Technical Performance Criteria Research Articles

CONTROL OF DEVIATIONS FROM CIRCULARITY WHEN DRILLING POLYMERIC MATERIALS

Polymeric materials represent synthetic macromolecular products, from which objects of various shapes can be manufactured, through mechanical or thermal processing. These materials are used in various industries due to their versatility and ability to adapt to various applications. The paper presents an analysis of deviations from circularity in the drilling process of three types of polymeric materials: PA6 (polyamide), PEHD (high-density polyethylene) and POMC (polyacetal). The main purpose of this analysis is to evaluate and measure the deviations from circularity in the drilled plates using specific drills on the EMCO MILL 55 CNC machine and the precise determination of these deviations is realized with the help of the Sinowon 3D measuring machine. In the context of the processing of polymeric materials, both technical performance criteria and their associated factors in drilling operations are examined. In the study, two types of helical drills were used, with two rectilinear cutting edges, having different diameters, Ø8 mm and Ø10 mm, made of high-speed steel.

Utilizing a combined Delphi-FAHP-TOPSIS technique to assess the effectiveness of the water supply service in Algeria

The sustainable management of drinking water supply services (WSS) is essential to ensure continuous supply to all citizens. In this paper, a combined approach between the Delphi method and two Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods has been developed to assess the performance of WSS. The suggested methodology is composed of three phases divided into twenty-one steps. The first phase is the application of the Delphi method to select the evaluation criteria and the alternatives based on the responses of a group of experts. A total of 12 criteria and 6 alternatives are identified from past studies and expert opinions. The second phase is the use of the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method to calculate the relative weights of the criteria. Then, Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to rank the alternatives according to their performance. Finally, an application of the developed framework was established for a case study of Souk-Ahras city (Algeria). The results from FAHP indicate that the financial autonomy and the technical performance criteria are of paramount importance WSS performance evaluation with weights (19.5%) and (19%) respectively. The two alternatives (reduced water loss and water price reform) are the best solutions to have a sustainable WSS. This study presents an effective decision support tool allowing decision makers and WSS managers to better assess performance criteria and the best alternatives.

Performance Assessment of the Devyser High-Throughput Sequencing–Based Assay for Chimerism Monitoring in Patients after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Chimerism analysis is widely used to aid in the clinical management of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Many laboratories currently use assays based on PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis, with a limit of quantification of 1% to 5%. Assays with a lower limit of quantification could allow for earlier relapse detection, resulting in improved patient care. This study investigated the analytical, clinical, technical, and practical performance of the Devyser next-generation sequencing chimerism assay, a commercial high-throughput sequencing-based assay for chimerism analysis. Performance of this assay was compared with that of the Promega PowerPlex 16 HS assay, a commercial capillary electrophoresis-based assay. A limit of quantification of 0.1% was achievable with the Devyser assay. The repeatability, reproducibility, trueness, and linearity of the Devyser assay were acceptable. The Devyser assay showed potential for earlier relapse detection compared with the Promega assay. Conclusive analysis was not possible for 3% of donor-recipient pairs with the Devyser assay due to an insufficient number of informative markers; this factor was not an issue for the Promega assay. Further improvements in assay design or data analysis may allow the assay's applicability to be extended to all donor-recipient pairs studied. Technical performance criteria for chimerism analysis by high-throughput sequencing were suggested and evaluated. Both assays were found to be practical for use in a clinical diagnostics laboratory.

Post-occupancy evaluation of University of Uyo buildings

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the performance of buildings in the University of Uyo using the post-occupancy evaluation (POE) technique.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative questionnaire survey is adopted in which 333 copies of a validated questionnaire are administered to academic, administrative and maintenance staff and some students who occupy four buildings used for the survey. However, 124 valid responses are received giving a response rate of 37per cent. Data collected are analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools while the Kruskal Wallis chi-square (χ2) test is used to analyse hypotheses postulated for the study.FindingsFindings reveal that the General Administration (GA) building has high ratings in five technical performance criteria of ambient level of sound in offices, the integrity of materials used for walls, and correctness of stair risers, threads in the building quality of lighting and quantity of lighting. Findings on the functional performance of GA building show that cleaning, friendliness, parking space, landscaping and indoor climate are the top five rated. Findings also reveal that lack of awareness about POE is a top-rated barrier, followed by a lack of orientation of stakeholders and a lack of adequately trained staff.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the body of knowledge on POE, particularly in universities by conducting an empirical evaluation of both technical and functional performance of the University of Uyo buildings. Besides, it establishes a set of factors that significantly hinder the implementation of POEs in universities. From a practice perspective, it provides valid feedback on which universities can build upon to improve conditions of their facilities and ultimately bolster the conducive environment for teaching and learning.

Decision-making method of heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing based on AHP-entropy weight and extension theory

Abstract Heavy-duty machine tools are mostly used in bottleneck processes of manufacturing companies, which have high value-added, high technical content, and large remanufacturing value. The various alternative solutions directly affect the implementation of heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing as well as its benefits. However, there is currently no scientific and reasonable quantitative method to compare various options and determine the optimal solution. This paper aims to propose a decision-making method of heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing based on the AHP-entropy weight and extension theory. Firstly, an evaluation criteria system of heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing is established, covering economic criteria (including remanufacturing cost and remanufacturing time) and technical performance criteria (including accuracy, reliability, processing efficiency, processing range, and ergonomics). Secondly, the decision-making model is presented to determine the optimal alternative solution for heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing based on extension theory, in which weight for each evaluation criterion is defined by a method of AHP-entropy weight. Finally, combined with the remanufacturing of a heavy-duty horizontal lathe, the proposed decision-making method is verified and analyzed. The results show that the alternative for heavy-duty machine tool remanufacturing determined by this method can obtain better comprehensive benefits and reduce the potential risk of remanufacturing for various stakeholders.

Facilities Audit in Training Health Care Built Environment

Healthcare organisations have recognised the powerful impact of supply breakdowns and have exploited supply chain management for their quality program, especially regarding lean operations. There are many contributors to poor working environments in the healthcare sector. Some studies relate to inadequate equipment, such as patient lifts and facilities for safe disposal of syringes, needles, and medical waste. However, one area that has so far largely been overlooked relates to the built environment. This study aims to investigate strategic Facilities Management (FM) as a function to support the objectives of providing efficient services to healthcare sector through measuring user satisfaction focusing on public training hospital building. This research involved correlation analysis. The findings show that there is a strong significant relationship among the building performance criteria and the importance of post occupancy evaluation (POE) guidelines in functional and technical performance criteria. Based on the findings, this study proposed the establishment of facilities management and the implementation of systematic annual operation program to ensure that management and services are useful. Secondly, it is intended to establish certain policy instruments such as information tools and economic instruments for hospital management to meet the needs of patients in future hospital development.

A review on the technical performance criteria of post occupancy evaluation (POE) of refurbished heritage museum buildings

A review on the technical performance criteria of post occupancy evaluation (POE) of refurbished heritage museum buildings

Methodological Framework to Assess the Significance of External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) on-site Activities

European climate strategy foresees measures to increase energy efficiency, competitiveness and the energy security of Europe by decreasing energy consumption. As buildings are responsible for 40% of the total energy consumption in the European Union, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive sets energy consumption reduction targets for the member states. The rapidly increasing market for energy efficient buildings favours External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) usage in Europe. From the consumers’ perspective the use of this façade system provides high thermal resistance and can be applied externally relatively fast with simple work methods.The façade system and each component of it need to meet specific technical performance criteria. The on-site construction process has the ability to modify technical performances with minor actions like mixing time, kneading water, insulation fixation, weather conditions, material moisture level and curing time. Minor deviations during construction can cause a variety of adverse consequences which lead to deterioration and reduced energy efficiency. The current paper proposes a methodology to rank the on-site degradation factors and provide a risk priority number. Based on the technical requirements set for building products, the significance of the collected degradation factors can be ranked by experts and the results ranked using a modified form of Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA). The methodology provides a significance assessment tool to identify degradation factors in the construction phase.

Facilities Management AUDIT in Managing Healing Facilities in Public Health Care Built Environment: User Satisfaction Viewpoint

Healthcare organizations have recognized the powerful impact of supply breakdowns and have exploited supply chain management for their quality program, especially regarding lean operations. This study aims to investigate strategic Facilities Management (FM) as a function to support the objectives of providing efficient services to healthcare sector through measuring user satisfaction focusing on public training hospital building. This research involved correlation analysis of the results obtained. The findings show that there is a strong significant relationship among the building performance criteria and the importance of POE guidelines in functional and technical performance criteria.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Sustainable; Quality of Life; Facilities Management Audit; Public Healthcare; Built Environment

Managing uncertainties in a safety-constrained process system for solvent selection and usage: an optimization approach with technical, economic, and risk factors

This paper addresses the problem of managing uncertainties in a safety-constrained process system for economic performance enhancement. Within such a context, a typical solvent selection problem involves a number of different solvents with nominal property values that are utilized in various process units and requires the minimization of the total operating cost while satisfying certain technical performance criteria and process safety constraints. Practically, in any process system, property values of streams are not exact; they are usually functions of operating variables and market conditions that change over time inevitably introducing irreducible uncertainties in system performance. A key aim of the present study is to systematically explore the effect of volatility in solvent prices on the economic performance of the process. Appropriate sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation work have been carried out to assist the decision maker in taking into account the continuously changing market conditions, while identifying operationally safe feasibility regions for solvents with different risk characteristics in the underlying optimization problem. The aforementioned uncertain inputs are shown to cause shifts of the associated Pareto front of optimal solutions toward feasibility regions that can be characterized in a more realistic manner. Finally, an illustrative case study that uses the permissible exposure limit as a risk factor is considered to evaluate the proposed method.

Effect of compatibilizer additives on the technological and performance characteristics of biodegradable materials based on starch-filled polyethylene

The deformation and strength characteristics, as well as rheological properties and biodegradability of film materials prepared by hot pressing and slot extrusion methods from polyethylene-plasticized starch-compatibilizer blends were examined. Polyethylene with grafted itaconic acid served as compatibilizer. The formulation and technological parameters of preparation of biodegradable film materials were optimized to meet the technical performance criteria.

Modelling and experimental studies on a mixed-mode natural convection solar crop-dryer

A mathematical model for drying agricultural products in a mixed-mode natural convection solar crop dryer (MNCSCD) using a single-pass double-duct solar air-heater (SPDDSAH) is presented. The model was developed in parallel with experimental work. The model comprises the air-heating process model, the drying model and the technical performance criteria model. The governing equations of the drying air temperature and humidity ratio; the material temperature and its moisture content; and performance criteria indicators are derived. The model requires the solution of a number of interrelated non-linear equations and a set of simultaneous differential equations. Results from experimental studies used for generating the required experimental data for validating the model are presented. Results of simulation runs using the model are presented and compared with the experimental data. It is shown that the model can predict the performance of the MNCSCD fairly accurately and therefore can be used as a design tool for prototype development.

Evaluation of hydrologic and hydraulic models for real-time flood forecasting use in the Yangtze River catchment

A key component of the Yangtze River Flood Control and Management Project is the development of an integrated real-time flood forecasting system to improve the reliability, accuracy and lead times of forecast flood discharges and flood levels along the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Central to the flood forecasting system is the use of appropriate hydrologic and hydraulic models. As part of the hydrologic and hydraulic model evaluation and selection process, a comprehensive comparative study was carried out for five well established hydrologic models and three well established hydraulic models to assess their performance and suitability for use in real-time forecasting in the Yangtze River catchment. The model evaluations were undertaken using common data sets and technical performance criteria specified in the Chinese National Standards for Flood Forecasting Models. This paper describes how the different hydrologic and hydraulic model performances were evaluated and presents the findings on their suitability for use in the Yangtze River flood forecasting system.

ASSESSING INTEROPERABILITY USING A TOOL'S ARCHITECTURE

AbstractThis paper investigates the usefulness of examining the architecture of a tool to understand its ability to support interoperability. The purpose is to see if such assessments are useful and to suggest next steps. An information system architecture is defined, along with architecture technical performance criteria to help assess interoperability. The architectures of three well‐known commercial systems engineering tools (DOORS, RDD‐100, and SLATE) are then described. Each architecture is then subjectively scored against the interoperability performance criteria. The paper concludes that this approach is worth further investigation, and offers suggestions regarding refinements for such assessments.

Early No. 1 ESS Field Experiences: I--Two-Wire System for Commercial Applications

The No. 1 Electronic Switching System (ESS) is the first electronic machine produced in quantity by the Bell System for central office switching. A 2-wire version is being used for Bell System commercial customers and a 4-wire version for a variety of government and military applications. The system is composed largely of solid-state devices and is controlled by a stored program. The nine No. 1 ESS's now in use have been giving good service to their commercial and government users. Judging from customer reaction and from various technical performance criteria, the No. 1 ESS has met its design objectives.