The OPTIMIST programme sets the ambitious aim to develop a modular end-to-end service platform tailored to the optimized delivery of personalised video content in 5G mobile networks, providing one of the first world-wide implementations of MEC-enabled service provisioning in 5G networks that is fully compatible with the emerging ETSI/3GPP reference architectures. To achieve this, the OPTIMIST service platform will design and implement different MEC services, which are currently studied in an isolated fashion in current literature, (e.g. edge network caching exploiting edge storage resources, video transcoding and data-driven content popularity prediction exploiting edge processing resources, optimized video content placement and delivery exploiting the new 5G radio capabilities), in the form of virtual network functions (VNFs) that are instantiated and optimized on-the-fly to construct a video service chain that is designed to meet the personalized requirements of 5G mobile video consumers. To formalize the integration of MEC capabilities into the operation of 5G mobile networks, the OPTIMIST service platform will be fully aligned with the existing and forthcoming standardization activities in the areas of MEC and 5G networks (ETSI MEC and 3GPP); thus, maximizing the impact of the project in the long-term both in terms of academic results (new methodological tools and algorithmic innovations) and market products (deliver specific products / services that will enhance the portfolio of industrial partners). To this end, OPTIMIST will leverage state-of-the-art (SotA) technologies in MEC-empowered service provisioning, data-driven service control and automation, QoE-driven dynamic adaptive video streaming over HTTP (DASH), GPS-free localization and machine learning (ML) for wireless communications.

The goal of the SEASON project is to design and validate a sustainable transport network infrastructure able to support beyond 5G and new emerging services. The SEASON infrastructure will rely on the joint usage of Multi-Band (MB) and Space Division Multiplexing (SDM), spanning the access, aggregation, and metro/long-haul segments, supporting the requirements for x-haul, further integrating the packet/optical and computing layers, and targeting cost-effective capacity increase. A critical objective of such architecture is to ensure energy efficiency. SEASON will rely on power-efficient Digital Signal Processing (DSP), MBoverSDM optical switching, point-to-multipoint transceivers allowing traffic aggregation/router bypassing, and converged packet-optical solutions reducing the number of O/E/O conversions. Such complex infrastructure requires rethinking the control and orchestration systems towards autonomous optical networks, addressing not only the integration - in overarching control systems - of the Radio Access Network (RAN), access and transport segments but also adopting more agile DevOps methodologies. SEASON will leverage on cognitive networks powered by streaming telemetry, real-time network measurements and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-aided service management and orchestration for near-real time network operation, moving intelligence as close as possible to the data plane, and devising a distributed system based on multiple communicating agents and data-driven closed control loops. SEASON will have a clear impact on the society, in a context with increased needs of connectivity and higher capacity demand required for services such as VR/AR. The SEASON consortium includes major European telecom operators (Telefonica, TIM), major vendors (ADVA, Infinera P/G, Ericsson), three consolidated SMEs (Accelleran, Wings and WestAquila) and four top-reputed research centres and academia (CNIT, CTTC, Fraunhofer HHI, and UPC).

Oral hygiene is the cornerstone of good oral health and World Health Organization recognizes oral health as an integral part of systemic health. Among the non-invasive organic fluids, saliva is one of the most preferable and practical specimens for oral and systemic health monitoring as it is readily available and easily collected and stored. Saliva is frequently called a “mirror of the body” since it can reflect both the physiological and pathological conditions in the entire human organism. The SALSETH project proposal facilitates exchange of knowledge, skills, competencies and capabilities (through secondments) of 8 internationally top-ranking participating organizations (4 from academic sector and 4 SMEs) from Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Malaysia and Australia. This project proposal promotes international and intersectoral collaboration between participating institutions, bringing experts from different fields of science in a unique R&I set up. The SALSETH brings together expertise of the respectable institutions to reach beyond the-state-of-the-art advances in: (1) natural and bio-inspired biocompatible materials; (2) edible food-based sensors which can promptly detect important biomarkers from saliva; (3) external smart electronic device for wireless reading data from sensors; and (4) microfluidic devices for optimal administration of drugs or essential oils as a main part of the intraoral appliances for better oral and systemic health. Through carefully designed secondments, the seconded staff will work on significant technological breakthrough in salivary theranostics for personalized dental bio-medicine. This interdisciplinary project offers an excellent research oriented environment for the personal and professional growth of the involved staff members. The SALSETH will open possibilities of salivary diagnostics for personalized individual medicine applications including clinical treatment options and outcome evaluation predictions.