Abstract
This paper describes an improved micro-power electric generator where energy harvested from human movements is used as an everlasting mechanical energy source to suffice smart hip implant electronics power needs. Its architecture is designed so that the mechanical energy promotes the movement of a combination of magnets and a spring embedded inside a Teflon tube, used to reduce friction. The changing magnetic field induces current in two coils so that the output of the generator is the sum of their signals. The end result is like a double generator in one casing. Produced electrical energy is stored in an energy reservoir handed over to a power management module. Experimental results shows that energy harvested from human walking can be used as an effective power source for hip prosthesis implants. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract
Recent developed button heat pulse probes (BHPP) demonstrated a great potential for soil water content measurements. This new probe compared to conventional heat pulse probes (HPP), does not use needles, and measurement accuracy is significantly improved. This new design, with the possibility to assembly the probe and electronics in the same package, with low-cost, and with less power consumption compared to conventional HPP, make it suitable to be connected to wireless data acquisition systems in precision agriculture. The probe was tested in agar to demonstrate the potential advantages of the button heat pulse sensor for soil water content measurements. It was possible to have an 0.5 °C temperature rise with only 156mW of power consumption, a ten times power reduction in heat-pulse soil water content measurements. These tests showed the potential use of the button heat pulse sensor for the determination of soil water content. © 2010 IEEE.

Abstract
In this paper we present a software tool to be used in residential/household generic power circuitry analysis and simulation, under non-linear loads. This tool can both be used by electrical engineers and by students of electrical engineering. It has an easy-to-use, friendly interface, and can be used to teach design techniques or as a laboratory tool to study the applicability of known methods to real world practical situations. Also, the users may supply their own data. The simulated results are very close to the measured ones.

Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to analyze the behavior of the three-phase squirrel cage induction motor under different voltage fluctuation levels. To achieve this goal several simulations were performed using the EMTP/ATP tool. Here we present how mechanical torque, speed and efficiency parameters varied with different levels of voltage fluctuation and modeling frequencies. As it was expected, the induction motor is sensitive to voltage fluctuations within certain amplitude levels and frequencies. Also, the speed is more affected by low frequencies and high amplitudes of voltage fluctuations, while the torque and efficiency are more affected by middle and high frequencies and amplitudes. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
Technology has profoundly changed the way we learn and live. Indeed, such relationship appears to be quite complex, within IT contexts, and especially in socially and technologically rich learning environments, where related skills and learning are progressively required and fostered. Thus, if a satisfactory level of intellectual performance and social competence of a primary school pupil is indeed highly dependent on the type of participation that parents offer their children, IT, in general, and Internet, in particular, may well provide a new paradigm, setting forth that education and communication approach is truly more complex than ever before. It is on the basis of such paradigm that we therefore present a case study where a set of multimedia exercises were used in order to possibly improve the mathematical skills of pupils, one with mental retardation and another with cerebral palsy. Being part of a Web-based system to support students' learning, the referred set of multimedia exercises proved to be the children's favorite, rather than exercises in paper form, which also led the children to show a fair more positive attitude towards learning. Also, we observed that through the mentioned multimedia exercises, the children became far more autonomous, interested, persistent, happy, and able to easily absorb the material as well as more willingly to continue on working.

Abstract
The BRS can be quantified as the slope between SBP and RR values identified in baroreflex events, estimated by ordinary least squares (OLS) minimization. Quantile regression (QR) is a more robust procedure than OLS and allows a more complete characterization of the data, by estimating conditional functions for different quantiles of interest. In this work, OLS and QR for BRS estimation are compared regarding slope estimates and dispersion. The EuroBaVar results indicate that OLS slope and QR slopes at different quantiles do not exhibit significant differences. Also, OLS and QR slopes require similar number of beats to achieve a given BRS precision in stationary recordings. Finally, BRS estimated with OLS exhibit relative dispersion lower than 10% and 5% when computed from stationary recordings of approximately 3 and 9 minutes length, respectively.