Using TinyOS Components for the Design of an Adaptive Ubiquitous System

This work is an initiative attempt toward component-based software engineering in ubiquitous computing systems. Software components cooperate in a distributed manner to meet a demand, and adapt their software bindings during run-time depending on the context information. There are two main research topics investigated in this study. The first topic is how to build an architecture, consisting of software components, that supports adaptation and self-configuration. We explain why that component is needed, what the requirements are and how it will be designed. Besides component-based design, we build our architecture on top of Publish/Subscribe (P/S) model. We like to reuse the TinyOS components and as a second topic, we investigate the problems that will be experienced when converting these components to our P/S oriented environment. Our experiences during this research pointed out that; buffer exchange and flexible interface name representation are not suitable for ubiquitous systems

Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion

Abstract Social inequalities are an important contributor to the global burden of disease within and between countries. Using digital technology in health promotion and healthcare is seen by some as a potential lever to reduce these inequalities; however, research suggests that digital technology risks re-enacting or evening widening disparities. Most research on this digital health divide focuses on a small number of social inequality indicators and stems from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries. There is a need for systematic, international, and interdisciplinary contextualized research on the impact of social inequality indicators in digital health as well as the underlying mechanisms of this digital divide across the globe to reduce health disparities. In June 2023, eighteen multi-disciplinary researchers representing thirteen countries from six continents came together to discuss current issues in the field of digital health promotion and healthcare contributing to the digital divide. Ways that current practices in research contribute to the digital health divide were explored, including intervention development, testing, and implementation. Based on the dialogue, we provide suggestions for overcoming barriers and improving practices across disciplines, countries, and sectors. The research community must actively advocate for system-level changes regarding policy and research to reduce the digital divide and so improve digital health for all