Abstract
This paper presents an infrastructure to verify the functionality of the specific architectures generated by a high-level compiler, targeting dynamically reconfigurable hardware. Java, XML, and XSL technologies are used to support the infrastructure. As simulation engine we use Hades, an event driven Java based simulator. It results in a suitable scheme to test the designs generated by the compiler each time a new optimization technique is included or changes in the compiler are performed. We believe this infrastructure will be very important to verify, by functional simulation, further research techniques, as far as compilation to FPGA-based reconfigurable computing is concerned.

Abstract
This paper describes an order planning system for dynamic supply chains, addressing the requirements of a make-to-order business environment. A distributed and decentralized information system based on an architecture of agents and extensively using the internet was designed and implemented, so as to enable new and more powerful decision support. The system aims at responding to the basic requirements of cooperativeness, integration and configurability. It was developed under the scope of the IST European Project Co-OPERATE and implements the functionality defined in the context of the 'request feasibility studies for the network' (ReFS) business solution.

Abstract
The modem industry of electronic devices has driven the development of new synthesis methods for producing materials with the desired properties. Most of these methods rely on reagents and solvents that are toxic for human health and environment. For example, it has been reported that the preparation of thin films by metallorganic deposition methods (MOD) often requires noxious chemicals. SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) and SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) are ferroelectric compounds with important applications as non volatile ferroelectric random access memories (NVFRAM). The advantage of being lead-free compounds is partially loss if the necessary efforts for making their precursors synthesis as safe as possible are not made. In this work a new method using an ethanol-based solution and starting from the acetates of the desired cations for obtaining SBT and SBN thin films is described. The properties of the obtained films demonstrate the good quality of the so prepared materials: the remnant polarization (Pr) values are around 6 mu C/cm(2) and 10 mu C/cm(2) for stoichiometric SBT and SBN respectively, and the observed leakage currents stay below 3 mu A for applied fields of 240 kV/cm(2). These characteristics indicate the present method to be adequate for producing ferroelectric materials with suitable properties for memories applications.

Abstract
Sequences of loops or sets of nested loops exist in many applications. This paper shows a scheme to pipeline those sequences of loops in such a way that subsequent loops can start execution before the end of the previous ones. It uses a hardware scheme with decoupled and concurrent datapath and control units that start execution at the same time. The communication of data items between two loops in sequence is conducted by memories. Each element of one of such memories is responsible to flag the availability of the data requested by a subsequence loop. Thus, the control execution of subsequent loops is also orchestrated by data availability and out-of-order produced-consumed pairs are permitted. We apply the concept to a real example: a fast DCT algorithm.

Abstract
This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro scheduling (STHS), particularly concerning cascaded and head-dependent reservoirs. We propose an efficient method, based on nonlinear programming (NLP), for power generation efficiency improvement. This method considers hydroelectric power generation as a function of water discharge and also of the head. The proposed method provides higher profit for the generating company (GENCO), at a negligible extra computational effort, in comparison with classical optimisation methods based on linear programming (LP) that ignore head dependence.

Abstract
This paper's main purpose is to present an automatic vision assortment system for cork classification. Cork is a natural material that is used to seal wine bottles due to its reliability and its chemical and mechanic properties. A modular approach isolates the hard real-time sub problems. It includes some custom developed hardware and software. The developed and implemented system acquires images using a linear CCD camera, transmits that image over an Ethernet based network and processes that image to extract quantitative elements. This system can analyse and distinguish defects present on the surface of a cork-stopper and it is also possible to adapt it to other kinds of problems. The size, form and position of the defects are analysed and the stability of repeated measures is observed. This result allows us to validate the presented methodology.