Abstract
A fiber optic interrogation sensor scheme based on a "figure-of-eight" configuration created from a single directional 3 x 3 fiber optic coupler is proposed. Two loops are formed in each arm and one of them contains the sensing head and the other is used as reference signal. A theoretical study based on Jones matrix analysis of this fiber loop mirror combination is reported. The optical configuration is tested as an interrogation scheme for a fiber strain sensor where the spectral response arises from the combination of the reference signal modulated by the sensor signal. The strain sensor configuration shows a phase sensitivity of 6.7 +/- 4.38 x 10(-2) mrad/mu strain by linear regression.

Abstract

Abstract
We describe the portable and efficient implementation of coinductive logic programming found in Logtalk, discussing its features and limitations. As Logtalk uses as a back-end compiler a compatible Prolog system, we also discuss the status of key Prolog features for an efficient and usable implementation of coinduction. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract
The customer experience is important for adding value to firms' offerings but two challenges arise: the customer experience is increasingly created through interactions with product-service systems (PSSs) and it is formed through all moments of interaction with multiple firms. Incorporating customer experience requirements (ERs) into the design of PSSs is therefore a complex task. To address this challenge, this paper presents an extension of the Kansei engineering method consisting of two components. First, the extension includes an in-depth study of the customer experience from a holistic perspective that informs the design process. Second, it involves the active participation of multidisciplinary experts from the different partner companies that together enable the PSS offering. An application of this new extension is presented for mid-distance bus trips, involving passengers, a vehicle manufacturing and a transport provider company. The research followed design-science guidelines using an action research approach to develop new public transportation PSS concepts by involving a multidisciplinary design team. The customer experience study enables the team adequately incorporate ERs along the development process, and the joint work of the intercompany team of experts enables integration of the different PSS elements into a solution that enhances the travel experience from a holistic perspective.

Abstract
In this paper we present a set of field tests for detection of human in the water with an unmanned surface vehicle using infrared and color cameras. These experiments aimed to contribute in the development of victim target tracking and obstacle avoidance for unmanned surface vehicles operating in marine search and rescue missions. This research is integrated in the work conducted in the European FP7 research project Icarus aiming to develop robotic tools for large scale rescue operations. The tests consisted in the use of the ROAZ unmanned surface vehicle equipped with a precision GPS system for localization and both visible spectrum and IR cameras to detect the target. In the experimental setup, the test human target was deployed in the water wearing a life vest and a diver suit (thus having lower temperature signature in the body except hands and head) and was equipped with a GPS logger. Multiple target approaches were performed in order to test the system with different sun incidence relative angles. The experimental setup, detection method and preliminary results from the field trials performed in the summer of 2013 in Sesimbra, Portugal and in La Spezia, Italy are also presented in this work.

Abstract
In the era of high competition with E-commerce and online shops, brick-and-mortar retail industry seeks new opportunities to enhance shopping experience through engaging technologies. Even though retailers are applying their omnichannel strategies to attract more shoppers through technology-driven solutions including websites, mobile apps, and so forth, we find that these technologies are somewhat basic and do not represent the "disruptive" innovations. Along with these current technologies, retailers should leverage their store physical real estate, and transform it into immersive store environments (ISEs) that allow shoppers to navigate in 3D store aisles through rich media interface ported onto networked devices. Therefore, we propose our own study of what ISE use-cases are most desirable by customers and retailers in such contexts; we describe the implementation of our cloud-based interactive shopping interface for ISE, before discussing the promising results of its deployment in a "real-world" store. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.