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The first book to provide an introduction to the new theory of Net Locality and the profound effect on individuals and societies when everything is located or locatable. * Describes net locality as an emerging form of location awareness central to all aspects of digital media, from mobile phones, to Google Maps, to location-based social networks and games, such as Foursquare and facebook. * Warns of the threats these technologies, such as data surveillance, present to our sense of privacy, while also outlining the opportunities for pro-social developments. * Provides a theory of the web in the context of the history of emerging technologies, from GeoCities to GPS, Wi-Fi, Wiki Me, and Google Android.

An authoritative introduction to the roles of switching and transmission in broadband integrated services networks Principles of Broadband Switching and Networking explains the design and analysis of switch architectures suitable for broadband integrated services networks, emphasizing packet-switched interconnection networks with distributed routing algorithms. The text examines the mathematical properties of these networks, rather than specific implementation technologies. Although the pedagogical explanations in this book are in the context of switches, many of the fundamental principles are relevant to other communication networks with regular topologies. After explaining the concept of the modern broadband integrated services network and why it is necessary in today’s society, the book moves on to basic switch design principles, discussing two types of circuit switch design—space domain and time domain—and packet switch design. Throughput improvements are illustrated by some switch design variations such as Speedup principle, Channel-Grouping principle, Knockout principle, and Dilation principle. Moving seamlessly into advanced switch design principles, the book covers switch scalability, switch design for multicasting, and path switching. Then the focus moves to broadband communications networks that make use of such switches. Readers receive a detailed introduction on how to allocate network resources and control traffic to satisfy the quality of service requirements of network users and to maximize network usage. As an epilogue, the text shows how transmission noise and packet contention have similar characteristics and can be tamed by comparable means to achieve reliable communication. Principles of Broadband Switching and Networking is written for senior undergraduate and first-year postgraduate students with a solid background in probability theory.

To address the considerable tuberculosis (TB)/HIV co-infected population in Cape Town, a number of clinics have made an effort of varying degrees to integrate TB and HIV services. This article describes the development of a theory-based survey instrument designed to quantify the extent to which services were integrated in 33 clinics and presents the results of the survey. Using principal factor analysis, eight factors were extracted and used to make comparisons across three types of clinics: co-located TB and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services, clinics with TB services only and clinics with ART only. Clinics with co-located services scored highest on measures related to integrated TB/ART service delivery compared to clinics with single services, but within group variability was high indicating that co-location of TB and ART services is a necessary but insufficient condition for integrated service delivery. In addition, we found almost all clinics with only services in our sample had highly integrated pre-ART services, suggesting that integration of these services across a large number of clinics is feasible and acceptable to clinic staff. TB clinics with highly integrated pre-ART services appear to be efficient sites for introducing ART given that co-infected patients are already engaged in care, and may potentially facilitate earlier access to treatment and minimize loss to follow-up.

\"This book provides a step-by-step guide to integrating early childhood behavioral health care into primary care with hands-on advice for creating, implementing, and evaluating programs. It discusses the unique advantages of pediatric primary care as a setting for mental health services from birth into the early school years, particularly for addressing parent/child stress and trauma issues. Contributors illustrate in depth how bringing behavioral health into pediatric services can engender care that is replicable and sustainable, not only cost-effective but also clinically effective. Guidelines and case examples from frontline practitioners highlight typical challenges and workable recommendations ... Integrated Early Childhood Behavioral Health in Primary Care is an essential resource for clinicians/practitioners, graduate students, and researchers in child and school psychology, pediatrics, and social work.\"--Page 4 of cover.

AimTo compare the reasons for frequent (5–9) and very frequent (10 or more) childhood attendances to an Emergency Department (ED) as part of a collaborative Clinical Commisioning Group (CCG)-wide quality improvement project.MethodsRetrospective audit of electronic records of frequent and very frequent paediatric ED attendances over a 1-year period from September 2013 to August 2014.Results11,639 children under the age of 17 years attended the ED resulting in 16,152 attendances between September 2013 to August 2014 (Figure 1).Abstract G186(P) Figure 1Breakdown of number of attendances80 children were frequent attenders (5–9 episodes, total 403 attendances) and 5 children were very frequent attenders (10 or more attendances, total 61 attendances). Within these two groups at least 82% and 97% attendances were non-trauma/illness related in the frequent and very frequent attenders respectively. At least 62% episodes in the frequent and 39% episodes in the very frequent attenders group could possibly have been managed in primary care (Figures 2 and 3).Abstract G186(P) Figure 2Percentage of episodes manageable in primary care (5/year cohort)Abstract G186(P) Figure 3Percentage of episodes manageable in primary care (10/year cohort)ConclusionAlbeit the limitations of the study given the small number of patients, our findings suggest that a large proportion of paediatric ED workload consists of patients who may have been managed in primary care particularly those who were frequent attenders. The frequent attender diagnoses mirror previous data on overall attendances; which is very heavily biassed by those coming just once, whereas the very frequent attenders represent a cohort much of which is not amenable to primary care treatment. Those that attended very frequently more commonly had chronic underlying conditions and were less likely to present inappropriately. Hence focusing efforts on the frequent rather than the very frequent attenders may be a more effective and profitable approach. Larger prospective studies involving multiple trusts and taking into account patients' reasons for attendance may help to better understand and plan acute as well as integrated services.

ObjectivesIntegrated services for children’s health have been set up across the UK. They aim to align and integrate a range of local strategies, create partnerships and commissioning arrangements across NHS and local authorities, and create the conditions for innovation and impact.The Child Health GP ‘Hubs’ are set up between volunteer Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and secondary care paediatric units. With recent reports of widening health inequalities,1 this paper aims to investigate: i) whether such integrated services were being set up in PCNs with a registered population representative of the level of deprivation of the local population, and ii) if these services could have an impact on health inequality.MethodsThis regional study includes 17 Hubs located in the North West London Integrated care system (NWL ICS). Deprivation data was obtained from the publicly available government published index of multiple deprivation (IMD) and the Income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI) scores collated at the scale of Lower layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs).We obtained a list of General Practices participating in each of the 17 NWL Hubs and the number of patients registered at their practices for each LSOA. An IMD and IDACI score was calculated for each of the 17 Hubs and compared to the IMD and IDACI scores of the Borough within which the Hubs were located. The mean difference in IMD and IDACI between the Hubs and boroughs for NWL was calculated and expressed as a percentage. A Paired t-test was performed to assess whether differences in scores were significant.ResultsResults in figure 1 showed a mean IMD score 4.8% higher (p<0.10) in the Hubs’ population compared to the borough in which they were located, and a mean IDACI score 7.3% higher (p<0.10). A higher score indicated a greater degree of deprivationAbstract 714 Figure 1ConclusionIt is reassuring that established Hubs are representative of the level of deprivation of the local population. They do not appear to increase inequalities of health access to specialist care and may indeed improve the inverse care law for children in most need. Further studies with larger datasets will be able to test this in future as Hubs expand in the UK.ReferencesThe country is getting sicker The urgent need to address growing health inequalities and protect our health in the face of an economic crisis, BMA, December 2022 https://www.bma.org.uk/media/6527/bma-the-country-is-getting-sicker-report-december-2022.pdf?utm_source=The%20British%20Medical%20Association%20%28Legacy%29&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13652983_NON%20MEMBER%20NEWSLETTER%20051222&utm_content=Inequalities%20report%20download&dm_i=JVX,84MPJ,NNMJWU,XADFA,1. Accessed 16/01/23

BackgroundIncreasing functional limitations and disabilities have raised the need for comprehensive rehabilitation services at the primary healthcare (PHC) level, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To support the integration of these services into PHC in South Africa, assessing outcomes from the service users’ perspectives is essential.ObjectivesThis study examined service users’ views on their PHC rehabilitation outcomes in a Metropolitan District of Gauteng, South Africa. The aim was to understand perceived changes in activity limitations and participation restrictions following the rehabilitation intervention.MethodA quantitative survey design, including self-rating measurements and structured interviews, was employed. Thirty-eight rehabilitation service users from eight clinics and community health centres were purposively sampled. Participants rated their pre- and post-rehabilitation levels of difficulty in activity limitations and participation restrictions, with open-ended questions providing additional insights. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, quantitative content analysis, and non-parametric tests.ResultsSignificant improvements in mobility, self-perception, and quality of life were reported by both adult and child service users. Caregivers of child service users also noted positive experiences (p = 0.019) in community, social, and civic life.ConclusionThis study highlights the perceived positive changes experienced by PHC rehabilitation service users in addressing functional limitations and disabilities. It underscores the effectiveness of integrated rehabilitation service delivery in improving user outcomes.ContributionThe findings offer valuable insights into how rehabilitation interventions enhance functional abilities, social participation, and overall well-being. By focusing on activity limitations and participation restrictions from service users’ perspectives, this study supports the priority of providing person-centred rehabilitation services at the PHC level.