Method For Improving Performance Research Articles

An improved FFT method for shot peening surface reconstruction

Shot peening is the efficient method for metal surface modification and performance improvement. However, there is still no effective way to establishing the mathematical model for shot peening surface reconstruction, resulting in restricting the correlation study between shot peening surface properties and morphology. The difficulty of shot peening surface reconstruction lies in how to accurately characterize the roughness surface height and texture features. Therefore, a novel method of generating non-Gaussian sequences with specified height roughness parameters is proposed in this paper. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) method gets improved combined with the new method, which overcome the predicament that the unimproved FFT cannot ensure the height features in the reconstructed shot peening surfaces. In addition, a new autocorrelation function in shot peening surfaces is proposed to accurately characterize the reconstructed surface texture. The experimental results show that with the improved FFT method and the new autocorrelation function introduced to shot peening surface reconstruction, the maximum error of the seven height roughness parameters in the reconstructed surface is 2.201%. And the texture features and height distribution of the reconstructed surface are in good agreement with the measured surface.

The Effects of Transformational Leadership, Organizational Innovation, Work Stressors, and Creativity on Employee Performance in SMEs.

Purpose of the StudyThe significance of creativity and performance in the workplace has been illustrated on various occasions. This study aims to find out if there is a link between transformative leadership, organizational innovation, psychological issues such as hindrance and challenge stressors, and employee creativity and employee performance. There is still a lack of awareness of the factors that influence employee performance in small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Pakistan. Pakistan’s SMEs have struggled to survive in their early years, with an initial failure rate of 90 percent to 95 percent.MethodologyThe relationship between hindrance and challenge stressors, organizational innovation, transformational leadership, employee creativity, and their effect on overall employee performance is established through employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). In this study, constructs were developed from existing theories, hypotheses were generated, data were collected from 424 SME employees, and SEM analysis was conducted to prove the suggested hypothesis. The employees of SMEs are the research study’s unit of analysis.FindingsThe findings of this study demonstrated that challenge stressors, transformational leadership, and employee creativity all had positive and significant effects on employee performance.Originality/ValueThis is one of the first studies to study and extends existing understanding of psychological research in this manner and following correlations in a developing country, Pakistan: the links between transformational leadership and employees’ perception of creativity and performance along with organizational innovation and work stressors. Based on theoretical considerations, a model is proposed, and hypotheses are established and explored. The findings of this study can help businesses increase employee performance by informing employee performance improvement methods. Business executives might learn more about how to engage and motivate employees to improve their performance.

RATIONAL USE OF 3rd GENERATION CEPHALOSPORINS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS: A CONCURRENT DUR

Background: Assessment of use of antimicrobials can be performed by evaluating their use. Drug use evaluation is a performance improvement method that concentrates on improvement and evaluation of drug use processes to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
 Objective: The objective of this study was the evaluation of 3rd generation cephalosporins in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore.
 Method: A concurrent cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 patient files selected using systematic random sampling method from in-patient prescriptions with 3rd generation cephalosporin during hospitalization in tertiary care hospitals. Descriptive statistics were applied by using IBM SPSS statistics version 28. Results: Out of the 200 patient file, 160 patient files have complete information of the prescribed drug. Among the 160 patients, 67(41%) were female and 93(58.1%) males. Among 160 patients, 141(88.1%) Ceftriaxone was most commonly prescribed drug followed by 14(8.8%) Cefoperazone (in combination with salbactam) the 5(3.1%) were given cefixime and in indications for drug being prescribed 103(64.5%) were found to be appropriate while 57(35.5%) were inappropriate. (Not according to the WHO criteria for prescribing the third-generation cephalosporin).
 Conclusions: To improve the rational use of 3 rd generation cephalosporins and prevent the development of resistance; prescribers should adhere to the national standard treatment guideline.

How We Do It: Remediation Pathways in a Surgical Simulation Curriculum for Competency Improvement.

Validated assessment of procedural knowledge and skills with formative remediation is a foundational part of achieving surgical competency. High-fidelity simulation programs provide a unique area to assess resident proficiency and independence, as well as to assist in identifying residents in need of further practice. While several studies have validated the use of simulation to attain proficiency of specific technical skills, few have validated remediation pathways for their trainees objectively. In this descriptive analysis, we review 2 remediation pathways within our simulation training curricula and how these are used in assessments of resident proficiency. Two methods of remediation were formulated for use in high-fidelity simulation labs. One remediation pathway was a summative process, where ultimate judgment of resident competency was assessed through intra-operative assessments of a holistic skill set. The second remediation pathway was a formative "coaching" process, where feedback is given at several intervals along the pathway towards a specific technical skills competence. All general surgery residents are enrolled in the longitudinal, simulation curricula. Approximately one-third of surgical residents entered into a remediation pathway for either of the high-fidelity simulation curricula. Both residents and faculty expressed support for the summative and formative remediation pathways as constructed. Residents who entered remediation pathways believed it was a beneficial exercise, and the most common feedback was that remediation principles should be expanded to all residents. Interestingly, faculty demonstrated stronger support for the formative coaching feedback model than the summative assessment model. Through the complementary use of both formative and summative remediation pathways, resident competence can be enriched in a constructive, nonpunitive method for self-directed performance improvement. Both trainees and faculty express high satisfaction with programs explicitly organized to ensure that skills are rated through a standardized process.

Feasibility Study and Passive Design of Nearly Zero Energy Building on Rural Houses in Xi’an, China

Since the advent of reforms and opening-up of China, the focus has been on urban development. However, rural development has garnered attention in recent years. This research explores energy performance improvement methods for rural houses in Xi’an, China. It aims to discuss the feasibility of designing a nearly zero-energy building (nZEB), based on typical residential rural housing in Xi’an, through proposing new construction methods and examining the strategies for the refurbishment of an existing house. Initially, a typical rural house was modelled based on data collected from a field survey and historical documents. Subsequently, suitable passive design strategies were explored in the rural house design both in terms of proposing new construction methods and examining the refurbishment strategies of an existing house. After implementation of the passive design, the annual energy demand was reduced from 112 kWh/m2 to 68 kWh/m2 (new construction) and from 112 kWh/m2 to 85 kWh/m2 (refurbished). Even though the passive design significantly reduced the energy demand of the house, it could not achieve the Chinese nZEB standard. Therefore, a photovoltaic (PV) system and a storage battery were incorporated to meet the standard. Eighty per cent of the south roof area of the newly constructed and refurbished house was installed with a PV system and a storage battery with a capacity of 50 kWh and 52 kWh, respectively. After installation of the proposed renewable energy, the annual energy demand from the house was decreased to 35 kWh/m2 (new construction) and 51 kWh/m2 (refurbished), which both achieved the Chinese nZEB standard (equal to or below 55 kWh/m2). The study shows the effectiveness of the methods used to design the nZEB and can be used to instruct the residents to build the nZEB in rural villages like Xi’an in China.

Performance improvement method of single-ended BOTDA system based on Fresnel reflection

Performance improvement method of single-ended BOTDA system based on Fresnel reflection

Enabling User Relaying in MCM-NOMA Under Doubly Selective Channels Using Iterative Interference Cancellation Schemes for Wireless IoT Networks

Cell-edge users of future cellular Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks can suffer from extremely severe channel conditions, especially under mobility with high speeds, i.e., doubly selective channels. This letter presents a performance improvement method for IoT cell-edge users’ downlink transmission under doubly selective channels. To this end, we consider the implementation of multicarrier modulation-based cooperative user relaying nonorthogonal multiple access combined with two interference cancellation schemes and derive the lower-bound of the E2E-BER of the proposed scheme. The obtained results showed that the proposed scheme requires a low computational complexity and significantly improves the system’s performance even if the channel state information is imperfect.

The effect of 8-week plyometric training on jump height, agility, speed and asymmetry

Background and Study Aim. Plyometric training is one of the most preferred methods for athletic performance improvement. This study was designed to measure the effect of 8 weeks of additional plyometric training on jump performance, lower extremity asymmetry, speed, and agility performances of adolescent fencers.
 Material and Methods. This study was carried out with 26 fencers who participated in national competitions. The fencers were randomly divided into plyometric training (PLY, n = 14) and the control (n = 12) group. The PLY group did plyometric training 3 days per week for 8 weeks in addition to their fencing training. The control group only continued their fencing training. All participants performed countermovement jumps (CMJ), pro-agility, 0-5-m, 5-15–m, 0-15-m sprints, and asymmetry tests before and after 8 weeks. 
 Results. Statistically significant differences were found in CMJ, (p = 0.001), pro-agility (p = 0.001), and 0-5-m (p = 0.036), 5-15-m (p = 0.018), and 0-15-m (p = 0.001) sprint results in the PLY group. However, asymmetry contact time and asymmetry flight time values did not show statistical differences. In addition, group x time interactions of CMJ (p < 0.001), pro-agility (p = 0.001), and 0-5-m (p = 0.015) and 5-15-m (p = 0.009) sprint tests were also found statistically significant.
 Conclusions. Thus, it can be said that plyometric training contributes positively to the jumping, agility, and speed of fencers. Adolescent fencers and their trainers may be advised to focus on additional plyometric training programs. However, individual differences and training experience should also be taken into account in the determination of plyometric programs.

An index to characterize gas‐solid and solid‐solid mixing from average volume fraction fields

AbstractA mixing index based on solid volume fraction fields is developed for gas‐solid flows. Conventional mixing indices are based on particle realizations of granular mixing and are applicable to experimental data or discrete element method simulations. However, these indices cannot be used as‐is for multifluid models, and an index for characterizing mixing in gas‐solid flows from continuous fields is needed. The performance of the new mixing index is tested in two applications. The first is a 3D simulation of the mixing of biomass and sand in a fluidized bed reactor, and the second is a 2D simulation of binary particle segregation in a fluidized bed. The simulations are performed using OpenFOAM®. The mixing index is used to quantify gas‐solid mixing using solid volume fractions and solid‐solid mixing using solid fractions. The formulation of conventional mixing indices is extended to be used with solid volume fractions fields, and methods for performance improvement are presented.

Impact of Deliberate Practice on Point-of-Care Ultrasound Interpretation of Right Ventricle Pathology.

BackgroundPoint-of-care (POC) ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential tool in caring for critically ill patients in several specialties. Mastery in POCUS requires competency in image acquisition, image interpretation, and integration into clinical care. Deliberate practice is an effective method for performance improvement in many areas of medical education; however, it is not well described in the literature for POCUS training.ObjectiveTo analyze differences in the effect of deliberate practice in POCUS image interpretation on performance improvement in groups with varying skill levels.MethodsWe recruited attending physicians and trainees with varying degrees of expertise in POCUS to complete a 50-item educational instrument on the interpretation of right ventricle size and function. The instrument incorporated deliberate practice for the task of correctly identifying right ventricle size and function as either normal or abnormal. Pulmonary critical care trainees obtained and interpreted POCUS images of patients with diagnosed acute pulmonary embolism, which were compared with gold-standard, two-dimensional echocardiographic scans obtained by an expert technician and interpreted by a cardiologist board-certified in echocardiography. We mapped learners’ cumulative accuracy on a learning curve to assess their performance. In addition, we compared groups on the basis of prior experience with using POC echocardiography.ResultsSeventy-nine of 81 participants completed the survey and examination and were included in the analysis. Of the participants, 69 (87.3%) were trainees. The overall cumulative accuracy for the group was 72.9%. All groups demonstrated improvement in accuracy with repetitive practice.ConclusionDeliberate practice in POC echocardiograph interpretation is effective for improving performance in a wide range of learners. Further study is needed to define accuracy cutoffs for competency to help guide learning plans and program requirements and for application into a model for global POC echocardiography competence.

Data Partitioning and Asynchronous Processing to Improve the Embedded Software Performance on Multicore Processors

Nowadays, ensuring information security is extremely inevitable and urgent. We are also witnessing the strong development of embedded systems, IoT. As a result, research to ensure information security for embedded software is being focused. However, studies on optimizing embedded software on multi-core processors to ensure information security and increase the performance of embedded software have not received much attention. The paper proposes and develops the embedded software performance improvement method on multi-core processors based on data partitioning and asynchronous processing. Data are used globally to be retrieved by any threads. The data are divided into different partitions, and the program is also installed according to the multi-threaded model. Each thread handles a partition of the divided data. The size of each data portion is proportional to the processing speed and the cache size of the core in the multi-core processor. Threads run in parallel and do not need synchronization, but it is necessary to share a general global variable to check the executing status of the system. Our research on embedded software is based on data security, so we have tested and assessed the method with several block ciphers like AES, DES, etc., on Raspberry PI3. The average performance improvement rate achieved was 59.09%.

An EMC performance improvement method for three-phase half-bridge converter drive power supply

Analyze the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the primary circuit of the switch tube driving power in the three-phase half-bridge converter, and study how to improve the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance. The high-frequency EMI source caused by high-speed switching in the three-phase half-bridge converter is analyzed and quantitatively calculated. The high-frequency conduction model of the three-phase half-bridge converter and the driving power supply is established. Through the establishment of a high-frequency model, it is pointed out that EMI sources cause three interference conduction paths to the driving power supply: conduction paths I and II between the primary circuit and the driving power supply, conduction paths III between the driving power supply, and use the high-frequency model to obtain three conduction paths Based on the equivalent high-frequency circuit of the channel and the corresponding transfer function, a general method for suppressing three kinds of interference and improving the EMC performance of the drive power is proposed based on the transfer function. The experimental results show that the interference between the driving power supplies is the direct interference. The interference can be significantly reduced by paralleling the capacitors in the ambitious power load.

A Metal Mesh Net Packed Method for Improvement of Thermochemical Energy Storage Reactor Performance

A Metal Mesh Net Packed Method for Improvement of Thermochemical Energy Storage Reactor Performance

A Review of Literature on Various Techniques of COP Improvement in Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

Abstract: This review paper is a study on various methods of performance improvement in domestic refrigeration systems, based on the vapor compression refrigeration VCRS cycle. Here air-cooled, water-cooled, fog cooled, evaporatively cooled condensers and nano-fluid lubricant /coolant methods their working and efficiency are reviewed, compared, analyzed and presented. The paper inspects the work done by different researchers for the maximization of heat loss from condenser & compressor and bringing about necessary modifications to reduce the overall power consumption of domestic refrigerators by improving Coefficient of Performance (COP). Numerous works have been done on improving the heat dissipation capacity of condenser but using nano-fluid in lubricant base as refrigerant and in the compressor shell as coolant is a new technology. Nano-fluid increase heat transfer due the high conductivity nano particles. It has been observed that water cooled condensers and compressors with nano-lubricants/coolants give the best performance improvements but they suit better for big or large refrigeration systems like centralized air conditioning systems or cold storage warehousing, whereas air cooled and evaporative condensers are optimal for small scale or low power appliances like domestic refrigerators, water coolers or split air conditioners to reduce overall power consumption by increasing the COP. Keywords: Refrigeration system, COP improvement, Condenser, Water mist, Evaporative cooling, Nano-fluid coolant, VCRS cycle.

Evaluation of handover effectiveness with progressive user behavior in self-organized LTE networks

In LTE networks, when a user moves from one sector to another sector within the same eNB, it’s essential to keep the ongoing call steady. This occurrence is referred to as a handover (HO). The ping-pong and call drop rate may be minimized with proper HO decision-making, resulting in a higher quality of service. For this reason, it’s quite difficult to set up both the handover failure and handover ping-pong simultaneously. This study evaluates HO performance by adjusting several HO control parameters, such as HO offset, time to trigger, and HO margin, to get the best possible results. The HO control settings may be adjusted using a hybrid method called tent chaotic map, adaptive inertia weight, opposition-based learning into whale optimization algorithm (TAOWOA). Apart from that, by automating MLB and TAOWOA, network performance is improved by using a self-organized network. Under progressive traffic loads and user mobility, the HO failure (HOF), call dropping ratio (CDR), HO ping-pong(HOPP), and packet delivery ratio are assessed. Performance parameters based on optimization-MLB have significantly increased performance when compared to conventional HO performance improvement methods, according to the simulation findings.

State-of-the-Art Modification of Plastic Aggregates Using Gamma Irradiation and Its Optimization for Application to Cementitious Composites

In the past few decades, there have been numerous attempts to add plastic aggregates composed of polymeric materials to cementitious composites, either as an alternative to using natural aggregates or as fillers and fibers. However, the addition of plastic aggregates often results in cementitious composites with lower mechanical performance. In this paper, we attempt to address this issue by applying gamma irradiation technology to restore the mechanical performance. We aimed to determine the optimal gamma irradiation and mixing combinations by comparing the experimental results with information summarizing the recent literature related to the use of gamma-irradiated plastic aggregates within cementitious composites. To this end, the effects of changes in the physical and chemical properties of plastics due to irradiation with gamma irradiation on the strength of cementitious composites were evaluated using irradiation doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 kGy and various plastic materials as key parameters. In the compressive strength test, it was found that adding gamma-irradiated plastic increased the compressive strength of the cementitious composites compared to the nonirradiated plastic. This suggests that the irradiation of plastic aggregates with gamma rays is an effective method to recover some of the strength lost when plastic aggregates are added to cementitious composites. In addition, modifications in the microstructure and chemical properties of the gamma-irradiated plastic were analyzed through SEM and FT-IR analysis, which allowed the determination of the strength enhancement mechanism. The results of this study show the possibility of the state-of-the-art performance improvement method for using plastic aggregate as a substitute for natural aggregate, going further from the plastic performance improvement technology for limited materials and radiation dose presented in previous studies.

Performance improvement methods of hydroficated machine under refrigeration

In this paper, the problem of the influence of climatic conditions on the performance of a Hydraulic gear is considered. The importance of the work is due to the fact that the methods for solving the problem are proposed, namely, the use of preheating for a Hydraulic gear and an internal combustion engine under refrigeration. The use of hydrofected self-propelled vehicles in the northern regions in winter is considered. The factors determining the technical and economic indicators of hydrofected machines are revealed. The influence of negative temperature on the physical and mechanical properties of hydraulic equipment materials is also considered. Three main directions have been identified in which temperature affects the hydraulic drive. An experiment was conducted in which the dependence of the performance of the machine was revealed using a preheating device for the working fluid and without the device.

An alternative method for performance improvement of ultra-high performance concrete by internal curing: Role of physicochemical properties of saturated lightweight fine aggregate

To prepare low-shrinkage ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with adequate mechanical properties and durability, the role of physicochemical properties of saturated lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA) in controlling the properties development of UHPC was explored. The test results showed that the LWFA could not only mitigate autogenous shrinkage significantly but also improve compressive strength and durability of UHPC. The internal curing of LWFA mitigated the reduction of internal relative humidity and promoted the hydration of cement and pozzolanic reaction. As a result, more C-S-H gel with higher polymerization degree was formed, contributing to improved micro-mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the pores in UHPC containing LWFA were significantly refined and a dense zone was formed around LWFA. Therefore, the increased hydration and pozzolanic reaction degrees, enhanced density and polymerization degree of C-S-H gels and refined pore structure of matrix counteracted the negative effects induced by the porous LWFA, contributing to the improved properties of UHPC.

MaLeFICE: Machine learning support for continuous performance improvement in computational engineering

SummaryComputer aided engineering (CAE) practices improved drastically within the last decade due to ease of access to computing resources and open‐source software. However, increasing complexity of hardware and software settings and the scarcity of multiskilled personnel rendered the practice inefficient and infeasible again. In this article, we present a method for continuous performance improvement in computational engineering that combines online performance profiling with machine learning (ML). To test the viability of this method, we provide a detailed analysis for solution time estimation of finite element analysis (FEA) jobs based on multidimensional models. These models combine numerous matrix features (matrix size, density, bandwidth, etc.), solver features (direct‐iterative, preconditioning, tolerance), and hardware features (core count, virtual–physical). We repeat our analysis over different machines as well as docker containers to demonstrate applicability over different platforms. Next, we train supervised and unsupervised ML algorithms over commonly used, realistic FEA benchmarks and compare accuracy of different models. Finally, we design two new ML‐based online batch schedulers called shortest predicted time first (SPTF) and shortest cluster time first (SCTF), which are comparable in performance to the optimal, but offline shortest job first (SJF) scheduler. We find that ML‐based profiling and scheduling can reduce the average turnaround times by 2–5 over other alternatives.

Control Methods for Performance Improvement of an Integrated On-Board Battery Charger in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This paper presents control methods for performance improvement of an integrated on-board battery charger (OBC) in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). HEVs generally consist of an OBC and a starter generator system (SGS). Since these each have a power conversion device for independent operation, such as battery charging and starter generator driving for engine starting, it necessarily increases the number of components, weight, and volume of the HEV. In order to overcome these disadvantages, recent research concerning the integrated OBC has progressed. Although it demands installation of power relays and an additional circuit, the integrated OBC is effectively operated for battery charging and starter generator driving. This paper proposes not only a harmonic reduction method of grid current, but also a feed-forward control method for performance improvement of the integrated OBC in HEVs. The effectiveness of the proposed control methods is verified by simulation and experimental results.