Abstract
This study is dedicated to the learning process to help students to deal with the complexity of a Lighting Design Project. In the Department of Electrical Engineering, preference was given to applying methods integrating technology in the learning and then evaluating the outcomes. Problem-based learning (PBL) was used as an instructional strategy of active learning, and adapted for use in Lighting Design course. In cooperative learning, students work together in small groups in an organized way, on a well-ordered activity. They are individually responsible for their work; on the other hand, the work of the group as a whole is also assessed. Teams need to be small enough so that everyone can play a part. And the students' work must be clearly defined. By applying PBL it is expected that students work in a cooperative and collaborative learning way, developing positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face promotive interaction, as well as group processing. Students see the potential of the method. PBL addresses many of the concerns of teachers and professional organizations. Above all, it encourages students to be in charge of their education. It emphasizes critical thinking skills, understanding, learning how to learn, and working cooperatively with others. The benefits of PBL in the Lighting Design course are seen in the way students improved the study and analysis of a Lighting Design project. This method can also be seen as a benefit for Electrical Engineering programme where educators strive for improved teaching and learning. ©2009 IEEE.

Abstract
In this paper, we present a numerical comparison of how well segmentation algorithms approximate the manual segmentation of gastroenterologists for a set of endoscopic images. Different areas in these images demand different levels of analysis by a clinician and some provide critical information about the patient. Our objective is thus to segment endoscopic images so that the results mimic as closely as possible the areas that were considered relevant by doctors. We focus on a detailed quantitative comparison of two popular segmentation algorithms, mean shift and normalized cuts, when applied to in-body images, most specifically for vital-stained magnification endoscopy. Segmentation results are compared with the manual annotations of the same images performed by two specialist clinicians. Results show that if we simply consider the most relevant segmented patch, normalized cuts performs better. However, if we allow the annotated area to be represented by multiple patches, mean shift is clearly a better choice, although automatic ways to determine its kernel's bandwidth are highly desirable.

Abstract
Header compression techniques such as robust header compression can be used to reduce the overhead of IP-based traffic. Voice over IP may replace voice circuits in the next generations of wireless networks, and it is the type of traffic that benefits most from header compression because its packets have small pay-loads, IEEE 802.11 is a technology that will play an important role in the next generations of wireless networks. The study reported in this article shows that the maximum gain of the RoHC's U-mode when applied to VoIP over IEEE 802.11. is about 23 percent for medium or better voice quality. Values for the RoHC U-mode parameters over IEEE 802.11 are also suggested.

Abstract
Communication of large data volumes is a core functionality of distributed systems middleware, namely, for interconnecting components, for distributed computation and for fault tolerance. This common functionality is however achieved in different middleware platforms with various combinations of operating system and application level protocols, both standardized and ad hoc, and including implementations on managed runtime environments such as Java. In this paper, in contrast with most previous work that focus on performance, we point out that architectural and implementation decisions have an impact in throughput stability when the system is heavily loaded, precisely when such stability is most important. In detail, we present an experimental evaluation of several communication protocol components under stress conditions and conclude on the relative merits of several architectural options.

Abstract
The amount of seniors in need of constant care is rapidly mint! an evident consequence of population ageing. There are already some monitorization environments which aim to monitor these persons while they remain at home This, however, although better than delocalizing the elder to some kind of in may not still be the ideal solution. as it forces them to stay inside the home more than they wished, as going out means lack of accompaniment and a consequent sensation of feat In this paper we propose EM on a monitorization device small enough to be worn by its users, although powerful enough to provide the higher level monitorization systems with vital information about the user and the environment around him We hope to allow the representation of an intelligent environment to move with its users, instead of being static, mandatorily associated to a single physical location The first prototype of EMon as presented in tills paper, provides environmental data as well as GPS coordinates and pictures that are useful to describe the context of its user

Abstract
The humanity is currently facing the difficulties of an aged society with an ever-growing predominance of chronic diseases and associated problems (e.g., mobility issues, possibility of falls, etc.). Traditional hospital or clinical internment is not an efficient answer both in terms of human, therapeutic or economical aspects. Alternatively, ambulatory and home healthcare are becoming preferred and predominant solutions. However, the typical home environment is not suited nor prepared for monitoring and helping to take care of elderly and/or disabled people. To overcome some of these issues, this paper proposes a wireless low cost hardware solution based on a microcontroller with several sensors (cf. temperature, oxymeter, 3-axis accelerometer) which allows monitoring several physiological parameters (e.g., temperature, heart bit, etc.) and infer human activities (e.g., standing, walking, falling, etc.) of home confined people. A similar platform with ambient temperature and light sensors was also created for monitoring the home environment. The collected data is pre-processed on the sensor nodes and then transmitted to a wireless gateway allowing the backend system to log the patient activity, his health condition as well as the living surroundings. Finally, a web application is provided to healthcare professionals for viewing, analyzing and statistically operating this information, thus empowering homecare.