Mobile payment: towards a customer-centric model

Mobile payment normally occurs as a wireless transaction of monetary value and includes the initiation, authorization and the realization of the payment. Such transactions are facilitated by purpose-built mobile payment systems that are part of the service infrastructure supporting the functioning of mobile business applications. A number of stakeholder groups may be involved in concluding a mobile payment transaction, among them customers, mobile operators, financial institutions, merchants, and intermediaries. In this paper, mobile payment systems are characterised from the point of view of the stakeholder groups. Building on existing work, a supply and demand model for the investigation of mPayment services is presented, and applied to a case study

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Biometric security systems: finally, a friend?

Information systems security has broadened its meaning and significance and has started to affect our lives and behaviours. The research literature identifies five related research domains: information systems, security policies, security technologies, security assurance, and security interfaces. This paper discusses some aspects of user acceptance of biometrical measurements for the purposes of authentication and access control and concludes that initial user rejection of the commonly implemented biometrics and fear of privacy abuse have been replaced by a de facto user acceptance. It hypothesizes that there is correlation between users’ awareness of the broader consequences of a particular biometric system and the level of their acceptance of the system

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FOR IRON-DEFICIENCY STATES IN INFANTS AGED BETWEEN ONE AND THREE YEARS IN THE TOWN OF VARNA

Haemoglobin content of 1884 infants was estimated. Examinations were performed at the age of one and three years. This retrospective, 10-year long trial covered the children born between 1987 and 1996. Mean haemoglobin values demonstrated a tendency towards reduction since 1990 more outlined in boys than in girls. The relative share of the one-year old infants with haemoglobin levels over 120 g/l decreased while that one of the infants with haemoglobin levels below 110 g/l strongly increased. There was a considerable percentage of infants with haemoglobin content reduction between the first and third year of life. These results allow the assumption that there exists a risk for iron-deficiency states and anaemiae in a significant part of the children aged between 1 and 3 years. This circumstance necessitates a complex preventive action

Teaching differently: a hybrid delivery model

A variety of frameworks for distant, online and flexible learning have been proposed. This paper looks into the defining features of some of these models and describes the hybrid model of flexible delivery. The hybrid model integrates face-to-face classes of instructed practical works, online learning environments and distance learning units. Based on guided and self-centred student learning the model is capable of recognising multiculturalism and diverse student learning needs. It supports and encourages contributions from all participants and a team approach to teaching and learning

Thioamides. XIV.The Oxidative Cyclisation of some Substituted Bisthioamides

Disubstituted benzobisthiazoles (Figure 1.) and bis(benzothiazolyl) benzenes (Figure 2.) were prepared by the oxidative cyc1ization of N,N\u27 -bis(thioaroyl)phenylenediamilnes and benzenebis( carbofoioanilides), respectively. It has been found that in the oxidation of N,N\u27 -bis(thioaroyl)phenylenediamines with alkalilne ferricyanide the isomers of an angular structure (B) were obtained

Thioamides. XIII. The Preparation of Some Substituted Bisthioamides

As a part of our studies on orientation in oxidative cyclization of N-arlythi. oamides, we tum the attention to oxidations of bisthiomides derived from isomeric phenylenediamines or isomeric benzenedicarboxylic acids1• Among numerous substituted thioamides synthetized as yet2 there are not many examples either of N,N\u27 -bis(thioaroyl)phenylenediamines (I), or of benzenebis (carbothioanilides) (II)

A national facilitation project to improve primary palliative care : impact of the Gold Standards Framework on process and self-ratings of quality

Background: Improving quality of end-of-life care is a key driver of UK policy. The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for Palliative Care aims to strengthen primary palliative care through facilitating implementation of systematic clinical and organisational processes. Objectives: To describe the general practices that participated in the GSF programme in 2003–5 and the changes in process and perception of quality that occurred in the year following entry into the programme, and to identify factors associated with the extent of change. Methods: Participating practices completed a questionnaire at baseline and another approximately 12 months later. Data were derived from categorical questions about the implementation of 35 organisational and clinical processes, and self-rated assessments of quality, associated with palliative care provision. Participants: 1305 practices (total registered population almost 10 million). Follow-up questionnaire completed by 955 (73.2%) practices (after mean (SD) 12.8 (2.8) months; median 13 months). Findings: Mean increase in total number of processes implemented (maximum = 35) was 9.6 (95% CI 9.0 to 10.2; p<0.001; baseline: 15.7 (SD 6.4), follow-up: 25.2 (SD 5.2)). Extent of change was largest for practices with low baseline scores. Aspects of process related to coordination and communication showed the greatest change. All dimensions of quality improved following GSF implementation; change was highest for the "quality of palliative care for cancer patients" and "confidence in assessing, recording and addressing the physical and psychosocial areas of patient care". Conclusion: Implementation of the GSF seems to have resulted in substantial improvements in process and quality of palliative care. Further research is required of the extent to which this has enhanced care (physical, practical and psychological outcomes) for patients and carers

Focus and setting in mobile learning research: a review of the literature

Mobile learning (mLearning) is an ubiquitous learning activity supported by the appropriate mobile technology and pedagogical approach. Mobile learning research has experienced a significant growth in the last half a decade, following the increase in innovative applications and the expansion of the contexts in which mLearning is deployed. Based on a review of publications found in international conference proceedings and journals, this study classifies mLearning research according to its focus, and proposes a classification framework. Patterns in shifting research focus are identified and some defining characteristics of the approaches undertaken are elicited. The results of the analysis show that while mobile learning research continues to be motivated by the innovative mobile technology it is also increasingly concerned with the development of a theoretical foundation in order to underpin the new paradigm and inform contemporary mobile learning design and practice