Assistive multi-sensor framework for prevention and monitoring of pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers (PU) are injuries to the skin and soft tissues due to prolonged pressure and have a significant impact on the quality of a patient’s life. The common risk factors of PU are pressure, shearing forces, friction, moisture, temperature, and immobility. The use of low-tech and high-tech devices is effective in distributing the high pressure exerted on the patient’s body. However, patients can still develop PU because these devices do not provide any real-time information about the risk factors of PU development. With the help of sensors, smart beds are effective to monitor and prevent the development of PU but the prevalence of PU around the globe is still high due to the aging population. In this thesis, a multi-sensor framework is developed and tested to aid in the monitoring and prevention of PU. The proposed system is able to measure, process, and store real-time information about the numerous risk factors of PU. In addition, the framework does not need to be attached to the patient’s body in order to provide extra comfort. Different experiments are conducted to test the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed system. Experimental results indicate that the system is capable to provide the rate of repositioning, temperature, and pressure distribution

Influence of Network forms on the internationalization process : A study on Swedish SMEs

Internationalization is a key concept in today’s globalized world. Globalization has brought about a major shift in the way firms internationalize. Previously, large firms were thought to follow an incremental internationalization process. However, as a result of the rise of international new ventures, the internationalization process has seen a dramatic shift in the internationalization process of firms. Firms no longer follow the traditional models of internationalization. Instead, there are three general phases an international new venture may pass through which are identified by Leonidou and Katsikeas (1996, p. 524): namely: pre-engagement, initial, and advanced.   The change in the internationalization process of firms has led firms access networks to internationalize. The use of networks have been shown to help international new ventures to skip the traditional phases of internationalization  and expand rapidly by linking themselves to established networks (Coviello & Munro, 1995, p. 53). Participation in networks, among other benefits, includes acquiring the necessary knowledge for international operations.   Several important network forms have been identified by different authors. This raises the question what effect these network forms have at the phases of the internationalization process. Three major networks were identified, namely, social, business and intermediaries where each form has its own benefits in the internationalization process of an Small-to-Medium-Size Enterprise (SME). The forms of networks are often described as positive drivers for internationalization. We, however, think that there might also be negative aspects concerning the use of network for internationalization. This study sets out to find what the benefits of each form of network is and also how the networks are used in the internationalization process of an SME. We take into account the perspective of the entrepreneurs as to how they perceive network forms affecting SMEs’ performance at each phase of the internationalization process.  Along with that, we also aim to find out how the forms of networks interact with each other and how they evolve from one network to the other.   We use qualitative methods, in our study, by interviewing six SMEs located in northern Sweden. Multiple case studies were developed, in order to analyse the collected data from the semi-structured interviews. The collected data was transcribed and categorized in order to find the phases of internationalization, benefits of networks, interaction between networks and the negative aspects of networks. It was then analysed using the three predefined forms of networks: social, business and intermediaries.   The findings of the study show that business networks were the most widely used network form throughout the phases of the internationalization process. Social networks and intermediaries were used equally. However, social networks had a greater influence than intermediaries. Our research also identified three phases in the internationalization process. Networks were found to influence each other at all the phases of internationalization and therefore cannot be seperated from each other.

Influence of Network forms on the internationalization process : A study on Swedish SMEs

Internationalization is a key concept in today’s globalized world. Globalization has brought about a major shift in the way firms internationalize. Previously, large firms were thought to follow an incremental internationalization process. However, as a result of the rise of international new ventures, the internationalization process has seen a dramatic shift in the internationalization process of firms. Firms no longer follow the traditional models of internationalization. Instead, there are three general phases an international new venture may pass through which are identified by Leonidou and Katsikeas (1996, p. 524): namely: pre-engagement, initial, and advanced.   The change in the internationalization process of firms has led firms access networks to internationalize. The use of networks have been shown to help international new ventures to skip the traditional phases of internationalization  and expand rapidly by linking themselves to established networks (Coviello & Munro, 1995, p. 53). Participation in networks, among other benefits, includes acquiring the necessary knowledge for international operations.   Several important network forms have been identified by different authors. This raises the question what effect these network forms have at the phases of the internationalization process. Three major networks were identified, namely, social, business and intermediaries where each form has its own benefits in the internationalization process of an Small-to-Medium-Size Enterprise (SME). The forms of networks are often described as positive drivers for internationalization. We, however, think that there might also be negative aspects concerning the use of network for internationalization. This study sets out to find what the benefits of each form of network is and also how the networks are used in the internationalization process of an SME. We take into account the perspective of the entrepreneurs as to how they perceive network forms affecting SMEs’ performance at each phase of the internationalization process.  Along with that, we also aim to find out how the forms of networks interact with each other and how they evolve from one network to the other.   We use qualitative methods, in our study, by interviewing six SMEs located in northern Sweden. Multiple case studies were developed, in order to analyse the collected data from the semi-structured interviews. The collected data was transcribed and categorized in order to find the phases of internationalization, benefits of networks, interaction between networks and the negative aspects of networks. It was then analysed using the three predefined forms of networks: social, business and intermediaries.   The findings of the study show that business networks were the most widely used network form throughout the phases of the internationalization process. Social networks and intermediaries were used equally. However, social networks had a greater influence than intermediaries. Our research also identified three phases in the internationalization process. Networks were found to influence each other at all the phases of internationalization and therefore cannot be seperated from each other.

Sleep Quality in relation with Perceived Stress and Physical Activity in the Students of Pakistani Medical Colleges

Background: Sleep is an essential function of our body. Many surveys have reported the prevalence of poor sleep in university students, especially in medical students.  Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity and stress on sleep quality among medical students in Pakistan. Materials & Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students of private medical colleges in Lahore. A convenient sampling technique was used and 210 students were selected. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Godin Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) were used for data collection. We used SPSS version 20 to analyze data and applied statistical tests: Chi-square test and Logistic Regression.  p-value < 0.05 was taken to establish significance. Results: Among the study participants 91(43.3%) were males and 119 (57.7%) were females. There was a significant effect of stress level on sleep quality (P=0.000*). The frequency of good sleepers was seen to increase by almost three times with increasing physical activity, however, this difference remained non-significant (p=0.07). The logistic regression test showed a significant relationship between poor sleep and stress (p=0. 008**) while no significant relationship was seen between sleep quality and physical activity. Conclusion: There was a significant association between poor sleep and high-stress levels and an increase in physical activity showed an increase in the frequency of good sleep, however, this difference was non-significant. It can be inferred that this positive effect of increasing physical activity on the quality of sleep could be indirectly due to its relieving effect on stress.

Differential Methylation and Acetylation as the Epigenetic Basis of Resveratrol’s Anticancer Activity

Numerous studies support the potent anticancer activity of resveratrol and its regulation of key oncogenic signaling pathways. Additionally, the activation of sirtuin 1, a deacetylase, by resveratrol has been known for many years, making resveratrol perhaps one of the earliest nutraceuticals with associated epigenetic activity. Such epigenetic regulation by resveratrol, and the mechanism thereof, has attracted much attention in the past decade. Focusing on methylation and acetylation, the two classical epigenetic regulations, we showcase the potential of resveratrol as an effective anticancer agent by virtue of its ability to induce differential epigenetic changes. We discuss the de-repression of tumor suppressors such as BRCA-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and Ras Associated Domain family-1&#945; (RASSF-1&#945;) by methylation, PAX1 by acetylation and the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) by both methylation and acetylation, in addition to the epigenetic regulation of oncogenic NF-&#954;B and STAT3 signaling by resveratrol. Further, we evaluate the literature supporting the potentiation of HDAC inhibitors and the inhibition of DNMTs by resveratrol in different human cancers. This discussion underlines a robust epigenetic activity of resveratrol that warrants further evaluation, particularly in clinical settings