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Copyright of Systems Engineering & Electronics is the property of Journal of Systems Engineering & Electronics Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The performance of nurse managers is significantly important in providing quality and safe patient care services in hospitals, as well as in retaining the nurse workforce. There are limited number of measurement instruments for which validity and reliability have been tested in order to assess nurse managers' level of performance. Objective: This study was conducted to examine the psychometric testing of the “Nurse Manager Performance Assessment Scale,” which is used to assess the annual performance of nurse managers working in a private chain hospital group in Turkey. Method: The sample of this methodological study was composed of 165 nurse managers. The data were obtained from the Hospital Information Management System, retrospectively. Results: The average score of the eight-item scale items ranged between 3.3 (0.8) and 3.7 (0.8). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient, indicating the internal consistency, was found to be 0.943, while the Spearman-Brown coefficient, indicating intraclass consistency, was found to be 0.910. The two-factor scale obtained using exploratory factor analysis was examined using confirmatory factor analysis and the model was found to be significant. Conclusion: In this study, the results of psychometric analysis of the “Nurse Manager Performance Assessment Scale,” which is used to assess the annual performance of nurse managers, indicated that the scale is a valid and reliable instrument. It is recommended that the scale be applied in different institutions and that it be tested in practice based on pilot application results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of COMU Journal of Agriculture Faculty / ÇOMÜ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on drinking water were reported to have been achieved five years earlier than the target date of 2015 in all the continents, except Africa and Oceania. This study assessed the performance of selected state water utilities in Nigeria in Africa over a period of years to determine improvements, if any, in their service coverage and demand gap in meeting the ambitious SDG target 6.1, which aims to achieve sustainable drinking water for all by 2030. Employing the key performance indicator (KPI) methodology, encompassing operational and maintenance efficiency, investment efficiency, and financial sustainability, this research unveils a widening disparity between water supply and demand gap. Alarming is the revelation that the revenue from water sales falls short of covering operation and maintenance costs, rendering these utilities financially unsustainable. This underperformance of state water utilities signals a formidable barrier to Nigeria's prospects of attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.1, thereby jeopardizing the nation's ability to ensure universal and affordable access to safe drinking water by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an assessment of the performance of the surface water distribution system in the Abshar Isfahan irrigation network was conducted. For this purpose, the two main right and left channels and ten secondary channels of this network were integrated into an integralـ delay simulator model developed in MATLAB. The simulation of surface water distribution between the intakes located in the main and secondary channels for an irrigation season, corresponding to the water year 1400ـ 1401 and divided into five dominant operational scenarios, was carried out. The evaluation of surface water distribution performance involves the use of performance assessment indices, specifically the adequacy of water distribution, for each intake, region, and the entire channel. Additionally, the simulated data was imported into GIS software to analyze the spatial distribution of surface water distribution across the entire network, and maps of the average adequacy index dispersion for each operational scenario were extracted and analyzed. The simulation results indicated a predominantly decreasing trend in water delivery adequacy indices from the upstream intakes to the downstream in both the main and secondary channels. The average surface water distribution adequacy index ranged from 98% to 100%, 90% to 100%, 97% to 84%, 96% to 81%, and 93% to 69% in the upstream intakes and from 80% to 85%, 65% to 70%, 41% to 45%, 30% to 34%, and 20% to 28% in the downstream intakes, in scenarios one through five, namely, from high water availability to severe water scarcity. The results obtained highlighted deficiencies in the existing irrigation system's water distribution adequacy, especially in scenarios of low water availability, along the main and secondary channels. Furthermore, the spatial classification maps revealed a distinct pattern of inefficiency in surface water distribution at the network level and identified vulnerable areas within the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary data for the design of real-time and integrated performance assessments in science practicum at two public universities and two private universities in Eastern Indonesia. The case study design and quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted in this study. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select four universities, 376 participants respectively from university students and lecturers, four vice deans, four heads of study programs, four heads of laboratories, and four teaching assistants. Data were gathered through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and observations. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data descriptively. Findings indicated that a performance assessment was not carried out since standard measurement instruments that provided real-time and integrated feedback had not been developed. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between public and private universities on the science practicum assessment, implying that both public and private universities still used paper-based practicum assessments. There was also no significant difference between the responses of university students and lecturers on practicum performance assessments (p > 0.05). University students' experience in assessing science practicums was similar to those of lecturers', which suggests that practicum of performance assessments was not real-time and integrated with feedback. This study recommends developing a real-time and integrated performance assessment with automated feedback on the science practicum, in order to provide continuous improvement of students and monitoring their learning progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance indicators are rapidly becoming popular in performance assessment of water supply systems (WSSs) for finding the weaknesses and solving them. The selection and use of the key performance indicators (KPIs) for WSSs need the consideration of the regional and local conditions. Moreover, analyzing the results of the assessment requires a clear understanding of the relationship and intensity of the interaction of the KPIs with each other and the overall performance index. In this study, fuzzy Delphi method was used for selecting the KPIs in four dimensions for urban WSSs of Iran. Then, influential network relationship map of dimensions and selected indicators were determined and constructed by using fuzzy DEMATEL method. To facilitate the draw of the maps and more clarity, K-means clustering was used. Then, influential weights of the KPIs were calculated by using fuzzy DANP method. Among the KPIs, Aging of Mains related to the organizational dimension is the most independent and causal one. Further, Complaints related to the social dimension are the most dependent and affected indicator. The organizational dimension is the most causal dimension with high influence on the environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Therefore, the organizational dimension should be prioritized for improving the other dimensions and should be well-promoted to have a positive impact on overall performance. The outcomes provide a good guide for WSSs management, and researchers can use the data and methods of this study in other similar fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of sustainable buildings has become a general trend in urban development. Yet, with the rapid development of urban renewal, the performance of existing buildings often fails to meet the actual needs of sustainable urban development. To improve the performance of existing buildings, it is urgently needed to transform the existing structures and upgrade their functions and facilities. However, the pertinent guidelines have often been unclear for assessing the performance of existing structures, and a sounder and quantitative sustainable performance assessment approach has been lacking to guide decisions on the restoration, protection, or demolition of existing buildings. Based on a multi-expert consultation methodology, we proposed a revised flexible comprehensive assessment system and a comprehensive sustainability assessment approach. The system includes 4 categories, 7 quantitative and 47 qualitative indicators. Specifically, the assessment system involves a series of steps: 1) building a hierarchical model, 2) defining assessment indicators/items and constructing a judgment matrix, 3) determining the weight coefficients of the indicators, 4) collecting/calculating quantitative and qualitative data, 5) analyzing the data and results, and 6) drawing the assessment conclusions. A case study was presented to demonstrate the application of the approach. Compared to current practices, this comprehensive assessment system may serve as a scientifically sounder and quantitative approach to guide sustainable development of existing urban buildings.

Nerve agents represent a serious threat to security worldwide. Chemical terrorism has become an alarming danger since the technological progresses have simplified the production of nerve agents. Therefore, there is an immediate demand for a fast and precise detection of these compounds on-site and real-time. In this perspective, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has emerged as a well-suited alternative for on-field detection.SERS performances of unfunctionalized SERS substrates were evaluated in realistic samples. Two nerve agents, Tabun and VX, were diluted in two matrix models: a contact lens solution, and a caffeine-based eye serum. The performance two research-grade instruments and two portable devices were compared. Despite the use of a small sampling volume of complex matrices without any sample pre-treatment, we achieved Tabun detection in both media, with a practical limit of detection (LOD) in the range of 7–9 ppm in contact lens liquid, and of 10.2 ppm in eye serum. VX detection turned out to be more challenging and was achieved only in contact lens solution, with a practical LOD in the range of 0.6–5 ppm.These results demonstrate the feasibility of on-field detection of nerve agents with SERS, that could be implemented when there is suspicion of chemical threat.

Irrigation schemes across sub-Saharan Africa are constructed with the intention of increasing agricultural production to increase food security, reduce poverty and improve economic growth. However, most of these schemes are not performing as expected. This study therefore, diagnosed performance gaps in the pilot irrigation schemes of Mubuku and Doho in Uganda and analysed sustainable improvement options. Data was collected through systematic review of literature and scheme data, direct measurements at the schemes, field surveys, inspections, and key informant interviews. For each scheme, data for climate, irrigation, flow measurements, crop yields and farm gate prices were collected. Comparative indicators of agricultural output, water supply, financial and physical sustainability were used to assess scheme performance using standard approaches by International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The findings showed that the schemes were not performing optimally with crop yields being far below the attainable potential. The major contributing factors to the low performance were low water use efficiency and low agricultural output. Poor flow control, poor water distribution, and poor on-farm water application contributed to low water use efficiency. Low agricultural production was attributed to poor crop yields resulting from poor agronomic practices, poor irrigation scheduling and low produce prices. The financial self-sufficiency indicator pointed to farmers’ inability to operate and maintain irrigation schemes effectively. Improving the irrigation schemes performance requires a multidisciplinary approach targeting the improvement water use efficiency and agricultural output.

The importance of researching information on the Internet is ever increasing. While ease of use and accessibility are advantages, there is a risk of not being able to adequately assess the relevance and reliability of online sources. With data from the BRIDGE-project (N = 143) we assess the online movements of respondents and track how they researched digitally to answer a task on a generic, accessible topic. We then draw conclusions about their search behavior during this open online performance assessment. The controlled and monitored environment allowed to identify differences in their source selection and how those had an impact on the quality of their written statements respective to the given task.

ObjectiveIn this study, we develop a tool that can be used by tennis coaches to evaluate the groundstroke (forehand and backhand) technique of preadolescent tennis players.MethodsThe participants of the study were 60 children (30 males and 30 females) aged 10–12 years, with at least two years of training in tennis. The Groundstroke Correction Checklist (GCC) was translated into Turkish by using a blind procedure. The Turkish translation was then evaluated by 15 coaches of the Turkish Tennis Federation who had at least a level-3 coaching license and more than five years of coaching experience. The technical components related to technique in the checklist were labeled as unimportant, important, and very important. Following this, the GCC was converted into a Groundstroke Technique Assessment Test Tool (GTATT) by a selection committee consisting of three experts, and its reliability and validity were assessed by using it in the field. Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the correlation (test-r test) between the technical evaluation scores assigned to the players by the tennis coaches based on the GTATT in the first and second weeks. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was used to analyze the overall scores of technical evaluations in the first and second weeks to assess the reliability of the scale used. We determined each player's number of years of playing experience (TPY), technical evaluation (TE), international tennis-level test score (ITN), I-cord classification order (ICCO), and the number of games won (GW) in a tournament organized among themselves and evaluated the correlations among these parameters by using Spearman's correlation analysis.ConclusionA statistically high and significant correlation was observed between the technical evaluations of the players' forehand and backhand groundstrokes by the tennis coaches by using the GTATT in the first and second weeks (r > .90, p

In addressing the performance degradation issue of district cooling systems, although various evaluation methods exist, they either neglect design objectives or focus on independent equipment, overlooking the synergies between devices. Therefore, the study establishes a comprehensive performance assessment framework, encompassing efficiency, environmental impact, economic factors, and technological aspects. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy Weight Method are employed to determine the comprehensive weights for each indicator. In a specific case study, the operational status of an existing district cooling system is assessed, considering collaborative interactions among equipment. A fault tree analysis is applied to scrutinize 13 potential events contributing to system inefficiency and their logical relationships with relevant parameter variations. Based on these findings, specific optimization measures, such as check valve replacement and adjustments to pump and fan frequencies, are recommended. The performance of the optimized system is then re-evaluated, demonstrating substantial improvements with comprehensive performance scores increasing from 18.3 to 27.8 and 29.5, respectively.

Introduction: Slow patient accrual in cancer clinical trials is always a concern. In 2021, the University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center (KUCC), an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, implemented the Curated Cancer Clinical Outcomes Database (C3OD) to perform trial feasibility analyses using real-time electronic medical record data. In this study, we proposed a Bayesian hierarchical model to evaluate annual cancer clinical trial accrual performance. Methods: The Bayesian hierarchical model uses Poisson models to describe the accrual performance of individual cancer clinical trials and a hierarchical component to describe the variation in performance across studies. Additionally, this model evaluates the impacts of the C3OD and the COVID-19 pandemic using posterior probabilities across evaluation years. The performance metric is the ratio of the observed accrual rate to the target accrual rate. Results: Posterior medians of the annual accrual performance at the KUCC from 2018 to 2023 are 0.233, 0.246, 0.197, 0.150, 0.254, and 0.340. The COVID-19 pandemic partly explains the drop in performance in 2020 and 2021. The posterior probability that annual accrual performance is better with C3OD in 2023 than pre-pandemic (2019) is 0.935. Conclusions: This study comprehensively evaluates the annual performance of clinical trial accrual at the KUCC, revealing a negative impact of COVID-19 and an ongoing positive impact of C3OD implementation. Two sensitivity analyses further validate the robustness of our model. Evaluating annual accrual performance across clinical trials is essential for a cancer center. The performance evaluation tools described in this paper are highly recommended for monitoring clinical trial accrual.

Background Establishing universal coverage of formal long-term care (LTC) services is an urgent policy need for aging populations that requires efficient management of quality and financing. Although current variation in LTC service use between and within countries suggests the potential for improvement by efficient management, this topic remains underexamined. We aimed to identify the sources of variance in LTC use and expenditures through a unique crosscountry comparison of Japan and South Korea, which have formal public LTC insurance (LTCI) schemes that are analogous but have unique operational and demographic structures. Methods Taking administrative regions as the unit of analysis, we assembled data on the LTC utilization rate of people aged ≥65 years, and expenditures per recipient from 2013 to 2015 as the outcome variables. Explanatory variables included demand-related factors, such as regional demographic and economic conditions, and supply characteristics derived from existing public databases. We conducted weighted least squares regression with fixed effects for the pooled data and used Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition to identify sources of outcome variance between the two countries. Results The average LTC utilization rate was 6.8% in Korea and 18.2% in Japan. Expenditures per recipient were approximately 1.4 times higher in Japan than in Korea. The difference in the utilization rate was mostly explained by between-country differences in supply- and demand-related factors, whereas the difference in expenditures per recipient was largely attributed to unobserved country-specific factors. Conclusion The current findings suggest that LTC utilization is determined largely by the demographic and functional characteristics of older people, whereas expenditures are more likely affected by institutional factors such as the insurance governance scheme and the policy choice of the target population segment and coverage. The results suggest that strategic choice of LTC institutional schemes is required to ensure financial sustainability to meet changing demands caused by population aging.

Abstract Background and Aim Performance assessment of the Stroke Pathway is a key element in healthcare quality. The aim of this study has been to carry out a retrospective assessment of the Stroke Pathway in a first level Stroke Unit in Italy, analyzing the temporal trend of the Stroke Pathway performance and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A retrospective observational study was carried out analyzing data from 1/01/2010 to 31/12/2020. The following parameters were considered: volume and characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke undergoing intravenous thrombolysis, baseline modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, Onset-to-Door (OTD), Door-To-Imaging (DTI) and Door-To-Needle (DTN) Times, mRS score 3 months after the ischemic event onset (3 m-mRS) and NIHSS score 24 h after the ischemic event onset (24 h-NIHSS). The study also compared the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (March-December 2019) with the one immediately following it (March-December 2020). Results 418 patients were included. Over time, treatment was extended to older patients (mean age from 66.3 to 75.51 years; p = 0.006) and with a higher level of baseline disability (baseline mRS score from 0.22 to 1.22; p = 0.000). A statistically significant reduction over the years was found for DTN, going from 90 min to 61 min (p = 0.000) with also an increase in the number of thrombolysis performed within the “golden hour” – more than 50% in 2019 and more of 60% in 2020. Comparing pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic periods, the number of patients remained almost unchanged, but with a significantly higher baseline disability (mRS = 1.18 vs. 0.72, p = 0.048). The pre-hospital process indicator OTD increased from 88.13 to 118.48 min, although without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.197). Despite the difficulties for hospitals due to pandemic, the hospital process indicators DTI and DTN remained substantially unchanged, as well as the clinical outcome indicators 3 m-mRS, NHISS and 24 h-NHISS. Conclusions The results of the retrospective assessment of the Stroke Pathway highlighted its positive impact both on hospital processes and patients’ outcomes, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that the current performance is aligning itself with international goals. Moreover, the analysis showed the need of improvement actions for both hospital and pre-hospital phases. The Stroke Pathway should be improved with the thrombolysis starting in the diagnostic imaging department in order to further reduce the DTN score. Moreover, health education initiatives involving all the stakeholders should be promoted, also by using social media, to increase population awareness on timely recognition of stroke signs and symptoms and emergence medical services usage.

ABSTRACTThis study presents a novel approach for evaluating the performance of sustainable manufacturing by integrating the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) concept. The research incorporates various novel metrics, including machine performance, physical load, and mental load. Additionally, the evaluation of sustainable manufacturing takes into account the workload assigned to each workstation in the production process. This research utilizes the Delphi approach, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (SVSM), and Traffic Light System (TLS). The Delphi method is employed to assess pertinent indicators. Meanwhile, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized to evaluate the importance of the TBL and workstation indicators. The SVSM and TLS techniques were employed to chart the TBL indicators. The Manufacturing Sustainability Index (MSI) scores were computed using indicators, workstation weights, and indicator efficiency. Additionally, a case study is provided on the tire sector in Indonesia. The tire industry's MSI findings showed a performance score of 85.52%, signifying the need for improvement in performance. The findings of this study have research implications as they contribute to the advancement of theory in evaluating sustainable manufacturing performance. Furthermore, this study offers managerial recommendations for the tire business to enhance sustainable production performance.

Background: The assessment of the performance of medical universities as one of the main organizations providing healthcare services is of utmost significance. In this regard, the indices of treatment domain play a fundamental role in promoting health indices and affect the overall performance of the medical university. The present study evaluated the performance of a selected university of medical sciences in Iran based on treatment driving indices with the AHP-TOPSIS approach. Methods: This research applied a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. In this study, first the driving indices were identified and weighted, and then the performance was analyzed according to the indices. The statistical population of the research consisted of key experts in the validation and weighting phase and of nine years of information pertaining to one of the medical universities of Iran in the final phase. The instrument used in the study was the Index Collection Form. Prioritization of indices was done by AHP method using Expert Choice and Excel. TOPSIS model were used to evaluate performance. Results: In the first step, using a review study, 111 indices were identified, and in the validation stage, 10 indices of treatment domain were selected. Then, based on hierarchical analysis and pairwise comparisons in the weighted indices, the highest weight or priority pertained to the index of the ratio of the total nursing staff to the available beds with a weight of 0.161 and the lowest weight or priority related to the index of natural delivery to all deliveries with a weight of 0.049. According to the TOPSIS method, the selected university showed the highest performance (0.228) in 2014 and the lowest performance (0.006) in 2017. Conclusion: Considering strategic measures in the deputy of treatment simultaneously to improve and manage research indices over time can improve the performance of universities. Thus, it is appropriate to monitor the indices periodically and in the order of priority, so that in addition to maintaining the efficiency, especially in the indices related to human resources, the effectiveness of the measures, including the improvement of the functional indices of the treatment domain, can also be improved.

Abstract The study focuses on the critical concern of designing secure and resilient bridge piers, especially regarding scour phenomena. Traditional equations for estimating scour depth are limited, often leading to inaccuracies. To address these shortcomings, modern data-driven models (DDMs) have emerged. This research conducts a comprehensive comparison involving DDMs, including support vector machine (SVM), gene expression programming (GEP), multilayer perceptron (MLP), gradient boosting trees (GBT) and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) models, against two regression equations for predicting scour depth around cylindrical bridge piers. Evaluation employs statistical indices, such as root-mean-square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R 2), mean average error (MAE) and normalized discrepancy ratio (S (DDRmax)), to assess their predictive performance. A total of 455 datasets from previous research papers are employed for assessment. Dimensionless parameters Froude number $$\left( {Fr = \frac{U}{{\sqrt {gy} }}} \right)$$ F r = U gy , Pier Froude number $$Fr_{P} = \frac{U}{{\sqrt {g^{\prime } D} }}$$ F r P = U g ′ D , and the ratio of scour depth to pier diameter $$(\frac{\text{y}}{{\text{D}}})$$ ( y D ) are carefully selected as influential model inputs through dimensional analysis and the gamma test. The results highlight the superior performance of the SVM model. In the training phase, it exhibits an RMSE of 0.1009, MAE of 0.0726, R2 of 0.9401, and SDDR of 2.9237. During testing, the SVM model shows an RMSE of 0.023, MAE of 0.017, R2 of 0.984, and SDDR of 5.301. Additionally, it has an average error of − 0.065 and a total error of − 20.642 in the training set and an average error of − 0.005 and a total error of − 0.707 in the testing set. Conversely, the M5 model exhibits the lowest accuracy. The statistical metrics unequivocally establish the SVM model as significantly outperforming the experimental models, placing it in a higher echelon of predictive accuracy.

In recent years, advanced digital technologies have driven an outstanding paradigm shift in the field of architectural heritage, particularly for building modelling, historical documentation and touristic promotion. Nonetheless, they show great potentialities in the field of assessment and control of the state of conservation of heritage buildings. In particular, close-range and aerial photogrammetry have increasingly relied on low-cost and user-friendly tools and procedures, with a high degree of automation that makes them accessible to specialists who are foremost involved in architectural diagnosis and conservation, rather than in remote sensing sciences. In this framework, this paper provides a scoping review of 117 publications, based on the PRISMA protocol, from Scopus and Web of Science databases, related to the employment of photogrammetric models and methods, with specific focus on the targets and purposes of the diagnostic process, including decay mapping, structural monitoring and modelling, non-destructive investigation and multi-source documentation. In detail, the results point out that current studies mainly support robust processing of large amounts of information from direct observation of surface alterations, systematic correlation between materials, construction characteristics, visible anomalies and experimental measurements, as well as multi-disciplinary collaborative workflows through remote inspection and harmonized data management. Further improvements were identified, including standardization of acquisition procedures, automatization of elaboration pipelines, integration of real-time data, validation of diagnosis decision-making support tools and scalability to networks of assets.

Abstract Low-cost Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) devices offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional GNSS systems, making GNSS technology accessible to a wider range of applications. Nevertheless, low-cost GNSS devices often face the challenges in effectively capturing and tracking satellite signals, which leads to losing the observations at certain frequencies. Moreover, the observation peculiarities of low-cost devices are in contradistinction to those of traditional geodetic GNSS receivers. In this contribution, a low-cost PPP-RTK model that considers the unique characteristics of different types of measurements is developed and its performance is fully evaluated with u-blox F9P receivers equipped with three distinctive antenna configurations: vertical dipole, microstrip patch, and helix antennas. Several static and kinematic experiments in different scenarios are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicate that the mixed-frequency PPP-RTK model outperforms the traditional dual-frequency one with higher positioning accuracy and fixing percentage. Among the three low-cost antennas tested, the vertical dipole antenna demonstrates the best performance under static conditions and shows a comparable performance as geodetic antennas with a positioning accuracy of 0.02 m, 0.01 m and 0.07 m in the east, north, and up components, respectively. Under low-speed kinematic scenarios, the helix antenna outperforms the other two with a positioning accuracy of (0.07 m, 0.07 m, 0.34 m). Furthermore, the helix antenna is also proved to be the best choice for vehicle navigation with an ambiguity fixing rate of over 95% and a positioning accuracy of (0.13 m, 0.14 m, 0.36 m).

This paper introduces a quantitative methodology for assessing drone pilot performance, aiming to reduce drone-related incidents by understanding the human factors influencing performance. The challenge lies in balancing evaluations in operationally relevant environments with those in a standardized test environment for statistical relevance. The proposed methodology employs a novel virtual test environment that records not only basic flight metrics but also complex mission performance metrics, such as the video quality from a target. A group of Belgian Defence drone pilots were trained using this simulator system, yielding several practical results. These include a human-performance model linking human factors to pilot performance, an AI co-pilot providing real-time flight performance guidance, a tool for generating optimal flight trajectories, a mission planning tool for ideal pilot assignment, and a method for iterative training improvement based on quantitative input. The training results with real pilots demonstrate the methodology’s effectiveness in evaluating pilot performance for complex military missions, suggesting its potential as a valuable addition to new pilot training programs.

Bridges, as vital infrastructure, require ongoing monitoring to maintain safety and functionality. This study introduces an innovative algorithm that refines bridge component performance assessment through the integration of modified K-means clustering, silhouette coefficient optimization, and cloud model theory. The purpose is to provide a reliable method for monitoring the safety and serviceability of critical infrastructure, particularly double-layer truss arch bridges. The algorithm processes large datasets to identify patterns and manage uncertainties in structural health monitoring (SHM). It includes field monitoring techniques and a model-driven approach for establishing assessment thresholds. The main findings, validated by case studies, show the algorithm’s effectiveness in enhancing clustering quality and accurately evaluating bridge performance using multiple indicators, such as statistical significance, cluster centroids, average silhouette coefficient, Davies–Bouldin index, average deviation, and Sign-Rank test p-values. The conclusions highlight the algorithm’s utility in assessing structural integrity and aiding data-driven maintenance decisions, offering scientific support for bridge preservation efforts.

This study proposes and validates a novel combustion control system for oil-fired boilers aimed at reducing air pollutant emissions through flame image prediction. The proposed system is easily applicable to existing ships. Traditional proportional combustion control systems supply fuel and air at fixed ratios according to the set steam load, without considering the emission of air pollutants. To address this, a stable and immediate control system is proposed, which adjusts the air supply to modify the combustion state. The combustion control system utilizes oxygen concentration predictions from flame images via SEF+SVM as control inputs and applies internal model control (IMC)-based proportional-integral (PI) control for real-time combustion control. Due to the complexity of modeling the image-based system, IMC filter constant tuning through experimentation is essential for achieving effective control performance. Experimental results showed that optimal control performance was achieved when the filter constant λ was set to 1.5. In this scenario, the peak overshoot Mp was reduced to 0.19245, and the Integral of Squared Error (ISE) was minimized to 10.1159, ensuring a stable response with minimal oscillation and maintaining a fast response speed. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of air pollutants. This study provides a feasible and effective solution for enhancing the environmental performance of marine oil-fired boilers. Given its ease of application to existing ships, it is expected to contribute to sustainable air pollution reduction across the maritime environment.

The esbarrada and volta sobre patas manoeuvres are critical in Criollo horse equestrian activities, yet their kinematics remain largely unexplored. This observational study aimed to kinematically describe the manoeuvres in Criollo breed horses and explore the relationship between static goniometry and dynamics. A 2D kinematic analysis was conducted on 31 Criollo horses performing the manoeuvres using high-speed cameras. Joint angles were measured using static goniometry and analysed in relation to dynamic performance. The esbarrada covered a distance of 4.28 ± 0.99 m in 1.15 ± 0.11 s at a velocity of 3.77 ± 0.55 m/s. Joint angles showed a mean fetlock extension of 75.4° ± 5.3° and hock flexion of 43.2° ± 4.1°. In the volta sobre patas, significant differences were found in turn duration (first: 0.96 ± 0.07 s, second: 1.12 ± 0.09 s, p = 0.03) and thoracic limb suspension (first: 0.23 ± 0.02 s, second: 0.28 ± 0.03 s, p = 0.02). Static goniometry indicated that limb conformation did not significantly correlate with protraction angles during the esbarrada (p = 0.27). The volta sobre patas demonstrated prolonged duration and increased thoracic limb suspension in the second turn. Also, the findings suggest that static conformation does not predict dynamic limb movement during the esbarrada.

In group management, accurate assessment of individual performance is crucial for the fair allocation of resources such as bonuses. This paper explores the complexities of gauging each participant’s contribution in multi-participant projects, particularly through the lens of self-reporting—a method fraught with the challenges of under-reporting and over-reporting, which can skew resource allocation and undermine fairness. Addressing the limitations of current assessment methods, which often rely solely on self-reported data, this study proposes a novel equitable allocation policy that accounts for inherent biases in self-reporting. By developing a data-driven mathematical optimization model, we aim to more accurately align resource allocation with actual contributions, thus enhancing team efficiency and cohesion. Our computational experiments validate the proposed model’s effectiveness in achieving a more equitable allocation of resources, suggesting significant implications for management practices in team settings.

Analyzing qualitative case‐study data from two emerging market multinational corporations (MNCs) from the Indian pharmaceutical industry, we develop two theoretical frameworks based on goal‐setting and cognitive evaluation theories along with indigenous Indian management theories, including the principles of Ayurveda for analyzing performance management systems in an indigenous and modern pharmaceutical MNC. Data were analyzed from multiple data sources, such as interviews, non‐participant observation, multiple site visits, organizational documents, policies, client testimonials, and publically available information through the website and annual reports. The indigenous firm offered a holistic approach to managing multiple stakeholders. Its overarching performance goal focused on all stakeholders collectively contributing to the patient' and others' holistic well‐being. All employees' and stakeholders' unified and singular efforts dovetailed to achieve physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental well‐being as a proxy for performance. Organizational values, culture, and contextual influences of informal learning, empowerment, and task variability helped achieve its overarching goals. The Western pharmaceutical firm focused on atomistic, granulated, and an objective way of assessing and evaluating performance, wherein cost‐effectiveness, innovation, and high‐performance were vital performance outcomes. Performance coaching and task invariability adversely affected individual outcomes. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dozens of variables can be derived from the countermovement jump (CMJ). However, this does not guarantee an increase in useful information because many of the variables are highly correlated. Furthermore, practitioners should seek to find the simplest solution to performance testing and reporting challenges. The purpose of this investigation was to show how to apply dimensionality reduction to CMJ data with a view to offer practitioners solutions to aid applications in high-performance settings. Methods: The data were collected from 3 cohorts using 3 different devices. Dimensionality reduction was undertaken on the extracted variables by way of principal component analysis and maximum likelihood factor analysis. Results: Over 90% of the variance in each CMJ data set could be explained in 3 or 4 principal components. Similarly, 2 to 3 factors could successfully explain the CMJ. Conclusions: The application of dimensional reduction through principal component analysis and factor analysis allowed for the identification of key variables that strongly contributed to distinct aspects of jump performance. Practitioners and scientists can consider the information derived from these procedures in several ways to streamline the transfer of CMJ test information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore one possible factor contributing to the proverbial glass ceiling for women—manifestation of the backlash effect, defined as social repercussions received by women who violate the female gender‐role norm, in performance feedback. Feedback phrasing may have consequences for employee commitment to the organization and intention to leave. The results of study 1, a mixed qualitative and quantitative analysis of a sample of 400 written performance evaluations from two organizations, provide evidence of the backlash effect in the feedback language used in women's performance appraisals at all levels of the organizational hierarchy, not just for women in leadership roles as expected. The results of a self‐report survey of 271 working adults (study 2) suggest differing sensitivity to the use of backlash‐related words according to gender, unexpectedly pointing to lower sensitivity for women and evidence of shaping behaviors toward one's gender‐role norm through positive feedback. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using transfer functions to predict soil moisture parameters has been considered strictly a scientific and economical method among researchers. In this research, field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) of soil were predicted using classic regression (linear and non-linear), support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, and gene programming expression (GEP) algorithm based on three performance assessment criteria as determination of coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and standardized developed discrepancy Ratio (DDR) in the Arasbaran plain in the northwest of Iran. Independent parameters were determined as clay percent (Cl), silt percent (Si), gravel percent (Sa), organic carbon (OC), bulk density (ρb), and actual density (ρs) which (S, ρb, ρs) and (ρb, ρs) were opted to predict FC and PWP using Gamma test, respectively. The results showed that each three transfer functions are capable to simulate FC and PWP parameters but the SVM algorithm is the superior predictor among the three functions so the values of (R2, RMSE, and DDRmax) of training and testing phases for FC were obtained (0.9908, 0.5517, 17.50), (0.9785, 0.7004, 11.62) and those of PWP were calculated (0.9782, 0.5764, 2.85) and (0.8389, 1.187, 3.09), respectively.