Telecommunications Service providers (TSPs) and Content and Application Providers (CAPs) that operate over the Internet are traditionally regarded as complementary. However, the growth of 5G ...technologies has led to the emergence of an integrated sphere of competition and cooperation between TSPs and CAPs.The new elements of this competitive landscape stem from the hybridization of network provisioning, the growth of substitute services, and the emergence of end to end value networks comprising of devices, connectivity solutions, and a variety of content and application services. Simultaneously, the regulatory drivers that occasioned a differential treatment of TSP in their role as providers of essential utility communication services are converging with the features observed with respect to certain CAPs. These dynamics warrant the application of a new regulatory framework in the form of Diagonal Equity, that recognizes the need for similar regulatory principles to be applied to TSPs and CAPs, while acknowledging that with respect to certain issues a differential treatment will continue to be required.
•Posits the growth of an integrated sphere of competition and cooperation between Telecommunications service providers (TSPs) and Content and Application Providers (CAPs).•The new element of competition between these entities stems from the hybridization of network provision, the growth of substitute services, and the jostling for a share of the pie earned by ‘walled gardens'- end to end value networks comprising devices, connectivity services, and a variety of content and application companies.•Defines a new regulatory approach – Diagonal Equity that recognizes the need for similar regulatory principles to be applied to TSPs and CAPs, hitherto regarded as dissimilar on account of the ‘essential service’ nature of telecom.oContrasts diagonal equity with classical approaches of vertical and horizontal equity•Illustrates the application of Diagonal Equity to net neutrality, interconnection and data portability, universal service obligation, and regulatory levies
A conventional grid-connected solar Photovoltaic (PV) inverter consists of Two-Level or Three-Level configuration is not suitable for very high power ratings and the size of AC side filter required ...is high to maintain the power quality as per the grid codes. It is inefficient in extracting maximum power as the tracking of Maximum power point is carried out for entire PV arrays connected together instead of independent MPPT of each PV array. With a conventional PV inverter, the utilization factor is also very less, since the system will be in idle state during night times or when the irradiation is weak. Hence a conventional solar inverter consists of Two-Level or Three-Level inverter suffers from the following drawbacks (a) Not suitable for very high Power Ratings (b) High filter size (c) Inefficient in harvesting maximum power (d) Less utilization factor. In this study, the need for the multilevel inverter (MLI) to minimize the drawbacks of the conventional inverter is discussed. Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) configuration which is more preferred for solar power applications where isolated input DC sources are available and for STATCOM applications where there is no requirement of DC Sources is discussed in detail. The basic operation of CHB inverter, PWM techniques, and fault tolerant operations are explained through simulation results. The Independent MPPT control of each PV array using CHB inverter is reviewed. CHB inverter controls for PV applications and STATCOM applications are also reviewed. The concept of a PV-STATCOM which is required for improving the utilization factor of PV inverter is reviewed. The operation of PV-STATCOM is explained through simulation studies. Real and reactive power flow through a 11-Level, CHB MLI is verified through experimental results. Feasibility study for multilevel PV-STATCOM for High power applications using CHB configuration is carried out in this paper.
•Basic concept of PV-STATCOM is reviewed and discussed.•PWM methods, Fault redundant methods of Cascaded H-Bridge multi level inverters are briefly explained.•Applications of Cascaded H-Bridge multi level inverters for Solar applications and STATCOM applications is reviewed and discussed.•Control algorithms for Cascaded H-Bridge multi level inverter based PV Inverters are presented.•Feasibility of Cascaded H-Bridge multi level inverter based PV-STATCOM is discussed.
The Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending Auction (SMRA) pioneered by Milgrom, Wilson and McAfee in 1994 has become a defacto standard auction mechanism for the award of radio spectrum for commercial ...mobile services around the world. The winning bid price in such SMRA spectrum auctions is of interest as it determines the valuation of the scarce resource by the mobile operators, and also indicates the revenue accrued to the governments as auction proceeds. We examine, using a cross-country panel dataset, the determinants of spectrum prices, of all the SMRA auctions held in about 25 countries during 1994–2019. Our findings indicate that reserve prices fixed by the auctioneer as the starting price of auctions and the competition in the auction are the two variables that significantly affect the winning bid prices positively in SMRA auctions. The effect of reserve prices is more pronounced in regional auctions held in countries such as the U.S. and India. Further, the larger the amount of spectrum put on auction, lesser is the winning bid price, thereby indicating the traditional supply-demand relationship. Based on these findings, we provide policy prescriptions on fixing appropriate reserve prices, providing a clear visibility of spectrum availability, and increasing competition in mobile services for effective use of scarce radio spectrum.
•The winning bid prices are of interest in the auctioning of radio spectrum for mobile services.•Analyze various factors that affect wining spectrum prices of all SMRA auctions held worldwide during 1994–2019 .•Use of pooled OLS and fixed-effect models for empirical analysis•Reserve prices and competition in auctions positively affect winning spectrum prices.•The amount of spectrum put on auction negatively affects winning bid prices.
BACKGROUND
In 2011 and 2013, the National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) revealed declines in blood collection and transfusion in the United States. The objective of this study was ...to describe blood services in 2015.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
The 2015 NBCUS was distributed to all US blood collection centers, all hospitals performing at least 1000 surgeries annually, and a 40% random sample of hospitals performing 100 to 999 surgeries annually. Weighting and imputation were used to generate national estimates for units of blood and components collected, deferred, distributed, transfused, and outdated.
RESULTS
Response rates for the 2015 NBCUS were 78.4% for blood collection centers and 73.9% for transfusing hospitals. In 2015, 12,591,000 units of red blood cells (RBCs) (95% confidence interval CI, 11,985,000‐13,197,000 units of RBCs) were collected, and 11,349,000 (95% CI, 10,592,000‐11,747,000) were transfused, representing declines since 2013 of 11.6% and 13.9%, respectively. Total platelet units distributed (2,436,000; 95% CI, 2,230,000‐2,642,000) and transfused (1,983,000; 95% CI, 1,816,000 = 2,151,000) declined by 0.5% and 13.1%, respectively, since 2013. Plasma distributions (3,714,000; 95% CI, 3,306,000‐4,121,000) and transfusions (2,727,000; 95% CI, 2,594,000‐2,859,000) in 2015 declined since 2013. The median price paid per unit in 2015—$211 for leukocyte‐reduced RBCs, $524 for apheresis platelets, and $54 for fresh frozen plasma—was less for all components than in 2013.
CONCLUSIONS
The 2015 NBCUS findings suggest that continued declines in demand for blood products resulted in fewer units collected and distributed Maintaining a blood inventory sufficient to meet routine and emergent demands will require further monitoring and understanding of these trends.
People who have been infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 have reduced risk of subsequent infection, but the proportion of people in the US with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from infection or ...vaccination is uncertain.
To estimate trends in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence related to infection and vaccination in the US population.
In a repeated cross-sectional study conducted each month during July 2020 through May 2021, 17 blood collection organizations with blood donations from all 50 US states; Washington, DC; and Puerto Rico were organized into 66 study-specific regions, representing a catchment of 74% of the US population. For each study region, specimens from a median of approximately 2000 blood donors were selected and tested each month; a total of 1 594 363 specimens were initially selected and tested. The final date of blood donation collection was May 31, 2021.
Calendar time.
Proportion of persons with detectable SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid antibodies. Seroprevalence was weighted for demographic differences between the blood donor sample and general population. Infection-induced seroprevalence was defined as the prevalence of the population with both spike and nucleocapsid antibodies. Combined infection- and vaccination-induced seroprevalence was defined as the prevalence of the population with spike antibodies. The seroprevalence estimates were compared with cumulative COVID-19 case report incidence rates.
Among 1 443 519 specimens included, 733 052 (50.8%) were from women, 174 842 (12.1%) were from persons aged 16 to 29 years, 292 258 (20.2%) were from persons aged 65 years and older, 36 654 (2.5%) were from non-Hispanic Black persons, and 88 773 (6.1%) were from Hispanic persons. The overall infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence estimate increased from 3.5% (95% CI, 3.2%-3.8%) in July 2020 to 20.2% (95% CI, 19.9%-20.6%) in May 2021; the combined infection- and vaccination-induced seroprevalence estimate in May 2021 was 83.3% (95% CI, 82.9%-83.7%). By May 2021, 2.1 SARS-CoV-2 infections (95% CI, 2.0-2.1) per reported COVID-19 case were estimated to have occurred.
Based on a sample of blood donations in the US from July 2020 through May 2021, vaccine- and infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased over time and varied by age, race and ethnicity, and geographic region. Despite weighting to adjust for demographic differences, these findings from a national sample of blood donors may not be representative of the entire US population.
Post the Snowden and Cambridge Analytica episodes, concerns have been raised by governments and regulators on protecting consumer data collected and transmitted by various digital firms. Driven by ...concerns of privacy, national security, surveillance, and cyber terrorism, governments around the world have been erecting barriers in cyberspace through data localization. The extent of data localization varies from free flow of data, to stringent restrictions requiring all data to be stored only within the territorial jurisdiction of the country. Though there are certain legitimate concerns regarding protection of personal data, scholars and liberal economists have long proclaimed that any restrictions on the Internet and associated digital trade will have serious economic consequences. Data localization affects digital trade between consumers and producers of digital services to varying degrees. In this paper, we use agent based modeling to study the properties and behaviours of consumers and producers under varying data localization regimes. An augmented gravity model of trade with iceberg coefficient is incorporated to reflect distance-related costs between producers and consumers. Varying data localization compliance costs are included to reflect the effect of non-tariff barriers of data restrictions. Our extensive simulations indicate that there is often clustering of consumers around local firms in highly restrictive data localization regimes, thus enabling local firms to effectively compete against global multinationals. However, results also indicate that while free cross-border data flow enables intense competition amongst producers, data localization restrictions often limit consumer choice due to its effect on price and quality of services.
•Data localization affects digital trade between consumers and producers to varying degrees.•An augmented gravity model of trade is used to reflect distance-related costs between producers and consumers.•Varying data localization compliance costs are included to reflect the effect of non-tariff barriers of data restrictions.•Results indicate clustering of consumers around local firms in highly restrictive data localization regimes.
Abstract
This study presents spatial distribution, sources and toxicological risks of As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from north-western Karnataka, southern India. Heavy ...metals (except Hg) are 1–5 times enriched than upper continental crust. High concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn is in the central Kudalgaon, Devarayi, and Tavargatti and in the south-western Ganeshgudi area, whereas Arsenic is enriched in the north-eastern Alnavar, Kakkeri,Tavargatti and Pb, and Hg in the north-western Kapoli, Devarayi, Manjarpal villages. The ecological risk index, toxic risk index, and mean probable-effects-levels quotient of heavy metals suggest that ~ 40% of the area is prone to very high risk especially for Cr and As to the hydrological, biological, and ecological systems. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests possible geogenic sources for Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn and anthropogenic sources such as emissions from vehicles and agricultural sectors for As, Hg, and Pb. This study is the first of its kind in the area, which will help, in better formulation of environmental pollution and risk related remedial measures to conserve the natural ecosystem and the well-being of humans.
Background
Despite current blood safety measures, transfusion recipients can experience transfusion‐related adverse reactions. Monitoring these reactions can aid in understanding the effectiveness of ...current transfusion safety measures. Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module were used to quantify adverse reaction risk.
Methods
Facilities reporting at least one month of transfused blood components and transfusion‐related adverse reactions during January 2013–December 2018 were included. Adverse reaction rates (number per 100,000 components transfused) were calculated for transfused components stratified by component type, collection, and modification methods.
Results
During 2013–2018, 201 facilities reported 18,308 transfusion‐related adverse reactions among 8.34 million blood components transfused (220/100,000). Adverse reactions were higher among apheresis (486/100,000) and pathogen‐reduced platelets (579/100,000) than apheresis red blood cells (197/100,000). Allergic reactions (41%) were most common. There were 23 fatalities and 9% of all adverse reactions were serious (severe, life‐threatening, or fatal). Reactions involving pulmonary complications (transfusion‐associated circulatory overload, transfusion‐related acute lung injury and transfusion‐associated dyspnea) accounted for 35% of serious reactions but 65% of fatalities. Most (76%) of the 37 transfusion‐transmitted infections were serious; none involved pathogen‐reduced components.
Conclusions
One in 455 blood components transfused was associated with an adverse reaction although the risk of serious reactions (1 in 6224) or transfusion‐transmitted infections (1 in 225,440) was lower. Some serious reactions identified were preventable, suggesting additional safety measures may be beneficial. Higher reaction rates identified among pathogen‐reduced platelets require further study. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring reactions through national hemovigilance to inform current safety measures and the need for strategies to increase healthcare facility participation.
Background
In 2010, health care facilities in the United States began voluntary enrollment in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Hemovigilance Module. Participants report transfusion ...practices; red blood cell, platelet (PLT), plasma, and cryoprecipitate units transfused; and transfusion‐related adverse reactions and process errors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through a secure, Internet‐accessible surveillance application available to transfusing facilities.
Study Design and Methods
Facilities submitting at least 1 month of transfused components data and adverse reactions from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, were included in this analysis. Adverse reaction rates for transfused components, stratified by component type and collection and modification methods, were calculated.
Results
In 2010 to 2012, a total of 77 facilities reported 5136 adverse reactions among 2,144,723 components transfused (239.5/100,000). Allergic (46.8%) and febrile nonhemolytic (36.1%) reactions were most frequent; 7.2% of all reactions were severe or life‐threatening and 0.1% were fatal. PLT transfusions (421.7/100,000) had the highest adverse reaction rate.
Conclusion
Adverse transfusion reaction rates from the NHSN Hemovigilance Module in the United States are comparable to early hemovigilance reporting from other countries. Although severe reactions are infrequent, the numbers of transfusion reactions in US hospitals suggest that interventions to prevent these reactions are important for patient safety. Further investigation is needed to understand the apparent increased risk of reactions from apheresis‐derived blood components. Comprehensive evaluation, including data validation, is important to continued refinement of the module.
Post-translational modifications of histones play crucial roles in the genetic and epigenetic regulation of gene expression from chromatin. Studies in mammals and yeast have found conserved ...modifications at some residues of histones as well as non-conserved modifications at some other sites. Although plants have been excellent systems to study epigenetic regulation, and histone modifications are known to play critical roles, the histone modification sites and patterns in plants are poorly defined. In the present study we have used mass spectrometry in combination with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and phospho-peptide enrichment to identify histone modification sites in the reference plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. We found not only modifications at many sites that are conserved in mammalian and yeast cells, but also modifications at many sites that are unique to plants. These unique modifications include H4 K20 acetylation (in contrast to H4 K20 methylation in non-plant systems), H2B K6, K11, K27 and K32 acetylation, S15 phosphorylation and K143 ubiquitination, and H2A K144 acetylation and S129, S141 and S145 phosphorylation, and H2A.X S138 phosphorylation. In addition, we found that lysine 79 of H3 which is highly conserved and modified by methylation and plays important roles in telomeric silencing in non-plant systems, is not modified in Arabidopsis. These results suggest distinctive histone modification patterns in plants and provide an invaluable foundation for future studies on histone modifications in plants.
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