Abstract
To help students overcome their learning difficulties in the transition from entry-level to advanced computer programming, developing an appropriate set of learning strategies, the SimProgramming teaching approach has been adopted at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portugal). This approach is based on four conceptual foundations: businesslike learning environment, self-regulated learning, co-regulated learning, and formative assessment. In this approach the students develop an activity based on problem-based learning, with a specific set of tasks based on those four conceptual foundations. The approach was implemented in two courses from the second and third curricular years of the bachelor programmes in Informatics Engineering and Information & Communication Technologies. We conducted semi-structured interviews with students (n=32) at the end of the courses, to try to identify the students’ strategies for self-regulation of learning in the activity developed within the SimProgramming approach. The main strategies identified were: organization, planning, time management, identification of difficulties, resolution of the difficulties encountered, work review, identification of the factors that influenced their motivation, and structure of the environment. The factors influencing the motivation most often identified by students were the impact of the assessment in the final course grade, the completion of the course, learning, skills development, and teamwork. Generally, students applied strategies to solve the difficulties, in particular by searching for social help and information search. Procrastination was also often identified by students. Strategies of time management, transformation of information, in-depth review, self-reflection, and self-evaluation were referenced scantily. We found that students changed some of their strategies from one course edition to the next. We conclude by recommending the development of educational practices to help students review their work, treat and process the information they find, conduct self-reflection and self-evaluation of their performance during tasks, adopt concentration strategies, and become aware of their specific difficulties.

Abstract
This paper proposes a linear programming problem to find the optimal planning and operation of aggregated distributed energy resources (DER), managed by an aggregator that participates in the day-ahead wholesale electricity market as a price-maker agent. The proposed model analyzes the impact of the size of the aggregated resources and gives the optimal planning and management of DER systems, and the corresponding energy transactions in the wholesale day-ahead market. The results suggest that when the aggregated resources are large enough, DER systems can achieve up to 32% extra economic benefits depending on the market share, compared with a business-as-usual approach (not implementing DER systems). © 2016 IEEE.

Abstract

Abstract
Information and knowledge can be seen as key resources for improving the internationalisation processes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Collaboration has also been considered as an important facilitator of these processes, particularly by nurturing information and knowledge sharing. However, the current literature is unclear about the way SMEs can access information and assimilate knowledge in a collaborative network context, to support decision-making. This paper systematically reviews the literature, examining the role of information, knowledge and collaboration in internationalisation decisions of SMEs. To this end, 38 relevant journal articles were analysed, with the identification of some important issues, as well as gaps in the existing empirical knowledge. This analysis provided valuable input for the development of research suggestions and directions for future work in this area.

Abstract

Abstract
Similitude theory is a branch of engineering science concerned with establishing the necessary and sufficient conditions of similarity among phenomena, and has been applied to different fields such as structural engineering, vibration and impact problems. Testing of sub-scale models is still nowadays a valuable design tool, helping engineers to accurately predict the behavior of oversized prototypes through scaling laws applied to the obtained experimental results. In this manuscript it has been reviewed the developments in the methodologies used to create reduced scale models as a design tool, including those based in the use of: dimensional analysis, differential equations and energetic methods. Besides, given their importance, some major areas of research were reviewed apart: impacted structures, rapid prototyping of scale models and size effects. At last, some topics on which additional efforts can be undertaken are highlighted.