Energy efficiency of social housing existing buildings – a portuguese case study

The European energy performance building regulations, Directive 2002/91/EC - Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) of the European Parliament and Council, require that new buildings present minimum standards of energy efficiency. Accordingly the Portuguese regulations require that new buildings comply with minimum requirements on the energy performance and must have an energy performance certification through witch an energy efficiency label is attributed to the housing. It also require that existing buildings must have an efficiency energy label when submitted to a commercial transaction or to a deep rehabilitation. To achieve this goal the study of energy performance of existing buildings must be done. As many essentials elements to determine the U-factor and other thermal parameters are unknown, Portugal developed a simplified methodology to achieve the thermal performance of existing buildings. The aim of this paper is to present the study of the energy performance of a set of social dwellings that were constructed during the decade of 80, constructed before the former building thermal comfort specifications came into force. During the study the referred methodology was applied and conclusions of the energy efficiency label obtained were put out as the encountered difficulties. The study also compares the results obtained by the simplified methodology and by the detailed methodology that is required by Portuguese building thermal comfort specifications

Does Curvature Enhance Forecasting?

In this paper, we analyze the importance of curvature term structure movements on forecasts of interest rate means. An extension of the exponential three-factor Diebold and Li (2006) model is proposed, where a fourth factor captures a second type of curvature. The new factor increases model ability to generate more volatile and non-linear yield curves, leading to a significant improvement of forecasting ability, in special for short-term maturities. A forecasting experiment adopting Brazilian term structure data on Interbank Deposits (IDs) generates statistically significant lower bias and Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) for the double curvature model, for most examined maturities, under three different forecasting horizons. Consistent with recent empirical analysis of bond risk premium, when a second curvature is included, despite explaining only a small portion of interest rate variability, it changes the structure of model risk premium leading to better predictions of bond excess returns.

Una polémica actual: la reconstrucción del sistema literario argentino

In 2004, Ñ, the weekly supplement to the newspaper Clarín, published a series of polemical interviews and columns concerning the Argentinian literary model. The writers involved, among whom César Aira, Ricardo Piglia, Martín Kohan and Gonzalo Garcés distinguished themselves, argued over the definition of this model, the central figures that composed it, and the role of the market in its makeup… Our aim is to put into perspective the terms of this debate by means of a chronological study which, going back to the 1980s, can highlight both the evolutions and the permanent features of Argentine’s literary field

Infrared thermograms applied to near-field testing

Electromagnetic fields close to radiant structures can be measured quickly using an infrared camera. Examples of induced fields by wire antennas over a detection screen at distances shorter than one wavelength are presented. The measured thermograms agree with simulations that take into account heat propagation on the detection screen.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Perfil e Impacto Socioeconómico dos Estudantes nas Escolas Politécnicas do Interior de Portugal - O caso de estudo da ESTH-IPG.

Nos últimos anos, algumas instituições de ensino superior, em particular as do interior, têm encontrado dificuldades em captar e fixar novos alunos, em consequência de um processo de litoralização continuado. Nesse sentido, com esta investigação pretende-se caraterizar o perfil socioeconómico dos estudantes da Escola Superior de Turismo e Hotelaria (ESTH) do Instituto Politécnico da Guarda (IPG) e o “valor” que representam para o concelho de Seia. Como objetivos gerais da investigação salientam-se os seguintes: (i) conhecer o perfil dos alunos; (ii) percecionar as condições e limitações de vida que a região e a instituição oferecem; (iii) indagar sobre as perspetivas de futuro em termos profissionais. O método escolhido foi o da pesquisa quantitativa, realizada essencialmente de forma descritiva e centrada na análise e interpretação dos dados, recolhidos através de um questionário em suporte de papel. Este foi distribuído por todos os anos dos cursos em funcionamento. Recolheram-se e validaram-se 252 inquéritos, que foram tratados com recurso ao IBM SPSS Statistics (versão 24). O estudo efetua uma reflexão e disponibiliza um conjunto de sugestões, que podem vir a ser úteis para uma melhor resposta das instituições de ensino superior e do meio envolvente, no sentido de captar e fixar estudantes e futuros profissionais, em particular nas regiões do interior do país

Innovation, tourism and social networks

Innovation is an important source of competitive advantage, being a key research topic. Some authors consider that tourism entrepreneurs typically show scarce business skills and limited innovativeness. Many studies additionally conclude that accommodation businesses are not particularly innovative. This study intends to demonstrate the opposite. Tourism enterprises rarely have research and development (R&D) departments or resources dedicated to systematically enhance innovation. However, the research and knowledge acquisition process takes place in a complex and informal way. Therefore, beyond presenting and classifying some examples of innovation in tourism, this research aims to highlight the role played by social networks as a source of knowledge acquisition, and specifically online reviews as an important basis for innovation of tourism businesses

Online reviews credibility: Implications on traveller’s decision making

The social web is the ideal place to share information, experiences and preferences among consumers. Nowadays, online reviews and recommendations are becoming increasingly important and seen as a new digital form of word-of-mouth, a key topic for researchers. Despite the significant body of literature about electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM), there is a lack of research that analyzes the phenomenon in the context of the hospitality industry, its drivers, conditioning factors and impacts. This research aims to highlight the online reviews as a reliable and important source of information for travellers, with possible implications in their decision making process. It is expected to yield some relevant contributions to academia, marketing and management in the tourism and hotel businesses

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life, Physical Exercise, and General Health among Older People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Interview Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant alterations to and implications for the lives of millions of people, and especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) throughout the first 9 months of the pandemic, with emphasis on the habits of physical exercise. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. The data consist of telephone interviews of seventeen older people with T2DM (10 women and 7 men, aged 62–76 years). Using thematic analysis, five themes were generated: (1) an altered social and relational life; (2) changes in routine and attitude regarding physical activity behaviour; (3) home-related activities gained relevance; (4) health and well-being impact and management; and (5) thoughts about the post- pandemic period. The increase in the number of cases and the fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 limited the social (i.e., contact with family and/or friends) and functional (i.e., daily routine, the habit of exercising) lives of these people, reverberating negatively on their health and well-being. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety were common. The findings of this study help to better understand the impact of the pandemic and determine areas of need for future interventions. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to provide support for older people with T2DM and tackle the negative effect of the pandemic, including the reduction in physical activity

Dictature, témoignage, histoire : paroles de victimes et de bourreaux dans les littératures argentine et chilienne (1983-2002)

Les dictatures militaires qui gouvernèrent le Chili et l’Argentine dans les années soixante-dix et quatre-vingt eurent un impact considérable sur les écrivains. Nous étudierons comment certains textes littéraires abordent la question à travers une reconstruction de la mémoire et de l’histoire, nationale ou familiale, en recourant au témoignage des victimes ou des bourreaux. Parfois l’auteur médiatise son expérience personnelle, d’autres fois il fabrique une fiction complexe et ambiguë. Cette étude nous permettra de distinguer à ce propos deux générations, la première soucieuse de résoudre les traumatismes propres (Daniel Moyano, Libro de navíos y borrascas, 1983 ; Juan Gelman, Interrupciones 2, 1988), la seconde engagée dans un réquisitoire envers les responsables de la répression (Roberto Bolaño, Nocturno de Chile, 2000 ; Martín Kohan, Dos veces junio, 2002).Las dictaduras militares que gobernaron en Chile y en Argentina durante los años setenta y ochenta tuvieron un impacto importante en los escritores. Estudiaremos cómo algunos textos literarios contemplan el problema mediante una reconstrucción de la memoria y de la historia, nacional o familiar, recurriendo al testimonio de las víctimas y de los verdugos. A veces, el autor representa su experiencia personal, otras fabrica una ficción compleja y ambigua. Este estudio nos ayudará a distinguir dos generaciones, la primera preocupada en resolver los traumas propios (Daniel Moyano, Libro de navíos y borrascas, 1983 ; Juan Gelman, Interrupciones 2, 1988), la segunda comprometida en acusar a los responsables de la represión (Roberto Bolaño, Nocturno de Chile, 2000 ; Martín Kohan, Dos veces junio, 2002)

La parole dispersée : Respiración artificial de Ricardo Piglia

Publié en Argentine, en pleine dictature militaire, le roman de Ricardo Piglia, Respiración artificial, rassemble des modalités d'écritures extrêmement variées qui mettent à contribution des récits de paroles, des récits d'événements, des lettres, des extraits de journal intime, des dialogues philosophiques, des épisodes inspirés du roman policier, ou encore de longs discours dont l'aspect compulsif évoque le monologue intérieur. Ainsi est offerte au lecteur une variété de voix, de styles et ..