Abstract
In this paper it is proposed an interrogation system based on OTDR for fiber loop mirror intensity sensors. The system has been characterized in order to obtain its maximum dynamic range. The technique demonstrated good linearity with a - 13.3 dB/mm slope. A 0.027 mm resolution was achieved. The proposed interrogation system permits multiplexing of around 10 sensors and showed to be an alternative technique for multiplexing and remote sensing.

Abstract
Automated tracking of axonal neurotransmitter vesicles is a challenging problem in neuroscience. The present vesicle tracking is typically performed manually over confocal microscopy images. NeuronDynamics is a method designed to automate and speed-up the characterization of global vesicle movement in neurons while yielding high accuracy and precision results (similar or better than expert clinicians). For a set of fluorescent-marked vesicles "films", NeuronDynamics performs a two stage approach: 1) Training: the system asks the user to mark a set of vesicles and the position of the cellular body; 2) Detection & tracking: based on the previous training, the system runs a Bayesian classifier over the image sequence to detect and classify vesicles and their movements (speed and direction). The obtained results were compared to another state-of-the-art method (FluoTracker), and were found greatly higher in accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and precision. Although NeuronDynamics is a semi-automated process, it is significantly faster than manual tracking and can be adapted to be used for similar approaches for other biological samples.

Abstract

Abstract
High-maturity software development processes, making intensive use of metrics and quantitative methods, such as the Team Software Process (TSP) and the accompanying Personal Software Process (PSP), can generate a significant amount of data that can be periodically analyzed to identify performance problems, determine their root causes and devise improvement actions. However, there is a lack of tool support for automating the data analysis and the recommendation of improvement actions, and hence diminish the manual effort and expert knowledge required. So, we propose in this paper a comprehensive performance model, addressing time estimation accuracy, quality and productivity, to enable the automated (tool based) analysis of performance data produced in the context of the PSP, namely, identify performance problems and their root causes, and subsequently recommend improvement actions. Performance ranges and dependencies in the model were calibrated and validated, respectively, based on a large PSP data set referring to more than 30,000 finished projects. © 2014 ACM.

Abstract
This review is focused on microstructured optical fiber sensors developed in recent years for liquid RI sensing. The review is divided into three parts: the first section introduces a general view of the most relevant refractometric sensors that have been reported over the last thirty years. Section 2 discusses several microstructured optical fiber designs, namely, suspended-core fiber, photonic crystal fiber, large-core air-clad photonic crystal fiber, and others. This part is also divided into two main groups: the interferometric-based and resonance-based configurations. The sensing methods rely either on full/selective filling of the microstructured fiber air holes with a liquid analyte or by simply immersing the sensing fiber into the liquid analyte. The sensitivities and resolutions are tabled at the end of this section followed by a brief discussion of the obtained results. The last section concludes with some remarks about the microstructured fiber-based configurations developed for RI sensing and their potential for future applications. © 2014 by the authors.

Abstract
This work draws upon the theoretical foundations of Special Education for People with Disability, Environmental Education and the Human Computer Interaction (HCI), from the Activity Theory perspective, to propose the MusicPaint software. Initially, the design considerations of MusicPaint are presented. Then, its pilot use by seven students with disability is described. From the qualitative and quantitative evidence of performance that was gathered, the key findings are presented and discussed. Despite the limited number of participants in the experimental validation scenarios, the findings reveal the potentiality of the MusicPaint to enhance the accessibility of students with disability to Environmental Education opportunities, contributing to the HCI-based enhancement of accessibility in the educational settings. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.