Simple Performance Indicators Research Articles

Success-Score in Professional Soccer – Is there a sweet spot in the analysis of space and ball control?

Abstract In contrast to simple performance indicators in the practical application of quantitative analysis in professional soccer, the inclusion of certain contextual elements can improve both the predictive quality and interpretability of these. Therefore, the Success-Score is intended to identify the factors relevant to success by linking ball control and space control. Position datasets from 14 games of the Bundesliga were used to calculate Success-Scores for several interval lengths for the penalty area and the 30-meter-zone. The relative goalscoring frequency above resp. below the 80th percentile, the rank correlation in terms of goals scored pursuant to the sorting of the Success-Score as well as possible distinctions in the Success-Score between two teams of different quality were examined. Results revealed that interval lengths and the area under investigation largely affect the resulting Success-Score and its distribution. The Success-Score applied to the 30-meter-zone seems preferable when analyzing goalscoring. Dependent on the target of analysis, methodological and theoretical considerations need to be balanced in a sweet spot of the interval length.

Simplified Optimization of the Magnetic Configuration of HEMP-Thrusters

One type of ion thruster that has gained attention in recent years is the High Efficiency Multistage Plasma (HEMP) thruster. Optimizing the performance of these thrusters can be challenging due to the complexity of the underlying physics. Since the construction of new designs is expensive, cheaper methods for optimization, e.g., numerical optimization, are being sought. This paper presents a fast, analytical approach to finding realistic starting points for the magnetic geometry design of HEMP thrusters. First, a ratio of length to radius is presented, where the magnetic field is especially parallel at the center of the magnetic ring. This result is confirmed with the open-source library magpylib. Its speed and accuracy qualify this tool for further optimization processes. Here, we present some simple performance indicators, which may be beneficial to characterize the magnetic field structure for further optimization.

Investigation of Using Crushed Glass Waste as Filler Replacement in Hot Asphalt Mixtures

Due to the depletion of natural aggregates and high maintenance cost of highway systems, developing sustainable asphalt concrete (AC) mixes that use waste materials instead of virgin raw materials is necessary. A large amount of waste glass material is globally generated per year that could be beneficial to sustain the asphalt industry. In this context, the present paper evaluates the properties and performance of AC mixtures that utilize crushed waste glass as a replacement material of filler aggregates. Three AC mixes with percentages of filler replacement in the range from 0%, 25%, to 50% were fabricated. Complex modulus testing was performed to evaluate the dynamic modulus |E*| and phase angle δ over a range of temperatures and loading frequencies. In addition, the flow number (FN) test was conducted to assess the rutting potential of the mixtures. The results showed that the mix containing 25% of crushed glass is likely to better resist fatigue cracking; however, the inclusion of glass in the AC reduced the rutting resistance compared to conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA). Finally, the results of the flow number test and the simple performance indicators were compared and used to rank the mechanical performance of the various mixtures.

Investigation of using municipal solid waste incineration fly ash as alternative aggregates replacement in hot mix asphalt

The use of un-conventional materials in asphalt pavements is becoming popular as DOTs in many countries started to legislate their in the paving industry. The motive behind this is to get rid of available waste while maintaining or improving the pavement performance Fly ash is among those recycled materials that can be used as a substitute for virgin aggregates inbituminous mixtures. This study investigates the effect of using Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Fly Ash (MSWI-FA) as partial or full replacement of fine aggregates and mineral filler on the performance of asphalt mixtures. . The purpose of the experimental testing program is to determine the optimal MSWI-FA replacement type and percentage to be used in asphalt mixtures. This is done through a series of dynamic modulus tests with different MSWI-FA replacement percentages. The different mixes are then ranked based on their rutting and fatigue cracking potential using simple performance indicators.

Agronomic gain: Definition, approach, and application.

Meeting future global staple crop demand requires continual productivity improvement. Many performance indicators have been proposed to track and measure the increase in productivity while minimizing environmental degradation. However, their use has lagged behind theory, and has not been uniform across crops in different geographies. The consequence is an uneven understanding of opportunities for sustainable intensification. Simple but robust key performance indicators (KPIs) are needed to standardize knowledge across crops and geographies. This paper defines a new term 'agronomic gain' based on an improvement in KPIs, including productivity, resource use efficiencies, and soil health that a specific single or combination of agronomic practices delivers under certain environmental conditions. We apply the concept of agronomic gain to the different stages of science-based agronomic innovations and provide a description of different approaches used to assess agronomic gain including yield gap assessment, meta-data analysis, on-station and on-farm studies, impact assessment, panel studies, and use of subnational and national statistics for assessing KPIs at different stages. We mainly focus on studies on rice in sub-Saharan Africa, where large yield gaps exist. Rice is one of the most important staple food crops and plays an essential role in food security in this region. Our analysis identifies major challenges in the assessment of agronomic gain, including differentiating agronomic gain from genetic gain, unreliable in-person interviews, and assessment of some KPIs at a larger scale. To overcome these challenges, we suggest to (i) conduct multi-environment trials for assessing variety × agronomic practice × environment interaction on KPIs, and (ii) develop novel approaches for assessing KPIs, through development of indirect methods using remote-sensing technology, mobile devices for systematized site characterization, and establishment of empirical relationships among KPIs or between agronomic practices and KPIs.

CAT-COSMO-CAMPD: Integrated in silico design of catalysts and processes based on quantum chemistry

Catalysts are of paramount importance as most chemical processes would be uneconomical without suitable catalysts. Consequently, the identification of appropriate catalysts is a key step in chemical process design. However, the number of potential catalysts is usually vast. To suggest promising candidates for experimental testing, in silico catalyst design methods are highly desirable. Still, such computational methods are in their infancy. Moreover, simple performance indicators are commonly employed as design objective instead of evaluating the actual process performance enabled by considered catalysts. Here, we present the CAT-COSMO-CAMPD method for integrated in silico design of homogeneous molecular catalysts and processes. CAT-COSMO-CAMPD integrates design of molecular catalysts with process optimization, enabling a process-based evaluation of every designed candidate catalyst. Reaction kinetics of catalytic reactions are predicted by advanced quantum chemical methods. We demonstrate for a catalytic carbamate-cleavage process that CAT-COSMO-CAMPD successfully identifies catalyst molecules maximizing the predicted process performance.

Applications of DEA and SFA in benchmarking studies in forestry: state-of-the-art and future directions

ABSTRACT The forestry sector is constantly looking for ways for making data-driven decisions and improving efficiency. The application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) allow the users to go beyond looking at simple key performance indicators. Benchmarking is one of the most common tools in business for improving efficiency and competitiveness. This study searched for benchmarking studies in Web of Science until December 2020. It reviewed 56 benchmarking studies in forestry and discusses the potential advantages of using benchmarking in forestry. More than 80% of the studies apply DEA. This review found that almost half of the benchmarking studies in forestry have attempted to estimate the efficiency of forest management organizations at regional scale, mostly being public or state-owned forest districts. A bit more than one-third of the studies have focused on benchmarking forest industries and one-fifth, benchmarking of forest operations. Forest management organizations mainly applied benchmarking for internal comparison and forest industries entirely focused on competitive benchmarking. Surprisingly, in most cases the studies do not necessarily overlap geographically with forest rich countries (e.g., Russian Federation or Brazil). A number of studies address multiple criteria. The future potential for applying automatic data transfer from harvest machines to interactive benchmarking systems are discussed. Finally, the paper discusses the advantages and weaknesses of benchmarking and future research on improving usefulness and usability of benchmarking in forest businesses.

Evaluation of e-waste management systems in Malaysia using life cycle assessment and material flow analysis

The complexity of managing electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) prompted the need to evaluate the environmental performance of current e-waste management in Malaysia, focusing on future monitoring and planning. In this study, the environmental performance of four management options was evaluated based on the infrastructure currently available in Malaysia. Those options include 1) landfill disposal, 2) direct incineration with energy recovery, 3) materials recovery without energy recovery, and 4) materials recovery with energy recovery. These alternatives were evaluated using life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA). Two simple performance indicators, waste reduction rate (WRR) and environmental cost-benefit ratio (eCBR), were developed to interpret the study findings. Due to the lack of sufficient data on-site e-waste management and recycling in Malaysia, information from a variety of sources was utilized. Moreover, the focus of this study was limited to one specific type of e-waste – the printed wire board (PWB) from mobile phone. Surprisingly, our study concluded that direct incineration with energy recovery was the best of the four management options evaluated for e-waste management. The study results ran contrary to our initial expectations and the results of previous LCA studies on e-waste management. Because our interpretation of the study results had several limitations, recommendations were made to improve the evaluation of e-waste management and for more accurate and reliable analyses to assist in the future development of sustainable e-waste management practices. This study's findings could serve as a useful reference to the many stakeholders working to develop sustainable e-waste management in Malaysia.

Neural Network for Low-Memory IoT Devices and MNIST Image Recognition Using Kernels Based on Logistic Map

This study presents a neural network which uses filters based on logistic mapping (LogNNet). LogNNet has a feedforward network structure, but possesses the properties of reservoir neural networks. The input weight matrix, set by a recurrent logistic mapping, forms the kernels that transform the input space to the higher-dimensional feature space. The most effective recognition of a handwritten digit from MNIST-10 occurs under chaotic behavior of the logistic map. The correlation of classification accuracy with the value of the Lyapunov exponent was obtained. An advantage of LogNNet implementation on IoT devices is the significant savings in memory used. At the same time, LogNNet has a simple algorithm and performance indicators comparable to those of the best resource-efficient algorithms available at the moment. The presented network architecture uses an array of weights with a total memory size from 1 to 29 kB and achieves a classification accuracy of 80.3–96.3%. Memory is saved due to the processor, which sequentially calculates the required weight coefficients during the network operation using the analytical equation of the logistic mapping. The proposed neural network can be used in implementations of artificial intelligence based on constrained devices with limited memory, which are integral blocks for creating ambient intelligence in modern IoT environments. From a research perspective, LogNNet can contribute to the understanding of the fundamental issues of the influence of chaos on the behavior of reservoir-type neural networks.

Performance appraisal systems and public sector efficiency in small island developing states

PurposeThere is extant literature on performance appraisal systems (PAS) in public sector globally; however, most of the literature focuses on PAS in public sector in large developed and large developing countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is scant literature on PAS in the public sector of small developing countries. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to fill the research gap and analyse employee perceptions of the annual performance appraisal (APA) system and its implications in the Fiji’s public sector. It examines the APA more specifically in the case study of Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methods approach was undertaken and information collected from each research method was triangulated to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings.FindingsThis study found that the APA system shows promise of delivering on the expected outcomes for PAS. Similarly, staff morale was found to increase while employee behaviour improved with employee involvement and simple key performance indicators. However, much work needs to be done at the macro, meso and micro level of policy planning and implementation in order to ensure the success of APA.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research are that it is based solely on Fiji’s experience and future research could expand this study to other developing country contexts, especially small island states.Originality/valueAfter conducting a literature review on developed nations and research in a small developing country (Fiji), this paper produces two models: a PAS model in the developed country context and another in Fiji’s small developing country context. This paper contributes to the existing literature of PAS in the public sector and more specifically in the context of developing small island countries.

Performance Assessment and Economic Analysis of a Gas-Fueled Islanded Microgrid—A Malaysian Case Study

In this study, the performance of an islanded gas turbine power generation system in Malaysia was investigated. Considering the low fuel efficiency of the plant during peak and part-load operations, an economic analysis was also carried out, over the period of one year (2017). The case study was conducted on the isolated electrical network of the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), which consists of two gas turbine units with a total capacity of 8.4 MW. Simple performance indicators were developed to assess the performance, which can also be applied to other power stations in Malaysia and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the economy of variable load operations was analyzed using the statistical data of generation, fuel consumption, and loads. The study reveals that the capacity factor of the microgrid in the period was between 52.77–63.32%, as compared to the industrial best practice of 80%. The average plant use factor for the period under review was 75.04%, with a minimum of 70.93% and a maximum of 78.61%. The load factor of the microgrid ranged from 56.68–65.47%, as compared to the international best practice of 80%, while the utilization factor was between 44.22–67.655%. This study further reveals that high fuel consumption rates, due to the peak and part-load operations, resulted in a revenue loss of approximately 17,379.793 USD per year. Based on the present performance of the microgrid, suggestions are made for the improvement of the overall performance and profitability of the system. This work can be valuable for microgrid utility research to identify the most economical operating conditions.

Changing Rules and Configurations During Soccer Small-Sided and Conditioned Games. How Does It Impact Teams’ Tactical Behavior?

The present study aimed to investigate how team’s tactical behavior varies within and between age categories in different Small-Sided and Conditioned Games’ configurations and conditions. Twenty non-elite youth male soccer players (U15, n = 10, mean age = 13.5 ± 1.2 years; U17, n = 10, mean age = 16.3 ± 0.5 years) were selected. Thirty-six Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCG) were played in both categories, namely three Representative SSCG (R-SSCG), three Maintaining Ball Possession Games (MBPG) and three Progression to Target Games (PTG) performed for each configuration (Gk+3vs3+Gk and Gk+4vs4+Gk). Teams’ tactical behavior was analyzed based on simple and composite performance indicators, as well as through Lag Sequential Analysis. Rules manipulation and SSCG configurations influenced teams’ tactical behavior on both categories, but in different ways. Teams composed by younger players presented greater difficulties in MBPG played in smaller games configuration, while Gk+4vs4+Gk configuration can be used to enhance teams’ tactical performance of younger players in R-SSCG and MBPG conditions. Moreover, increasing rules manipulations appeared to negatively impact on teams’ exploratory behavior. Therefore, practitioners should carefully manipulate key constraints to adapt task demands to players’ age category and training session’s goals in order to enhance tactical performance.

Comparison of successful offensive sequences in the group stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup: eliminated vs. qualified teams

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to compare the offensive sequences that resulted in goals in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup according to teams’ status: eliminated versus qualified for the knockout phase. Successful offensive sequences performed in the group stage by eliminated (n = 39) and qualified teams (n = 83) were notated post-event using an adapted version of the Offensive Sequences Characterisation System, which includes simple and composite performance indicators. Magnitude-based inferences revealed that performances indicators Passes/Duration, Passes/Ball touches, Players/Duration and Passes/Players were key to differentiate eliminated and qualified teams. Performance profiles emerging from qualified teams suggest the ability to impose a faster game pace (of ball passing and collective involvement) is more relevant to offensive effectiveness in elite football than the mere amount of sport-specific actions performed. Although offensive sequences with more passes, ball touches and duration had a possible positive effect on reaching the knockout phase, the offensive behaviours of qualified teams highlighted the importance of ‘quality possession’. Indeed, offensive sequences involving more players (teamwork) and favouring ball passing instead of individual ball retention seem to facilitate the emergence of goal-scoring events. Considering these findings, professional coaches are encouraged to design playing-form activities aiming to promote team-based offensive strategies, including task constraints to increase the game pace and the frequency of ‘penetrating passes’ into vital playing areas.

A novel energy assessment of urban wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment is a high energy consuming process, and its energy demand is considerably increasing due to the introduction of more restrictive standards on the quality of water effluents, that require advanced technologies for pollutant removal. Energy audits are carried out in order to improve energy efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, by introducing some measures, such as adjustments of the treatment scheme, or optimization of existing operational units. At the same time, energy recovery from wastewater treatment and its by-products is being implemented in order to reduce economic costs and environmental impact of the process. In order to assess the benefits resulting from implementation of these interventions, procedures for evaluation of energy performance of wastewater treatment plants are being developed.In this work, a novel method is proposed for assessing energy performance of wastewater treatment plants by coupling simple energy performance indicators with specific pollution removal efficiencies. This procedure is applied to a large database of wastewater treatment plants, in order to define some classes of energy performance depending on removal efficiency. The method is also used to analyse some Italian plants, representative of different design and management conditions. As a result, only 8.2% of around 300 plants presents the highest class of performance, considering the energy consumption related to the organic matter removal.

Loon Nest Viability Model: A Performance Indicator for Improving Water-Level Regulation of Large Water Bodies

Rule curves dictating target water levels for management have been implemented in several water bodies in North America over the last 70 years or more. Anthropogenic alterations of water levels are known to affect several components of wetland ecosystems. Evaluating the influence of rule curves on biological components with simple performance indicators could help harmonize water level management with wetland integrity. We assessed the potential of using the probability of common loon nest viability as a performance indicator of long-term impacts of rule curves on nesting wetland birds. We analyzed the outcome of rule curves on the probability of loon nest viability in Rainy Lake and Namakan Reservoir, 2 regulated water bodies located along the Ontario-Minnesota border. The analysis was focused on 4 hydrological time series between 1950 and 2013: 2 sets of time series simulating rule curves used to manage the water bodies in the past decades (referred to as the 1970RC and 2000RC), one of the historical measured water levels, and one of computed natural water levels. The probability of loon nest viability under the 1970RC was 2× higher than under natural conditions in both water bodies. The probability was also 2× higher under the 2000RC than under the 1970RC in the Namakan Reservoir but not in Rainy Lake. The rule curves generally improved conditions for nesting loons in both water bodies. The presented performance indicator can be used to evaluate future rule curves before they are implemented in the Rainy-Namakan or other similar systems.

A post-global financial crisis (GFC) framework for strategic planning, assessment and management decision making for US sustainable commercial real estate

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand both the facts and the values associated with the breadth of issues, and the principles related to sustainable real estate for institutional investors. Sustainable real estate is a growing sector within the commercial real estate industry, and yet, the decision-making practices of institutional investors related to sustainability are still not well understood. In an effort to fill that gap, this research investigates the post-global financial crisis (GFC) motivations driving the implementation of sustainability initiatives, the implementation strategies used, and the predominant eco-indicators and measures used by institutional investors.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the results of a three-round modified Delphi study conducted in the USA in 2011-2012 investigating the nature of performance measurements and reporting requirements in sustainable commercial real estate and their impact on the real estate decision-making process used by institutional investors. Two rounds of in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 expert panelists. An e-questionnaire was used in the third round to verify qualitative findings.FindingsThe key industry drivers and performance indicators influencing institutional investor decision making were associated with risk management of assets and whether initiatives can improve competitive market advantage. Industry leaders advocate for simple key performance indicators, which is in contrast to the literature which argues for the need to adopt common criteria and metrics. Key barriers to the adoption of sustainability initiatives are discussed and a decision framework is presented.Practical implicationsThis research aims to help industry partners understand the drivers motivating institutional investors to uptake sustainability initiatives with the aim of improving decision making, assessment, and management of sustainable commercial office buildings.Originality/valueBuilding on the four generations of the sustainability framework presented by Simons et al. (2001), this research argues that the US real estate market has yet again adjusted its relationship with sustainability and revises their framework to include a new, post-GFC generation for decision making, assessment, and management of sustainable real estate.

Role of second‐trimester ultrasound in screening for Down syndrome

Role of second‐trimester ultrasound in screening for Down syndrome

Manipulating Task Constraints in Small-Sided Soccer Games: Performance Analysis and Practical Implications

Since an awareness of key task constraints can be extremely beneficial for coaches, the lack of scientific background about the effects of altered game rules/conditions on individual or team performances during soccer practice is surprising. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of different small-sided game (SSG) playing rules (“free-form”, “two touches” and “four passes to score”) on the offensive performance of young soccer players. Eight U-13 male soccer players were divided into two balanced teams. The experimental protocol consisted of three testing sessions separated by one-week intervals. In each session, teams faced each other in the three SSG conditions (3vs.3+goalkeepers) during periods of ten minutes interspersed with five minutes of passive recovery. Simple (i.e. Duration of ball possession, Players involved, Ball Touches, Passes, Shots, and Result of the Offensive Sequence) and composite (i.e. Players involved/ Duration, Ball Touches/Duration, Passes/Duration, Ball Touches/Players involved, Passes/Players involved, Passes/Ball Touches, and Goal/Shots) performance indicators were used to characterize the offensive performance of both teams. Results revealed that the factor “playing rule” had a significant effect on simple and composite indicators (p<0.05). It was concluded that manipulating task constraints, such as game rules, can direct practitioners towards intended behaviors, and consequently promote skill acquisition and improve performance in youth soccer. Further research is needed to extend the knowledge about the modification of playing rules in team sports practice.

Toward the Establishment of Standardized In Vitro Tests for Lipid-Based Formulations, Part 1: Method Parameterization and Comparison of In Vitro Digestion Profiles Across a Range of Representative Formulations

The Lipid Formulation Classification System Consortium is an industry-academia collaboration, established to develop standardized in vitro methods for the assessment of lipid-based formulations (LBFs). In this first publication, baseline conditions for the conduct of digestion tests are suggested and a series of eight model LBFs are described to probe test performance across different formulation types. Digestion experiments were performed in vitro using a pH-stat apparatus and danazol employed as a model poorly water-soluble drug. LBF digestion (rate and extent) and drug solubilization patterns on digestion were examined. To evaluate cross-site reproducibility, experiments were conducted at two sites and highly consistent results were obtained. In a further refinement, bench-top centrifugation was explored as a higher throughput approach to separation of the products of digestion (and compared with ultracentrifugation), and conditions under which this method was acceptable were defined. Drug solubilization was highly dependent on LBF composition, but poorly correlated with simple performance indicators such as dispersion efficiency, confirming the utility of the digestion model as a means of formulation differentiation.

Management of valves to improve performance reliability of distribution systems

The overall reliability of a distribution system depends largely on valve reliability, location, and adequacy of number as well as the frequency of water main failure. Therefore, valve management is an essential aspect of distribution system management. This article details how a computer application, the Strategic Valve Management Model (SVMM), can be used to identify pipe segments associated with pipe breaks, determine valves to isolate the breaks, and perform analyses of valve management alternatives (including present worth costs) to reduce customer service interruptions. Valve management alternatives include the addition of new valves, improvement of valve reliability by exercising valves, or a combination of the two. A set of simple performance indicators was developed to evaluate the performance of valve isolating systems. This article demonstrates applications of the SVMM to hypothetical and actual water distribution systems.