Abstract
Functional programs often combine separate parts using intermediate data structures for communicating results. These programs are modular, easier to understand and maintain, but suffer from inefficiencies due to the generation of those gluing data structures. To eliminate such redundant data structures, some program transformation techniques have been proposed. One such technique is shortcut fusion, and has been studied in the context of both pure and monadic functional programs. Recently, we have extended standard shortcut fusion: in addition to intermediate structures, the program parts may now communicate context information, and it still is possible to eliminate those structures. This is achieved by transforming the original function composition into a circular program. This new technique, however, has been studied in the context of purely functional programs only. In this paper, we propose an extension to this new form of fusion,but in the context of monadic programming: we derive monadic circular p ograms from strict ones, maintaining the global effects. Later, the circularities in the derived programs are traded by highorder definitions, using a well-known program transformation technique. We finally obtain very efficient deforested programs. An important feature of our extensions is that they can beuniformly defined for a wide class of data types and monads, using generic calculation rules. ©2009 ACM.

Abstract
This papers addresses the dynamic characterization of the autonomous underwater vehicle MARES. The paper presents the main dynamic properties of this underwater robotic platform as well as the procedures employed to obtain the parameters that define the vehicle model. Furthermore, the paper also presents a detailed characterization of the elementary motions that this vehicle is able to perform.

Abstract
We discuss and compare several concepts of optical cryptographic systems currently being proposed to improve communication security, their strong points and weaknesses. We will focus on approaches based on chaos synchronization.

Abstract
In this paper we discuss the development and clinical evaluation of a wireless platform for health signs sensing. The sensors measure physical activity, ECG, blood oxygen saturation, temperature and respiratory rate. An important aspect of the approach is that the sensors are integrated into one waist-worn device. A mobile phone collects data from this device and uses data fusion in the scope of a decision support system to trigger additional measurements, classify health conditions or schedule future observations. In these decisions, the user's current physical activity plays an important role as the validity of many health signs measurements is strongly related to physical activity. Due to the integration of the sensors and the use of data fusion it is possible to accurately identify health risks and to react promptly. During clinical trials, for which proper ethical approval was obtained, the system was used by healthy elderly volunteers in Limerick (Ireland) and Ancona (Italy). Results of these trials are also discussed in this paper.

Abstract
"Lameiros" are ancestral semi-natural meadows, essential elements of mountain landscapes in Northern Portugal. In the "lameiros" a traditional irrigation system is used and water is applied all year around. They are mainly used for forage production for autochthonous bovine feeding, but they are also important for the water and nutrients cycle regulation, erosion control and as barrier to forest fires propagation. Although recognized for their economical, environmental, landscaping, cultural and genetic value, the perpetuation of these "lameiros" could be at risk, at medium term, due to human desertification in the mountain regions and to the announced constraints in use of water resources. To preserve these landscapes it is essential to know them better and to better characterize them. Therefore a monitoring program using remote sensing tools is now being developed to evaluate different patterns of "lameiros", and their spatial extent and evolution. Two important questions are determinant in this program: the selection of the most appropriate spatial resolution for monitoring "lameiros", and the availability of satellite historical data. In this context, NDVI were compared in two selected test sites, with and without full irrigation. Data were derived from several field campaigns with a spectroradiometer and using different sensors: i) Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 (30m pixel), ii) SPOT 4 and SPOT 2 (20m pixel), iii) SPOT 5 (10m pixel). The NDVI temporal series produced were evaluated considering "lameiros" management and weather data. Results obtained so far indicate that the SPOT images provide data at the most adequate scale.

Abstract
Assistive technology enables people to achieve independence in the accomplishment of their daily tasks and enhance their quality of life. Navigation systems to assist visually impaired people that use computer vision techniques are very resource intensive and as such, not suitable for mobile devices. This work describes a computer vision algorithm intended to reduce processing demands with possible application in portable devices. The model proposed employs 2D-Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (2D-EEMD) in order to reduce the problem complexity. It uses a combination of Peano-Hilbert space filling curves as a dimension reduction of image data and EEMD to implement a fast algorithm. Tests results have shown that Peano-Hilbert EEMD exhibits substantially reduced processing power compared with 2D-EEMD approaches, enabling new opportunities for its use in portable applications on low computer power devices.