Strategic Framework: A Roadmap for Communities’ Adaptations and Resilience in Constrained Environments

A basic but expensive operation in the implementations of several famous public-key cryptosystems is the computation of the multi-scalar multiplication in a certain finite additive group defined by an elliptic curve. We propose an adaptive window method for the multi-scalar multiplication, which aims to balance the computation cost and the memory cost under register-constrained environments. That is, our method can maximize the computation efficiency of multi-scalar multiplication according to any small, fixed number of registers provided by electronic devices. We further demonstrate that our method is efficient when five registers are available. Our method is further studied in detail in the case where it is combined with the non-adjacent form (NAF) representation and the joint sparse form (JSF) representation. One efficiency result is that our method with the proposed improved NAF n-bit representation on average requires 209n/432 point additions. To the best of our knowledge, this efficiency result is optimal compared with those of similar methods using five registers. Unlike the previous window methods, which store all possible values in the window, our method stores those with comparatively high probabilities to reduce the number of required registers.

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A low-cost wireless endoscope camera: a preliminary report

African Journal of Urology ◽

10.1186/s12301-021-00127-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. M. Lazarus ◽

M. Ncube

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Video Transmission ◽

Low Cost ◽

Battery Life ◽

Resource Constrained ◽

High Definition ◽

Industry Standard ◽

Constrained Environments ◽

The Cost

Abstract Background Technology currently used for surgical endoscopy was developed and is manufactured in high-income economies. The cost of this equipment makes technology transfer to resource constrained environments difficult. We aimed to design an affordable wireless endoscope to aid visualisation during rigid endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The initial prototype aimed to replicate a 4-mm lens used in rigid cystoscopy. Methods Focus was placed on using open-source resources to develop the wireless endoscope to significantly lower the cost and make the device accessible for resource-constrained settings. An off the shelf miniature single-board computer module was used because of its low cost (US$10) and its ability to handle high-definition (720p) video. Open-source Linux software made monitor mode (“hotspot”) wireless video transmission possible. A 1280 × 720 pixel high-definition tube camera was used to generate the video signal. Video is transmitted to a standard laptop computer for display. Bench testing included latency of wireless digital video transmission. Comparison to industry standard wired cameras was made including weight and cost. The battery life was also assessed. Results In comparison with industry standard cystoscope lens, wired camera, video processing unit and light source, the prototype costs substantially less. (US$ 230 vs 28 000). The prototype is light weight (184 g), has no cables tethering and has acceptable battery life (of over 2 h, using a 1200 mAh battery). The camera transmits video wirelessly in near real time with only imperceptible latency of < 200 ms. Image quality is high definition at 30 frames per second. Colour rendering is good, and white balancing is possible. Limitations include the lack of a zoom. Conclusion The novel wireless endoscope camera described here offers equivalent high-definition video at a markedly reduced cost to contemporary industry wired units and could contribute to making minimally invasive surgery possible in resource-constrained environments.

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Making do by doing without: bricolage in the funding sources of female entrepreneurs in resource-constrained environments

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research ◽

10.1007/s40497-021-00296-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bede Akorige Atarah ◽

Augustine Awuah Peprah ◽

Abednego F. Okoe Amartey ◽

Bylon Abeeku Bamfo

Keyword(s):

Resource Constrained ◽

Female Entrepreneurs ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Constrained Environments

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Proposal of a Bioregional Strategic Framework for a Sustainable Food System in Sicily

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10101546 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1546

Author(s):

Paolo Guarnaccia ◽

Silvia Zingale ◽

Alessandro Scuderi ◽

Ezio Gori ◽

Vincenzo Santiglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Scenario Planning ◽

Economic Indicators ◽

Developmental Approach ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Strategic Framework ◽

Sustainable Food System

The alignment of food systems with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is generally envisaged to make a positive impact on sustainability. This paper outlines some critical environmental and socio-economic indicators for Sicily in order to compare and explore the outcomes of two juxtaposing key drivers in a scenario planning exercise, where the extremities are Industrial versus Regenerative Agriculture/Agroecology and a Proactive versus Reactive government response. The most rational and less risky scenario becomes the most sensible sustainable development option, around which a 2030 vision is projected for a bioregional sustainable food system for Sicily, which is aligned with the SDGs and related policies. To accomplish the 2030 vision, a holistic education-led developmental approach is outlined with a supporting bioregional strategic framework, whose key milestone deliverables are projected through a backcasting process. This paper therefore highlights the importance of consistency and alignment of a development vision with its strategic framework and ensuing implementation, failing which, the holistic bioregional approach is compromised by activities that are shown to negatively impact environmental and socio-economic indicators. For this reason, all public and private sector development plans and associated resources ought to be aligned with a bioregional strategic plan for a sustainable food system for Sicily.

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