Abstract
We tested in a robotics experiment a dynamic neural field model for learning a precisely timed musical sequence. Based on neuro-plausible processing mechanisms, the model implements the idea that order and relative timing of events are stored in an integrated representation whereas the onset of sequence production is controlled by a separate process. Dynamic neural fields provide a rigorous theoretical framework to analyze and implement the necessary neural computations that bridge gaps between sensation and action in order to mediate working memory, action planing, and decision making. The robot first memorizes a short musical sequence performed by a human teacher by watching color coded keys on a screen, and then tries to execute the piece of music on a keyboard from memory without any external cues. The experimental results show that the robot is able to correct in very few demonstration-execution cycles initial sequencing and timing errors.

Abstract
The paper firstly reviews the relevant concepts on virtual enterprise operations as well as industrial maintenance processes. Then a virtual enterprise enabling platform is presented. The architecture of the platform and its main modules are briefly introduced. Within this platform, a smart object extension is highlighted. This smart object is used to collect data from remote equipment and pass it to the Virtual Enterprise Management Platform (VEMP) through a gateway. The data collected by the smart object will be aggregated and monitored, using the business intelligence tools of the platform, enabling the implementation of maintenance strategies, rising fault conditions that will trigger a repair business process. In the final part of the paper, it is discussed a business case for a SME with worldwide operations.

Abstract
This paper presents an algorithm, in the context of speech analysis and pathologic/dysphonic voices evaluation, which splits the signal of the glottal excitation into harmonic and noise components. The algorithm uses a harmonic and noise splitter and a glottal inverse filtering. The combination of these two functionalities leads to an improved estimation of the glottal excitation and its components. The results demonstrate this improvement of estimates of the glottal excitation in comparison to a known inverse filtering method (IAIF). These results comprise performance tests with synthetic voices and application to natural voices that show the waveforms of harmonic and noise components of the glottal excitation. This enhances the glottal information retrieval such as waveform patterns with physiological meaning.

Abstract
This paper presents the performance analysis of two new sensing configurations of refractive index based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in microstructured D-type optical fiber with a thin gold layer using simulations obtained with COMSOL Multiphysics. The configurations are analyzed in terms of the intensity of the electric field. The results are compared with a conventional SPR D-type optical fiber sensor for refractive index measurement.

Abstract

Abstract
The performance of a company depends on the quality of its strategic decisions but depends also on how those decisions are implemented. Companies are composed of different units that can be geographically distributed with different levels of autonomy and local resources. Due to the complexity of the problem many companies use simulation to analyse the performance of critical sectors based on a number of scenarios. This reality requires new approaches that, taking advantage of existing models enables their integration with new models, facilitate their upgrade and allow a distributed execution. In this work we developed a Framework to integrate distributed agent-based simulators (ABMS) with a mechanism of communication TCP/IP to exchange synchronization messages and business messages based on the OASIS standard. The XML standard format was used for coding of all the messages. The communication mechanism of the Framework was developed in order to benefit from distributed computing.