A New Integrated Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Model for Performance Evaluation

The perspective of competition in the high technology industry has changed impressively over the last two decades and the indicators which can be defined as the traditional indicators of business performance are insufficient today. So we have identified a new set of financial and non-financial performance indicators that can be used by firms and then, we developed a business performance measurement model. There may be relations and dependencies among the dimensions of performance. For this reason, performance evaluation should be conducted in a holistic manner. In this study, a hybrid method, Equated Priority Values (EPV), has been used to reflect the outcomes of the most commonly used approaches, including the modified Fuzzy Logarithmic Least Squares Method (modified fuzzy LLSM), Chang’s Extent Analysis Method and Mikhailov’s Fuzzy Prioritization Approach. A real world application is carried out to illustrate how the model can be utilized. The application could be interpreted as demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model

Seasonal variations in body composition, maximal oxygen uptake, and gas exchange threshold in cross-country skiers

WOS: 000431721600001PubMed ID: 29760574Introduction: In order to ensure that athletes achieve their highest performance levels during competitive seasons, monitoring their long-term performance data is crucial for understanding the impact of ongoing training programs and evaluating training strategies. The present study was thus designed to investigate the variations in body composition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and gas exchange threshold values of cross-country skiers across training phases throughout a season. Materials and methods: In total, 15 athletes who participate in international cross-country ski competitions voluntarily took part in this study. The athletes underwent incremental treadmill running tests at 3 different time points over a period of 1 year. The first measurements were obtained in July, during the first preparation period; the second measurements were obtained in October, during the second preparation period; and the third measurements were obtained in February, during the competition period. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat (%), as well as VO2max values and gas exchange threshold, measured using V-slope method during the incremental running tests, were assessed at all 3 time points. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 package software. Significant differences between the measurements were assessed using Friedman's twoway variance analysis with a post hoc option. Results: The athletes' body weights and BMI measurements at the third point were significantly lower compared with the results of the second measurement (p0.05). Conclusion: VO2max and gas exchange threshold values recorded during the third measurements, the timing of which coincided with the competitive season of the cross-country skiers, did not significantly change, but their incremental running test time and running speed significantly increased while their body weight and BMI significantly decreased. These results indicate that the cross-country skiers developed a tolerance for high-intensity exercise and reached their highest level of athletic performance during the competitive season

Intestinal perforation due to miliary tuberculosis in a patient with Behcet's disease

Gastrointestinal manifestations of both Behcet's disease and intestinal tuberculosis include the signs and symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and palpable mass in the right lower quadrant