Aspects Of Performance Research Articles

The impact of brain functional connectivity on skill and physical performance in soccer players: A resting state fMRI study

ObjectiveIdentifying connections between various aspects of physical performance, motor skills, and cognitive abilities with the brain connectivity networks is essential for determining important brain regions associated with soccer performance. This study aimed to carry out the relationship between soccer-specific parameters and resting-state functional connectivity in soccer players. Materials and methodsTwenty-five soccer players (Vo2max; 50.68 ± 3.76 ml/min/kg) were participated voluntarily. The study encompassed a comprehensive assessment, including measures of physical performance, skill performance, and executive function (design fluency). Each participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) also allowing for the acquisition of data. The Linear regression were conducted between sport-specific parameters and functional connectivity values. ResultsOur findings revealed a significant positive correlation between agility and linear sprinting with the dorsal attention network (DAN). Conversely, the aerobic fitness parameter demonstrated exhibited a significant negative correlation with the DMN. Skill performance (speed dribbling, passing, shooting) displayed a significant positive correlation with both sensorimotor network (SMN), and DAN. Moreover, design fluency test displayed a significant positive correlation with the DMN. Notably, IPSL and IPSR nodes within the DAN consistently demonstrated the highest degree of centrality across various sports parameters. ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship among physical performance, skill proficiency, and executive function, as they relate to the functional connectivity of specific neural networks in soccer players. The outcomes establish a foundational understanding for future exploration and potential applications in sports science, and cognitive neuroscience in order to improve soccer performance.

Digitalization in action sports: blessing or curse?

PurposeThis study aims to identify how the use of digital technology for performance and commercial aspects of action sports can both create and destruct value.Design/methodology/approachExploratory research based on 30 interviews with coaches, athletes, judges, federations, fans and sponsoring organizations from Europe, across five action sport disciplines that are included in the Olympic program.FindingsValue creation of digital technology use related to the performance aspect of action sports fall into two categories: performance enhancement and performance evaluation. Value creation related to the commercialization aspect of action sports relate to specific technologies, in particular a video streaming and a centralized data and engagement platform, as well as to possibilities for betting and making sponsoring more measurable. Notably, such value creation opportunities are also accompanied by possible value destruction, as they interfere with the ethos of action sports (i.e. the unique nature and special culture).Originality/valueDrawing from service-dominant logic and adopting the value creation/destruction lens, this paper is the first to study how digitalization in the areas of performance and commercialization may further intensify tensions related to the ethos of action sports. Our approach is inclusive in terms of the types of digital technologies, action sport disciplines and stakeholders considered.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on profitability performance and maqashid sharia performance in Islamic commercial banks in the ASEAN region

The outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 has caused a crisis in various sectors, including the economic sector. In fact, its impact on the performance of Islamic banks in the ASEAN region is currently still unknown. Therefore, this study aims to obtain empirical evidence regarding the effect of COVID-19 on profitability performance and maqashid sharia performance in Islamic banks in the ASEAN region. Profitability performance is measured by return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). The number of observations from this study was 202 with a sample of 30 Islamic commercial banks in the ASEAN region in 2015–2021. The data analysis technique used is EViews 12. The results show that COVID-19 has no significant effect on profitability performance in Islamic banks, whether measured by ROE or ROA. On the other hand, COVID-19 has a significant effect on reducing the maqashid sharia performance. In addition, company size has been proven to positively affect profitability performance and maqashid sharia performance in Islamic banks before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating expense ratio (OER) has been proven to affect ROE and ROA, whereas FDR and non-performing financing (NPF) have been proven to only affect ROA. OER influences promoting welfare, while FDR and NPF influence establishing justice. The study results confirm the ability of Islamic banks to generate profits amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They also confirm the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on three aspects of maqashid sharia performance.

Evaluating the Role of Mortar Composition on the Cyclic Behavior of Unreinforced Masonry Shear Walls.

The mechanical behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) shear walls under in-plane cyclic loading is crucial for assessing their seismic performance. Although masonry structures have been extensively studied, the specific influence of varying lime content in cement-lime mortars on the cyclic behavior of URM walls has not been adequately explored. This study addresses this gap by experimentally evaluating the effects of three mortar mixes with increasing lime content, 1:0:5, 1:1:6, and 1:2:9 (cement:lime:sand, by volume), on the cyclic performance of brick URM walls. Nine single-leaf wall specimens 900 mm × 900 mm were constructed and subjected to combined vertical compression and horizontal cyclic loading. Key parameters such as drift capacity, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation were measured. The results indicated that the inclusion of lime leads to a moderate improvement in drift capacity and ductility of the walls, with the 1:1:6 mix showing the highest lateral capacity (0.55 MPa), drift at cracking (0.08%), and drift at peak capacity (0.31%). Stiffness degradation and energy dissipation were found to be comparable across all mortar types. These findings suggest that partial substitution of cement with lime can enhance certain aspects of masonry performance. Further research is recommended to optimize mortar compositions for unreinforced masonry applications.

Executive performance and mathematic learning difficulties

Considering the association between Executive Functions (EF) and performance in mathematic, we aimed to analyse the low executive functions – which impact the individual’s personal, social, and educational functioning –, and their associations with this performance and sociodemographic aspects not already explored in students aged 8 to 12 years. One hundred and ten participants were evaluated using the MMSE, Coruja PROMAT, NEUPSILIN-INF, FDT and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Correlation and regression analysis indicated that low executive accomplishment influences performance in mathematics, especially considering working memory and cognitive flexibility. The variables gender, family income and parents’ age were not related to the presentation of low EF. In contrast, the sociodemographic aspects of school shift and parents’ education were shown to be related to executive performance, especially among public school students, revealing the importance of attention to these factors.

An Operational Quality Model of Embedded Software Aligned with ISO 25000

Embedded systems omnipresent in everyday life and industry are mainly composed of hardware and software that must comply with a number of standards and regulations. However, there is no consensus on the quality characteristics and sub-characteristics of embedded software. This paper presents the steps for modeling an operational quality model for embedded software aligned with the ISO 25000 series of quality models for traditional computer systems. From a literature review composed of 40 studies on quality modeling for embedded systems and software, 85 of the most frequent quality characteristics and sub-characteristics were first identified, including a subset of 16 referenced or cited in at least 25% of the literature. Next, the design of a quality model for embedded software aligned with the ISO 25000 series was proposed with 13 characteristics and 27 sub-characteristics. The operational aspect of this quality model for embedded software is addressed next through a set of measures and measurement functions from ISO 25000 to aggregate the results of the quantification of the characteristics and sub-characteristics. A survey involving 25 embedded software specialists is presented next to gauge, using Fleiss’ Kappa criteria, their agreement with the proposed quality model. Furthermore, the computed importance weights derived from the survey participants’ individual opinions were compared with those derived from an analysis of 40 embedded software studies, bolstering the credibility of the model. The results of this study suggest that the proposed quality model can serve as a framework for evaluating and understanding the quality characteristics across diverse expertise levels. Furthermore, the convergence between the survey and the literature strengthens the model's credibility by anchoring it in both established literature and practitioners’ agreements.

Manhaj al-Lugah al-‘Arabiyyah fi Madāris al-Ṡānawiyyah al-Islamiyyah: Taqwīm al-Taṭbīq Binaan ‘ala Qarar Wazīr al-Syuūn al-Dīniyyah

The formulation of evaluation tools needed to apply the curriculum in the process of evaluating the application of the curriculum at the practical level in education units. The objectives of this scientific research are: 1) Describe the curriculum application evaluation model with specifications for the formulation of components, aspects, context indicators, inputs, process, product, and outputs (CIPPO). Based on the decision of the Minister of Religious Affairs No. 183, 184, 189 and the theory of linguistic performance. 2) Analyzing the evaluation results of the implementation of the Arabic language curriculum. This scientific research utilized a research and development (R&D) design) with the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Data collection tools using interview, questionnaire, and documents. The data collection techniques are Dhelpi techniques; consultative discussions with experts as validators in preparing the instruments, group discussion forum; discussions with Arabic language teachers to analyze the needs and formulate the components, aspects, and indicators to achieve Arabic language curriculum application. And qualitative data analysis using triangulation method; data reduction, presentation, and conclusion. The results of the research indicated that; 1) Implementing the evaluation of the Arabic language education curriculum in the Islamic high school using the CIPPO evaluation model with representative formulas and criteria from KMA 2019 No. 183, 84, and 189 with Dell Hymess' language performance theory Furthermore, CIPPO becomes an evaluation model in the form of curriculum achievement evaluation tools that include components on; context, inputs, process, outcomes, and learning outcomes with all aspects and indicators. The results of the evaluation of the implementation of the Arabic language curriculum for Ma'arif Islamic Secondary Schools Jepara are as follows; 1) Context aspects are at a very good level. 2) Aspects of the input components of the curriculum at a good level. 3) Aspects of the process components of the curriculum at a very good level. 4) The product component aspects of the curriculum are at a good level. 5) The learning outcomes aspects of language performance are at a poor level.

Nano-metakaolin-enhanced fly ash and cement-based geopolymer mortar

The addition of Nanomaterials to Geopolymer mortar causes substantial modification in the kinetic of polymerization. The purpose of this research is to study, the effect of nano metakaolin in cement-based fly ash geopolymer mortar. The ratio of alkaline activators and molar concentration of NaOH was kept constant at 1.5 and 12M respectively, while the proportion of Portland cement and fly ash constitutes 30% and 70% of the total starting materials respectively. The replacement level of nano metakaolin was (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of binders). Mortar mechanical and microstructural Properties were evaluated by conduct compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The result shows significant improvement in mechanical performance and denser morphology than the control mix. Therefore, geopolymer mortar containing 10% replacement of nano metakaolin has shown particularly good results and enhancement in various aspects of the material performance and properties, indicating its potential for wider implementation in the construction industry.

A Systematic Approach towards the Integration of Initial Airworthiness Regulatory Requirements in Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Conceptual Design Methodologies

The regulatory framework of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs) has recently experienced an extraordinary evolution. This article seeks to improve the integration of certification considerations in RPAS conceptual design approaches so as to enhance the safety, certifiability and competitiveness of their resulting designs. The first part of the research conducts a two-stage analysis of contemporary regulations related to an RPAS’s initial airworthiness. In the first stage, the broad international regulation paradigm is evaluated attending to a set of criteria that are tightly related to both airworthiness and design considerations. The second stage keeps the most promising documents from a design–integration standpoint, which are assessed according to their applicability considering both design and operational aspects. The results of this analysis provide insights regarding the main issues in airworthiness design criteria extraction and integration in design methodologies. To aid the designer in surmounting these challenges, a flexible procedure named DECEX is developed. Considering the documents and findings from the survey, and attending to the scope of the design methodology being developed, it aids in establishing a complete regulatory document corpus and in comparing and extracting the applicable airworthiness design criteria. Two case studies for different RPAS types are conducted to demonstrate its application.

Politics and Orature in Beautiful Nubia’s Kurunmi is on the Way And 9ice’s Pete Pete

Music is an interesting aspect of oral literature that has witnessed different critical studies. Extant researches have explored music from the religious, ritual context, or as an aspect of ritual performance. Other studies have explored music from ideological perspective. This study is therefore justified as it attempts to examine music from the context of entertainment, oral literature and politics. This is done with the aim of exploring the political ideology behind the song and the functions and significance of the features of oral literature in the songs and its effectiveness in passing the messages to the audience. This research adopts Bronislaw Malinoslaw and Radcliffe Brown’s Functionalism as its theoretical framework. Functionalism opines that every aspect of the social life should contribute to the promotion of the society’s cultural values that must be passed from one generation to another, however, any aspect of the social life that does not promote the society’s cultural believe must be discontinued. The method of data collect were through the Beautiful Nubia and 9ice’s selected musical texts which were transcribed, translated and critically examined. This research discovered that Beautiful Nubia and 9ice uses features of oral literature to make their song more pleasing and effectively pass their political message to their audience. Beautiful Nubia engages the use legend of Aare Kurunmi to address leadership challenges facing the nation. Beautiful Nubia highlights and extols some leadership qualities Kurunmi displays such as selflessness, fearlessness, bravery and honesty that current crops of leaders can imbibe and electorate can look out for in candidates for leadership offices. This research also discover that 9ice engages proverbs in advising the electorates to be mindful of who they elect into political offices and shun electing incompetent individuals and that collecting bribes from politicians has its attendants consequences.

The potential of CSR engagement in UK SMEs

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been a notable interest surrounding the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of small and medium-sided enterprises (SMEs). However, unlike larger corporations, SMEs often lack the resources to develop comprehensive CSR strategies or dedicated departments. In light of this, it becomes crucial to focus on the role of individual decision makers in driving CSR engagement within SMEs. Drawing on insights from 219 UK entrepreneurs and objective performance data, we reveal the significance of personal values and competencies in shaping CSR initiatives and the importance of perceived employee supportiveness within the firm in strengthening CSR efforts. By highlighting the importance of individual-level factors and a supportive culture for entrepreneurs, we offer valuable insights for practitioners aiming to enhance CSR activities in their SMEs. Furthermore, we emphasize the positive impact of CSR engagement on various aspects of performance, encouraging entrepreneurs to consider proactive engagement in CSR.

An examination of high-speed aircraft – Part 2: Safety and reliability

This paper presents a detailed accident investigation into incidents involving high-speed vehicles, particularly supersonic and hypersonic platforms. Examining challenges related to engine performance, structural integrity, and economic aspects in military aerospace, the study emphasizes the importance of real-time health monitoring systems. A key highlight is the exploration of how these systems support the autonomy of hypersonic vehicle. While recognizing challenges related to sensitive technologies and data, the paper outlines research directions encompassing human factors, simulation and training programs, and policy advocacy for integrating high-speed aircraft into existing airspaces. In summary, this research contributes valuable insights to the understanding of high-speed aviation accidents, with implications for improving safety and efficiency in the future and ultimately shows that high-speed aviation safety cannot be treated in the same manner as its subsonic counterpart.

Pigment Complex, Growth and Chemical Composition Traits of Boreal Sphagnum Mosses (Mire System "Ilasskoe", North-West of European Russia).

Sphagnum mosses play a significant role in peat formation and carbon sequestration in mire ecosystems. It is critical to investigate the productivity and chemical composition of different Sphagnum species in order to assess their role in the global carbon cycle and potential in light of climate change. The data on productivity and growth characteristics during the growing season, group chemical composition and elemental composition at the beginning and end of the growing season, as well as aspects of the pigment complex operation, were collected for four Sphagnum species: Sphagnum lindbergii Schimp., S. fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., S. divinum Flatberg & K. Hassel, and S. squarrosum Crome. High cover density and productivity, low ability to decompose, and constancy of the pigment complex of S. fuscum reflect a high degree of adaptation to the specific conditions of ridges. A constant chemical composition of S. lindbergii during the growing season can be explained by stable conditions of hollows that allow it to maintain its metabolic processes, but the light conditions in hollows bring the reaction of the pigment apparatus of this species closer to shaded S. divinum and S. squarrosum. S. lindbergii and S. squarrosum contain more nitrogen than other species and have a greater ability to decompose.

Mental Health in the Workplace: Strategies for Improvement

This paper examines the growing worry about mental health in the workplace, which has been increased greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates the incidence of mental health illnesses, and their influence on employees and organizations, and emphasizes the significance of treating mental health as a vital aspect of organizational performance. Legal and ethical considerations are discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of adhering to mental health policies. Finally, the paper suggests practical solutions for creating a psychologically healthy workplace, such as leadership initiatives, flexible work arrangements, and destigmatizing mental health issues in organizational cultures. Keywords: Mental Health, Workplace Well-being, Employee Productivity, Stress, Burnout, Legal Compliance.

The research progress and Hotspot analysis of polymer cement mortar based on bibliometrics

Ordinary cement mortar is commonly used in building engineering due to its high strength, affordability, and easy access to raw materials. However, it suffers from high shrinkage and poor impermeability, which result in reduced building service life and significant carbon dioxide emissions during production. Polymer additives have been found to enhance the mechanical properties of cement mortar, leading to increased interest in polymer cement mortar by researchers. This study collected and analyzed 420 papers published between 1995 and 2023 in the field of polymer cement mortar. The analysis included publication trends, author cooperation networks, national cooperation networks, published journals, co-citation of references, and keywords. The findings reveal a rapid publication growth from 2018 to 2023, with China making the most significant contribution in this field. Among the scholars, Ru Wang has published the highest number of articles in the field of polymer cement mortar, while Ohama’s papers have been cited the most. The journal with the most articles is Construction and Building Materials. Research in polymer cement mortar focuses on mechanical properties, performance, hydration process, microstructure, and other related aspects. The reinforcement effect of polymer-modified cement mortar on reinforced concrete and applying superabsorbent polymer-modified cement mortar and polymer fiber in cement mortar have emerged as recent research frontiers. This study can help scholars quickly identify high-quality references and research frontiers in the field of polymer cement mortar while also providing research directions and ideas.

Decoding the ‘andolanjeevis’: foregrounding ‘reasoned emotion’ as a mobiliser in the Justice for Rohith Vemula movement

Civic protests around the globe have tried to highlight the increasing soft authoritarianism in democratic states. Under strict scrutiny, protestors have to devise a methodology that can help spread their message and yet not attract legal attention. Using a first-hand account, through activist-participatory observation, in the Justice for Rohith Vemula movement at the University of Hyderabad, India in 2016, this article develops the concept of ‘reasoned emotion’ to show how andolanjeevis tried to reach out to the non-protesting university community. The movement was aimed at seeking justice for the institutional discrimination meted out to Dalit-Bahujan students in Indian universities, and it started after the suicide of Rohith Vemula – an exceptionally bright, politically active Dalit doctoral researcher at the University of Hyderabad. By sharing factual legal documents to gain legitimacy and highlight the atrocities committed by the university administration in ‘socially boycotting’ five Dalit students, the andolanjeevis used binding reason to appeal to the emotional knowledge of the students. The performative aspect of the emotional appeal not only empowers protestors to mobilise empathy but also engenders an act of de-silencing suppressed narratives. This conceptualisation of the activism space foregrounds reason with emotion to build affective communities of support and solidarity.

Dataset of an actual motor vehicle insurance portfolio

AbstractAdvanced analytics plays a vital role in enhancing various aspects of business operations within the insurance sector by providing valuable insights that drive informed decision-making, primarily through effective database utilization. However, open access databases in the insurance industry are exceedingly rare, as they are the basis of the business, encapsulating all the risk structure of the company. This makes it challenging for researchers and practitioners to access comprehensive insurance datasets for analysis and assessing new approaches. This paper introduces an extensive database specifically tailored for non-life motor insurance, containing 105,555 rows and encompassing a wide array of 30 variables. The dataset comprises important date-related information, such as effective date, date of birth of the insured, and renewal date, essential for policy management and risk assessment. Additionally, it includes relevant economic variables, such as premiums and claim costs, for assessments of products’ financial profitability. Moreover, the database features an array of risk-related variables, such as vehicle size, economic value, power, and weight, which significantly contribute to understanding risk dynamics. By leveraging the statistical analysis of this rich database, researchers could identify novel risk profiles, reveal variables that influence insured claims behaviour, and contribute to the advancement of educational and research initiatives in the dynamic fields of economics and actuarial sciences. The availability of this comprehensive database opens new opportunities for research and teaching and empowers insurance professionals to enhance their risk assessment and decision-making processes.

Bangkok’s changing foodscape: mob urbanism and the mob(ile) foodscape

ABSTRACT The streetscapes of Bangkok are teeming with a diverse array of street food practices, encompassing both formal and informal approaches. Some of these street food traditions fall under the umbrella of urban informality, including informal street vending and communal public eating. Such practices are prevalent not only in various parts of Bangkok but also across other Asian cities. They bridge gaps in urban services and offer a wide range of affordable foods and goods. However, despite their evident contributions, street food vending practices are viewed as undesirable eyesores and as disorderly and chaotic urban elements by state authorities, local elites, and the upper-middle classes. Following the military government’s crackdown on street vendors in 2016, coupled with subsequent bans and removals of street food, as well as the dual challenges posed by political shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, Bangkok’s culinary landscape has undergone significant changes. This paper aims to illuminate recent developments in Bangkok’s foodscape, particularly focusing on the role of food in social movements, political protests, and demonstrations. It outlines the operational and organizational aspects of street food vendors’ trade, along with their political implications. Additionally, it will portray how street food has been affected by government policies, namely the “Reclaim the Pavement” campaign and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2016, informal fieldnotes and observations have been collected during ethnographic investigations of Bangkok’s foodscape. Over time, these efforts have revealed a heightened interest in the resistances and challenges street vendors pose to state power and authority.

Model of Internalization of Religious Moderation Values ​in Salafiyah Boarding Schools

This study aims to analyze the process of internalizing religious moderation values at the Salafiyah Islamic Boarding School, Rubath Al Muhibbien, Palembang. Religious moderation is crucial for maintaining stability and avoiding excessive religious interpretations that may violate humanitarian values, social agreements, and public order. Salafiyah Islamic boarding schools were chosen as the focus due to their pivotal role in fostering a moderate understanding of Islam, particularly in instilling these values in their students. The research utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach. Key informants included school leaders, administrators, teachers, students, alumni, and the general community. Activities observed encompassed the internalization process of religious moderation values, with classical Islamic texts (kitab kuning) serving as supporting documents: data collection methods involved observations, in-depth interviews, and written and oral documentation. The Miles and Huberman data analysis method, known for its three primary activities, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing or verification was employed. The findings reveal a model of internalizing religious moderation values at the Salafiyah Islamic Boarding School, consisting of three stages: value transformation, transaction, and internalization. The first stage involves value transformation through conceptual, institutional, operational, and architectural dimensions. The second stage consists of implementing advisory strategies and customary practices to instil values among students. The third stage incorporates role modelling, habituation, exemplification, advisory roles, promises, threats, and disciplinary measures. By focusing on one Islamic boarding school, the research results may not fully reflect the internalizing religious moderation values ​​in other Islamic boarding schools with different characteristics, cultures, and teaching methods. The originality lies in the model of internalizing religious moderation values ​​that have been developed. This holistic approach combines unique conceptual, institutional, operational, and architectural aspects and strategies relevant to the culture and traditions of Islamic boarding school education.

Beyond the last mile: different spatial strategies to integrate on-demand services into public transport in a simplified city

AbstractIntegrating on-demand services into public transport networks might be the best way to face the current situation in which these new technologies have increased congestion in most cities. When cooperating with on-demand services rather than competing with them, public transport would not risk losing users, and could attract some passengers from private modes thanks to an increased quality of service. This fact has engendered a growing literature discussing how to design such an integrated system. However, all of that research has imposed that on-demand mobility is to solve the so-called “last-mile problem”, serving only as a feeder that connects the exact origins/destinations with the traditional public transit network. As it induces a large number of transfers and it precludes some scale-effects to be triggered, in this paper we challenge that imposition and investigate if this is the best spatial integration strategy. To do so, we study a simplified linear city in a morning peak situation, where we propose seven different line structures, all of them combining a traditional fixed line with on-demand ride-pooling (ODRP): three direct structures, where ODRP can serve full trips, three semi-direct, where a single ODRP vehicle can serve the largest part of a trip, and a base case in which ODRP is restricted to the first and final legs only. Our results show that the base case is optimal only under very specific demand patterns, or when transfer penalties are disregarded. Our analytical approach reveals relevant operational aspects of such integrated systems: namely, that the base case can help increase directness (diminishing detours), and that ODRP can help shorten the routes of the fixed services to decrease operator costs.