Investigation of FACTS devices to improve power quality in distribution networks

Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) technologies are power electronic solutions that improve power transmission through enhanced power transfer volume and stability, and resolve quality and reliability issues in distribution networks carrying sensitive equipment and non-linear loads. The use of FACTS in distribution systems is still in its infancy. Voltages and power ratings in distribution networks are at a level where realistic FACTS devices can be deployed. Efficient power converters and therefore loss minimisation are crucial prerequisites for deployment of FACTS devices. This thesis investigates high power semiconductor device losses in detail. Analytical closed form equations are developed for conduction loss in power devices as a function of device ratings and operating conditions. These formulae have been shown to predict losses very accurately, in line with manufacturer data. The developed formulae enable circuit designers to quickly estimate circuit losses and determine the sensitivity of those losses to device voltage and current ratings, and thus select the optimal semiconductor device for a specific application. It is shown that in the case of majority carrier devices (such as power MOSFETs), the conduction power loss (at rated current) increases linearly in relation to the varying rated current (at constant blocking voltage), but is a square root of the variable blocking voltage when rated current is fixed. For minority carrier devices (such as a pin diode or IGBT), a similar relationship is observed for varying current, however where the blocking voltage is altered, power losses are derived as a square root with an offset (from the origin). Finally, this thesis conducts a power loss-oriented evaluation of cascade type multilevel converters suited to reactive power compensation in 11kV and 33kV systems. The cascade cell converter is constructed from a series arrangement of cell modules. Two prospective structures of cascade type converters were compared as a case study: the traditional type which uses equal-sized cells in its chain, and a second with a ternary relationship between its dc-link voltages. Modelling (at 81 and 27 levels) was carried out under steady state conditions, with simplified models based on the switching function and using standard circuit simulators. A detailed survey of non punch through (NPT) and punch through (PT) IGBTs was completed for the purpose of designing the two cascaded converters. Results show that conduction losses are dominant in both types of converters in NPT and PT IGBTs for 11kV and 33kV systems. The equal-sized converter is only likely to be useful in one case (27-levels in the 33kV system). The ternary-sequence converter produces lower losses in all other cases, and this is especially noticeable for the 81-level converter operating in an 11kV network

CONSUMER PANACEA OVER INTERNET USAGE IN PAKISTAN

The present age is the era of information technology and everywhere microwaves are scattered. Everybody wants to explore itself with this information technology and happenings taking place of Internet for the purpose of education, awareness, entertainment and especially interaction with strangers. In Pakistan, the awareness of internet usage is increasing and people are gaining knowledge about online buying and selling. Although the Internet may well empower consumers, there is a paucity of systematic conceptual, analytical, or empirical research indicating that the Internet will in fact lead to more and better information, which in turn will lead to better consumer decision making. The Internet is not, in and of itself, a monolithic entity subject to broad generalizations. It is a complex phenomenon, unlike anything else in history and not completely understood. This research finds that consumers who have more positive beliefs about Internet apparel shopping have more positive attitude toward Internet apparel shopping than do consumers who have less positive beliefs about Internet apparel shopping and consumers who have more social support for Internet apparel shopping perceive more social acceptance of Internet apparel shopping than do consumers who have less social support for Internet apparel shopping.e-Marketing, internet usage.

Misuse of charitable giving to finance violent extremism; A futuristic actions study amidst COVID-19 pandemic

The purpose of the study is to explore the shadow economy of violent extremism through charity lenses and factors associated with misuse of charitable giving in a global financial system. It reviews the emergency response situations like COVID-19 when financial needs are urgent with lacked monitoring and control over payment disbursement to vulnerable groups. It highlights several governments’ significant steps to counter the illicit finance flow through ‘public-face’ charity organizations. Descriptive research was used to gather secondary data insights using published reports, articles, news portals, and policy briefs from renowned institutions. The findings depict four factors known as economic and capacity, socio-cultural, politico-legal, and global networks support in misuse of charitable giving to finance violent extremism. This study claims not all charitable giving misused for extremism and violence. However, there is a possibility that extremist groups could take advantage of using humanitarian organizations’ face to finance violent extremism. Two possible recommendations have been made to overcome this issue by adopting digital payment mechanisms and community engagement to design and deliver the COVID-19 response recovery programs

Assessing Gains of stakeholders for Mega Project implementation: Learning from Beneficiary Assessment of Lahore Ring Road Project, Pakistan

The population is increasing rapidly globally, and urban expansion of the cities has become an extensive trend in developing nations. Urban expansion patterns, such as transportation structure and road networks, affect transportation planning. This research was conducted on a mega project in Lahore city of Pakistan, i.e., the Lahore Ring Road (LRR) project. Limited research focused on the beneficiary assessment of the road project, and this research was carried out to fill this research gap. This research aims to evaluate the beneficiary assessment of DHA Phase 8 and Halloki Settlement along the Lahore Ring Road. The simple Random Sampling technique was used to conduct the household survey in the study area. This study concluded that most of the residents did not modify their houses nor increase the built-up area and height after the introduction of the project. This study inferred that the rental potential was high at some locations and low at old existing settlements. This research further concluded that community participation was ignored, and public facilities were not improved in the study area. But a project of LRR was very much beneficial and alive for the residents of Lahore city. Community participation should be enhanced in such types of megaprojects, and allied facilities in the nearby community should be upgraded. This research will be helpful for policymakers, urban planners, transportation planners, development authorities, and other stakeholders in planning future road projects in the country

Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus

Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus is a rare neoplasm characterized histologically by presence of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. Case report of carcinosarcoma of the esophagogastric junction whose morphological and immunohistochemical features makes it quite distinctive from other tumours is presented. It was an ulcerated lesion diagnosed in an elderly Afghan lady located 34 cms from the incisor teeth. The patient was a smoker

Control Workplace Stress with Systematic Approach

The reflection of the employees behaviour towards assigned task and lack of interest in routine activates generates the negative results for organizational sustainable growth. Generally, stress at workplace brings the negativity in whole environment, thus, individual feel uncomfortable to perform their task under pressure. This paper evaluates the factors that causing the stressful environment in the organizations among the workforce and confers for the solution with the model employment to minimize its root causes. The in-depth examination of the evaluation reveals the confidence upon the workability of the model by applying in the organizational environment to get the affirmative productivity among workforce. This research remains helpful for the organizations to mark the prototype as their general rules to achieve the organizational goals through the efficiency workforce productiveness

Control Workplace Stress with Systematic Approach

The reflection of the employees behaviour towards assigned task and lack of interest in routine activates generates the negative results for organizational sustainable growth. Generally, stress at workplace brings the negativity in whole environment, thus, individual feel uncomfortable to perform their task under pressure. This paper evaluates the factors that causing the stressful environment in the organizations among the workforce and confers for the solution with the model employment to minimize its root causes. The in-depth examination of the evaluation reveals the confidence upon the workability of the model by applying in the organizational environment to get the affirmative productivity among workforce. This research remains helpful for the organizations to mark the prototype as their general rules to achieve the organizational goals through the efficiency workforce productiveness

DOES OWNERSHIP CONCENTRATION MODERATES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY-FIRM PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP?

CSR is basically a commitment demanded from companies to protect stakeholder interests, enhance societal conditions, and contribute to sustainable development. This study investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm financial performance with a particular focus on measuring the moderating impact of ownership concentration on the CSR-performance relationship. The data is collected from the companies’ annual reports, State Bank of Pakistan database and the Pakistan Stock Exchange for the period 2014-2020. The fixed effect regression model is used to measure the impact of CSR on firm financial performance. The results of the study revealed that CSR has a significant negative impact on firm financial performance. Furthermore, ownership concentration also negatively moderates the relationship between CSR and firm financial performance

EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF HAZARA UNIVERSITY

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of employee empowerment on the performance of faculty members at Hazara University. In this regard survey approach was used and data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Out of total population of 490 faculty members, 450 were selected as a sample and questionnaires were distributed among them out of which 360 were received back. The findings of the study revealed that trust, reward and communication have a statistically significant and positive effect on employee performance. Additionally, knowledge has a negative relationship with employee performance but it is statistically in significant