U.S. consumers and electronic banking, 1995-2003

The availability and variety of electronic banking technologies in the marketplace has greatly expanded in recent years. For financial institutions, e-banking technologies can speed processing, reduce costs, and help attract and retain customers. For consumers, they can save time and money and may be more convenient than more traditional ways of banking. This article draws on data from two nationwide surveys to look at consumer use of such products and services as debit cards, pre-authorized debits, and computer banking, particularly as use relates to consumer demographic characteristics and consumer perceptions. ; The data show a consistent increase in the proportion of consumers using a variety of e-banking technologies. Consumer attitudes toward e-banking generally have become more positive over time, with more consumers seeing e-banking as convenient, familiar, easy to use, and secure. The use of some technologies, particularly debit cards, has become more democratized over time, but it is still the case that most e-banking technologies tend to be used by higher income, higher asset, younger, and better educated households. ; E-banking technologies hold the promise of helping families manage their money, pay their bills on time, and avoid overextending themselves with credit. To take full advantage of them, however, consumers need to become aware of the evolving array of e-banking technologies available to them and understand how different technologies fit with their financial management needs. Financial planners and consumer educators, working with both families and financial institutions, can help the promise become a reality.Electronic funds transfers ; Internet banking

First results from the LUCID-Timepix spacecraft payload onboard the TechDemoSat-1 satellite in Low Earth Orbit

The Langton Ultimate Cosmic ray Intensity Detector (LUCID) is a payload onboard the satellite TechDemoSat-1, used to study the radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit ($\sim$635km). LUCID operated from 2014 to 2017, collecting over 2.1 million frames of radiation data from its five Timepix detectors on board. LUCID is one of the first uses of the Timepix detector technology in open space, with the data providing useful insight into the performance of this technology in new environments. It provides high-sensitivity imaging measurements of the mixed radiation field, with a wide dynamic range in terms of spectral response, particle type and direction. The data has been analysed using computing resources provided by GridPP, with a new machine learning algorithm that uses the Tensorflow framework. This algorithm provides a new approach to processing Medipix data, using a training set of human labelled tracks, providing greater particle classification accuracy than other algorithms. For managing the LUCID data, we have developed an online platform called Timepix Analysis Platform at School (TAPAS). This provides a swift and simple way for users to analyse data that they collect using Timepix detectors from both LUCID and other experiments. We also present some possible future uses of the LUCID data and Medipix detectors in space.Comment: Accepted for publication in Advances in Space Researc

Critical Internal Factors Influencing The Centralization Of Stock Procurement Processes In A South African Municipality

The purpose of this paper was threefold: 1) to examine the internal factors influencing centralization of stock procurement processes, 2) to assess the relationship between demographic factors and staff understanding of Information Communication Technology (ICT) with performance improvement, and 3) to examine the relationship between prevention of corruption with management commitment. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 82 members of staff from procurement division in a South African municipality, with specific reference from the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province. A census sampling method was used and a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The results indicate that ICT, planning tools, communication tools, inbound logistics, and staff competency are the most contributing factors influencing decentralized procurement process of stocks in a South African municipality. Although a hypothesis between performance improvement and gender was rejected, the study showed significance relationships between performance improvement with qualification (p=.035), experience (p=.000), and age (p=.000). It further proved that there is a significance relationship between understanding the ICT and performance improvement (p=.031) and that prevention of corruption is significantly related with management commitment (p=.001). Based on the results, the study recommends that a supporting internal control should be established to ensure that the centralization of stocks by procurement is executed by individuals with clear understanding of inbound logistics, clear communication, commitment, and comprehensive planning. Since the findings of this study are based on 82 members of staff from one South African municipality, it is recommended that a larger sample size may be used in future studies in order to improve accuracy of the results

Virtual money, virtual control?: electronic money, electronic cash and governance

The modern monetary system is comprised of a number of different types of money, many of which are in forms connected with developing information and communications technologies. This category of money is generally referred to as electronic money. This thesis explores whether these new forms of money are in part responsible for the apparently changing abilities of central banks to govern monetary policy. Lastly, I seek to determine whether theorized trends of money toward electronic cash are likely, and if so, what sort of impact they will have on central banks\u27 monetary policy efficacy

A Qualitative Evaluation of the Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electronic Payment Systems (SMEs) by SMEs in Nigeria

No nation can compete in a global market without developing a versatile and veritable platform for competition especially in trade and commerce through electronic business (e-business) and electronic commerce (e-commerce). Not too long ago, the Nigerian government enacted a visionary policy code-named PSV20:2020 targeted at adopting information and communication technology (ICT) for proper management of the Nigerian economy as part of its effort to become a member of the twenty most economically developed countries in the world by the year 2020. To achieve this, the Nigerian government created the policy of a cashless economy in which all payments for goods and services especially in government businesses have to be done electronically. To make this policy work particularly among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, this study examines those factors that influence the adoption and use of electronic payment systems (EPS). A qualitative analytical approach has been adopted in this study. 4 Small and Medium Enterprise owners/managers and 2 officials of two different Banks – the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) – were interviewed. Data collected from the interview were processed and analysed. Few recommendations were made

International benchmarking of Australian telecommunications services

The study compares the performance of the Australian telecommunications services industry with those in other countries. Related papers submitted to this study by NECG Ltd. and Telecom New Zealand have been released with the report.international benchmarking - telecommunications - Telstra - carriers - service providers - social policy - retail price regulation - Universal Service Obligation - competition - regulation - access - number portability - accounting separation - anti-competitive behaviour - Public Switched Telephone Network - ISDN - mobile - residential price - business price - phone - SMEs - quality of service - performance indicators - productivity

Development of a Power Factor Corrected High Current Supercapacitor Charger for a Surge Resistant UPS

The Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPSs) provide short term power back up to electrical loads when the mains power fail. Usually UPSs employ battery packs as the energy storage device. However the limitations of battery packs can affect the UPS performance. As an alternative energy storage device, the supercapacitor (SC) technology is well developed over the past 30 years. Due to recent developments, single cell commercial supercapacitors are available up to about 5000 farads. Over the past 10 years, supercapacitor direct current (DC) voltage ratings have gradually increased to about 2.7 V/cell. New lithium based supercapacitor families have DC ratings up to 3.5 V/cell. For the high current applications, the supercapacitors have some advantages over batteries, which are the low effective series resistance (ESR), high power densities and high surge withstand capability. This thesis is a continuation of the work begun by Kozhiparambil, P. K. on Surge Resistant Uninterrupted Power Supply (SRUPS). The reason for this continual research is due to identify weaknesses in original of SRUPS work with regard to the design of the charger. To reduce the components contain, also achieve common mode transient rejection capability, a flayback mode high current charger with power factor correction has been developed for charging the SC banks. The prototype circuit includes multiple SC banks to transfer the energy from the 240 V, 50 Hz power line to the load maintaining high isolation level. The loads receive continuous and surge free power from the SC banks, and has electrical isolation from the main power line. An IGBT is used as a switch for the flyback charger, which has the advantage of high current capability. The experimental results show the design was valid for the SRUPS and it demonstrated the capability to transfer the energy through a flyback charger with power factor correction

An exploration of the impact of electronic conveyancing (eConveyancing) upon management of risk in conveyancing transactions

This research examined the management of risk in conveyancing transactions in the context of the move from paper based to electronic conveyancing (eConveyancing). Legal, descriptive, analytical and comparative techniques were deployed in order to determine the likely impact of technological change on the distribution of legal risk with particular reference to Ontario and Ireland. The impact is the extent to which a change in transactional process may unintentionally affect risk. Risk being the consequence of change and the likelihood of that consequence having a negative effect. The particular focus was on risks that impact on title registration and the security, protection or lack thereof that this registration offers to land owners, third parties and property claimants. The method deployed was to use a model or abstracted process to perform a transaction analysis based on abstract participants and their standpoint in the process. The methodology was based upon doctrinal legal scholarship in the comparative law tradition. Both the method and methodology demanded that a neutral vocabulary be generated and this formed the foundation for the schematic

European Mixed Forests: definition and research perspectives

peer-reviewedAim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) briefly review the research perspectives in mixed forests. Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide. Material and methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests. Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time. The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests. Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities.The networking in this study has been supported by COST Action FP1206 EuMIXFOR