Abstract
Sorting is an important operation for many embedded computing systems. Since sorting large datasets may slowdown the overall execution, schemes to speedup sorting operations are needed. Bearing in mind the hardware acceleration of sorting, we show in this paper an analysis and comparison among three hardware sorting units: Sorting Network, Insertion Sorting, and FIFO-based Merge Sorting. We focus on embedded computing systems implemented with FPGAs, which give us the flexibility to accommodate customized hardware sorting units. We also present a hardware/software solution for sorting data sets with size larger than the size of the sorting unit. This hardware/software solution achieves 20x overall speedup over a pure software implementation of the well-known quicksort algorithm.

Abstract
A micrometric Fabry-Perot refractometer based on an end-of-fiber polymer tip is proposed. The fiber tip, with a length of 36 mu m, was fabricated by self-guiding photopolymerization. The two-wave interferometric operation was achieved by combining the light waves generated at the interface between the single-mode fiber and the polymer tip, and at the fiber tip end (Fresnel reflection). The Fabry-Perot interferometer is coherence addressed and heterodyne interrogated, resulting into a liquid refractive index resolution of approximate to 7.5 x 10(-4). (C) 2009 Optical Society of America

Abstract
Nowadays soccer is more than a sport, it is a business industry. Providing financial support to a senior team is a constant challenge for club managers. Flaying this in mind the most relevant factors for a club's life are the game results. They can ensure, amongst other aspects, the continuity of a soccer coach. As a consequence of that, systems supporting decisions represent fundamental tools not only for match' analysis but also to support training sessions. In the literature most academic advances are camera-based solutions and still face some technical issues like occlusion problems and high computational demands. This research project presents new portable and inexpensive soccer analysis software using as base a Wi-Fi real-time tracking system able to identify typical player movements all over a penalty box. The data gathered over a training session constitutes good results especially in what concerns accuracy, thus confirming its robustness and applicability as a tool for scientific soccer analysis and as a valuable support for practical soccer training session. In the future the usage of high-end wireless equipment will increase the system's accuracy and also the coverable area.

Abstract
Prolog is the most; well-known and widely used logic programming language. A large number of Prolog applications maintains information by asserting and retracting clauses from the database. Such dynamic predicates raise a number of issues for Prolog implementations, such as what are the semantics of a procedure where clauses can be retracted and asserted while the procedure is being executed. One advantage of Logical Update semantics is that it allows indexing. In this paper, we discuss how one call implement just-in-time indexing with Logical Update semantics. Our algorithm is based on two ideas: stable structure and fragmented index trees. By stable structure one means that we define a structure for the indexing tree that not change, even as we assert and as we retract clauses. Second, by fragmented index tree we mean that the indexing tree will be built in such a way that the updates will be local to each fragment. The algorithm was implemented and results indicate significant speedups and reduction of memory usage in test applications.

Abstract

Abstract
Phase-shifted Bragg Grating Waveguide filters were formed in bulk glass for the first time by femtosecond laser direct writing. A narrow, tunable 0.1-nm transmission window at 1550-nm is demonstrated for tunable p and other phase-shifts. © 2009 Optical Society of America.