Planning for Continuity of Services: A Comprehensive Strategic Assessment Model for Healthcare Business Continuity Planning

With the release of the 2016 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) requirements for healthcare institutions to implement business continuity planning into their organizations by November 15, 2017, the focus of business continuity and disaster recovery planning solely for information services has now transitioned into an enterprise-wide requirement. Over the past decade, there have been increasing numbers of naturally occurring and man-made disasters that have significantly interrupted or altogether closed healthcare facilities, impacting the health and well-being of entire communities. This study examines the changing regulatory landscape that requires healthcare institutions to develop, maintain, and regularly test their business continuity plans in an effort to enhance their operational resiliency. After a retrospective review of regulations, guidelines, and best practices, this study pilots an addition to the Kaiser Permanente hazard vulnerability assessment (HVA) tool that is intended to enable healthcare organizations to objectively identify, prioritize, and maintain their business continuity and emergency management planning efforts through the identification of potential operational and financial impacts to healthcare facilities during and following disasters. The major benefits of this study are to identify the historical shortcomings of a healthcare facility’s hazard and risk identification processes and to facilitate the use of the information collected during that process. Identified inadequacies from past healthcare preparedness efforts will be used to form new meaningful efforts to enhance the recognition of risks to healthcare organizations, in an effort to enhance their resiliency to interruptions of services and to minimize financial losses during austere events

Spectrum Efficiency in CRNs using Hybrid Dynamic Channel Reservation and Enhanced Dynamic Spectrum Access

Blocking of new arriving services and dropping of ongoing services are inherent problems in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs), which need to be addressed to enhance spectrum efficiency. In particular, Secondary Users (SUs) undergo service degradation in the face of Primary Users (PUs)’ arrivals. In this paper, we present a scheme called Efficient Spectrum Utilization (ESU) that reduces the dropping and blocking probabilities of existing and new services, respectively, to make efficient use of the available spectrum. The scheme divides the available spectrum into reserved and non-reserved bands. The reserved band is dynamically allocated a number of channels from the non-reserved band in order to accommodate those services which face interruptions while operating in the non-reserved band. The scheme renders dynamic access to the available spectrum and facilitates priority-based channel allocation and termination. SUs are divided into low and high priority levels depending on their Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. SUs with low priority level are granted direct access to both the bands to enhance channel utilization. SUs operating in the reserved band with high priority levels are granted uninterruptible status to ensure a certain level of service provisioning to SUs. The proposed ESU scheme is modeled using Continuous Time Markov Chain (CTMC) and mathematical expressions are derived for several QoS parameters. Performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated under various network conditions. Results demonstrate that ESU reasonably improves spectrum efficiency under channel failure in CRNs

Cognitive radio systems in LTE networks

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London.The most important fact in the mobile industry at the moment is that demand for wireless services will continue to expand in the coming years. Therefore, it is vital to find more spectrums through cognitive radios for the growing numbers of services and users. However, the spectrum reallocations, enhanced receivers, shared use, or secondary markets-will not likely, by themselves or in combination, meet the real exponential increases in demand for wireless resources. Network operators will also need to re-examine network architecture, and consider integrating the fibre and wireless networks to address this issue. This thesis involves driving fibre deeper into cognitive networks, deploying microcells connected through fibre infrastructure to the backbone LTE networks, and developing the algorithms for diverting calls between the wireless and fibre systems, introducing new coexistence models, and mobility management. This research addresses the network deployment scenarios to a microcell-aided cognitive network, specifically slicing the spectrum spatially and providing reliable coverage at either tier. The goal of this research is to propose new method of decentralized-to-distributed management techniques that overcomes the spectrum unavailability barrier overhead in ongoing and future deployments of multi-tiered cognitive network architectures. Such adjustments will propose new opportunities in cognitive radio-to-fibre systematic investment strategies. Specific contributions include: 1) Identifying the radio access technologies and radio over fibre solution for cognitive network infrastructure to increase the uplink capacity analysis in two-tier networks. 2) Coexistence of macro and microcells are studied to propose a roadmap for optimising the deployment of cognitive microcells inside LTE macrocells in the case of considering radio over fibre access systems. 3) New method for roaming mobiles moving between microcells and macrocell coverage areas is proposed for managing spectrum handover, operator database, authentication and accounting by introducing the channel assigning agent entity. The ultimate goal is to reduce unnecessary channel adaptation

On the Spectrum and Energy Efficiency in Dynamic Licensed Shared Access Systems:A Multiobjective Optimization Approach

In licensed shared access (LSA) systems, the protection of the incumbent in the shared spectrum may degrade the spectrum and energy efficiency of the licensee. In this paper, we examine the optimization of these two performance metrics in a LSA vertical sharing scenario between an airport incumbent, and a mobile network operator licensee. Considering a restriction zone of a pre-defined radius, we derive the probability of the incumbent's interference threshold and then formulate a power allocation scheme as a multi-objective optimization of both energy and spectrum efficiency. We then adopt the weighted sum method to convert this multi-objective optimization into a single objective optimization and convert that into a quasi concave optimization problem. The optimum power allocation is then obtained using fractional programming. We further investigate the impact of various critical operational parameters in conjunction with the two performance metrics. Simulation results indicate a significantly improved energy efficiency in the licensee network as well as the spectrum efficiency comparable to even when the LSA spectrum utilization is unrestricted by the incumbent's maximum interference threshold. Furthermore, we show that with careful selection of the licensee eNodeB coverage radius, transmit power, and users number per eNodeB coverage area, one can engineer the best possible trade-off between the spectrum and energy efficiency

NEW MODEL USING DSA TECHNIQUES AND COASIAN BARGAINING AGREEMENTS FOR SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT IN KOSOVO

In each country spectrum is scarce and expensive and as such it should treated carefully in terms of efficiency usage. The spectrum can be reallocated, reassigned and resold through agreements between the participants. In some places, interference exists (internalas well as external, i.e., from bordering countries) resulting in inefficient usage of spectrum, not respecting the law of telecommunication, the poor communication, loss of revenue, damage to telecommunication equipment etc. One of these places is Kosovo in GSM spectrum. In this thesis what we are addressing is how to avoid this problem and bring to participants an AGREEMENT that benefits all. With these kinds of agreements, the interference can be avoided, saving a lot of money and revenue will increase for both parties: unlicensed and licensed mobile operators (including the Government of Kosovo (GK)). On the other hand the positive externalities should happen, such a social cost, economical efficiency, political view and community integration. Our solution is based on Coase Theory and Problem of Social Cost and on another hand on the situation in Kosovo based on data from TRA of Kosovo and Serbia also data from Mobile Operators from both sides

Exploring Resilience

Resilience has become an important topic on the safety research agenda and in organizational practice. Most empirical work on resilience has been descriptive, identifying characteristics of work and organizing activity which allow organizations to cope with unexpected situations. Fewer studies have developed testable models and theories that can be used to support interventions aiming to increase resilience and improve safety. In addition, the absent integration of different system levels from individuals, teams, organizations, regulatory bodies, and policy level in theory and practice imply that mechanisms through which resilience is linked across complex systems are not yet well understood. Scientific efforts have been made to develop constructs and models that present relationships; however, these cannot be characterized as sufficient for theory building. There is a need for taking a broader look at resilience practices as a foundation for developing a theoretical framework that can help improve safety in complex systems. This book does not advocate for one definition or one field of research when talking about resilience; it does not assume that the use of resilience concepts is necessarily positive for safety. We encourage a broad approach, seeking inspiration across different scientific and practical domains for the purpose of further developing resilience at a theoretical and an operational level of relevance for different high-risk industries. The aim of the book is twofold: 1. To explore different approaches for operationalization of resilience across scientific disciplines and system levels. 2. To create a theoretical foundation for a resilience framework across scientific disciplines and system levels. By presenting chapters from leading international authors representing different research disciplines and practical fields we develop suggestions and inspiration for the research community and practitioners in high-risk industries. This book is Open Access under a CC-BY licence. ; Explores different approaches for operationalization of resilience across scientific disciplines and system levels Creates a theoretical foundation for a resilience framework across scientific disciplines and system levels Develops suggestions and inspiration for the research community and practitioners in high-risk industries Presents chapters from leading international authors representing different research disciplines and practical field

Innovations in rural and agriculture finance

Most rural households lack access to reliable and affordable finance for agriculture and other livelihood activities. Many small farmers live in remote areas where retail banking is limited and production risks are high. The recent financial crisis has made the provision of credit even tighter and the need to explore innovative approaches to rural and agricultural finance even more urgent. This set of 14 briefs clearly points out the importance of business realities faced by small farmers, including low education levels, the dominance of subsistence farming, and the lack of access to modern financial instruments. These conditions mean that new and innovative institutions are required to reach small farmers. Emerging communication technologies provide new opportunities for rural banking by reducing business costs and alleviating information asymmetries. New financing instruments, such as weather index-based insurance and microinsurance, also have great potential for managing the risks faced by small farmers. In addition, bundling financial services with nonfinancial services like marketing and extension services offers new opportunities for small farmers to increase their productivity and incomes. Finally, an enabling policy environment and legal framework, enforcement of rules and regulations, and a supportive rural infrastructure all contribute immensely to making sustainable access to finance a reality. Table of Contents: •Innovations in rural and agriculture finance: Overview by Renate Kloeppinger-Todd and Manohar Sharma •Financial literacy by Monique Cohen •Community-based financial organizations: Access to Finance for the Poorest by Anne Ritchie •Rural banking in Africa: The Rabobank approach by Gerard van Empel •Rural banking: The case of rural and community banks in Ghana by Ajai Nair and Azeb Fissha •Rural leasing: An alternative to loans in financing income-producing assets by Ajai Nair •Determinants of microcredit repayment in federations of Indian self-help groups by Yanyan Liu and Klaus Deininger •M-PESA: Finding new ways to serve the unbanked in Kenya by Susie Lonie •Biometric technology in rural credit markets: The case of Malawi by Xavier Giné •Credit risk management in financing agriculture by Mark D. Wenner •New approaches for index insurance: ENSO insurance in Peru by Jerry R. Skees and Benjamin Collier •Microinsurance innovations in rural finance by Martina Wiedmaier-Pfister and Brigitte Klein •Combining extension services with agricultural credit: The experience of BASIX India by Vijay Mahajan and K. Vasumathi •Bundling development services with agricultural finance: The experience of DrumNet by Jonathan Campaigne and Tom RauschAgricultural innovations -- Developing countries, agriculture finance, Financial crisis, microinsurance, Poverty reduction, rural banking, Rural finance, Rural households, Small farmers,

On the Achievable Energy Efficiency in Dynamic Licensed Shared Access

The licensed shared access (LSA) promises to be a viable alternative solution to the well-reported spectrum underutilization. The higher priority of the incumbent in the spectrum sharing arrangement implies that the licensee's access to the spectrum can be revoked or restricted at any time. This has been observed to result in degradation of some critical performance metrics of the latter. In this paper, we investigate the effect of this on the energy efficiency (EE) of an LSA sharing between an airport incumbent and a mobile network operator licensee. We formulate expressions for the operating transmit power of the licensee when its spectrum access right is revoked/restricted in both the uplink and downlink transmission directions. We then propose a power allocation scheme that maximizes the EE of the licensee during these time intervals in which the licensee operating transmit power is constrained by the incumbent system's utilization of the spectrum. We further provide analytical discussions on how the achievable EE during this time compares to when the licensee's access to the spectrum is free of any restriction from the incumbent. The results obtained show that while the EE suffers degradation in the uplink when the licensee spectrum access right is restricted, there is no noticeable difference in the achievable EE in the downlink direction. Furthermore, in the uplink, the optimal power allocation provides better EE even than when the spectrum is free especially at lower transmit power and channel number, while in the downlink, the optimal power allocation EE is consistently better than the free spectrum EE

Operator-based approaches to harm minimisation in gambling: summary, review and future directions

In this report we give critical consideration to the nature and effectiveness of harm minimisation in gambling. We identify gambling-related harm as both personal (e.g., health, wellbeing, relationships) and economic (e.g., financial) harm that occurs from exceeding one’s disposable income or disposable leisure time. We have elected to use the term ‘harm minimisation’ as the most appropriate term for reducing the impact of problem gambling, given its breadth in regard to the range of goals it seeks to achieve, and the range of means by which they may be achieved. The extent to which an employee can proactively identify a problem gambler in a gambling venue is uncertain. Research suggests that indicators do exist, such as sessional information (e.g., duration or frequency of play) and negative emotional responses to gambling losses. However, the practical implications of requiring employees to identify and interact with customers suspected of experiencing harm are questionable, particularly as the employees may not possess the clinical intervention skills which may be necessary. Based on emerging evidence, behavioural indicators identifiable in industryheld data, could be used to identify customers experiencing harm. A programme of research is underway in Great Britain and in other jurisdiction

Performance Analysis and Modelling of Spectrum Handoff Schemes in Cognitive Radio Networks. Modelling and Analysis of Spectrum Handoff Decision Schemes in Cognitive Radio Networks using the Queuing Theory and Simulation for Licensed and Unlicensed Spectrum Bands.

Recently, wireless access has become an essential part of modern society. Consequently, the demand for new wireless applications and services, as well as the number of wireless users, are gradually increasing. Given that this amount of expansion is eventually controlled by the available radio frequency spectrum, government regulatory agencies have recently adopted a strict approach to the licensing of limited amounts of spectrum to different entities (e.g., public safety, military, service providers, unlicensed devices, and TV). All of them possess exclusive transmissions to their assigned frequency channels. A new study on spectrum efficiency revealed big geographic and temporal variations in spectrum utilisation, ranging from 15-85% in the bands below 3GHz. These variations were less at frequencies above this figure. Recently, the Cognitive Radio (CR) has risen as an encouraging piece of technology to improve spectrum efficiency and to solve the problem of spectrum scarcity. This is because CR allows the secondary (unlicensed) users to occupy unused licensed spectrum bands temporarily, given that the interference of the primary (licensed) users is prohibited or minimised. In this thesis, various spectrum handoff management schemes have been proposed in order to improve the performance evaluation for CR networks. The proposed spectrum handoff schemes use the Opportunistic Spectrum Access (OSA) concept to utilise available spectrum bands. The handoff Secondary Users (SUs) have a higher priority to occupy available spectrum channels in the licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands without interfering with the legacy spectrum owner, i.e. primary users (PUs). However, existing spectrum handoff management schemes in CR networks do not provide high transmission opportunities for handoff secondary users to utilise the available radio spectrum resources. The first part of this thesis addresses the issue of spectrum handoff management in a licensed spectrum band environment. In this case, both reactive and proactive spectrum handoff schemes are proposed. Queuing theory or/and simulation experiments have been used to evaluate the performance of the proposed schemes and compare them with other existing schemes. Handoff delay has mainly been used to investigate the impact of successive handoff operations on the performance of the proposed CR networks. Implemented models have shown an improvement in the adopted performance measures. According to the achieved results, the improvement of the proposed, prioritised handoff schemes in some cases is approximately 75% when compared with existing schemes. On the other hand, the second part of this research proposed a prioritised spectrum handoff scheme in a heterogeneous spectrum environment, which is composed of a pool of licensed and unlicensed spectrum channels. In general, the availability of substantial numbers of the licensed spectrum channels is the key benefit of using this type of radio spectrum channel. Whereas, accessing with equal rights for all types of users is the main advantage of using unlicensed spectrum channels. In this respect, no transmission interruptions occur once a user obtains a channel. In addition, the proposed schemes use only the unlicensed spectrum channels as their backup channels. This enables the user to resume interrupted transmission in the case of the spectrum handoff operation (mainly; due to the appearance of the primary users), and thus facilitates a SUs communication. The proposed principle is investigated using a retrial queuing theory as well as extensive simulation experiments, and is compared with another non-prioritised scheme which do not give any preference to handoff SUs over new SUs. The results indicate that the proposed model has improved on current average handoff delay. This thesis contributes to knowledge by further enhancing the efficient utilisation of available radio spectrum resources and therefore subsequently provides an improvement in the spectrum capacity for wireless cognitive radio networks