Abstract
In the last few years the word "documentary" has been loosely used to describe multimedia pieces that incorporate video no matter its nature, technique, language or scope, taking advantage of the fuzzy and fragile boundaries of the documentary definition. The present manifesto aims to give a brief insight on the interactive documentary arena and also to sketch some production remarks for future interactive documentary productions.

Abstract
This work presents a volumetric approach to reconstruct and characterise 3D models of external anatomical structures from 2D images. Volumetric methods represent the final volume using a finite set of 3D geometric primitives, usually designed as voxels. Thus, from an image sequence acquired around the object to reconstruct, the images are calibrated and the 3D models of the referred object are built using different approaches of volumetric methods. The final goal is to analyse the accuracy of the obtained models when modifying some of the parameters of the considered volumetric methods, such as the type of voxel projection (rectangular or accurate), the way the consistency of the voxels is tested (only silhouettes or silhouettes and photo-consistency) and the initial size of the reconstructed volume.

Abstract
In this paper we present an application using an evolutionary algorithm for real-time generation of polyphonic drum loops in a particular style. The population of rhythms is derived from analysis of MIDI drum loops, which profile each style for subsequent automatic generation of rhythmic patterns that evolve over time through genetic algorithm operators and user input data. © 2010 Gilberto Bernardes et al.

Abstract
The non-invasive assessment of hemodynamic parameters has been a permanent challenge posed to the scientific community. The literature shows many contributions to this quest expressed as algorithms dedicated to revealing some of its characteristics and as new probes or electronics, featuring some enhanced instrumental capability that can improve their insight. A test system capable of replicating some of the basic properties of the cardiovascular system, especially the ones related with the propagation of the arterial pressure wave (APW), is a powerful tool in the development of those probes and in the validation of the various algorithms that extract clinically relevant information from the data that they can collect. This work describes a test bench system, based on the combination of a new programmable pressure wave generator with a flexible tube, capable of emulating some of these properties. It discusses its main characterization issues and demonstrates the system in a relevant case study. Two versions of the system have been set up: one that generates a short duration pulse-like pressure wave from an actuator operated in a switched mode, appropriate to system characterization; a second one, using a long stroke actuator, linearly operated under program control, capable of generating complex, including cardiac-like, pressure waveforms. This configuration finds its main use in algorithm test and validation. Tests with a new piezoelectric probe, designed to collect the APW at the major artery sites are shown, demonstrating the possibility of non-invasive precise recovery of the pressure waveform.

Abstract
Local pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is an accurate indicator of the degree of arteriosclerosis (stiffness) in an artery, providing a direct characterization of the properties of its wall. Devices currently available for local PWV measurement are mainly based on ultrasound systems and have not yet been generalized to clinical practice since they require high technical expertise and most of them are limited in precision, due to the lack of reliable signal processing methods. The present work describes a new type of probe, based on a double-headed piezoelectric (PZ) sensor. The principle of PWV measurement involves determination of the pulse transit time between the signals acquired simultaneously by both PZs, placed 23 mm apart. The double probe (DP) characterization is accomplished in three main studies, carried out in a dedicated test bench system, capable of reproducing a range of clinically relevant properties of the cardiovascular system. The first study refers to determination of the impulse response (IR) for each PZ sensor, whereas the second one explores the existence of crosstalk between both transducers. In the last one, DP time resolution is inferred from a set of three different algorithms based on (a) the maximum of cross-correlation function, (b) the maximum amplitude detection and (c) the zero-crossing point identification. These values were compared with those obtained by the reference method, which consists of the simultaneous acquisition of pressure waves by means of two pressure sensors. The new probe demonstrates good performance on the test bench system and results show that the signals do not exhibit crosstalk. A good agreement was also verified between the PWV obtained from the DP signals (19.55 +/- 2.02 ms(-1)) and the PWV determined using the reference method (19.26 +/- 0.04 ms(-1)). Although additional studies are still required, this probe seems to be a valid alternative to local PWV stand-alone devices.

Abstract
We developed and tested the performance of a new wavelet based algorithm for Augmentation Index (AIx) determination. The evaluation method relies on reference cardiac-like pulses that are synthesized using a weighted combination of exponentially shaped sub-pulses that represent the three main components of real pulses: the systolic stroke, its reflected replica and the carotid reservoir or windkessel effect. The pulses are parameterized so as to reproduce the main types of cardiac waveforms. The values of AIx yielded by the new algorithm are compared with the ones computed directly from the synthesized waveform and with the values produced by standard Probability Density Function (PDF) analysis.