Abstract
In this work, a multiwavelength fiber Raman laser based on a highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber loop mirror is presented. A laser resonator is formed when the Raman amplification with cooperative Rayleigh scattering in a dispersion-compensating fiber is used as a distributed mirror and combined with a photonic crystal fiber loop mirror filtering structure. Stable multiwavelength lasing at room temperature is achieved due to the low temperature sensitivity of the highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber.

Abstract
There is a need to overcome problems resulting from disconnected and fragmented healthcare and social assistance services when it comes to provide integrated care services for the elderly. The concept of integrated care services requires healthcare information services, such as Electronic Health Record, to be up and running not only in hospitals and other healthcare units, but also in social assistance institutions since they take on an important role in providing care for the elderly. This paper proposes a reference model that identifies the processes, procedures and concepts inherent to the functioning of social assistance institutions. This model coupled with an implementation architecture whose flexibility and modularity allows for the gradual development of applications and components reuse. This makes possible to introduce and adapt information services through the involvement of the care providers in a sector that traditionally has had difficulties to incorporate Information and Communication Technology. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
Component's QoS constraints cannot be ignored when composing them to build reliable loosely-coupled, distributed systems. Therefore they should be explicitly taken into account in any formal model for component-based development. Such is the purpose of this paper: to extend a calculus of component composition to deal, in an effective way, with QoS constraints. Particular emphasis is put on how the laws that govern composition can be derived, in a calculational, pointfree style, in this new model.

Abstract

Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at 1060 nm region proved to be a successful alternative in ophthalmology not only for resolving intraretinal layers, but also for enabling sufficient penetration to monitor the sub-retinal vasculature in the choroids when compared to most commonly used OCT imaging systems at 800 nm region. To encourage further clinical research at this particular wavelength, we have developed a compact fiber optic source based on amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) centered at similar to 1060 nm with similar to 70 nm spectral bandwidth at full-width half maximum (FWHM) and output power >20 mW. Our approach is based on a combination of slightly shifted ASE emission spectra from a combination of two rare-earth doped fibers (Ytterbium and Neodymium). Spectral shaping and power optimization have been achieved using in-fiber filtering solutions. We have tested the performances of the source in an OCT system optimized for this wavelength.

Abstract
The paper presents a method for the analysis and design of industrial production systems based on a joint assessment of the cost and the quality of service. The operation of a production system is seen as the accomplishment of a sequence of missions, each one corresponding to the cost-effective production and delivery of a specified quantity of products within a specified time frame. The paper shows that the probability of successfully accomplishing a mission is a non-linear function of the cumulative production downtime and that this time cannot be obtained using conventional Markov based techniques. The paper also introduces an analytical model and a procedure that allows the density function of the downtime to be obtained and shows how, using these tools, the production costs and the quality of service may be assessed and related to the internal design of the shop floor. The method seems to be particularly valuable in the analysis of production systems integrated in just-in-time supply chains, in which the reliability of the deliveries is an outstanding requirement.