Abstract
Cognitive Radios (CR) are viewed as a solution for spectrum utilization and management in next generation wireless networks. In order to adapt themselves to the actual communications environment, CR devices require highly flexible baseband processing engines. One of the most relevant operations involved in radio baseband processing is the FFT. This work presents a reconfigurable FFT processor supporting FFT sizes and throughputs required by the most used wireless communication standards. By employing Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration (DPR), the implemented design can adapt the FFT size at run-time and specialize its operation to the immediate communication demands. This translates to hardware savings, enhanced resource usage efficiency and possible power savings. The results obtained for reconfiguration times suggest that DPR techniques are a viable option for designing flexible and adaptable baseband processing components for CR devices.

Abstract
Cyber-physical systems are a network of integrated computational decisional components and physical elements. The integration of computational decisional components with the heterogeneous physical automation systems and devices is not transparent and constitutes a critical challenge for the success of this approach. The objective of the paper is to describe an approach to establish standard interfaces based on the use of the ISO 9506 Manufacturing Message Specification international standard. The proposed approach is exemplified by the construction of a robotic cyber-physical production component that is plug-in in a cyber-physical system for a small-scale production system based on Fischertechnik systems.

Abstract

Abstract
Considering the many significant challenges faced by higher education in contemporary society, gamification and game-based approaches to Education have been gaining protagonism in research as well as in practice. Application of games can encourage-or require-students to apply deeper levels of knowledge and skills, focusing their knowledge acquisition in more than simple memorization and repetition in tests, allowing them to use their new-found knowledge, skills and abilities in problem solving-even if simulated and fairly accessible ones. Unlike traditional assessments, which typically require students to recall or demonstrate basic levels of skills, games and simulations can present students with more authentic environments to demonstrate strategic and critical thinking, which is highly compatible with the "competency model". Through games, learning can also be made more of a social and collaborative activity, which are important 21st century skills. Hence, a model was developed for applying gamification in a course of Human Resources Management of a Masters in Engineering. This model was based on a state of the art research of gamification in higher education, as well as some guidelines and main features of a gamification framework. This paper presents the game system, platform and strategies implemented by the teaching team, comparing the original project with the one actually implemented. Teacher and student reflections on this experience are presented, and guidelines for future practice are brought out, including the biggest blunders and the best features of the game-based approach used in this experience, their causes and consequences. We believe this work can contribute to further game-based approaches in higher education, stimulating reflection and insight for other researchers and practitioners.

Abstract
This work presents a method for the automatic segmentation of metacarpus and phalange bones in ultrasound images of the second metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) using Active Contours. The MCPJ is known to be the one of the first structures to be affected by rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The early detection and follow-up of this disease is important to prevent irreversible damage of the joints, which occurs continuously and faster if no treatment is used. To our knowledge, there is no automatic system to quantify the extension of the lesions resulting from rheumatic activity. The objective of this work is to identify the metacarpus and the phalange bones using local active contours. To our knowledge, there is no well established method for this problem and this technique has not been used yet in these structures. Results proved that the automatic segmentation is possible with an error of 3 pixels for a confidence of 80%.

Abstract
A label-free fiber optic biosensor based on a long period grating (LPG) and a basic optical interrogation scheme using off the shelf components is used for the detection of in-situ DNA hybridization. A new methodology is proposed for the determination of the spectral position of the LPG mode resonance. The experimental limit of detection obtained for the DNA was 62 +/- 2 nM and the limit of quantification was 209 +/- 7 nM. The sample specificity was experimentally demonstrated using DNA targets with different base mismatches relatively to the probe and was found that the system has a single base mismatch selectivity.