Abstract
Event management in non-hierarchical networks is based on agile collaboration processes to address events which are inevitable and more difficult to deal with in such complex type of organisation but, on the other hand, can benefit from a higher potential of expertise and resources. In this paper, a first approach of a theoretical framework is proposed, identifying the main concepts and explaining the mechanisms present when dealing with expected and unexpected events in the operation of non-hierarchical production networks. It is demonstrated that this approach is relevant to cope with the level of complexity of non-hierarchical networks and to assure the desired level of performance. © 2011 The Authors.

Abstract
In this paper a new approach to gas leakage detection in high pressure natural gas transportation networks is proposed. The pipeline is modelled as a Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) System driven by the source node massflow with the gas inventory variation in the pipe (linepack variation, proportional to the pressure variation) as the scheduling parameter. The massflow at the offtake node is taken as the system output. The system is identified by the Successive Approximations LPV System Subspace Identification Algorithm which is also described in this paper. The leakage is detected using a Kalman filter where the fault is treated as an augmented state. Given that the gas linepack can be estimated from the massflow balance equation, a differential method is proposed to improve the leakage detector effectiveness. A small section of a gas pipeline crossing Portugal in the direction South to North is used as a case study. LPV models are identified from normal operational data and their accuracy is analyzed. The proposed LPV Kalman filter based methods are compared with a standard mass balance method in a simulated 10% leakage detection scenario. The Differential Kalman Filter method proved to be highly efficient.

Abstract
We introduce a renormalization scheme to study the asymptotic dynamical behaviour of a family of mechanical systems with non-isochronous potentials with an elliptic equilibrium. This renormalization scheme acts on a family of orbits of these mechanical systems, all of which are contained on neighbourhoods of the elliptic equilibrium, by rescaling space and shifting time in an appropriate way. We present some new results regarding the properties of this renormalization scheme, and examine the strong connection it has with the focal decomposition for the Euler-Lagrange equation of this family of mechanical systems.

Abstract
In software development, it is often desirable to reuse existing software components. This has been recognized since 1968, when Douglas Mcllroy of Bell Laboratories proposed basing the software industry on reuse. Despite the failures in practice, many efforts have been made to make this idea successful. In this context, we address the problem of reusing annotated components as a rigorous way of assuring the quality of the application under construction. We introduce the concept of caller-based slicing as a way to certify that the integration of an annotated component with a contract into a legacy system will preserve the behavior of the former. To complement the efforts done and the benefits of the slicing techniques, there is also a need to find an efficient way to visualize the annotated components and their slices. To take full profit of visualization, it is crucial to combine the visualization of the control/ data flow with the textual representation of source code. To attain this objective, we extend the notion of System Dependence Graph and slicing criterion.

Abstract
Text file evaluation is an emergent topic in e-learning that responds to the shortcomings of the assessment based on questions with predefined answers. Questions with predefined answers are formalized in languages such as IMS Question & Test Interoperability Specification (QTI) and supported by many e-learning systems. Complex evaluation domains justify the development of specialized evaluators that participate in several business processes. The goal of this paper is to formalize the concept of a text file evaluation in the scope of the E-Framework a service oriented framework for development of e-learning systems maintained by a community of practice. The contribution includes an abstract service type and a service usage model. The former describes the generic capabilities of a text file evaluation service. The later is a business process involving a set of services such as repositories of learning objects and learning management systems.

Abstract
State-of-the-art customization strategies help manufacturing organizations to better fulfill customers' expectation. There is a need to adopt suitable strategic options with the view to develop product variants with minimum lead time and cost. In such perspectives, platform-based product family is an important concept that supports the efficient manufacturing of a stream of product variants created from the basic platform. This approach supports the true customization strategy and especially suitable in the case of customize-to-order (CTO) production scenario, where various modules or components are added or replaced on the basic platform to bring customized variants. Specific module or feature known as white spot can also be added on the common platform to bring the option to specify and manufacture an individualized product. The CTO scenario can be performed in a collaborative manner, where the corresponding partners actively taking part in the product development process to achieve potential benefits such as resource sharing, exchanging of innovative ideas and expertise, higher market segment, etc. This research investigates the outcomes from collaborative platform-based product family approach in terms of assuring higher customization and profitability. © 2011 Research Institute for Ope.