani society. The key assumption which underlies this study is that there is a need to ensure the full citizenship of these young people. Realising the concept of citizenship requires practical steps from society to ensure equality of opportunity. Moreover, it proposes the need to move the perception of disability and the suggested solutions away from the traditional individualistic approaches towards those founded in a social model. The proposed change is closely related to a shift in disability research paradigms and methods; in other words, a move from quantifying the numbers of impaired people to qualitative research which seeks to comprehend the perceptions and experiences of disabled young people and their families. Semi-structured individual interviews were carried out with 26 physically disabled young people. These explored their everyday lives in their families. their experiences in the wider community, the quality of services they are provided with, their relationships with the public and professionals, and their own views of themselves. Four focus groups, composed of eight to twelve mothers in each, were purposefully selected from four administrative regions In Oman. These groups explored the mothers' perceptions of their disabled children's daily lives and the barriers to their inclusion. Twelve professionals working in health, social services and education were interviewed to gain their views. The disabled young people experienced considerable difficulties in their daily lives. A key finding was that the disabled young people attributed their disabilities to factors related to society rather than to their impairments. They were deeply concerned about the inaccessibility of physical and social environments that restricted their opportunities for education and relationships outside their families.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The modern Arabic novel: a literary and linguistic analysis of the genre of popular fiction, with special reference to translation from English.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the notion of 'genre' in general as a basic unit in linguistic, cultural and literary analysis. Chapter One is an introduction to this study outlining my aims and objectives which are mainly related to popular fiction in English and Arabic. Chapter Two discusses the theory of genre both from a linguistic and a literary point of view, underlining crosscultural differences and similarities. These critical insights should enable us to form an overall picture of how the subject of my case study (Mills & Boon and its translation into Arabic) is viewed in the languages and cultures concerned: this particular genre has not been acceptable to the Western literary establishment until recently, and is not acceptable to the Arabic critical establishment even today. Chapter Three historically deals with the first attempts in writing novels in Arabic. This was influenced by translation, but an Arabic genre nevertheless emerged. Chapter Four critically focuses on this aspect of the canonization of the novel in Arabic. This has influenced the development of popular fiction in this language. Chapter Five presents a detailed analysis of one particular example of popular fiction in Arabic, one which was seen negatively by the critics. Chapter Six discusses the tension between the canon and the periphery as far as the novel is concerned. This is illustrated by an analysis of an Arabic novel which we take to be a good example of popular fiction. Chapter Seven deals with aspects of Eastern and Western translation theory relevant to my analysis of genre. Chapter Eight presents a detailed analysis of a Mills & Boon novel in English and its translation into Arabic. Finally, Chapter Nine briefly summarizes the issues discussed and points us towards some general direction and pedagogic implications

A laboratory investigation of high polymer modified asphalt mixtures with softening agent

This study was initiated to evaluate the impact of aging and High Polymer Modified Asphalt (HPMA) binders containing a bio-based-oil softening agent (SA) on the rutting, cracking, and durability of asphalt mixtures. One control asphalt binder (PG 52-34), Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer modifier, and corn-oil SA were used to produce four asphalt mixtures including a control prepared using PG 52-34 binder and three modified mixtures were produced by blending PG 52-34 binder with different dosages of SBS and SA. The mixtures were tested using the Dynamic Complex Modulus (|E*|), Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (HWTD), Flow Number (FN), Indirect Tension Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT), Semi-Circular Bend (SCB), Disk-Shaped Compact Tension (DCT), and Cantabro Durability tests. The impact of aging on cracking resistance was also evaluated by subjecting all mixes to short-, long, and extended-long-term aging levels. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc statistical analysis were also performed on the testing results. Based on testing results, SBS and corn oil SA increased the durability and rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. At extreme low-temperature (i.e., -24°C), the use of SBS and corn oil SA improved the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures; however, increasing the SBS and/or the SA dosage rates had a negative impact on their cracking resistance. Using balanced dosages (i.e., 7.5% and 7%) of SBS and corn oil SA led to the best improvement in durability, rutting, and short-term cracking performance

Association between shammah use with periodontal disease and shammah-induced leukoplakia-like lesion among adult males in dawn valley, Yemen

Background: The traditional type of smokeless tobacco (SLT) used in the Arabian Peninsula, especially common in Yemen is called shammah. Shammah and other risk factors play an important role in development of oral diseases. Objectives: The present study has been undertaken to determine the prevalence of shammah use and to determine the association between shammah use with periodontal disease and oral leukoplakia-like lesions. Other associated factors with periodontal disease as well as with oral leukoplakia-like lesions were also determined. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 346 randomly selected adult males. Multistage random sampling was used to select the study location. After completing the structured questionnaire interviews, all the participants underwent clinical exanimation for periodontal health status and oral leukoplakia-like lesions. Periodontal status was recorded using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Clinical features of oral leukoplakia- like lesions were characterized based on the grades of Axéll et al. (1976). Chi-square test was used for assessing significant differences in shammah status in respect to periodontal disease and oral leukoplakialike lesions. Univariable logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were selected for assessing potential associated factors. Results: Out of 346 male participants aged 18 years and older, 68 reported being current shammah users. The prevalence of current shammah use was 19.7% (95% CI: 15.6%, 24.2%). Chi-square test detected that significant differences exists between the study groups (i.e., never, former, and current shammah users) in respect to the presence of periodontal disease (P= 0.001) as well as to the presence of oral leukoplakia-like lesion (P=0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age, family income, former shammah user, current shammah user, and annual duration of shammah use were statistically associated with the presence of periodontal disease [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR)= 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.07; P= 0.001], (AOR= 2.01; 95% CI: 1.16, 3.47; P= 0.012), (AOR= 2.92; 95% CI: 1.20, 7.10; P= 0.018), (AOR= 7.25; 95% CI: 3.84, 13.70; P= 0.001), and (AOR= 2.19; 95% CI: 1.47, 3.24; P= 0.001), respectively. The multivariable analysis also revealed that age, no formal or primary level of education, former shammah user, current shammah user, and frequency of shammah use per day were statistically associated with the presence of oral leukoplakia-like lesion ( AOR= 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06; P= 0.006), (AOR= 8.65; 95% CI: 2.81, 26.57; P= 0.001), (AOR= 3.65; 95% CI: 1.40, 9.50; P= 0.008), (AOR= 12.99; 95% CI: 6.34, 26.59; P= 0.001), and (AOR= 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36; P= 0.026), respectively. Conclusion: The results revealed that periodontal disease and oral leukoplakia-like lesions were significantly associated with shammah use. Therefore, it is important to develop comprehensive shammah prevention programmes in Yemen

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trimipramine in Tablet Dosage Form via Charge Transfer Complex Formation

Purpose: To develop and validate simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric procedures for determination of trimipramine in tablet dosage form.Methods: The methods were based on the interaction of trimipramine as n-electron donor with the ο-acceptor, iodine and various π-acceptors, namely: chloranil (CH), chloranilic acid (ChA), 2,3-dichloro-5, 6-dicyano-1, 4-benzoquinone (DDQ), and 7, 7,8, 8 tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), to form charge transfer complexes. The complexes obtained were measured spectrophotometrically at 292, 220, 520, 302, and 824 nm for I2, CH, ChA, DDQ, and TCNQ, respectively. Different variables affecting the reaction were carefully studied and optimized.Results: Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration ranges 1 - 5, 5 - 50, 15 - 100, 5- 50, and 10 -75 ppm for I2, CH, ChA, DDQ, and TCNQ respectively, with apparent molar absorptivities of 7.1 x 104, 0.3 x 104, 1.6 x 104, 0.26 x 104, and 0.1 x 104 l mol-1cm-1 respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of trimipramine with good accuracy and precision.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the developed methods are as accurate, precise and reproducible as the pharmacopeial method. The methods would be valuable for routine application in quality control.Keywords: Charge-transfer complex, Trimipramine, Spectrophotometry (T and S

Kafâ’ah Contextualization in an Effort to Form Harmonious Family in the Modern Era: An Analysis Of Fazlur Rahman's Double Movement

Kafā’ah is a marriage law that has relatively little attention from Islamic jurists. This is because kafā’ah is less adaptable to changes in people's lives. Because kafā’ah is identical with the Arab cultural heritage before Islam. But factually this kafā’ah is still a legacy in the books of the fuqaha'. This research is focused on revealing the relevance of the concept of the kafā’ah of the fuqaha' with the changing times of the modern era. As well as how to contextualize the concept of kafā’ah in this modern era so that it truly becomes a path to family harmony. In uncovering the problem, the double movement theory or Fadzlurrahman dual interpretation is used, in which this interpretation becomes the knife of analysis by revealing how the current condition of the kafā’ah is then drawn to the kafā’ah of the past and how the response of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Then the moral values of the Qur'an and the Sunnah are taken using reasoning ratios so that conclusions can be drawn in accordance with current needs. The conclusion of this research is that the concept of kafā’ah in the book of fiqh is not relevant to the needs of this modern era, where kafā’ah in the modern era is more interpreted in terms of equality and ability (competence) to get married, which is different from the kafā’ah of the past which is more nuanced feudalistic

Primary User Emulation Attacks: A Detection Technique Based on Kalman Filter

Cognitive radio technology addresses the problem of spectrum scarcity by allowing secondary users to use the vacant spectrum bands without causing interference to the primary users. However, several attacks could disturb the normal functioning of the cognitive radio network. Primary user emulation attacks are one of the most severe attacks in which a malicious user emulates the primary user signal characteristics to either prevent other legitimate secondary users from accessing the idle channels or causing harmful interference to the primary users. There are several proposed approaches to detect the primary user emulation attackers. However, most of these techniques assume that the primary user location is fixed, which does not make them valid when the primary user is mobile. In this paper, we propose a new approach based on the Kalman filter framework for detecting the primary user emulation attacks with a non-stationary primary user. Several experiments have been conducted and the advantages of the proposed approach are demonstrated through the simulation results.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure