Actual Performance Research Articles

Therapist self-awareness and perception of actual performance: the effects of listening to one recorded session.

Research in psychotherapy has emphasized the relevance of the therapist's role, particularly the impact of deliberate practice and self-awareness (SA). This study aims to explore how SA is presented in the accounts of psychotherapists and assess the impact of attending to actual performance. Twenty cognitive behavioral therapy psychotherapists in training were interviewed before and after listening to their session recordings. The interview was based on five domains of self-awareness: recognition of emotional experience, assessment of personal skills, recognition of prejudices and implicit biases, and awareness of personal values. Results show that SA is frequently attained in skills identification and emotional experience. Recognizing the influence of personal values and bias, and emotional regulation was less frequently identified. There were minor differences before and after listening to the recording. There is an increase of SA in identifying the therapist's personal skills, and aspects such as our prejudices and biases are more internalized and difficult to change. This article suggests the importance of deliberate practice strategies to promote SA and increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

High-Performance Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile Cathode by Using MXene as a Conductive and Catalytic Binder for Room-Temperature Na/S Batteries.

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (PAN@S) is a promising cathode material for room-temperature Na/S batteries but suffers from low conductivity and insufficient electrochemical activity, resulting in unsatisfactory actual capacity and rate performance. Herein, Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets are used as a conductive and catalytic binder to establish the PAN@S electrode, wherein MXene constructs a highly conductive framework for fast charge transport and provides high catalytic effect to improve the active material utilization and accelerate the redox kinetics significantly. Therefore, the PAN@S electrode bonded by MXene shows an electronic conductivity of 5.05 S cm-1, 4 orders of magnitude higher than the conventional electrodes bonded by the insulative polymer binders, and much decreased activation energy barrier and resistance. Consequently, the PAN@S electrode displays superior performance in terms of high capacity (697.3 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1), unparalleled rate capability (189.0 mAh g-1 at 20 A g-1), and excellent high-rate cycling performance (a capacity decay rate of ∼0.04% per cycle during 1000 cycles at 5 A g-1). This work provides a high-performance electrode for room-temperature Na/S batteries and shows the promising potential of conductive and catalytic MXene binders in boosting the performance of active materials.

Numerical study on the performance, combustion characteristics and energy flow distribution of gasoline-powered vehicle under synthetic actual driving test cycle

In order to meet the requirements of vehicle performance prediction and optimization under actual urban road conditions, a synthetic actual driving test cycle (ADTC) is proposed to accurately predict the performance and energy distribution characteristics of vehicles. Meanwhile, a multi-physical field vehicle energy management simulation model is built and verified carefully. Thus, numerical analysis was conducted on the performance of vehicles under ADTC and the characteristics of energy distribution were revealed. The results show that, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine under ADTC varies in the range of 14.88 %–30.54 %, that is lower than worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycle (WLTC) and new European driving cycle (NEDC). Besides, the proportion of combustion loss is WLTC, ATDC and NEDC from the largest to the smallest, which is mainly related to the complexity of speed variation. Based on this, unlike traditional testing cycles, ADTC synthesized from local actual road test data can more accurately evaluate the actual performance of vehicles under local characteristic road conditions and provide guidance for deep optimization, which is beneficial for energy conservation and emission reduction.

Selection of moisture reference year for freeze-thaw damage assessment of historic masonry walls under future climate: A simulation-based approach

Today, there is an increased research effort on improving energy efficiency in heritage buildings through retrofit measures. Hygrothermal simulations tools are often used to assess the long-term performance of building envelopes and determine whether they are suitable for interior insulation. To reduce the high computation time and cost incurred with these simulations, a moisture reference year (MRY) is typically selected based on long-term annual climatic conditions. Simulation results obtained under MRYs are assumed to represent the long-term performance. However, when assessing the risk to freeze-thaw (FT) damage of historic masonry walls, methods selecting climate-based MRYs have failed to represent the actual performance – determined based on results from simulations over the 31 consecutive years. This paper attempts to find an alternative method to select MRYs, based on the hygrothermal simulations of specific constructions. First, a parametric analysis was proposed to identify the parameters that have the greatest influence on FT damage. Then, simulations are performed for a continuous 31-year period and for each single year. A comparison of their results suggests that there is no accumulative effect on the annual freeze-thaw cycles; and therefore, MRYs can be selected as the single year with the 93rd percentile FT damage severity or the worst year commonly found between masonry walls pre and post retrofit. The application of MRYs was then verified for different insulation types and thicknesses. Results showed that simulation-based MRYs are construction and orientation dependent; however, they are reliable to use for retrofitting design decision making.

Impact of Video Lectures on Students’ Performance and Analysis of Viewer Demographics in Online Courses

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to validate the effectiveness of using instructional videos in online introductory accounting courses and to examine how specific student characteristics relate to online video-viewing behavior. Data were collected from ten online course sections of introductory financial accounting taught by two different instructors in the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters (n = 240). Students were instructed, but not required, to watch faculty-recorded instructional videos before completing the homework assignments and assessments for each topic. Students’ percentage of course videos viewed and final course grades were analyzed. The relationships between students’ video-viewing behavior and the student characteristics of gender, program major, age, degree level, ethnicity, and GPA, were also analyzed. The findings clearly show that viewing faculty-recorded instructional videos significantly impacts actual student performance. Students’ age and the percentage of videos viewed are weakly but positively correlated, whereas students’ GPAs and the percentage of videos viewed are significantly correlated. The final contribution is a predictive multivariable model that can predict student outcomes based on the significant predictors of GPA and the percentage of videos viewed. This paper contributes empirical data about using faculty-recorded videos in asynchronous, online accounting courses.

Teaching self-care: understanding the learned and lived self-care experiences of social work students

ABSTRACT Professional self-care in social work is regarded as paramount to ethical and competent practice. However, the absence of an agreed upon operationalization of self-care leaves social work educators directionless on the teaching and modeling of self-care. This study investigated the learned and lived self-care experiences of BSW and MSW students (n = 80) in their final field education experience. Data collection included an anonymous online survey, focus groups, and a follow-up online survey. Broadly, students were asked to consider three aspects of self-care: 1) their understanding of self-care, including the sources of that understanding; 2) their experienced internal and external barriers to self-care; and 3) the interface between self and systems when practicing self-care. Utilizing a general inductive approach to data analysis, several evocative themes emerged suggesting gaps between the learned experience and the lived experience of self-care including the conflict between familial or cultural values and formal self-care education, a divide between their positive experiences with self-care and their actual performance of self-care, and inhibitory components of professional systems to the personal practice of self-care. Students exhorted their social work educators to model self-care, teach it explicitly, provide in-vivo practice opportunities, and to understand the student experience.

CULTURES OF ORALITY AND PERFORMATIVITY IN THE PERFORMING ART TRADITION OF PURULIA CHHAU

Purulia Chhau, a folk, tribal, martial, masked dance-drama form of Eastern India, is performed over generations orally. Having no written performance text available, all the actions of Purulia Chhau, such as gestures, postures, dance movements and so on are materialized through the various performative utterances by the vocalist, who provide the storyline of the Chhau repertoires; musicians, who bring musical tempo into dance movements; and the dancers, who are dressed in big headgear masks and dynamic costumes enact the actual Chhau performances. Referring to the social and cultural perspectives and employing a qualitative approach as the primary methodological tool, the present paper, at the first level, seeks to explore how the cultures of orality exists in Purulia Chhau tradition and critically evaluates three Chhau repertoires with their contextual significance. It also examines how this folk-dance form manifests cultural values, shared beliefs and customs, and represents a unique cultural identity among the concerned people. At the second level, the paper analyses how the idea of performativity works on its reflexive level in Purulia Chhau and creates meaning to the audience. It also emphasizes on the performative procedure invoked and executed by all the performers correctly and completely.

A data-driven polynomial chaos method for uncertainty quantification of a subsonic compressor cascade with stagger angle errors

The probability-based uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods require a large amount of sampled data to construct the probability distribution of uncertain input parameters. However, it is a common situation that only limited and scarce sampled data are available in engineering applications due to expensive tests. In the present paper, the Data-Driven Polynomial Chaos (DDPC) method is adopted, which can propagate input uncertainty in the case of scarce sampled data. The calculation accuracy and convergence of the self-developed DDPC method are validated by a nonlinear test function. Subsequently, the DDPC method is applied to investigate the uncertain impact of stagger angle errors on the aerodynamic performance of a subsonic compressor cascade. A family of manufacturing error data of stagger angles was obtained from the real compressor blades. Based on the limited measurement data, the DDPC method combined with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation is employed to quantify the performance impact of the compressor cascade. The results show that the performance dispersion under off-design conditions is more prominent than that under design conditions. The actual aerodynamic performance deviating from the nominal performance is not a small probability event, and the probability of deviating from the nominal loss coefficient and exit flow angle by more than 1% can reach up to 47.6% and 36.8% under high incidence i = 7°. Detailed analysis shows that stagger angle errors have a significant effect on the flow state near the leading edge, resulting in variations in separation bubble size and boundary layer thickness.

The Impact of Performance Appraisal System (PAS) on Employee Performance in Banks Operating in South East Nigeria Post-Covid-19 Pandemic

This study examined the impact of the performance appraisal system (PAS) on employee performance in banks operating in South East Nigeria post the Covid-19 pandemic. The study's broad objective was to examine the impact of performance appraisal on employees' work performance in South East Nigeria. This research also looked into the important components of performance appraisal, such as setting performance criteria, communicating those goals, measuring actual performance against those standards, discussing the appraisal with employees, and providing feedback. The required data for this investigation was acquired using a closed-ended structured questionnaire. Many related studies were used to create the questionnaire, which was then modified. The following approaches were used to select the comprehensive sample from a total population of 1745 employees: The target demographic was first determined, and then the sample size was calculated using a formula. Basically, 325 questionnaires were distributed to the employees that were sampled, and 260 of them were returned, representing 80% response rate. The 260 completed surveys were then analysed with smart PLS, a programme designed specifically for Structural Equation Modeling, path analysis, and confirmatory component analysis. It is also known as causal modelling software or analysis of covariance software. Correlation analysis and descriptive statistics were used. The study's findings revealed that performance appraisal had a primarily favourable impact on employee performance in Nigeria's banking sector. There was some positive and a negative (very significant) relationship between performance appraisal and employee performance, according to the correlation study.

An Optical Signal Simulator for the Characterization of Photoplethysmographic Devices.

(1) Background: An optical simulator able to provide a repeatable signal with desired characteristics as an input to a photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is presented in order to compare the performance of different PPG devices and also to test the devices with PPG signals available in online databases. (2) Methods: The optical simulator consists of an electronic board containing a photodiode and LEDs at different wavelengths in order to simulate light reflected by the body; the PPG signal taken from the chosen database is reproduced by the electronic board, and the board is used to test a wearable PPG medical device in the form of earbuds. (3) Results: The PPG device response to different average and peak-to-peak signal amplitudes is shown in order to assess the device sensitivity, and the fidelity in tracking the actual heart rate is also investigated. (4) Conclusions: The developed optical simulator promises to be an affordable, flexible, and reliable solution to test PPG devices in the lab, allowing the testing of their actual performances thanks to the possibility of using PPG databases, thus gaining useful and significant information before on-the-field clinical trials.

Estimation of full-scale performance of energy-saving devices using Boundary Layer Similarity model

AbstractThe recent global trend toward decarbonization is also occurring in the maritime industry and there is an urgent need to improve the fuel efficiency of ships. Various energy-saving devices (ESDs) are adopted for this purpose. However, because of the difference in the boundary layer thickness between full-scale and model-scale, it is difficult to estimate the actual performance of ESDs in a tank test. As a solution to overcome this difficulty, the Boundary Layer Similarity model (BLS model) is proposed in which only the stern part of the hull is extracted to shorten the model length and to make its boundary layer thickness equivalent to that of a full-scale ship. By using this BLS model, the performance of ESDs on a full-scale can be estimated in a model test. In the present paper, the applicability of the BLS model is investigated by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations of performance estimation of an energy-saving fin in different locations for a bulk carrier. It is found that the BLS model is capable of predicting the full-scale performance of the fins by the model-scale simulations. Moreover, the flow fields affected by the fins with the BLS model are similar to those of full-scale. It is expected that the use of the BLS model enables the prediction of the full-scale performance of ESDs in a model test.

Enhancing performance measurement of public procurement processes through the application of procurement delay index

Considering procurement process performance assessment, measurement systems such as balance scorecard and capability maturity models are used to assess procurement performance to give a reasonable indication of actual performance. These tools are ideal for practical applications that depend on other performance criteria but are short of comparing planned to actual timelines set for procurement processes. This fosters persistent delays in public procurement. Six Sigma implementation benefits including addressing process delays have fostered its implementation for service improvements. Unfortunately, Six Sigma implementation in public procurement is very rare largely due to its expensive nature. The objective of this study is to develop a Procurement Delay Index (PDindex): a performance measure in the context of a Six Sigma methodology that provides a specific value to describe the delays in the procurement process. To enhance uniformity in performance measurement of process timeliness, a rating scale for determining the timeliness of the procurement process is proposed. A practical demonstration of the application of PDindex for use by procurement professionals is also presented. PDindex serves as a standard by which to determine procurement processes’ timeliness and is less expensive to implement. A PDindex of 3σ has been recommended as the acceptable limit for procurement process delays.

Design and Implementation of a Three-phase Asynchronous Motor Intelligent Test System

Background: The locomotive traction motor has gradually shifted from DC motors to AC motors in high-speed railways, and the traction motor needs to be regularly maintained and tested frequently. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the related motor performance by obtaining and analyzing motor data from the test according to the standard "Three-phase Asynchronous Motor Test Method (GB-T 1032-2012)". The performance of the tested motor has been evaluated to meet the relevant requirements of the application. Thus, reasonable and scientific references have been offered for the maintenance and repair of the motor. Methods: A three-phase AC asynchronous motor test system based on LabVIEW and an AC power dynamometer was constructed based on the needs of the factory and type test of a three-phase AC asynchronous motor. Ambient temperature measurement, insulation resistance measurement, DC resistance measurement, no-load characteristics test, overspeed test, blocking characteristics test, load test, and temperature rise test have been carried out. The data on voltage, current, speed, power, and so on, have been collected. A 125 kW three-phase asynchronous motor was tested with the designed system, and the parameters obtained from the system were compared with those from the motor labels. Results: The three-phase AC asynchronous motor test system was designed based on LabVIEW and AC dynamometer operating on an industrial computer with a precision measuring instrument. The most advanced virtual instrument technology was used to combine the powerful data computing and processing ability with the measurement and control ability of instrument hardware. The software proved to be able to acquire data display, control, storage, and analysis simultaneously. In addition, a high degree of intelligence, an automatic motor start and stop control, automatic synchronous acquisition of test data, automatic data processing and calculation, and automatic test report generation and printing function were covered in this system. The simulated results of the system agreed well with the actual performance of the three-phase asynchronous motor, and helped the motor to operate well. Conclusion: The designed testing system exhibited a high automation ability, reliability, and accuracy. It proved to be a time and manpower-saving technical method, improving the actual test efficiency, and helped to reduce labor intensity dramatically.

Prediction of general practice licensure/certification examination performance by a measure of 'questionable' activities in clinical practice: a retrospective cohort study.

'Low-value' clinical care and medical services are 'questionable' activities, being more likely to cause harm than good or with disproportionately low benefit relative to cost. This study examined the predictive ability of the QUestionable In Training Clinical Activities Index (QUIT-CAI) for general practice (GP) registrars' (trainees') performance in Australian GP Fellowship examinations (licensure/certification examinations for independent GP). The study was nested in ReCEnT, an ongoing cohort study in which Australian GP registrars document their in-consultation clinical practice. Outcome factors in analyses were individual registrars' scores on the three Fellowship examinations ('AKT', 'KFP', and 'OSCE' examinations) and pass/fail rates during 2012-21. Analyses used univariable and multivariable regression (linear or logistic, as appropriate). The study factor in each analysis was 'QUIT-CAI score percentage'-the percentage of times a registrar performed a QUIT-CAI clinical activity when 'at risk' (i.e. when managing a problem where performing a QUIT-CAI activity was a plausible option). A total of 1265, 1145, and 553 registrars sat Applied Knowledge Test, Key Features Problem, and Objective Structured Clinical Exam examinations, respectively. On multivariable analysis, higher QUIT-CAI score percentages (more questionable activities) were significantly associated with poorer Applied Knowledge Test scores (P = .001), poorer Key Features Problem scores (P = .003), and poorer Objective Structured Clinical Exam scores (P = .005). QUIT-CAI score percentages predicted Royal Australian College of General Practitioner exam failure [odds ratio 1.06 (95% CI 1.00, 1.12) per 1% increase in QUIT-CAI, P = .043]. Performing questionable clinical activities predicted poorer performance in the summative Fellowship examinations, thereby validating these examinations as measures of actual clinical performance (by our measure of clinical performance, which is relevant for a licensure/certification examination).

THE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND INNOVATION STRATEGY ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF ENTERPRISES

This study constructed a core conceptual framework by introducing the following demographic variables: gender and age, organizational culture, innovation strategy, and business performance. Attempting to analyze the differences in the mean values of the respondents' perceptions of the demographic variable groupings in each variable of organizational culture, innovation strategy, and business performance and the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variables, this study proposes research hypotheses and takes the case of the working employees of Company A. In the overall study of the working employees, a survey and research are carried out using the snowball sampling method. A total of 450 questionnaires are distributed in the study. Questionnaires were distributed, and 400 questionnaires were returned, of which 389 were valid.
 This study finds the specific embodiment of the company's organizational culture, innovation strategy, etc. in the subsequent development and change of the actual business performance. This study provides a reference basis for subsequent research by scholars, discusses the improvement and enhancement of future corporate management methods, and provides an outlook and suggestions for future related research.

Field temperature performances of in-use permeable sidewalks and asphalt vehicle roads and the potential impacts on apparent temperature and land surface temperature.

Permeable pavements help reduce surface temperatures and have been widely implemented in urban areas. This study utilized an in-use permeable pavement sidewalk in front of a mass rapid transit station in the Taipei city center of Taiwan to determine the actual pavement surface temperature performance. A neighboring asphalt road and impervious pavement were also monitored. With a full year of continuous monitoring, the results showed that the temperature of permeable pavement was 3.7°C lower than that of impervious pavement and 4.5°C lower than that of asphalt pavement in the hot season. The frequent rainfall in spring resulted in the smallest temperature differences between the different pavement types. The cooling effects of permeable pavement differed at the different air temperatures. At air temperatures lower than 15 °C, the differences among pavement surface temperatures were noticeable. However, when the air temperature was higher than 35 °C, the surface temperature of permeable pavement was not different from that of impervious pavement and was greater than 55 °C. Field observations were carried out to determine the effects on the apparent temperature and the future surface temperature of climate change scenarios. The results showed that permeable pavement could reduce the average apparent temperature to near the air temperature, and asphalt pavement could increase the apparent temperature by 1.2°C, assuming that the pavement temperature completely affects the air temperature. With the good prediction ability of the machine learning approach and 15 environmental factors, the preliminary prediction showed the projected surface temperature change in Taipei city in 2033. In the worst-case scenario, the average impervious pavement temperature is as high as 39.12°C, whereas the average permeable pavement temperature is 32.50°C.

The Application of Cryogenic Carbon Capture Technology on the Dual-Fuel Ship through the Utilisation of LNG Cold Potential

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set targets to reduce carbon emissions from shipping by 40% by 2030 (IMO2030) and 70% by 2040 (IMO2050). Within the framework of decarbonising the shipping industry, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel and carbon capture technologies are envisioned as a transitional option toward a pathway for clean energy fuels. The aim of the complex experimental and computational studies performed was to evaluate the CO2 capture potential through the utilisation of LNG cold potential on the FSR-type vessel within a dual-fuel propulsion system. Based on the experimental studies focused on actual FSRU-type vessel performance, the energy efficiency indicators of the heat exchanging machinery were determined to fluctuate at a 0.78–0.99 ratio. The data obtained were used to perform an algorithm-based systematic comparison of energy balances between LNG regasification and fuel combustion cycles on an FSRU-type vessel. In the due course of research, it was determined that LNG fuel combustion requires 18,254 kJ/kg energy to separate and capture CO2 in the liquid phase to form exhaust gas; meanwhile, low sulfur marine diesel oil (LSMDO) requires 13,889 kJ/kg of energy. According to the performed calculations, the regasification of 1 kg LNG requires 1018 kJ/kg energy, achieving a cryogenic carbon capture ratio of 5–6% using LNG as a fuel and 7–8% using LSMDO as a fuel. The field of carbon capture in the maritime industry is currently in its pioneering stage, and the results achieved through research establish an informative foundation that is crucial for the constructive development and practical implementation of cryogenic carbon capture technology on dual-fuel ships.

A Patchwork of Hindu Ritual Practices and Technique Performances? A Re-Examination of the Citrakarmaśāstra, a Vajrayānic Sanskrit Śilpa Text Discovered in Sri Lanka

The Mañjuśrībhāṣita-Citrakarmaśāstra, a Sanskrit śilpa work discovered in Sri Lanka, deals exclusively with Buddhist image making. It provides technical instructions for the fabrication of Buddhist images as well as guidance for initial and final consecrations. This article offers a comparative intertextual study of the main body of the manuscript, including chapters concerning tree selection, the ratnanyāsa ritual, the techniques of clay modeling in the making of images, and the eye-opening ceremony. This study suggests that the Mañjuśrībhāṣita-Citrakarmaśāstra bears a remarkable resemblance to South Indian Hindu śilpa texts and does not perfectly correspond with actual practices and performances. The main part of the Mañjuśrībhāṣita-Citrakarmaśāstra is probably dated no earlier than the 11th century but no later than the 16th century.

Synchronous Distance Learning: Effects of Interest and Achievement Goals on Police Students’ Learning Engagement and Outcomes

Online learning has boomed, especially in synchronous settings. Questions remain open regarding the influence of interruptions and learner factors such as interest and achievement goals on learning engagement and outcomes. To address these questions, the present field study relied on a synchronous online course and evaluated it with a sample of 136 police students (Mage = 29.58 years). Not only did the online course foster students’ self-efficacy, it was also given similarly high evaluations to previous offline iterations of the course. Furthermore, the students’ self-perceived learning gains correlated highly with actual test performance. Their interest was a positive predictor of these learning gains, whereas work avoidance goals were a negative predictor of learning gains. Learning engagement mediated these effects. Finally, learning outcomes and interruptions were negatively associated. Our results imply that instructors should consider interest and achievement goals as important learning predictors, as well as the detrimental effects of interruptions on learning outcomes.

Assessment of impaired self-awareness after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: a comparison of assessment tools.

To compare different assessment methods of impaired self-awareness (ISA). We included 37 patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a subacute/chronic stage, and 33 healthy controls. ISA was assessed with three methods: discrepancy scores (comparison between patient and proxy ratings) on three scales (Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS), Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) and Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX)); clinician rating with the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview (SADI); and the difference between prediction or estimation of performance and actual performance on two cognitive tasks. Clinician-patient discrepancy scores appeared more sensitive than relative-patient discrepancy. The AQ was the most sensitive. The discrepancy scores were strongly correlated one with each other. Correlations with the SADI were weaker. Patients did not overestimate their performance on cognitive tasks, and the prediction did not significantly correlate with other measures of ISA. Results support the multidimensional nature of ISA: discrepancy scores assess meta-cognitive knowledge (understanding that a function/skill is affected), while the SADI takes into account anticipatory awareness (ability to set realistic goals) and estimation of performance assesses anticipatory and situational awareness. Assessment of these different domains may provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's self-awareness.