104 research outputs found
The GATT and the Uruguay Round: An Exercise in Real Politik
The author explores the present status of the Uruguay Round. Banerji then reviews the discussions in the 15 major areas, all of which may not be of immediate interest to India. The author then moves on to analyse the progress in discussions in areas that are of interest to India. These are tariffs, non-tariff measures, GATT article, safeguards, functioning of the CATT system, MTN agreements and arrangements, subsidies, countervailing measures and dispute settlement. The author ends by outlining some polemical issues, viz., textiles and clothing, agriculture, TRIPS and TRIMS and services. The author endorses the multitiered flexible approach to the final deal as proposed by Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati. (Editor’s abstract.
The GATT and the Uruguay Round: An Exercise in Real Politik
The author explores the present status of the Uruguay Round. Banerji then reviews the discussions in the 15 major areas, all of which may not be of immediate interest to India. The author then moves on to analyse the progress in discussions in areas that are of interest to India. These are tariffs, non-tariff measures, GATT article, safeguards, functioning of the CATT system, MTN agreements and arrangements, subsidies, countervailing measures and dispute settlement. The author ends by outlining some polemical issues, viz., textiles and clothing, agriculture, TRIPS and TRIMS and services. The author endorses the multitiered flexible approach to the final deal as proposed by Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati. (Editor’s abstract.
Galaxy Zoo:reproducing galaxy morphologies via machine learning
We present morphological classifications obtained using machine learning for objects in SDSS DR6 that have been classified by Galaxy Zoo into three classes, namely early types, spirals and point sources/artifacts. An artificial neural network is trained on a subset of objects classified by the human eye and we test whether the machine learning algorithm can reproduce the human classifications for the rest of the sample. We find that the success of the neural network in matching the human classifications depends crucially on the set of input parameters chosen for the machine-learning algorithm. The colours and parameters associated with profile-fitting are reasonable in separating the objects into three classes. However, these results are considerably improved when adding adaptive shape parameters as well as concentration and texture. The adaptive moments, concentration and texture parameters alone cannot distinguish between early type galaxies and the point sources/artifacts. Using a set of twelve parameters, the neural network is able to reproduce the human classifications to better than 90% for all three morphological classes. We find that using a training set that is incomplete in magnitude does not degrade our results given our particular choice of the input parameters to the network. We conclude that it is promising to use machine- learning algorithms to perform morphological classification for the next generation of wide-field imaging surveys and that the Galaxy Zoo catalogue provides an invaluable training set for such purposes
Political regimes, trade, and labor policies in developing countries
What, if any, is the link between labor market policies that benefit insiders - for example, regulations guaranteeing high minimum wages and strict job security - and political regimes. Is it true that in a democracy outsiders vote and impose limits on what insiders can achieve, whereas in a dictatorship the government need worry only about insiders who have real power? Or are democratic governments more likely to succumb to trade union pressure and use labor policies to give them special privileges? To test these competing hypotheses, the authors designed a two-sector political economy model that demonstrates that labor market distortions depend directly on the trade regime: the more open the trade regime, the fewer distortions in the labor market. They use cross-country regressions to test the relationship between political and civil liberties and trade and labor policies. Using data for 90 developing countries, they apply existing indices of openness and political freedom and two different constructed measures of labor market distortion. Their conclusions, based on the regression results: authoritarian systems that repress labor are more likely than democratic systems to adopt inefficient labor policies inimical to development.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform,Labor Standards,Economic Theory&Research
DSTATCOM application for mitigation of voltage sag caused by dynamic loads in autonomous systems
This paper presents the application of distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) for mitigating the frequently occurring problems of voltage dips in autonomous systems. Consumer loads are experiencing proliferation of induction motors. The starting of induction motors draws large current causing voltage sag (dip). Autonomous Power system is comparatively less stiff than the grid connected system. Large starting current, causing objectionable voltage drop, is critical for an autonomous system. DSTATCOM can be effectively used to redeem this power quality problem. An asynchronous generator with a motor load having a DSTATCOM connected in shunt is simulated on a MATLAB platform using Simulink and Power System Block set. The simulation establishes the capability of DSTATCOM to mitigate the voltage dip problem for an autonomous system
Enhancement of stability of autonomous rural grid
Renewable energy potentials available at rural locations are often harnessed using induction generators. These generators are connected in parallel to form an autonomous local grid, to improve the quality of power supply to the consumers. A DSTATCOM is connected in shunt to the autonomous grid to compensate the loads and to provide the required reactive power of induction generators under loaded condition. The DSTATCOM also enhances the power quality of the autonomous grid by providing reactive power to stabilize the voltage under a fault condition. Further, any deficiency of power in autonomous grid is leveled by a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) used with the DSTATCOM. The paper simulates the autonomous grid along with a DSTATCOM on a MATLAB platform under different load and fault conditions to study the stabilization of the voltage and frequency of the autonomous rural grid
DSTATCOM application for mitigation of voltage sag caused by dynamic loads in autonomous systems
This paper presents the application of distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) for mitigating the frequently occurring problems of voltage dips in autonomous systems. Consumer loads are experiencing proliferation of induction motors. The starting of induction motors draws large current causing voltage sag (dip). Autonomous Power system is comparatively less stiff than the grid connected system. Large starting current, causing objectionable voltage drop, is critical for an autonomous system. DSTATCOM can be effectively used to redeem this power quality problem. An asynchronous generator with a motor load having a DSTATCOM connected in shunt is simulated on a MATLAB platform using Simulink and Power System Block set. The simulation establishes the capability of DSTATCOM to mitigate the voltage dip problem for an autonomous system
Enhancing quality of power to sensitive loads with microGrid
The paper discusses the effectiveness of the MicroGrid (MG) in a distribution system. Combined heat and power (CHP) system has been used to enhance the overall efficiency of the power system. Microturbines have been used for CHP operation in this paper. The various methods of controls of the MG are also discussed. A simple and low cost model for MG based on frequency droop control for active power generation, has been proposed. The proposed model can be used in plug and play mode of operation of the MG. The model has been simulated on the MATLAB platform. Performance of the model has been studied under grid connected and under islanded condition
Enhancing quality of power to sensitive loads with microgrid
This paper presents the effectiveness of a microgrid (MG) in a distribution system. The combined heat and power (CHP) system is used to enhance the overall efficiency of the power system. Microturbines are used for CHP operation in this paper. The various methods of control of the MG are discussed. A simple low-cost model is proposed for MG based on frequency droop control for active power generation. The proposed model can be used in plug-and-play mode of operation of the MG. The model of MG is developed, and its performance is simulated in MATLAB platform. Performance of the model is studied under grid-connected and islanded conditions
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