Abstract
In this paper we present a system, AutoMashUpper, for making multi-song music mashups. Central to our system is a measure of "mashability" calculated between phrase sections of an input song and songs in a music collection. We define mashability in terms of harmonic and rhythmic similarity and a measure of spectral balance. The principal novelty in our approach centres on the determination of how elements of songs can be made fit together using key transposition and tempo modification, rather than based on their unaltered properties. In this way, the properties of two songs used to model their mashability can be altered with respect to transformations performed to maximize their perceptual compatibility. AutoMashUpper has a user interface to allow users to control the parameterization of the mashability estimation. It allows users to define ranges for key shifts and tempo as well as adding, changing or removing elements from the created mashups. We evaluate AutoMashUpper by its ability to reliably segment music signals into phrase sections, and also via a listening test to examine the relationship between estimated mashability and user enjoyment.

Abstract
Scheduling plays an important role in the companies' competiveness, dealing with complex combinatorial problems subject to uncertainty and emergence. In particular, in the ramp-up phase of small lot-sizes of complex products, scheduling is more demanding, e.g. due to late requests and immature technology products and processes. This paper presents the principles of a distributed scheduling architecture based on holonic and swarm principles and implemented using multi-agent system technology. In particular, it is described the coordination among the network of the swarm of schedulers and analysed the impact of embedded self-organization mechanisms.

Abstract
Teaching and learning computer programming is as challenging as it is difficult. Assessing the work of students and providing individualised feedback is time-consuming and error prone for teachers and frequently involves a time delay. The existent tools prove to be insufficient in domains where there is a greater need to practice. At the same time, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are appearing, revealing a new way of learning. However, this paradigm raises serious questions regarding the monitoring of student progress and its timely feedback. This chapter provides a conceptual design model for a computer programming learning environment. It uses the portal interface design model, gathering information from a network of services such as repositories, program evaluators, and learning management systems, a central piece in the MOOC realm. This model is not limited to the domain of computer programming and can be adapted to any area that requires evaluation with immediate feedback. © 2015, IGI Global.

Abstract
In this paper we present a clustering-based selection approach for reducing the number of compilation passes used in search space during the exploration of optimizations aiming at increasing the performance of a given function and/or code fragment. The basic idea is to identify similarities among functions and to use the passes previously explored each time a new function is being compiled. This subset of compiler optimizations is then used by a Design Space Exploration (DSE) process. The identification of similarities is obtained by a data mining method which is applied to a symbolic code representation that translates the main structures of the source code to a sequence of symbols based on transformation rules. Experiments were performed for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The selection of compiler optimization sequences considering a set. of 49 compilation passes and targeting a Xilinx Nlicrofilaze processor was performed aiming at latency improvements for 41 functions from Texas Instruments benchmarks. The results reveal that the passes selection based on our clustering method achieves a significant gain on execution time over the full search space still achieving important performance speedups.

Abstract
In the current marketplace, enterprises face enormous competitive pressures. Global competition for customers that demand customized products with shorter due dates and the advancement in information technologies, marked the introduction of the Extended Enterprise. In these EMEs (Extended Manufacturing Environments), lean, virtual, networked and distributed enterprises, form MO (Meta-Organizations), which collaborate to respond to the dynamic marketplace. MO members share resources, customers and information. In this paper we present a hybrid framework based on a DKBS (Distributed Knowledge Base System), which includes information about scheduling methods for collaborative enterprises sharing their problems. A core component of this system includes an inference engine as well as two indexes, to help in the classification of the usefulness of the information about the problems and solving methods. A more structured approach for expanding the MO concept is presented, with the HO (Hyper-Organization). The manner in which MO-DSS can communicate, cooperate and share information, in the context of the HO is also detailed. © 2014 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper proposes a new methodology for the generation of quadrature amplitude modulation signals, based on all-optical processing from nonlinear interferometric devices. The degradation of the systems performance is numerically analyzed, as a function of operational parameter's unbalance and physical impairments of the system. The results shows that the probe laser power and the coupling factor of optical couplers are the most sensitive parameters of the proposed format conversion system.