Aspects Of Performance Research Articles

Seed- and Foliar-Applied Iron Chelate Improves Performance, Physiological, and Biochemical Aspects of Black Cumin (Nigella sative) under Semi-Arid Conditions

The cultivation of medicinal plants plays a crucial role in promoting human health benefits. However, the production of these plants can be affected by drought conditions. This research aimed to investigate the impact of differing water status (non-drought and drought during the flowering to harvest stage) and various iron treatments on the performance of black cumin. The iron treatments included no iron as the control (nFe), no iron with seed hydro-priming (nFe + P), seed iron priming (pFe), seed iron priming with iron foliar spraying (pFe + sFe), and double iron foliar spraying (sFe + sFe). The purpose of these treatments was to assess the effect of iron application methods on plant response under different water conditions. The findings revealed that drought significantly reduced the levels of Chla (15%) and RWC (5.9%), plant height (7%), follicle number (16.7%), seed number (4.6%), 1000-seed weight (3.2%), and seed yield (30.1%). Additionally, drought increased the proline content (90.9%), electrolyte leakage (9.2%), and MDA levels (23.9%). Interestingly, applying iron amendments reduced electrolyte leakage and increased seed yield under both water conditions. The drought-induced increase in proline content was more pronounced in the nFe treatment than in the other treatments. The amount of MDA in the nFe and nFe + P treatments was significantly higher under drought conditions compared to non-drought conditions. In conclusion, the addition of iron amendments helps black cumin plants recover from the effects of drought and reduces damage to seed growth. This means that using both seed iron priming and iron foliar spraying can significantly improve yields. Alternatively, focusing on either seed iron priming or double iron foliar spraying can also boost black cumin production compared to not using iron amendments.

Mapas conceituais Com Erros: Uma Abordagem Prática e Rápida Para a Avaliação Diagnóstica

This article proposes an innovative approach to diagnostic assessment. It employs concept maps with errors as an alternative to overcome challenges often faced by teachers when requesting students to create their own maps. These challenges include students’ lack of training in concept mapping, simplified planning of assessment activities with concept maps, and delays in feedback delivery by teachers. Grounded in the Cognitive Load Theory and considering operational aspects related to teachers’ time availability, the article introduces, discusses, and tests the proposal of concept maps with errors, wherein the teacher creates the map on the subject under study and intentionally includes errors. A practical application during the emergency remote teaching validates this alternative, even under challenging conditions. Diagnostic assessment with concept maps with errors emerges as a practical, fast, and robust solution, appealing for overcoming obstacles and providing significant benefits in pedagogical practice.

A design kinetic and hydrodynamic study of a coupled dual fluidized bed MTO reactor-regenerator system

The methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process, employing a dual-fluidized bed system, has introduced a new and reliable route for producing light olefins. This study intends to employ a comprehensive approach to simultaneously design and evaluate the reactor and regenerator performance. Namely, an inclusive design for a pilot-scale MTO system, encompassing the reactor, regenerator, interconnected catalyst transfer pipelines, and other critical operational aspects, is presented. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method using the Eulerian-Eulerian model was used to evaluate hydrodynamics, while the coupled reactor-regenerator kinetic model was developed by combining reaction kinetics with the two-phase model. The models were validated against experimental data and demonstrated a promising agreement. More importantly, an innovative procedure was devised to apply these modelling techniques to design this dual-fluidized bed system—the final design for the 10 kg catalyst inventory in the reactor at the pilot scale. The system achieves methanol conversion of 98.87 %, with ethylene and propylene product mass fractions of 45.51 % and 37.79 %, respectively.

Development Path and Problem Analysis of the "Vegetable Basket" Project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

This paper examines the current agricultural product supply dynamics within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, focusing on the vegetable supply chain. By investigating the five main participants involved in supplying vegetables to Hong Kong, it delves into the operational aspects of these enterprises, including their distribution networks, logistical arrangements, and customs procedures. Moreover, it analyzes the characteristics and influencing factors behind the distribution of supply bases. Through this comprehensive study, it becomes evident that each participant follows a distinct development trajectory, resulting in various associated challenges. In light of these findings, the paper puts forth strategic recommendations aimed at fostering the value-added development of the entire industry chain. Additionally, it offers forward-looking insights into the burgeoning distribution centers, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address existing issues and seize emerging opportunities. By implementing the proposed strategies, the sustainability and efficiency of the Greater Bay Area's agricultural supply chain can be enhanced, paving the way for its continued growth and development.

Performance Assessment of Cold Thermal Storage-Based Building Air-Conditioning Layouts for Different Climates

In this work, a detailed study is done to explore thermal features and operational aspects of thermal energy storage (TES)-based air-conditioning strategies. Three approaches, such as traditional air-conditioning, radiant air-conditioning unit (RACU) and desiccant-incorporated radiant air-conditioning unit (DRACU) have been undertaken by assimilating them with the TES. A validated triple-floor building with 10,690 m2 floor space is studied under warm-humid, composite, and hot-dry climates. Validated strategies with TES and non-TES based techniques were then compared for exploring parametric trends defined by temperature, humidity, electricity consumption, thermal load, coefficient of performance (COP), and other aspects. In comparison with traditional non-TES strategy, results disclose that electrical energy savings offered by the TES vary between 7.6 and 11.4% for the traditional system, 4.8 and 8.6% for RACU, and 3.8 and 6.1% for DRACU, based on the subjected climate. For all of the considered systems, it is further projected that adoption of the TES although causes an increased thermal energy gain, but the same causes declination in the chiller’s overall cooling load, as well as improves the net COP. Both of these factors contribute in reducing the electricity consumption. The integration of TES has revealed opposite trends for the radiant chiller attached to RACU and DRACU.

Accurate and Objective Lecturer Appraisal System: Implementation of the LOPCOW Method

This research proposes the use of the Logarithmic Precursor Chain-Driven Objective Weighting (LOPCOW) method to evaluate the best lecturers in universities. The LOPCOW method ensures that the assessment covers all aspects of lecturer quality and performance, including education, research, community services, discipline, commitment, cooperation skills, and innovation. The evaluation of lecturers using the scores and ratings provided showed that CDE lecturers were the best, with the highest score of 0.715. CDE lecturers showed high consistency in all aspects assessed, especially in education, research, and community service. This was followed by MNO lecturers (0.676), STU lecturers (0.668), XYZ lecturers (0.637), and AFI lecturers (0.627). In conclusion, highly ranked lecturers showed strong dedication to the Tridharma of higher education, with consistent performance and a positive impact on the academic community and the general public. Future research should focus on developing strategies to improve lecturers' teaching quality by applying new educational technologies and evaluating their impact on student learning.

AI Opportunities for Emerging Businesses in Libya: Navigating Challenges for Success

This research paper aims to investigate the potential contributions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering business development in emerging businesses within the Libyan context. By proposing various AI models and exploring their applications, this study seeks to provide insights into how AI can positively impact different aspects of business operations and strategies. For data collection and analysis, experts were selected to participate in this study to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how AI can positively impact different types of businesses in Libya. The primary data was collected through a combination of questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The paper present a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption in Libya's emerging business sector, offering recommendations for leveraging AI technologies to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and innovation. This study contributes valuable insights to the literature on AI adoption in emerging business environments, offering a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges in Libya's emerging business landscape

Sex of an Observer Effects on Adults' Motor, Cognitive, and Affective Dart-Shooting Performance.

Men and women are characterized by specific physiological, cerebral and emotional characteristics, as well as by the differing nature of their gestures and behaviors. Here, we examined the effects of an observer's sex on motor, cognitive and affective behaviors during dart-shooting. We compared men and women's kinematic and affective parameters when perfoming alone or when performing in the presence of an observer of a different sex. We found a sex effect on motor and cognitive performance in interaction with participants' emotional states. We observed improved accuracy and reaction time in men compared to women, which we attributed to (a) differences in emotional sensitivities between the two sexes and (b) men's superiority on precision tasks linked to men's higher proportion of cerebral white matter. Our findings also suggested a sex difference in the social effect of an observer's sex on motor and cognitive performance. Although there was no effect on affective aspects of performance, emotional state seemed to interact strongly with this social effect.

The Role of Cyber Security in the Innovative Development of Digital Products and Services

Given the modern challenges of the digital economy, it is important to analyze cyber security threats, which increasingly affect national security. Addressing cyber security concerns is different from the trends in the new generation of international trade agreements, which create broad security exceptions and are designed to restore balance between international trade and national security. However, these new approaches may not be immune to potential abuse. [1] The rapid development of digital technologies increases the risk of attacks, making organizations more susceptible to cyber threats. The more devices, systems and networks are interconnected, the greater the risk of successful cyber attacks. As for Georgia's cyber security policy, the following remain the main challenges: establishing a proactive state cyber security policy, raising cyber awareness in state agencies, staffing problems, and non-priority of cyber security. [2] In today's rapidly evolving digital environment, organizations are undergoing a major change known as digital transformation. The term "digital transformation" refers to the integration of digital technologies into all aspects of corporate operations, which has a profound impact on the performance and value of companies. While digital transformation brings many opportunities and benefits, it also brings many cybersecurity challenges. The role and importance of cyber security in ensuring a secure digital transformation is huge. Keywords: Ensuring Cyber Security, Digital Transformation, Data Privacy, Cyber Security Strategy.

Energy-efficient Vienna rectifier for electric vehicle battery charging stations

Global DC fast-charging infrastructure is being rapidly developed to accommodate the ever-increasing demand from the electric vehicle market. A major complication in the electric power system's process is the proliferation of ultra-fast charging (UFC) stations, which are known for their enormous power consumption and unpredictable, intermittent performance. By implementing grid-supportive features and ensuring an improved power consumption profile for the grid, installing regional energy storage can solve these challenges. This study presents a control approach for managing the grid-side AC/DC converters of rapid charging stations focused on future-oriented regulation. The paper primarily concentrates on various Vienna rectifier topologies. The technology, characteristics, benefits, and operational aspects of Vienna rectifier topologies are vital to improving the performance, efficiency, and grid integration of electric vehicle charging systems. Fast charging, grid stability, energy economy, and the smooth integration of electric vehicles into the electrical grid are all made possible by Vienna rectifiers. When used in battery energy storage systems (BESS) for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Vienna rectifiers allow for effective discharge and charging of the batteries. The configurations and assessments of these converters are examined, assessed, and compared based on power output parameters, element count, power factor, THD, and efficiency. The Vienna rectifier has been identified as the best suitable DC fast-charging converter architecture for power levels exceeding 15 kW due to its exceptional efficiency, limited output voltage ripples, high power density, reduced current ripples, and reliable performance. Research on ways to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure can be spurred by a better grasp of the Vienna rectifier's technological complexities and performance benefits, leading to greener and more efficient transportation options. As a result, the system's power density will eventually rise and elemental stress will decrease.

Scale effects on core design, fuel costs, and spent fuel volume of pressurized water reactors

The desire to improve the economic competitiveness and deployment pace of nuclear energy through modularization, manufacturing, and series production had led to the development of smaller size reactors. As the standard 17x17 fuel technology is mainly maintained in the pressurized water reactors (PWRs) category, this translates into a lower number of fuel assemblies in the core and sometimes a reduced fuel height. To assess the impact of such scale change in core design on fuel cycle cost and spent fuel volume, a scoping analysis tool is developed based on infinite lattice calculations, leakage, fuel management reduced models, and levelized unit cost of electricity (LCOE) estimate. As such, cost dynamics driven by fuel specific power, burnup, core leakage, feed, cycle length, fuel assembly height as well as uranium market data are captured with consistent set of assumptions and analysis methods. A selection of 5 reactor designs representative of leading PWR developers is assessed and compared. Pursuing higher specific powers and optimal burnups are highlighted as the main fuel cost reduction drivers, nevertheless, practical limitations and opportunities must be evaluated to establish the feasibility of such enhanced fuel operation. In consequence, a detailed core design is performed using SIMULATE3 code for 5 PWR variations including natural and forced coolant circulation modes, two reactor scales, power densities of 73, 112, and 123 kW/l and higher discharge burnups. Design and optimization are performed at the lattice level, for the reflector, and at the core loading level. Satisfactory steady-state operation including power distribution, coolant operating limits, and reactivity requirements are analyzed and reported in this paper. The fuel economics of the detailed core designs confirm the scoping analysis findings. Despite the unlocked power uprates in small PWRs, the achievable burnup for a given fuel specific power requires more enrichment and shorter fuel height results in higher fabrication costs per mass of fuel, which makes scaling down core size a more expensive endeavor on the fuel cycle front. Spent fuel volumes are reported for the PWRs designed in this paper. These volumes are driven by the core average discharge burnup regardless of the scale in consideration. Additional cost and core performance aspects related to heavy reflector gains, fuel-reflector substitution, and disposal cost policy in the U.S. are examined.

Evaluating the Impact of Cell Assembly and Operating Conditions on the Performance of Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

The alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) are the two dominant commercial platforms to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. Recent efforts have focused on combining the benefits of the two technologies, leading to the creation of the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). AEMWEs operate under high pH conditions, like AWEs, enabling the use of cost-effective materials as cell components and non-noble electrocatalysts. AEMWEs also utilize the same high-performance zero-gap design PEMWEs and also have the ability to operate at high differential pressures. Therefore, AEMWEs offer the opportunity to optimize both cost and performance, out-pacing both incumbent technologies after further development.As the “active” materials in AEMWEs, the anion exchange membranes and ionomers and the catalysts have been widely studied and a number of materials have been proposed and reported on in the literature and throughout the last several ECS meetings. However, such materials are only one piece of the overall puzzle when it comes to the operation of AEMWEs. There are several aspects of cell assembly and operation that go a long way to dictating the performance of an operating cell.Therefore, the overarching goal of this study was to investigate several operational variables for AEMWEs with a known high-quality set of anion-exchange materials, known commercially as Aemion+™ paired with commercially available catalysts – PtNi/C at the cathode and either IrOx or NiFeOx at the anode. For cell assembly, representative variables that were changed were the type of membrane and electrode pre-treatment, gasket thickness, cell torque and membrane thickness. Operationally, temperature, current density and break-in procedure were adjusted. This talk will link each of these variables to the polarization performance and galvanostatic durability

(Invited) Operando Visualization of the Electrolyte Distribution in Vanadium Redox Flow Electrodes

Electrolyte transport losses are among the main factors that limit the performance of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs)1. The electrolyte must percolate into the electrode and reach the reaction sites with minimum resistance to reduce such losses. The optimized electrolyte flow ensures that the reactants and products are transported to and away from the reaction sites freely and decreases the pumping losses of the electrochemical cell, increasing the overall efficiency of the battery system.The electrolyte distribution in a porous electrode is crucial for the stability and performance of the electrode. The presence of gas bubbles in the electrode reduces the electrochemically active surface, resulting in cell potential fluctuations. In addition, the gas bubbles cause poor contact between the electrolyte and the electrode, and the ionic conductivity could be locally blocked2. These effects lead to inhomogeneous potential distribution (spikes), accelerating the electrode material's corrosion. Gas bubbles are very common in VRFBs, and they result from parasitic side reactions, such as carbon corrosion, hydrogen evolution (HER), or incomplete electrode wetting3.Synchrotron X-ray imaging is a powerful tool for tracking these bubbles in porous carbon materials. We have designed an experimental setup resembling an operating VRFB cell to image the flow through the porous carbon electrode. With its modular structure, the setup offers excellent flexibility to evaluate different designs and operational aspects of VRFBs4, 5. The findings of our investigations over the years will be discussed in this presentation. References J. Kim and H. Park, Journal of Power Sources, 2022, 545, 231904. K. Krause, C. Lee, J. K. Lee, K. F. Fahy, H. W. Shafaque, P. J. Kim, P. Shrestha and A. Bazylak, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2021, 9, 5570-5579. M.-A. Goulet, M. Skyllas-Kazacos and E. Kjeang, Carbon, 2016, 101, 390-398. L. Eifert, N. Bevilacqua, K. Köble, K. Fahy, L. Xiao, M. Li, K. Duan, A. Bazylak, P.-C. Sui and R. Zeis, ChemSusChem, 2020, 13, 3154-3165. K. Köble, L. Eifert, N. Bevilacqua, K. F. Fahy, A. Bazylak and R. Zeis, Journal of Power Sources, 2021, 492, 229660. Figure 1

(Invited) Computational Framework and Insights Towards Electrolyte Design for Redox Flow Batteries

Achieving a fully renewable energy future requires the development of grid-scale energy storage technologies, and non-aqueous redox flow batteries (NRFBs) hold considerable potential.1 However, the redox-active materials (RAMs) currently in consideration as lead candidates for NRFBs exhibit shortcomings, including low solubility, impaired transport properties, and low reduction potentials. Utilizing theory and computation is invaluable in predicting the structure-property relationship of RAM as NRFB active materials. The numerous components within NRFB electrolytes, spanning solvents, active materials, and supporting salts, suggest that material discovery could experience a substantial acceleration through computational and machine-learning approaches.This presentation will provide a progress update on our efforts towards a computational framework involving quantum mechanical (QM), molecular dynamics (MD), and machine learning methods to predict fundamental chemical and physicochemical properties of redox-active materials for energy storage systems. We used an extremely stable, bio-inspired vanadium(4+) bis-hydroxyiminodiacetic acid (VBH) as the scaffold to explore the large parameter space of NRFB systems.2–4 First, we show our framework based on density functional theory (DFT) for calculating solubilities, incorporating both lattice and solvation energies, that can be calibrated and used with synthetic verifications. We found that lattice free energy, which has previously been neglected, has a significant role in tuning electrolyte solubility. Second, we describe our MD simulations on the concentration and composition dependence of transport properties, such as viscosity, using DFT-derived force field bonded parameters for the novel [VBH]2- anion to understand the interactions between the ions and the solvent. Third, we demonstrate that QM molecular design could finely adjust the reduction potential. These fundamental investigations would offer insights into electrolyte design and how molecular properties dictate the macroscopic properties that contribute to specific performance aspects of advanced battery electrolytes.1 Y. Huang, S. Gu, Y. Yan and S. F. Y. Li, Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 2015, 8, 105–113.2 H. Huang, R. Howland, E. Agar, M. Nourani, J. A. Golen and P. J. Cappillino, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 11586–11591.3 S. K. Pahari, T. C. Gokoglan, B. R. B. Visayas, J. Woehl, J. A. Golen, R. Howland, M. L. Mayes, E. Agar and P. J. Cappillino, RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 5432–5443.4 B. R. B. Visayas, S. K. Pahari, T. C. Gokoglan, J. A. Golen, E. Agar, P. J. Cappillino and M. L. Mayes, Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 15892–15907.

Creative and Innovative Digital Economy Training to Increase Income of SMA Karya Utama Students

Abstract: The creative and innovative digital economy, fuelled by digital technology and the internet, offers numerous opportunities for individuals to increase their income. Shopee, a widely recognised e-commerce platform, effectively taps into this potential with its user-friendly services. SMA Karya Utama, a 22-student senior high school located at Jalan Pendidikan No. 23 Marindal Village, Patumbak District, has yet to fully comprehend the potential of e-commerce for entrepreneurship, as evidenced by the PKM team's survey. To bridge this gap, the PKM team aims to educate SMA Karya Utama students on the opportunities presented by the digital economy and how to utilise the Shopee app for sales. The PKM activity employed a variety of socialisation, demonstration, and practical methods to expose students to creative digital economy concepts and train them in the operational aspects of Shopee. The results of this activity included increased knowledge of the digital economy and practical skills in account creation, product uploading, store management, and marketing on Shopee. The training aimed to empower SMA Karya Utama students to increase their income, foster independence, and equip them to effectively face future economic challenges. Keyword: Digital Economy, Shopee, SMA Karya Utama, Student Income

Deployment of A Data Consolidation System in an Aeronautical Administration: Application to the Rva/City of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This article examines the specific challenges encountered by the aeronautical administration of the Airway Authority of the City of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the management and consolidation of its aeronautical data, as well as possible solutions to remedy them. We present the different stages of the system deployment process, highlighting the technical, organizational and operational aspects to consider. Finally, the study provides an analysis of the results obtained after the implementation of the data consolidation system, highlighting the benefits and possible remaining challenges.

Investigation into PV Inverter Topologies from the Standards Compliance Viewpoint

Numerous reviews are available in the literature on PV inverter topologies. These reviews have intensively investigated the available PV inverter topologies from their modulation techniques, control strategies, cost, and performance aspects. However, their compliance with industrial standards has not been investigated in detail so far in the literature. There are various standards such as North American standards (UL1741, IEEE1547, and CSA 22.2) and Australian and European safety standards and grid codes, which include IEC 62109 and VDE. These standards provide detailed guidelines and expectations to be fulfilled by a PV inverter topology. Adherence to these standards is essential and crucial for the successful operation of PV inverters, be it a standalone or grid-tied mode of operation. This paper investigates different PV inverter topologies from the aspect of their adherence to different standards. Both standalone and grid-tied mode of operation-linked conditions have been checked for different topologies. This investigation will help power engineers in selecting suitable PV inverter topology for their specific applications.

Sex differences in human performance.

Sex as a biological variable is an underappreciated aspect of biomedical research, with its importance emerging in more recent years. This review assesses the current understanding of sex differences in human physical performance. Males outperform females in many physical capacities because they are faster, stronger and more powerful, particularly after male puberty. This review highlights key sex differences in physiological and anatomical systems (generally conferred via sex steroids and puberty) that contribute to these sex differences in human physical performance. Specifically, we address the effects of the primary sex steroids that affect human physical development, discuss insight gained from an observational study of 'real-world data' and elite athletes, and highlight the key physiological mechanisms that contribute to sex differences in several aspects of physical performance. Physiological mechanisms discussed include those for the varying magnitude of the sex differences in performance involving: (1) absolute muscular strength and power; (2) fatigability of limb muscles as a measure of relative performance; and (3) maximal aerobic power and endurance. The profound sex-based differences in human performance involving strength, power, speed and endurance, and that are largely attributable to the direct and indirect effects of sex-steroid hormones, sex chromosomes and epigenetics, provide a scientific rationale and framework for policy decisions on sex-based categories in sports during puberty and adulthood. Finally, we highlight the sex bias and problem in human performance research of insufficient studies and information on females across many areas of biology and physiology, creating knowledge gaps and opportunities for high-impact studies.

Design and FPGA Implementation of Signal Strength Measurement Techniques for Satellite Communication Systems

Communication receivers perform three major functions, frequency down conversion, IF demodulation and subcarrier demodulation. The functioning of a receiver is mainly controlled by input signal strength and relative dynamics. Signal strength is measured in terms of Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) and Carrier to Noise power density (C/No). Any measure of signal strength indirectly gives information about receiver performance for that period. Apart from this, SNR measurement in close loop with Phase Locked Loop (PLL) parameter forms the adaptive PLL system, which is one of the driving forces for this paper. The focus of this paper is to find suitable signal strength measurement techniques and their implementation for satellite communication systems. Signal to Noise Variance method (SNV) and Narrow band Wide band Power Ratio (NWPR) methods are considered based on the performance and realization aspects. All techniques require division, logarithm, and multiplication functions for their realization in hardware. CO-ordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) algorithm is considered for realizing logarithm function. A comparison study is done for developed algorithm with Intellectual Property (IP) core. Developed SNR techniques are simulated for Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator system and performance is evaluated for Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). The paper describes the FPGA design and simulations of these techniques. Developed design is targeted to commercial and space qualified FPGA platforms. FPGA implementations results are compared with system level simulation results, and both are found to be satisfactory. Application of developed system in adaptive BPSK demodulator is also presented.

Multi-Level Protocol for Mechanistic Reaction Studies Using Semi-Local Fitted Potential Energy Surfaces.

In this work, we propose a multi-level protocol for routine theoretical studies of chemical reaction mechanisms. The initial reaction paths of our investigated systems are sampled using the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) method driven by a cheap electronic structure method. Forces recalculated at the more accurate electronic structure theory for a set of points on the path are fitted with a machine learning technique (in our case symmetric gradient domain machine learning or sGDML) to produce a semi-local reactive potential energy surface (PES), embracing reactants, products and transition state (TS) regions. This approach has been successfully applied to a unimolecular (Bergman cyclization of enediyne) and a bimolecular (SN2 substitution) reaction. In particular, we demonstrate that with only 50 to 150 energy-force evaluations with the accurate reference methods (here complete-active-space self-consistent field, CASSCF, and coupled-cluster singles and doubles, CCSD) it is possible to construct a semi-local PES giving qualitative agreement for stationary-point geometries, intrinsic reaction coordinates and barriers. Furthermore, we find a qualitative agreement in vibrational frequencies and reaction rate coefficients. The key aspect of the method's performance is its multi-level nature, which not only saves computational effort but also allows extracting meaningful information along the reaction path, characterized by zero gradients in all but one direction. Agnostic to the nature of the TS and computationally economic, the protocol can be readily automated and routinely used for mechanistic reaction studies.