System Performance Assessment Research Articles

Expanding the Interpretive Potential of Eye Tracking for the Rorschach: Replication and Extension of the Findings of Ales et al. (2020)

The present study was undertaken to determine if the findings of Ales et al. (2020) could be replicated and extended, especially in light of the replication crisis in psychology and the social sciences. Ales et al. (2020) found that measures from the engagement and cognitive processing domain of the Rorschach performance assessment system (R-PAS) were associated with Eye Tracking variables that reflect cognitive engagement and effort. Notably, Complexity was associated with the number of fixations participants made while scanning the blots and Vg% was inversely associated with a participant’s average fixation durations. The present study utilized a non-clinical sample of 60 adult participants. The basic findings of Ales et al. (2020) were replicated. In addition, we found that Complexity and Vg% are associated with additional Eye Tracking variables not utilized in the original study. The current findings bolster and extend the interpretation of Ales et al. (2020), indicating that higher levels of Complexity are also associated with scanning more regions of the blot overall, albeit at a slower rate. Similar effect size values were observed in the two different cultural contexts. Higher levels of Vg% are associated with measures indicating shallower and more superficial search strategies, consistent with the interpretation of Vg% as indicative of a vague, impressionistic, and unsophisticated cognitive style.

Accounting academic leaders’ perceptions on New Zealand’s performance-based research funding system

PurposeUniversities globally have faced the introduction of research performance assessment systems that provide monetary and ranking rewards based on publication outputs. This study aims to seek an understanding of the implementation of performance-based research funding (PBRF) and its impact on the heads of departments (HoDs) and accounting academics in New Zealand (NZ) tertiary institutions. The study explores NZ accounting academics’ experiences and their workload; the relationship between teaching and research in the accounting discipline and any issues and concerns affecting new and emerging accounting researchers because of PBRF.Design/methodology/approachApplying an institutional theoretical lens, this paper explores accounting HoDs’ perceptions concerning the PBRF system’s impact on their academic staff. The research used semi-structured interviews to collect data from NZ’s eight universities.FindingsThe key findings posit that many institutional processes, some more coercive in nature, whereas others were normative and mimetic, have been put in place to ensure that academics are able to meet the PBRF requirements. HoDs suggest that their staff understand the importance of research, but that PBRF is a challenge to new and emerging researchers and pose threats to their recruitment. New academics must “hit the ground running” as they must demonstrate not only teaching abilities but also already have a track record of research publications; all in all, a daunting experience for new academics to overcome. There is also a teaching and research disconnect. Furthermore, many areas where improvements can be made in the design of this measurement tool remain.Originality/valueThe PBRF system has significantly impacted on accounting academics. Central university research systems were established that subsequently applied coercive institutional pressures onto line managers to ensure that their staff performed. This finding offers scope for future research to explore a better PBRF that measures and rewards research productivity but without the current system’s unintended negative consequences.

Analytical study and real simulation for improving the safety of ageing nuclear facility using UPFC

This paper aims to increase the performance and improve the safety of an ageing Nuclear Facility (NF). Good power quality extends the life of electrical equipment at NF and thus protects it from premature aging. The first stage of this paper presents a measurement and analysis of various power quality events for a real-world case of a NF under different conditions of operation. In the previous work for this group, a new proposed technique based on partial swarm optimization is presented to find the allocation of the UPFC to enhance the power quality within the specified limit. The technique is tested by IEEE33 bus. This step is to assess system performance and find the best solutions to ensure the normal and safe operation of NF. In this paper, the simulink-matlab programme was used to simulate a real NF based on a new vision of UPFC. The results indicate that the strategy is an effective way to improve the safety of power quality and ageing NF using UPFC.

Machine Learning System Implementation of Education Podcast Recommendations on Spotify Applications Using Content-Based Filtering and TF-IDF

Spotify, this popular music and podcast streaming service, has a fundamental problem in assisting clients in finding podcasts that fit their interests. Thus, the goal of this project is to develop a podcast recommendation system that would enhance users' capacity to identify pertinent content, particularly in the educational genre. By using content-based filtration techniques, this system analyzes the user's listening preferences and interests before recommending educational podcasts. The podcast data source is Spotify, and the suggestions are produced using the TF-IDF and Cosine Similarity techniques. The recommendations provide a list of educational podcasts catered to the user's specific interests. The Confusion Matrix Classification Report was tested to assess system performance during the review phase. Precision values show how accurate the system was at recommending educational podcasts; on average, they range from 0.52 to 0.74. Additionally, the recall value showed a mean of 0.51 and a mean of 0.79, indicating that the algorithm successfully located the relevant content. To put it briefly, this custom recommendation engine enhances the listening experience for Spotify customers by suggesting educational podcasts based on their preferences. The system's ability to match users with material that aligns with their interests was demonstrated by the metrics used to assess its performance. With more user interactions with the system, it was anticipated by Cosine Similarity, a statistic used to determine the quality of recommendations, will continue to improve. To improve user experience and personalize the podcast listening experience on Spotify, this research addresses the challenge of locating suitable podcasts.

Performance assessment of PTSC-driven organic Rankine cycle systems integrated with bottoming Kalina and absorption chiller cycles: A parametric study

It is crucial to evaluate the impact of key parameters of multi-generation systems on their performance characteristics in order to develop efficient systems. The present study conducts parametric analysis of a PTSC-driven trigeneration system with a novel energy distribution based on directfed ORC and bottom-cycled arrangement of double-effect absorption refrigeration cycle and Kalina cycle system. Three different ORC structures (simple, regenerative, and ORC integrated with intermediate heat exchanger ? IHE) are proposed. Effect of key ORC parameters namely ORC evaporator pinch point temperature and pump inlet temperature is examined on the thermodynamic performance of systems. Decrease of pinch point temperature enhances overall efficiencies and heating power in all three configurations, and increases (decreases) the net electrical power for ORC and regenerative ORC (RORC) based systems. This also enhances the cooling power of the RORC based system, though it has no impact on the cooling power of the ORC and ORC-IHE based systems. Reduction of the ORC pump inlet temperature increases overall exergy efficiency in all hybrid systems and overall energy efficiency in the ORC and ORC-IHE based systems, whereas it slightly decreases for the RORC based system. Based on a comparative study, performance of the proposed systems is found to be higher than related solar-driven multi-generation systems in the literature.

Non-Contact Acquisition of PPG Signal using Chest Movement-Modulated Radio Signals

We present for the first time a novel method that utilizes the chest movement-modulated radio signals for non-contact acquisition of the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal. Under the proposed method, a software-defined radio (SDR) exposes the chest of a subject sitting nearby to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal with 64 sub-carriers at a center frequency 5.24 GHz, while another SDR in the close vicinity collects the modulated radio signal reflected of the chest. This way, we construct a custom dataset by collecting 160 minutes of labeled data (both raw radio data as well as the reference PPG signal) from 16 healthy young subjects. With this, we first utilize principal component analysis for dimensionality reduction of the radio data. Next, we denoise the radio signal and reference PPG signal using wavelet technique, followed by segmentation and Z-score normalization. We then synchronize the radio and PPG segments using cross-correlation method. Finally, we proceed to the waveform translation (regression) task, whereby we first convert the radio and PPG segments into frequency domain using discrete cosine transform (DCT), and then learn the non-linear regression between them. Eventually, we reconstruct the synthetic PPG signal by taking inverse DCT of the output of regression block, with a mean absolute error of 8.1294. The synthetic PPG waveform has a great clinical significance as it could be used for non-contact performance assessment of cardiovascular and respiratory systems of patients suffering from infectious diseases, e.g., covid19.

Multi-dimensional and multi-level assessment of circular economy strategies in manufacturing systems

A manufacturing system can simultaneously exploit more strategies from the Circular Economy paradigm, such as reduction, reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. These strategies involve finished products, raw materials, and components, and each adopted strategy can unpredictably impact the system performance along one or more dimensions (technical, economic, and environmental) at both the planning and the life cycle levels. This paper deepens the simultaneous measurement of the multi-dimensional and multi-level (strategic and tactical planning and life cycle design) performance of the manufacturing system in the presence of circular economy strategies. The Multi-layer Enterprise Input-Output (MEIO) formalisation method is extended to integrate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) approaches to perform scenario analyses. The proposed approach is applied to a numerical example to show the impacts of adopting new processes for circular economy strategies in a brownfield context. The considered scenarios combine different circular economic strategies applied to different levels of the Bill of Materials of a multi-product environment. The proposed approach can help practitioners and production managers evaluate adopting circular economy strategies. Moreover, the approach can support the development of methods for simultaneous multi-dimensional performance assessment of manufacturing systems at the operational level.

A comprehensive performance evaluation algorithm for substation secondary equipment: An improved analytic hierarchy process entropy weight and learning vector quantization neural network approach

AbstractThis paper introduces a comprehensive performance evaluation algorithm explicitly designed for secondary equipment in substations, specifically targeting the relay protection system. In contrast to the current evaluation systems, this novel method navigates the complex internal interconnections and mechanisms inherent within secondary system equipment. Such complications have previously impeded the accuracy and breadth of evaluations, thereby limiting the degree of precision and innovation attainable within substations. The proposed approach effectively integrates the improved Analytic Hierarchy Process entropy weight (IAHP‐EW) method with the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) neural network. Initially, the IAHP‐EW method identified the comprehensive evaluation indicators and their corresponding weights for relay protection devices. Following weight allocation, these evaluation indicators are scrutinized and computed utilizing the multivariate regression analysis algorithm, resulting in performance evaluation outcomes for the relay protection system. These outcomes are subsequently classified and utilized in training the LVQ neural network, promoting the network's capacity to autonomously evaluate the performance status of the relay protection system. To corroborate the viability and effectiveness of this proposed performance evaluation and prediction algorithm, empirical operating data from a local substation is used. The results suggest a significant improvement in the evaluation accuracy of secondary equipment performance, indicating potential for practical application and a valuable contribution to the field through the introduction of a novel approach to performance assessment of substation relay protection systems.

Explainable Deep Learning Model for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System Performance Assessment for Improving System Reliability

Explainable Deep Learning Model for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System Performance Assessment for Improving System Reliability

Developing an ISO 45001-based OHSMS for a Bogotá, Colombia real estate and property development company

Today, many organizations are seeking to implement continuous improvement plans not only to achieve greater economic benefits but also to improve the quality of life for their employees. The importance of reducing and preventing workplace accidents, protecting the health and well-being of employees, and preventing work-related illnesses has increased. This article focuses on the development of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) for an organization in the real estate and property development services sector in Bogotá. The design of the OHSMS is based on the identification of the deficiencies of the current system and the proposal of continuous improvement, according to the ISO 45001: 2018 standard. The design process included three stages of research: 1. initial diagnosis, 2. hazard and risk assessment, and 3. management system performance assessment with appropriate controls and indicators. This article evaluates working conditions in production and in enclosed spaces, such as offices. The integration of these aspects ensures a comprehensive vision of occupational health and safety in real estate and property development companies. The design of the OHSMS is an essential step towards the continuous improvement of working conditions and the well-being of employees. Compliance with the ISO 45001: 2018 standard aims to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all members of the organization.

Presenting a Model for Virtual Education Considering Educational Equity with a Phenomenological Approach in Schools of Golestan Province

Purpose: The use of virtual education has seen significant growth compared to the past, making it essential to consider it within the context of educational equity. Consequently, this study aimed to present a model for virtual education considering educational equity with a phenomenological approach in schools of Golestan province. Methodology: This study was applied in terms of its objectives and qualitative in its implementation. The research population consisted of experts and professionals in the field of education in Golestan province, from which 11 individuals were selected as the sample using a purposive sampling method based on the principle of theoretical saturation. The research instruments included a demographic information form and semi-structured interviews, the validity and reliability of which were confirmed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings revealed that virtual education, considering educational equity with a phenomenological approach in schools of Golestan province, comprises 49 sub-categories within 10 main categories including equity-focused virtual education, development of virtual education in rural areas, enhancement of teachers' digital skills, equity in social media, improvement of students' technological skills, culture building for virtual education, a comprehensive monitoring system for virtual education, virtual education performance assessment system, understanding the gaps related to electronic education infrastructure facilities, and strategic planning for virtual education. Eventually, a model for virtual education considering educational equity with a phenomenological approach was designed for schools in Golestan province. Conclusion: The designed model of virtual education, considering educational equity with a phenomenological approach, can have significant practical implications for specialists and educational planners. By focusing on its main and sub-categories, they can create an environment conducive to improving virtual education with an emphasis on educational equity.

Research on the Construction of Intelligent Evaluation System of State-owned Asset Management Performance in Higher Vocational Colleges and Universities Based on Data-Driven Approach

Abstract State-owned assets are an important guarantee for the daily teaching and research activities of higher vocational colleges and universities and serve an important role in ensuring the long-term development of higher vocational colleges and universities while also serving as an important task for talent cultivation and discipline development. In this paper, the construction process of the state-owned assets management performance assessment system is studied in depth, and the state-owned assets management level of higher vocational colleges and universities is analyzed by combining the hierarchical analysis method with the comprehensive fuzzy evaluation method. By constructing the index system and judgment matrix, the weights of “asset security level”, “asset management capacity”, “asset operation efficiency” and “asset management effect” are determined. The weights of “asset security level”, “asset management capacity”, “asset operation efficiency” and “asset management effect” are 0.41, 0.19, 0.18 and 0.22, respectively, and the judgment matrix satisfies the consistency test. The constructed index system is used to assess the management of state-owned assets of a higher vocational college, and the quantitative results show that its fuzzy comprehensive evaluation score is 66.6, reflecting the good level of comprehensive management of the school. The scores of specific level 1 indicators show that the school performs well in “asset management capacity” (70.08 points) but in “asset protection level” (66.72 points), “operational efficiency” (63 points) and “asset management capacity” (63 points), the school’s overall management level is good. However, there is still much room for improvement in “asset security level” (66.72 points), “operational efficiency” (63 points) and “management effectiveness” (66.32 points).

Promoting Core Values with a Values-based Performance Assessment System: Evidence from a Retail Chain

Promoting Core Values with a Values-based Performance Assessment System: Evidence from a Retail Chain

Validade do Índice de Desenvolvimento para o Teste de Zulliger em crianças e adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: Psychological maturity can be comprehended as a multifaceted construct encompassing various psychosocial, emotional, and cognitive attributes. The aim of this study was to investigate evidence of validity of the Psychological Development Index for the Comprehensive System Zulliger Test. Method: The data analysis considered the Mann-Whitney test, Cohen's d, Spearman's correlation and the coefficient difference test. Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to verify the relationship between age and Developmental Index with a 253 children and adolescents between 7 and 14 years of age participated. Results: The results indicated evidence of concurrent criterion validity to Development Index, pointing out statistically significant differences between age groups. Conclusion: Regarding the evidence of convergent validity of the Development Index between the Zulliger Comprehensive System and the Rorschach Performance Assessment System tests, nothing can be proven. This study is limited by the age range of the sample, as well as the transposition of the Rorschach Performance Assessment System Development Index calculation to the Zulliger Comprehensive System.

Assessing the feasibility of off-grid photovoltaic systems for rural electrification

In this investigation, the absence of an electricity grid in numerous locations, including military bases, tiny houses, and chalets, prompted the development of a model for providing electrical energy through an off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) system in Konya, Türkiye. The study delineates the daily energy consumption of a residential dwelling as 39,974 Wh/day, and the feasibility of satisfying this demand through the implementation of a 9.45 kWp PV system is scrutinized. The research encompasses the determination of optimal tilt and azimuth angles set at 35° and 0°, respectively. The maximum global effective irradiation intensity, recorded in August at 208.3 kWh/m², contrasts with the minimum intensity observed in December, registering at 106.2 kWh/m². Likewise, electricity production attained its zenith in August at 1,581.3 kWh, starkly contrasting its lowest level in December at 791 kWh. Modelling outcomes conclude that Solar Fraction (SF) values equate to unity during summer but fall below unity during winter. Furthermore, a surplus in electricity generation relative to demand is observed during the summer, resulting in the full charge of batteries. Evaluating the annual average SF, it is deduced that the modelled system fulfils 90.8% of the energy requirement. The Performance Ratio (PR), an additional pivotal parameter in PV systems, reaches its zenith at 0.865 in November and its nadir at 0.614 in August. This comprehensive study underscores the efficacy of the modelled off-grid PV system in meeting the energy demands of the selected residence, emphasizing the significance of seasonal variations and key performance metrics in assessing system performance.

The EQIPD quality system – Assessment and certification procedures

The EQIPD Quality System was designed with the ultimate mission to provide a framework to ensure the quality and integrity of non-regulated preclinical biomedical research. For research quality to be sustained over time, it is crucial to have continuous improvement mechanisms that routinely monitor the research-related processes and enable solutions for identified issues. The present article is focused on these monitoring and assessment procedures that make the EQIPD Quality System a fully functional ‘system’ (as opposed to a mere collection of guidelines, work instructions and policies). In this context, a critical instrument are the internal and external assessments of the EQIPD Quality System performance described in detail. The assessment procedures emphasize the unique nature of the EQIPD Quality System being user-friendly, flexible and fit-for-purpose. By undergoing the (voluntary) external EQIPD assessment (leading to the EQIPD certification after all EQIPD core requirements have been implemented), a research unit: (i) secures confidence in the quality of data generated, (ii) ensures continuous improvement of research processes, and (iii) obtains an independent seal of quality communicating commitment to best research practices to the research community.

Development of experimentally-validated models for nocturnal cooling of thermal systems with photovoltaic thermal (PVT) modules

This present work describes the development of an experimentally-validated (i) detailed mathematical model and (ii) simplified regression model, for the purpose of investigating the thermal performance of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) modules undergoing nocturnal cooling of thermal systems. The detailed mathematical model is useful for hourly, detailed simulation of thermal systems, while the simplified regression model is applicable to situations needing rapid thermal performance assessment and design of PVT systems for cooling. Such models currently do not exist, owing to the difficulty in quantifying relevant thermal radiation parameters. Thus, another outcome of this work is the foundation of a test method for quantifying cooling performance of PVT systems. In developing the detailed hourly model, the mean absolute error between the detailed model and the experiment was found to be 0.74 ± 0.91 K for predicting the fluid outlet temperature. A parametric analysis was conducted to study the effect of some physical and environmental parameters on the PVT performance, and results showed that the nocturnal cooling power increased by up to 45 W/m2 under favorable radiative cooling conditions. The simplified model underpredicts the outlet fluid temperature by up to 2 °C, especially in winter, but serves as a quick, practical design tool, eliminating the necessity of complex input data and heavy computational demands. The simplified PVT performance curve has versatile applications to various thermal energy systems that benefit from integrating PVT nocturnal cooling, such as underground thermal storage reservoirs utilized with ground source heat pumps, buildings, swimming pools, and phase change material applications.

An Open-label Exploratory Study Investigating BDNF Essentials® on Cognition in Healthy Adults with Self-reported Memory Complaints

Background:: An open-label, exploratory study has been conducted to investigate the ef-ficacy of BDNF Essentials® for cognitive function and neurological health. Methods:: Twenty healthy adults ≥45 years of age, with a score ≥24 on the Mini-Mental State Ex-amination (MMSE-2) and self-reported memory complaints were supplemented with BDNF Es-sentials® for 84 days. Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS) tests for memory, attention, and processing speed were conducted, and change in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Healthy People Sleep Quality Index (HPSQI), perceived stress scale (PSS), and salivary cortisol, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed at baseline and days 28, 56, and 84. Results:: Supplementation with BDNF Essentials® significantly increased COMPASS tests for memory, attention, and processing speed (all P<0.05). Salivary cortisol was found to be signifi-cantly decreased at days 56 and 84, and IL-6 at day 84 (P<0.05). A reduction in depression-dejection at day 56 and in confusion-bewilderment at day 84, and an improvement in sleep satis-faction at day 56 (all p<0.05) were reported. Conclusion:: BDNF Essentials® improved reaction time in measures of working memory, episodic memory, and attention, reduced biomarkers of stress and inflammation, and improved mood and sleep. BDNF Essentials® has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in adults with self-reported memory complaints.

Looking beyond individual failures: A system-wide assessment of water infrastructure resilience to extreme events

Water infrastructure systems throughout the United States face compounding challenges due to aging infrastructure and increasingly extreme and more frequent weather events. Identifying vulnerabilities and assessing systems’ ability to withstand and recover from such events is a critical component of water infrastructure planning and management. Pipe failures and system structure can substantially impact water infrastructure resilience, but these two factors are often assessed separately. Here, we present a holistic assessment of system performance that considers pipe failures, active water storage, and system structure utilizing data collected during normal and emergency operating conditions. The four-step framework evaluates pipe failures spatially and temporally to assess overall system performance, as measured by active storage, and identifies targeted areas for improvements. Employing control charts, resilience curves, and spatial clustering analysis, our results simultaneously reveal an agreement between trends in pipe failures during normal and emergency operating conditions as well as unexpected discrepancies between pipe failures and system performance due to the water system structure. Our results offer insights to utilities seeking to assess system vulnerabilities to increase water infrastructure resilience to extreme events.

Exploring the Utility of the Rorschach Test in Predicting Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective approach to treat severe obesity, which should include multidisciplinary care. Prior to surgery, candidates for BS usually undergo a psychological assessment based mostly on self-report of clinical symptoms. However, the results of this assessment are not always sufficient to predict outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the potential of a multimethod approach to assessing patients seeking BS using both self-report and performance-based measures of cognitive and affective functioning. A sample of 50 women who had applied for surgery at a public facility in Brazil were assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS), and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Patients who dropped out before treatment ( n = 27) had higher initial body mass index and poorer performance on cognitive flexibility at baseline. In the remaining 23 patients who underwent surgery, indicators of emotional and cognitive functioning from all measures were associated with weight loss (WL) at 6 and 12 months after surgery. However, only R-PAS variables regarding psychological resources were associated with WL 18 months after surgery. We discuss the usefulness of the Rorschach as a source of information for patients seeking BS and the implications for current assessment practices in the field.