ABSTRACT
Metaverse is the latest technological hype in the modern world due to its potential for revolutionizing the digital visual perspective. With the COVID-19 pandemic, most industries have moved towards digitization, and the metaverse is identified as one of the most promising platforms for such a transition, as it provides a three-dimensional (3D) immersive experience for the users. Currently, most digital service providers and organizations are actively working on metaverse- based applications. In addition, there has been a rapid increase on research work involving metaverse realization. Launching a large scale metaverse in the real world is a challenging task. However, fifth-generation (5G) and beyond 5G (B5G) technologies are envisioned to improve the feasibility of pragmatic deployments. Although, there are several conceptual designs available, actual adaptations of the concepts are still limited. This survey focuses on providing a practical approach for metaverse realization using 5G and B5G technologies. Specifically, We discuss the importance of network slicing (NS) and multi-access edge computing (MEC) as emerging 5G technologies for enabling the realization of the metaverse. We first introduce the motivation behind metaverse for future envisaged technologies. Next, we present a holistic high-level framework for metaverse realization based on network slicing and edge computing. Moreover, we discuss the futuristic metaverse applications, their technical requirements, and methods to satisfy the requirements. Finally, we highlight the deployment challenges and possible approaches to overcome them for an actual metaverse realization. Author
ABSTRACT
Although the use of personal data from different contexts is essential to curbing the spread of COVID-19 in epidemic-handling systems (EHSs), it increases the chances of privacy breaches and personal data misuse. This article analyses the data lifecycle and proposes various technical requirements for privacy preservation in EHSs.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The lack of references to crises similar to COVID-19 in the past makes it difficult to predict what may happen in the immediate future. Logically, the present effects are easily documented, but those that will leave their mark on the different actors in the mid and long terms are more subjected to debate. Objective: To diagnose the performance of the COVID-19 confrontation system in Cuba, showing the best direction to follow when making decisions. Methods: The COVID-19 confrontation system was designed, with a process approach. Five organizational technical requirements were proposed to assess its performance and a set of strategy was proposed under the Pareto principle. Results: The process map of the system against COVID-19 was obtained, with high results of reliability, stability, recovery dynamics, flexibility and adequate reaction time;apart from the segmentation into three conglomerate groups to establish strategies. Conclusions: The COVID-19 confrontation system is diagnosed, obtaining high values, through the design of the process map, which allows directing the strategies by regions in the country. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, taking on pandemic proportions, is placing extraordinary and unprecedented demands on healthcare systems worldwide. The increasing number of critical patients who, experiencing respiratory failure from acute respiratory distress syndrome, need respiratory support, has been leading countries to race against time in arranging new Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and in finding affordable and practical solutions to manage patients in each stage of the disease. The simultaneous worldwide emergency caused serious problems for mechanical ventilators supply. This chaotic scenario generated, indeed, a frenetic race to buy life-saving ventilators. However, the variety of mechanical ventilators designs, together with the limitations in time and resources, make the decision-making processes on ventilators procurement crucial and not counterbalanced by the evaluation of devices quality. This paper aimed at offering an overview of how evidence-based approach for health technologies evaluation, might provide support during Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in ICUs management and critical equipment supply. We compared and combined all the publicly available indications on the essential requirements that ICU ventilators might meet to be considered acceptable for treating COVID-19 patients in severe to critical illnesses. We hope that the critical analysis of these data might help readers to understand how structured decision-making processes based on evidence, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a given medical device and the effects of its introduction in a healthcare setting, are able to optimize time and resources allocation that should be considered essential, especially during pandemic period.