Abstract
In this paper, direct UV-laser writing was used to produce channel waveguides and diffraction gratings on thin films of siliceous-based organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The optical quality of the films surface was studied by light scattering measurements. The produced Y-power splitters, optical filters and Fabry-Perot cavities were experimentally characterized for propagation in the near infrared spectral region. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
An intrinsic Fabry-Perot cavity for high temperature and strain measurement is presented. The in-fibre cavity is formed by a chemical etched graded index optical fiber spliced to a single mode fiber. The intrinsic sensor obtained shows high sensitivity to strain (6.2 pm/mu epsilon) and rather low sensitivity to temperature (0.9 pm/degrees C), being suitable for applications as a strain gauge at high temperature.

Abstract
This paper presents a genetic algorithm to optimize uni-objective problems with an infinite number of optimal solutions. The algorithm uses the maximin concept and epsilon-dominance to promote diversity over the admissible space. The proposed algorithm is tested with two well-known functions. The practical results of the algorithm are in good agreement with the optimal solutions of these functions. Moreover, the proposed optimization method is also applied in two practical real-world engineering optimization problems, namely, in radio frequency circuit design and in kinematic optimization of a parallel robot. In all the cases, the algorithm draws a set of optimal solutions. This means that each problem can be solved in several different ways, all with the same maximum performance.

Abstract
Nowadays most of the transmission systems' operating conditions are more stressed due to the introduction of a competitive environment in the power system industry and the regulatory changes causing the unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution, the environmental concerns, which limit the construction of new transmission lines and generation capacity, and the strong incentives to the generation through renewable energy sources. The use of methodologies that take advantage of the actual real-time conditions in combination with past knowledge is extremely interesting in the system operation's environment, because it gives a more accurate overview to the control room operators allowing them to prevent harmful situations. Obviously, this type of methodologies has received even more interest after the large disturbances which occurred in recent years, because they increase the awareness about the risk of unpredictable disturbances. Recent international data show that the frequency of large blackouts has increased and also that simple initiating faults can have very severe consequences. References [1-4] present a few examples of severe disturbances, which occurred in the recent past. Despite all the efforts being done regarding supervisory practices, operation strategies and protection and control systems' improvements, it is technically and economically impossible to eradicate major disturbances and blackouts. They will be a permanent threat to the electrical power systems, making incident analysis a crucial activity. The risk assessment methodology that is being developed is composed of two parts: probability of occurrence and severity for all contingencies under analysis. This paper aims to present the complete probabilistic model used to calculate the probability of occurrence of contingencies, including overhead lines, transformers and busbars. N-2 common cause contingencies are also considered for faults caused by lightning and forest fires.

Abstract
We propose the use of inverse scattering for the design of filters, in microstrip technology, with a specified reflective group delay response. The inverse scattering is performed using the layer peeling algorithm. The method is simple and easily implemented numerically . To validate the method, filters with a reflective linear group delay were designed and implemented. The simulation and measurement results are shown to agree well the target response. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
Over the past few years, agent concepts have been introduced as an option to increase the network lifetime reducing the data dissemination over the network and to provide application reprogramming functionalities in wireless sensor networks (WSN). However, one important problem is the presented results of energy consumption do not reveal the practical energy consumption, because usually the setting parameters does not correspond the sensor nodes characteristics, or they ignore at least one of the three main domains: radio communication, sensing and data processing. In this paper we propose a BDI-Agent model with coordination without communication for a WSN using target tracking as the motivational application. The goal is to exercise this model to assess potential benefits of using BDI-agent concepts in wireless sensor networks applications.