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Publications

2018

Determinants of microcredit repayment in Portugal: analysis of borrowers, loans and business projects

Authors
Mota, J; Moreira, AC; Brandao, C;

Publication
PORTUGUESE ECONOMIC JOURNAL

Abstract
Microcredit programs in Portugal represent a unique case for studying the microcredit repayment determinants in a developed country, as it experienced a financial hardship in 2008-2009, with economic and social consequences that led to unemployment crisis. This research examined the determinants of microcredit loan repayment based on a sample of 752 microcredit loans granted in Portugal by the National Association for the Right to Credit, adopting individual lending mechanisms and granting loans through partnerships with several credit institutions. This is the first study to ascertain the influence that a set of factors - grouped into three categories: borrowers' individual characteristics; loan characteristics; and characteristics of business projects implemented by borrowers - has on the repayment ability of microcredit programs, in a developed country of the Eurozone. Moreover, this is the first study using an ordered logistic regression (OLR) in estimating the determinants of microcredit loan repayment. Similar to previous studies, married borrowers tend to repay loans faster as they tend to be more responsible than single borrowers. Nationality seems to be an issue as foreigners tends to default the repayment loans. Finally, those involved in manufacturing activities perform better than those involved in service activities in repaying their loans. This clearly indicates that in developed countries special attention needs to be provided to minority groups as well as market/supply conditions, which are not normally considered in less favored economic countries.

2018

Iberian electricity market ontology to enable smart grid market simulation

Authors
Santos, G; Pinto, T; Praça, I; Vale, ZA;

Publication
Energy Inform.

Abstract
Several approaches have been proposed to enhance the potential of distributed generation (DG). Some of the most prominent solutions include the aggregation of DG units and other players, culminating in the concept of and Smart Grid (SG). In this context, several simulation tools arose to study and test the new market mechanisms. However, all of these simulators are closed and centred in their object of study, neglecting the potential advantages of interoperating with other systems from the same domain. This work proposes the use of ontologies for systems interoperability in the power and energy systems domain. The ontologies have been developed and implemented in MASCEM and MASGriP - multi-agent simulators of electricity markets, and SG operation and management,respectively; thus enabling joint electricity market and SG simulations.

2018

ON USING GUERRILLA IN BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS COMMUNICATION: THE MANAGERS' VIEWS

Authors
Barbosa, B; Silva, D; Santos, CA; Filipe, S;

Publication
CBU INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 2018: INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

Abstract
Guerrilla marketing is an innovative approach to communicate with customers and to capture their attention essentially due to its inherent creativity, unconventional media, and low cost. Despite the interesting contributions in the literature on this topic, most of what is known about guerrilla marketing is confined to its use and impact on consumers. This study aims to fill a gap identified in the guerrilla marketing literature by conducting an exploratory research study on the propensity of performing guerrilla marketing campaigns in a Business-to-Business (B2B) context. The research objectives of this paper are (i) identifying the perceptions of B2B managers on guerrilla marketing campaigns and (ii) exploring determinants of the adoption of guerrilla marketing campaigns targeted at corporate customers.We present the results of a qualitative research study comprising 12 semi-structured interviews with managers of different business areas. A content analysis was performed using Nvivo software.Participants in this study demonstrated that B2B managers recognize and value the advantages associated with guerrilla communication, which is in many instances seen as useful and viable for the B2B sector. The propensity for adoption is dependent on internal factors such as corporate culture, managers’ and collaborators’ profiles, risk-proneness, market share, and product innovativeness, but also on the sector’s usual practices of innovation and communication. Guerrilla marketing campaigns are more appropriate for attracting new B2B customers and need to be carefully adapted to the targets' profiles and preferences.

2018

Quantification of Ethanol Concentration in Gasoline Using Cuprous Oxide Coated Long Period Fiber Gratings

Authors
Monteiro Silva, F; Santos, JL; Marques Martins de Almeida, JMMM; Coelho, L;

Publication
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL

Abstract
It is reported a new optical sensing system, based on long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) coated with cuprous oxide (Cu2O), for the quantification of ethanol concentration in ethanol-gasoline mixtures. The detection principle is based on the spectral features dependence of the Cu2O coated LPFGs on the refractive index of the surrounding medium. The chemical constitution of the ethanol-gasoline samples was obtained by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC) and GC thermal conductivity detection. Two different modes of operation are presented, wavelength shift and optical power shift mode of operation, with good linear relations between ethanol concentration and the corresponding spectral features of the LPFGs, R-2 = 0.999 and 0.996, respectively. In the range of ethanol concentration up to 30% v/v, the sensitivities were 0.76 +/- 0.01 nm/% v/v and 0.125 +/- 0.003 dB/% v/v with resolutions of 0.21% v/v and 0.73% v/v and limits of detection of 1.63% v/v and 2.10% v/v, for the for the same operation modes, respectively.

2018

Biological inspired approach for the inspection of structures in the splash zone

Authors
Ribeiro, M; Silva, MF;

Publication
Human-Centric Robotics- Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots and the Support Technologies for Mobile Machines, CLAWAR 2017

Abstract
There are many man-made structures near the ocean, in the so called splash zone. These structures are submitted to corrosion and need to be inspected periodically, which is difficult to be performed by humans. Therefore, automated solutions should be devised, able to withstand the conditions found there. Given that some animals live in this environment, the authors propose the development of a biological inspired robot for achieving such inspection tasks. With this purpose, a biomechanical study of the spider crab was developed, focusing on the anatomy and locomotion of this animal, using the Matlab/Simulink SimMechanics toolbox. © 2018 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

2018

Review of primary voltage and frequency control methods for inverter-based islanded microgrids with distributed generation

Authors
Rokrok, E; Shafie Khah, M; Catalao, JPS;

Publication
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS

Abstract
Microgrid (MG) is a relatively new concept for the integration of distributed generation (DG) along with the loads in a distribution system. Islanded microgrid can be considered as a weak grid that has less inertia compared with the conventional power system. This reality makes the microgrid vulnerable to contingencies. Towards a flexible, safe and secure operation of an islanded MG, researchers have introduced a hierarchical control structure comprising tertiary, secondary and primary control. The primary control plays an important role in maintaining the voltage and frequency stability by sharing the loads among the DGs. This paper reviews and categorizes various primary control methods that have been introduced to control the voltage and frequency of inverter-based microgrids. Moreover, the reviewed methods in terms of their potential advantages and disadvantages are compared. Finally, the future trends are presented.

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