Fractional regression models for second stage DEA efficiency analyses

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is commonly used to measure the relative efficiency of decision-making units. Often, in a second stage, a regression model is estimated to relate DEA efficiency scores to exogenous factors. In this paper, we argue that the traditional linear or tobit approaches to second-stage DEA analysis do not constitute a reasonable data-generating process for DEA scores. Under the assumption that DEA scores can be treated as descriptive measures of the relative performance of units in the sample, we show that using fractional regression models are the most natural way of modeling bounded, proportional response variables such as DEA scores. We also propose generalizations of these models and, given that DEA scores take frequently the value of unity, examine the use of two-part models in this framework. Several tests suitable for assessing the specification of each alternative model are also discussed.Second-stage DEA; Fractional data; Specification tests; One outcomes; Two-part models.

Diluted Random Fields in Mixed Cyanide Crystals

A percolation argument and a dilute compressible random field Ising model are used to present a simple model for mixed cyanide crystals. The model reproduces quantitatively several features of the phase diagrams altough some crude approximations are made. In particular critical thresholds x_c at which ferroelastic first order transitions disappear, are calculated. Moreover, transitions are found to remain first order down to x_c for all mixtures except for bromine, for which the transition becomes continuous. All the results are in full agreement with experimental data.Comment: 8 pages, late

POS0119 SLE-DAS REMISSION AND LOW DISEASE ACTIVITY STATES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND FATIGUE: POST-HOC ANALYSIS OF THE BLISS-52 AND BLISS-76 PHASE III TRIALS.

Background Accurate and practical outcome measures for clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are lacking. The SLE Disease Activity Score (SLE-DAS) is a recently validated 17-item instrument, with high accuracy and sensitivity to changes in SLE disease activity. The SLE-DAS definitions of remission and low disease activity (LDA) were newly validated against disease activity physician-applied measures in the clinical setting [1, 2]. Criterion validity of SLE-DAS for Patient Reported Outcomes, namely health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and fatigue needs to be assessed. Objectives To evaluate if the attainment of SLE-DAS remission and LDA states is associated with improvements in HR-QoL and fatigue. Methods Post-hoc analysis of the merged study population in the BLISS-52 and -76 trials (NCT00424476; NCT00410384) of intravenous belimumab versus placebo for moderate to severe SLE disease activity. We analysed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) trial data. Fulfillment of SLE-DAS remission (defined as absence of all SLE-DAS clinical items and prednisone ≤5mg/day) and LDA (defined as SLE-DAS≤2.48 and prednisone ≤7.5mg/day) definitions were retrospectively assessed from the individual participants’ data. Mean changes from study baseline to week 52 in FACIT and SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) and domain scores were compared between patients attaining at week 52 the SLE-DAS remission vs non-remission and the SLE-DAS LDA vs non-LDA using multivariate regression analysis adjusted for baseline scores. Results A total of 1684 SLE patients were included. Few patients were in SLE-DAS remission (0.5%) and LDA (0.8%) at study entry. At week 52, 12.5% patients attained SLE-DAS remission and 17.5% attained SLE-DAS LDA. Mean improvements in SF-36 PCS and MCS scores were greater in patients that attained SLE-DAS remission vs non-remission (5.4 vs 3.4, and 4.6 vs 2.7, respectively; multivariate p<0.005 for both) and SLE-DAS LDA vs non-LDA (5.0 vs 3.4 and 4.6 vs 2.6, respectively; multivariate p<0.005 for both), at week 52 (Figure 1). Similarly, improvements in all individual domain scores were greater in SLE-DAS remission vs non-remission patients (all multivariate p<0.005) and SLE-DAS LDA vs non-LDA patients (all multivariate p<0.005) (Figure 1). Importantly, improvements in the summary scores and in all the individual domain scores largely exceeded the minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) of 2.5 and 5 points, respectively, in those patients attaining SLE-DAS remission or LDA. Additionally, mean improvements in FACIT scores were higher in SLE-DAS remission than non-remission (6.3 vs 3.6, multivariate p<0.001) and in SLE-DAS LDA than non-LDA (5.9 vs 3.6, multivariate p<0.001), and exceeded the MCID of 4 points. Conclusion Attainment of SLE-DAS remission and LDA is associated with meaningful improvement in HR-QoL and fatigue.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Digital health literacy in the training of informal caregivers - community intervention

Background: Health Literacy allows optimizing healthy lifestyles and preventive and health protective behaviors (DGS, 2019). Low literacy can lead to a greater number of hospitalizations, a more frequent use of emergency services and a lower prevalence of preventive attitudes in the field of health. Internet-based interventions could have a positive impact on informal caregivers, reducing the geographical barrier, promoting self-efficacy in managing their own emotions, reducing burden. Aim: Contribute to the training of informal caregivers of a primary health care unit in Lisbon, through the promotion of digital health literacy. Methods: The Community Intervention project was carried out in the context of a home visit, focusing on 11 informal caregivers, through the presentation of an interactive digital manual. It was based on the methodology of health planning, through the elaboration of a diagnosis of the situation, definition of priorities, setting of objectives, selection of strategies, operational preparation and evaluation (Imperatori & Giraldes, 1993).ResultsIt was found that not all informal caregivers have access to the internet or digital technologies, and it was necessary to deliver the printed manual. Caregivers who accessed the interactive digital manual rated its content as very important, having accessed the suggested links without difficulty. The possibility of forwarding the digital manual to other caregivers was valid for all. Conclusions:Digital technologies promote communication in terms of health promotion, contributing to universal access and digital training in health, giving individuals the opportunity to increase care for their own health. The creation of digital health tools must be directed to the characteristics of the population. For individuals with low digital literacy, simple technologies must be created and for those who cannot or do not want to use digital tools, adequate alternatives must be created.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Psychosocial risks among the healthcare workforce working in COVID services: findings from a cross sectional study on psychosocial risks

publishersversionpublishe

The Estimation of the Effective Centre of Mass Energy in q-qbar-gamma Events from DELPHI

The photon radiation in the initial state lowers the energy available for the e$^+$e$^-$ collisions; this effect is particularly important at LEP2 energies (above the mass of the Z boson). Being aligned to the beam direction, such initial state radiation is mostly undetected. This article describes the procedure used by the DELPHI experiment at LEP to estimate the effective centre-of-mass energy in hadronic events collected at energies above the Z peak. Typical resolutions ranging from 2 to 3 GeV on the effective center-of-mass energy are achieved, depending on the event topology.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Conformity and controversies in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up evaluation of canine nodal lymphoma: a systematic review of the last 15 years of published literature

Diagnostic methods used in the initial and post-treatment evaluation of canine lymphoma are heterogeneous and can vary within countries and institutions. Accurate reporting of clinical stage and response assessment is crucial in determining the treatment efficacy and predicting prognosis. This study comprises a systematic review of all available canine multicentric lymphoma studies published over 15 years. Data concerning diagnosis, clinical stage evaluation and response assessment procedures were extracted and compared. Sixty-three studies met the eligibility criteria. Fifty-five (87.3%) studies were non-randomized prospective or retrospective studies. The survey results also expose variations in diagnostic criteria and treatment response assessment in canine multicentric lymphoma. Variations in staging procedures performed and recorded led to an unquantifiable heterogeneity among patients in and between studies, making it difficult to compare treatment efficacies. Awareness of this inconsistency of procedure and reporting may help in the design of future clinical trials

Phase dynamics and particle production in preheating

We study a simple model of a massive inflaton field $\phi$ coupled to another scalar filed $\chi$ with interaction term $g^2\phi^2\chi^2$. We use the theory developed by Kofman {\em et al.} (Phys. Rev. D {\bf 56} (1997) 3258 [arXiv:hep-ph/9704452])for the first stage of preheating to give a full description of the dynamics of the $\chi$ field modes, including the behaviour of the phase, in terms of the iteration of a simple family of circle maps. The parameters of this family of maps are a function of time when expansion of the universe is taken into account. With this more detailed description, we obtain a systematic study of the efficiency of particle production as a function of the inflaton field and coupling parameters, and we find that for $g \lesssim 3 \times 10^{-4}$ the broad resonance ceases during the first stage of preheating.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D. Correct Figure 9, results unchanged. Added references and corrected misprints/misspelling