Available bandwidth parameter is a crucial characteristic in terms of networking and data transmission. The beforehand knowledge of its value and use of this parameter in various traffic engineering algorithms and QoS calculations is a key for high-efficient multigigabit data transport in nowadays networks. The challenge in available bandwidth estimations is not only in its accuracy and processing speed but also in the reduction of the amount of probe traffic injected into the network by keeping an adequate level of estimation accuracy. In this paper we extend existing active probing measurement algorithms for end-to-end available bandwidth estimation along with methods to reduce estimation times and amount of injected traffic while keeping measurement accuracy constant and even reducing the uncertainty of estimations. The main goal of this research was to detect a sufficient ratio of MTU, packet train size with the link capacity and available bandwidth (AvB) in up to 10 Gbps networks. In order to explore measurement accuracy under different conditions, a new tool for the AvB estimation named Kite2 has been developed and is presented in the paper. Comparative performance of AvB estimations using Kite2, Kite and Yaz is presented. Finally we calculate with statistical means dependency between the estimation error probability, measurement probing overhead and the measurement time.

The article contains an overview and prospects for the introduction of smart and robotic technologies in the agricultural industry. Today, robotization of agriculture and food technology is not a leading industry compared to robotization of other sectors of the economy. Analytical review of the global robotics market revealed that robots in the food industry account for 2% of the total, and robots for agricultural operations account for less than 1%. We analyzed global trends in robotization and the introduction of artificial intelligence in agriculture in various countries. A review of smart robotic technologies, in particular, smart sensors and actuators, the Internet of Things, cloud technologies, methods of data analysis, forecasting, classification, and image recognition using neural networks, is provided. Methods and means are considered in relation to both crop production and livestock production. Four main classes of intelligent technologies in agriculture were identified: robotics, Internet of Things, machine learning, and UAVs. In crop production, robots are common in harvesting, controlling weeds, processing trees, monitoring trees at different stages of the growing season, including leaf and fruit diseases, counting the number of flowers and fruits, and other operations. Identification of fruits, leaves, weeds, as well as diseases of fruits and leaves is performed using computer vision, and in recent years convolutional neural networks have become widespread. Field monitoring is performed using UAVs with subsequent image processing using spectral analysis methods. In livestock farming, smart technologies are represented by feeding and milking robots, livestock monitoring, detection of predators, navigation in livestock buildings, monitoring animal health and behavior. Smart technologies are also used in fish farming to create smart farms. In this mini review, we have tried to integrate advanced smart and robotic technologies for various agricultural operations.

The presented work is a result of extended research and analysis on timing methods precision, their efficiency in different virtual environments and the impact of timing precision on the performance of high-speed networks applications. We investigated how timer hardware is shared among heavily CPU- and I/O-bound tasks on a virtualized OS as well as on bare OS. By replacing the invoked timing methods within a well-known application for estimation of available path bandwidth, we provide the analysis of their impact on estimation accuracy. We show that timer overhead and precision are crucial for high-performance network applications, and low-precision timing methods usage, e.g., the delays and overheads issued by virtualization result in the degradation of the virtual environment. Furthermore, in this paper, we provide confirmation that, by using the methods we intentionally developed for both precise timing operations and AvB estimation, it is possible to overcome the inefficiency of standard time-related operations and overhead that comes with the virtualization. The impacts of negative virtualization factors were investigated in five different environments to define the most optimal virtual environment for high-speed network applications.

The integration of digital technologies with ordinary teaching and learning methods is a feature of higher education. Integration is growing rapidly, primarily due to the quick development of digital technologies and the enhancement of digital skills of both students and teachers. Digital technologies bring about powerful changes in the educational system. Expansion of an access to devices and communication increases students’ digital literacy. The development of learning environment and free online resources change the ways in which students get access to information and obtain new knowledge. Blended learning is an innovative teaching method today. The article substantiates the role of blended learning in the digital transformation of higher education, analyses the implementation of blended learning models in the educational process of a higher education institution. The advantages of using blended learning in the educational process and the key factors of an effective blended learning environment have been determined. The “Flipped Classroom” learning model has been substantiated in detail and effective methods for implementing the flipped classroom methodology have been identified. To implement a blended learning model, a teacher must possess competencies that include the digital competence of a teacher. The poll of teachers regarding their choice of blended learning models has been conducted. A wide range of digital tools, which are used by teachers during classes based on the blended learning method, have been identified. It has been summarized that the use of the mixed learning model contributes to the development of digital competence of teachers and students and the improvement of the quality of the educational process as well.