Balanced Scorecard and Efficiency: Design and Empirical Validation of a Strategic Map in the University by Means of DEA

The principal objective of the research reported in this article is to validate a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) model and a Strategic Map for the University by studying the relationships of efficiency between its dimensions. Subsequently, the validation is completed by establishing hypotheses of efficiency relationships between the perspectives proposed, employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Empirical evidence has been obtained on the validity of the proposed BSC for a unit of academic management in the university. The first contribution of this work is the establishment of a framework of analysis of the hypothetical cause-effect relationships in the BSC in university institutions. The second contribution is to obtain the determining factors of the performance in this type of institution and, therefore, the Strategic Map. Specifically, these factors are: the participation of teaching staff in innovation activities;the number of doctorate-level staff;the academic subjects and credits in the Virtual Campus;and the scores in the surveys of student satisfaction. With respect to research, the determining factors of the performance are: the research sexennials;the funding obtained from contracts with companies;the number of research projects obtained;their financing;and the participation of teachers in these projects.

Balanced Fertilization and the Effect of Fertilization on Water Use Efficiency of Upland Winter Wheat in Western Henan, China

A study on balanced fertilization was conducted by means of long-term field experiments, and a convenient table for balanced fertilization was compiled. The experimental results about the effect of fertilization on water use efficiency of upland wheat showed that the input of inorganic fertilizer should be reduced in dry years.

An Analysis on Efficiency and Equity of Fixed-Time Ramp Metering

Various traffic management strategies have been developed to alleviate the congestion on freeways. The equity issue has been considered as one of the major challenges for the implementation of some traffic control strategies, especially ramp metering. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the efficiency and equity performance of a traffic control strategies namely Fixed Time Ramp Metering (FTRM). Instead of focusing on a single equity measure and/or indicator, different approaches to the equity concept are discussed and various equity measures are examined. The equity and efficiency performance of traffic control strategies are compared and evaluated by incorporating them into the simulated corridor. The Bosporus Bridge of Istanbul O-1 Freeway, Turkey is used as a test-bed for the simulation model and the control strategy is employed through microscopic traffic flow simulation software, VISSIM AG. The findings from the simulations show that the equity and efficiency properties of the network vary with the measures and indicators taken into account. The results also suggest that the trade-off between equity and efficiency can be observed for some measures, whereas regarding to other measures the trade-off is not validated.

Identifying the critical phosphorus balance for optimizing phosphorus input and regulating soil phosphorus effectiveness in a typical winter wheat-summer maize rotation system in North China

Phosphorus(P)is a nonrenewable resource and a critical element for plant growth that plays an important role in improving crop yield.Excessive P fertilizer application is widespread in agricultural production,which not only wastes phosphate resources but also causes P accumulation and groundwater pollution.Here,we hypothesized that the apparent P balance of a crop system could be used as an indicator for identifying the critical P input in order to obtain a high yield with high phosphorus use efficiency(PUE).A 12-year field experiment with P fertilization rates of 0,45,90,135,180,and 225 kg P_(2)O_(5)ha^(-1)was conducted to determine the crop yield,PUE,and soil Olsen-P value response to P balance,and to optimize the P input.Annual yield stagnation occurred when the P fertilizer application exceeded a certain level,and high yield and PUE levels were achieved with annual P fertilizer application rates of 90-135 kg P_(2)O_(5)ha^(-1).A critical P balance range of 2.15-4.45 kg P ha^(-1)was recommended to achieve optimum yield with minimal environmental risk.The critical P input range estimated from the P balance was 95.7-101 kg P_(2)O_(5)ha^(-1),which improved relative yield(>90%)and PUE(90.0-94.9%).In addition,the P input-output balance helps in assessing future changes in Olsen-P values,which increased by 4.07 mg kg^(-1)of P for every 100 kg of P surplus.Overall,the P balance can be used as a critical indicator for P management in agriculture,providing a robust reference for limiting P excess and developing a more productive,efficient and environmentally friendly P fertilizer management strategy.

Parallel Correlative Study of the Heat Balance Test Process for Testing the Efficiency of Turbo-Generators

In order to prolong the life span of a turbo-generator plant and sustain its performance at high efficiency, it is subjected periodically to regular test to monitor the operational profile and efficiency of power conversion from mechanical energy to electrical energy. Analysis of these test data serves as a measure to indicate deviation from normal operation profile and deterioration of plant performance. This present work implemented the heat balance tests process to three turb- generator units in order to assess the harmony, consistency, and accuracy of results to establish parallel correlation for the test process. The test process involves carrying out a heat balance for the turbo-generators at 50%, 75% and 100% load respectively through the determination of the heat losses through the hydrogen coolers, bearing oil, seal oil and radiation and convention to the atmosphere. Some important results were presented in the paper.

Economically Optimal Rates and Nutrients Use Efficiency Indices of Maize to the Application of Different Rates of Nutrients in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

The use of balanced fertilizers in adequate amount is very important to increase crop productivity and production in Ethiopia. The study was executed to quantify maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield response to different rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) under balanced fertilization of other nutrients. On farm trials were conducted at seven sites on 8 farmers’ fields in Negele Arsi districts, west Arsi zone of Oromia region for three consecutive cropping seasons (2014-2016). Six rates of N, P, S and eight rates of K treatments established separately for each nutrient were laid out in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replicates per farm. Nutrient response function modelling showed that 184, 20 and 80 kg•ha−1 were the agronomic optimum rate for N, P, and K, respectively. Mean agronomic efficiency (AE) of N, P and K were recorded at the lower rates of these nutrients, application of 46, 10 and 20 kg•ha−1 N, P and K resulted in 19.1, 61.0, and 24 kg additional grain yield•kg−1 N, P and K, respectively. Also, the mean partial factor productivity (PFP) of N, P and K were 77.6, 370 and 158 kg additional grain•kg−1 applied N, P and K respectively. Economically optimal rate (EOR) of N, P and K were 48 - 114 kg•ha−1 N with CP 8 - 3.5, 12 - 20 kg•ha−1 P with CP 18 - 4.5 and 32 - 53 kg•ha−1 K with CP 8-4, from these rates net returns of US$487.23 - 143.30, US$698.16 - 498.3 and US$359.31 - 193.63 could be obtained respectively. To conclude, application of 84, 12 and 40 kg•ha−1 N, P and K could be recommended for the production of maize.

Scientific Land Reform in Nepal： Question of Equity and Efficiency

Scientific Land Reform is at centre of decades＇ conflict and even during Peace Process in Nepal. In this regards, land reform attempts to address equity and efficiency so as to address historical inequity and injustices for promoting peace process in Nepal. From equity perspective, landlessness, unequal power structure and social relation, injustices and discrimination for long centuries are key land issues. Along with this, economic efficiency is the fundamental for enhancing agricultural growth leading to economic growth. In particular, this article argues that, in the given prevailing condition, i.e. traditional and subsistence and rampant rural poverty and unequal power structure and injustices, small farms perform better leading to food and livelihood security at household level. Consequently, ＇Scientific Land Reform＇ has been defined by taking into account the essence of equity and efficiency.

Improving the Efficiency of the State Budget Balance in Vietnam

The state budget balance is always an extremely important issue for each government.In 2020,Vietnam has a relatively small-scale economy.Its economic scale and GDP per capita reached 271.2 billion USD and 2,779 USD respectively.Budget revenue is still limited,but the need for recurrent spending and development investment is still very large now and in many years to come.In the past time,budget revenue and expenditure are in a situation of not having the necessary balance,the state budget deficit has been still around 4.5 percent of GDP.The actual state budget revenue and expenditure balance have been revealing several disadvantages.Faced to such a situation,the author would like to present some important issues about the state budget revenue and expenditure and propose key solutions to increase the efficiency of state budget revenue and expenditure in Vietnam.

Effects of Slow-release Fertilizer and Balanced Fertilization on Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Uptake in Peppers

Field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of two slow-re- lease fertilizers and balanced fertilization on dry matter accumulation, yield, fertilizer use efficiency, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake of peppers at Jiangna Town, Yanshan County, Yunnan Province in 2011. The results showed that the dry matter accumulation in dried pepper plant, pepper yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium uptake in peppers were significantly increased in all the fertilizer treat- ments, compared with those in control （no fertilizer）. Compared with conventional fertilization, balanced fertilization, slow-release compound fertilizer and slow-release urea fertilizer significantly increased dried pepper economic output by 20.94%, 17.5% and 14.54%, nitrogen uptake in dried peppers by 21.53%,18.46% and 13.19%, phosphorus uptake in dried peppers by 14.08%, 15.76% and 10.44%, potassium uptake in dried peppers by 22.66%, 15.73% and 16.28%; they also in- creased nitrogen and potassium use efficiency, but reduced potassium use efficiency due to the increased potassium addition. In treatments with balanced fertilization, slow-release compound fertilizer and slow-release urea fertilizer, the nitrogen utiliza- tion was 5.84%, 7.14% and 8.33% higher and the phosphorus utilization was 3.32%, 3.27% and 2.47% higher than those in treatment with conventional fertiliza- tion. In addition, the nitrogen application could be reduced by 20%-50% by bal- anced fertilization and the two slow-release fertilizers, thereby reducing environmen- tal pollution. Slow-release fertilizers could also reduce the frequency of fertilization and labor costs.

Postponed and reduced basal nitrogen application improves nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth of winter wheat

Excessive nitrogen(N) fertilization with a high basal N ratio in wheat can result in lower N use efficiency(NUE) and has led to environmental problems in the Yangtze River Basin, China. However, wheat requires less N fertilizer at seedling growth stage, and its basal N fertilizer utilization efficiency is relatively low; therefore, reducing the N application rate at the seedling stage and postponing the N fertilization period may be effective for reducing N application and increasing wheat yield and NUE. A 4-year field experiment was conducted with two cultivars under four N rates(240 kg N ha–1(N240), 180 kg N ha–1(N180), 150 kg N ha–1(N150), and 0 kg N ha–1(N0)) and three basal N application stages(seeding(L0), fourleaf stage(L4), and six-leaf stage(L6)) to investigate the effects of reducing the basal N application rate and postponing the basal N fertilization period on grain yield, NUE, and N balance in a soil-wheat system. There was no significant difference in grain yield between the N180 L4 and N240 L0(control) treatments, and the maximum N recovery efficiency and N agronomy efficiency were observed in the N180 L4 treatment. Grain yield and NUE were the highest in the L4 treatment. The leaf area index, flag leaf photosynthesis rate, flag leaf nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase activities, dry matter accumulation, and N uptake post-jointing under N180 L4 did not differ significantly from those under N240 L0. Reduced N application decreased the inorganic N content in the 0–60-cm soil layer, and the inorganic N content of the L6 treatment was higher than those of the L0 and L4 treatments at the same N level. Surplus N was low under the reduced N rates and delayed basal N application treatments. Therefore, postponing and reducing basal N fertilization could maintain a high yield and improve NUE by improving the photosynthetic production capacity, promoting N uptake and assimilation, and reducing surplus N in soil-wheat systems.

Nitrogen Use Efficiency as Affected by Phosphorus and Potassium in Long-Term Rice and Wheat Experiments

Improving nitrogen use efficiency （NUE） and decreasing N loss are critical to sustainable agriculture. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of various fertilization regimes on yield, NUE, N agronomic efficiency （NAE） and N loss in long-term （16- or 24-yr） experiments carried out at three rice-wheat rotation sites （Chongqing, Suining and Wuchang） in subtropical China. Three treatments were examined： sole chemical N, N＋phosphorus （NP）, and NP＋potassium （NPK） fertilizations. Grain yields at three sites were significantly increased by 9.3-81.6% （rice） and 54.5-93.8% （wheat） under NP compared with N alone, 1.7-9.8% （rice） and 0-17.6% （wheat） with NPK compared with NP. Compared to NP, NUE significantly increased for wheat at Chongqing （9.3%） and Wuchang （11.8%）, but not at Suining, China. No changes in NUE were observed in rice between NP and NPK at all three sites. The rice-wheat rotation＇s NAE was 3.3 kg kg1 higher under NPK than under NP at Chongqing, while NAE was similar for NP and NPK at Suining and Wuchang. We estimated that an uptake increase of 1.0 kg N hal would increase 40 kg rice and 30 kg wheat ha-1. Nitrogen loss/input ratios were -60, -40 or -30% under N, NP or NPK at three sites, indicating significant decrease of N loss by P or PK additions. We attribute part of the increase in NUE soil N accumulation which significantly increased by 25-55 kg ha-1 yr1 under NPK at three sites, whereas by 35 kg ha-1 yr-1 under NP at Chongqing only. This paper illustrates that apply P and K to wheat, and reduce K application to rice is an effective nutrient management strategy for both the NUE improvement and N losses reduction in China.

Integrated application of February Orchid(Orychophragmus violaceus) as green manure with chemical fertilizer for improving grain yield and reducing nitrogen losses in spring maize system in northern China

The development of more efficient management systems is crucial to achieving high grain yields with high nitrogen use efficiency（NUE）. February Orchid-spring maize rotation system is a newly established planting system with the benefits of ground cover and potential wind erosion in northern China. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with reduction of chemical fertilizers（INTEGRATED） on spring maize yield, N uptake, ammonium volatilization, and soil residual mineral N in northern China. Compared to farmers＇ traditional fertilization（CON）, integrated application of February Orchid as green manure with 30% reduction of nitrogen fertilizers（INTEGRATED） increased maize grain yield and biomass by 9.9 and 10.2%, respectively. The 0–100 cm soil residual Nmin at harvest was decreased by 58.5% and thus nitrogen use efficiency was increased significantly by 26.7%. The nitrogen balance calculation further demonstrated that the INTEGRATED approach performed better than CON with lower apparent nitrogen loss（decreased by 48.9%） which evidenced by the ammonium volatilization of top-dressing fertilizer was decreased by 31.1%, the N_（min） movement to the deeper soil layers was reduced, and the apparent nitrogen leaching loss nearly equal to 0 under the INTEGRATED treatment. Therefore, in northern China, integrated application of green manure and chemical fertilizers is an efficient management approach for improving maize yields and NUE simultaneously.

Comparison of the local pivotal method and systematic sampling for national forest inventories

Background:The local pivotal method(LPM)utilizing auxiliary data in sample selection has recently been proposed as a sampling method for national forest inventories(NFIs).Its performance compared to simple random sampling(SRS)and LPM with geographical coordinates has produced promising results in simulation studies.In this simulation study we compared all these sampling methods to systematic sampling.The LPM samples were selected solely using the coordinates(LPMxy)or,in addition to that,auxiliary remote sensing-based forest variables(RS variables).We utilized field measurement data(NFI-field)and Multi-Source NFI(MS-NFI)maps as target data,and independent MS-NFI maps as auxiliary data.The designs were compared using relative efficiency(RE);a ratio of mean squared errors of the reference sampling design against the studied design.Applying a method in NFI also requires a proven estimator for the variance.Therefore,three different variance estimators were evaluated against the empirical variance of replications:1)an estimator corresponding to SRS;2)a Grafström-Schelin estimator repurposed for LPM;and 3)a Matérn estimator applied in the Finnish NFI for systematic sampling design.Results:The LPMxy was nearly comparable with the systematic design for the most target variables.The REs of the LPM designs utilizing auxiliary data compared to the systematic design varied between 0.74–1.18,according to the studied target variable.The SRS estimator for variance was expectedly the most biased and conservative estimator.Similarly,the Grafström-Schelin estimator gave overestimates in the case of LPMxy.When the RS variables were utilized as auxiliary data,the Grafström-Schelin estimates tended to underestimate the empirical variance.In systematic sampling the Matérn and Grafström-Schelin estimators performed for practical purposes equally.Conclusions:LPM optimized for a specific variable tended to be more efficient than systematic sampling,but all of the considered LPM designs were less efficient than the systematic sampling design for some target variables.The Grafström-Schelin estimator could be used as such with LPMxy or instead of the Matérn estimator in systematic sampling.Further studies of the variance estimators are needed if other auxiliary variables are to be used in LPM.

Promoting Balance in Output Efficiencies for Cross-Efficiency Evaluation in Data Envelopment Analysis

Cross-efficiency evaluation is recognized as an effective way of efficiency assessment for a set of decision making units (DMUs) in the framework of data envelopment analysis (DEA). It has been generally suggested that secondary goals be introduced for cross-efficiency evaluation owing to the non-uniqueness of optimal solutions in self-evaluation. This paper develops a variety of secondary goals in the spirit of promoting balance in the output efficiencies of the DMU under evaluation. The proposed models attempt to make each output contribute as equally as possible to the self-evaluated efficiency. In this way, the weight flexibility can for one thing be reduced by the introduced secondary goals with selections from alternate optimal solutions, in addition to counting on the dilution of flexibility in the subsequent peer-evaluation. The proposed approach might be applicable to evaluation problems in which multiple outputs are considered important and balance is encouraged to put all dimensions into sufficient use. The effectiveness of the proposed approach and its comparisons with some relevant secondary goals are illustrated empirically using numerical examples.

A Multi-Object Genetic Algorithm for the Assembly Line Balance Optimization in Garment Flexible Job Shop Scheduling

Numerous clothing enterprises in the market have a relatively low efficiency of assembly line planning due to insufficient optimization of bottleneck stations.As a result,the production efficiency of the enterprise is not high,and the production organization is not up to expectations.Aiming at the problem of flexible process route planning in garment workshops,a multi-object genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the assembly line bal-ance optimization problem and minimize the machine adjustment path.The encoding method adopts the object-oriented path representation method,and the initial population is generated by random topology sorting based on an in-degree selection mechanism.The multi-object genetic algorithm improves the mutation and crossover operations according to the characteristics of the clothing process to avoid the generation of invalid offspring.In the iterative process,the bottleneck station is optimized by reasonable process splitting,and process allocation conforms to the strict limit of the station on the number of machines in order to improve the compilation efficiency.The effectiveness and feasibility of the multi-object genetic algorithm are proven by the analysis of clothing cases.Compared with the artificial allocation process,the compilation efficiency of MOGA is increased by more than 15%and completes the optimization of the minimum machine adjustment path.The results are in line with the expected optimization effect.

On the Maximum of Wind Power Efficiency

In our paper we demonstrate that the filtration equation used by Gorban’ et al. for determining the maximum efficiency of plane propellers of about 30 percent for free fluids plays no role in describing the flows in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) because the ABL is mainly governed by turbulent motions. We also demonstrate that the stream tube model customarily applied to derive the Rankine-Froude theorem must be corrected in the sense of Glauert to provide an appropriate value for the axial velocity at the rotor area. Including this correction leads to the Betz-Joukowsky limit, the maximum efficiency of 59.3 percent. Thus, Gorban’ et al.’s 30% value may be valid in water, but it has to be discarded for the atmosphere. We also show that Joukowsky’s constant circulation model leads to values of the maximum efficiency which are higher than the Betz-Jow-kowsky limit if the tip speed ratio is very low. Some of these values, however, have to be rejected for physical reasons. Based on Glauert’s optimum actuator disk, and the results of the blade-element analysis by Okulov and S&oslashrensen we also illustrate that the maximum efficiency of propeller-type wind turbines depends on tip-speed ratio and the number of blades.

Energy and Material Flow Evaluation with CO2 Emissions in the Glass Production Process

Glass manufacturing is an energy-intensive process with high demands on product quality. The wide usage of glass products results in a high end-product diversity. In the past, many models have been developed to optimize specific process steps, such as glass melting or glass forming. This approach presents a tool for the modeling of the entire glass manufacturing process for container glass, flat glass, and glass fibers. The tool considers detailed bottom-up energy and material balance in each step of the processing route with the corresponding costs and CO2 emissions. Subsequently, it provides the possibility to quantify optimization scenarios in the entire glass manufacturing process in terms of energy, material and cost flow efficiency.

Enhancing Hygrothermal Performance in Multi-Zone Constructions through Phase Change Material Integration

As buildings evolve to meet the challenges of energy efficiency and indoor comfort,phase change materials(PCM)emerge as a promising solution due to their ability to store and release latent heat.This paper explores the transformative impact of incorporating PCMon the hygrothermal dynamics of multi-zone constructions.The study focuses on analyzing heat transfer,particularly through thermal conduction,in a wall containing PCM.A novel approach was proposed,wherein the studied system(sensitive balance)interacts directly with a latent balance to realistically define the behavior of specific humidity and mass flow rates.In addition,a numerical model implemented in MATLAB software has been developed to investigate the effect of integrating PCM on the hygrothermal balances inside the building.The obtained results indicate a consistent response in internal temperatures,specific humidity,and mass flow rates,with temperature differences ranging from 5℃to 13℃and a maximum phase shift of 13 h.In addition,the findings provided valuable insights into optimizing the design and performance of multi-zone constructions,offering a sustainable pathway for enhancing building resilience and occupant well-being.

Improving Energy Efficiency of Tunnel Furnace by Using Heat Optimization Model

Reheating furnace of an integrated steel plant consumes intensive fuel as input energy to heat up stocks prior to hot rolling process. In current scenario, the elevated cost of productivity due to increasing fuel price is emerging as a key concern for the steel industry. A continuous improvement in reduction of fuel consumption is one of the key objectives for the manufacturing units. Numerous research work is going on worldwide to increase the energy efficiency of reheating furnaces. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and numerical modelling are mostly being used for predicting thermal and reactive fluid characteristic inside a furnace. However, the said methods are very expensive and require a huge infrastructure to compute the results. In addition, these results are not available on real time basis to take corrective action due to high computational time. In this article, an alternative approach has been adopted where complete heat and mass balance of entire tunnel type reheating furnace has been carried out. This study includes first principle-based model where heat conduction, convection and radiation with combustion reactions of the fuel components have been considered. Based on these theoretical calculations, the model is used to identify heat losses at various locations of the furnace. Moreover, a method to optimize the mixing ratio of air and fuel (mixed gas) along with monitoring of heat recovery from combined recuperator have been covered. Based on the model outcome, a significant improvement in furnace efficiency has been achieved, leading to reduction in fuel consumption in the range of 12%.

区域比较视角下我国老年护理人力资源配置效率与公平性

目的:研究2012—2021年我国老年护理人力资源配置效率与公平性差异,为科学、合理配置我国护理人力资源提供科学依据。方法:以国家卫生健康委员会公布的2013—2022年《中国卫生健康统计年鉴》为数据来源,使用DEA-BCC模型对我国2012—2021年数据进行静态分析,运用Malmquist指数模型对2012—2021年数据进行动态分析,并采用基尼系数进行公平性研究。结果:我国2012—2021年千老年人口护士数年均增长率为2.725%,2021年我国老年护理人力资源配置的综合效率、纯技术效率和规模效率分别为0.772,0.840和0.918;2012—2021年全要素生产率指数均值为0.953,技术进步指数均值下降4%,基尼系数为0.311~0.347。结论:2012—2021年我国老年护理人力资源整体效率不高,存在区域性差异,并受到技术水平和管理水平的影响,整体公平性较好。建议政府宏观调控,提高对老年护理人力资源的重视,通过提升技术效率来优化老年护理人力资源配置。