Causes Of Poor Performance Research Articles

Are the causes assigned to unsatisfactory performance related to the intensity of emotions experienced after competition?

This study explored the relationship between attributions and emotional responses to poor performance in golf. On the day of an important regional competition, 86 golfers reported their emotional states prior to competition and completed measures of attribution and emotion immediately after the competition. Our findings showed that after unsatisfactory performance, anger and dejection were significantly elevated whereas excitement and happiness were significantly reduced from pre-competition levels. Causal attributions contributed to the intensity of these emotions. High levels of anger emerged when poor performance was attributed internally, and intensified when the cause was also perceived as relatively stable over time. Golfers also reported higher levels of dejection and lower levels of happiness when the causes of poor performance were perceived as personally controllable and unstable than when the causes were perceived as personally controllable and stable. Our findings suggest that golfers’ emotions are intricately linked with the explanations provided for poor performance. In order to create effective emotion regulation interventions, sport psychology consultants should first consider the interactive nature of attribution dimensions.

Performance Monitoring of MPC Based on Dynamic Principal Component Analysis

AbstractA unified framework based on the dynamic principal component analysis (PCA) is proposed for performance monitoring of constrained multi-variable model predictive control (MPC) systems. In the proposed performance monitoring framework, the dynamic PCA based performance benchmark is adopted for performance assessment, while performance diagnosis is carried out using a unified weighted dynamic PCA similarity measure. Simulation results obtained from the case study of the Shell process demonstrate that the use of the dynamic PCA performance benchmark can detect the performance deterioration more quickly compared with the traditional PCA method, and the proposed unified weighted dynamic PCA similarity measure can correctly locate the root cause for poor performance of MPC controller.

Printed metal back electrodes for R2R fabricated polymer solar cells studied using the LBIC technique

The performance of printable metal back electrodes for polymer solar cells were investigated using light beam induced current (LBIC) mapping of the final solar cell device after preparation to identify the causes of poor performance. Three different types of silver based printable metal inks were employed. Organic solvent based, UV-curable and water based silver inks were tested. Both grid electrodes and full electrodes were employed and it was shown via the grid electrode that the organic solvent based ink adversely affects the device performance under the printed metal whereas both the UV-curable and the water based inks were neutral to improving device performance. Complete roll-to-roll (R2R) processed modules were also tested and some limitations of the LBIC technique was identified for serially connected modules.

Characterization of Anion Exchange Ionomers in Hybrid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Anion exchange ionomers (AEI) synthesized here were characterized by use of a novel fuel cell configuration. The new analysis method involves assembling the AEI electrode of interest as the cathode in a hybrid, acid/alkaline, fuel cell configuration. The hybrid cell includes a conventional proton conducting anode/membrane half-cell along with the anionic conductor of interest at the cathode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry were used to evaluate the performance of the hybrid AEI-containing fuel cell with H₂ and O₂. In particular, the AEI electrode response in impedance spectroscopy was easily identified because the contributions from other components are largely minimized in the presented hybrid cell configuration. The properties of ionomers used in the AEI electrode were shown to have a substantial effect on the electrode performance. Low catalyst utilization, due to high water uptake and low conductivity, was identified as the major causes of poor performance in AEI electrodes.

Horse misbehavior as a cause of poor performance

Horse misbehavior as a cause of poor performance

조사료의 곰팡이 발생과 곰팡이독소 오염

In order to ensure good animal health and performance, it is essential to produce forages with high feeding value and good hygienic quality. However, huge amounts of forages consumed by ruminants are contaminated with mold prior to harvest or during storage as hay, straw or silage. These mold can grow in forages only when nutrients are available, correct temperature exist, oxygen is present, and unbound water is available. Fungal 'species can be divided into two groups: field fungi and storage fungi. Field fungi invade the forages while the crop is still in the field, require high moisture conditions, and are such as species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Clodosporium, Diplodia, Gibberrella and Helminthosporium. Storage fungi invade forages during storage and need less moisture than field fungi. These such as species of Aspergillus and Penicillium usually do not occur any problem before harvest. Mold growth can spoil the nutritional aspects of the forages and also results in secondary metabolites that are highly toxic to animal, humans and plants. Moldy feeds are less palatable and may reduce dry matter intake. This, in turn, leads to a reduction of nutrition intake, reducing weight gains or milk production. Performance losses of 5 to 10 percent are typical with moldy feeds. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by fungi (molds) growing on crops in the field or storages. While greater than 400 mycotoxins have been chemically identified, the biological or veterinary medical impact of only several mycotoxins is known. Mycotoxins have attracted considerable attention as potential causes for poor performance and health disorders in domestic livestock. They can be carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, hematotoxic, immunosuppressive, estrogenic, or mutagenic. So, feeding moldy forages has adverse effects on animal health and milk consumers. Also, this author reported that rice straw hay was contaminated mycotoxigenic fungi such as Penicillium roqueforti and Fusarium culmorum in Korea. Therefore, it is an urgent need to develop an improved post harvest storage method to reduce nutrient loss and mycotoxin contamination of forages, which will have a positive impact on human health.

Critical perspectives on the evaluation and optimization of complex numerical models of estuary hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics

AbstractNumerical hydrodynamic and sediment transport models provide a means of extending inferences from direct observation and for advancing our understanding of estuarine processes. However, their parametric complexity invites questions concerning the extent to which model output can be assessed with respect to data. This paper examines the basis for evaluating the performance of complex hydrodynamic and sediment transport models, with reference to a case study of a muddy meso‐tidal estuary. Sophisticated and computationally‐intensive models should be evaluated using robust objective functions, but conventional measures of fit and model efficiency invoke restrictive assumptions about the nature of the errors. Furthermore, they offer little insight into causes of poor performance. Optimization of tidal hydrodynamic models can usefully combine conventional performance measures with harmonic analysis of modelled shallow water tidal constituents that are diagnostic of the interactions between tidal propagation, bathymetry and bottom friction. Models with similar efficiencies can thus be distinguished and likely sources of error pinpointed. Hydrodynamic models have a predictive power that is rooted in a more‐or‐less complete representation of the physical processes and boundary conditions that are well‐constrained with respect to data. In contrast, fine sediment models rely on a less complete conceptualization of a broader set of processes and, crucially, have a parametric complexity that is unmatched by the quantity and quality of observational data. Their performance as measured by conventional objective functions is weaker and it is important to match the structural complexity of model errors with analyses that can localize the scales and times of poor performance. Wavelet analysis is potentially useful here as a means of identifying aspects of the model that need improvement. The context in which such models are deployed is also important. Used heuristically, what might otherwise be dismissed as weak models can still provide mechanistic support for empirically‐derived inferences concerning specific aspects of system behaviour. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stabilizing the Operation of Industrial Processes using Data Driven Techniques

Poor performance of a control loop is usually caused by poor controller tuning, presence of disturbances, control loop interactions and/or loop nonlinearities. The presence of nonlinearities in control loops is one of the main reasons for poor performance of a linear controller designed based on linear control theory. In a control loop, nonlinearities may appear either in the control instruments such as valves and positioners or in the process. Among the control valve nonlinearities stiction, deadband, deadzone, hysteresis and saturation are most common. A nonlinear system often produces a non-Gaussian and nonlinear time series. The test of Gaussianity or nonlinearity of a control loop variable serves as a useful diagnostic aid towards diagnosing the causes of poor performance of a control loop. Ttwo indices, the Non-Gaussianity Index (NGI) and the Non-Linearity Index (NLI), developed in [1] are used to detect the possible presence of nonlinearity in the loop. These indices together with specific patterns in the process output (pv) vs. the controller output (op) plot can be conveniently used to diagnose the causes of poor control loop performance thus ensuring smooth operation of the plant. The method has been successfully applied to many industrial data sets. One of the interesting case studies is presented in this paper. The results of the analysis were confirmed and the results after the troubleshooting was performed are also presented.Keywords: Nonlinearities, stiction, performance monitoring, nonGaussianity, process industries, control valvesDOI = 10.3329/cerb.v13i1.2995 Chemical Engineering Research Bulletin 13 (2009) 29-38

Bilateral hindlimb proximal suspensory desmitis as a cause of poor performance in the horse

challenging and sometimes frustrating exercise, which is potentially both time-consuming and expensive. Sometimes a comprehensive clinical examination provides clues, whereas, in other horses, the diagnosis is only reached by a process of elimination. It may be necessary to differentiate riding or training-related problems from those which are primarily pain-related or behavioural. The purpose of this case report is to describe a method of approach and some of the challenges and pitfalls of interpretation.

Etiologic and Immunologic Characteristics of Thoroughbred Horses with Bacterial Infectious Upper Respiratory Disease at the Seoul Race Park

Equine respiratory disease is a common cause of poor performance and training interruptions. The higher incidence rate of infectious upper respiratory disease (IURD) in thoroughbred racehorses at the Seoul Race Park coincided with the frequent stabling season, shorter stabling periods, and younger ages in this study. Incidence rates were also correlated with significantly lower proportions of cells expressing MHC class II-, CD2 antigen-, CD4+- or CD8+-T lymphocyte-, and B lymphocyte in IURD patients compared with healthy control groups in the summer and fall and in 2-and-3-year-old groups. The data suggested that movement and new environments may have resulted in immunosuppression and inappropriate responses to respiratory pathogens in IURD patients. The IURD incidence decreased with age, perhaps by the acquisition of immunity, and study results suggested that immunologic protection was associated with IURD, particularly in young thoroughbred racehorses. Streptococci isolates were identified in 11 of 72 IURD horses, and 3 of these isolates were identified as Streptococcus. equi subsp. equi. S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus was isolated from 2 of 23 IURD horses in the spring (8.7%), 5 of 23 in the summer (21.7%), and 1 of 6 in winter (16.7%). S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (5%) was also identified in 3 of 61 isolates from clinically normal horses. Racetracks should implement anti-IURD protective measures by assessing the capacity of equine immunologic protection at the Park and by limiting the introduction of specific respiratory pathogens (such as S. equi subsp. equi) by preventing the access of infected horses with a respiratory pathogen-free certification system prior to Park entry.

Foot pain - a common cause of poor performance in horses

Foot pain - a common cause of poor performance in horses

Causal attribution and emotion in the days following competition

We examined the extent to which attributions are consistent in the days following competition and how attributions made immediately after competition may influence the temporal patterning of emotions experienced in response to competition. A sample of 60 adult female golfers completed measures of performance satisfaction, causal attribution, and emotion immediately after competition, 5 h after competition, and 2 days after competition. Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that attributions did not change over this period. Emotions showed a significant decrease in intensity over the 5-h post-competition period. Regression analyses indicated that changes in anger and dejection were more likely in the case of less successful performances. For anger, attributions moderated this level of change. Golfers experienced anger for a longer period when they identified the cause of poor performance as stable rather than unstable. Thus, in the present sample although attributions did not change over 2 days, the longevity of anger depended on the attributions made immediately after competition.

Osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar synovial intervertebral articulations: Clinical and radiographic features in 77 horses with poor performance and back pain

Back pain is well recognised as a cause of poor performance in horses, but the role of lesions of the thoracolumbar synovial intervertebral articulations (facet joints) has not been well documented. To describe the clinical features, radiographic appearance and location of facet joint lesions and determine if there was any breed, gender, age, bodyweight or work discipline predilection. Data from 77 horses examined at the Animal Health Trust January 1997-September 2007 with evidence of thoracolumbar pain and radiographic changes of the facet joints were reviewed. The presence of either other osseous abnormalities of the thoracolumbar region or other problems potentially contributing to poor performance were recorded. Facet joint lesions were graded radiographically and their location determined. Influence of breed, gender and discipline on the presence of lesions, effect of location on the type of lesion and the influence of impinging dorsal spinous processes on the clinical features were assessed using Chi-squared tests. There was no effect of breed, gender, age or bodyweight on occurrence of facet joint lesions. Showjumpers were significantly less affected than horses from other disciplines. There were commonly 2-5 affected facet joints, usually in the caudal thoracic and cranial lumbar spine (T15-LI). Sclerosis, periarticular new bone and narrowing of the joint space were the most frequent radiographic lesion types. Clinical features were significantly different between horses with and without impinging dorsal spinous processes. Severity of clinical signs was related to the presence of other osseous abnormalities, not the number of facet joints involved or the lesion grade. Osteoarthritis of the facet joints of the thoracolumbar spine can occur alone, in horses with back pain, or in association with other osseous abnormalities. Osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar facet joints probably contributes to back pain, but further investigation of the prevalence of osteoarthritis in horses without clinical signs of back pain is merited.

Modernization of large‐scale irrigation systems: is it an achievable objective or a lost cause

AbstractDespite the probability of a new food crisis, which was partly delayed by the explosive use of groundwater, not much attention has been given to improving performance of large‐scale irrigation systems during the last two decades. Technologies exist and training materials are available. In most cases, the causes of poor performance and the solutions to improving performance are technical, managerial and policy reforms. This paper discusses the diversity of large schemes in developing countries and their historical background, the conditions favourable to the modernization in developed and emerging countries and the constraints to modernization in developing countries. The paper identifies the models of large‐scale development which could be technically improved, those which have less potential or would mainly benefit from institutional reforms. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to remove the constraints to modernization of large schemes in developing countries. Otherwise, irrigation modernization may not take place at the pace required to meet food requirements in the future. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of sleep patterns on mood and academic performance of medical students

Sleep a vital biological process is essential for physical & psychological restoration. Owing to their hectic schedules, medical students, in particular, are known to have erratic sleep patterns and suffer from sleep disturbances, fatigue and mood changes. This study was designed to analyze the sleep patterns and to correlate sleep deprivation with incidence of anxiety, depression, daytime sleepiness and performance among 100 students of 1st year MBBS by means of a validated questionnaire. 44% students reported sleeping >8 Hrs and only 51% were regular in their sleep schedule. Females (32%) were found to follow a more regular sleep schedule compared to males (68%) and reported better performance and lesser level of anxiety and depression in those sleeping for more than 8 hrs. Day scholars had a better and a regular schedule compared to hostellers and they also had significantly (p =0.034) better performance. This study found that an old saying “early to bed and early to rise makes man healthy, wealthy and wise” holds true. Those following regular schedule, sleeping early and rising early in the morning have better academic performance and lower levels of anxiety and depression. This study highlights the prevalence of disturbed sleep patterns as a significant cause of poor performance and mood disturbances in medical students.

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF LARYNGOHYOID POSITION AS A PREDICTOR OF DORSAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE SOFT PALATE IN HORSES

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is an important cause of poor performance in racehorses, yet its etiology is not fully understood. Diagnosis requires treadmill videoendoscopy, which is not widely available. The relationship of the larynx, the hyoid apparatus, and the remainder of the skull may be important in predisposing horses to dorsal displacement of the soft palate. We hypothesized that this relationship could be accurately assessed in unsedated horses through ultrasonographic examination. Fifty-six racehorses presented for evaluation of poor performance were subjected to treadmill videoendoscopy and resting ultrasonography. Using ultrasound-assisted percutaneous measures of laryngo-hyoid position, the relationship between selected anatomic structures and the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate was evaluated. A significant relationship was found between the depth of the basihyoid bone at rest and the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate at exercise (P = 0.03). Other measures of laryngohyoid position were not found to be associated with dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Thus, there is an association between the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate at exercise and the resting position of the basihyoid bone, whereby on average a more ventral location of the basihyoid bone is present in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate. The pathophysiologic implications of this finding are not fully understood but, based on our findings, ultrasound examination is of value in assisting in the diagnosis of dorsal displacement of the soft palate.

Clinical trials using a telemetric endoscope for use during over‐ground exercise: A preliminary study

Dynamic collapse of the upper respiratory tract (URT) is a common cause of poor performance in horses. These conditions occur predominantly during strenuous exercise when the URT is unable to maintain dilation in the face of high inspiratory pressures. In most cases, these disorders cannot be accurately diagnosed during a resting endoscopic examination. To date, a definitive diagnosis of dynamic URT obstructions has been possible only by performing an endoscopic examination during high-speed treadmill exercise. However, recent technological advances now enable URT endoscopy to be performed while the horse is exercising in its normal environment.

Gender differences in glenoid anatomy: an anatomic study

Gender differences in glenoid anatomy have not been well studied in the current literature. Previous literature demonstrates a mismatch between glenoid anatomy and glenoid implants for shoulder replacements. This may have clinical implications in that glenoid loosening after shoulder arthroplasty has been cited as a frequent cause of poor performance of shoulder implants, and perhaps the most common indication for revision. The purpose of this study was to determine any gender differences in the size and overall shape of the glenoid. Eleven measurements were taken of 363 human scapular bone specimens (equal proportions of females to males and blacks to whites). Glenoid height and width, glenoid notch location, and depth were measured for each specimen using calipers. In addition, the authors developed a classification system to describe anterior glenoid notch morphology. There was a significant difference between female and male specimens for each dimension measured (P < 0.05). Height to width ratios were also significantly different comparing men to women (P < 0.05). These differences resulted in a rounder male glenoid and more oval female glenoid. Our results showed that 80.4% of females had an anterior glenoid notch compared to only 57.6% of males. There was a significant difference between female and male specimens in the location of the anterior glenoid notch: 36.7% from the top of the glenoid in female specimens, and 28.9% in males (P < 0.0001). The clear difference between male and female glenoid anatomy may be important in various shoulder surgeries.

Resident Doctors Perceptions Of The Postgraduate Examinations In Obstetrics And Gynaecology

The National Postgraduate Medical College was established by Decree 67 in September 1979 with the main objective of conducting professional postgraduate examinations for candidates in specialized branches of Medicine and Dentistry and to make awards thereto. A total of 46 specialists graduated from the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology over a period of 5years (1999 and 2004), which is a grossly inadequate number when one considers the high maternal mortality rate and shortage of specialists. The aim of this study was to ascertain the perception of resident doctors of the examination and make suggestions as to how their training and performance at the examinations can be enhanced. A total of 159 residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology who attended the September 2006 update course organized by the College were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Majority of the residents 84(53%) were between the ages of 31 and 35years with 79% being males. Seventy percent (70%) were married and 54% were 6-10 years post MBBS Seventy percent felt poor preparation of candidates was responsible for examination failure while 21% blamed this on biased examiners, 53% wanted the format for the examination to be changed with 24% of these opting for objective structured clinical examination method (OSCE). In conclusion, the study established that poor preparation, examiners bias and inadequate consultant involvement in residency training were significant causes of poor performance. Keywords : Perception, resident doctors, postgraduate exams Annals of Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 22-27

An assessment of the current state of product data technologies

Industrial organizations can benefit from the exchange or sharing of digital product data across the borders of disciplines, organizations and vendor-specific solutions. A number of international standards have been developed to make this possible. Of these, ISO 10303 (STEP), ISO/PAS 16739 (IAI/IFC) and ISO 15926 are the most prominent. The first release of STEP was published in 1994, the first release of IAI/IFC in 1997, and ISO 15926 in 2003. Today, many years after their introduction, it must be concluded that the industrial uptake of these standards has been poor. It must be concluded further that, with the current generation of PDT standards, the loss of data or meaning can hardly be avoided. Data exchange between heterogeneous applications is not really supported. In industrial practice, product data are still exchanged in native file formats, less ‘intelligent’ electronic standards, or–even worse–via paper media. The anticipated benefits of PDT standards are not yet reaped by industry. This article discusses the causes of poor performance and poor industrial uptake, with the aim to encourage the development of new strategies and technologies.