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The main purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of regulatory efficiency and market openness, two dimensions of competition freedom, on the efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in both its social and financial aspects. In addition, this study also examines the specific determinants of MFIs and macroeconomic conditions, two other potential variables that may influence MFIs efficiency. Within this study, two stages of analysis were conducted. In the first stage, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach was applied to measure the MFIs' efficiency level, while in the second phase, a panel multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the effect of competition freedom and other determinants on MFIs efficiency. The results suggest that during the study period the main reason for MFIs inefficiency is both social and financial managerial inefficiency. The management of the MFIs failed to utilize their resources fully, leading to waste of resources. Nevertheless, the MFIs had been operating on a relatively optimal scale. In addition, the level of financial efficiency in MFIs was found to be significantly higher than social efficiency. In examining the impact of competition freedom, the freedom of business and monetary factors was found to be significantly negative for MFIs' social efficiency only. Furthermore, this research stresses that investment freedom and financial freedom are statistically positive for financial efficiency, but negative for the social efficiency of MFIs. This study should prove useful for various institutions and have several implications for MFIs, policymakers, investors and researchers to improve the efficiency level of MFIs.

Streptococcus agalactiae, or Lancefield group B streptococcus (GBS), is the most frequent cause of serious bacterial sepsis, including neonatal meningitis, in UK neonates. Early-onset neonatal GBS infection, but not late-onset, can be prevented by screening to identify high-risk pregnancies and administering penicillin during delivery. A vaccine has been developed as an alternative means of prevention but it is awaiting a randomized trial before being available for general use. In this review we examine the published literature to assess the morbidity and mortality attributable to neonatal GBS infection, quantify the screening performance of the two alternative modes of screening (microbiological and risk factor based), review the evidence on the efficacy of the vaccine, and estimate the numbers of deaths and cases of serious disability that each strategy in turn might prevent in the UK, in order to assess the most effective means of prevention for the UK.

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In this tutorial we present techniques for building valid and credible simulation models. Ideas to be discussed include the importance of a definitive problem formulation, discussions with subject-matter experts, interacting with the decision-maker on a regular basis, development of a written assumptions document, structured walk-through of the assumptions document, use of sensitivity analysis to determine important model factors, and comparison of model and system output data for an existing system (if any). Each idea will be illustrated by one or more real-world examples. We will also discuss the difficulty in using formal statistical techniques (e.g., confidence intervals) to validate simulation models.

Objective To evaluate the eCect of drugs on premature (8.9)% by fluoxetine at 0.1 mg/kg, 67.9 (8.7)% by prazosin at 0.1 mg/kg, 60.9 (11.0)% by serotonin at ejaculation using a rat animal model in which the seminal vesicle was electrically stimulated via its lesser 3 mg/kg, 54.9 (4.6)% by clomipramine at 3 mg/kg, 30.0 (11.0)% by imipramine at 0.1 mg/kg, and 20.9 splanchnic nerve and changes in the pressure response monitored.(4.3)% by indatraline at 0.1 mg/kg. From the concentration-response curve, the potency of prazosin was Materials and methods Male Wistar rats (aged 12-14 weeks) were injected intravenously with prazosin and lower than that of fluoxetine, but was higher than that of serotonin or clomipramine. serotonergic agents (serotonin, clomipramine, fluoxetine, imipramine and indatraline) at various concen-Conclusions Like serotonin, fluoxetine and clomipramine can reduce the pressure response of the seminal trations 10 min before electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) of the lesser splanchnic nerve; the initial increase vesicle to ENS. Among these inhibitory agents, including prazosin, fluoxetine was the most eCective and in seminal vesicle pressure in response to ENS was then compared. may be valuable for the clinical treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction in man. Results The pressure response to ENS was reduced in the presence of prazosin or serotonergic agents. The Keywords Lesser splanchnic nerve, premature ejaculation, seminal vesicle, serotonin, Wistar rat mean (SEM) maximum inhibition values were 84.1 tonergic system inhibits the contraction of the seminal

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