Abstract
This work reports a new type of optical fiber tweezers based on polymeric micro-lenses. The lenses are achieved by means of an economical and fast fabrication process, using an in-fiber photo-polymerization technique. The polymerization radiation is guided towards the fiber tip creating a polymeric waveguide. The method allows tailoring the geometry of the tip by adjusting the fabrication parameters. Furthermore, more complex shapes can be fabricated by exploring modal effects at the polymerization/trapping wavelengths, which can be used for different applications such as trapping, beam shaping and patterned illumination.

Abstract
A model based on a set of bibliometric indicators is proposed for the prediction of the ranking of applicants to an academic position as produced by a committee of peers. The results show that a very small number of indicators may lead to a robust prediction of about 75% of the cases. We start with 12 indicators to build a few composite indicators by factor analysis. Following a discrete choice model, we arrive at 3 comparatively good predicative models. We conclude that these models have a surprisingly good predictive power and may help peers in their selection process.

Abstract
An effective analytical model combining geometrical optics with the transfer-matrix theory for stratified optical media is applied to investigate the sensing properties of tapered optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors incorporating Ag-Au bimetallic layers, particularly in the context of phase interrogation. The performance of the sensing structures is studied as a function of the tapering parameters and thickness of the metallic layers. It is shown that the Ag-Au bimetallic combination is capable of improving the resolution and tuning working region of SPR fiber-optic sensors and that by tapering the sensing structures enhanced sensitivity can be achieved when phase interrogation is considered.

Abstract
We developed a system to investigate resonant nonlinear optical interactions in acetylene molecules, confined in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF), using light injection through a low-loss splice from one end of the fiber, allowing us to work at low power. Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) was observed in the 1500 nm telecommunications window.

Abstract
Alloy is a formal modeling language based on first-order relational logic, with no native support for specifying reactive systems. We propose an extension of Alloy to allow the specification of temporal formulas using LTL, and show how they can be verified by bounded model checking with the Alloy Analyzer.

Abstract
The large scale integration of electric vehicles and distributed energy resources on low voltage grids might cause serious problems related to, for instance, under/over voltages and line overloading. In order to cope with these problems, this paper presents a multi agent system (MAS) developed to dynamically schedule flexible loads on low voltage grids, preventing operation limit violations. Since different geographical positions of the loads in the grid will cause a different impact on the grid, load flow calculations are used to indicate operation limit violations. The application uses a decentralized algorithm which ensures similar chances of being scheduled to the customer loads using a priority scheme. A case study is carried out on a 70-bus feeder where electric vehicle loads are scheduled to prevent under voltages, showing the applicability of the approach.