LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Efficiency decomposition in two-stage data envelopment analysis: An application to non-life insurance companies in Taiwan

The efficiency of decision processes which can be divided into two stages has been measured for the whole process as well as for each stage independently by using the conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology in order to identify the causes of inefficiency. This paper modifies the conventional DEA model by taking into account the series relationship of the two sub-processes within the whole process. Under this framework, the efficiency of the whole process can be decomposed into the product of the efficiencies of the two sub-processes. In addition to this sound mathematical property, the case of Taiwanese non-life insurance companies shows that some unusual results which have appeared in the independent model do not exist in the relational model. In other words, the relational model developed in this paper is more reliable in measuring the efficiencies and consequently is capable of identifying the causes of inefficiency more accurately. Based on the structure of the model, the idea of efficiency decomposition can be extended to systems composed of multiple stages connected in series. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effectiveness and Safety of Generic Fixed-Dose Combination of Tenofovir/Emtricitabine/Efavirenz in HIV-1-Infected Patients in Western India

OBJECTIVE
To assess effectiveness and safety of a generic fixed-dose combination of tenofovir (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC)/efavirenz (EFV) among HIV-1-infected patients in Western India.


METHODS
Antiretroviral (ARV)-naive and experienced (thymidine analog nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [tNRTI] replaced by TDF) patients were started on a regimen of 1 TDF/FTC/EFV pill once a day. They were followed clinically on a periodic basis, and viral loads and CD4 counts were measured at 6 and 12 months. Creatinine clearance was calculated at baseline and at 6 months and/or as clinically indicated. Effectiveness was defined as not having to discontinue the regimen due to failure or toxicity.


RESULTS
One hundred forty-one patients who started TDF/FTC/EFV before 1 June 2007 were eligible. Of these, 130 (92.2%) and 44 (31.2%) had 6- and 12-months follow-up, respectively. Thirty-five percent of the patients were ARV-naive. Eleven patients discontinued treatment (4 for virologic failure, 1 for grade 3-4 central nervous system disturbances, 4 for grade 3-4 renal toxicity, and 2 for cost). Ninety-six percent of patients were virologically suppressed at 6 months. Frequency of TDF-associated grade 3-4 renal toxicity was 2.8%; however, 3 of these patients had comorbid conditions associated with renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSION
A fixed-dose combination of generic TDF/FTC/EFV is effective in ARV-naive and experienced patients. Although frequency of severe renal toxicity was higher than has been reported in the literature, it was safe in patients with no comorbid renal conditions.
Study protocol of the YOU CALL - WE CALL TRIAL: impact of a multimodal support intervention after a "mild" stroke

BACKGROUND
More than 60% of new strokes each year are "mild" in severity and this proportion is expected to rise in the years to come. Within our current health care system those with "mild" stroke are typically discharged home within days, without further referral to health or rehabilitation services other than advice to see their family physician. Those with mild stroke often have limited access to support from health professionals with stroke-specific knowledge who would typically provide critical information on topics such as secondary stroke prevention, community reintegration, medication counselling and problem solving with regard to specific concerns that arise. Isolation and lack of knowledge may lead to a worsening of health problems including stroke recurrence and unnecessary and costly health care utilization.The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness, for individuals who experience a first "mild" stroke, of a sustainable, low cost, multimodal support intervention (comprising information, education and telephone support)--"WE CALL" compared to a passive intervention (providing the name and phone number of a resource person available if they feel the need to)--"YOU CALL", on two primary outcomes: unplanned-use of health services for negative events and quality of life.


METHOD/DESIGN
We will recruit 384 adults who meet inclusion criteria for a first mild stroke across six Canadian sites. Baseline measures will be taken within the first month after stroke onset. Participants will be stratified according to comorbidity level and randomised to one of two groups: YOU CALL or WE CALL. Both interventions will be offered over a six months period. Primary outcomes include unplanned use of heath services for negative event (frequency calendar) and quality of life (EQ-5D and Quality of Life Index). Secondary outcomes include participation level (LIFE-H), depression (Beck Depression Inventory II) and use of health services for health promotion or prevention (frequency calendar). Blind assessors will gather data at mid-intervention, end of intervention and one year follow up.


DISCUSSION
If effective, this multimodal intervention could be delivered in both urban and rural environments. For example, existing infrastructure such as regional stroke centers and existing secondary stroke prevention clinics, make this intervention, if effective, deliverable and sustainable.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN95662526.
TiO2 nanotube arrays based flexible perovskite solar cells with transparent carbon nanotube electrode

Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Nanyang Technological University, Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, 637553 Singapore, Singapore School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Block N4.1, Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore, Singapore Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People’s Republic of China School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
Social choice and information: a note on the calculus of mappings from utility spaces

Social choice is studied in this paper as a mapping from information on utilities over states of the world to an ordering of those states of the world. The idea of using this type of information originates in the work of Sen and Roberts. This paper differs in that it uses theorems from analysis to derive its results in a straightforward manner. It also gives information on the way in which all states of the world, on any path through the set of states of the world, must be ordered. JEL Categories: D60, D71.
A phase I study of BI 811283, an Aurora B kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors

This phase I study investigated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of the Aurora B kinase inhibitor BI 811283 in patients with advanced solid tumors. BI 811283 was administered via 24-h infusion on Days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle (schedule A) or Day 1 of a 3-week cycle (schedule B) in a modified 3 + 3 dose-escalation design. Pharmacodynamic assessments included immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated histone H3 (pHH3) on skin biopsies to determine Aurora B kinase inhibition and plasma concentrations of caspase-cleaved CK-18 (apoptosis marker). A total of 121 patients were treated. The MTDs of BI 811283 were 125 mg (schedule A) and 230 mg (schedule B). Dose-limiting toxicities were primarily hematological (febrile neutropenia and grade 4 neutropenia); the most common drug-related adverse effects included neutropenia, fatigue, leukopenia, nausea, alopecia, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. A trend toward a decrease in pHH3 was observed, with increasing BI 811283 doses, indicating target engagement; there was no consistent trend regarding caspase-cleaved CK-18 levels. No objective response was observed although 19 patients in each schedule achieved clinical benefit (stable disease). BI 811283 demonstrated a generally manageable safety profile and disease stabilization in some patients. EudraCT No: 2007-000191-17, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00701324.
Collaborative Education Model and Its Application in E-learning

This paper presents a collaborative education model and its application in e-learning. This work is distinguished by three contributions. One is the proposition of three goals of e-learning in "source, transmit and quality" views. The second one is the proposition of collaborative education model including model of studying process, model of studying environment and six collaborative scenarios. The last one is the proposition of a collaborative e-learning implementation architecture.
Stent-assisted endovascular thrombolysis versus intravenous thrombolysis in internal carotid artery dissection with tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Stent-Assisted Endovascular Thrombolysis Versus Intravenous Thrombolysis in Internal Carotid Artery Dissection With Tandem Internal Carotid and Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion To the Editor: We have read the exciting article entitled “Stent-assisted endovascular thrombolysis versus intravenous thrombolysis in internal carotid artery dissection with tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion.”1 The authors compared 4 patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administered according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) guidelines with 6 patients who were treated with an IV bolus of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonist abciximab (0.25 mg/kg body weight) and carotid stenting followed by mechanical thrombectomy in 5 cases and intra-arterial thrombolysis with 40 mg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in the remaining case.1 Three-month outcome was worse in the IVT group although the presenting neurological deficit was comparable in the 2 groups and the mean time from stroke to treatment onset was 90 minutes longer in patients treated with endovascular techniques. These results differ from our findings observed in 18 consecutive patients with internal carotid artery dissection causing carotid occlusion and a symptomatic middle cerebral artery occlusion defined by a hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign in native brain CT in all cases, and in addition by catheter angiography in 4 and CT angiography in 6 cases (Table). Four patients were treated with carotid stenting followed by intra-arterial thrombolysis with urokinase (mean dose 625 000 227 000 IE; 3 patients have already been reported2), and 14 with IVT using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator according to the NINDS criteria. Severity of the baseline deficit was similar in both groups, and mean time from the onset of stroke to thrombolytic treatment was similar in both treatment
A high-performance end system architecture for real-time CORBA

Many application domains (such as avionics, telecommunications, and multimedia) require real-time guarantees from the underlying networks, operating systems, and middleware components to achieve their quality of service (QoS) requirements. In addition to providing end-to-end QoS guarantees, applications in these domains must be flexible and reusable. Requirements for flexibility and reusability motivate the use of object-oriented middleware like the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). However, the performance of current CORBA implementations is not yet suited for hard real-time systems (e.g., avionics) and constrained latency systems (e.g., teleconferencing). This paper describes the architectural features and optimizations required to develop real-time ORB endsystems that can deliver end-to-end QoS guarantees to applications. While some operating systems, networks, and protocols now support real-time scheduling, they do not provide integrated solutions. The main thrust of this paper is that advances in real-time distributed object computing can be achieved only by systematically pinpointing performance bottlenecks; optimizing the performance of networks, ORB endsystems, common services, and applications; and simultaneously integrating techniques and tools that simplify application development.
The effects of Team-Based Learning on learning behaviors in the maternal-child nursing course.

BACKGROUND
The Team-Based Learning (TBL) method has been used as a teaching strategy in many disciplines. It is instructor-led, learner-centered learning with functions similar to those of problem-based learning, but it is more cost-effective. However, little is known about the application of TBL to nursing education.


OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the study are to employ the TBL approach in a Maternal-Child Nursing course and to evaluate its effects on learning outcomes.


DESIGN
We present one-group pretest-posttest research design with the intervention of the TBL teaching strategy.


SETTINGS
The study was conducted in one of the nursing universities in Taiwan.


PARTICIPANTS
One-hundred-four students in 2011 and 103 students in 2012 in an RN-to-BSN program who enrolled in the Maternal-Child Nursing course participated in this study. These students had graduated from a five-year nursing diploma program before enrolling in the RN-BSN program.


METHODS
Data were collected before and after the implementation of the TBL, which included active learning, in-class activities, and application exercises. The Class Engagement Survey (CES), Value of Teams (VTs), Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI), and exam scores were used to measure students' learning outcomes.


RESULTS
TBL significantly influenced the students' learning outcomes. Students who expressed that TBL increased their learning interests had a higher score on VT; and students who had high achievement from the current TBL course had higher scores on the CES, VT, and SDLI. The means of the group test scores and the final examination score were significantly higher than the individual scores from the in-class tests in both 2011, 2012, and the combination of 2011 and 2012.


CONCLUSION
The TBL design requires out-of-class preparation before all classes, which requires active and self-directed learning. TBL provides opportunities to foster learner-to-learner interactions, which lead to more active engagement and teamwork among learners. It also promotes the students' class engagement and teamwork values, and it increases academic performance. The TBL is suggested to have a greater effect on academically weaker students.
Influence of moderate, daily physical activity on body composition and blood lipid profile in Swedish adults.

BACKGROUND
Health organizations suggest that adults ought to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity daily physical activity. This study investigated the effects of a 30-minute single daily bout of brisk walking upon risk factors for coronary heart disease with blood lipid profile in particular.


METHODS
Thirty-three (25-45 y) adults, were randomly assigned into an exercise group (EG; n=16, 9w) and a control group (CG; n=17, 6w). The EG walked briskly 30 minutes daily during the 3-week test period. Compliance/adherence was maximal throughout the 3-week intervention due to stringent daily monitoring.


RESULTS
The EG showed a significant decrease in concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) during the intervention period. A significant inverse correlation between Δ energy expenditure/day and ΔLDL-C (r=-0.39, P<.05) and an improvement in weight and BMI in the EG was found. Average steps during 30 minutes brisk walking bout was 3669 steps/bout generating a mean energy expenditure of 191 kcal/ bout.


CONCLUSIONS
The most unique findings were that daily single bouts of moderate-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes, during 3 weeks, induced favorable effects upon body weight, BMI, and blood concentration of LDL-C and TC in healthy adults.
Intravascular ultrasonic evidence by constant cross-sectional area of atherosclerotic plaques during coronary vasomotion in humans.

AIMS
This study aims to visualize ultrasonically deformation of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries during vasoconstriction and vasodilatation.


METHODS AND RESULTS
Intravascular ultrasound detected occult atherosclerosis in angiographically normal coronary arteries of eight patients with chest pain at rest. During the acetylcholine provocative test, intravascular ultrasound monitored deformation of the atherosclerotic plaques. At the last step of the test, intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate caused vasodilation. Under control, acetylcholine-treated, and isosorbide dinitrate-treated conditions, cross-sectional areas of sonolucent circle and vessel lumen were measured. Subtraction of the latter from the former gave the area of atherosclerotic plaque. In the process of vasoconstriction and vasodilation, the plaque area did not change significantly.


CONCLUSION
The cross-sectional area of the atherosclerotic plaque appeared to be constant during vasomotion of human coronary arteries.
Isosceles Triangular Slot Antenna for Broadband Dual Polarization Applications

An isosceles triangular slot antenna is proposed for broadband dual polarization applications. The proposed design has a very simple antenna structure and a wide impedance bandwidth ( ~ 19.7% for |S11| and |S22| les -10 dB) which can cover the 5 ~ 6 GHz frequency band for Wireless Local Area Network applications. Good isolation between the two input ports |S21| and low cross-polarization radiation level (<-15 dB) are achieved, and the antenna gains radiated from the two diversity ports are almost equal and stable over the entire operating band. These features make the proposed antenna very attractive in broadband dual polarization applications.
Methotrexate/narrowband UVB phototherapy combination vs. narrowband UVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque-type psoriasis--a randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring inflammatory disease affecting the skin, joints and nails that has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. Efficacy of combination of methotrexate/narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy in the treatment of psoriasis has been rarely assessed.


OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy of methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy combination vs. NBUVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.


METHODS
Forty patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis (body surface area involvement >10%) were randomized to receive either methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy (group A) or placebo/NBUVB phototherapy (group B). End point of treatment was 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) Score or upto 6 months, whichever was earlier. Patients were then followed up for a period of 12 weeks for assessment of relapse.


RESULTS
Of 40 patients, 37 completed the treatment period and 29 both the treatment period and follow-up. PASI 75 was achieved in 19/20 patients in group A and 14/20 patients in group B (P < 0.04). The mean number of weeks(P = 0.001), the mean cumulative dose of NBUVB (P = 0.001) and the mean number of phototherapy sessions (P = 0.0001) required to achieve PASI 75 were significantly less in group A compared with group B. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who relapsed during the follow-up period (P = 0.68).


CONCLUSION
Combination of methotrexate and NBUVB phototherapy provides more rapid clinical improvement compared with NBUVB monotherapy in the treatment for chronic plaque-type psoriasis.
Face off: Implications of visual cues on initiating friendship on Facebook

This research investigates how moderating factors and theoretically relevant contextual variables affect impression formation and the willingness to initiate virtual friendship. An experiment examined both main and interaction effects for visual cues, profile owner’s gender, and evaluator’s gender; a 2 (stimulus gender: male and female) 3 (visual conditions: attractive, unattractive, and no-photo) 2 (evaluator’s gender: male and female) between subjects model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed. A threeway interaction between gender and appearance was revealed. The results indicated that both male and female subjects were more willing to initiate friendships with opposite-sex profile owners with attractive photos. Subjects also displayed comparatively higher willingness to make friends with profile owners who did not include visual cues than with those who revealed an unattractive photo. The hyperpersonal model was supported and extended to address gender attributes. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Multi-class pattern classification using neural networks

Multi-class pattern classification has many applications including text document classification, speech recognition, object recognition, etc. Multi-class pattern classification using neural networks is not a trivial extension from two-class neural networks. This paper presents a comprehensive and competitive study in multi-class neural learning with focuses on issues including neural network architecture, encoding schemes, training methodology and training time complexity. Our study includes multi-class pattern classification using either a system of multiple neural networks or a single neural network, and modeling pattern classes using one-against-all, one-against-one, one-againsthigher-order, and P-against-Q. We also discuss implementations of these approaches and analyze training time complexity associated with each approach. We evaluate six different neural network system architectures for multi-class pattern classification along the dimensions of imbalanced data, large number of pattern classes, large vs. small training data through experiments conducted on well-known benchmark data. 2006 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A qualitative study of barriers to the use of statins and the implementation of coronary heart disease prevention in primary care.

BACKGROUND
Statin prescribing to prevent coronary heart disease is well below recommended levels. Studies suggest that the prescribing behaviour of doctors may be the biggest factor in the wide variation in statin prescribing in general practice. Understanding doctors' perceptions offers some insight into why variation occurs.


AIM
To understand general practitioners' (GPs') views about barriers to statin prescribing, statin prescribing guidelines, and the successes and barriers to coronary prevention in primary care.


DESIGN OF STUDY
Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews.


SETTING
General practices in mid and south Bedfordshire.


METHOD
Interviews with 26 GPs.


RESULTS
GPs spoke of a variety of barriers to initiating statin treatment specifically, and coronary heart disease prevention generally. Barriers to statin prescribing included: concerns about cost; increased workload and adherence to treatment; variation in treatment targets for lowering cholesterol; and concerns about medicalisation, lifestyle, and health behaviour. GPs found it difficult to prioritize patients for statin treatment, their statin treatment targets varied, and many found primary prevention risk assessment tools difficult to interpret. Coronary prevention was limited by practice space and organisational issues, by problems with recording and retrieval of electronic data, and by limited doctor and nurse time. GPs suggested that funded nurse time, nurse-led heart disease clinics, and better use of electronic data would improve primary care coronary prevention.


CONCLUSION
There are complex barriers to statin prescribing and coronary prevention in general practice, which may explain some of the variation that exists. Further studies of patients' views of statins may provide more information. More resources, improved guidance, and better dissemination of guidance may only address some of the issues.