University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

Examining emerging ICT's adoption in SMEs from a dynamic process approach

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to advance information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption research and practice by examining and understanding the emerging ICT adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from a dynamic process perspective using actor-network theory (ANT). Design/methodology/approach – This study employs a qualitative approach to investigate how services SMEs are constantly engaging in ICT adoption for improving business performance. Two rounds of interviews were conducted with 26 interviewees. Data collected from the unstructured and semi-structured interviews were analysed to understand the dynamic adoption process, actors involved and their interactions. Findings – The findings reveal the recursive and dynamic nature of the emerging ICT adoption process and the constant interactions and negotiations of various actors. Underpinned by the key concepts of ANT and validated by the empirical data, a framework is developed to depict the stages of dynamic process of emerging ICT adopt...

Interference Mitigation in Cognitive-Radio-Based Femtocells

Abstract: Femtocell architecture involves the use of two separate layers—the macrocell and femtocell layers. In this architecture, the former is the conventional cellular network, whereas the latter incorporates a range of shorter range cells. Femtocells are designed to coexist alongside macrocells, providing spatial frequency reuse, higher spectrum efficiency, and cover areas where macrocells cannot. Femtocells positioned in the macrocell considerably improve the indoor coverage and provide better user experience. However, interference between the two layers is imminent; therefore, ways to manage it must be employed to efficiently avoid problems such as coverage holes in the macrocells. Essential limits of capacity and attainable data rates also mainly depend on the interference faced by a femtocell network. Recently, cognitive radio (CR), which has the ability to sense its environment and accordingly alter its characteristics, e.g., transmission parameters, has been merged with femtocells to exploit the capabilities of the former in the latter. CR-enabled femtocells in a two-tier network can sense the environment and opportunistically allocate both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands to user equipments to avoid interference. This paper examines interference mitigation in femtocells using CR and provides comprehensive survey of different CR-enabled interference mitigation schemes. Presented schemes such as power control, spectrum access, antenna, and joint schemes are classified before they are compared for pros and cons. Finally, tradeoffs and cost of using CR in femtocells are highlighted with some insight into future research issues and challenges.

Effect of particle type on the mechanisms of break up of nanoscale particle clusters

Abstract: Nanoparticles tend to form large clusters (aggregates and agglomerates) which need to be broken up when dispersing in a liquid. The dispersion of nanoparticle clusters has been studied to investigate the kinetics and mechanisms of break up with two types of particles: fumed silica and aluminium oxide. Results obtained under different processing conditions using an in-line rotor-stator are reported. It could be concluded that break up occurs predominantly through erosion in the case of silica and shattering with aluminium oxide.

Downregulation of hsa_circ_0000285 serves as a prognostic biomarker for bladder cancer and is involved in cisplatin resistance.

Abstract: Bladder cancer remains a very challenging disease to treat with the high rates of recurrence and progression associated with current therapies. Although the association between bladder cancer pathology and circRNAs remains undetermined, circRNAs signatures may be useful as prognostic and predictive factors and clinical tools for assessing disease state, treatment response and outcome. This study investigates if these circRNAs can be used as biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnosis and predicting treatment response. Herein, qPCR measured the expression of hsa_circRNA_100783, hsa_circ_0000285 and hsa_circRNA_100782 in bladder cancer tissues. It was established that sa_circ_0000285, but not hsa_circRNA_100782 and hsa_circRNA_10078, are significantly reduced in bladder cancer tissues and serum compared to adjacent tissues and healthy controls. Moreover, hsa_circ_0000285 expression was lower in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer patients than in those who were cisplatin-sensitive. Here, hsa_circ_0000285 was associated with tumor size (p<0.001), differentiation (p<0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.038), distant metastasis (p=0.004) and TNM stage (p=0.013). Further analysis showed that hsa_circ_0000285 would be an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer patient outcome. In conclusion, our study indicates hsa_circ_0000285 may be a novel biomarker for bladder cancer because of its involvement in bladder cancer chemo-sensitivity.