Abstract
Client-side logic and storage are increasingly used in web and mobile applications to improve response time and availability. Current approaches tend to be ad-hoc and poorly integrated with the server-side logic. We present a principled approach to integrate client-and server-side storage. We support both mergeable and strongly consistent transactions that target either client or server replicas and provide access to causally-consistent snapshots efficiently. In the presence of infrastructure faults, a client-assisted failover solution allows client execution to resume immediately and seamlessly access consistent snapshots without waiting. We implement this approach in SwiftCloud, the first transactional system to bring geo-replication all the way to the client machine. Example applications show that our programming model is useful across a range of application areas. Our experimental evaluation shows that SwiftCloud provides better fault tolerance and at the same time can improve both latency and throughput by up to an order of magnitude, compared to classical geo-replication techniques. © 2014 IEEE.

Abstract
Because of the development of enabling technologies such as appropriate metering infrastructures and communication possibilities, the smart-grid vision has started to be implemented. Smart appliances and Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) at the residential end-user premises constitute a typical example. Nevertheless, a distribution system (DS) that has been designed and operated by a distribution system operator (DSO) for decades considering only inflexible consumers has to be equipped with appropriate operating strategies and technological upgrades in order to adapt to the new conditions. This study examines the case in which PEV have penetrated in the DS without any supportive operational strategy. Next, a coordination strategy employed from the DSO for EV charging together with the scheduling of smart-appliances is proposed. In both cases, the selection of the daily optimal radial configuration of the DS is considered in order to facilitate the operational goals of the DSO. The optimality criterion is the minimization of the active power losses and both cases are compared by means of operational performance.

Abstract
The IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conferences on Virtual Enterprises (PRO-VE) has created, in 14 editions, a remarkable scientific and professional community intersecting several disciplines and resulting in a new one: collaborative networks. In this paper we present the results of a retrospective study of the conceptual system evolution of PRO-VE providing an instrument to reflect about the field's past and future. Our approach was socio-semantic trying to devise the influence between the researchers social network and the evolution of the conceptual system. Firstly, we made a terminological analysis of every PRO-VE proceeding resulting in a picture of the main concepts used in each edition and their relative importance. Then, we used social network analysis techniques to conclude about the influence of the researchers on the conceptual system evolution. The results suggest a relatively stable set of concepts influenced by a network of core researchers. However, some marked evolution in the relative importance of the concepts can be identified.

Abstract
Rumination is a psychological process that is featured by a repetitive pattern of intrusive thoughts that, by focusing the person into painful cognitive contents, elicits suffering. Usually people try to deal with these ruminative thoughts by trying to avoid thinking, which paradoxically makes the thoughts even more intense. Several researchers proposed that ruminative thoughts are central in anxiety and depressive disorders and that the treatment of rumination is also pivotal in the treatment of these disorders. This study is a first attempt to construct a game that trains players in shifting the attention from ruminative thoughts to problem-solving tasks, illustrating the use of the game. We expect that training such an ability will reduce the intensity of that thoughts. It is our expectation that the continuous use of games with these kind of features will reduce the intensity of ruminative thoughts, improving the wellbeing and reducing the psychological suffering of players.

Abstract
Litigation in court is still the main dispute resolution mode. However, given the amount and characteristics of the new disputes, mostly arising out of electronic contracting, courts are becoming slower and outdated. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) recently emerged as a set of tools and techniques, supported by technology, aimed at facilitating conflict resolution. In this paper we present a critical evaluation on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based techniques in ODR. In order to fulfill this goal, we analyze a set of commercial providers (in this case twenty four) and some research projects (in this circumstance six). Supported by the results so far achieved, a new approach to deal with the problem of ODR is proposed, in which we take on some of the problems identified in the current state of the art in linking ODR and AI.

Abstract