An Analysis of Next Generation Access Networks Deployment in rural areas

Next generation access networks (NGAN) will support a renewed electronic communication market where main opportunities lie in the provision of ubiquitous broadband connectivity, applications and content. From their deployment it is expected a wealth of innovations. Within this framework, the project reviews the variety of NGAN deployment options available for rural environments, derives a simple method for approximate cost calculations, and then discusses and compares the results obtained. Data for Spain are used for practical calculations, but the model is applicable with minor modifications to most of the rural areas of European countries. The final part of the paper is devoted to review the techno-economic implications of a network deployment in a rural environment as well as the adequacy and possible developments of the regulatory framework involve

The Role of Patents in the Advent of Web 2.0

Given the significant impact of Web 2.0-related innovations on new Internet-based initiatives, this paper seeks to identify to what extent the main developments are protected by patents and whether patents have had a leading role in the advent of Web 2.0. The article shows that the number of patent applications filed is not that important for many of the Web 2.0 technologies in frequent use and that, of those filed, those granted are even less. The conclusion is that patents do not seem to be a relevant factor in the development of the Web 2.0 (and more generally in dynamic markets) where there is a high degree of innovation and low entry barriers for newcomers

El reformado marco europeo regulador de las telecomunicaciones: ¿Un avance para el Mercado Único?

Tras un proceso que había durado cuatro años, en los días finales de 2009 se publicaron las normas que reforman el marco europeo regulador de las telecomunicaciones. El nuevo marco no introduce grandes novedades respecto al precedente de 2002 que adoptó un enfoque más acorde con las reglas generales de defensa de la competencia, basando la regulación en la definición y análisis de mercados relevantes. Este trabajo analiza estas normas, y de modo general la política sobre telecomunicaciones de la Comisión, y evalúa su eficacia de cara al progreso del mercado único. Mercado único que afronta otros obstáculos: cumplido el plazo de dieciocho meses para la transposición a los respectivos ordenamientos internos de las nuevas Directivas, sólo una minoría de Estados miembros había cumplido con dicha obligación

Implications of data-intensive applications for next generation mobile networks

Lately, the mobile data market has moved into a growth stage triggered by two facts: affordability of mobile broadband, and availability of data-friendly devices. At this stage, market growth is no longer dependent on push strategies from suppliers; on the contrary, demand is now driving the market. However, it will not be easy for mobile operating companies to cope up with the demand to come in the near future. The infrastructure that is needed to support corresponding demand is far from completion. Operators are forced to make heavy investments to upgrade and expand their networks. To decide how to handle the present and upcoming demand, they need to identify and understand the characteristics of the scenarios they face. This is precisely the aim of this article, which provides figures on the consequences for mobile infrastructures of a generalised mobile media uptake. Data from the Spanish mobile deployment case have been used to arrive at practical figures and illustration of results, but the conclusions are easily extended to other countries and region

Economics and forecast of energy consumption in NGN networks: the case of Spain

Reducing energy consumption is one of the main goals of sustainability planning in most countries. For instance in Europe, the EC established the objectives in the Communication “20 20 by 2020 Europe's climate change opportunity”

How much energy will your NGN consume? A model for energy consumption in next generation access networks: The case of Spain

The contribution to global energy consumption of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector has increased considerably in the last decade, along with its growing relevance to the overall economy. This trend will continue due to the seemingly ever greater use of these technologies, with broadband data traffic generated by the usage of telecommunication networks as a primary component. In fact, in response to user demand, the telecommunications industry is initiating the deployment of next generation networks (NGNs). However, energy consumption is mostly absent from the debate on these deployments, in spite of the potential impact on both expenses and sustainability. In addition, consumers are unaware of the energy impact of their choices in ultra-broadband services. This paper focuses on forecasting energy consumption in the access part of NGNs by modelling the combined effect of the deployment of two different ultra-broadband technologies (FTTH-GPON and LTE), the evolution of traffic per user, and the energy consumption in each of the networks and user devices. Conclusions are presented on the levels of energy consumption, their cost and the impact of different network design parameters. The effect of technological developments, techno-economic and policy decisions on energy consumption is highlighted. On the consumer side, practical figures and comparisons across technologies are provided. Although the paper focuses on Spain, the analysis can be extended to similar countries

Precondicionamiento isquémico como mecanismo protector endógeno en la célula cardiaca

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica actualizada sobre los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, a través de los cuales se produce el Precondicionamiento isquémico como fenómeno protector endógeno de la célula cardiaca, tanto en su primera fase como en su fase tardía, y una breve referencia a las principales manifestaciones clínicas de este fenómeno, apoyándose primeramente en el funcionamiento normal del miocardio y la regulación local, fundamentalmente metabólica, del flujo sanguíneo al tejido que garantiza este óptimo funcionamiento del corazón. A la vez que se hace  alusión a entidades patológicas como el estado de atontamiento  e hibernación del miocardio  como situaciones posiblemente reversibles, a través de la aplicación terapéutica del Precondicionamiento isquémico en el miocardio. Para lo cual se revisaron un total de 16 referencias bibliográficas. ABSTRACTAn updated literature review was performed about the pathophysiological mechanisms through which ischemic preconditioning as an endogenous protective phenomenon of cardiac cell occurs, both in its first phase and the late phase, and briefly mention the main clinical manifestations of this phenomenon, relying primarily on the normal function of the myocardium and local regulations. While referring to pathological entities such as the state of myocardial stunning and hibernation as potentially reversible situations, through the therapeutic application of ischemic preconditioning in the myocardium ago. For which a total of 16 references were reviewed

Carcinoma escamoso de oreja / Squamous Carcinoma of the ear

Introducción: El carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo es un cáncer cutáneo con una alta repercusión en la salud pública. Se define como el tumor primario de la piel que expresa una diferenciación descamativa predominante, a diferencia de otros carcinomas cutáneos.Objetivo: Presentar un caso con manifestaciones clínicas poco frecuentes de carcinoma escamoso de oreja.Caso clínico: Se presenta un paciente masculino de 88 años de edad, con antecedentes de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensión arterial e insuficiencia venosa periférica. Acude a la consulta externa de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital General Docente "Enrique Cabrera ", en la Habana, remitido por Dermatología, al presentar lesión de aspecto tumoral en el pabellón auricular izquierdo, con un tiempo de evolución de ocho meses, de crecimiento rápido y progresivo, asociado a dolor moderado, aliviado con analgésicos no opioides, sangrado en ocasiones (a la palpación) y cambios en su morfología, de acuerdo a la progresión de la lesión. Se realizaron medios auxiliares de diagnóstico, en el laboratorio clínico e imagenológicos. Se trató mediante cirugía exerética sin reconstrucción primaria. Conclusiones: El caso clínico presentado evolucionó de manera favorable a la intervención quirúrgica practicada y ha continuado su seguimiento en consulta externa

Energy Consumption Forecast in 4G Networks: The Case of Spain

Reducing energy consumption is one of the main goals of sustainability planning in most countries. For instance in Europe, the EC established the objectives in the Communication “20 20 by 2020 Europe's climate change opportunity”. • Next Generation Networks (NGN) One of the most relevant upcoming ICT development • The role of energy consumption seems mostly absent from the main analysis and the debate on NGN deployment

Psychosocial and biological predictors of resident physician burnout

Background A high proportion of health professionals in training suffer from work-related stress and may develop a burnout syndrome. Objectives To study the incidence of burnout after the first year of residency in a teaching hospital and to identify baseline psychological, psychosocial work conditions, and biological risk factors. Methodology We assessed the following in a prospective cohort of residents at baseline (first month residence) and after 1 year: background factors (socio-demographics, psychiatric history), perceived stress score (Perceived Stress Scale), Maslach Burnout Inventory score, and psychosocial factors (Job Content Questionnaire). Blood samples were obtained to study serum cortisol, IL-6, and TNF-a concentrations. The cumulative incidence was modelled by multivariate log-binomial regression analysis. Results We included 71 participants with a female majority (64.8%), age 26.4 (2.65) years, psychiatric history in 20%, and burnout in 13%. Among those without burnout initially (N = 59), it had developed by 1 year in 22% of residents. Increased job demand (RR = 1.259, 95%CI = 1.019–1.556, p = 0.033) and decreased cortisol levels (RR = 0.877, 95%CI = 0.778–0.989, p = 0.032) predicted burnout after 1 year of residency among medical trainees. Conclusion Burnout syndrome develops in 22% of residents by 1 year of training and can be predicted by increased work demands and decreased cortisol levels.This research was carried out, in part, thanks to grants from PREVENT XI (DN040611; VO and RN)Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft