A novel algorithm for software defined networks model to enhance the quality of services and scalability in wireless network

Software defined networks (SDN) have replaced the traditional network architecture by separating the control from forwarding planes. SDN technology utilizes computer resources to provide worldwide effective service than the aggregation of single internet resources usage. Breakdown while resource allocation is a major concern in cloud computing due to the diverse and highly complex architecture of resources. These resources breakdowns cause delays in job completion and have a negative influence on attaining quality of service (QoS). In order to promote error-free task scheduling, this study represents a promising fault-tolerance scheduling technique. For optimum QoS, the suggested restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) approach takes into account the most important characteristics like current consumption of the resources and rate of failure. The proposed approach's efficiency is verified using the MATLAB toolbox by employing widely used measures such as resource consumption, average processing time, throughput and rate of success.

Solar Photovoltaics in Pacific Island Nations: An Analysis of Rural Household Electrification Strategies in the RMI and Vanuatu

<p>Rural electrification of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) through renewable energy is necessary for poverty alleviation, energy security, improved health, and to mitigate the effects of climate change, with solar PV being the preferred technological solution. However, electrification projects in PICs have had a high rate of failure, which has led to the adoption of various electrification strategies. This research has analysed the essential criteria for creating effective and enduring electrification models for rural household-scale electrification in PICs. A case study on self-initiated solar PV home systems (SHSs) demonstrated rural end-users‘ ability and desire to maintain SHSs of their own accord, while at the same time liberating their community of reliance on kerosene. The results suggested that market solutions that pay sufficient attention to social dimensions of project design and implementation are more likely to be successful in meeting end-users needs and providing enduring results. Such approaches have fewer organizational layers, allow for end-user participation and education, and encourage self-initiative. The need for such social solutions is well documented in the development literature, yet many of the electrification programs in PICs did not allocate sufficient funds to understanding and incorporating these social aspects. This research concludes that a proper balance in the overarching program design between the technical and social focus of projects is required, as each are equally important for project effectiveness and durability.</p>

Solar Photovoltaics in Pacific Island Nations: An Analysis of Rural Household Electrification Strategies in the RMI and Vanuatu

<p>Rural electrification of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) through renewable energy is necessary for poverty alleviation, energy security, improved health, and to mitigate the effects of climate change, with solar PV being the preferred technological solution. However, electrification projects in PICs have had a high rate of failure, which has led to the adoption of various electrification strategies. This research has analysed the essential criteria for creating effective and enduring electrification models for rural household-scale electrification in PICs. A case study on self-initiated solar PV home systems (SHSs) demonstrated rural end-users‘ ability and desire to maintain SHSs of their own accord, while at the same time liberating their community of reliance on kerosene. The results suggested that market solutions that pay sufficient attention to social dimensions of project design and implementation are more likely to be successful in meeting end-users needs and providing enduring results. Such approaches have fewer organizational layers, allow for end-user participation and education, and encourage self-initiative. The need for such social solutions is well documented in the development literature, yet many of the electrification programs in PICs did not allocate sufficient funds to understanding and incorporating these social aspects. This research concludes that a proper balance in the overarching program design between the technical and social focus of projects is required, as each are equally important for project effectiveness and durability.</p>

Surgical outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) versus the Ahmed glaucoma valve for refractory paediatric glaucoma in Middle Eastern children

ObjectiveThe Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) has the potential advantages of less encapsulation and greater cost-effectiveness than the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV). The aim of this study was to compare the surgical success and outcomes of the AADI compared to the AGV in Middle-Eastern children.MethodsA comparative retrospective study of consecutive paediatric patients in a tertiary eye hospital was undertaken. Data collected included demographics, type of glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of anti-glaucoma medications (AGMs) and any subsequent complications or further surgeries.AnalysisThe mean IOP, number of AGMs, surgical success and number of reoperations was compared for the two groups. Surgical success at each visit was defined as IOP of ≥6 mm Hg and ≤21 mm Hg or if the reduction of IOP was ≥20% reduced from baseline.ResultsA total of 126 tube surgeries (56 eyes in AADI and 70 eyes in AGV) were performed in patients aged ≤18 years from 2014 to 2019. No difference was observed in the mean IOP between the two groups except at the first month post-operative visit. After six months, the AADI group had a consistently significant lower mean number of AGMs. At last follow-up, 21 (37.5%) eyes in the AADI group were glaucoma medication-free vs 15 (21.4%) eyes in the AGV group (pp=0.047). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed equivalent cumulative probability of success at two years of 69.9% [(45.9%–84.9%)] for AADI vs 66.8% [(53.4%–77.1%])) for the AGV, respectively. Twenty-four eyes in the AGV group needed one or more subsequent surgeries, whereas 13 eyes needed one or more surgery in the AADI group.ConclusionsThis study shows an acceptable safety profile for the AADI in children, with a rate of failure that is comparable to the AGV, but less need for glaucoma re-operation or glaucoma medication in the first post-postoperative year.

Reliability of the MOCART score: a systematic review

Background The present systematic review analysed the available literature to assess reliability of the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score in the evaluation of knee and ankle osteochondral lesions. Methods All the studies using the MOCART score for knee and/or talus chondral defects were accessed in March 2021. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess associations between the MOCART score at last follow-up and data of patients at baseline, clinical scores and complications. A multiple linear model regression analysis was used. Results The MOCART score evidenced no association with patient age (P = 0.6), sex (P = 0.1), body mass index (P = 0.06), defect size (P = 0.9), prior length of symptoms (P = 0.9) or visual analogue scale (P = 0.07). For chondral defects of the knee, no statistically significant association was found between the MOCART score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (P = 0.9) and with the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scales (P = 0.2), Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.2), visual analogue scale P = 0.07), rate of failure (P = 0.2) and revision (P = 0.9). For chondral defect of the talus, no statistically significant associations were found between the MOCART score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (P = 0.3), Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.4), visual analogue scale (P = 0.1), rate of failure (P = 0.1) and revision (P = 0.7). Conclusion The MOCART score demonstrated no association with patient characteristics and with the surgical outcome in patients who underwent surgical management for knee and talus chondral defects. Level of evidence Level IV.

Critical success factors for electronic customer relationship management success adoption: Telecommunication companies case study

A systematic literature review has been conducted on the exiting E-CRM system and found that 70% of E-CRM projects do not meet their ultimate goals. Furthermore, more than 77% of E-CRM projects do not succeed in the company's objectives. Many telecommunication companies reported that the existing E-CRM systems face severe challenges, which hinder the E-CRM system's successful adoption. This study aims to report the literature review on the Critical Success Factors for E-CRM systems and identify the rate of failure for E-CRM adoption. The systematic literature review (SLR) method has been conducted by analyzing 210 articles between 2011 to 2021 from different databases collections of research papers. The study determines E-CRM Critical Success Factors from three aspects: technology, organization, and individual factors. The three main categories were analyzed as the effects of the issue on E-CRM success in telecommunication companies. The results show that the three aspects (technology, organization, and individual factors) have a significant effect on the successful adoption of E-CRM.

Intermediate-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in neovascular glaucoma

PurposeTo assess the outcomes of the non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) in neovascular glaucoma (NVG).MethodsData of consecutive patients with NVG who underwent AADI and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative rate of surgical failure defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg or reduced <20% below baseline, IOP ≤5 mm Hg, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision.ResultsWe included 85 eyes of 85 patients with NVG, with a mean age of 61.2±9.3 years. The most common aetiologies were proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=43) and central retinal vein occlusion (n=24). The mean IOP decreased from 36.8±12.5 mm Hg at baseline to 15.8±7.5 mm Hg at 2-year follow-up (p<0.001) and the number of IOP-lowering medications reduced from 3.4±0.8 to 1.5±1.1 (p<0.001). The cumulative rate of failure increased from 3.1% (95% CI 1.1% to 11.8%) at 1 year to 33.8% (95% CI 20.4% to 52.5%) at 2 years. Multivariable analysis showed that eyes with open angles had a lower risk of failure (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.03, p=0.09). The logarithm of minimum angle of resolution visual acuity declined from 0.98±0.7 to 1.8±1.0 at 2 years (p<0.001).ConclusionApproximately one-third of NVG eyes that received the AADI failed after 2 years of follow-up similar to other series. Early AADI implantation at the open angle stage of NVG may yield better results.

SOIL STABILIZATION OF THE SOIL BY USING DIFFERENT WASTE MATERIALS – A REVIEW

Soils that expand and contract unexpectedly are often described in terms of their permeability and poor load transfer mechanism. As a result of these qualities, the rate of failure mechanisms such as excessive settlement and subgrade failures attains at a very rapid pace, and the expansive soils are defined as more sensitive than other types of soil. Constructions based on this sort of soil are therefore challenging for an Engineer to complete. Growing population has led to an uncontrolled increase in plastic waste creation, and the disposal of the plastic waste has become a significant issue for all countries. As a result, road construction industry has shown a great deal of interest in utilising this waste and researchers have attempted to produce plastic wastes in soil stabilization as a strengthening agent. The focus of this study is to identify ways to make use of plastic wastes in geotechnical applications on a large scale. KEYWORDS: Soil stabilization, Plastic waste, Unconfined compressive strength, Static tensile strength

The Impact of Founder’s Financial Behavior Traits and Literacy on SMEs Performance: Empirical Evidence from SMEs in Indonesia

This research focuses on the SMEs development evaluation of the impact of founder’s financial behavior, measured by behavioral characteristics of CEOs capacity for self-awareness, planning, and patience, also their knowledge about financial understanding which affect the ability to manage their performance of SMEs. The purpose of this research is to analyze and reduce the rate of failure of SMEs in Indonesia by pursuing the defined determinants from their behavioral traits and self-knowledge on financial understanding in decision making. This study uses a survey conducted across Indonesia, mainly on Java island, with the sample size of 482 SMEs. This research uses multivariate regression analysis as a tool for measuring the impact of founder’s financial behavior variables and financial literacy variable for SMEs performance as a dependent variable. DOI: 10.26905/jkdp.v25i3.5142

Exploring the next generation socialisation to entrepreneurship in family businesses: insights from the Moroccan community

Purpose In Morocco, due to the high rate of failure in generational transfers, many family businesses are threatened with disappearance. This paper aims to focus on entrepreneurship and seeks to understand how the family business maintains its entrepreneurial orientation through the family’s entrepreneurial socialisation of the next generation, which aims to prepare them for the role of family entrepreneur. The study aims both to describe the socialisation process and to understand the context necessary to place the young community in an entrepreneurial dynamic. Design/methodology/approach Using an exploratory approach, this paper favours the single case study; data were collected from five participants from both generations, then this study matches the interviews from the founding generation with those from the next generation; in addition to a triad at the employee level. Findings The analysis shows that the early participation alongside the founding generation in entrepreneurial processes, initiates a sense of entrepreneurship in the next generation and the confidence gradually builds up through the achievements of the latter; which, in turn, increases the possibility to set up innovative projects by giving the necessary autonomy to carry them out. Practical implications The document underlines the importance of establishing a culture of transmission to promote entrepreneurship amongst the young community to engage it in exploring and seeking new opportunities for development and innovation. Originality/value Studying the transmission of the entrepreneurial spirit through the prism of socialisation provides an understanding of the context necessary to place the next generation in an entrepreneurial dynamic.