Reliable Multicast Transport for Heterogeneous Mobile IP environment using Cross-Layer Information

Reliable multicast transport architecture designed for heterogeneous mobile IP environment using cross-layer information for enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) and seamless handover is discussed. In particular, application-specific reliable multicast retransmission schemes are proposed, which are aimed to minimize the protocol overhead taking into account behaviour of mobile receivers (loss of connectivity and handover) and the specific application requirements for reliable delivery (such as carousel, one-to-many download and streaming delivery combined with recording). The proposed localized retransmission strategies are flexible configured for tree-based multicast transport. Cross layer interactions in order to enhance reliable transport and support seamless handover is discussed considering IEEE 802.21 media independent handover mechanisms. The implementation is based on Linux IPv6 environment. Simulations in ns2 focusing on the benefits of the proposed multicast retransmission schemes for particular application scenarios are presented

Daidalos: An Operator and Scenario driven Integrated Project

Beyond 3G networks have to deal with the integration of multiple differen requirements, besides technological aspects. Most especially business perspectives, and user requirements, are essential from the telecommunications operator point of view. . This paper describes the formal path of an operator and scenario driven approach used within the Daidalos project in order to develop a Beyond 3G network architecture and to verify these technical developments by proof-of concept demonstrations

Reliable multicast transport services for content delivery in heterogeneous mobile environment

For efficient deployment of new reliable multicast applications in heterogeneous mobile Internet environments, appropriate retransmission strategies are proposed. The focus is the minimization of the protocol overhead for reliable transport taking into account behaviour in mobile networks (oss and handover behaviour) and application requirements (such as carousel file transfer, one-to-many download and media streaming combined with recording). The proposed techniques are designed as building blocks for localized multicast error control supported by access routers. Considering IETF RMT standardization work, the discussed retransmission approaches can be used for flexible configuration of tree-based reliable multicast protocols in converged wired and wireless Internet environment. The implementation developed for the European project DAIDALOS [1] is based on Linux IPv6 environment. Simulations in ns2 focusing on the benefits of the proposed multicast retransmission schemes for particular application scenarios are presented

Support of interactive QoS based services in hybrid broadcast and mobile IPv6 environment

Mobile terminal receivers with unidirectional network interfaces are not considered as a special case in the standardization of Mobile IPv6. For the interaction of unidirectional access technologies (DVB-H, DVB-T) and mobile networks (UMTS, WLAN, WIMAX) in heterogeneous IPv6 environment, there is a challenge for unified mobility and QoS management technologies supporting new interactive broadcast services, such as IP Datacast. This paper discusses protocol enhancements of Mobile IPv6 in order to support interactive QoS based multimedia services in hybrid broadcast and mobile IPv6 environment. Interaction of the Link Layer Tunnelling Mechanisms (RFC 3077) with the Mobile IPv6 and Fast Handovers based on "reverse tunnelling info" is used to provide uniform handover support for broadcast and mobile IP services. QoS management for broadcast access Internet network environment is proposed based on resource reservations for the two directions - downstream connection of the un idirectional broadcast network and return tunnel using wireless access network. QoS information base describing the capabilities of the unidirectional access networks and the IP return tunnel network ("feed") is used for enhanced QoS support of interactive services

Pervasiveness in a competitive multi-operator environment: the daidalos project

This article briefly describes the EU-funded Daidalos project, which designs and develops a communications infrastructure for next-generation networks to enable personalized, context-aware, composite services to mobile users. The fundamental concepts rely on federation of operators who create a pervasive environment for service provisioning, on integrated mobility, security, virtual identity for users, and resource management. The project validates concepts by means of specification, implementation, and integration in a large research testbed

Exposure to Varicella Zoster Virus is higher in children with autism spectrum disorder than in healthy controls. Results from a case-control study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of central nervous system disorders lacking a definite etiology. The aim of the present study was to compare the exposure rate and titer of antibodies to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in children with ASD and in healthy controls.We enrolled 54 children with ASD and 46 control individuals.The exposure rate and titer of anti-VZV antibodies were significantly higher in children with ASD compared to controls (59\% vs. 39\% and 694 mIU/ml vs. 94 mIU/ml, respectively).In the present case-control study, exposure to VZV was found to be independently associated with ASD

Augmented reality (AR) in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) training: where are we now in Italy? The Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE) ARMIS survey

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a widespread approach in general surgery. Computer guiding software, such as the augmented reality (AR), the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), has been proposed to help surgeons during MIS. This study aims to report these technologies' current knowledge and diffusion during surgical training in Italy. A web-based survey was developed under the aegis of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE). Two hundred and seventeen medical doctors' answers were analyzed. Participants were surgeons (138, 63.6%) and residents in surgery (79, 36.4%). The mean knowledge of the role of the VR, AR and MR in surgery was 4.9 ± 2.4 (range 1-10). Most of the participants (122, 56.2%) did not have experience with any proposed technologies. However, although the lack of experience in this field, the answers about the functioning of the technologies were correct in most cases. Most of the participants answered that VR, AR and MR should be used more frequently for the teaching and training and during the clinical activity (170, 80.3%) and that such technologies would make a significant contribution, especially in training (183, 84.3%) and didactic (156, 71.9%). Finally, the main limitations to the diffusion of these technologies were the insufficient knowledge (182, 83.9%) and costs (175, 80.6%). Based on the present study, in Italy, the knowledge and dissemination of these technologies are still limited. Further studies are required to establish the usefulness of AR, VR and MR in surgical training

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2