Token Bucket-based Throughput Constraining in Cross-layer Schedulers

In this paper we consider upper and lower constraining users' service rates in a slotted, cross-layer scheduler context. Such schedulers often cannot guarantee these bounds, despite the usefulness in adhering to Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, aiding the admission control system or providing different levels of service to users. We approach this problem with a low-complexity algorithm that is easily integrated in any utility function-based cross-layer scheduler. The algorithm modifies the weights of the associated Network Utility Maximization problem, rather than for example applying a token bucket to the scheduler's output or adding constraints in the physical layer. We study the efficacy of the algorithm through simulations with various schedulers from literature and mixes of traffic. The metrics we consider show that we can bound the average service rate within about five slots, for most schedulers. Schedulers whose weight is very volatile are more difficult to constrain.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures. Presented at 6th International Conference on Computer Science, Engineering and Information. Published in AIRCC http://airccse.org/csit/V9N13.htm

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries