This paper proposes an alternative approach for efficiency analysis when a set of DMUs uses interval scale variables in the productive process. To test the influence of these variables, we present a general approach of deriving DEA models to deal with the variables. We investigate a number of performance measures with unrestricted-in-sign interval and/or interval scale variables.

In recent years, fair allocation of resources or fixed costs in DEA have been noticed by researches, in which the main objective is unchanging efficiency of decision making units, In which the main purpose is to not change the efficiency of decision-making units before and after the allocation of costs. On the other hand, all studies have been due to the fraction-scale data, and any special attention have not been paid to an interval-scale data so far, because of the ratio of the measurement on such a scale are meaningless. Therefore, the structure of this paper is to study the use of an interval-scale and fractional data in a fair allocation of costs between the units such that the principle of unchanging efficiency remains in the presence of such data.

Many models in DEA have been proposed to estimate returns to scale. Determining the nature of returns to scale has considerable of importance in the theory of production.Knowing the fact that returns to scale is a constant, ascending or descending decision making unit, proper actions can be performed to develop the decision making units. In this study, the efficiency of parallel production systems with shared resources is evaluated such that the data is inexact and interval, so the function of these systems is interval too.Then a model is proposed to estimate returns to scale of interval data on these systems; when the data is inexact, the nature of returns to scale of these units is inexact too, so returns to scale is estimated as multiple in best and worst conditions.

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models with interval inputs and outputs have been rarely discussed in DEA literature. This paper, using the enhanced Russell measurement proposes an extended model which permits the presence of interval scale variables which can take both negative and positive values. The model is compared with most well-known DEA models of which include the CCR model, the BCC model and the additive model. An empirical data set is used to illustrate the model.

Introduction: Measurement of child anxiety during dental treatment is a challenge during the procedure. Several questionnaires have been developed to assess child anxiety, some of which are pictorial to facilitate their application in children. The aim of the current study was to evaluate validity of new RMS pictorial questionnaire and to compare it with previous scales, including Venham Picture Test (VPT) and Facial Image Scale (FIS), to assess child dental anxiety during their first visit in a dental office.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 10 children in Shiraz in 2016, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The children's anxiety was evaluated by RMS-PS, VPT and FIS questionnaires. To assess reliability, questionnaires were given to the children at a two-week interval. Data were analyzed with t-test and regression correlation test (a=0.05).Results: Age and gender had no effect on children's anxiety, but in the presence of preoperative pain, anxiety was significantly higher. RMS had a moderate (r=0.622) and significant (p value<0.001) correlation with VPT questionnaire and a good (r= 0.700) and significant (p value<0.001) correlation with the FIS questionnaire. In addition, the relationship between FIS and VPT questionnaires was moderate (r= 0.623) and significant (p value<0.001).Conclusion: The results showed that RMS questionnaire is not reliable. However, it was valid compared to FIS and VPT questionnaires. Therefore, RMS can be used to indicate child dental anxiety as a proper tool.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo is used to describe a particular type of attention deficit, concentration, and slowness in information processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale (SCTS) of the parent form among Iranian children. The present study is a descriptive study. A sample of 1700 people was selected from the provinces of Tehran, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Fars and Khorasan using cluster sampling method. 122 subjects were excluded from statistical analysis due to incomplete answers to the questionnaires and thus the final sample was reduced to 1578 parents. The confirmatory factor analysis method and internal consistency were used to compute the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale factorial validity and reliability, respectively. Also, in order to examine the construct validity of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale, we computed correlations between different dimensions of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale with Attention Deficit Subscale of Mental Health Assessment Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents. The results of statistical results showed that this scale has structural validity, criterion and convergence in Iranian society. The results indicate that the scale is three factors and also the validity of the scale using Cronbach's alpha method and retest test after Approved two weeks. According to the findings of the present study, the parent form of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale (SCTS) has a good validity and reliability and it can be used in research related to slow cognitive multiplication in Iranian society.