A protocol design paradigm for rateless fulcrum code

Establecer servicios Multicast eficientes en una red con dispositivos heterogéneos y bajo los efectos de un canal con efecto de borradura es una de las prioridades actuales en la teoría de la codificación, en particular en Network Coding (NC). Además, el creciente número de clientes con dispositivos móviles de gran capacidad de procesamiento y la prevalencia de tráfico no tolerante al retardo han provocado una demanda de esquemas Multicast sin realimentación en lo que respecta a la gestión de recursos distribuidos. Las plataformas de comunicación actuales carecen de un control de codificación gradual y dinámico basado en el tipo de datos que se transmiten a nivel de la capa de aplicación. Este trabajo propone un esquema de transmisión fiable y eficiente basado en una codificación hibrida compuesta por una codificación sistemática y codificación de red lineal aleatoria (RLNC) denominada codificación Fulcrum. Este esquema híbrido de codificación distribuida tipo Rateless permite implementar un sistema adaptativo de gestión de recursos para aumentar la probabilidad de descodificación durante la recepción de datos en cada nodo receptor de la información. En última instancia, el esquema propuesto se traduce en un mayor rendimiento de la red y en tiempos de transmisión (RTT) mucho más cortos mediante la implementación eficiente de una corrección de errores hacia delante (FEC).DoctoradoDoctor en Ingeniería de Sistemas y Computació

A participatory study into the creation of a new infrastructure delivery system in the regulated UK water sector

The project creates a new infrastructure delivery system through the design and implementation of a Strategic Change Model to facilitate change management. The project is premised on identifying barriers to effective delivery within an Infrastructure Client Organisation (ICO), and subsequently on finding a way to address those issues in the real world. Oscillating between theory, literature and action, the project concentrates on the creation of the new AMP6 Infrastructure Delivery System for UKWASC (United Utilities), a regulated monopolistic provider of water and wastewater services in the North West of England, responsible for delivering over £3 billion in infrastructure expenditure between 2015 and 2020. Beginning in 2012 and employing a Three Phase Change Approach (TPCA) towards participatory action, the project utilises participant observation, action research and participatory action research over a 3+ year period. This project has focused primarily on five interventions into UKWASC to improve Strategic Procurement Management Competence (SPMC) within the organisation. With interventions premised in the use of socio‐technical systems for the purposes of joint optimisation within the ICO, the project served to form the Strategic Change Model as a vehicle through which to intervene and to promote effective change management within the ICO (UKWASC). Focusing on the single study, the project is premised on the formation of warrantable assertions as locally created representations of knowledge. Such assertions are made for the purpose of contribution to theory, practice and the participatory focused methodologies in light of strategic procurement, change management, participatory focused research and the application of systems thinking principles in the delivery of infrastructure

Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19

The pandemic period has caused severe socio-economic damage, but it is accompanied by environmental deterioration that can also affect economic opportunities and social equity. In the face of this double risk, future generations are ready to be resilient and make their contribution not only on the consumption side, but also through their inclusion in all companies by bringing green and circular principles with them. Policy makers can also favor this choice

Religion and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Africa

This book investigates the role of religion in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Africa. Building on a diverse range of methodologies and disciplinary approaches, the book reflects on how religion, politics and health have interfaced in Southern African contexts, when faced with the sudden public health emergency caused by the pandemic. Religious actors have played a key role on the frontline throughout the pandemic, sometimes posing roadblocks to public health messaging, but more often deploying their resources to help provide effective and timely responses. Drawing on case studies from African indigenous knowledge systems, Islam, Rastafari and various forms of Christianity, this book provides important reflections on the role of religion in crisis response. This book will be of interest to researchers across the fields of African Studies, Health, Politics and Religious Studies

Ecosystem Service and Land-Use Changes in Asia

This book highlights the role of research in Ecosystem Services and Land Use Changes in Asia. The contributions include case studies that explore the impacts of direct and indirect drivers affecting provision of ecosystem services in Asian countries, including China, India, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Findings from these empirical studies contribute to developing sustainability in Asia at both local and regional scales

Challenges for engineering students working with authentic complex problems

Engineers are important participants in solving societal, environmental and technical problems. However, due to an increasing complexity in relation to these problems new interdisciplinary competences are needed in engineering. Instead of students working with monodisciplinary problems, a situation where students work with authentic complex problems in interdisciplinary teams together with a company may scaffold development of new competences. The question is: What are the challenges for students structuring the work on authentic interdisciplinary problems? This study explores a three-day event where 7 students from Aalborg University (AAU) from four different faculties and one student from University College North Denmark (UCN), (6th-10th semester), worked in two groups at a large Danish company, solving authentic complex problems. The event was structured as a Hackathon where the students for three days worked with problem identification, problem analysis and finalizing with a pitch competition presenting their findings. During the event the students had workshops to support the work and they had the opportunity to use employees from the company as facilitators. It was an extracurricular activity during the summer holiday season. The methodology used for data collection was qualitative both in terms of observations and participants’ reflection reports. The students were observed during the whole event. Findings from this part of a larger study indicated, that students experience inability to transfer and transform project competences from their previous disciplinary experiences to an interdisciplinary setting