Abstract
Solving complex optimization problems with genetic algorithms (GAs) with custom computing architectures is a way to improve the execution time of this metaheuristic, which is known to consume considerable amounts of time to converge to final solutions. In this work, we present a scalable computing array architecture to accelerate the execution of cellular GAs (cGAs), a variant of genetic algorithms which can conveniently exploit the coarse- grain parallelism afforded by custom parallel processing. The proposed architecture targets Xilinx FPGAs and is used as an auxiliary processor of an embedded CPU (MicroBlaze). To handle different optimization problems, a high- level synthesis (HLS) design flow is proposed where the problem- dependent operations are specified in C++ and synthesised to custom hardware, thus requiring a minimum knowledge of digital design for FPGAs. The minimum energy broadcast (MEB) problem in wireless ad hoc networks is used as a case study. An existing software implementation of a GA to solve this problem is ported to the proposed computing array to demonstrate its effectiveness and the HLS- based design flow. Implementation results in a Virtex- 6 FPGA show significant speedups, while finding solutions with improved quality.

Abstract
This paper describes the lessons learned on the development of educational applications using a Hybrid User Centered Development Methodology (HUCDM). This is a simple, iterative and incremental development process that has as building blocks the principles of User Centered Design (UCD), specified in the International Organization for Standardization 9241-210 - Ergonomics of Human -System Interaction (210: Human -centered design for interactive systems), together with practices and values from agile software development methods. The process consists of four main stages: specification/planning, design, implementation and maintenance. Prototyping and evaluation are carried out across the entire process. By developing a application in a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) we were able to learn several lessons that may be useful for other educational software developers such as the need to involve the user in the evaluation (as verifier), but also to integrate him into the team, as informant or co-designer. This improves user satisfaction in comparison to involve the user only on the evaluation phase. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.

Abstract
Sectorization means dividing a whole into parts (sectors), a procedure that occurs in many contexts and applications, usually to achieve some goal or to facilitate an activity. The objective may be a better organization or simplification of a large problem into smaller sub-problems. Examples of applications are political districting and sales territory division. When designing/comparing sectors some characteristics such as contiguity, equilibrium and compactness are usually considered. This paper presents and describes new generic measures and proposes a new measure, desirability, connected with the idea of preference. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Abstract

Abstract
In this paper, a new model is developed to optimise the performance of a plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV) aggregator in electricity markets, considering both short- and long-term horizons. EV aggregator as a new player of the power market can aggregate the EVs and manage the charge/discharge of their batteries. The aggregator maximises the profit and optimises EV owners' revenue by applying changes in tariffs to compete with other market players for retaining current customers and acquiring new owners. On this basis, a new approach to calculate the satisfaction/motivation of EV owners and their market participation is proposed in this paper. Moreover, the behaviour of owners to select their supplying company is considered. The aggregator optimises the self-scheduling programme and submits the best bidding/offering strategies to the day-ahead and real-time markets. To achieve this purpose, the day-ahead and real-time energy and reserve markets are modelled as oligopoly markets, in contrast with previous works that utilised perfectly competitive ones. Furthermore, several uncertainties and constraints are taken into account using a two-stage stochastic programing approach, which have not been addressed in previous works. The numerical studies show the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Abstract
A new sensing system for the detection of thermal deterioration of extra virgin olive oil based on long period fibre grating is reported. It is demonstrated the feasibility of long period fibre grating sensor for the analysis of high refractive index edible oils. The detection principle is the wavelength dependence of the attenuation bands of a TiO2-coated long period fibre grating on the changes in the refractive index of the medium surrounding the cladding surface of the optical fibre. The quality of the sensor was tested by measuring the wavelength shift of the attenuation bands in response to thermal deterioration of an edible oil (extra virgin olive oil) with refractive index higher than the fibre cladding. Absorption spectroscopy has allowed the effects of thermal deterioration to be detected, for example, in the decreasing of the absorption band at 677 nm, attributed to chlorophyll A. A detection limit of about 5 min at 180 A degrees C and of about 2 min at 225 A degrees C was observed for the sensing system. The proposed sensing system could lead to the realisation of a biochemical sensor for the food industry. The change in refractive index of extra virgin olive oil as a function of heating time and temperature was systematically measured for the first time.