Trust in electronic banking

Trust among stakeholders is vital for the successful implementation of IS projects such as electronic banking, because such IS initiative do not typically require face-to-face interactions. The Business-to-Business (B2B) model is an example of a relationship that facilitates the implementation of electronic banking. For example, ICT suppliers in alliance with banks to provide and support the IT infrastructure required for electronic banking implementation. These different stakeholders may have different perceptions of trust, which may affect electronic banking implementation. This short paper’s aim is to examine how trust from the stakeholder theory perspective impacts the implementation of electronic banking. This paper proposes, from the stakeholder perspective, an integrated framework that conceptualizes trust between B2B relationships as antecedent to the successful implementation of electronic banking. The research will be based on the multi-case study method. Our proposed study provides a foundation for researchers and practitioners alike in understanding the concept of trust and its impact on IS projects

Corporate social responsibility: a stages framework

This article speculates whether British companies evolved more effective systems, practices, and procedures for implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental policies within the period 1994-2004. It is found out that CSR and environmental issues have become increasingly significant in large companies. This is because corporate image and reputation are often factors in the equation leading to competitive success. Benefits may not always be readily quantifiable, but the costs of reputational loss can be dramatic

A Global Treatment Of VMD Physics Up To The ϕ\phi: I. e+e−e^+e^- Annihilations, Anomalies And Vector Meson Partial Widths

The HLS Model, equipped with a mechanism providing the breaking of U(3)/SU(3) symmetry and an isospin symmetry breaking leading naturally to vector meson mixing, has been recently shown to successfully account for e^+ e^- \ra \pi^+\pi^- cross section and for the dipion spectrum in $\tau$ decay. The present study shows that the full anomalous sector of the HLS model can be considered and is validated by the experimental data. Indeed, this extended model provides a successful simultaneous fit to the e^+ e^- \ra \pi^+\pi^- data together with the available data on e^+ e^- \ra \pi^0\gamma, e^+ e^- \ra \eta\gamma and e^+ e^- \ra \pi^0 \pi^+\pi^- cross sections. It is shown that the fit of these data sets also predicts an accurate description of the \eta/\eta^\prime \ra \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma decays fully consistent with the reported information on their branching fractions and spectra. Finally, one also derives from our global fits products of widths of the form \Gamma (V \ra f_1)\Gamma(V \ra e^+ e^-) and ratios of the form \Gamma (V \ra f_1)/\Gamma (V \ra f_2) describing decays of vector mesons to several non--leptonic final states.Comment: 58 pages, 10 figures Corrected a few misprints. Footnote 10 change

Technologies for aerobraking

Aerobraking is one of the largest contributors to making both lunar and Mars missions affordable. The use of aerobraking/aeroassist over all propulsive approaches saves as much as 60 percent of the initial mass required in low earth orbit (LEO); thus, the number and size of earth to orbit launch vehicles is reduced. Lunar transfer vehicles (LTV), which will be used to transport personnel and materials from LEO to lunar outpost, will aerobrake into earth's atmosphere at approximately 11 km/sec on return from the lunar surface. Current plans for both manned and robotic missions to Mars use aerocapture during arrival at Mars and at return to Earth. At Mars, the entry velocities will range from about 6 to 9.5 km/sec, and at Earth the return velocity will be about 12.5 to 14 km/sec. These entry velocities depend on trajectories, flight dates, and mission scenarios and bound the range of velocities required for the current studies. In order to successfully design aerobrakes to withstand the aerodynamic forces and heating associated with these entry velocities, as well as to make them efficient, several critical technologies must be developed. These are vehicle concepts and configurations, aerothermodynamics, thermal protection system materials, and guidance, navigation, and control systems. The status of each of these technologies are described, and what must be accomplished in each area to meet the requirements of the Space Exploration Initiative is outlined

A Global Treatment Of VMD Physics Up To The ϕ\phi: I. e+e−e^+e^- Annihilations, Anomalies And Vector Meson Partial Widths

The HLS Model, equipped with a mechanism providing the breaking of U(3)/SU(3) symmetry and an isospin symmetry breaking leading naturally to vector meson mixing, has been recently shown to successfully account for e^+ e^- \ra \pi^+\pi^- cross section and for the dipion spectrum in $\tau$ decay. The present study shows that the full anomalous sector of the HLS model can be considered and is validated by the experimental data. Indeed, this extended model provides a successful simultaneous fit to the e^+ e^- \ra \pi^+\pi^- data together with the available data on e^+ e^- \ra \pi^0\gamma, e^+ e^- \ra \eta\gamma and e^+ e^- \ra \pi^0 \pi^+\pi^- cross sections. It is shown that the fit of these data sets also predicts an accurate description of the \eta/\eta^\prime \ra \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma decays fully consistent with the reported information on their branching fractions and spectra. Finally, one also derives from our global fits products of widths of the form \Gamma (V \ra f_1)\Gamma(V \ra e^+ e^-) and ratios of the form \Gamma (V \ra f_1)/\Gamma (V \ra f_2) describing decays of vector mesons to several non--leptonic final states.Comment: 58 pages, 10 figures Corrected a few misprints. Footnote 10 change

Prevalence, intensity, and effect of a nematode (Philometra saltatrix) in the ovaries of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Examination of 203 adult bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from Long Island, New York, in 2002 and 2003 and 66 from the Outer Banks, North Carolina, in 2003 revealed the presence of dracunculoid nematodes (Philometra saltatrix) in the ovaries of female fish. Percent prevalence reached 88% in July and then decreased after the peak of the spawning season. Bluefish contained up to 100 parasites per fish. Infection was associated with a range of disorders, including hemorrhage, inf lammation, edema, prenecrotic and necrotic changes, and follicular atresia, that may prevent proper development of oocytes and probably affect bluefish fecundity. Historical occurrences, life cycle, and geographical distribution of this nematode remain largely unknown, but may play important roles in recruitment processes of bluefish