Abstract
In practice, there are several processes which are exhibiting oscillatory behaviour. Some representatives are disk-drive heads, robot arms, cranes and power-electronics. One of techniques, aimed at reducing the oscillations, is Posicast Input Command Shaping (PICS) method. The paper combines the PICS method and Magnitude Optimum Multiple Integration (MOMI) tuning method for PID controllers. The combination of both methods significantly improves the speed and stability of the closed-loop tracking responses. Moreover, the proposed approach is relatively simple for implementation in practice and can be used either on process time-response data or on the process model in frequency-domain.

Abstract
The metabolic disorder which entails the absent or reduced control of blood glucose in the body by means of insulin dependence (Type1) or intolerance (Type 2) affects more than 366 million people in 2011. This represents an increase of 28% new cases in one year. Diabetes Mellitus has become the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries, and continues to increase in numbers and significance, as economic development and urbanization lead to changing lifestyles characterized by reduced physical activity, and increased obesity. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), is based on a set of technologies which aims to provide an enhanced support to people's daily life, namely the offer of new solutions for healthcare to improve the quality of life of the population and reduce costs associated with healthcare. This paper presents a Bluetooth prototype low power battery-less wireless sensor communication system capable transmitting the information to a mobile phone or wrist wireless phone. The purpose of the system is to gather routine information from the glucose monitoring system proposed by Leal, et al and interact with systems like Ambient Assisted Living from Martins, et al. (C) 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Programme Committee of the 4th International Conference on Software Development for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion (DSAI 2012)

Abstract
This paper presents a piezoresistive pressure sensor with a measurement span of 1MPa and capable to withstand peak pressures around 10MPa. The sensor design, based on a square membrane, was optimized for enhanced sensitivity, high linearity and low sensitivity variations between fabricated samples. Being the asymmetry of the mechanical stress peaks, the ratio between the membrane area and its thickness, and the tolerances of the bulk micromachining process considered for the optimal positioning of the piezoresistive sensing elements. Practical results show a mean sensitivity of 30.9mV/V/MPa with a standard deviation of 0.65mV/V/MPa and a linearity error of 0.15% of the scale span. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd....Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Symposium Cracoviense Sp. z.o.o.

Abstract
Despite the benefits of precision agriculture and precision viticulture production systems, its rate of adoption in the Portuguese Douro Demarcated Region remains low. We believe that one way to raise it is to address challenging real-world problems whose solution offers a clear benefit to the viticulturist. For example, one of the most demanding tasks in wine making is harvesting. Even for humans, the environment makes grape detection difficult, especially when the grapes and leaves have a similar color, which is generally the case for white grapes. In this paper, we propose a system for the detection and location, in the natural environment, of bunches of grapes in color images. This system is able to distinguish between white and red grapes, and at the same time, it calculates the location of the bunch stem. The system achieved 97% and 91% correct classifications for red and white grapes, respectively.

Abstract
In this paper the kinematic design of a 6-dof parallel robotic manipulator is analysed. Firstly, the condition number of the inverse kinematic jacobian is considered as the objective function, measuring the manipulator's dexterity and a genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem. In a second approach, a neural network model of the analytical objective function is developed and subsequently used as the objective function in the genetic algorithm optimization search process. It is shown that the neuro-genetic algorithm can find close to optimal solutions for maximum dexterity, significantly reducing the computational burden. The sensitivity of the condition number in the robot's workspace is analysed and used to guide the designer in choosing the best structural configuration. Finally, a global optimization problem is also addressed.

Abstract
Very few developments have been done to provide electric power supply of instrumented hip prosthesis. Actually, vibration-powered generators are the most appropriate mechanisms for this kind of application's environment. This paper describes the first attempt to develop the concept of energy harvesting from multiple energy sources applied in the same hip implant. Exploiting the potential of the three angular movements over the femoral component, namely in the abduction-adduction, flexion-extension and inward-outward rotation axes, three in board vibration-based mechanisms were developed in order to ensure electric power supply from multiple energy sources. A total of 53.7 mu J/s was harvested by a translation movement-based electromagnetic energy generator when a sinusoidal function with an amplitude of 40 mm and a frequency of 4 Hz was applied. A rotation movement-based electromagnetic energy generator has harvested 0.77 mu J/s when a sinusoidal function with an amplitude of 60 degrees and a frequency of 2.5 Hz was used. The piezoelectric energy harvester has achieved 0.6 mu J/s with the application of a sinusoidal function with an amplitude of 200 N and a frequency of 4 Hz. Besides, its ability of being fully autonomous, operating without expiry and maintenance, while offering safety during its entire lifetime are relevant features. This paper should provide the basis for the development of smart hip prosthesis with the ability to fix the aseptic implant loosening problem.