LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
On QoS management in SDN by multipath routing

The Quality of Service (QoS) management is one of the urgent problems in networking which doesn't have an acceptable solution yet. In the paper the approach to this problem based on multipath routing protocol in SDN is considered. The proposed approach is compared with other QoS management methods. A structural and operation schemes for its practical implementation is proposed.
Critique of proposed limit to space--time measurement, based on Wigner's clocks and mirrors

Based on a relation between inertial time intervals and the Riemannian curvature, we show that space--time uncertainty derived by Ng and van Dam implies absurd uncertainties of the Riemannian curvature.
A Field Theory of Consciousness

This article summarizes a variety of current as well as previous research in support of a new theory of consciousness. Evidence has been steadily accumulating that information about a stimulus complex is distributed to many neuronal populations dispersed throughout the brain and is represented by the departure from randomness of the temporal pattern of neural discharges within these large ensembles. Zero phase lag synchronization occurs between discharges of neurons in different brain regions and is enhanced by presentation of stimuli. This evidence further suggests that spatiotemporal patterns of coherence, which have been identified by spatial principal component analysis, may encode a multidimensional representation of a present or past event. How such distributed information is integrated into a holistic precept constitutes the binding problem. How a precept defined by a spatial distribution of nonrandomness can be subjectively experienced constitutes the problem of consciousness. Explanations based on a discrete connectionistic network cannot be reconciled with the relevant facts. Evidence is presented herein of invariant features of brain electrical activity found to change reversibly with loss and return of consciousness in a study of 176 patients anesthetized during surgical procedures. A review of relevant research areas, as well as the anesthesia data, leads to a postulation that consciousness is a property of quantum-like processes, within a brain field resonating within a core of structures, which may be the neural substrate of consciousness. This core includes regions of the prefrontal cortex, the frontal cortex, the pre- and paracentral cortex, thalamus, limbic system, and basal ganglia.
BLDC motor for fan application with automatically optimized commutation angle

Brushless DC motors are often used in fan applications due to their easy speed controllability, high efficiency and long life time expectation. These motors are electronically commutated; the commutation point is determined by Hall-sensors or sensorless (mainly by the so called back EMF method). In case of constant commutation angle, this angle can be optimized only for one operating point. Through this optimization, motor current and power consumption can be reduced. However, if the motor works in another operating point (different supply voltage, speed and/or torque), its efficiency will be lower than that of a motor with a commutation angle optimized for this new operating point. This paper describes methods for the automatic optimization of motor efficiency by changing the commutation angle.
IP over P2P: enabling self-configuring virtual IP networks for grid computing

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks have mostly focused on task oriented networking, where networks are constructed for single applications, i.e. file-sharing, DNS caching, etc. In this work, we introduce IPOP, a system for creating virtual IP networks on top of a P2P overlay. IPOP enables seamless access to grid resources spanning multiple domains by aggregating them into a virtual IP network that is completely isolated from the physical network. The virtual IP network provided by IPOP supports deployment of existing IP-based protocols over a robust, self-configuring P2P overlay. We present implementation details as well as experimental measurement results taken from LAN, WAN, and Planet-Lab tests
A Prototype Evaluation of a Tamper-Resistant High Performance Blockchain-Based Transaction Log for a Distributed Database

As data is having an increasingly relevant role in di erent business fields, ensuring integrity has become fundamental. Modern databases rely on transaction history written on redo logs to allow for data restore. However, if redo logs are (maliciously) forged, data can actually be lost or altered. Due its strong data integrity guarantees, blockchain technology can be employed to ensure log integrity, but its current performance limitations hinder actual exploitations.In previous work, we proposed a layered blockchain-based architecture for distributed (federated) database redo logs: a fast first layer blockchain, anchored to a secure second layer blockchain, based on proof-of-work to achieve strong integrity. Here, we present an implementation and an experimental evaluation of a prototype of that architecture, which employs a total consensus algorithm on the first layer blockchain. Finally, to improve availability and scalability, we refine our solution by investigating, respectively, a Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus and a Distributed Hash Table solution to shard the first layer blockchain ledger among available nodes.
Reliable automotive pre-crash system with out-of-sequence measurement processing

In an automotive pre-crash application, it is vital to quickly and accurately estimate the position and velocity of objects in the frontal area of the vehicle. To improve such estimations, several radar sensors are fused to detect objects. Due to their different performance characteristics, their measurements can arrive at the pre-crash processing unit out-of-sequence. This work presents several techniques to integrate measurements into a tracking algorithm that arrive with such an out-of-sequence measurement (OOSM) scenario. A comprehensive complexity analysis of the algorithms is also presented. Most importantly, the algorithms are run on a test vehicle during real crash scenarios. The algorithms' performance is evaluated against reference data from a highly accurate laser scanner. It is shown that using advanced OOSM algorithms in pre-crash systems significantly increases performance and reduces computational cost compared to previous approaches.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic comparison of ropinirole 24-hour prolonged release and ropinirole immediate release in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES
To explore the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship between systemic exposure to ropinirole and the primary efficacy end points from two phase 3 studies.


METHODS
Efficacy And Safety Evaluation in Parkinson's Disease (EASE-PD) Monotherapy (101468/168) compared ropinirole 24-hour prolonged release with ropinirole immediate release in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD). Efficacy And Safety Evaluation in Parkinson's Disease Adjunct (101468/169) compared ropinirole 24-hour prolonged release or placebo in patients with advanced PD not optimally controlled with L-dopa. Sparse blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic evaluations through population analysis. The relationship between ropinirole systemic exposure [steady-state area under the curve between time zero and 24 hours after dose, AUC(0-24,ss)] and change from baseline in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total motor score, and awake time spent off was investigated.


RESULTS
In EASE-PD Monotherapy, the relationship between the decrease in UPDRS motor score and AUC(0-24,ss) was similar for both formulations, with a 60% to 80% probability of response for the exposure range studied. In patients with early PD, similar clinical benefit was achieved at AUC(0-24,ss) values associated with doses of 8 to 12 mg and higher doses (up to 24 mg). In EASE-PD Adjunct, the predicted probability of an off-time response for a patient on placebo was approximately 0.4, increasing to a near total probability of response rate (approximately 0.9) at higher systemic exposures of ropinirole 24-hour prolonged release.


CONCLUSIONS
Characterization of the exposure-response relationship has identified that a dose range of 8 to 12 mg provides clinical benefit for the improvement in UPDRS total motor score in patients with early PD. Similarly, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis showed that, in patients with advanced PD, the probability of response increased with increasing exposures to ropinirole, indicating that doses more than 8 to 12 mg may lead to an improved benefit in parallel with reductions in L-dopa dose.
A phase I study of oral panobinostat (LBH589) in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors

Objective The objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the dose-limiting toxicity of panobinostat (LBH589) when administered as a single agent to adult patients with advanced solid tumors or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma whose disease had progressed despite standard therapy or for whom no standard therapy existed. Methods Panobinostat was administered orally once daily on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. A total of 13 patients were treated with one of three initial doses: 10 mg (n = 3), 15 mg (n = 4), or 20 mg (n = 6). Results No dose-limiting toxicity was observed in 12 evaluable patients. The most frequently reported adverse events, regardless of whether they were related to the study drug, were diarrhea and nausea in 10 patients (76.9%). Thrombocytopenia was reported in 12 of 13 patients (92.3%). Five of 11 patients (45.4%) had stable disease. Conclusion Panobinostat administered orally once daily on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week was well tolerated at doses up to 20 mg in Japanese patients. Dose escalation did not proceed after exploration of the 20 mg dose due to emerging global clinical data at that time.
Repeated nebulisation of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial

BACKGROUND
Lung delivery of plasmid DNA encoding the CFTR gene complexed with a cationic liposome is a potential treatment option for patients with cystic fibrosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis.


METHODS
We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial in two cystic fibrosis centres with patients recruited from 18 sites in the UK. Patients (aged ≥12 years) with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 50-90% predicted and any combination of CFTR mutations, were randomly assigned, via a computer-based randomisation system, to receive 5 mL of either nebulised pGM169/GL67A gene-liposome complex or 0.9% saline (placebo) every 28 days (plus or minus 5 days) for 1 year. Randomisation was stratified by % predicted FEV1 (<70 vs ≥70%), age (<18 vs ≥18 years), inclusion in the mechanistic substudy, and dosing site (London or Edinburgh). Participants and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the relative change in % predicted FEV1. The primary analysis was per protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01621867.


FINDINGS
Between June 12, 2012, and June 24, 2013, we randomly assigned 140 patients to receive placebo (n=62) or pGM169/GL67A (n=78), of whom 116 (83%) patients comprised the per-protocol population. We noted a significant, albeit modest, treatment effect in the pGM169/GL67A group versus placebo at 12 months' follow-up (3.7%, 95% CI 0.1-7.3; p=0.046). This outcome was associated with a stabilisation of lung function in the pGM169/GL67A group compared with a decline in the placebo group. We recorded no significant difference in treatment-attributable adverse events between groups.


INTERPRETATION
Monthly application of the pGM169/GL67A gene therapy formulation was associated with a significant, albeit modest, benefit in FEV1 compared with placebo at 1 year, indicating a stabilisation of lung function in the treatment group. Further improvements in efficacy and consistency of response to the current formulation are needed before gene therapy is suitable for clinical care; however, our findings should also encourage the rapid introduction of more potent gene transfer vectors into early phase trials.


FUNDING
Medical Research Council/National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme.
A hybrid stock trading system using genetic network programming and mean conditional value-at-risk

This paper describes a hybrid stock trading system based on Genetic Network Programming (GNP) and Mean Conditional Value-at-Risk Model (GNP–CVaR). The proposed method, combining the advantages of evolutionary algorithms and statistical model, has provided useful tools to construct portfolios and generate effective stock trading strategies for investors with different risk-attitudes. Simulation results on five stock indices show that model based on GNP and maximum Sharpe Ratio portfolio performs the best in bull market, and that based on GNP and the global minimum risk portfolio performs the best in bear market. The portfolios constructed by Markowitz’s mean–variance model performs the same as mean-CVaR model. It is clarified that the proposed system significantly improves the function and efficiency of original GNP, which can help investors make profitable decisions. 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Hydrogen peroxide tooth-whitening (bleaching) products: Review of adverse effects and safety issues

Hydrogen peroxide in the form of carbamide peroxide is widely used for tooth whitening (bleaching), both in professionally- and in self-administered products. Adverse effects have become evident. Cervical root resorption is a possible consequence of internal bleaching and is more frequently observed in teeth treated with the thermo-catalytic procedure. Tooth sensitivity is experienced in 15-78% of patients undergoing external tooth bleaching. However, clinical studies addressing other adverse effects are lacking. Direct contact with hydrogen peroxide induces genotoxic effects in bacteria and cultured epithelial cells, but the effect is reduced or totally abolished in the presence of metabolising enzymes. Several carcinogenesis studies, including the hamster cheek pouch model, indicate that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) might possibly act as a promoter. Until further clinical research is concluded to address the question of possible carcinogenicity, it is recommended that: tooth-bleaching products using concentrated H2O2 should not be used without gingival protection; that H2O2 containing products should be avoided in patients with damaged or diseased soft tissues. For nightguard vital bleaching, minimal amounts of low dose H2O2 (including in the form of carbamide peroxide) are preferred, thereby avoiding prolonged and concentrated exposures.
Elevated signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 correlates with increased C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 levels in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION
The present study examines the levels of recently reported biomarkers, adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), and miR-146a in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients over multiple visits.


METHODS
Peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from 65 healthy donors and 103 SLE patients, 60 of whom had samples from 2 or more visits. Total RNA was isolated and analyzed for the expression of mRNA and microRNA using Taqman real time PCR assays. Relative expression of I-IFN signature genes, chemokines, and miR-146a were determined by the ΔΔCT method. Results were correlated with clinical data and analyzed by Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
Levels of ADAR, CCL2, CXCL10, and STAT1 in SLE were significantly elevated compared with the healthy controls (P <0.0001). ADAR, CCL2, and CXCL10 showed significant correlation with IFN score in both healthy donors (P <0.0033) and SLE patients (P <0.0001). In SLE patients, miR-146a level was not significantly different from healthy controls nor correlated to the IFN score. Two STAT1 populations were identified: a low STAT1 and a high STAT1 group. High STAT1 patient visits displayed higher (P ≤0.0020) levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 than the low STAT1 patient visits. STAT1 levels correlated with IFN score in low STAT1 group but not in high STAT1 group. More importantly, high STAT1 levels appeared as an enhancer of CCL2 and CXCL10 as indicated by the significantly stronger correlation of CCL2 and CXCL10 with IFN score in high STAT1 patient visits relative to low STAT1 patient visits.


CONCLUSION
Our data indicate a novel role for STAT1 in the pathogenesis of SLE as an expression enhancer of CCL2 and CXCL10 in SLE patients with high levels of STAT1. Future study is needed to examine the exact role of STAT1 in the etiology of SLE.
Effectiveness of the Dader Method for pharmaceutical care in patients with bipolar I disorder: EMDADER-TAB: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
Bipolar I disorder (BD-I) is a chronic mental illness characterized by the presence of one or more manic episodes, or both depressive and manic episodes, usually separated by asymptomatic intervals. Pharmacists can contribute to the management of BD-I, mainly with the use of effective and safe drugs, and improve the patient's life quality through pharmaceutical care. Some studies have shown the effect of pharmaceutical care in the achievement of therapeutic goals in different illnesses; however, to our knowledge, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials designed to assess the effect of pharmacist intervention in patients with BD. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the Dader Method for pharmaceutical care in patients with BD-I.


METHODS/DESIGN
Randomized, controlled, prospective, single-center clinical trial with duration of 12 months will be performed to compare the effect of Dader Method of pharmaceutical care with the usual care process of patients in a psychiatric clinic. Patients diagnosed with BD-I aged between 18 and 65 years who have been discharged or referred from outpatients service of the San Juan de Dios Clinic (Antioquia, Colombia) will be included. Patients will be randomized into the intervention group who will receive pharmaceutical care provided by pharmacists working in collaboration with psychiatrists, or into the control group who will receive usual care and verbal-written counseling regarding BD. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome will be to measure the number of hospitalizations, emergency service consultations, and unscheduled outpatient visits. Effectiveness, safety, adherence, and quality of life will be assessed as secondary outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed using two-tailed McNemar tests, Pearson chi-square tests, and Student's t-tests; a P value <0.05 will be considered as statistically significant.


DISCUSSION
As far as we know, this is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of the Dader Method for pharmaceutical care in patients with BD-I and it could generate valuable information and recommendations about the role of pharmacists in the improvement of therapeutic goals, solution of drug-related problems, and adherence.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Registration number NCT01750255 on August 6, 2012. First patient randomized on 24 November 2011.
Construction and validation of a prognostic index for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES
To identify prognostic factors in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
The relationship between patient characteristics and outcome was examined by multivariate regression analyses of data from 409 consecutive patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who had been treated with a gemcitabine-containing regimen, and we stratified the patients into 3 risk groups according to the number of prognostic factors they had for a poor outcome. A validation data set obtained from 145 patients who had been treated with agents other than gemcitabine was analyzed. The prognostic index was applied the each of the patients.


RESULTS
The multivariate regression analyses revealed that the presence of pain, peritoneal dissemination, liver metastasis, and an elevated serum C-reactive protein value significantly contributed to a shorter survival time. The patients were stratified into 3 groups according to their number of risk factors, and their outcomes of the 3 groups were significantly different. When the prognostic index was applied to the validation data set, the respective outcomes of the 3 groups were found to be significantly differed from each other.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain, peritoneal dissemination, liver metastasis, and an elevated serum C-reactive protein value are important prognostic factors for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Sr and C isotopes in Lower Cambrian carbonates from the Siberian craton: A paleoenvironmental record during the ‘Cambrian explosion’

We report 87Sr/86Sr measurements on a suite of well preserved sedimentary carbonates from Lower Cambrian strata of the Lena River region of Siberia. Stable isotopes and major and trace element chemistry have been used to identify potentially unaltered samples for Sr isotopic measurements. The Sr data define a smooth curve of paleoseawater 87Sr/86Sr values from the Tommotian through to the early Middle Cambrian. During the Tommotian-Atdabanian interval, 87Sr/86Sr rose rapidly from 0.7081 to 0.7085. The rate of change in Sr ratios decreased during the Botomian but rose to 0.7088 in the late Toyonian to earlyMiddle Cambrian. The rate of 87Sr/86Sr increase during the Tommotian-Atdabanian was ca. 0.0001/m.y., comparable to the late Miocene change in seawater Sr. We infer that an interval of enhanced erosion during the ‘Cambrian explosion’ was responsible for this increase. An important source for radiogenic Sr to the oceans may have been erosion of the Pan-African orogenic belt of southern Africa. The rapid change in paleoseawater Sr corresponds with an interval of highly variable marine 613C values. Model results for the Sr and C isotopic records suggest that the quasi-periodicity in the 6’“C record is not a consequence of direct erosional forcing. However, our inference of high erosion rates during the TommotianAtdabanian implies enhanced fluxes of nutrient elements such as P to the oceans. Phosphorite deposits and black shale deposition in coeval strata suggest that periods of high marine productivity and anoxia may be in part related to enhanced river dissolved fluxes. Our results thus provide some insight into environmental conditions during the ‘Cambrian explosion.’