Exploring Internationalisation for Online Service Providers

Background: There are many theories regarding internationalisation and growth but not much is written about the subject in a combination with the online business field. As Internet actors are increasing in number, the area is interesting in several aspects. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define important factors regarding internationalisation of online service providers. Method: A literature study is conducted together with a case study of five market entries for an online service provider. The case study has a qualitative approach and is mainly based on semi-structured interviews with market managers at the target company. Theoretical framework: The study’s frame of reference includes theory regarding internationalisation, service management, and online business. The analysis model used in the study is built up from three theoretical frameworks: the PEST analysis, the CAGE distance analysis, and the Three Cs analysis. Results: Several different factors were found to be of importance for online service providers looking to enter a new market. Summarized the factors found to be of importance were cultural distance (including the aspect of trust), the development rate of Internet usage, the maturity of the market for the service technology, and the company’s presence on the market. The most important factor for the enabling of a successful market entry was found to be the knowledge acquired of the market and the target market before the entry, which could greatly contribute to faster reaching the target market and possible suppliers. Some factors were also found to be specific for the target company, which indicates that there are additional factors of importance to be found for every specific company and their field of business

Совершенствование организации труда руководителей и специалистов предприятия (на примере филиала «Гомельское производственное управление» РПУП «Гомельоблгаз»)

In this paper we propose a new approach to real-time view-based pose recognition and interpolation. Pose recognition is particularly useful for identifying camera views in databases, video sequences, video streams, and live recordings. All of these applications require a fast pose recognition process, in many cases video real-time. It should further be possible to extend the database with new material, i.e., to update the recognition system online. The method that we propose is based on P-channels, a special kind of information representation which combines advantages of histograms and local linear models. Our approach is motivated by its similarity to information representation in biological systems but its main advantage is its robustness against common distortions such as clutter and occlusion. The recognition algorithm consists of three steps: (1) low-level image features for color and local orientation are extracted in each point of the image; (2) these features are encoded into P-channels by combining similar features within local image regions; (3) the query P-channels are compared to a set of prototype P-channels in a database using a least-squares approach. The algorithm is applied in two scene registration experiments with fisheye camera data, one for pose interpolation from synthetic images and one for finding the nearest view in a set of real images. The method compares favorable to SIFT-based methods, in particular concerning interpolation. The method can be used for initializing pose-tracking systems, either when starting the tracking or when the tracking has failed and the system needs to re-initialize. Due to its real-time performance, the method can also be embedded directly into the tracking system, allowing a sensor fusion unit choosing dynamically between the frame-by-frame tracking and the pose recognition.Original Publication: Michael Felsberg and Johan Hedborg, Real-Time View-Based Pose Recognition and Interpolation for Tracking Initialization, 2007, Journal of real-time image processing, (2), 2-3, 103-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11554-007-0044-y Copyright: Springer Science Business Medi

Differentiation in Neuroblastoma: Diffusion-Limited Hypoxia Induces Neuro-Endocrine Secretory Protein 55 and Other Markers of a Chromaffin Phenotype

Background: Neuroblastoma is a childhood malignancy of sympathetic embryonal origin. A high potential for differentiation is a hallmark of neuroblastoma cells. We have previously presented data to suggest that in situ differentiation in tumors frequently proceeds along the chromaffin lineage and that decreased oxygen ( hypoxia) plays a role in this. Here we explore the utility of Neuro-Endocrine Secretory Protein 55 ( NESP55), a novel member of the chromogranin family, as a marker for this process.Methodology/Principal Findings: Immunohistochemical analyses and in situ hybridizations were performed on human fetal tissues, mouse xenografts of human neuroblastoma cell lines, and on specimens of human neuroblastoma/ganglioneuroma. Effects of anaerobic exposure on gene expression by cultured neuroblastoma cells was analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR. Fetal sympathetic nervous system expression of NESP55 was shown to be specific for chromaffin cell types. In experimental and clinical neuroblastoma NESP55 immunoreactivity was specific for regions of chronic hypoxia. NESP55 expression also correlated strikingly with morphological evidence of differentiation and with other chromaffin-specific patterns of gene expression, including IGF2 and HIF2 alpha. Anaerobic culture of five neuroblastoma cell lines resulted in an 18.9-fold mean up-regulation of NESP55.Conclusions/Significance: The data confirms that chronic tumor hypoxia is a key microenvironmental factor for neuroblastoma cell differentiation, causing induction of chromaffin features and NESP55 provides a reliable marker for this neuronal to neuroendocrine transition. The hypoxia-induced phenotype is the predominant form of differentiation in stroma-poor tumors, while in stroma-rich tumors the chromaffin phenotype coexists with ganglion cell-like differentiation. The findings provide new insights into the biological diversity which is a striking feature of this group of tumors

Multimodal behavioral treatment of migraine: An Internet-administered, randomized, controlled trial

Introduction. Multimodal approaches in behavioral treatment have gained recent interest, with proven efficacy for migraine. The utility of the Internet has been demonstrated for behavioral treatment of headache disorders, but not specifically for migraine. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate an Internet-based multimodal behavior treatment (MBT) program for migraine and to test hand massage treatment as an adjunct. Methods. Eighty-three adults, 58 women and 25 men, with at least two migraine attacks a month were recruited via advertisements. An MBT program aiming at improvements in life-style and stress coping was developed for this study and, together with a diary, adapted for use over the Internet. Participants were randomized to MBT with and without hand massage and to a control group, and were followed for 11 months. Questionnaires addressing issues of quality of life (PQ23) and depressive symptoms (MADRS-S) were used. Results. A 50%, or greater, reduction in migraine frequency was found in 40% and 42% of participants of the two groups receiving MBT (with and without hand massage, respectively), who statistically were significantly more improved than participants in the control group. No effect of hand massage was detected, and gender did not show any independent contribution to the effect in a multivariate analysis. Conclusions. MBT administered over the Internet appears feasible and effective in the treatment of migraine, but no effect of hand massage was found. For increased knowledge on long-term effects and the modes of action of the present MBT program, further studies are needed

Cancer cell differentiation heterogeneity and aggressive behavior in solid tumors

The differentiation stage of tumors is a central aspect in the histopathological classification of solid malignancies. The differentiation stage is strongly associated with tumor behavior, and generally an immature tumor is more aggressive than the more differentiated counterpart. While this is common knowledge in surgical pathology, the contribution of differentiation-related gene expression and functions to tumor behavior is often overlooked in the experimental, tumor biological setting. The mechanisms by which tumor cell differentiation stages are perturbed or affected are poorly explored but have recently come into focus with the introduction.of the tumor stem cell concept. While developmental biologists view the differentiation as a unidirectional event, pathologists and tumor biologists have introduced the concept of dedifferentiation to explain phenotypic changes occurring in solid tumors. In this review we discuss the impact of the tumor cell differentiation stage as used in surgical pathology. We further discuss knowledge gained from exploring the molecular basis of the differentiation and dedifferentiation processes in neuroblastoma and breast cancer, two tumor forms where the tumor cell differentiation concept is used in the clinical diagnostic work and where the tumor stem cell theory has been applied

Electrochemically synthesized polymers in molecular imprinting for chemical sensing

This critical review describes a class of polymers prepared by electrochemical polymerization that employs the concept of molecular imprinting for chemical sensing. The principal focus is on both conducting and nonconducting polymers prepared by electropolymerization of electroactive functional monomers, such as pristine and derivatized pyrrole, aminophenylboronic acid, thiophene, porphyrin, aniline, phenylenediamine, phenol, and thiophenol. A critical evaluation of the literature on electrosynthesized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) applied as recognition elements of chemical sensors is presented. The aim of this review is to highlight recent achievements in analytical applications of these MIPs, including present strategies of determination of different analytes as well as identification and solutions for problems encountered

Virtuell handledning : Vårdpersonalens erfarenheter

Abstrakt Detta examensarbete är en del av projektet e–clubbing som startade 1.1.2016 och vars syfte är att främja hälsa, välbefinnande och delaktighet hos utsatta individer samt genom stöd av likställda, stärka deltagarnas egna resurser. Examensarbetets syfte är att fördjupa kunskapen om virtuell handledning och examensarbetets frågeställningar är följande: Vilka erfarenheter har vårdpersonalen av att handleda virtuellt? Hur upplever vårdpersonalen innehållet på hemsidan utifrån egna erfarenheter? Som datainsamlingsmetoder har skribenterna använt sig av ett kvalitativt frågeformulär och fokusgrupp, och i och med detta har examensarbetet en kvalitativ ansats. Det är vårdpersonal i Pargas stad som har besvarat frågorna i frågeformuläret och deltagit i fokusgruppsdiskussionen. Utgående från vårdpersonalens erfarenheter, litteratur och skribenternas iakttagelser fås ett resultat angående e-clubbing-hemsidans status och en inblick i hur det är att handleda virtuellt. Resultatet visar att vårdpersonalen upplever virtuell handledning som positivt, enkelt, kostnadseffektivt och praktiskt. De kände även nervositet inför risken att det skulle uppstå bekymmer med t.ex. tekniken. Det skulle behövas förbättring av marknadsföringen av virtuell handledning, utveckling av den virtuella apparaturen och samarbete med andra instanser för teknisk hjälp i hemmet vid långa avstånd. Upplevelsen av hemsidan var positiv men det kom även fram förbättringsförslag som skribenterna har fört vidare till ansvarig redigerare. Arbetet riktar sig till all personal inom vården som vill veta mer om handledning på distans/virtuellt: sjukskötare, socionomer, terapeuter, hälsovårdare m.fl.Abstract The following thesis is part of the “E-Clubbing” project which started on 1st January 2016. The aim of the project is to promote the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals and to give them a chance to participate and interact with similar individuals, hence enabling the participants to strengthen their own resources. The purpose of the Bachelor´s thesis is to deepen the knowledge about virtual tutoring and the research questions are: what experiences do the healthcare professionals have from virtual tutoring? How do healthcare professionals react to the content of the “E-Clubbing” website based on their own experiences? Data was collected through a qualitative questionnaire and a focus group and consequently, the thesis has a qualitative approach. Healthcare professionals in the City of Pargas have filled out the questionnaire and participated in the focus group discussion. Based on the experiences of the healthcare professionals, current literature and the authors´ observations, a result defining the status of the e-clubbing website is obtained, as well deepened insights into virtual supervision. The result shows that healthcare professionals experience virtual supervision positively, and as an easy, cost-effective and practical tool. However, they also felt nervous of conducting meetings due to the risk of technical issues. There is a demand for improved marketing and promotion of virtual supervision, virtual device development, and collaboration with other long-distance technical assistance agencies to provide necessary technology in the homes of the clients. The experience of the e-clubbing website was positive, but the result also included suggestions of improvement that the authors have brought to responsible editors. The research is aimed at all healthcare professionals who are interested in virtual supervision, for example nurses, social workers, therapists and healthcare professionals