Impact of Signaling System Performance on QoE in Next Generation Networks, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2009, nr 4

The first experience of quality by multimedia applications’ users takes place during the setup phase of a new connection. If the setup phase is not accepted or “slowly accepted”, the confidence of the user decreases. The user becomes more sensitive when he/she pays the connections with assured quality of service (QoS). In this case, the process of call request should be also accomplished with QoS guarantees. This paper presents the signaling sub-system implemented within the EuQoS system. The EuQoS signaling process follows main assumptions of next generation networks (NGN) architecture and performs tasks related with codec agreement between multimedia end users, admission control and resource reservation functions. In this paper, we present analytical, simulation and experimental results showing the impact of signaling system performance on quality of experience (QoE) for the potential users of multi-layer EuQoS system. In particular, the presented approach aims at ensuring user QoE of the connection setup phase by ensuring QoS for transferring signaling messages by the network

Performance Evaluation of Signaling in the IP QoS System, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2011, nr 3

The IP QoS System is based on next generation networks (NGN) and differentiated services (DiffServ) architectures. Its main part is a signaling system, which allows to send a request from a user to the system for establishing new connection with predefined quality of service assurance. In this paper we present trial results of the proposed signaling system. The experiments were performed to measure setup delay utilizing artificial call generator/analyzer. To obtain results we assumed different distributions of interarrival and call holding times based on the literature. The results show that the setup delay strongly depends on access time to network devices, however also on the assumed call holding time models

AQUILA network architecture: first trial experiments, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2002, nr 2

The paper presents trial experiments with IP QoS network services (NS) defined and implemented in the AQUILA pilot installation. The AQUILA NSs (premium CBR, premium VBR, premium multimedia and premium mission critical) provide a framework for supporting a variety of applications generating both streaming and elastic traffic. The measurement experiments confirm that AQUILA architecture differentiates the QoS offered to these NSs. The presented numerical results were obtained in the test network installed in the Polish Telecom (Warsaw) consisting of 8 CISCO routers

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis patients receiving disease-modifying treatment in Poland

Aim of study. The aim of this study was to collect and analyse data on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland.Material and methods. This observational, multicentre study with prospective data collection included RRMS patients receiving DMTs reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Poland, monitored by the Therapeutic Programme Monitoring System (SMPT). Demographic profiles, disability status, and treatment modalities were analysed.Results. Data from 11,632 RRMS patients was collected (from 15,368 new prescriptions), including 10,649 patients in the first-line and 983 in the second-line therapeutic programme of DMTs. The proportion of females to males was 2.39 in the first-line and 1.91 in the second-line. The mean age at DMTs start was 36.6 years in the first-line and 35.1 in the second-line. The median time from the first symptoms to MS diagnosis was 7.4 months, and from MS diagnosis to treatment it was 18.48 months. A total of 43.4% of MS patients started DMT during the 12 months following diagnosis. There was a positive correlation between the duration from MS diagnosis to the start of DMT and a higher initial EDSS value [correlation 0.296 (p < 0.001)]. About 10% of patients stopped DMTs. In Poland, about one third of all MS patients are treated in both lines, and the choice of first-line treatment depends on the region of the country.Conclusions. In Poland there is a need to increase MS patient access to DMTs by improving the organisation of drug programmes

The IP QoS System, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2011, nr 3

This paper shortly describes the IP QoS System which offers strict quality of service (QoS) guarantees in IP-based networks and supports a number of, so called, classes of services. Such solution requires to implement in the network a set of QoS mechanisms and algorithm working on packet, connection request and provisioning levels. Furthermore, we require signaling system for informing the network about new connection request and network resource allocation capabilities for providing required resources to given connection. The IP QoS System is based on the next generation networks (NGN) and differentiated services (DiffServ) architectures and, at least for now, it is designed for single domainonly

Sense of happiness in Polish patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction. Happiness is crucial to patient well-being and their acceptance of their disease. The aim of this study was to assess the sense of happiness in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), compare it to the level of happiness in patients with other neurological conditions, and determine which factors affect the sense of happiness in PwMS. Material and methods. Five hundred and eighty-nine PwMS and 145 control subjects (post-stroke patients with chronic pain syndromes and neuropathies) were included in the study. Due to the differences between the groups in terms of demographic variables, an adjusted group of PwMS (n = 145) was selected from the entire group of PwMS. All patients were assessed using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), and the Family APGAR Questionnaire. Based on regression analysis, the study examined which variables affected the level of happiness in the groups. Results. Analysis of the OHQ scores showed that PwMS had a lower sense of happiness compared to the control group in the overall score [113.21 (25–42) vs. 119.88 (25–49), respectively; p = 0.031] and the subscales (OHQ subscale 1 — 54.52 vs. 57.84, respectively; p = 0.027; subscale 2 — 35.61 vs. 37.67; respectively; p = 0.044). Based on linear regression analysis, life satisfaction (β = 0.40; p < 0.001), positive orientation (β = 0.32; p < 0.001), and primary education (β = 0.08; p = 0.009) were the most significant predictors of a higher level of happiness in PwMS. Similar results were found in the control group. Conclusions. The sense of happiness in PwMS was lower than in patients with other conditions. The most important factors influencing happiness included life satisfaction and positive orientation. Influencing these predictors should be the aim of psychological interventions, especially in patients with a reduced sense of happiness

Clinical course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies — the Polish experience

Introduction. The aim of this study was to report the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. A major concern for neurologists worldwide is the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with MS treated with different DMTs. Although initial studies do not suggest an unfavourable course of infection in this group of patients, the data is limited.Materials and methods. This study included 396 MS patients treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 28 Polish MS centres. Information concerning patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical course of MS, current DMT use, as well as symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, need for pharmacotherapy, oxygen therapy, and/or hospitalisation, and short-term outcomes was collected up to 30 January 2021. Additional data about COVID-19 cases in the general population in Poland was obtained from official reports of the Polish Ministry of Health.Results. There were 114 males (28.8%) and 282 females (71.2%). The median age was 39 years (IQR 13). The great majority of patients with MS exhibited relapsing-remitting course (372 patients; 93.9%). The median EDSS was 2 (SD 1.38), and the mean disease duration was 8.95 (IQR 8) years. Most of the MS patients were treated with dimethyl fumarate (164; 41.41%). Other DMTs were less frequently used: interferon beta (82; 20.70%), glatiramer acetate (42; 10.60%), natalizumab (35;8.84%), teriflunomide (25; 6.31%), ocrelizumab (20; 5.05%), fingolimod (16; 4.04), cladribine (5; 1.26%), mitoxantrone (3; 0.76%), ozanimod (3; 0.76%), and alemtuzumab (1; 0.25%). The overall hospitalisation rate due to COVID-19 in the cohort was 6.81% (27 patients). Only one patient (0.3%) died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and three (0.76%) patients were treated with mechanical ventilation; 106 (26.8%) patients had at least one comorbid condition. There were no significant differences in the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection regarding patient age, duration of the disease, degree of disability (EDSS), lymphocyte count, or type of DMT used.Conclusions and clinical implications. Most MS patients included in this study had a favourable course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The hospitalisation rate and the mortality rate were not higher in the MS cohort compared to the general Polish population. Continued multicentre data collection is needed to increase the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact on the course of MS in patients treated with DMTs

Admission Control for TCP Connections in QoS IP Network

Abstract. The paper describes a new admission control (AC) algorithm for greedy TCP connections. The algorithm has passed positive tests in preproduction QoS IP network [2], developed inside European IST project AQUILA 1 network. The algorithm operates per single TCP flow and it assumes the setting of advertised receiver TCP window size for maintaining ideal TCP behaviour (no packet losses). The QoS objective is to guarantee the requested bit rate, say Rreq, a user demands from the network. Furthermore, on the basis of the Rreq and information about round trip time (RTT), the user request is mapped into the form of single token bucket parameters, i.e. token accumulating rate (R) and bucket size (BS), constituting input parameters for AC decision. For admitted TCP connection the Rreq is guaranteed, even if running connections differ in Rreq and RTTmin. Included simulation results confirm the efficiency of the algorithm.