Energy-efficient task allocation for distributed applications in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider the scenario of a sensing, computing and communicating infrastructure with a a programmable middleware that allows for quickly deploying different applications running on top of it so as to follow the changing ambient needs. We then face the problem of setting up the desired application in case of hundreds of nodes, which consists in identifying which actions should be performed by each of the nodes so as to satisfy the ambient needs while minimizing the application impact on the infrastructure battery lifetime. We approach the problem by considering every possible decomposition of the application's sensing and computing operations into tasks to be assigned to the each infrastructure component. The contribution of energy consumption due to the performance of each task is then considered to compute a cost function, allowing us to evaluate the viability of each deployment solution. Simulation results show that our framework results in considerable energy conservation with respect to sink-oriented or cluster-oriented deployment approaches, particularly for networks with high node densities, non-uniform energy consumption and initial energy, and complex actions

Implementation of an experimental platform for the social internet of things

The convergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with the social networking concepts has led to a new paradigm called the Social Internet of Things (SIoT), where the objects mimic the human behavior and create their own relationships based on the rules set by their owner. This is aimed at simplifying the complexity in handling the communications between billions of objects to the benefits of the humans. Whereas several IoT platforms are already available, the SIoT paradigm has represented only a field for pure research and simulations, until now. The aim of this paper is to present our implementation of a SIoT platform. We begin by analyzing the major IoT implementations, pointing out their common characteristics that could be re-used for our goal. We then discuss the major extensions we had to introduce on the existing platforms to introduce the functionalities of the SIoT. We also present the major functionalities of the proposed system: how to register a new social object to the platform, how the system manages the creation of new relationships, and how the devices create groups of members with similar characteristics. We conclude with the description of possible simple application scenarios

Development of a molecular method for the rapid screening and identification of the three functionally relevant polymorphisms in the human TAS2R38 receptor gene in studies of sensitivity to the bitter taste of PROP

The objective of this work was to develop a rapid screening method to identify the three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TAS2R38 gene, with the aim of providing a significant contribution to studies designed to assess sensitivity to the bitter taste of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Specifically, the objective of this study was to characterize the TAS2R38 gene haplotypes in a group of 60 subjects with variable sensitivity to PROP and preliminarily genotyped for the rs2274333 allele (A/G) of carbonic anhydrase isoform VI gene (CA6). The molecular characterization of the TAS2R38 gene was conducted using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique after creating artificial restriction sites upstream or downstream of the SNPs, as none of the three polymorphisms contributes to the formation of a restriction site for a specific endonuclease. The results indicate that the method described in this paper could be a valid and simple experimental strategy to identify genetic differences related to taste sensitivity to bitter taste, and could be applied as a nutrigenetics test in studies aimed at understanding people’s eating behaviors

Task allocation in group of nodes in the IoT: A consensus approach

The realization of the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm relies on the implementation of systems of cooperative intelligent objects with key interoperability capabilities. In order for objects to dynamically cooperate to IoT applications' execution, they need to make their resources available in a flexible way. However, available resources such as electrical energy, memory, processing, and object capability to perform a given task, are often limited. Therefore, resource allocation that ensures the fulfilment of network requirements is a critical challenge. In this paper, we propose a distributed optimization protocol based on consensus algorithm, to solve the problem of resource allocation and management in IoT heterogeneous networks. The proposed protocol is robust against links or nodes failures, so it's adaptive in dynamic scenarios where the network topology changes in runtime. We consider an IoT scenario where nodes involved in the same IoT task need to adjust their task frequency and buffer occupancy. We demonstrate that, using the proposed protocol, the network converges to a solution where resources are homogeneously allocated among nodes. Performance evaluation of experiments in simulation mode and in real scenarios show that the algorithm converges with a percentage error of about±5% with respect to the optimal allocation obtainable with a centralized approach

A Decentralized Lifetime Maximization Algorithm for Distributed Applications in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider the scenario of a Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) where the nodes are equipped with a programmable middleware that allows for quickly deploying different applications running on top of it so as to follow the changing ambient needs. We then address the problem of finding the optimal deployment of the target applications in terms of network lifetime. We approach the problem considering every possible decomposition of an application's sensing and computing operations into tasks to be assigned to each infrastructure component. The contribution of energy consumption due to the energy cost of each task is then considered into local cost functions in each node, allowing us to evaluate the viability of the deployment solution. The proposed algorithm is based on an iterative and asynchronous local optimization of the task allocations between neighboring nodes that increases the network lifetime. Simulation results show that our framework leads to considerable energy saving with respect to both sink-oriented and cluster-oriented deployment approaches, particularly for networks with high node densities and non-uniform energy consumption or initial battery charge

Energy consumption management in Smart Homes: An M-Bus communication system

Energy consumption management in Smart Home environments relies on the implementation of systems of cooperative intelligent objects named Smart Meters. In order for devices to cooperate to smart metering applications' execution, they need to make their information available. In this paper we propose a framework that aims at managing energy consumption of controllable appliances in groups of Smart Homes belonging to the same neighbourhood or condominium. We consider not only electric power distribution, but also alternative energy sources such as solar panels. We define a communication paradigm based on M-Bus for the acquisition of relevant data by managing nodes. We also provide a lightweight algorithm for the distribution of the available alternative power among houses. Performance evaluation of experiments in simulation mode prove that the proposed framework does not jeopardise the lifetime of Smart Meters, particularly in typical situations where managed devices do not continuously turn on and off

La imagen de España en el mosaico cultural paneuropeo:retos y compromisos del Consejo de Europa en la cooperación intercultural.

ENGLISH:Since 1949, the Council of Europe is engaged to defend democracy and human rights in its member States. Today’s global economy – more than ever – leads the Council to focus its mediation role in the intercultural co-operation, to protect and preserve thelarge variety of languages and cultures that live within its territory. After the adoption of the Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2000, Council of Europe cultural policies’, in which Spain is also actively involved, call the attention on the richness of the European cultural heritage. This heritage, thanks to new creative entrepreneurships, is becoming the real engine of the local economies.SPANISH:Desde 1949, el Consejo de Europa se compromete a defender la democracia y los derechos humanos de los Estados miembros. Hoy día, la nueva economía global, más que nunca lleva al Consejo a centrar su papel de mediador en la cooperación intercultural, para defender y conservar la variedad de lenguas y culturas que habitan su territorio. Tras la aprobación de la Declaración sobre la Diversidad Cultural en 2000, las políticas culturales del Consejo de Europa, en las que España participa activamente, hacen hincapié en la riqueza del patrimonio cultural. Gracias a nuevas y creativas formas decapacidad empresarial, este patrimonio se está convirtiendo en el verdadero motor de las economías locales

Settimana santa a Castelsardo: la tradizione del <i>Luni Santu</i>

Gli uomini organizzano la loro esistenza secondo dimensioni spazio-temporali che necessariamente si rapportano al continuum spazio-temporale oggettivo della realtà, cioè, a fenomeni come il succedersi del giorno e della notte, delle fasi lunari e delle stagioni, come la posizione delle stelle nella volta celeste, ecc. In questa operazione di adeguamento di tali dimensioni oggettive a un tempo-spazio culturale, gli uomini stabiliscono e fissano momenti ed occasioni culturalmente «discrezionali», socialmente significativi ed emergenti che, di fatto, costituiscono punti fermi, ripetibili ritualmente secondo i caratteri qualitativamente «eterogenei» del tempo sacro o «tempo ciclico e circolare», distinto da quello profano o «tempo strutturato a spirale» aperta secondo un vettore centrifugo e rettilineo