Transient fault area location and fault classification for distribution systems based on wavelet transform and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)

A novel method to locate the zone of transient faults and to classify the fault type in Power Distribution Systems using wavelet transforms and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) has been developed. It draws on advanced techniques of signal processing based on wavelet transforms, using data sampled from the main feeder current to extract important characteristics and dynamic features of the fault signal. In this method, algorithms designed for fault detection and classification based on features extracted from wavelet transforms were implemented. One of four different algorithms based on ANFIS, according to the type of fault, was then used to locate the fault zone. Studies and simulations in an EMTP-RV environment for the 25kV power distribution system of Canada were carried out by considering ten types of faults with different fault inception, fault resistance and fault locations. The simulation results showed high accuracy in classifying the type of fault and determining the fault area, so that the maximum observed error was less than 2%

R&D Management in Iran, Opportunities and Threats

Research and Development (R&D) management in Iran has faced many barriers and obstacles, in which R&D units are considered as the basic core of the product development and innovation. Due to structural shortcomings, a great number of organizations and industries have not yet been able to position themselves in the market. There are about 1141 R&D units throughout Iran, due to the geographical decentralization of these units this paper considers and analyzes the R&D case study in one of the provinces located in the north part of Iran, and the findings can be generalized to the other industrialized areas and zones in Iran. In this province, there are about 2504 industrial units of which there are only 44 R&D units certified by the state government. However, there is limited number of these R&D units that are extensively active. This paper also addresses the current status in respect with the R&D activities to find out why little attention has been paid to these activities in the industrial units. Considering the opportunities and challenges of these R&D units reveals that there is a need to activate these units so that they can quickly respond to changes in the market. Finally, a few alternative solutions and improvement plans are proposed, in which the Iranian R&D Society is responsible for supporting and fostering these action plans towards the organization goals. The research methodology was based on a previous field research conducted in Hamedan province, and after the analysis of the research results, a model for the efficiency of R&D units will be presented.R&D management, R&D Society, Innovation, Industrial sectors

A Survey on the Social Status of the Library and Information Science Profession (Case Study: Librarians of Public Libraries of Guilan Province, Iran)

The purpose of this research is to investigate the social status of Library and Information Science from the point of view of librarians of public libraries in Guilan province, Iran. This research is an applied research and has been conducted through a survey method. The statistical population of the study consisted of 199 librarians working in public libraries of Guilan province, Iran. Using Morgan\u27s table, 127 subjects were selected as sample size and 124 of them responded to the questionnaire. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire, professors\u27 and library managers\u27 opinions were used and for reliability purposes, Cronbach\u27s alpha coefficient was used which had an acceptable reliability of 0.96. Findings showed that based on the views of librarians of public libraries, the social status of Library and Information Science is at weak and moderate levels. There is also a significant difference between the views of librarians on their social status in terms of gender and level of education. According to the results of this research indicating the low level of the social status of the Library and Information Science profession, it seems that the authorities and policymakers of this profession, on the one hand, and the librarians themselves, on the other hand, need to take more effective steps and decisions in order to promote the status of the field

The Improvement Rate of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children under Gastroesophageal Reflux Therapy

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common causes of hearing impairment in children and if not treated, can result in many complications. It seems that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) plays an important role in OME. Aim: to determine the improvement rate of otitis media with effusion in children under gastroesophageal reflux therapy. Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective study. Medical records of forty children with OME were reviewed. Some patients were treated with antibiotic and anti-reflux. The others were managed only with antibiotic. All patients were treated for 2 weeks. Two weeks after treatment complement, the response rates of patients were determined by clinical examination and tympanometry. Type A, C, and B tympanometry were interpreted as a good, moderate, and no response respectively. Pre-and post-treatment conditions were compared. Results: Overall 78 ears (40 in in the anti-reflux therapy group and 38 in the other group) were enrolled in the survey. The overall good, moderate, and no responses to medical treatment were 35.9%, 35.9%, and 28.2%, respectively. Among 40 ears in the anti-reflux therapy group, the rates of good, moderate, and no response were 50%, 37.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. These rates in 38 other ears were 21%, 34.2%, and 44.8% respectively. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (all p-value of <0.05). Conclusion: Anti-reflux therapy should be considered as an essential component of medical management in the children with OME

Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges for R&D Management and the Role of the R&D Society for its Improvement – A Case Study in Iran

Research and Development (R&D) management in Iran is faced to many barriers and obstacles, in which R&D units are considered as the basic core of the product development and innovation. Due to structural shortcomings, a great number of organizations and industries have not been able to find their actual status. There are about different 1141 R&D units with a dispersion pattern in Iran. This paper considers and analyzes the R&D case study in one of the provinces located in the north part of Iran in order to enhance the potential R&D activities in respect with the industrialized areas and zones. In this province, there are about 2504 industrial units of which there are only 44 R&D units certified by the state government. However, there are limit numbers of these R&D units that are extensively active. This paper also addresses the current status in respect with the R&D activities to find out why there is a lack and depression of these activities in the industrial units. By considering the opportunity and challenges of these R&D units, there is a need to change these units to be active in order to quickly respond the market and demand requirements. Finally, a few alternative solutions and improvement plans are proposed, in which the Iranian R&D Society is responsible for supporting and succeeding these action plans towards the organization goals.R&D Management

Permanent Fault Location in Distribution System Using Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) in Phase Domain

This paper proposes a new method for locating high impedance fault in distribution systems using phasor measurement units (PMUs) installed at certain locations of the system. To implement this algorithm, at first a new method is suggested for the placement of PMUs. Taking information from the units, voltage and current of the entire distribution system are calculated. Then, the two buses in which the fault has been occurred is determined, and location and type of the fault are identified. The main characteristics of the proposed method are: the use of distributed parameter line model in phase domain, considering the presence of literals, and high precision in calculating the high impedance fault location. The results obtained from simulations in EMTP-RV and MATLAB software indicate high accuracy and independence of the proposed method from the fault type, fault location and fault resistance compared to previous methods, so that the maximum observed error was less than 0.15

Interacting Adaptive Processes with Different Timescales Underlie Short-Term Motor Learning

Multiple processes may contribute to motor skill acquisition, but it is thought that many of these processes require sleep or the passage of long periods of time ranging from several hours to many days or weeks. Here we demonstrate that within a timescale of minutes, two distinct fast-acting processes drive motor adaptation. One process responds weakly to error but retains information well, whereas the other responds strongly but has poor retention. This two-state learning system makes the surprising prediction of spontaneous recovery (or adaptation rebound) if error feedback is clamped at zero following an adaptation-extinction training episode. We used a novel paradigm to experimentally confirm this prediction in human motor learning of reaching, and we show that the interaction between the learning processes in this simple two-state system provides a unifying explanation for several different, apparently unrelated, phenomena in motor adaptation including savings, anterograde interference, spontaneous recovery, and rapid unlearning. Our results suggest that motor adaptation depends on at least two distinct neural systems that have different sensitivity to error and retain information at different rates

Eco-efficiency considering the issue of heterogeneity among power plants

One of the main objectives in restructuring power industry is enhancing the efficiency of power facilities. However, power generation industry, which plays a key role in the power industry, has a noticeable share in emission amongst all other emission-generating sectors. In this study, we have developed some new Data Envelopment Analysis models to find efficient power plants based on less fuel consumption, combusting less polluting fuel types, and incorporating emission factors in order to measure the ecological efficiency trend. We then applied these models to measuring eco-efficiency during an eight-year period of power industry restructuring in Iran. Results reveal that there has been a significant improvement in eco-efficiency, cost efficiency and allocative efficiency of the power plants during the restructuring period. It is also shown that despite the hydro power plants look eco-efficient; the combined cycle ones have been more allocative efficient than the other power generation technologies used in Iran

Ion pair-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of trace amount of rhodium ion in water and road dust samples prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination

A simple ion pair-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method was proposed for preconcentration trace amounts of rhodium. An ion association complex of RhCl4- and tetradecyldimetylbenzylamonium was extracted into cholorobenzene. The volume and the type of extractive and dispersive solvents, the extraction time and the pH of the aqueous solutions were optimized. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.6-500 ng mL-1 of rhodium. The limit of detection was 0.10 ng mL-1 in initial solution and preconcentration factor was 40. The proposed method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of rhodium in road dust and water samples

An Investigation of the Factors Affecting Performance Improvement of Public Libraries based on Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between factors affecting the performance of libraries and the components of customer relationship management (CRM). Method: The research uses a survey method. The study population was patrons of public libraries in Mazandaran province, Iran. The data collection instrument was questionnaire. Findings: The results showed that the correlation coefficient for the focal point variables for specific subjects, proper organization of processes, knowledge management, and technology were 0.682, 0.927, 0.900, and 0.810 respectively, indicating that the linear relationship between these variables is to improve the performance of libraries. In other words, the results of the research indicated that there is a direct linear relationship between CRM and library performance levels. Discussion and Conclusion: Customer relationship management elements seem to play a significant role in improving the level of library performance. Given the identification of the weaknesses and strengths of libraries with respect to these components, it is imperative that public library managers and librarians provide innovative ideas for improving and improving the level of services