The centralized traditional power grid leads to national power blackout resulting increase in research for alternate solutions. The solar photovoltaic is connected with module integrated converter (MIC) is the efficient way of increasing the performance in nowa-days. The modelling and analysis of such a microconverter with various Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques is simulated with dynamic simulation software in this work. The MPPT algorithm is applied on the SEPIC converter to extract the maximum and optimal power from the panel. The objective of the proposed research is to convert the raw solar energy from the PV cell and supplied to the load with high efficiency and high power quality. The converter includes low voltage stress on the semiconductor devices and simplicity of design. The switching losses are also reduced by replacing with single MOSFET in SEPIC converter. Hence the triggering components and commutation components are reduced while using a MOSFET and therefore the conduction losses are reduced. The converter is analysed with different modern MPPT techniques and this paper concludes optimal MPPT for the converter to extract the maximum power. Finally, the converter is designed for the rating of 80W and optimal MPPT is experimentally verified on the converter.

The study here brings forth a new control strategy for the micro wind energy conversion system using the doubly fed induction generator(DFIG) tied up with a sensor-less vector control technique that regulates the rotor side converter, forcing the generator to function at a constant speed even with a variable mechanical input torque. Stator voltage and frequency remain constant contrary to that of fluctuating wind velocity. Rotor speed and position of the generator will be estimated by a model reference adaptive system (TARC-MRAS) based on two axes rotor current which is compared to the speed measured by the encoder to validate its proper execution. The speed estimator’s performance will be investigated during start-up, acceleration, and deceleration of the generator proving its usability. In the experiment a 5 hp wound type induction generator coupled with 5 kW dc motor is used. Performance of the proposed single VSC based DFIG along with a BESS and Dump load controller has been analyzed under different conditions. The proposed control scheme is also applied with a high rating DFIG based WECS to validate the technique. Tuning of the PI controllers has been done using internal model control technique. The rural area electrification will gain a terrific boost as the MWF conversion system is cost effective and also time and place for installation is much less. Remote areas where grid power is unavailable for electrification, this will certainly welcome development.

The European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis L, represents an important economically oyster production in Southern Italy, widespread in natural beds along the coast. The practice to be eaten raw is an everlasting concern for possible health risk, needing stringently to monitor the health of aquatic environment. A screening survey, for hystopathological examination, was undertaken by harvesting O. edulis from different sites along the Apulian coast: Manfredonia, Margherita di Savoia, Monopoli, Taranto and Tricase. Tissue samples of digestive gland, kidney, gonad and gill were provided for morphologic study in Light Microscopy (LM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. LM observations revealed spherical cytoplasmic inclusions, as basophilic prokaryote colonies in about 5% of oysters. TEM and SEM confirmed the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions of Rickettsia-like organisms (RLOs), merely in the epithelial cells of digestive gland tubule tissues of 13 adults. Within intracytoplasmic vacuoles, RLOs exhibited a prokaryotic characteristic ultrastructure with transverse binary fission, a DNA zone full of chromatin fibers and a granular periplasmic ribosome zone. O. edulis were found positive for RLOs in wild oysters from Manfredonia, while the other sites were found free of pathological inclusions. We present the first report of a Rickettsia-like infection in the Apulian wild oyster O. edulis from Italy, including an ultrastructural description and pathological characterization.

The aim of this research is to determine and analyze the factors affecting firm value on the companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange. Firm value was used as the dependent variable and was represented by Tobin’s Q. On the other hand, the independent variables consisted of profitability (ROA), capital structure (DER), firm size, growth opportunity, tangibility, and liquidity (current ratio). The population used was all 45 companies listed on LQ-45 during February 2016. There were 37 companies included as the sample which was obtained using purposive sampling. The research period was from the year of 2012 to 2015. The data analysis technique used was linear regression. The research result showed that significant relationship with firm value only exist on two research variables which are profitability and capital structure. It appears that firm size, growth opportunity, tangibility, and liquidity do not have significant result.

Waste recycling and material recovery is a green approach for dealing with the emergent issue of solid waste in urban areas. Just like other developing countries, waste pickers (informal) are essential part of solid waste management system and are acting parallel to formal waste management entities in Pakistan. However, their role always remained independent and hidden and never been appreciated. This study was designed to provide evidence based situation analysis of current role of waste pickers in waste management system in the Gujranwala city of Pakistan. The findings would facilitate the authorities to own the informal sector and integrate their role into an existing formal solid waste management system as a win-win situation for achieving the objective of improved society, economy and environmental health. For this study, a Waste Picker Survey was carried out to understand the existing process of recycling mechanism in the city. The results revealed that total recovery amount by 20 waste pickers (informal entities) within Gujranwala City is 1,640 kg/day, which is greater than that of 20 waste pickers at the Gondlanwala disposal site, i.e., 1,100 kg/day. The average recovery amount per waste picker within the city is 82 kg/day; whereas, at the Gondlanwala disposal site the recovery amount per waste picker is 55 kg/day that means 60% recyclable material is picked within the city and only 40% reach the disposal site. This high amount of recyclable materials being picked within the city reveals the important role of waste pickers in waste management system of the city.

Concrete pavements are preferred over bituminous pavement due to its low life cycle cost, high durability and low maintenance. There are many literatures like PCA (1984), IRC 58 (2015), AASHTO (1993), ACI 395, IRC SP 62 (2014) available for the design of jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP). However, critical edge stress calculation vary depending on assumptions of the specific guideline. Performance of concrete pavement depends on parameters like subgrade stiffness, size of slab, thickness of slab, traffic and environmental loads, configuration and location of traffic load, repetition of load, properties of concrete, load transfer mechanism at joints, etc. It is necessary to understand the effect of different parameters on critical edge stress while designing JPCP. In this paper a study is carried out by preparing realistic finite element models for concrete pavement slab subjected to traffic as well as temperature differential load. Practically possible variations in different parameters are considered which affects the design, and few recommendations for better design are suggested.