Transimpedance amplifier for early detection of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. The effectiveness of its treatment depends on early stage detection, as well as on the accuracy of its diagnosis. Recently, diagnosis techniques have been submitted to relevant breakthroughs with the upcoming of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasound Sonograms and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, among others. The work presented here is focused on studying the application of a PET system to a Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) system. A PET/PEM system works under the principle that a scintillating crystal will detect a gamma-ray pulse, originated at the cancerous cells, converting it into a correspondent visible light pulse. The latter must then be converted into an electrical current pulse by means of a Photo- -Sensitive Device (PSD). After the PSD there must be a Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA) in order to convert the current pulse into a suitable output voltage, in a time period lower than 40 ns. In this Thesis, the PSD considered is a Silicon Photo-Multiplier (SiPM). The usage of this recently developed type of PSD is impracticable with the conventional TIA topologies, as it will be proven. Therefore, the usage of the Regulated Common-Gate (RCG) topology will be studied in the design of the amplifier. There will be also presented two RCG variations, comprising a noise response improvement and differential operation of the circuit. The mentioned topology will also be tested in a Radio-Frequency front-end, showing the versatility of the RCG. A study comprising a low-voltage self-biasing feedback TIA will also be shown. The proposed circuits will be simulated with standard CMOS technology (UMC 130 nm), using a 1.2 V power supply. A power consumption of 0.34 mW with a signal-to-noise ratio of 43 dB was achieved.

Internationalization strategy of Skypro Shoes to Japan

Skypro is a footwear brand targeted at the aviation professionals’ niche market, explored by the Portuguese microenterprise Abotoa Lda..The saturation of the Portuguese market led Skypro to expand to different worldwide countries and to be a footwear supplier of Airlines from the USA, Qatar or Australia, among others. Abotoa aims for its 2014’s exports to represent around 80% of total sales and this Internationalization Plan for Japan represents the possibility of further exploring the Asian market. Japan appears as the 2nd worldwide footwear importer and the 5th footwear consumer, with a high purchasing power – GDP per capita (PPP). This country possesses two enormous Airlines (ANA and JAL) that employ more than 15000 on-board personnel, the world’s 4th busiest Airport in 2013 (Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport) and a geographic structure with more than 6500 islands, implying high frequency of aerial transportation in the medium-run. These aspects make Japan an adequate country to invest in. At the course of this Work Project, trustworthy recommendations are provided for the current state of Abotoa and for the introduction and implementation of this Internationalization Plan. These findings strongly suggest that Skypro should indeed penetrate Japan’s market.

Internationalization of UniPlaces to the Spanish market: Internationalization plan to Madrid, Spain

Field Lab in Entrepreneurial Innovative Ventures

The economics of Vieira da Silva

This paper investigates the time valuation and the age valuation profile of art-works created by the Portuguese female painter Maria Helena Vieira da Silva. It uses data from records from her paintings auction sales between 1986 and 2014, taken from Artprice.com. The study explores three aspects regarding her artistic career: (1) estimation of Age-valuation profile, defining her creativity pattern and the age at which she produced her most valuable paintings; (2) estimation of time valuation profile, through a creation of an individual hedonic price index for Vieira da Silva; (3) internationalization phenomenon of the artist, investigating whether selling prices are primarily set in euros or in US dollar. The results suggest that Vieira da Silva peaked quite early in her career; her paintings prices are not very sensible to economic cycles and tends to slightly increase afterlife; the empirical results are not suggestive on which currency is the best predictor of her paintings’ price.

Internationalization strategy of Quinta dos Termos to Canada

Quinta dos Termos, a Portuguese winery, currently faces the need to expand internationally due to difficulties in distributing its current production in Portugal. This work project will analyze the firm’s characteristics, its development in the Portuguese market and the value proposition it offers. A market analysis will also be performed prior to evaluating the internationalization need of Quinta dos Termos. The Canadian market will be assessed as an opportunity to expand internationally by evaluating factors supporting that strategy; namely the market attractiveness, the most adequate implementation plan and a competitive analysis to better understand the success expectations in the market.

Tintopia internationalization analysis

This project reflects the need to internationalize the Tintopia brand of Navarro López Company, in order to continue fulfilling one of its main pillars, internationalize the company, in order to increase sales and have further diversification of risk. The purpose is to find the best Latin American market for Tinto de Verano. In order to do this, a qualitative analysis of variables for 10 countries in Latin America was performed, yielding the result that the two best options for exporting Tintopia are Peru and Mexico. After a detailed analysis of both countries, Peru has more favorable conditions, especially less competition and higher potential sales.

Internationalization strategy of reliance to Brazil

This Work Project was focused, firstly, in an internal analysis to assess the possible competitive advantage sources of the firm and to identify the key weakness that the firm should improve before advancing with the internationalization strategy. Completed the analysis was possible to verify that the source of sustainable competitive advantage of Relance is the use of specific raw materials and that its biggest weaknesses are the lack of capacity and the excessive dependence on key employees. Overall, it was possible to conclude that the firm is in position of competing in the international markets. Secondly, due to its crucial importance, the country selection was made with a deep objective analysis, resulting with the selection of Brazil as the country with the highest market potential. Regarding the strategy to actually enter in Brazil’s market, after the study of 12 modes of entry it was possible to conclude that there is no ideal mode. However, the study performed allowed to undertake the conclusion that in order to obtain long-term optimization on the process, the adaptation, to the firm´s situation, of the Uppsala model progressive stages is the ideal. At the course of this Work Project it was inferred that the critical success factors are the choice of the distributor and the promotion of Relance as a premium brand.

Internationalization strategy of Relance Shoes to Singapore

Field lab: SME competitiveness

Born global companies: A case study about the internationalization behaviours of Portuguese companies

Portuguese Born Global Companies have been performing an important role in the Portuguese market, mainly due to their innovative ideas and the positive contribution to exportations. This study focuses on the international strategies of four of these companies, comparing them with four international Non-Born Global Companies, in qualitative analysis. It will be possible to see a preference by the Non-Born Global Companies over proximate cultural countries. By following opportunities instead of markets, Portuguese Born Global Companies excel at internationalization growth. The purpose of this study is to help managers of small, innovative companies understand the internationalization strategies in Portugal.

Internationalization strategy of Labirinto Shoes to Tokyo, Japan

Field lab: SME competitiveness

Entrepreneurial innovative ventures: Internationalization strategy of NMusic

Field lab: Entrepreneurial and innovative ventures