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Average Performance (average + performance)
Selected AbstractsThe Behavior Engineering Model at Work on a Small Scale: Using Task Clarification, Self-Monitoring, and Public Posting to Improve Customer ServicePERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2001John Austin ABSTRACT Gilbert's (1978/1996) Behavior Engineering Model (BEM) can enable the success of novice performance engineers by prompting appropriate front-end analysis. This paper describes the third author's first performance improvement project conducted in the customer service department at an insurance agency. Front-end performance analysis informed the design of an intervention package that addressed particular environment and person variables. This package included task clarification, employee self-monitoring, and public posting of group performance. A multiple baseline design across behaviors was used to assess the effects of the intervention. The performance targets were: 1) the percentage of transactions where Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) used customer names, and 2) the percentage of transactions where CSRs suggested additional services available to customers. Average performance during intervention was more than 50% better than average baseline performance for both targets. Results are discussed in terms of the utility of the BEM as a front-end analysis tool that can guide novice performance engineers to build simple and inexpensive, yet effective, performance improvement interventions. [source] Tax performance: a comparative studyJOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2004Joweria M. Teera This paper seeks to analyse tax performance across countries, utilizing what Musgrave (1969) referred to as the stochastic approach, where tax performance is analysed by comparisons with the average performance. The regression approach to tax performance assessment is used and a tax effort index is constructed. Among the variables that are identified to be important determinants of tax shares is a measure of tax evasion. The tax effort indices obtained show that generally the upper middle-income and high-income OECD groups are making better use of their tax bases to increase revenue. There are also economies of scale with respect to population density. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Testing the accuracy of synthetic stellar librariesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007Lucimara P. Martins ABSTRACT One of the main ingredients of stellar population synthesis models is a library of stellar spectra. Both empirical and theoretical libraries are used for this purpose, and the question about which one is preferable is still debated in the literature. Empirical and theoretical libraries are being improved significantly over the years, and many libraries have become available lately. However, it is not clear in the literature what are the advantages of using each of these new libraries, and how far behind models are compared to observations. Here we compare in detail some of the major theoretical libraries available in the literature with observations, aiming at detecting weaknesses and strengths from the stellar population modelling point of view. Our test is twofold: we compared model predictions and observations for broad-band colours and for high-resolution spectral features. Concerning the broad-band colours, we measured the stellar colour given by three recent sets of model atmospheres and flux distributions, and compared them with a recent UBVRIJHK calibration which is mostly based on empirical data. We found that the models can reproduce with reasonable accuracy the stellar colours for a fair interval in effective temperatures and gravities. The exceptions are (1) the U,B colour, where the models are typically redder than the observations, and (2) the very cool stars in general (V,K, 3). Castelli & Kurucz is the set of models that best reproduce the bluest colours (U,B, B,V) while Gustafsson et al. and Brott & Hauschildt more accurately predict the visual colours. The three sets of models perform in a similar way for the infrared colours. Concerning the high-resolution spectral features, we measured 35 spectral indices defined in the literature on three high-resolution synthetic libraries, and compared them with the observed measurements given by three empirical libraries. The measured indices cover the wavelength range from ,3500 to ,8700 Å. We found that the direct comparison between models and observations is not a simple task, given the uncertainties in parameter determinations of empirical libraries. Taking that aside, we found that in general the three libraries present similar behaviours and systematic deviations. For stars with Teff, 7000 K, the library by Coelho et al.is the one with best average performance. We detect that lists of atomic and molecular line opacities still need improvement, specially in the blue region of the spectrum, and for the cool stars (Teff, 4500 K). [source] Selection on Arctic charr generated by competition from brown troutOIKOS, Issue 3 2003Torbjørn Forseth We experimentally explored population- and individual-level effects on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) resulting from resource competition with its common European competitor, the brown trout (Salmo trutta). At the population level, we compared performance of the two species in their natural sympatric state with that of Arctic charr in allopatry. At the individual level, we established selection gradients for morphological traits of Arctic charr in allopatric and in sympatric conditions. We found evidence for interspecific competition likely by interference at the population level when comparing differences in average performance between treatments. The growth and feeding rates did not differ significantly between allopatric and sympatric Arctic charr despite lower charr densities (substitutive design) in sympatric enclosures indicating that inter- and intraspecific competition are of similar strength. The two species showed distinct niche segregation in sympatry, and brown trout grew faster than Arctic charr. Arctic charr did not expand their niche in allopatry, indicating that the two species compete to a limited degree for the same resources and that interference may suppress the growth of charr in sympatric enclosures. At the individual level, however, we found directional selection in sympatric enclosures against individual Arctic charr with large head and long fins and against individuals feeding on zoobenthos rather than zooplankton indicating competition for common resources (possibly exploitative) between trout and these charr individuals. In allopatric enclosures these relations were not significant. Diets were correlated to the morphology supporting selection against the benthic-feeding type, i.e. individuals with morphology and feeding behaviour most similar to their competitor, the benthic feeding brown trout. Thus, this study lends support to the hypothesis that Arctic charr have evolved in competition with brown trout, and through ecological character displacement adapted to their present niche. [source] A pilot study of the immediate effects of mirror feedback on sitting postural control in normal healthy adultsPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008Martin Watson Background and Purpose.,The remediation of postural control problems is a common feature of many physiotherapy interventions. Provision of augmented visual feedback through use of mirror-reflected body image is one means by which therapists can purportedly facilitate patients' postural correction abilities. Despite the historic place of this treatment modality within the physiotherapist's armamentarium, the strategy has however received very limited investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which availability of reflected body image influences the normal subjects' postural control abilities when in a sitting position.,Method.,A pilot investigation was undertaken, utilizing a sample of convenience comprising 18 healthy female subjects (mean age 20.8 years). All subjects underwent testing of their sitting postural control abilities in two separate conditions: with and without mirror feedback. A full length therapy mirror, as typically found in many rehabilitation departments, was used where appropriate to provide the reflected body image. Testing was carried out three times for each condition (six tests in total), obtaining average performance across three tests for each condition. Test order for each subject for the six tests was varied using a Latin square procedure to control for learning effect. Measurement of the subjects' postural control abilities was achieved by Balance Performance Monitor using a seat plate monitor and evaluating body sway path (mm). Postural control was challenged during testing by asking the subjects to maintain a standardized complex sitting position.,Results.,Group mean sway path with mirror feedback was lower than without: means 165.72,mm (standard deviation [SD] = 40.52,mm) versus 244.74,mm (SD = 68.48,mm). This suggested improved postural control ability when the subjects were able to view their reflected body image during testing. A related t test (t = 4.873, n = 18) showed differences between the two conditions to be statistically significant (p < 0.001), 95% confidence interval = 44.80,mm,113.23,mm.,Conclusion.,This relatively unsophisticated evaluation of mirror feedback nonetheless suggested a potential intervention effect. The precise mechanism(s) by which this strategy might effect changes in postural control ability, as well as the likely carryover of the effect and its replication in individuals with movement control problems, are all issues requiring further investigation. Nonetheless, these results provide provisional support for the notion that mirror feedback is a potentially useful strategy in the training of postural control. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Genetic improvement in the presence of genotype by environment interactionANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2002Ching Y. LIN ABSTRACT Although the underlying mechanisms for triggering genotype,environment (GE) interaction are poorly understood, the potential impacts of GE interaction on genetic improvement are well recognized. Genotype,environment interaction may be classified into three levels: breed, individual and gene,environment interactions. Three measures of GE interaction (genetic correlation, interaction correlation, and commonality of individuals selected between environments) are discussed. Three options are currently available to deal with GE interaction: environmental, breeding and marker-assisted approaches. Three possible selection strategies for improving global net merit were outlined: (i) selection of a specific genotype for each environment; (ii) selection in a single environment alone for overall response across environments; and (iii) global optimum index selection for high stability and average performance across environments. Global optimum index should be the method of choice from the standpoint of global marketing. Because of the complexity of GE interaction, it is impossible to develop a general strategy to deal with different types of GE interaction. Each type of interaction requires its own solution, depending upon a combination of the following six factors: (i) the intensity of GE interaction; (ii) relative economic weights among environments; (iii) the size of environments; (iv) the nature of environments; (v) the nature of GE interaction; and (vi) selection intensity. Profitability is a major concern in animal production. Extra genetic gain does not necessarily mean extra profit. Does additional genetic gain justify the associated costs of dealing with GE interaction? This is a fundamental issue that needs to be considered before a specific breeding strategy for GE interaction is developed. [source] Analysis of single-locus tests to detect gene/disease associations,GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Kathryn Roeder Abstract A goal of association analysis is to determine whether variation in a particular candidate region or gene is associated with liability to complex disease. To evaluate such candidates, ubiquitous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are useful. It is critical, however, to select a set of SNPs that are in substantial linkage disequilibrium (LD) with all other polymorphisms in the region. Whether there is an ideal statistical framework to test such a set of ,tag SNPs' for association is unknown. Compared to tests for association based on frequencies of haplotypes, recent evidence suggests tests for association based on linear combinations of the tag SNPs (Hotelling T2 test) are more powerful. Following this logical progression, we wondered if single-locus tests would prove generally more powerful than the regression-based tests? We answer this question by investigating four inferential procedures: the maximum of a series of test statistics corrected for multiple testing by the Bonferroni procedure, TB, or by permutation of case-control status, TP; a procedure that tests the maximum of a smoothed curve fitted to the series of of test statistics, TS; and the Hotelling T2 procedure, which we call TR. These procedures are evaluated by simulating data like that from human populations, including realistic levels of LD and realistic effects of alleles conferring liability to disease. We find that power depends on the correlation structure of SNPs within a gene, the density of tag SNPs, and the placement of the liability allele. The clearest pattern emerges between power and the number of SNPs selected. When a large fraction of the SNPs within a gene are tested, and multiple SNPs are highly correlated with the liability allele, TS has better power. Using a SNP selection scheme that optimizes power but also requires a substantial number of SNPs to be genotyped (roughly 10,20 SNPs per gene), power of TP is generally superior to that for the other procedures, including TR. Finally, when a SNP selection procedure that targets a minimal number of SNPs per gene is applied, the average performances of TP and TR are indistinguishable. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||