Abstract
We describe an integrated methodology to compute long-term marginal prices in distribution networks. Long-term marginal prices are considered the most interesting and economically sound way of allocating network costs to users. Additionally, they inherently deal with the revenue-reconciliation problem, as they generally do not require other large supplementary tariff terms. The proposed methodology uses fuzzy sets to model uncertainties in load forecasts and considers several criteria to guide the identification of solutions. At the end, there is a final decision-making step to select the most adequate expansion plan according to the preferences of the decision-maker.

Abstract
It is typical for cycles of iteration to be used to refine the current state of the design of a system so that it more closely meets its requirements. Such refinements are in terms of the original requirements specification and any new requirements that have been identified during this process. However, not all defined requirements are equally essential, particularly in high consequence systems where there are issues of dependability. Although descriptive methods for scenario analysis can be used to highlight new requirements, it can be difficult to evaluate the impact of these new requirements. In this paper, we exemplify this problem and investigate how numeric methods can be used to highlight the impact of consequences identified by descriptive scenario analysis. An example from the context of human reliability analysis is presented and dependability issues for system design are considered.

Abstract
We present a novel method to study the behaviour of the optical propel-ties of photopolymer materials with temperature. The photopolymer is deposited on the tip of optical fibres by dip coating to fabricate low-finesse Fabry-Perot microcavities. The signal processing technique utilized to interrogate the cavity is based on the generation of two quadrature phase-shifted interferometric signals using two Bragg fibre gratings. This technique enables the determination of the values of the thermo-optical coefficient and the linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the photopolymer. The effectiveness of the processing technique is also exploited in the study of the dependence of the temperature sensitivity on the cavity thickness.

Abstract
An optical fiber interferometer for measuring the d(33) coefficient of piezoelectric samples is described. Its configuration is based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and a double incidence on the thin-film samples successfully suppresses the undesirable bending effect of the substrate. Detection of the small displacement is based on an active homodyne scheme. Results are reported for a bulk piezoelectric transducer (PZT) sample and a PZT thin-film incorporated in a microactuator. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract
This paper describes the general methodology that should be adopted to develop impact evaluation studies in distribution networks in case of connection of large amounts of dispersed generation (DG). It contains a description regarding the characterization of scenarios to be analyzed, problems to be addressed and tools to be used. Results from the analysis of a real network, where a large amount of dispersed generation (cogeneration) exists, are described. Technical issues to be tackled in the future and conclusions obtained from the studied examples are included.

Abstract
Field-Programmable-Core-Arrays (FPCA) will include various computing cores for a wide variety of applications ranging from DSP to general purpose computing. With the increasing gap between core computing speeds and memory access latency, managing and orchestrating the movement of data across multiple cores will become increasingly important. In this paper we propose data reorganization engines that allow a wide variety of data reorganizations intra- as well as inter-memory modules for future FPCAs. We have experimented with a suite of data reorganizations pervasive in DSP applications. Our limited set of experiments reveals that the proposed designs for these engines are flexile and use little design area in current FPGA fabrics, making them amenable to be easily integrated in future FPCAs as either soft- or hard- macros.