Lightweight IoT platform for rapid application development and deployment

Sensors connected to the cloud services equipped with data analytics has created a plethora of new type of applications from personal to industrial levels. In other words, the smart devices, the network, and the data come together to form Internet-of-Things (IoT). In this context, IoT provides an opportunity to increase efficiency in how things are done. IoT-based system normally follows a pattern of data collection, data analytics, automation, and system improvement recommendations. However, most application would have its own unique requirements in terms of smart devices, communication technologies as well as its application provisioning service. Although various services are commercially available that provide services such as Backend-as-a-service (BaaS) and Software-as-a-service (SaaS) hosted on the cloud, this, in turn, raises the issues of security and privacy. Individuals and organizations alike would like to protect their sensitive information for various reasons. Therefore, in this project, a lightweight and secure IoT platform is proposed. The platform consists of Raspberry Pi as an IoT device with a pre-configured image that contains hotspot module, user login, PHP, Apache server, MySQL database, Node.js, and Domain Name Server (DNS). The platform also contains a middleware that provides Application Programming Interfaces (API) for both the sensor layer and the application layer. Moreover, the platform has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) designed using Angular to provide management tools and to enable data display sent by the IoT device for the end-user. The middleware is designed using JavaScript programming language in Node.js development framework to provide a lightweight and scalable features which is proven to save up to 45% of memory. The middleware is connected to NoSQL database that allows the platform to be distributed and thus, enhance security and privacy. The performance analysis of the system shows the developed platform has a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) operation which is around 600 Bytes, with the system processor not exceeding 6% of usage. It also demonstrates a reduction by 53% and 41% of byte size and time consumed, respectively, for GET operation over a Local Area Network in UTM campus

Progress and experiences of implementing an integrated disease surveillance and response system in Somalia; 2016–2023

IntroductionIn 2021, a regional strategy for integrated disease surveillance was adopted by member states of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. But before then, member states including Somalia had made progress in integration of their disease surveillance systems. We report on the progress and experiences of implementing an integrated disease surveillance and response system in Somalia between 2016 and 2023.MethodsWe reviewed 20 operational documents and identified key integrated disease surveillance and response system (IDSRS) actions/processes implemented between 2016 and 2023. We verified these through an anonymized online survey. The survey respondents also assessed Somalia’s IDSRS implementation progress using a standard IDS monitoring framework Finally, we interviewed 8 key informants to explore factors to which the current IDSRS implementation progress is attributed.ResultsBetween 2016 and 2023, 7 key IDSRS actions/processes were implemented including: establishment of high-level commitment; development of a 3-year operational plan; development of a coordination mechanism; configuring the District Health Information Software to support implementation among others. IDSRS implementation progress ranged from 15% for financing to 78% for tools. Reasons for the progress were summarized under 6 thematic areas; understanding frustrations with the current surveillance system; the opportunity occasioned by COVID-19; mainstreaming IDSRS in strategic documents; establishment of an oversight mechanism; staggering implementation of key activities over a reasonable length of time and being flexible about pre-determined timelines.DiscussionFrom 2016 to 2023, Somalia registered significant progress towards implementation of IDSRS. The 15 years of EWARN implementation in Somalia (since 2008) provided a strong foundation for IDSRS implementation. If implemented comprehensively, IDSRS will accelerate country progress toward establishment of IHR core capacities. Sustainable funding is the major challenge towards IDSRS implementation in Somalia. Government and its partners need to exploit feasible options for sustainable investment in integrated disease surveillance and response

Applications of Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning: Models and Algorithms

Recent advancements in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) have led to its application in multi-agent scenarios to solve complex real-world problems, such as network resource allocation and sharing, network routing, and traffic signal controls. Multi-agent DRL (MADRL) enables multiple agents to interact with each other and with their operating environment, and learn without the need for external critics (or teachers), thereby solving complex problems. Significant performance enhancements brought about by the use of MADRL have been reported in multi-agent domains; for instance, it has been shown to provide higher quality of service (QoS) in network resource allocation and sharing. This paper presents a survey of MADRL models that have been proposed for various kinds of multi-agent domains, in a taxonomic approach that highlights various aspects of MADRL models and applications, including objectives, characteristics, challenges, applications, and performance measures. Furthermore, we present open issues and future directions of MADRL

Somali Business Review 2013

I t has been more than a year that the last edition of SBR was issued. After an unexpected absence of one year, SBR is here again to share with you very interesting articles enlightening technology, business and development. Our respected readers, we apologize the time that our connection in this beautiful knowledge sharing endeavor has stopped. A new commitment starts now and we connect each other again. We are sure that the upcoming issues of SBR will be more exciting and entertaining Since the last time we have published the last edition, many things in business has changed including both ups and downs. The new opportunities to be grabbed or the arising challenges to be eliminated/ managed and the way we do business are a lot better than ever. To see/understand what it looks like, your experiences, insights and invaluable contributions are extremely important for both academicians and business practitioners. Let’s utilize the venue that SBR provides to all of us by sending your articles through an e-mail or hand delivery to Research and Publications Office at the main camps. Finally, comments and constructive criticism are most welcome, and SBR team will take into consideration immediately. The team’s philosophy is that “The believer is a mirror for his brother believer”. Continues improvement is our target which we believe is possible with a collective ideas and vision