Techno-Economic Assessment in Communications: New Challenges

This article shows a brief history of Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) in Communications, a proposed redefinition of TEA as well as the new challenges derived from a dynamic context with cloud-native virtualized networks, the Helium Network & alike blockchain-based decentralized networks, the new network as a platform (NaaP) paradigm, carbon pricing, network sharing, and web3, metaverse and blockchain technologies. The authors formulate the research question and show the need to improve TEA models to integrate and manage all this increasing complexity. This paper also proposes the characteristics TEA models should have and their current degree of compliance for several use cases: 5G and beyond, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), secure access service edge (SASE), secure service edge (SSE), and cloud cybersecurity risk assessment. The authors also present TEA extensibility to request for proposals (RFP) processes and other industries, to conclude that there is an urgent need for agile and effective TEA in Comms that allows industrialization of agile decision-making for all market stakeholders to choose the optimal solution for any technology, scenario and use case.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figure, 2 table

Modelo de evaluación técnico-económica de tecnologías de acceso

El contenido de los capítulos 3 y 4 está sujeto a confidencialidad. 233 p.-Define un modelo de evaluación técnico-económica para tecnologías de acceso de aplicación universal,escalable, flexible y generalizable, que permite la comparación de cualesquiera tecnologías de acceso endiferentes escenarios. Se denomina modelo UTEM (Universal Techno-Economic Model).-Desarrolla unametodología de aplicación específica del modelo UTEM para facilitar su uso por parte de los diferentesagentes del sector de telecomunicaciones, proporcionando pautas para el diseño de escenarios, laaplicación del modelo y la adecuada interpretación de los resultados obtenidos. ¿Define las característicasde un modelo técnico-económico teórico universal. ¿Clasifica los modelos de la literatura en base adichas características. -Posibilita la caracterización y comparación técnica y económica de cualquiertecnología de acceso en cualquier configuración o combinación de elementos serie o paralelo, así comoaccesos redundantes. -Define métricas específicas de prestaciones y eficiencia tecno-económicas de lastecnologías de acceso que permiten su evaluación y comparación. -Identifica el grado de cumplimiento delos requisitos de cliente técnicos y/o económicos establecidos por el usuario del modelo para cadatecnología.-Identifica el número mínimo de accesos redundantes de una tecnología que permiten cumplirlos requisitos de cliente.-Permite la predicción de tendencias y decisiones en el ámbito del acceso-Permitela evaluación técnico-económica de tecnologías de acceso en aproximaciones `top-down¿ (perspectiva dedespliegue), y `bottom-up¿ (desde la perspectiva del cliente o usuario final).-Permite la comparación decualesquiera tecnologías de acceso. es

Modelo de evaluación técnico-económica de tecnologías de acceso

El contenido de los capítulos 3 y 4 está sujeto a confidencialidad. 233 p.-Define un modelo de evaluación técnico-económica para tecnologías de acceso de aplicación universal,escalable, flexible y generalizable, que permite la comparación de cualesquiera tecnologías de acceso endiferentes escenarios. Se denomina modelo UTEM (Universal Techno-Economic Model).-Desarrolla unametodología de aplicación específica del modelo UTEM para facilitar su uso por parte de los diferentesagentes del sector de telecomunicaciones, proporcionando pautas para el diseño de escenarios, laaplicación del modelo y la adecuada interpretación de los resultados obtenidos. ¿Define las característicasde un modelo técnico-económico teórico universal. ¿Clasifica los modelos de la literatura en base adichas características. -Posibilita la caracterización y comparación técnica y económica de cualquiertecnología de acceso en cualquier configuración o combinación de elementos serie o paralelo, así comoaccesos redundantes. -Define métricas específicas de prestaciones y eficiencia tecno-económicas de lastecnologías de acceso que permiten su evaluación y comparación. -Identifica el grado de cumplimiento delos requisitos de cliente técnicos y/o económicos establecidos por el usuario del modelo para cadatecnología.-Identifica el número mínimo de accesos redundantes de una tecnología que permiten cumplirlos requisitos de cliente.-Permite la predicción de tendencias y decisiones en el ámbito del acceso-Permitela evaluación técnico-económica de tecnologías de acceso en aproximaciones `top-down¿ (perspectiva dedespliegue), y `bottom-up¿ (desde la perspectiva del cliente o usuario final).-Permite la comparación decualesquiera tecnologías de acceso. es

Fluorescent paper-based sensor integrated with headspace thin-film microextraction for the detection of acyclic N-nitrosamines following in situ photocatalytic decomposition

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGBackground: In this work, a novel analytical approach based on the photocatalytic decomposition of N-nitrosamines combined with headspace thin-film microextraction of the generated nitrogen oxides such as NO has been developed for the determination of the acyclic N-nitrosamine fraction in drinking water samples. A hydrophilic cellulose substrate modified with fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) was used both as extractant and sensing platform. A quenching effect of Ag NCs fluorescence occurs as the concentration of N-nitrosamines increases. Front-face fluorescence spectroscopy with a solid sample holder was employed for directly measuring the fluorescence quenching onto the cellulose substrate. Results: In order to achieve an optimal analytical response, different parameters involved in the photocatalytic reaction as well as those concerning the microextraction step were fully investigated. It is demonstrated that the photodegradation rate of cyclic N-nitrosamines at acidic pH is much lower than that of acyclic ones, which can be the basis for the determination of the later fraction in waters. Under optimal conditions, a detection limit for the acyclic N-nitrosamine fraction around 0.08 μg L−1 using N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) as model compound for calibration was obtained. Several drinking waters were spiked with acyclic N-nitrosamines showing recoveries in the range of 98–102% with a relative standard deviation of 3–4% (N = 3). Significance and novelty: N-nitrosamines generated as by-products during disinfection processes applied to water cause multiple adverse effects on human health being classified as potential human carcinogens. This study highlights the suitability of a fluorescent paper-based sensor for the rapid analysis of the acyclic N-nitrosamine fraction (i.e. the most abundant fraction) as a total index in drinking water, being useful as screening tool before exhaustive chromatographic analysis, which saves costs, time and reduces waste generation.Agencia Estatal de Investigacion | Ref. RTI2018- 093697-B-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481D-2021-02

A paper-based colorimetric assay with non-instrumental detection for determination of boron in water samples

The present work reports on the combination of paper-based analytical devices (PADs) and information technology (IT) equipment for non-instrumental determination of boron. PADs prepared with curcumin as a receptor and ethanolic extracts of Curcuma longa L. powder were evaluated for sensing. The colorimetric assay is based on a two step-strategy involving initially the formation of rosocyanin in the PAD under acidic conditions, with subsequent color change (from red to blue-green) at alkaline pH. The color change produced in the PAD is then exploited for determination of boron by digitization and image processing with IT devices (scanner and tablet camera) and an image analysis program, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the proposed assay showed limits of detection in the range 0.2–0.8 mg/L depending on the PADs and IT devices used for colorimetric reaction and digitization, respectively. In addition, the repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was found to be below 5% (5 mg/L, N = 10). PADs prepared with curcumin and ethanolic extracts of Curcuma longa L. powder showed excellent lifetime and successful applicability to the analysis of water samples of different complexity with recoveries in the range 93–105%.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RTI2018-093697-B-I0

Silver nanocluster-based colorimetric/fluorimetric dual-mode sensor for the detection of bromide and sulfite in waters and wastewaters

In this work, the development of a fluorimetric/colorimetric dual-mode nanosensor for the determination of sulfite and fluorimetric determination of bromide involving silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) is reported. SO2 and Br2 were found to significantly modify the optical properties of AgNCs. Particularly, both volatiles weakened the fluorescence of AgNCs, whereas a color change from nearly colorless to yellowish/brown occurred upon exposure of AgNCs to SO2. Accordingly, three smartphone-based optical assays were devised for sulfite and bromide determination, involving in situ volatile generation and enrichment/trapping of the selectively formed volatiles by AgNCs confined in a droplet and exposed to the headspace above the sample. A hydrophobized cellulose substrate acting as drop holder enabled integrating both the enrichment and the subsequent smartphone-based optical detection in a straightforward manner. Smartphone-based digitization of the enriched AgNCs microdrops and subsequent image processing using a smartphone and its integrated App, respectively, were used for quantitative purposes. Under optimal conditions, limits of detection (LODs) of 1.1 μM and 1.5 μM were achieved for the fluorimetric determination of sulfite and bromide, respectively, whereas sulfite was alternatively determined by colorimetric readout, yielding a LOD of 37.0 μM. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was found to be in the range of 5.1–5.9 % in all cases (N = 8). The applicability of the method was demonstrated in aqueous samples of increasing complexity, with recoveries in the range 91–109 %. In addition, the responsiveness of AgNCs to SO2 and Br2 rendered them suitable for the monitoring of bromide and sulfite in increasingly relevant advanced reduction processes such as the UV/sulfite system, as demonstrated in this work.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2022-136337OB-I00Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Política e identidade cultural na América Latina

O volume é o resultado de um seminário internacional realizado na UNESP no âmbito de um programa de formação redes de historiadores latino-americanos. O conteúdo se desenvolve em torno de duas questões fundamentais: as identidades culturais e a política latino-americana durante o século XX. A identidade cultural é tratada sob diversos ângulos, que vão do exame das representações da nação e do continente latino-americano, ao estudo da produção artística e dos meios de comunicação de massa. Por sua vez, os fenômenos políticos, as relações internacionais e a economia são estudados em conexão com o problema das identidades coletivas na America Latina. Os textos encontram-se organizados em três partes: Intelectuais e Identidades; Cultura Visual e Produção de Imaginários; Processo Político e Relações Internacionais no Cone Sul

Droplet-based luminescent sensor supported onto hydrophobic cellulose substrate for assessing fish freshness following smartphone readout

In this work, two sensitive droplet-based luminescent assays with smartphone readout for the determination of trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) are reported. Both assays exploit the luminescence quenching of copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) produced when exposed to volatile nitrogen bases. In addition, hydrophobic-based cellulose substrates demonstrated their suitability as holders for both in-drop volatile enrichment and subsequent smartphone-based digitization of the enriched colloidal solution of CuNCs. Under optimal conditions, enrichment factors of 181 and 153 were obtained with the reported assays for TMA-N and TVB-N, respectively, leading to methodological LODs of 0.11 mg/100 g and 0.27 mg/100 g for TMA-N and TVB-N, respectively. The repeatability, expressed as RSD, was 5.2% and 5.6% for TMA-N and TVB-N, respectively (N = 8). The reported luminescent assays were successfully applied to the analysis of fish samples, showing statistically comparable results to those obtained with the reference methods of analysis.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RTI2018-093697-B-I00Universidade de Vigo/CISU