Important Factor In Effectiveness Research Articles

Team member familiarity and team effectiveness in the operating room: The mediating effect of mutual trust and shared mental models

BackgroundTeamwork in the operating room is of paramount importance to provide high-quality patient care. It has been shown that increased team member familiarity predicts improved teamwork. A complicating factor is the often-changing composition of the operating room teams. Team member familiarity is associated with shared mental models and mutual trust, which are in turn important factors for team effectiveness. However, it remains unclear how this interplay takes place and can be influenced (eg, through team training). Our aim was to investigate the relationship between team member familiarity and perceived team effectiveness in operating room teams. We hypothesized that shared mental models and mutual trust mediate this relationship. MethodsWe performed a prospective, correlational study in 2 hospitals in the Netherlands. A questionnaire was used to assess team member familiarity, mutual trust, shared mental models (perceived and content-related), and perceived team effectiveness. Data were analyzed using a random intercept multilevel model. ResultsTeam member familiarity significantly predicted perceived team effectiveness, both through a direct effect, as well as mediated by perceived shared mental models. Mutual trust also significantly predicted team effectiveness. Variance is determined mostly at an individual level, but also partly (12%) at the operating room level. ConclusionGreater team member familiarity predicts greater team effectiveness, and this relationship is mediated by shared mental models. Training should be aimed at these aspects of team functioning to optimize team performance in the operating room.

재건축사업에서 사업주체자의 역량이 조직효과성에 미치는 영향

This study examined how the empowerment of housing reconstruction project leader affects organizational effectiveness in order to suggest improvement measures to prevent project delays in the process of housing reconstruction projects. To this end, a survey was conducted among members who have experienced housing reconstruction projects in Gwacheon, and descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were conducted. The results showed that the ethical leadership, expertise, transparency, and participation of reconstruction project leader was significant in increasing organizational effectiveness. In addition, moral and ethical leadership was analyzed as an important factor in the organizational effectiveness of reconstruction project union, which are a special type of organization. This study is significant in that it examined the role of organizational effectiveness in the reconstruction project in the process of promoting the projects based on the trust of the members from the initial stage. The results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for policy improvement to improve the residential environment in old cities, including the first phase of new towns, and to improve the business satisfaction of landowners.

Scrutinizing gully erosion hotspots to predict gully erosion susceptibility using ensemble learning framework

Gully erosion poses a threat to the sustainability of cultivated regions worldwide, is environmentally problematic, and causes significant rates of soil erosion. Understanding the formation process and gully development requires mapping gully erosion. An innovative modeling approach was used in this work using a case study in northern Iran. 14 gully-erosion parameter measurements from 1042 gully erosion locations were combined to produce a geographic dataset. For the purposes of modeling and validation, four training data sets (each in the standard 70:30 ratio) that represented 100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 % of the total database were employed. The four machine learning models that were used to assess the utility of the four training situations were Bloom Filter Trees, Random Forest, (RF), Kernel Logistic Regression (KLR), and ensemble of KLR-RF. The most important effective factors, as determined by the RF research, were distance from the stream (72.61), vertical distance of the channel network (49.34), distance from the road (48.81), and elevation (47.68). The findings were validated using the receiver operating characteristic. Based on our findings, the combination of KLR and RF is the most optimum combination for both improved accuracy (0.928) and predictive capability (0.911). Out of them, the KLR-RF 50 % training scenario is the most optimal when compared to the other scenarios.

Cytisine for smoking cessation: A 40-day treatment with an induction period.

Cytisine is a smoking cessation drug now used worldwide. Most of the data available in the literature predict a 25-day treatment, accepted on the basis of previous clinical experience in Eastern Europe. There are few studies on dosing, and only recently some researchers have tried a longer treatment period. This real-world retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data collected consecutively from 2015 to 2021, in seven smoking cessation centers in north-central Italy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a 40-day cytisine treatment with an induction phase and a slower reduction schedule. Data were collected from a group of 871 patients treated with cysteine, varenicline, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The sample was not randomized. Behavioral support (4-6 sessions, each lasting 20-30 min, plus the evaluation session) was delivered to all patients. Subgroups taking cytisine (n=543 for 40 days), varenicline (n=281 for 12 weeks), and NRT (n=47 for eight weeks) showed biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence at 6 months of 50.5%, 55.9%, and 51.0%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between cytisine versus varenicline (p<0.01) but not between cytisine versus NRT (p=0.5597). Adverse events were 4.4% with cytisine and 33.3% with varenicline. Behavioral support was an important factor in effectiveness. This study produced preliminary evidence that the 40-day regimen of cytisine, appears to have less effectiveness in comparison to varenicline but the magnitude of the effect is comparable. The results and tolerability seem to be better than in most other studies.

The sectorial context of workplace learning

AbstractWorkplace learning is always embedded in a context. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of workplace learning in the market, public and civil sectors with the tool of literature review, and to identify the most important contextual factors for learning practice and effectiveness. The article thus contributes to the scientific discourse in the field of knowledge management and workplace learning research. In the following study, drawing upon classic literature and current empirical research findings, the characteristics of workplace learning in various sectors are first outlined along the themes of knowledge management, knowledge sharing, innovation, organizational learning, the purpose of learning, and the most significant knowledge elements. Subsequently, the main differences are summarized. Finally, factors for the analysis of comparative research on workplace learning are proposed, spanning individual, individual and organizational, organizational, and organizational and system levels.

Evaluation of lesion characteristics and baseline impedance on high-power short-duration radiofrequency catheter ablation using computer simulation.

Myocardium baseline impedance (BI) is an important factor in ablation effectiveness. This study examined the performance of low-power and long-duration (LPLD), high-power and short-duration (HPSD) ablation at different BIs by computer simulation. A 3D model of the ablation region was constructed for simulation, and in vitro experiments were performed to validate the simulation. Three ablation power and duration configurations of 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s were used for simulation with BI values of 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140Ω. Roll-off time and ablation volume were measured to evaluate ablation results. The simulation is consistent with the in vitro experiments. When BI is changed from 90 [Formula: see text] to 140 [Formula: see text], the lesion volume over 50°C with BI of 140[Formula: see text] was reduced by 6.3%, 6.7%, and 7.3% for 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s configurations, respectively, and the lesion volume over 100°C was reduced by 62.8%, 49.7%, and 22.5% under 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s, respectively. Simulation results revealed that HPSD (vHPSD) and LPLD ablation were more affected by changes in BI in the lesion volumes over 50°C and 100°C, respectively, and demonstrated that resistive and conductive heating were the main heating effects in HPSD (vHPSD) and LPLD, respectively.

Factors affecting students’ attitudes towards reproductive health in the north of Iran: Designing an educational program

BackgroundIt is essential to empower young people to promote reproductive health (RH) and develop effective educational programs to prevent risky behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting students’ attitudes towards RH based on the ecological model and then design an educational program.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 461 female students aged 18–29 in the north of Iran. This study was done in two stages. In the first stage, factors affecting the attitude towards RH including demographic questionnaire, interpersonal communication skills, family communication pattern, depression, stress and anxiety, body self-image, and self-confidence were determined. In the second stage, an educational program was designed based on the most effective factors. Independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were employed using SPSS version 20 software. Also, STATA version 15 software was utilized for statistical modeling to predict the best predictive model of attitude towards RH.Results47.7% of students had a good attitude toward RH. The majority of students had problems with interpersonal communication skills (60.7%). Also, 28.5% experienced depression, 35.8% anxiety, and 12.8% stress at different levels. More than a quarter of the students (26.5%) had poor body self-image and 18.7% had Undesirable self-esteem. Interpersonal skills (P = 0.002), family communication pattern (P = 0.004), stress (p = 0.019), anxiety (P = 0.001), and body self-image (P = 0.034) have a significant relationship with the attitude towards RH. The multiple regression showed that the most important effective factor on RH is the dialogue orientation of family communication pattern (P = 0.041), stress (P = 0.002), and anxiety (P = 0.001).ConclusionStress and anxiety management training and the use of dialogue orientation in the family communication pattern for young female students are recommended based on the scientific model.

Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Production Rate

At the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 contagious virus swept, which caused a lot of disturbances in all countries worldwide. The Egyptian government declared an emergency and placed the country under lockdown. Preventive measures such as social distancing, sterilization, mask wear, frequent temperature checks, offering COVID-19-related training, and encouraging work-from-home initiatives, among other precautions, have been implemented. Such precautionary measures affected the construction production rate. This research used a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews to solicit the opinion of construction industry professionals and experts on tier-one construction companies on the impact of this pandemic on construction production rate. A quantitative analysis has been done in this study using IBM SPSS Statistics 26© to determine the most important effective factors of the production rate of the construction industry, mainly in Egypt. Also, this study illustrates an Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) model to predict the project’s cost and production rate at construction for the actual status in Egypt at the peak of COVID-19. The model does not only present the actual case but can also predict the most important and influential factors of the construction industry mainly in Egypt, at the peak of the virus, and can be used in other similar crises as a lesson learned which no study covered this area at the previous works. Finally, the results and the validation study of the proposed ANN model in the research show and present the actual status of production rate in the construction sector, mainly in Egypt (case study), and also predict the production rates of the construction sector at the future crisis.

Comparison Between Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis to Determine the Most Important Affecting Factors for Students' Admission and Their Interests in The Specializations: A Sample of Salahaddin University-Erbil

The main goal of this thesis is to determine the most important effective factors for student admission and his/her interests in the specialization by using multivariate methods. Therefore, it focused on using factor analysis by identifying a number of the obtained factors and cluster analysis by classifying them into five clusters. Furthermore, the factor analysis and cluster analysis results will be compared to each other. Moreover, this study depends on the analysis of 350 questionnaire forms, distributed by random stratified sample method on students in the first stage of three different colleges, including Scientific colleges and Humanity colleges of Salahaddin University in Northern Iraq for the academic year 2018-2019. Thus, the IBM SPSS Statistics V: 25 software programs have been used in data analysis. Additionally, the results have demonstrated that Reliability is accepted, and also in factor analysis, the rate of the total variance interpretation is %62.157. Moreover, the most common variables between the factor analysis and cluster analysis can be considered the most important and influential variables for student admission and their interests in choosing a specialization. Consequently, the first factor and the first cluster have five significant variables in common; they are V1, V2, V3, V4 and V5 (the system is helpful for student admission to colleges to get their desired professions). The second factor and the second cluster have four influential variables in common they are V24, V32, V35 and V37 (the new system may help master's and PhD students to be admitted to colleges and get competitive results by utilizing their accounts). In the fourth factor and the fourth cluster, there is one variable in common, which is V18 (decreasing the number of students admitted in the parallel system by using the graduated students who must not be able to refill admission forms). Ultimately, the conclusion has shown a kind of approach and similarity between factor analysis and cluster analysis.

The Influence of Servant Leadership on Work Performance Through Knowledge Sharing and Work Motivation on Employees

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Leadership is an important factor for organizational effectiveness, it even affects almost all human life. Identify leadership that serves as an important driver of the organization's efforts. Servant leadership increases effectiveness in the organization by facilitating employee performance, fostering employee creativity. It is expected that superiors in companies that have a servant leadership style will have a direct influence on knowledge sharing, work motivation, and work performance to company employees. This study uses a quantitative approach through a structural equation model to 155 respondents. The results of this study indicate that the relationship between servant leadership and work performance is mediated by knowledge sharing has not significant, and the relationship between servant leadership and work performance mediated by work motivation has a significant effect. In the end, the purpose of this research is to provide new insights for companies and practitioners on how to improve work performance and work motivation for employees by transferring knowledge (knowledge sharing) through servant leadership.&#x0D; Keywords: Servant Leadership; Work Motivation; Work Performance&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

A Novel Multidose Dry Powder Inhaler and Its Application in Patients with Asthma and COPD

Patient and physician satisfaction with the maintenance inhaler device is an important factor in medication adherence and effectiveness in respiratory disorders. We look at inhaler preferences in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from both the patient's and physician’s perspectives, emphasizing the relative importance of device features and patient considerations in inhaler selection. Teva Pharmaceuticals developed the multidose dry powder inhaler (M-DDPI) to treat chronic respiratory diseases. It is a metered-dose dry powder inhaler device intended to seem like a standard pressured metered-dose inhaler, but its internal geometry is somewhat distinctive. Inhalation treatment permits medication delivered directly to the airways. Inhalation devices serve a vital role in the therapy of obstructive lung illnesses such as asthma and COPD. The purpose of this research is to see how M-DDPI achieves maximum bronchial deposition of the medicine; the device must provide a high percentage of small particles, be simple to operate, and supply continuous and exact dosages of the active ingredient in COPD and asthma patients. Patients with COPD and asthma who had been diagnosed and treated at the hospital were first recruited as research participants and split into two groups. The control group got oxygen therapy as part of their standard treatment, whereas the experimental group received M-DDPI therapy. Statistical analysis techniques such as the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-squared test were used to examine the effects. The data show that the efficacies of M-DDPI therapy for COPD and asthma for obstructive lung illnesses seem to be promising right now.

Optimum swirl angle of natural gas combustion in domestic cooker burner with various output port

Due to the wide spread use of household cooker burner, optimal design of these equipment can significantly reduce the natural gas consumption which consequently leads to energy consumption reduction, emissions reduction, and economic benefits. Shape of cooker-top and swirl angle are the most important effective factors on performance of domestic cooker burner. This paper investigates the impact of swirling the output port on performance of the burner, numerically. In this regard, four types of burners are three-dimensionally modeled and compared to determine the optimal port swirl angle based on burner temperature, heat transfer rate and pollutant emissions. Results show that the optimum swirl angle for output port is 20º where the maximum combustion temperature and desired heat transfer and pollutant emissions are obtained. The maximum burner head temperature for non-swirled burner is equal to 1610 K while for swirl angle of 20º, in addition to pollutant emissions reduction, the maximum burner head temperature of 1673 K is obtained. It is also concluded that the turbulence dissipation of flow increases by swirling the cooker-top burner.

Understanding preservice teachers' affective responses to VR-enabled scientific experiments.

Preservice teachers' preparedness, perception, and affect toward certain technology systems influence the student acquisition of science knowledge, process skills, teaching innovation, and willingness to use technology in their classroom. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' affective responses to a virtual reality-enabled scientific experiment (VaSE) system. Fifty-one preservice teachers majoring in educational technology participated in the study. They were divided into two groups, and their reactions were measured separately on two occasions. The first occasion used a standard system following the principle of Donald Norman's affective design model (ADM). The VaSE system was then revised with a strict version of ADM before the participants' reactions were measured for a second time. The positive and negative affect scale (PANAS) was utilized for affective state evaluation. Semi-structured interviews that focused on affective experiences were organized using an ADM framework and conducted immediately after the participants used VaSE. The results indicated that the positive affect experienced by the preservice teachers was significantly enhanced, and the negative affect was significantly weakened. Academic level, gender, and prior experience were important random effect factors that impacted the affective experience. It was also revealed that participants were more likely to be affected by immersion and interactivity in terms of enhancing positive affect and were more likely to be affected by behavioral layer elements in terms of weakening negative affect. A conclusion has been drawn to provide theoretical and practical suggestions for training preservice teachers in ways that improve their ability to integrate technology into the classroom.

The Relationship of the Polymer Molecular Structure and the Dynamic Mechanical Property Under High Pressure

The dynamic mechanical properties of the viscoelastic polymer materials are usually considered to be the key parameters for the vibration damping or acoustic materials. The relationship between the molecular structures of the random copolymer butadiene styrene rubber (SBR) obtained through the anionic polymerization method and their dynamic mechanical parameters under high pressure is studied to explore the energy loss mechanism of the polymer materials applied in the special conditions such as high pressure. The dynamic mechanical parameters were tested though experimental methods with pressure chambers, which can supply high pressure to the polymer samples. The results show that the most important effect factor of the molecular structure is the ratio of the content of the stiffer segments composed of styrene in the SSBR molecular chain to the softer ones composed of 1, 4-butadiene. This can be attributed to the stiffer segments supplying bigger free volumes for the molecular motion and higher modulus to resist to the high pressure, and the softer segments endue the effective energy loss ability to the polymer chains. However, the mass ratio of the stiffer and softer segments should be in an appropriate range, which the content of the styrene must be less than 40%.

Innovation Capabilities in the Banking Sector Post-COVID-19 Period: The Moderating Role of Corporate Governance in an Emerging Country

The COVID-19 pandemic is damaging economies across the world, including financial markets and institutions in all possible dimensions. For banks in particular, the pandemic generates multifaceted crises. This is likely to be worse in developing economies with poor financial market architecture. Innovation is considered an important factor in organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage post-COVID-19. Understanding how the banking system can improve their innovation capabilities is an unsolved question, especially in an emerging economy. Hence, this paper aims to examine the impact of capital budgeting, knowledge management, and business strategy on innovation capabilities in the Vietnamese banking sector post-COVID-19. More specifically, this study investigates the moderating role of corporate governance in strengthening these proposed impacts. This research uses a sample of 23 listed banks in Vietnam to examine the moderating role of corporate governance in the context of an emerging country. Hierarchical regression analysis and the multiple indicator approach are employed. The results indicate that knowledge management and business strategy significantly impact innovation capabilities while capital budgeting has no effect. Corporate governance has been revealed as the moderator of the relationship between two factors (knowledge management and business strategy) and innovation capabilities.

Analysis of Negative Skin Friction on a Single Pile Based on the Effective Stress Method and the Finite Element Method

Negative skin friction (NSF) of piles in recent filling or soft area is an important effect factor of pile bearing capacity. Since field experiments on NSF are time consuming and it is difficult to large surcharge loads in experimental research, a unified calculation method of pile positive/negative skin friction was established based on the effective stress method for investigation. The closed-form analytical solutions for calculating the pile skin friction corresponding to the plastic and elastic state were derived respectively. Meanwhile, the axial load of a single pile under different distribution forms of the pile skin friction was deduced. The calculation method was verified by comparing with an in-situ test. Furthermore, a computer model, which was established by the finite element method, was used to study the effect of the friction coefficient, consolidation time, consolidation pressure, drainage condition, and pressure ratio on the distribution of NSF and the location of neutral point. The results show that the effect of the friction coefficient, consolidation time, and pressure ratio on the NSF were significant. The friction coefficient increased from 0.05 to 0.4, the position of the neutral point rose by 22%, and the drag load of pile shaft was obviously increased. The effect of consolidation pressure and drainage conditions on the neutral point were relatively less, but they had a great influence on the distribution and magnitude of NSF. Furthermore, under different consolidation pressures, the normalized maximum axial load, Fmax/p, of the pile shaft had a good linear relationship with the pressure ratio, n, and the slopes were the same.

Recent insight into strategies for the design of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)

With the increasing development of antibiotic resistance among key bacterial pathogens, there is an urgent need to discover novel classes of antibiotics. Although antimicrobial peptides (AMP) with their specific mode of action are considered major candidates for next-generation antibiotics, several challenges limit the use of these peptides for therapeutic applications. In a large body of research, the focus is given to different approaches to the chemical modification of AMPs and how these modifications may improve the stability, antibiotic activity, proteolytic activity and prevent the cytotoxicity and side effects of AMPs. On the other hand, another group of research investigates the delivery of AMPs via nanocarrier systems as strategies used to enhance stability, control the release of peptides and reduce adverse peptide-related side effects, as well as improve their anti-microbial activities. In the present article, we surveyed most recently published researches that provide us with good knowledge on structural features, mechanism of action, therapeutic aim, advantages and limitations, chemical modification approaches and carrying strategies of AMPs. Finally, according to Quality by Design, the most important potential effective factor and potential risk were mentioned in the development of AMP delivery systems.

РИЗИКО-ОРІЄНТОВАНИЙ ПІДХІД У СИСТЕМІ ПОДАТКОВОГО МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ

The article summarizes a domestic and international risk management practice in the tax management system of the taxpayer. The classification and conceptual tax risks basis are revealed: subject – the subject of economic activity which makes the decision on a choice of taxation system and provides its realization; object – the object of taxation in accordance with current tax legislation; source of risk – phenomena or processes that occur in uncertainty conditions. The main risk factors that affect tax management effectiveness of the taxpayer in today's business environment are presented. Based on the scientific and practical research study of domestic and foreign scientists and practitioners, the tax risks classification is systematized, which are the primary objects of management, such as identification, assessment, prevention of risk and control of their negative consequences. Approaches to both probabilistic and cost risk assessment in five main tax risk areas of domestic enterprises are proposed, namely: risk-free, minimal risk, high risk, critical risk, unacceptable (catastrophic) risk. To assess risk management effectiveness, the authors substantiate an implementing feasibility the FATF Recommendation on a risk-based approach using a specific results hierarchy within four possible performance ratings. Alternatively, cost assessment indicators for tax risks regulated by domestic regulations are proposed. On the basis of sociological research generalization (respondents of which were public joint-stock companies of Rivne region) priorities of practical application of methods about tax risks neutralization are defined, among them: reduction of probability and possible losses volumes connected with tax risk, tax risks prevention, evasion associated with risk, risks diversification and others. It is substantiated that the modern tax risk management system in Ukraine should provide a number of key elements at both the state level and directly for the taxpayer, including: activities for tax risk management organization; tax risks identification and assessment; identification of factors that determine tax risks; establishing the maximum allowable tax risks level; forecasting possible financial losses from tax risks; selection and application of effective methods neutralization for tax risks. Proposals, alternatives, calculations of modern risk-oriented management system formation for tax payments will allow ensuring a rational production resources use, which is an important factor in tax management effectiveness.

Clinical application of time factor principles in radiotherapy in compensation of radiation series interruptions.

The time factor plays a key role in radiotherapy. The radiotherapy overall treatment time is one of the most important predictive factors in the treatment effectiveness and is associated with better local control and impact on the overall survival. The length of the time from the dia-gnosis to radical radiotherapy or from surgery to adjuvant radiotherapy or the use of alternative fractionation schemes shortening the total treatment time also play an important role. The prevention of prolongation of the radiation series remains a fundamental and well feasible way of applying the time factor in radiotherapy. Interruption of radiotherapy usually occurs for technical reasons, due to factors at the patients side or for personnel reasons of the department. Standard procedures for the compensation for treatment breaks are part of the treatment protocols at radiotherapy departments. Possible risks of the discontinuation of radiotherapy are considered on the basis of the type and extent of the disease, the treatment intent and the condition of the patient, and the need of compensation for a break in the treatment is set. Patients are classified into three categories according to the above mentioned parameters. Compensation for the pause in radiotherapy is performed by calculating the equivalent dose in 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2); the preferred method of compensation is the one which enables observation of the planned total time of radiotherapy without extension. The benefit of local tumor control and the risk of increased acute or especially late toxicity should always be considered. In the current epidemiological situation, radiotherapy is often discontinued for COVID-19, and due to longer breaks in the treatment, it is necessary to combine multiple compensation methods in one patient.

Evaluation the Effect of Laminated Layer Sequence of Plain-Woven Bamboo on Tensile and Impact Performance of E-glass Woven / Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Bamboo reinforced hybrid composites are needed in claim to progress use of polymer composite technology. This paper describes a hand lay-up laminate process using plain-woven bamboo/E-glass woven/epoxy hybrid composite with the Design of experiment (DOE) 2 factor with 3-level and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was implemented for an evaluation against how the bamboo and e-glass woven affect the mechanical properties of hybrid composite in various sequence. The present study considers influence of plain-woven bamboo and e-glass woven laminated hybrid composite towards its tensile and charpy impact test performance. The results show that the2-layer composites withstood better tensile strengths 185.372 MPa for EG/BW/EG while charpy impact158.224 KJ/m2forEG/BW sequence respectively. Experiments results show that concentrate on both lay-up sequence and layers are important effect factors for tensile and charpy performance. It had been proven that both the layers and also the lay-up sequence demonstrated significantly different leads to terms of the mechanical performance.