Abstract
Performance management in collaborative networks of organisations is a complex process due to the multiplicity of competing perspectives upon it. One of the more sensitive phases of this process is the agreement of the actors in the network regarding the performance evaluation model whose design is considered of great importance in the research literature. This paper proposes a method for the design of performance evaluation systems in collaborative networks through an innovative combination of performance information classification and multi-criteria decision model. The method is implemented in a web-based collaborative platform that enables the members of a collaborative network to efficiently achieve specific performance models that result from a collective and negotiated construction.

Abstract
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren from Aveiro, Portugal, according to two criteria: the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut-offs. Design: Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Using the BMI, gender- and age-specific prevalences of overweight and obesity were determined according to the IOTF cut-offs extrapolated from an adult BMI of 25 and 30 kg/m(2) and the CDC cut-off values of 85th and 95th BMI percentile. Setting: Aveiro, Portugal. Subjects: A random representative sample of 905 children (457 boys; 448 girls) aged 7-9 years. Results: The prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) was lowest according to IOTF cut-offs compared to CDC (28.1% v. 31.2%), especially obesity (8.1% v. 14.0%). However, the CDC and IOTF criteria have a strong agreement (Cohen's k=0.755; P<0.001). There were significant differences in excess weight between boys and girls according to the CDC (26.9% v. 35.7%; P=0.003). Obese children are younger and the majority present abdominal obesity. Conclusions: The present study shows a high prevalence of excess weight in Aveiro children, similar to other Portuguese regions and among the highest in Europe, especially in the female gender. The IOTF cut-off values give a lower prevalence of excess weight, namely obesity.

Abstract
We review some recent results concerning a connection between focal decomposition, renormalization and semiclassical physics. The dynamical behaviour of a family of mechanical systems which includes the pendulum at small neighbourhoods of the equilibrium but after long intervals of time can be characterized through a renormalization scheme acting on the dynamics of this family. We have proved that the asymptotic limit of this renormalization scheme is universal: it is the same for all the elements in the considered class of mechanical systems. As a consequence, we have obtained an asymptotic universal focal decomposition for this family of mechanical systems which can now be used to compute estimates for propagators in semiclassical physics.

Abstract
One of the most important, applications of the Asymmetric Hamiltonian Path Problem is in scheduling. In this paper we describe a variant of this problem, and develop 1)011) a mathematical programming formulation and simple metaheuristics for solving it The formulation is based on a transformation of the input, data, in such a way that a standard mathematical programming model for the Asymmetric: Travelling Salesman Problem can be used on this slightly different problem. Two standard metaheuristics for the asymmetric travelling salesman are proposed and analysed on this variant: repeated random construction followed by local search with the 3-Exchange neighbourhood. and iterated local search based on the same neighbourhood and on a 4-Exchange perturbation. The computational results obtained show the interest, and the complementary merits of using a mixed-integer programming solver and an approximative method for the solution of this problem.

Abstract
Design, deployment and operations of future networks are expected to tackle a diverse range of business and technical challenges, such as how to empower networks with features of self-adapting to dynamic context and users' requirements, allowing for the emergence of disruptive business models and new industrial ecosystems. This paper focuses on defining and analysing two business scenarios in order to study the impacts of introducing autonomic networks. By identifying the business roles and relationships between them and business and strategic issues that may arise, we aim at establishing an overarching business ecosystem and a common reference model reflecting the challenges and opportunities of autonomic networking. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
One of the aims of process mining is to retrieve a process model from a given event log. However, current techniques have problems when mining processes that contain nontrivial constructs, processes that are low structured and/or dealing with the presence of noise in the event logs. To overcome these problems, a new process representation language is presented in combination with an accompanying process mining algorithm. The most significant property of the new representation language is in the way the semantics of splits and joins are represented; by using so-called split/join frequency tables. This results in easy to understand process models even in the case of non-trivial constructs, low structured domains and the presence of noise. This paper explains the new process representation language and how the mining algorithm works. The algorithm is implemented as a plug-in in the ProM framework. An illustrative example with noise and a real life log of a complex and low structured process are used to explicate the presented approach. © 2011 IEEE.