Abstract
The evolution of tourism websites is converging to a set of features and best practices that are becoming standard, in such a way that developing a template and later customizing it to a given tourist region is becoming feasible. A very important feature in this kind of site is showing the touristic suggestions of what the tourist can find in the destination, optimally personalized for him/her. One problem in deploying such functionality however is the lack of user experience data suited to perform data mining when a new site is launched. This paper proposes a solution, customizable to any touristic region, that harnesses the information available in Flickr, crossing it with a Point of Interest (POI) database and using Google Prediction API (Application Programming Interface) to generate personalized travel suggestions, based on the geographical itinerary the user defined with a trip planner tool. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
A large-core air-clad photonic crystal fiber-based sensing structure is described, which is sensitive to refractive index. The sensing head is based on multimodal interference, and relies on a single-mode/large-core air-clad photonic crystal fiber (PCF)/single-mode fiber configuration. Using two distinct large-core air-clad PCF geometries-one for refractive index measurement and the other for temperature compensation, it was possible to implement a sensing head sensitive to refractive index changes in water as induced by temperature variations. The results indicated the high sensitivity of this sensing head to refractive index variations of water, and a resolution of 3: 4 x 10(-5) refractive index units could be achieved. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

Abstract
This paper is on variable-speed wind turbines with permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). A three-mass drive train model and two different topologies for the power-electronic converters are considered. The two topologies considered are a matrix and a multilevel converter. A fractional-order control strategy is proposed for the wind turbines. Computer simulation results are presented to illustrate the behavior of the wind turbines during a converter control malfunction. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
The agent technology provides a new way to design and engineer control solutions based on the decentralization of control over distributed structures, addressing the current requirements for modern control systems in industrial domains. This paper presents the current situation of the development and deployment of agent technology, discussing the initiatives and the current trends faced for a wider dissemination and industrial adoption, based on the work that is being carried out by the IEEE IES Technical Committee on Industrial Agents. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract
The applicability of FPGAs as memory engines capable of sophisticated and customizable memory traversal, selection, and relocation operations common in scientific computations involving large, pointer-based data structures, is explored. The experimental work illustrates that, despite their clock speed handicap, FPGAs can be successfully integrated with traditional architectures. The nonleaf nodes, or internal nodes, can have up to four children nodes, either internal nodes or simple leaf nodes. A hardware design supporting the execution of computations that traverse data structures must also support relocation. It is found that for string-pattern matching, the design aggressively exploits parallelism by concurrently testing the various patterns. For the sparse-mesh data structure, the implementation is completely memory bound despite a pipelining execution strategy.

Abstract
This paper presents and discusses a new bibliometric indicator of research performance, designed with the fundamental concern of enabling cross-disciplinary comparisons. The indicator, called x-index, compares a researcher's output to a reference set of research output from top researchers, identified in the journals where the researcher has published. It reflects publication quantity and quality, uses a moderately sized data set, and works with a more refined definition of scientific fields. x-index was developed to rank researchers in a scientific excellence award in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. The data set collected for the 2009 edition of the award is used to study the indicator's features and design choices, and provides the basis for a discussion of its advantages and limitations.