scholarly journals Rapid Estimation of TVWS: A Probabilistic Approach Based on Sensed Signal Parameters

Telecom ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-180
Author(s):  
Danilo Corral-De-Witt ◽  
Sabbir Ahmed ◽  
José Luis Rojo-Álvarez ◽  
Kemal Tepe

The current demand for a wireless electromagnetic spectrum is higher than ever before due to rapid technological development in the field of information and communication technologies that has resulted in monumental growth in data-centric services. The usage of idle TV channels in the Television Ultra High Frequencies (TV-UHF) band (500–698 MHz), also known as Television White Spaces (TVWS), is a relatively new and promising concept for wireless connectivity that can be used to cater to the demand. A challenge in this setting is to figure out a fast and cost-effective method of TVWS presence estimation, such as the use of open hardware and software tools, reducing sensing time. This article proposes a Rapid Estimation Method (REM) for TVWS estimation that uses the statistical information of the sensed signals. Our probabilistic approach analyzes the collected parameters of more than eight million data samples taken by scanning the TV-UHF spectrum in the city of Windsor, ON, Canada. The calculated statistical parameters and a group of auxiliary parameters were combined to estimate rapidly the amount of TVWS available in the sensed locations. By applying the proposed rapid estimation method, the presence of TVWS was identified and verified with an accuracy of about 76% according to the results obtained, the average variation when comparing the calculated and detected probabilities of TVWS was in a range of 15%, and the method could be a viable solution to the spectrum need.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 45-76
Author(s):  
Richard Pankomera ◽  
Darelle Van Greunen

Although Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the healthcare sector are extensively deployed globally, they are not used effectively in developing countries. Many resource poor countries face numerous challenges in implementing the ICT interventions. For instance, many health applications that have been deployed are not user-centric. As a result, such ICT interventions do not benefit many health consumers. The lack of an ICT framework to support patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi renders the e-health and mhealth interventions less sustainable and less cost effective. The aim of the study was therefore to develop an ICT Framework that could support patient-centric healthcare services in the public health sector in Malawi. The comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews highlighted many challenges underlying ICT development in Malawi. An ICT framework for patient-centric healthcare services is therefore proposed to ensure that eHealth and mobile health interventions are more sustainable and cost effective. The framework was validated by five experts selected from different areas of expertise including mhealth application developers, ICT policy makers and public health practitioners. Results show that the framework is relevant, useful and applicable within the setting of Malawi. The framework can also be implemented in various countries with similar settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (71) ◽  
pp. 55-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Gustavo Corvalán

This article addresses the impact of the digital era and it specifically refers to information and communication technologies (ICT) in Public Administration. It is based on the international approach and underscores the importance of incorporating new technologies established by the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Thereon, it highlights the Argentine Republic national approach towards ICT, and how it has moved towards a digital paradigm. It then emphasizes on the challenges and opportunities that emerge from the impact that artificial intelligence has in transforming Public Administration. Finally, it concludes that the key challenge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is to achieve a boost towards a Digital and Intelligent Administration and government, which promotes the effectiveness of rights and an inclusive technological development that assures the digital dignity of people.  


Author(s):  
Paul Macharia ◽  
Davies Kimanga ◽  
Onesimus Kamau

Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) face healthcare worker shortages, skill mix imbalances, and maldistributions; there is concern in their quality and productivity. Africa's infrastructural developments also are way behind the rest of the world, and this gap is widening. Scalable, cost-effective, and long-term strategies in healthcare services are greatly needed. This chapter explores how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could play an important role in improving healthcare. Components of e-health, an emerging field in medicine, clinical care, and public health are discussed. The role of m-health is explored, identifying the benefits of integrating mobile phone technologies in healthcare. To meet the health financing deficiencies, the chapter also explores how Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) could drive healthcare professionals' productivity through increased workplace flexibility.


Author(s):  
Malina Jordanova

Brought to life by contemporary changes of our world, e-health offers enormous possibilities. In the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly resolution on e-health, WHO has defined e-health as the cost-effective and secure use of information and communication technologies in support of health and health-related fields, including healthcare services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education (WHO, 2005). It is impossible to have a detailed view of its potential as e-health affects the entire health sector and is a viable tool to provide routine, as well as specialized, health services. It is able to improve both the access to, and the standard of, health care. The aim of the chapter is to focus on how e-health can help in closing one gap - optimizing patient care. The examples included and references provided are ready to be introduced in practice immediately. Special attention is dedicated to cost effectiveness of e-health applications.


Author(s):  
Fathey Mohammed ◽  
Othman Bin Ibrahim

Adopting and using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the public sector affords undeniable benefits in terms of efficient and cost-effective provision of services, facilitating public management and promoting transparency and participation through e-government systems. However, many governments around the globe face many challenges and still struggle to implement e-government initiatives successfully. Cloud computing may offer a new chance to address many of these challenges by providing elastic scalable, customized, and highly available environment. Moreover, it is already adopted and proved to be advantageous for governmental institutions in different countries. By analyzing some cases, this paper extracts the main drivers of cloud computing adoption in the public sector organizations. Cost saving and the need for scalability are the main common factors that drive public sector organizations to move their services to the cloud.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 870-897
Author(s):  
Maria A Oliveira ◽  
Esteve Llop ◽  
César Andrade ◽  
Cristina Branquinho ◽  
Ronald Goble ◽  
...  

Tsunamis and storms cause considerable coastal flooding, numerous fatalities, destruction of structures, and erosion. The characterization of energy and frequency associated with each wave contribute to the risk assessment in coastal regions. Coastal boulder deposits represent a physical proof of extreme inundation and allow us to study the effects of marine floods further back in time than instrumental and historical records. Age estimation of these deposits is challenging due to lack of materials (such as sand, shells, corals, or organic matter) that retain information about the passage of time. Lichenometry, a simple age estimation method, which is cost-effective, quick to apply, and non-destructive, is here proposed as a solution. A lichen growth model for a calcium-tolerant lichen species was developed and used to estimate the age of a boulder deposit related to extreme marine inundation(s) in Portugal. Estimated ages indicate several very recent events (<700 years) for most of the boulders’ stabilization and agree with results obtained with optically stimulated luminescence of marine sands found beneath boulders. Frequent and recent boulder transport implies a storm-origin for this deposit. These conclusions contrast with other works describing identical deposits that are attributed to paleotsunamis. This study presents a methodology using lichenometry as a successful alternative for age estimation in rocky coastal settings. These results offer an alternative explanation for coastal boulder deposits found on the west coast of Portugal.


Author(s):  
Virginia Moxley ◽  
Sue Maes ◽  
Dawn Anderson

This chapter will examine the organizational and technological challenges encountered by the highly successful Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) since its members began offering multi-university online academic programs in 2000. Members include the following universities: Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Michigan State, Missouri, Montana State, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Oklahoma State, and South Dakota State. Inter-institutional online academic programs are a cost-effective means of rapidly increasing access and addressing emerging educational needs. The chapter explains how the Great Plains IDEA began, operates and has evolved, as well as the mistakes made, lessons learned, and upcoming challenges. A major technological challenge was identifying a secure multi-institution enrollment system for sharing student data between enrolling and teaching institutions the award-winning ExpanSIS system. The authors hope that higher education leaders will be convinced that inter-institutional collaboration is a viable solution to many higher education challenges.


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