Project and program diagnostics: A systemic approach

This paper focuses on the theory and application of diagnostic concepts to assess the health of large projects or programs at any point in their life relative to the desired targets. The author presents a comprehensive project health check methodology. Project diagnostics is not to be confused with project progress measurement and control or project management maturity models as the objective is to see if the project team applies a systemic approach to the planning and management of the project. Its purpose is not to assess the project progress achieved at a given time and compare that to plans. Nor does it aim to assess the maturity of the application of a particular project management methodology/standard. The health of a project/program at a given time is found by evaluating the actual practices applied to manage a raft of variables which collectively characterise the management practice on that project.The technique – referred to as project health check or ‘PH-Check’ – has been computerised for ease of application. It provides a graphical picture of the heath of a project at the time of assessment. The results of the project health check can then be correlated with the results obtained from traditional project progress measurement tools. This correlation will yield greater understanding of the management of the enabling factors and their influence on project behaviour and results. This paper presents the PH-Check methodology and its underpinning concepts.     

Preparation, characterization, and mucoadhesive properties of chitosan-coated microspheres encapsulated with cyclosporine A

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize chitosan-coated microspheres containing cyclosporine A (CyA). Microspheres encapsulated with CyA were prepared by solvent evaporation-emulsification methods. Microspheres were immersed in chitosan solution (0.5% w/w) to be coated. Morphology, mean size, and encapsulation efficiency of chitosan-coated microspheres were evaluated. To assess the mucoadhesive properties of this drug delivery system, the percent of mucin adsorption to the surface of coated microspheres was determined. Microspheres were spherical in shape. Encapsulation efficiency of different microsphere formulations varied from 78% to 92%. According to the mucin adsorption results, this particulate system showed suitable mucoadhesive properties. It can be concluded that surface modification of microspheres by chitosan coating would increase the prospects of their usefulness as oral drug delivery systems for CyA.     

Numerical analysis of entropy generation in nanofluid flow over a transparent plate in porous medium in presence of solar radiation,viscous dissipation and variable magnetic field

The entropy generation of magneto-hydrodynamic mixed convection flow of nanofluid over a nonlinear stretching inclined transparent plate embedded in a porous medium due to solar radiation is investigated numerically. The nanofluid is made of Cu nanoparticles with water as the base fluid. The two-dimensional governing equations, in presence of the effects of viscous dissipation, variable magnetic field and solar radiation are transformed by similarity method to two coupled nonlinear ODEs and then solved using the numerical implicit Keller-Box method. The effects of various parameters such as nanoparticle volume fraction, magnetic parameter, porosity, effective extinction coefficient of porous medium, diameter of porous medium solid particles and Eckert, Brinkman and Hartman numbers is investigated on velocity, temperature and entropy generation number profiles. The results reveal that near to the plate surface the increase of nanoparticle volume fraction, porosity and porous medium geometric parameter cause the entropy generation number to increase, but far enough from the plate surface the increase of nanoparticle volume fraction, porosity and porous medium geometric parameter cause the entropy generation number to decrease. Also the entropy generation number increases with the increase of Brinkman number and Hartman number, and this increase is dominant near the plate surface. Closer to the plate surface the reduction of Eckert number causes the increase of entropy generation number, but the entropy generation number increases with the increase of Reynolds number.     

5G meets satellite: Non-terrestrial network architecture and 3GPP

With 3GPP Release-17, global 5G standards now support non-terrestrial mobile networks comprising radio access network, terminals, and core network. This enables multi-vendor interoperability as well as interoperability with 3GPP-compliant 5G systems. This paper describes the key features enabling the NG-RAN architecture defined for 5G to support non-terrestrial networks. Starting from a general overview of NG-RAN and of the new paradigms of NTN, we introduce the NTN functionality in NG-RAN specifications with respect to feeder link switchover, cell handling, terminal registration, and OAM aspects. We also discuss different scenarios combining satellite access with 3GPP-defined core networks. We also describe some further enhancements expected to be seen in the next 3GPP release (Rel-18). We believe current and upcoming 3GPP work for NTN represents a solid basis on which 5G satellite networks can be built in the upcoming future.     

Physical layer enhancements in 5G-NR for direct access via satellite systems

Among the several features and capabilities introduced by every new 3GPP release on 5G cellular systems, the latest Release 17 will be remembered as the first that specifies a set of enhancements and adaptations to support mobile broadband services via satellite direct access. Specifically focused on the necessary physical layer mechanism and procedure modifications, this paper will present in detail the 3GPP work about the inclusion of satellite systems in 5G networks.     

Introduction to the 3GPP-defined NTN standard: A comprehensive view on the 3GPP work on NTN

With the recent publication of a set of technical specifications in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) related to non-terrestrial network (NTN) enhancements, a global standard for satellite systems is newly defined aiming to support any orbit, any frequency band, and any device. It opens the door for the seamless integration of satellite network component in 5G system and beyond, delivering the promise of a ubiquitous mobile system that can support new use cases. The emergence of hybrid terrestrial-satellite systems is the result of a joint effort between stakeholders of both mobile and satellite industries and is paving the way to new business opportunities. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive view on this 3GPP NTN standard and what are the next steps.