Abstract
This paper presents a performance evaluation of a multiband-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MBOFDM) ultra-wideband (UWB) signal transmission over two types of perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (PFGI-POFs) with diameters of 62.5 µm and 120 µm, using a lowcost optical transceiver. Experimental measurements of packet error rate (PER) and minimum transmitted powers to achieve the maximum allowed PER show that it is possible to have a viable transmission at data rates of 480 Mbps, 200 Mbps and 53.3Mbps over 100, 150 and 200 meters of PF-GI-POF, respectively, preceded by a 1 meter wireless link. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
Intelligent care for the future is the IntelliCare project's main priority. This paper describes the design of a generic multi-agent framework for coordination of intelligent assistive technologies. The paper overviews technologies and software systems suitable for context awareness and housekeeping tasks, especially for performing a multi-robot cleaning-task activity. It also describes conducted work in the design of a multi-agent platform for coordination of intelligent assistive technologies. Instead of using traditional robot odometry estimation methods, we have tested an independent indoor localization system for real-time localization. We conducted an experiment in two steps: first, creating and testing interaction interfaces with and between robotic systems, and secondly, wrapping all in a multi-agent system, defining a vacuuming-cleaning ontology. With the pose data from an indoor localization system, is it possible to compare with real robot positions. From this, we can make some platform assumptions regarding heterogeneous robot cooperation, by thinking further i.e. sharing workspace with humans.

Abstract
In the recent years, sol-gel films have been intensively used in optical sensors configurations. Due to its hydrophobic nature, ormosil films have been reported to be a promising supporting matrix for oxygen sensing dyes for measurements in aqueous media. In this work, the impact of the sol-gel host fabrication parameters in the characteristics of the resulting oxygen sensing membranes is thoroughly evaluated. Different combinations of organic-inorganic precursors, with different aging times, were tested as oxygen sensors. All the solution were doped with ruthenium complex Ru(II)-tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10- phenanthroline) to introduce oxygen sensitivity. Thin films were produced by dip coating of glass slides. The oxygen sensitive films were tested in aqueous phase in equilibrium with different oxygen gas compositions, using a phase-modulation technique. Sensor performance parameters such as Stern-Volmer constant, quenching efficiency and lifetime response are reported. The data obtained clearly indicates that increased aging times and longer organic groups produce sensors with the highest sensitivity to dissolved oxygen. From all sol-gel films produced, the BTEOS:TEOS (1:1) mixture is the most promising for sensor construction. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.

Abstract
In the field of aqueous environment studies, long-period fiber gratings are very attractive for the real-time monitoring of physical parameters, such as temperature and salinity. However, due to the fiber jacket removal, these are fragile devices when applied in real conditions, where mechanical loads and contamination with algae and other organic materials must be taken into account. This work describes a refractive index sensing head that has been developed and characterized for in situ measurement of water salinity and resistance to hard conditions.

Abstract
The potential manager-investor conflict of interests in mutual funds is a classic agency problem. Using a database from Portugal, we show that mutual funds tend to overweight the stocks issued by their parent and underweigh the stocks of competitors. This cannot be explained by performance, risk, securities' characteristics or information advantage; funds invest in the stock of their parent company especially when there is widespread selling, and avoid selling them when the stock is experiencing low performance. This agency relationship is costly for fund investors: compared with the competitor's stock, the parent's stock underperforms after being acquired by the fund. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Abstract
In this work the authors propose a pure pheromonebased implementation of a CyberRescue agent. In this sense, virtual pheromones are used to represent the agent's internal representation of the world. They can be repulsive or attractive and therefore useful for exploration, collision avoidance and world analysis. The project's goal is to evaluate this approach suitability in the aforementioned competition's context. To accomplish this, the authors have created a fully pheromone-based agent and inserted it in CyberRescue's competition, evaluating its behavior by the contest's rules. This approach yields excellent results in open maps, even when wall placement is complex. On the other hand, the agent's behavior is unstable and limited when it has to cross narrow corridors to explore new areas and find the goal. In the competition's context, it proves itself as being an excellent exploratory strategy with a very low collision rate, while allowing the agents to successfully complete a considerable amount of maps. This article gives an overview of the design and implementation processes, while evaluating each characteristic's benefits and shortcomings