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Chapter 8 - Architectural design requirements for metaverse-based smart healthcare systems
(Elsevier Ltd., 2026-06-26) Ogundokun, Roseline; Bello, Rotimi-Williams; Owolawi, Pius; Mkoba, Elizabeth; Ogbuju, Emeka; Olugbemi, Adesanjo
The metaverse an immersive, networked virtual environment is poised to transform global healthcare by merging physical and digital realms. This chapter provides a comprehensive literature review and conceptual framework for metaverse-based smart healthcare systems, focusing on both technical architecture and clinical outcomes. We outline key research questions and hypotheses regarding how extended reality, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and blockchain can be integrated to enable secure, real-time, patient-centered care in virtual environments. A novel multilayered architecture is proposed, comprising patient and provider domains connected via a virtual hospital metaverse platform with strict cybersecurity and data governance controls. We include mathematical models to formalize data flows and performance requirements, for example, specifying the ultra-low latency needed for realistic telepresence. We then summarize findings from recent studies, including improvements in telemedicine quality, medical training simulations, and remote surgery assistance achieved in prototype metaverse applications. We discuss crucial design requirements (e.g., <20 ms network latency, avatar-based identity management, compliance with health data privacy laws) and address challenges such as protecting patient privacy, maintaining clinical realism, and ensuring equitable access. Technical perspectives (network infrastructure, data security, interoperability) and clinical perspectives (user experience, patient engagement, health outcomes) are examined in depth. The chapter concludes with practical implications for healthcare industries worldwide, including guidance on gradual adoption, workforce training, and regulatory alignment, and outlines future research directions toward achieving safe and adequate healthcare in the metaverse.
Development of an IoT-Based Smart Irrigation System for Efficient Water Management in Uasin Gishu County
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-01) Bundotich, Winny; Sinde, Ramadhani; Tarus, John; Maiyo, Titus
Food scarcity has recently increased due to climate change, population growth, and decreased land for farming. To mitigate this, measures like encouraging irrigation farming have been implemented, but irrigation faces water scarcity challenges. Efforts to improve water use efficiency include scheduled irrigation system technology, mostly targeting greenhouses and neglecting open-field irrigation. To address these issues, this project developed an IoT-based smart irrigation system for efficient water management. Using an ESP32 microcontroller, sensors monitor critical soil parameters, and the OpenWeather API fetches rainfall predictions. The system automatically controls irrigation valves based on soil moisture levels and rainfall predictions, providing remote valve control and farm information visualization via the Thingsboard cloud platform and mobile app. Data was collected using mixed methods, including questionnaires and focus group discussions with sixteen respondents, selected through purposive sampling. Agile software development methodology, specifically extreme programming, was used to develop the system. Validation involved demonstrations to twenty-seven people, who then interacted with the system and provided feedback through a questionnaire. Respondents agreed that the system met their needs satisfactorily. This system contributes to precise water input and can be advanced to monitor and evaluate irrigated farms in Uasin Gishu County and beyond.
Development of an IoT-Based Smart Irrigation System for Efficient Water Management in Uasin Gishu County
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-01) Bundotich, Winny; Sinde, Ramadhani; Tarus, John; Maiyo, Titus
Food scarcity has recently increased due to climate change, population growth, and decreased land for farming. To mitigate this, measures like encouraging irrigation farming have been implemented, but irrigation faces water scarcity challenges. Efforts to improve water use efficiency include scheduled irrigation system technology, mostly targeting greenhouses and neglecting open-field irrigation. To address these issues, this project developed an IoT-based smart irrigation system for efficient water management. Using an ESP32 microcontroller, sensors monitor critical soil parameters, and the OpenWeather API fetches rainfall predictions. The system automatically controls irrigation valves based on soil moisture levels and rainfall predictions, providing remote valve control and farm information visualization via the Thingsboard cloud platform and mobile app. Data was collected using mixed methods, including questionnaires and focus group discussions with sixteen respondents, selected through purposive sampling. Agile software development methodology, specifically extreme programming, was used to develop the system. Validation involved demonstrations to twenty-seven people, who then interacted with the system and provided feedback through a questionnaire. Respondents agreed that the system met their needs satisfactorily. This system contributes to precise water input and can be advanced to monitor and evaluate irrigated farms in Uasin Gishu County and beyond.
A Smart Contract Trust Security Framework for Regulatory Inspection Systems in Nuclear Regulatory
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-01) Khwatenge, Elvira; Ally, Mussa; Lyakurwa, Geminpeter; Mbelwa, Hope
Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force across various sectors, including regulatory inspection systems. Blockchain integration offers solutions to enhance trust and transparency in nuclear regulatory environments, where data security and integrity are paramount. Our framework enhances the security, efficiency, data integrity, and transparency of regulatory inspections in the nuclear regulatory domain by leveraging Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain platform, and smart contracts. The proposed system utilizes a Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus protocol to create a decentralized, immutable ledger for inspection data. The system features include automated workflow management, role-based access control, real-time tracking of inspection status, and an immutable audit trail. We use the STRIDE threat modeling methodology to perform security with mitigation strategies for identified risks. The performance evaluation compares the blockchain-based system to traditional database-driven approaches, demonstrating improvements in report generation time and system availability, despite some trade-offs in transaction throughput and latency. The framework's potential to streamline inspection processes, reduce manual errors, and enhance regulatory compliance is illustrated using a simulated case study. While acknowledging limitations and areas for future work, this research contributes to the evolving landscape of blockchain applications in nuclear safety and regulatory environments.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Tick-Borne Diseases Among Healthcare Workers in Two Hospitals in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2026-07-03) Shao, Elichilia; Chilongola, Jaffu; Bodenham, Rebecca; Cleaveland, Sarah; Kibona, Tito; Mlay, Eliaichi; Shirima, Laura; Mboya, Innocent; Mujuni, Daniel; Mavura, Rehema; Laizer, Zacharia; Munisi, Edna-joy; Pyuza, Jeremia; Lankester, Felix; Kayaga, Ray; Teigen, Johana; Mmbaga, Blandina; Rostal, Melinda
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are significant causes of febrile illnesses in humans. Healthcare workers′ (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ticks and TBDs may influence prognosis. This study is aimed at assessing the KAP and associated factors among HCWs regarding TBD to provide evidence to improve preventive strategies, diagnosis, and enhance patient outcomes. The electronic questionnaires were used to collect data on respondents′ demographics and KAP on TBD. Of 401 HCWs, the median age was 29 (interquartile range (IR): 26–39). More than half of all HCWs (58.4%) were aged ≤ 30 years, and 51.1% were male. Only 12.2% received training outside Tanzania, 45.4% were medical doctors. Among all HCWs, 47.1% had TBD knowledge above the median. Regarding attitude of HCWs toward TBD, 208 (97.7%) out of 214 who had some awareness of TBD recognized the knowledge gap and a need for further training on TBD. After adjusting for other factors, being male (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01–2.46), having a postgraduate education (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.45–6.39), and having received TBD training (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.28–3.40), remained significantly associated with TBD knowledge above median. Similarly, after adjusting for other factors, being male (AOR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.37–0.89), having postgraduate education (including physicians; AOR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.13–0.61), and having awareness on TBD were significantly associated with practice above median toward TBD prevention. The knowledge gap on TBD among HCWs was substantial as more than half of the HCWs had knowledge score below median about TBD. On attitude, almost all HCWs who had some awareness of TBD were in need of training on TBD. More than half of HCWs practiced TBD preventative actions below median. Targeted training to improve and expand HCWs′ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TBD are expected to enhance early detection, improve patient outcomes, reduce transmission rates, and strengthen public health response efforts.