Automated Network Service Scaling in NFV: Concepts, Mechanisms and Scaling Workflow

This work is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund (Project TEC2016-76795-C6-4-R), the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU Grant 16/03354), and the University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government and European Social Fund under Youth Employment Program.Next-generation systems are anticipated to be digital platforms supporting innovative services with rapidly changing traffic patterns. To cope with this dynamicity in a cost-efficient manner, operators need advanced service management capabilities such as those provided by NFV. NFV enables operators to scale network services with higher granularity and agility than today. For this end, automation is key. In search of this automation, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has defined a reference NFV framework that make use of model-driven templates called Network Service Descriptors (NSDs) to operate network services through their lifecycle. For the scaling operation, an NSD defines a discrete set of instantiation levels among which a network service instance can be resized throughout its lifecycle. Thus, the design of these levels is key for ensuring an effective scaling. In this article, we provide an overview of the automation of the network service scaling operation in NFV, addressing the options and boundaries introduced by ETSI normative specifications. We start by providing a description of the NSD structure, focusing on how instantiation levels are constructed. For illustrative purposes, we propose an NSD for a representative NS. This NSD includes different instantiation levels that enable different ways to automatically scale this NS. Then, we show the different scaling procedures the NFV framework has available, and how it may automate their triggering. Finally, we propose an ETSI-compliant workflow to describe in detail a representative scaling procedure. This workflow clarifies the interactions and information exchanges between the functional blocks in the NFV framework when performing the scaling operation.This work is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund (Project TEC2016-76795-C6-4-R)Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU Grant 16/03354)University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government and European Social Fund under Youth Employment Program

Fatores de adoção do e-shopping em população jovem colombiana: caso de estudo

The E-commerce in Colombia is considered incipient, so it is important to explore the adoption factors of virtual purchases in university students, based on an empirical analysis using the technological acceptance model (TAM). This investigation observed difficulty perception when using online shopping sites, additional the quality of the information found in online shopping sites is considered low. In conclusion, the present study reflects different challenges that must be addressed by online companies to improve the confidence, ease and perceived utility of virtual purchases by the university population. As a result, it became evident that quality perception represents a fundamental factor to encourage the adoption of e-shopping, from the perspective of the relevance of the information, its usefulness and clarity.El comercio electrónico en Colombia se considera aún incipiente, por lo cual es importante explorar los factores de adopción de compras virtuales en estudiantes universitarios, a partir de un análisis empírico basado en el modelo de aceptación tecnológica (TAM). De lo cual se observa una percepción de dificultad al uso de los sitios de compra en línea, además de que la calidad de la información encontrada en los sitios de compra en línea se considera baja. En conclusión, el presente estudio refleja diferentes retos que deben abordar las empresas en línea para mejorar la confianza, facilidad y utilidad percibida de las compras virtuales por parte de la población universitaria. Como resultado, se evidenció que la percepción de la calidad es un factor fundamental para fomentar la adopción del e-shopping, desde la perspectiva de la pertinencia de la información, su utilidad y claridad.O comércio eletrônico na Colômbia é considerado ainda incipiente; portanto, é importante explorar os fatores de adoção de compras virtuais em estudantes universitários a partir de uma análise empírica baseada no modelo de aceitação tecnológica. A partir disso, observa-se uma percepção de dificuldade quanto ao uso dos sites de compra on-line, além de a qualidade da informação destes ser considerada baixa. Em conclusão, este estudo reflete diferentes desafios que as empresas do comércio virtual devem abordar para melhorar a confiança, facilidade e utilidade percebidas das compras por parte dessa população. Como resultado, evidencia-se que a percepção da qualidade é um fator fundamental para promover a adoção do e-shopping sob a perspectiva da pertinência da informação, sua utilidade e clareza

Consenso colombiano para el manejo de pacientes con Hipofosfatasia

La hipofosfatasia (HPP) es una enfermedad metabólica, de tipo hereditario, causada por mutaciones en el gen ALPL. Teniendo en cuenta los retos del manejo adecuado de los pacientes con HPP, se realizó un consenso interdisciplinario de expertos (endocrocrinólogos pediatras, nefrólogos pediatras, ortopedistas infantiles y genetistas clínicos) con el fin de proponer recomendaciones de utilidad clínica para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes colombianos con HPP. Estas sugerencias se realizan en el contexto de los diferentes tipos de presentaciones y las edades de los pacientes.Q41-7Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a hereditary metabolic disease caused by mutations in the ALPL gene. Taking into account the challenges found in the adequate management of patients with HPP, an interdisciplinary consensus of experts (pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric nephrologists, pediatric orthopedists and clinical geneticists) was carried out, in order to propose recommendations of clinical utility for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of Colombian patients with HPP. These suggestions are made in the context of the different types of presentations and the ages of the patients

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

EDUCACIÓN AMBIENTAL Y SOCIEDAD. SABERES LOCALES PARA EL DESARROLLO Y LA SUSTENTABILIDAD

Este texto contribuye al análisis científico de varias áreas del conocimiento como la filosofía social, la patología, la educación para el cuidado del medio ambiente y la sustentabilidad que inciden en diversas unidades de aprendizaje de la Licenciatura en Educación para la Salud y de la Maestría en Sociología de la SaludLas comunidades indígenas de la sierra norte de Oaxaca México, habitan un territorio extenso de biodiversidad. Sin que sea una área protegida y sustentable, la propia naturaleza de la región ofrece a sus visitantes la riqueza de la vegetación caracterizada por sus especies endémicas que componen un paisaje de suma belleza

Efectos no lineales y su relación con los parámetros de transmisión de una red WDM

Se analizan las degradaciones ópticas en una red de Multiplexación por División de Longitud de Onda (WDM –Wavelength Division Multiplexing–) y se estudia el impacto de los parámetros de transmisión en los efectos no lineales; además, se determinan las variaciones que se deben llevar a cabo en dichos parámetros, con la finalidad de minimizar este tipo de degradaciones y optimizar el desempeño de la red.</div

Factores de adopción del e–shopping en población juvenil colombiana: caso de estudio

The E-commerce in Colombia is considered incipient, so it is important to explore the adoption factors of virtual purchases in university students, based on an empirical analysis using the technological acceptance model (TAM). This investigation observed difficulty perception when using online shopping sites, additional the quality of the information found in online shopping sites is considered low. In conclusion, the present study reflects different challenges that must be addressed by online companies to improve the confidence, ease and perceived utility of virtual purchases by the university population. As a result, it became evident that quality perception represents a fundamental factor to encourage the adoption of e-shopping, from the perspective of the relevance of the information, its usefulness and clarity.O comércio eletrônico na Colômbia é considerado ainda incipiente; portanto, é importante explorar os fatores de adoção de compras virtuais em estudantes universitários a partir de uma análise empírica baseada no modelo de aceitação tecnológica. A partir disso, observa-se uma percepção de dificuldade quanto ao uso dos sites de compra on-line, além de a qualidade da informação destes ser considerada baixa. Em conclusão, este estudo reflete diferentes desafios que as empresas do comércio virtual devem abordar para melhorar a confiança, facilidade e utilidade percebidas das compras por parte dessa população. Como resultado, evidencia-se que a percepção da qualidade é um fator fundamental para promover a adoção do e-shopping sob a perspectiva da pertinência da informação, sua utilidade e clareza.El comercio electrónico en Colombia se considera aún incipiente, por lo cual es importante explorar los factores de adopción de compras virtuales en estudiantes universitarios, a partir de un análisis empírico basado en el modelo de aceptación tecnológica (TAM). De lo cual se observa una percepción de dificultad al uso de los sitios de compra en línea, además de que la calidad de la información encontrada en los sitios de compra en línea se considera baja. En conclusión, el presente estudio refleja diferentes retos que deben abordar las empresas en línea para mejorar la confianza, facilidad y utilidad percibida de las compras virtuales por parte de la población universitaria. Como resultado, se evidenció que la percepción de la calidad es un factor fundamental para fomentar la adopción del e-shopping, desde la perspectiva de la pertinencia de la información, su utilidad y claridad

The Creation Phase in Network Slicing: From a Service Order to an Operative Network Slice

This work is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (Project TEC2016-76795-C6-4-R), the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU Grant 16/03354), and the University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government and European Social Fund under Youth Employment Program.—Network slicing is considered a key mechanism to serve the multitude of tenants (e.g. vertical industries) targeted by forthcoming 5G systems in a flexible and cost-efficient manner. In this paper, we present a SDN/NFV architecture with multitenancy support. This architecture enables a network slice provider to deploy network slice instances for multiple tenants on-the-fly, and simultaneously provision them with isolation guarantees. Following the Network Slice as-a-Service delivery model, a tenant may access a Service Catalog, selecting the slice that best fits its needs and ordering its deployment. This work provides a detailed view on the stages that a network slice provider must follow to deploy the ordered network slice instance, accommodating it into a multi-domain infrastructure, and putting it operative for tenant’s consumption. These stages address critical issues identified in the literature, including (i) the mapping from high-level service requirements to network functions and infrastructure requirements, (ii) the admission control, and (iii) the specific information a network slice descriptor should have. With the proposed architecture and the recommended set of stages, network slice providers can deploy (and later operate) slice instances with great agility, flexibility, and full automation.This work is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (Project TEC2016-76795-C6-4-R)Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU Grant 16/03354)University of Granada, Andalusian regional Government and European Social Fund under Youth Employment Program