Abstract
The UML is recognized to be the dominant diagrammatic modeling language in the software industry. However, it's support for building interactive systems is still acknowledged to be insufficient. In this paper we discuss and identify the major problems using the UML framework for interactive system development, specifically, in what concerns the architectural issues. Here we present a conceptual architectural model that expands the analysis framework of the Unified Process and the UML profile for software development processes. Our proposal leverages on user-interface domain knowledge, fostering coevolutionary development of interactive systems and enabling artifact change between software engineering and human-computer interaction, under the common notation and semantics of the UML.

Abstract
The practical application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) presents a range of procedural issues to be examined and resolved including those relating to the homogeneity of the units under assessment, the input/output set selected, the measurement of those selected variables and the weights attributed to them. Each of these issues can present difficulties in practice. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the pitfalls that have been identified in application papers under each of these headings and to suggest protocols to avoid the pitfalls and guide the application of the methodology. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

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In this paper we present a new constructive algorithm for nesting problems. The layout is built by successively adding a new piece to a partial solution, i.e. to the set of pieces previously nested. Several criteria to choose the next piece Co place and its orientation are proposed and tested. Different objective functions are also proposed to evaluate and compare partial solutions. A total of 126 variants of the algorithm, generated by the complete set of combinations of criteria and objective functions, are computationally tested. The computational experiments are based on data sets published in the literature or provided by other authors. In some cases this new algorithm generates better solutions than the best known (published) solutions.

Abstract
This paper describes the requirements analysis and system specification of an Order Promise module to be used as part of a broader Decision Support System for production and operations planning of a Virtual Enterprise. This work is part of a broader project with a particular focus on the microelectronics industry which is a good example of Virtual Enterprise, and where a quick response to the customers needs and to unpredictable changes in production conditions is considered a major factor for success. First, the analysis and specification are presented within a development framework that involves the study of organizational issues of semiconductor enterprises. The use of ontological engineering for supporting the communication and shared understanding of the system concepts is explained and a virtual enterprise ontology is outlined. Following the clarification of the concept of virtual enterprise, the generic techno-organizational requirements for the information system are derived. Finally, a specification of the global planning module and a more detailed one regarding the order promise module is presented.