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This paper aims to integrate cascaded multilevel converters in the static compensator (STATCOM) systems in order to assure dynamic compensation of the reactive power absorbed by fixed speed wind turbines.

The cascaded multilevel converter topology is incorporated as a variable source of reactive power required by the wind farm. The evaluation of reference reactive currents is assured by the technique of instantaneous power theory. Thus, the STATCOM, with its appropriate control strategy, continuously compensates the reactive currents.

A developed non‐linear state representation makes possible the analysis of static and dynamic behaviour of the proposed system. The STATCOM‐based cascaded multilevel converter is able to provide continuous compensation and proves highly dynamic under steady state and transient operating conditions.

The paper formulates a mathematical model which includes all parameters describing the system composed by a medium voltage network, a wind farm and a STATCOM‐based cascaded multilevel converter. The study may help to develop new control methods of such power systems containing non‐linearities and an extended number of parameters.

Since there are few studies on comprehensive and complete models of power systems, the paper contributes to make both a study and a simulation based on a developed non‐linear state model which perfectly describes the state and transient behaviour of the proposed system.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of politically connected directors (PCDs), media coverage and their interaction on firm performance in an emerging market economy (UAE).

This study relies on the agency theory and the resource dependency theory and uses a panel data set of a sample of non-financial firms listed in the UAE stock market from 2009 to 2016. Data were analyzed using fixed-effects regression. Instrumental variable regression was used to address potential endogeneity.

PCDs and media are positively associated with firm performance (ROE and Tobin’s q). Media moderates the PCDs–performance relationship, as the interaction between PCDs and media coverage is negatively associated with firm performance. Under growing media attention, reputational concerns prevent PCDs from using their connections to gain particular advantages to their firms to avoid damaging their image.

Regulators need to acknowledge and define the roles of PCDs and media in business governance.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical examination testing the effect of the interplay between PCDs and media on firm performance in an emerging market economy such as UAE.

Facilities management (FM) professionals state that adopting FM will positively support core service delivery and ensure customer satisfaction. Evidences of such claim are important as it will enhance the rationale for institutionalising prudent FM service quality in hospitals in Ghana. This paper aims to assess the mediating effect of healthcare FM service quality on patients’ satisfaction and overall healthcare delivery.

This is a cross-sectional study involving adult patients at the Physician outpatient departments and Polyclinics of Komfo Anokye, Tamale and Cape Coast Teaching hospitals in Ghana. A questionnaire survey using a well-structured five-point likert scale based on the SERVQUAL dimensions and Healthcare core service dimensions rooted in the FM framework was used to collect data from 660 patients. Smart PLS was used to analyse the data of 622 valid questionnaires.

The study results revealed that FM service quality mediates the relationship between patients’ satisfaction and three of the constructs under core healthcare delivery. That is, (the quality of healthcare delivery, the quality of healthcare personnel and the adequacy of healthcare resources) – surprisingly, the fourth construct (the quality of administration process) was not supported.

There is no or at best very limited studies on the contribution of healthcare FM on patients satisfaction of core healthcare delivery in Ghana. Therefore, this study will enrich and contribute to knowledge in healthcare FM in general and that of a developing African country in particular.

A growing response in the development of hybrid composites to conquer the deficiency of neat composites has provoked doing this work. Thermoplastic Polycarbonate material offers better impact toughness with low structural weight. There is a little/no information available over the selected sandwich hybrid composite prepared from woven E-Glass and polycarbonate sheet. The purpose of this paper is to understand the response of the novel hybrid structure under tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear and impact loading conditions.

The hand-layup technique is used for fabricating the hybrid composites in the laminate configuration. The hybrid composites are prepared with a total fiber content of 70 percent weight fractions. The effect of the percentage of reinforcement on mechanical properties is evaluated experimentally as per American society for testing materials standard test methods. The damaged mechanisms of failed samples and fractured surfaces are well analyzed using vision measuring system and scanning electron microscopy.

A decline in densities of hybrid composites up to 22.5 percent is noticed with reference to neat composite. An increase in impact toughness up to 40.73 percent is marked for hybrid laminates owing to the ductile nature of PC. Delamination is identified to be the major mode of failure apart from fiber fracture/pull-out, matrix cracking in all the static loading conditions.

The response of novel hybrid composite reported has been explored for the first time in this paper. The outcome of experimental work revealed that hybridization offered lightweight structures with improved transverse impact toughness as compared to conventional composite.