A Distributed Hierarchical Structure for Object Networks Supporting Activity Recognition

Pervasive environments will witness heterogeneous smart embedded devices (e.g. sensors, actuators) integrated into user’s living environment (e.g. smart homes and hospitals) and provide a multitude of information that can transparently support user’s lifestyle. One promising application resulting from the management and exploitation of this information is the human activity recognition. In this paper we briefly describe our activity recognition architecture and focus on an important management component of this architecture using the concept of object networks. We explore how object networks can integrate various sensor networks and heterogeneous devices into a coherent network through embedded context and role profile and at the same time support distributed context reasoning. The paper also describes the mechanisms used to eliminate and refine context information that is deemed irrelevant due to user behaviour changes over time, by employing the idea of role fitness

Using Competing Bacterial Communication to Disassemble Biofilms

In recent years, bacterial infections have become a major public health concern due to their ability to cooperate between single and multiple species resisting to various forms of treatments (e.g., antibiotics). One form of protection is through biofilms, where the bacteria produce a protective medium known as the Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS). Researchers are pursuing new multi-disciplinary approaches to treating and kerb the evolving process of these infections through the biofilms, to lower the humans' antibiotic dependence that can result in the so-called \super- bugs". Although various solutions have been proposed to break biofilms, they are based on applying drugs or using nanoparticles. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach, where bacteria will cooperate and surround the biofilms to consume the nutrients. By hijacking the nutrients in the environment and blocking the ow from reaching the biofilms, this will lead to starvation, forcing them to break their structure. Preliminary simulations show that a small action radius of quorum sensing molecules is needed to maximise bacteria attraction to a particular location and create the protective wall. Therefore, this formation is capable of speeds up biofilm dispersal process by two hours

Path Loss Analysis of Terahertz Communication in Mars' Atmospheric Conditions

There has been much focus on the potential for wireless links that use THz frequencies. Despite their theoretical advantages, the very high channel path loss here on Earth presents practical challenges. This paper compares the path loss performance of THz links in atmospheric gas compositions and environmental conditions on Mars and Earth. Simulations using data from the Mars Climate Database and HITRAN indicate that conditions on Mars ensure that path loss between surface-based transceivers is reduced compared to Earth. Greater effective transmission distances for THz can be achieved on Mars: at frequencies of 1.67 THz and 1.64 THz, the transmission distance is 60-70 times longer than Earth. However, severe dust storms that are common on Mars can increase path loss, so the maximum transmission distance reduces by 1-2 orders of magnitude during such storms. Some of this additional path loss can be reduced by raising antennas higher above the ground and by configuring antennas to suit different usage scenarios.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

A REASSESSMENT OF FALSIFICATIONISM : (IN THE LIGHT OF A.F. CHALMERS' CRITICISM)

Master'sMASTER OF ART

Molecular communications in viral infections research:modeling, experimental data, and future directions

Abstract Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by viral infections each year, and yet, several of them neither have vaccines nor effective treatment during and post-infection. This challenge has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how viruses can quickly spread and impact society as a whole. Novel interdisciplinary techniques must emerge to provide forward-looking strategies to combat viral infections, as well as possible future pandemics. In the past decade, an interdisciplinary area involving bioengineering, nanotechnology and information and communication technology (ICT) has been developed, known as Molecular Communications. This new emerging area uses elements of classical communication systems to molecular signalling and communication found inside and outside biological systems, characterizing the signalling processes between cells and viruses. In this paper, we provide an extensive and detailed discussion on how molecular communications can be integrated into the viral infectious diseases research, and how possible treatment and vaccines can be developed considering molecules as information carriers. We provide a literature review on molecular communications models for viral infection (intra-body and extra-body), a deep analysis on their effects on immune response, how experimental can be used by the molecular communications community, as well as open issues and future directions

Roadmap on energy harvesting materials

Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere