LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for 12 weeks in patients with HCV genotype 3 or 6 infection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS
We performed a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 or 6.


METHODS
We performed an open-label study of 126 patients with HCV genotype 3 or 6 infections at 2 centers in New Zealand from April 2013 through October 2014. Subjects were assigned 1 of 4 groups that received 12 weeks of treatment. Previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 3 were randomly assigned to groups given fixed-dose combination tablet of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (n = 25) or ledipasvir and sofosbuvir along with ribavirin (n = 26). Treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 3 (n = 50) received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 6 (n = 25) received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with HCV RNA ≤15 IU/mL 12 weeks after stopping therapy (sustained virologic response at 12 weeks [SVR12]).


RESULTS
Among treatment-naïve genotype 3 patients, 16 of 25 (64%) receiving ledipasvir and sofosbuvir alone achieved SVR12 compared with all 26 patients (100%) receiving ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Among treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 3, forty-one of fifty achieved an SVR12 (82%). Among patients with HCV genotype 6, the rate of SVR12 was 96% (24 of 25 patients). The most common adverse events were headache, upper respiratory infection, and fatigue. One patient with HCV genotype 3 discontinued ledipasvir and sofosbuvir because of an adverse event (diverticular perforation), which was not considered treatment related.


CONCLUSIONS
In an uncontrolled, open-label trial, high rates of SVR12 were achieved by patients with HCV genotype 3 infection who received 12 weeks of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, and by patients with HCV genotype 6 infection who received 12 weeks of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir without ribavirin. Current guidelines do not recommend the use of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in patients with HCV genotype 3 infection. ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT01826981.
Studies comparing Numerical Rating Scales, Verbal Rating Scales, and Visual Analogue Scales for assessment of pain intensity in adults: a systematic literature review.

CONTEXT
The use of unidimensional pain scales such as the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), or Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is recommended for assessment of pain intensity (PI). A literature review of studies specifically comparing the NRS, VRS, and/or VAS for unidimensional self-report of PI was performed as part of the work of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative on pain assessment.


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the use and performance of unidimensional pain scales, with specific emphasis on the NRSs.


METHODS
A systematic search was performed, including citations through April 2010. All abstracts were evaluated by two persons according to specified criteria.


RESULTS
Fifty-four of 239 papers were included. Postoperative PI was most frequently studied; six studies were in cancer. Eight versions of the NRS (NRS-6 to NRS-101) were used in 37 studies; a total of 41 NRSs were tested. Twenty-four different descriptors (15 for the NRSs) were used to anchor the extremes. When compared with the VAS and VRS, NRSs had better compliance in 15 of 19 studies reporting this, and were the recommended tool in 11 studies on the basis of higher compliance rates, better responsiveness and ease of use, and good applicability relative to VAS/VRS. Twenty-nine studies gave no preference. Many studies showed wide distributions of NRS scores within each category of the VRSs. Overall, NRS and VAS scores corresponded, with a few exceptions of systematically higher VAS scores.


CONCLUSION
NRSs are applicable for unidimensional assessment of PI in most settings. Whether the variability in anchors and response options directly influences the numerical scores needs to be empirically tested. This will aid in the work toward a consensus-based, standardized measure.
Quantum algorithms for computing short discrete logarithms and factoring RSA integers

In this paper we generalize the quantum algorithm for computing short discrete logarithms previously introduced by Eker̊a [2] so as to allow for various tradeoffs between the number of times that the algorithm need be executed on the one hand, and the complexity of the algorithm and the requirements it imposes on the quantum computer on the other hand. Furthermore, we describe applications of algorithms for computing short discrete logarithms. In particular, we show how other important problems such as those of factoring RSA integers and of finding the order of groups under side information may be recast as short discrete logarithm problems. This immediately gives rise to an algorithm for factoring RSA integers that is less complex than Shor’s general factoring algorithm in the sense that it imposes smaller requirements on the quantum computer. In both our algorithm and Shor’s algorithm, the main hurdle is to compute a modular exponentiation in superposition. When factoring an n bit integer, the exponent is of length 2n bits in Shor’s algorithm, compared to slightly more than n/2 bits in our algorithm.
Abnormal Stress‐Related Measures of Arterial Stiffness in Middle‐Aged and Elderly Men and Women With Impaired Fasting Glucose at Risk for a First Episode of Symptomatic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND
Abnormal resting arterial stiffness is present in middle-aged and elderly persons with abnormalities of fasting glucose (diabetes or impaired fasting glucose) and is associated with exercise intolerance. We sought to determine whether these same persons exhibited stress-related abnormalities of arterial stiffness.


METHODS AND RESULTS
We analyzed dobutamine magnetic resonance stress imaging results from 373 consecutively recruited persons aged 55 to 85 years with normal fasting glucose, impaired fasting glucose, or diabetes who were at risk for but without symptomatic heart failure. Personnel blinded to participant identifiers measured arterial stiffness (brachial pulse pressure/left ventricular stroke volume indexed to body surface area, the aortic elastance index [brachial end-systolic pressure/left ventricular stroke volume indexed to body surface area], and thoracic aortic distensibility) at 80% of the maximum predicted heart rate response for age. Participants averaged 69±8 years of age; 79% were white, 92% were hypertensive, and 66% were women. After accounting for hypertension, sex, coronary artery disease, smoking, medications, hypercholesterolemia, and visceral fat, we observed an effect of glycemic status for stress measures of arterial stiffness in those with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose relative to those with normal fasting glucose (P=0.002, P=0.02, and P=0.003, respectively).


CONCLUSION
Middle- and older-aged individuals with diabetes or impaired fasting glucose have higher stress measures of arterial stiffness than those with normal fasting glucose. These data emphasize the need for future studies with larger sample sizes to determine whether stress-related elevations in arterial stiffness are related to exercise intolerance and future episodes of heart failure experienced by those with abnormalities of fasting glucose.


CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL
http://clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT00542503.
Visualization-based analysis of gameplay data - A review of literature

As video games are becoming more and more complex and are reaching a broader audience, there is an increasing interest in procedures to analyze player behavior and the impact of design decisions. Game companies traditionally relied on user-testing methods, like playtesting, surveys or videotaping, to obtain player feedback. However, these qualitative methods for data collection are time-consuming and the obtained data is often incomplete or subjective. Therefore, instrumentation became popular in recent years to unobtrusively obtain the detailed data required to thoroughly evaluate player behavior. To make sense of the large amount of data, appropriate tools and visualizations have been developed. This article reviews literature on visualization-based analysis of game metric data in order to give an overview of the current state of this emerging field of research. We discuss issues related to gameplay analysis, propose a broad categorization of visualization techniques and discuss their characteristics. Furthermore, we point out open problems to promote future research in this area. 2013 International Federation for Information Processing Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Soil Resistivity Data Computations ; Single and Two-Layer Soil Resistivity Structure and Its Implication on Earthing Design

Performing High Voltage (HV) tasks with a multi craft work force create a special set of safety circumstances. This paper aims to present vital information relating to when it is acceptable to use a single or a two-layer soil structure. Also it discusses the implication of the high voltage infrastructure on the earth grid and the safety of this implication under a single or a two-layer soil structure. A multiple case study is investigated to show the importance of using the right soil resistivity structure during the earthing system design. Keywords—Earth Grid, EPR, High Voltage, Soil Resistivity Structure, Step Voltage, Touch Voltage.
On the Robustness of Interpretability Methods

We argue that robustness of explanations—i.e., that similar inputs should give rise to similar explanations—is a key desideratum for interpretability. We introduce metrics to quantify robustness and demonstrate that current methods do not perform well according to these metrics. Finally, we propose ways that robustness can be enforced on existing interpretability approaches.
Analysis of current-voltage characteristics for memristive elements in pattern recognition systems

A topologically-simple Memristive-based Oscillatory Network showing a wide plethora of dynamical behaviors may be a good candidate for the realization of innovative oscillatory associative and dynamic memories for the recognition of spatial-temporal synchronization states. The design of such pattern recognition systems may not leave aside a preliminary thorough investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of the network and its basic components. In a synchronization scenario with almost-sinusoidal oscillations, each of the memristive elements used in the cells of the network under consideration features an unusual current-voltage behavior. This manuscript models the linear circuitry and the memristive element in each cell so as to capture the observed dynamics and then presents an analytical study explaining the quantitative dependence of the memristive current-voltage behavior on the amplitude-angular frequency ratio and time history of the voltage oscillation developing across the nonlinear element. This work leads to the first rigorous classification of all possible current-voltage characteristics for a sine-wave voltage-driven memristive element. This analytical study shall pave the way towards a better understanding of the complex and still unexplored dynamical properties of this nonlinear device, whose distinct features could improve the capabilities of future-generation pattern recognition systems.
Strength and Serviceability Design of Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams

15. Supplementary Notes Project performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. 16. Abstract An experimental study was conducted in which 37 reinforced concrete deep beam specimens were tested. The specimens are some of the largest deep beams ever tested in the history of shear research. The data from the experimental program and from a database of 179 deep beam tests in the literature were used to address eight tasks associated with the strength and serviceability design and performance of deep beams. The effects of the following variables were evaluated: distribution of stirrup legs transversely through the web, triaxial confinement via concrete of CCC and CCT nodal faces, quantity of web reinforcement, member depth, and a/d ratio. A new strut-and-tie design method was proposed that is simpler and significantly more accurate than the provisions in AASHTO LRFD (2008) and ACI 318-08, yet just as conservative. Also, it was shown that the discrepancy in shear strength calculated using STM and sectional shear provisions in AASHTO LRFD (2008) at an a/d ratio of 2 is greatly reduced with the use of the proposed STM procedure. A recommendation was made on the amount of minimum web reinforcement needed for strength and serviceability considerations. A simple service-load check was proposed for the purpose of limiting diagonal cracking under service loads. Lastly, a chart was created to aid in the distress evaluation of a diagonally-cracked bent cap in the field.
QTSAC: An Energy-Efficient MAC Protocol for Delay Minimization in Wireless Sensor Networks

Millions of sensors are deployed to monitor the smart grid. They consume huge amounts of energy in the communication infrastructure. Therefore, the establishment of an energy-efficient medium access control (MAC) protocol for sensor nodes is challenging and urgently needed. The Quorum-based MAC protocol independently and adaptively schedules nodes’ wake-up times and decreases idle listening and collisions, thereby increasing the network throughput and extending the network lifetime. A novel Quorum time slot adaptive condensing (QTSAC)-based MAC protocol is proposed for achieving delay minimization and energy efficiency for the wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Compared to previous protocols, the QTSAC-based MAC protocol has two main novelties: 1) It selects more Quorum time slots (QTSs) than previous protocols in the area that is far from the sink according to the energy consumption in WSNs to decrease the network latency and 2) It allocates QTSs only when data are transmitted to further decrease the network latency. Theoretical analyses and experimental results indicate that the QTSAS protocol can greatly improve network performance compared with existing Quorum-based MAC protocols. For intermediate-scale wireless sensor networks, the method that is proposed in this paper can enhance the energy efficiency by 24.64%–82.75%, prolong the network lifetime by 58%–27.31%, and lower the network latency by 3.59%–29.23%.
The Effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on Medical Research

BACKGROUND
The enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will impact on European data science. Particular concerns relating to consent requirements that would severely restrict medical data research have been raised.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to explain the changes in data protection laws that apply to medical research and to discuss their potential impact.


METHODS
Analysis of ethicolegal requirements imposed by the GDPR.


RESULTS
The GDPR makes the classification of pseudonymised data as personal data clearer, although it has not been entirely resolved. Biomedical research on personal data where consent has not been obtained must be of substantial public interest.


CONCLUSIONS
The GDPR introduces protections for data subjects that aim for consistency across the EU. The proposed changes will make little impact on biomedical data research.
Revalidating the brief jail mental health screen to increase accuracy for women.

OBJECTIVE
Jails need a reliable tool to identify inmates who require further mental health assessment and treatment. This research attempted to revalidate the Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS) as such a tool. This research added four items to the original eight-item screen (BJMHS-R), targeting depression and trauma to improve performance of the screen with women.


METHODS
BJMHS-R data were collected in four jails from 10,258 detainees. A subset of 464 were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) for cross-validation.


RESULTS
The original BJMHS outperformed the revised screen. The original correctly classified 80% of males and 72% of females on the basis of SCID diagnoses, compared with classification rates of 72% and 66%, respectively, with the BJMHS-R. Overall, the BJMHS identified 16% of screened detainees as needing referral for further assessment, whereas the BJMHS-R identified 22%.


CONCLUSIONS
The original eight-item BJMHS is a practical, efficient tool for intake screening by jail correction officers of male and female detainees.
Facial rhytides--subsurfacing or resurfacing? A review.

UNLABELLED
STUDY DESIGN/BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, ablative laser therapy (with CO2/Er:YAG lasers) is considered an effective and promising method of skin rejuvenation. The induction of collagen synthesis was observed after treatments with the CO2 laser and with the long-pulsed Er:Yag laser. In past years, the undesirable side effects and risks of these methods have led to intensified research efforts in the fields of non-ablative facial rejuvenation as well as subsurfacing by means of non-ablative laser systems and intense pulsed light systems. The objective is to achieve selective, heat-induced denaturalization of dermal collagen that leads to subsequent reactive synthesis of neocollagen but does not damage the epidermis. This article reviews the use of different types of lasers and intense pulsed light sources for the non-ablative treatment of facial rhytides.


RESULTS
The results of numerous clinical and histological investigations have recently indicated that these new technologies are successful. Some studies demonstrated remarkable effects with non-ablative systems; others, however, showed only limited cosmetic improvement or none at all.


CONCLUSIONS
After critical review and assessment of current literature on the treatment of rhytides, we have found that non-ablative methods do not appear to be a comparable alternative to ablative skin resurfacing in terms of their efficacy and side effects.
(Un)Related Purposes: Theatre and Law

Describing the Mavor Moore teleplay The Roncarelli Affair , which appeared on CBC Television in 1974, A. G. BOSS explores the literary adaptation of an actual trial, raising questions of representation, audience, and the slippery relationship between fact and fiction.
An overview of power topologies for micro-hydro turbines

This paper is an overview of different power topologies of micro-hydro turbines. The size of micro-hydro turbine is typically under 100kW. Conventional topologies of micro-hydro power are stand-alone operation used in rural electrical network in developing countries. Recently, many of micro-hydro power generations are connected to the distribution network through power electronics (PE). This turbines are operated in variable frequency operation to improve efficiency of micro-hydro power generation, improve the power quality, and ride through capability of the generation. In this paper our discussion is limited to the distributed generation. Like many other renewable energy sources, the objectives of micro-hydro power generation are to reduce the use of fossil fuel, to improve the reliability of the distribution system (grid), and to reduce the transmission losses. The overview described in this paper includes micro-hydro power generation, stand-alone topologies, fixed speed generation (FSG), variable speed generation (VSG), direct-connected grid integration topology, and PE grid integration topologies.
On the definition and classification of cybercrime

The idea of Cybercrime is not new, yet there is significant confusion amongst academics, computer security experts and users as to the extent of real Cybercrime. In this paper, we explore the breadth of computer-based crime, providing a definition of the emerging terms “Cybercrime” and “crimeware”. We then divide Cybercrime into two distinct categories: Type I Cybercrime, which is mostly technological in nature, and Type II Cybercrime, which has a more pronounced human element. We then use two case studies to illustrate the role of crimeware in different types of Cybercrime, and offer some observations on the role of cognition in the process of Cybercrime. Finally we provide several suggestions for future work in the area of Cybercrime.
A higher order estimate of the optimum checkpoint interval for restart dumps

This paper examines methods of approximating the optimum checkpoint restart strategy for minimizing application run time on a system exhibiting Poisson single component failures. Two different models will be developed and compared. We will begin with a simplified cost function that yields a first-order model. Then we will derive a more complete cost function and demonstrate a perturbation solution that provides accurate high order approximations to the optimum checkpoint interval. ©
Information Theory: A Tutorial Introduction

Shannon’s mathematical theory of communication defines fundamental limits on how much information can be transmitted between the different components of any man-made or biological system. This paper is an informal but rigorous introduction to the main ideas implicit in Shannon’s theory. An annotated reading list is provided for further reading.
Not on the Shelves

Sometimes, the best way to figure out where you'd like to go is to imagine what you'll have when you get there…
Collaborative Filtering Applied to Educational Data Mining

We present our overall third ranking solution for the KDD Cup 2010 on educational data mining. The goal of the competition was to predict a student’s ability to answer questions correctly, based on historic results. In our approach we use an ensemble of collaborative filtering techniques, as used in the field of recommender systems and adopt them to fit the needs of the competition. The ensemble of predictions is finally blended, using a neural network.
15.7 A 1.65mW 0.16mm2 dynamic zoom-ADC with 107.5dB DR in 20kHz BW

Audio codecs for automotive applications and smartphones require up to five stereo channels to achieve effective acoustic noise and echo cancellation, thus demanding ADCs with low power and minimal die area. Zoom-ADCs should be well suited for such applications, since they combine compact and energy-efficient SAR ADCs with low-distortion ΔΣ ADCs to simultaneously achieve high energy efficiency, small die area, and high linearity [1,2]. However, previous implementations were limited to the conversion of quasi-static signals, since the two ADCs were operated sequentially, with a coarse SAR conversion followed by, a much slower, fine ΔΣ conversion. This work describes a zoom-ADC with a 20kHz bandwidth, which achieves 107.5dB DR and 104.4dB SNR while dissipating 1.65mW and occupying 0.16mm2. A comparison with recent state-of-the-art ADCs with similar resolution and bandwidth [3-7] shows that the ADC achieves significantly improved energy and area efficiency. These advances are enabled by the use of concurrent fine and coarse conversions, dynamic error-correction techniques, and an inverter-based OTA.