Quality Performance Evaluation Research Articles

TOPSIS methods for probabilistic hesitant fuzzy multiple attribute group decision-making and application to performance evaluation of public charging service quality

The performance evaluation of public charging service quality is frequently viewed as the multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) issue. In this paper, an extended TOPSIS model is established to provide a new means to solve the performance evaluation of public charging service quality. The TOPSIS method integrated with FUCOM method in probabilistic hesitant fuzzy circumstance is applied to rank the optional alternatives and a numerical example for performance evaluation of public charging service quality is used to test the newly proposed method’s practicability with the comparison with other methods. The results display that the approach is uncomplicated, valid and simple to compute. The main results of this paper: (1) A novel PHF-TOPSIS method is proposed; (2) The extended TOPSIS method is developed in the probabilistic hesitant fuzzy environment; (3) The FUCOM method is used to obtain the attribute weight; (4) The normalization process of the original data has adapted the latest method to verify the precision; (5) The built models and methods are useful for other selection issues and evaluation issues.

A Review of Image Super-Resolution Approaches Based on Deep Learning and Applications in Remote Sensing

At present, with the advance of satellite image processing technology, remote sensing images are becoming more widely used in real scenes. However, due to the limitations of current remote sensing imaging technology and the influence of the external environment, the resolution of remote sensing images often struggles to meet application requirements. In order to obtain high-resolution remote sensing images, image super-resolution methods are gradually being applied to the recovery and reconstruction of remote sensing images. The use of image super-resolution methods can overcome the current limitations of remote sensing image acquisition systems and acquisition environments, solving the problems of poor-quality remote sensing images, blurred regions of interest, and the requirement for high-efficiency image reconstruction, a research topic that is of significant relevance to image processing. In recent years, there has been tremendous progress made in image super-resolution methods, driven by the continuous development of deep learning algorithms. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of deep-learning-based image super-resolution methods. Specifically, we first introduce the research background and details of image super-resolution techniques. Second, we present some important works on remote sensing image super-resolution, such as training and testing datasets, image quality and model performance evaluation methods, model design principles, related applications, etc. Finally, we point out some existing problems and future directions in the field of remote sensing image super-resolution.

Examining the influence of the performance of mobile devices on teaching quality based on the technological acceptance mode

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effects of iPad distribution on all teachers in a university and its application in teaching and student learning at home via wireless network during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The attitude towards the use of iPads, behavioural intentions and the impact on the quality of teaching were evaluated.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the technology acceptance model to explore the use of iPad smart mobile devices in multimedia teaching applications by university teachers. Furthermore, it used the structural equation modelling (SEM) for data analysis to explore the causal relationship between model variables, and it aimed to examine the causal relationship between variables to verify the theory. The SEM analysis included the following two stages: measurement model analysis and structural model analysis.FindingsThe “Internet information environment” had a significant positive impact on “perceived usefulness” and “perceived ease of use”. Amongst them, perceived usefulness had a significant positive effect on the use attitude, and use attitude had a significant positive effect on behaviour intention.Originality/valueThe findings confirmed that a good information network environment will directly and positively affect the perceived usefulness and the ease of use of iPad smart devices, of which the perceived usefulness will further positively affect teachers' perception of iPad smart devices. The attitude and behaviour of using such devices will in turn positively affect the quality of teaching. The results of the quality performance evaluation can be referenced further by manufacturers and scholars regarding the use of iPad smart devices for work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explaining the Gap in Performance Evaluations of Supervisors and Employees

Organizational success in the global market is driven by performance quality, innovation, and efficiency, particularly in today’s competitive and dynamic era. However, there may be gaps in performance evaluations between supervisors and employees. The current paper aimed to discover the factors that predict this gap in terms of the demographics and personality of the two parties as well as disparities in their four efficacy (self, occupational, collective and means) evaluations of their employees. A sample of dyads of 94 employees and supervisors (Total N = 188) in high-tech industries took part. The findings indicate that supervisors’ and employees’ tenure was the main demographic predictor of performance evaluation gap. The personality of supervisors and employees only explained the gap in efficiency performance. The gap in efficacy evaluations between supervisors and employees in predicting the gap in performance evaluations was associated with the gap in internal efficacy evaluations (self and occupational efficacies) in predicting the gap in performance evaluations with respect to the quality and creativity performance evaluation facets. However, as regards the gap in efficiency performance evaluations, the gap in means efficacy between supervisors’ and employees’ evaluations was the only predictor for the efficacy gap. This model thus explains a vast majority of performance gap evaluations between supervisors and employees ranging from 61%-88% of performance evaluation differences. These results shed light for the first time on predictors of the gap in performance evaluations between supervisors and employees.

Evaluation of performance quality and safety measures in medical laboratories within the health sector under the corona pandemic

Background: Historically, laboratories in many developing countries have suffered from inadequate facilities, low financing, and a scarcity of competent employees. Misdiagnosis occurs as a result of a lack of access to proper laboratory services, resulting in worse patient care, increased expenditures, and the continued transmission of infectious illnesses. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at 3 hospitals, 19 PHCCs distributed in 5 sectors, and 1 Public Health Laboratory randomly selected (By using a Multistage random sampling method) in Muthanna governorate. The period of study starting on 1st December 2021 – 31 March 2021. Results: In this study, the overall assessment of the health institutions according to the main domains, the study found that the highest assessment score was for the Public health laboratory at 1.807 with a good level, while the lowest assessment score was for AL-warkaa hospital at 1.547 with acceptable level. As for the overall assessment for all the main domains were acceptable with a mean score of 1.67. Conclusions: The overall evaluation of quality indicators in laboratories in all health institutions studied was acceptable to some extent.

Two-stream interactive network based on local and global information for No-Reference Stereoscopic Image Quality Assessment

Nowadays, stereoscopic image quality assessment (SIQA) based on convolutional neural network (CNN) has become the mainstream model of image quality assessment (IQA). Compared with the two-dimensional quality evaluation model, stereoscopic image quality evaluation is more challenging due to the effects of depth and parallax information. In this paper, we propose a two-stream interactive network model to perform quality evaluation, which can well simulate the process of human stereo visual perception. Meanwhile, we enhance the extraction of local and global features of images by asymmetric convolution kernel and interactive sub-networks of inter-layers, respectively, which can further optimize our network model. Our proposed algorithm was evaluated on four public databases. The final experimental results show that our proposed algorithm exhibits good performance not only on the whole database but also on each single distortion type.

태양광모듈의 전력 측정 개선을 위한 온도 보정법에 대한 연구

Nowadays, solar energy is major energy source. New amount of solar system installation are estimated as about 200GW globally in 2021. Solar module has each original IV characteristics by the types of products. These informations contain Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp, Pmax, F.F, Rs, Rsh and etc. These information reveal us voltage, current, power, resistance of PV module. Thus, precise measurement of IV characteristics of PV module is important for quality control, performance evaluation, and safety enhancement. In this paper, temperature compensation method is applied to PV module IV characteristics curve measurement under continuous solar simulator condition. These improved IV measurement method will attribute IV measurements of PV module easily and precisely.

Review of multimedia communication quality assessment techniques

Communication pattern is drifting from conventional audio to multimedia applications, streaming live and on-demand digital video contents over telecommunications and broadcasting networks. Currently, some businesses deploy video in promoting products in a far more enriching, entertainment and informative approach than typical traditional audio would allow. However, users of multimedia applications are interested in paying for a good acceptable video quality. Thus, this paper reviews methods used in Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM) and Video Quality Metric (VQM) with the objective of providing useful information to wireless video services providers in assessing and monitoring of quality of multimedia services delivered to users. Experimental comparison of PSNR, SSIM and VQM assessment methods to examine their performances in evaluation of multimedia applications has been performed. Comparing the quality performance of PSNR, SSIM and VQM metrics for Akiyo and Crew standard test sequences, it has been observed that the quality performance of the metrics improves when the bitrates allocation increase. For the test of consistency and quality performance of the metrics, observation shows that for a given bitrates of 3.84Mb/s, under CABA test configuration, Akiyo test sequence, experienced better quality performance of 46.63dB (PSNR), 99.10% (SSIM) and 11.00% (VQM) compared to lower quality performance of 36.18dB (PSNR), 90.40% (SSIM) and 22.00% (VQM) experienced by Crew test sequence. Experimental results of the media quality metrics for Akiyo and Crew standard test sequences with different temporal activity levels show that the quality performance of media content also depends on the temporal activity of the media content. The experimental results further show consistency in quality performance of PSNR, SSIM and VQM metrics for CABA and UBA test configurations. Thus, the objective metrics can be harnessed for evaluation of quality performance of multimedia applications at different channel conditions.

Dietary supplementation of spirulina and canthaxanthin boosts laying performance, lipid profile in blood and egg yolk, hatchability, and semen quality of chickens.

This study examined the impacts of dietary spirulina (SP) and canthaxanthin (CX) supplementation to laying hens on reproductive performance and cock's semen quality evaluation. Three hundred and sixty of indigenous Sinai chickens (300 hens + 60 cocks), 48-weeks-old, were randomly divided into five treatments; a control and four supplemented (0.6 g SP mg/kg, 0.8 g SP mg/kg, 6 mg CX/kg diet, and 8 mg CX/kg diet) with six replications of 10 females and 1 male per treatment for laying trial and 1 male for semen evaluation. The animals were fed with experimental diets for 12 weeks. Supplementing 6 mg CX/kg diet led to an increase in the final body weight and egg production traits, while 8 mg CX/kg diet resulted in an improving feed conversion ratio. Supplementation of 0.6 g SP mg/kg or 6.0 mg CX/kg diet resulted in the highest egg production. The heaviest egg weight and egg mass were induced by 0.8 g SP mg/kg. Eggs laid from hens fed 0.6 g SP/kg diet had a higher concentration of cholesterol than those fed 0.8 g SP/kg and those fed 6.0 and 8.0 mg CX/kg. Cocks fed 6 mg CX/kg and those fed 0.8 g SP/kg diet had the greatest sperm concentration. The supplementation of 0.8 g SP mg/kg diet or both 6 and 8 mg CX/kg diet enhanced hatchability. So, dietary spirulina (0.8 mg/kg) and canthaxanthin (6 mg/kg) supplementation to Sinai laying hens and cocks could be used to improve productive and reproductive and performance.

Apparent Quality and Service Performance Evaluation of SCFFC in Tunnel Secondary Lining

After removing the mold from the secondary lining concrete of a tunnel, problems such as honeycomb and hemp surface easily occur. To obtain self-compacting fair-faced concrete (SCFFC) that can meet strength requirements and effectively solve the above problems, this research prepared SCFFC with different mix proportions and performed slump expansion, slump, J-ring expansion and mechanical tests. Additionally, this research comprehensively analyzed the SCFFC based on fuzzy mathematics to study its apparent quality and service performance. This research aimed to solve problems such as uneven bubbles and poor bubble diameter in C30 SCFFC, through a combination of defoaming and air entraining by adding defoamer and air-entraining agent according to different proportions for compound treatment. The defoamer dosage was 0.5‰ of that of water reducer, and the air-entraining agent dosage was 0.1‰ of that of cement. The workability and clearance passability of the concrete were optimal. At the same time, the apparent holes in the SCFFC were small, as were their area and quantity. The distribution and apparent color of the SCFFC were uniform. Considering the factors affecting the service performance of concrete and after a comprehensive analysis of the samples’ weights, subjection degree, variability, stability, and strength index, this research found that the ratio for obtaining a C30 SCFFC material with the highest apparent quality and service performance was as follows: cement:machine-made sand:crushed dtone:fly-ash:water = 4:8.6:9.3:1:2.2. The water reducer comprised 1.0% of the total mass of the cementitious materials. The defoamer dosage was 0.5‰ of that of water reducer, and the dosage of air-entraining agent was 0.1‰ of that of cement.

Determination of Cultivation Regions and Quality Parameters of Poria cocos by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Poria cocos (PC) is an important fungus with high medicinal and nutritional values. However, the quality of PC is heavily dependent on multiple factors in the cultivation regions. Traditional methods are not able to perform quality evaluation for this fungus in a short time, and a new method is needed for rapid quality assessment. Here, we used near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric method to identify the cultivation regions and determine PC chemical compositions. In our study, 138 batches of samples were collected and their cultivation regions were distinguished by combining NIR spectroscopy and random forest method (RFM) with an accuracy as high as 92.59%. In the meantime, we used partial least square regression (PLSR) to build quantitative models and measure the content of water-soluble extract (WSE), ethanol-soluble extract (ASE), polysaccharides (PSC) and the sum of five triterpenoids (SFT). The performance of these models were verified with correlation coefficients (R2cal and R2pre) above 0.9 for the four quality parameters and the relative errors (RE) of PSC, WSE, ASE and SFT at 4.055%, 3.821%, 4.344% and 3.744%, respectively. Overall, a new approach was developed and validated which is able to distinguish PC production regions, quantify its chemical contents, and effectively evaluate PC quality.

Discrimination of Poor Electrode Junctions within Lithium-Ion Batteries by Ultrasonic Measurement and Deep Learning

Lithium-ion batteries, which have high energy density, are the most suitable batteries for use in high-tech electromechanical applications requiring high performance. Because one of the important components that determines the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries is the electrode, the manufacturing process for this junction plays an important role in the entire production process. In particular, the process related to the resistance spot welding of the electrode is very important, directly affecting the safety of users, and greatly affecting the performance of the batteries. However, because the electrode tab is spot-welded onto the inner surface of the case, it is impossible to verify with visual testing (using the naked eye) whether the junction is well bonded. Therefore, it is very important to perform quality evaluation of the resistance welding of electrodes after completing the manufacturing process, using non-destructive testing methods. In this paper, a non-destructive ultrasonic testing technique was applied to examine the quality of lithium-ion batteries in which the negative electrode tabs were welded to the inner surface of the cell cans. The status of resistance spot welding between the electrode and the can was verified using deep-learning techniques with the experimentally acquired ultrasonic signal database.

Effect of acupressure combined with Yinzhihuang granules on neonatal jaundice: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundWith the improvement of living standards in recent years, people are paying increasing attention to neonatal jaundice. Yinzhihuang granule is a common Chinese herbal drug for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. The aim of this paper was to study the efficacy of acupressure-assisted Yinzhihuang granule in the treatment of neonatal jaundice by meta-analysis.MethodsWe performed a search in the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Search Database (CBM) for articles on the therapeutic effect of acupressure-assisted Yinzhihuang granule on neonatal jaundice from database establishment to October 2021. The software Endnote X9 was used to check and eliminate the articles, screen the articles according to the required inclusion and exclusion criteria, extract the data, and perform quality evaluation according to the risk of bias tool of Cochrane Collaboration. The software Stata 15.1 and RevMan 5.3 were used to record the data, and a meta-analysis was performed on the effective rate of acupressure-assisted Yinzhihuang granule in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, according to serum total bilirubin values after treatment and duration of jaundice. And show the efficacy of Yinzhihuang particles through these results. The reliability of the results was assessed by sensitivity analysis. Funnel plots were used to test the publication bias of the articles.ResultsA total of 3 articles were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that when acupressure-assisted Yinzhihuang granule was used to treat neonatal jaundice, the effective rate of the test group was not significantly different from that in the control group; the serum total bilirubin level in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment; the duration of jaundice in the test group was significantly shorter than that in the control group.DiscussionAcupressure combined with Yinzhihuang granule is effective in treating neonatal jaundice, which has a positive effect on reducing the level of serum total bilirubin and reducing the duration of jaundice.

RETRACTED: The influence of performance quality evaluation in general education schools on the recognition of the educational values

One of the main conditions for quality assurance in education is the recognition and internalisation of shared values. Education based on shared values creates the preconditions for achieving educational goals and contributing to the creation of social and economic well-being of society. Lithuanian education documents establish important values on which the education process should be based. However, in practice, general education schools in Lithuania face difficulties in implementing the provisions. To promote continuous quality management in general education schools in Lithuania, since 2007, the processes for evaluating the performance quality have been introduced: self-evaluation and external evaluation. These processes are based on collegial interaction and should contribute to positive, value-based changes in the quality of education. The study’s purpose was to reveal the attitude of educators to the influence of evaluation processes on the recognition of educational values in practice. The system of educational values and their evaluation were analysed based on the normative documents content analysis and the attitude of educators to educational values and their practical implementation, analysed by the questionnaire method. Studies showed that evaluation contributes to the recognition of educational values in practice, but the reliability factors of evaluation have little influence on this.

The PLUS Multi-Sensor and Longitudinal Fingerprint Dataset: An Initial Quality and Performance Evaluation

In order to assess longitudinal effects in fingerprint biometrics several studies have been carried out in the last decade. Almost all of these investigations focused on non-public forensic fingerprint datasets because there is hardly any publicly available fingerprint database allowing experiments and a corresponding analysis of longitudinal aspects is often infeasible as the contained fingerprint samples are either captured in one session only or with a short time interval of only a few weeks between the sessions. With this work a new fingerprint dataset (108,106 samples) is introduced which can be used for inter-session (longitudinal) as well as inter-sensor fingerprint investigations. A total of ten different capturing devices based on distinct sensing technologies (optical, capacative, thermal, multispectral) is utilized and the imprints of all ten fingers of each of the 50 participating volunteers were acquired at four different time-separated sessions over 2 years. This enables inter-session as well as cross-device evaluations. Additionally, a first quality and recognition performance evaluation deploying several state-of-the-art minutiae based fingerprint recognition schemes and NFIQ 2.0 as quality measure is presented.

A conceptual model for practice-based learning and improvement competency in medicine.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Quality improvement and performance evaluation have become today’s mainstream medical issues, whereas in many areas of medical care, the quality of care services is less than desirable.Objective:To determine a conceptual model for practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) competency in medicine.Methods:This study was conducted using Walker and Avant’s theoretical synthesis method. Articles related to the concept of PBLI were searched using the keywords of practice-based learning and improvement, quality improvement, core competency, medical education, practice-based learning in English, separately and combined in google, google scholar, and Pubmed databases. After identifying the theoretical blocks and variables of each block and communicating them, a visual model of PBLI was presented. After a focused search for each block, a total of 229 full papers were studied and the PBLI model was developed in six conceptual blocks.Results:The visual model that presented in this study shows the relation among six theoretical blocks of PBLI including: Block of approach to PBLI, PBLI process triggers block, gap bridging solutions, PBLI infrastructure block, PBLI sub-competencies block, PBLI academic development block.Conclusions:Nowadays, PBLI is one of the inevitable qualities of medicine that ensures the quality of medical practice, which, in addition to individual requirements, requires a series of technical, strategic, structural, and cultural infrastructures. By utilizing this capability, a physician will be able to discover the knowledge, skills, and performance gaps, and will be able to cope up with their appropriate approaches, thereby improving the quality of their medicine and the care provided and the patient’s safety. It can provide satisfaction and trust in society. The model presented in this paper makes it easy to understand the relationships between the various components of this competency.

A Novel Application of Cumulative Sum (CuSUM) Analytics for the Objective Evaluation of Procedure Specific Technical Dexterity in Robotic Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery

Introduction: Current standards of trainee operative assessment focus on operative quantity and neglect the objective evaluation of performance quality and trends. This study describes the feasibility of cumulative sum (CUSUM) analytics as an objective method for technical evaluation in robotic hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.

Evaluation of Quality Performance of Low-cost, High-Efficient Culvert for Generalization of Reclaimed Lands in Prepared for Meteorological Disasters

Evaluation of Quality Performance of Low-cost, High-Efficient Culvert for Generalization of Reclaimed Lands in Prepared for Meteorological Disasters

Evaluation of Yield and Quality Performance of Groundnut Varieties under the Eastern Mediterranean Condition

High yielding superior groundnut cultivar development is the main objective of groundnut breeding programs. A four-year study was conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 growing seasons to evaluate for yield and quality characteristics of 80 groundnut varieties. The field experiments were laid out in a 3 replicated randomized complete block design. In the research, row spacing was 70 x 25 cm and 80 kg/ha nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers were applied. The investigated plant parameters were plant growth form, seed husk color, flower color, number of seeds in capsule, shelling percentage, 100 seed weight, number of pod per plant, pod weight per plant, pod yield and seed oil content. The groundnut varieties GK-3 and VAC-92R could be cultivated as main crop in the Eastern Mediterranean Region due to their higher yield performance then the standard varieties Com and NC-7. The groundnut genotypes PI 361753, PI 288153, AT-108, AT120 and March 1 could be used to develop large seeded confectionery type groundnut varieties in the breeding programs.

Lifetime performance evaluation model based on quick response thinking

In practice, lifetime performance index CL has been a method commonly applied to the evaluation of quality performance. L is the upper or lower limit of the specification. The product lifetime distribution is mostly abnormal distribution. This study explored that the lifetime of commodities comes from exponential distribution. Complete data collection is the primary goal of analysis. However, the censoring type is one of the most commonly used methods due to considerations of manpower and material cost or the timeliness of product launch. This study adopted Type-II right censoring to find out the uniformly minimum variance unbiased (UMVU) estimator of the lifetime performance index CL and its probability density function. Afterward this study obtained the 100×(1-α)% confidence interval of the lifetime performance index CL as well as created the uniformly most powerful (UMP) test and the power of the test for the product lifetime performance index. Last, this study came up with a numerical example to demonstrate the suggested method as well as the application of the model.