Abstract
We found the self-similar solitary solutions of a recently proposed model for the propagation of pulses in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers that includes a plasma induced nonlinearity. As anticipated for a simpler model and using a perturbation analysis, there are indeed stationary solitary waves that accelerate and self-shift to higher frequencies. However, if the plasma nonlinearity strength is large or the pulse amplitudes are small, the solutions have distinguished long tails and decay as they propagate.

Abstract
With the objective to study the variation of optical properties of rat muscle during optical clearing, we have performed a set of optical measurements from that kind of tissue. The measurements performed were total transmittance, collimated transmittance, specular reflectance and total reflectance. This set of measurements is sufficient to determine diffuse reflectance and absorbance of the sample, also necessary to estimate the optical properties. All the performed measurements and calculated quantities will be used later in inverse Monte Carlo (IMC) simulations to determine the evolution of the optical properties of muscle during treatments with ethylene glycol and glucose. The results obtained with the measurements already provide some information about the optical clearing treatments applied to the muscle and translate the mechanisms of turning the tissue more transparent and sequence of regimes of optical clearing.

Abstract
The goal of the present study is mapping the nature of possible contributions of participatory online platforms in citizen actions that may contribute in the fight against cancer and its associated consequences. The research is based on the analysis of online solidarity networks, namely the ones residing on Facebook and the blogosphere, that citizens have been gradually resorting to. The research is also based on the development of newer and more efficient solutions that provide the individual (directly or indirectly affected by issues of oncology) with the means to overcome feelings of impotence and fatality. In this chapter, the authors summarize the processes of usage of these decentralized, freer participatory platforms by citizens and institutions, while attempting to unravel existing hype and stigma; the authors also provide a first survey of the importance and the role of institutions in this kind of endeavor; lastly, they present a prototype, developed in the context of the present study that is specifically dedicated to addressing oncology through social media. © 2013, IGI Global.

Abstract
The feasibility of the MicroGrid (MG) concept, as the pathway for integrating Electric Vehicles (EV) and other Distributed energy Resources (DER), has been the focus of several research projects around the world. However, developments have been mainly demonstrated through numerical simulation. Regarding effective smart grid deployment, strong effort is required in demonstration activities, addressing the feasibility of innovative control solutions and the need of specific communication requirements. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to provide an integrated overview of the laboratorial infrastructure under development at INESC Porto, where it will be possible to conceptualize, implement and test the performance of new control and management concepts for Smart Grid cells. The laboratorial infrastructure integrates two experimental MG, including advanced prototypes for power conditioning units to be used in micro generation applications, batteries for energy storage and a fully controlled bidirectional power converter. Preliminary experimental results and organization of the infrastructure are presented.

Abstract
A new type of optical probe based on laser Doppler self-mixing technology, for a truly non-contact measurement in a single location, and extraction of the temporal features of the distension wave in the arterial wall, was developed. The monitoring of temporal features allows the assessment of cardiovascular function when measurement is carried out at the carotid artery. An algorithm based on the short-time Fourier transform and empirical mode decomposition was applied to the test setup self-mixing signals for the determination of waveform features, with an accuracy of a few milliseconds and a root mean square error less than 3 ms. In vivo testing signals show great consistency in the measured pulse pressure waveform.

Abstract
Electrical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, has been proving efficacy and utility in a wide range of areas, from the characterization of biological tissues to living organisms. Several commercial solutions, with high precision and resolution, are available. Nonetheless, the typical equipments are expensive, unfeasible for in vivo and in field applications and unspecific for concrete applications. These features, together with the lately demands in the vegetal field, fundament this work. Actually, the fast spread of asymptomatic forest diseases, with no cure available to date, such as the pinewood disease, PWD, constitute a problem of economical and forestall huge proportions. Herein is proposed a portable EIS system, for biological applications, able to perform AC current or voltage scans within a selectable frequency range. The procedure and the results obtained for a population of 24 young pine trees (Pinus pinaster Aiton) are also presented. Pine trees were kept in a controlled environment and were inoculated with the nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Nickle), that causes the PWD, and also with bark beetles (Tomicus destruens Wollaston). Some degree of discrimination between different physiological states was achieved. These results may constitute a first innovative approach to the diagnosis of such types of diseases.