Greater Usage Research Articles

“She took no reasoning”: Enticing Someone into a Public Place

<p>McMillan v Crown Prosecution Service<br />[2008] EWHC 1457 (Admin)</p>

Greater usage of the left eye causes better facial gender discrimination

Greater usage of the left eye causes better facial gender discrimination

Succinic acid production from hemicellulose hydrolysate by an Escherichia coli mutant obtained by atmospheric and room temperature plasma and adaptive evolution

Atmospheric and room temperature plasma and adaptive evolution were combined to generate Escherichia coli mutants, which can simultaneously and efficiently utilize glucose and xylose to produce succinic acid in chemically defined medium under exclusively anaerobic condition. Compared to the parent strain BA305, a pflB, ldhA, ppc, and ptsG deletion strain overexpressing ATP-forming phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase (PEPCK), the sugar consumption rate and succinic acid productivity of mutant BA408 were significantly improved with a marked increase in the key enzyme activities. Subsequent anaerobic fermentation of BA408 with corn stalk hydrolysate produced a final succinic acid concentration of 23.1gL−1 with a yield of 0.85gg−1 sugar mixture. The observed synthesis of succinic acid from the corn stalk hydrolysate showed a great potential usage of renewable biomass as a feedstock for an economical succinic acid production using E. coli.

A Family Literacy Intervention to Support Parents in Children's Early Literacy Learning

This study examines a family literacy intervention conducted in two first-grade classrooms with culturally diverse student populations. In the treatment and control classrooms, six parents and a classroom teacher learned practices for building home-school partnerships. Data were analyzed to determine changes in home-literacy practices, increases in parents' knowledge literacy instruction, and changes in children's literacy achievement. Data analyses demonstrated that participating parents showed significantly greater usage of effective storybook reading strategies before and after reading. Parental and teacher participation resulted in statistically significant differences in students' scores on the Concepts of Print assessment, compared to students in the control classroom.

Molecular Analysis of Cytoplasmic Male Sterile System of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour(L.) Moench) By RAPD and ISSR Markers

The present investigation was undertaken to characterize the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of cytoplasmic male sterile line 185A, maintainer line 185B, restorer line RSLG 580R and hybrid 185A × RSLG 580R of sorghum using 40 RAPD and 16 ISSR primers. Out of which 23 RAPD and 12 ISSR primers showed the polymorphism in CMS system of sorghum. The random primer OPC 20 amplified the product of ∼2.84 kb size only in CMS line and hybrid of the sorghum which confirms that cytoplasmic male sterility is maternally inherited trait. Further, it was observed that 12 RAPD and 08 ISSR primers synthesized unique fragments only in mtDNA of CMS line i.e. 185A and were absent in its maintainer, restorer lines and hybrid which might be associated with CMS phenotype of 185A in sorghum. The results of present study may have great usage in sorghum breeding.

Resuable Pectinase Nano Polymeric Particles

Pectinase or pectinolytic enzymes are the group of enzymes that degrade the pectin substances.They have great importance in food industry especially for the production of clear fruit juice. In this study, a new method has been developed for hydrolysis of pectin by using nano pectinase particles in hydrolysis of pectin. At the first step of the study, nano pectinase particles have been synthesized according to Amino Acid (monomer) Decorated and Light Underpinning Conjugation Approach (ANADOLUCA) method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta sizer. In the second step, the hydrolysis of pectin has been investigated using newly synthesized nano pectinase particles and free pectinase enzyme separately and compared to each other. The different conditions that affect the hydrolysis of pectin such as pH, thermal stability, storage stability and reusability have been investigated. Then, the activity of nanopectinase particles and free pectinase enzyme has been analyzed in terms of Michaelis- Menten parameters comparatively. In addition to these studies, the reusability data of nano pectinase particles has been showed a great potential as reusable catalyst when compared to free enzyme. So, the newly synthesized nano pectinase particles are very attractive for hydrolysis of pectin substances and they will have a great usage area in industrial process.

Effects of different regulatory methods on improvement of greenhouse saline soils, tomato quality, and yield.

To identify effective regulatory methods scheduling with the compromise between the soil desalination and the improvement of tomato quality and yield, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of straw mulching and soil structure conditioner and water-retaining agent on greenhouse saline soils, tomato quality, and yield. A higher salt removing rate of 80.72% in plough layer with straw mulching was obtained based on the observation of salt mass fraction in 0~20 cm soil layer before and after the experiment. Salts were also found to move gradually to the deeper soil layer with time. Straw mulching enhanced the content of soil organic matter significantly and was conductive to reserve soil available N, P, and K, while available P and K in soils of plough layer with soil structure conditioner decreased obviously; thus a greater usage of P fertilizer and K fertilizer was needed when applying soil structure conditioner. Considering the evaluation indexes including tomato quality, yield, and desalination effects of different regulatory methods, straw mulching was recommended as the main regulatory method to improve greenhouse saline soils in south China. Soil structure conditioner was the suboptimal method, which could be applied in concert with straw mulching.

JSCSC, Shrivenham: Society of Tri-Service Anaesthetists in Training annual meeting

The prestigious Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) once again hosted this year’s meeting of the Society of Tri-Service Anaesthetists in Training. This conference, welcoming both regular and reserve anaesthetists as well as those General Duties Medical Officers (GDMOs) contemplating a career in Defence anaesthesia, aims to bring together anaesthetic trainees from across all three services and provides a platform for specialty specific updates and presentation of work done by the cadre. The first day was started with the Defence Professor of Anaesthesia, Colonel Mahoney, updating the cadre on recent research emanating from the Department of Military Anaesthesia, Pain & Critical Care, in view of the changing patterns of injuries encountered in recent conflicts. With current conflicts occurring more in closed environments with greater usage of formed explosive devices, research has included examination of the microvascular effects of blast injury, long term cardiorespiratory changes following multiple amputations, and the chronic pain burden of these injuries. The Major Claim Ackroyd Memorial Lecture was given by Professor Mike Grocott, lead investigator of Caudwell Xtreme Everest, who presented findings of his expeditions to the summit of the world’s highest peak. Interestingly this may have significant implications for the future with liberal oxygen therapy possibly leading to a poorer outcome, the clinical implications of which may mean a strategy of ‘permissive hypoxaemia’ is adopted in critically-ill patients in intensive care. The Commanding Officer of 3 Medical Regiment, Lt Col De Rouffignac, gave an enlightening talk on the non-clinical challenges of deployed care outlining the logistical, equipment, maintenance, manning and the environmental health burdens of deployed operations, all of which are essential contributors to an effective mission and can be all too often forgotten unless the resource required is notable by its absence. The first day closed with a presentation from Dr Liam Brennan, Chair of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA) training committee, who gave a talk relevant to many on making the most of the final few years of training and highlighted the value that military personnel brought to the NHS in terms of leadership and management of personnel. These key non-clinical skills are now more than ever required in the light of national press reports on the poor management of some hospitals. There was also discussion on the future of fellowships and post-Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) fellowships in particular, with the feeling that an ‘expert’ requires 100+ cases in their chosen field of subspecialisation. These fellowships are felt to provide valuable experience, and the RCOA is looking to ensure their high quality by examining the possibility of accrediting them. The first day ended with the Society’s annual dinner held in the JSCSC Officers’ Mess, an evening thoroughly enjoyed by all, which allowed the cadre to chat informally not only amongst themselves but also with their single-Service Consultant Advisors and the Defence Consultant Advisor (DCA). The second day saw trainees compete for the David Hughes Prize, presenting audits performed during the course of training. The winner of this year’s prize was Capt Kumar with his presentation entitled “Laryngoscope light failure: The importance of incident reporting”. The runner-up prize was awarded to Surg Lt Cdr Mellor for his presentation “Revisiting the Acute Surgical Patient: The view from the patient’s end”. This was followed by updates from the Regional Advisor, Surg Cdr Birt, as well as updates from each single-Service Advisor on the current situation within their Service. With a return to contingency, on the cessation of combat operations on Op HERRICK, the focus of Defence anaesthesia is likely to alter from that seen at present. There were also specific updates relating to critical care training in light of the alteration of the training scheme and the extended time required to dual-CCT in anaesthesia and critical care. The session also included an update from the DCA, Surg Capt Burgess, on the challenges facing the cadre as a whole, echoing the change in focus from current operations, returning to core business for each Service, and delivering this in light of the recent DMS 20 report. The meeting closed with the Society’s Annual General Meeting, with the reins handed over from the RAF to the Army for the running of next year’s meeting.

Spica Prunella extract inhibits phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and IκBα signals during osteoclastogenesis

Since the 17th century Spica Prunella has been used as a medicinal herb. Dried and pulverized Spica Prunella samples were extracted and used in these experiments. In this study, the effects of Spica Prunella extract (SPE) on RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand)-induced osteoclastogenesis were examined. Actin ring formation, a typical marker of osteoclastogenesis, was inhibited by SPE without any toxicity. There was also a marked inhibition in the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells in bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMMs). SPE also suppressed phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) both of which are signals of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway. Additionally, SPE inhibited IκBα (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha) signaling pathway, which is an important factor in osteoclastogenesis. These results indicate that SPE might suppress osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK in MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways which act as messengers in the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation pathway. This means that SPE could potentially have great therapeutic usage in treating bone erosive diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or in preventing metastasis associated with bone loss.

OVERVIEW OF INDIAN MEDICINAL TREE: BAMBUSA BAMBOS (DRUCE)

India has a great wealth of various nat urally occurring plant drugs which have a great potential for pharmacological activities. Bambusa bambos family Graminae is highly reputed Ayurvedic medicinal tree commonly known as bamboo. It is tall sized tree growing throughout India. It also occurs in Srilanka, Malaya, Peru and Myanmar. Bambusa bambos has been proven to have great pharmacological potential with a great utility and usage as folklore medicine. It is widely used in folk medicine for its anti - inflammatory, astringent, laxative, diuretic, an ti - ulcer, anti - arthritic, anti - obesity and abortifacient activities. The various chemical constituents reported in this plant are oxalic acid, chorogenic acid, ferulicacid,coumeric acid, protocatech uic acid, vanillinic acid, caffeic acid, reducing sugars, resins, waxes, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), benzoic acid, diferuloylarabinoxylanhexasaccharide, diferuloyl oligosaccharide, (5, 5’ - di (diferul9,9’ - dioyl) - [α - L - arabinofuranosyl - (1 →3) - O - β - D - xylopyranosyl - 9 - (1 →4) - D - xylopyranose] (taxiphyllin), arginine, cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenlyamine, threonine, valine, tyrosine, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, betain, choline, proteol ytic enzymes, nuclease, urease. Pharmacological evaluation of various parts of the plant have demonstrated a ntioxidant, anthelminthic, diuretic, anti - inflammatory, anti - ulcer, anti - diabetic, anti - bacterial, anti - fertility, hypothermic, anti - thyroid anti - tumour and ecbolic activities. Various phyto - pharmacological evaluations have been reported in this literature which indicates the potential of Bambusa bambos as a therapeutic agent. This review mainly focuses on traditional, botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological information of Bambusa bambos .

SCADA system for oil refinery control

A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Programmable Logic Control (PLC) system is always used to control small industries like water treatment stations; electric power stations and irrigation systems. Oil and gas refineries generally rely on a Distributed Control System (DCS) to provide all process and equipment control functionality. In this paper, a SCADA/PLC system is used to control a whole oil refinery instead of the conventional control through DCS. The design and specific implementation method of a SCADA/PLC real system in an oil refinery process is introduced. It consists of four main units: a crude oil storage unit, a crude oil pretreatment unit, a distillation unit and products storage/dispatch unit. The output products from crude oil refinery process are Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Naphtha, Gasoline, Kerosene and Diesel that have a great usage in our daily life. The reason for using the Multipoint Interface/Decentralized Peripherals (MPI/DP) connection in main control loop instead of Ethernet connection is that MPI/DP speed is 185kbps and Ethernet connection speed is 10/100kbps, which increases the speed of transfer data through the system. Displacer level transmitters and automatic servo level gauging transmitters are used for measuring levels in the crude oil refinery process. Also differential pressure flow transmitters are used for measuring flow rate. Temperature transmitters with thermocouple temperature elements are used for temperature control. Constructing a highly stable and reliable SCADA/PLC system instead of DCS must realize automatic management and control of oil refinery process in order to avoid the waste of manpower, physical resources, and also to increase the safety of workers.

An engineering Escherichia coli mutant with high succinic acid production in the defined medium obtained by the atmospheric and room temperature plasma

Escherichia coli BA002, the ldhA and pflB deletion strain, cannot utilize glucose in nutrient-rich or minimal media anaerobically. Co-expression of heterologous pyruvate carboxylase and nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase in BA002 resulted in a significant increase in cell mass and succinic acid production. Nevertheless, the resultant strain, BA016, still could not grow in a defined medium without tryptone and yeast extract. To solve the problem, a novel atmospheric and room temperature plasma mutation method was employed to generate mutants which can grow in the defined medium. A mutant designated as LL016 was observed to be the best strain that regained the capacity of cell growth and glucose utilization in a defined medium anaerobically. After 120h of fermentation in the defined medium, 35.0g/L of glucose was consumed to generate 25.2g/L of succinic acid. Furthermore, with the highest glucose consumption rate in the dual-phase fermentation, the yield of succinic acid in LL016 reached 0.87g/g, which was higher than that observed in other strains. From an industrial standpoint, the defined medium is much cheaper than LB medium, which shows a great potential usage for the economical production of succinic acid by LL016.

Investigating the utilization of radiological services by physician patients: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

BackgroundAdvances in radiology technology have contributed to a substantial increase in utilization of radiology services. Physicians, who are well educated in medical matters, would be expected to be knowledgeable about prudent or injudicious use of radiological services. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the utilization of radiology modalities among physician and non-physician patients.MethodsThis nationwide population-based cohort study was carried out using data obtained from the Taiwan National Insurance Database from 1997 to 2008. Physicians and comparison controls selected by propensity score matching were enrolled in the current study. The claims data of ambulatory care and inpatient discharge records were used to measure the utilization of various radiology modalities. Utilization rates of each modality were compared between physicians and non-physicians, and odds ratios of the utilization of each radiology modality were measured. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of X-ray, MRI, and interventional procedures utilization during the study period.ResultsThe utilization of most radiologic services increased among physicians and the comparison group during the observation period. Compared to non-physicians, physicians had significantly higher utilization rates of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but lower utilization rates of X-rays, sonography, and interventional procedures. After adjusting for age, gender, major diseases, urbanicity, and residential regions, logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to non-physicians, the physicians used significantly more MRI (odds ratio [OR]: 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68–2.84, P < 0.001) and significantly less X-rays and interventional procedures (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.72–0.99, P = 0.04 for X-rays and OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54–0.83, P < 0.001 for interventional procedures). Being a physician was a significant predictor of greater usage of MRI and of less usage of X-ray and interventional procedures.ConclusionsThis study revealed different utilization patterns of X-rays, MRI, and interventional procedures between physician and non-physician patients, even after controlling for such factors as socioeconomic status and major diseases.

Efficacy of Standard Versus Enhanced Features in a Web-Based Commercial Weight-Loss Program for Obese Adults, Part 2: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundCommercial Web-based weight-loss programs are becoming more popular and increasingly refined through the addition of enhanced features, yet few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have independently and rigorously evaluated the efficacy of these commercial programs or additional features.ObjectiveTo determine whether overweight and obese adults randomized to an online weight-loss program with additional support features (enhanced) experienced a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) and increased usage of program features after 12 and 24 weeks compared to those randomized to a standard online version (basic).MethodsAn assessor-blinded RCT comparing 301 adults (male: n=125, 41.5%; mean age: 41.9 years, SD 10.2; mean BMI: 32.2 kg/m2, SD 3.9) who were recruited and enrolled offline, and randomly allocated to basic or enhanced versions of a commercially available Web-based weight-loss program for 24 weeks.ResultsRetention at 24 weeks was greater in the enhanced group versus the basic group (basic 68.5%, enhanced 81.0%; P=.01). In the intention-to-treat analysis of covariance with imputation using last observation carried forward, after 24 weeks both intervention groups had reductions in key outcomes with no difference between groups: BMI (basic mean –1.1 kg/m2, SD 1.5; enhanced mean –1.3 kg/m2, SD 2.0; P=.29), weight (basic mean –3.3 kg, SD 4.7; enhanced mean –4.0 kg, SD 6.2; P=.27), waist circumference (basic mean –3.1 cm, SD 4.6; enhanced mean –4.0 cm, SD 6.2; P=.15), and waist-to-height ratio (basic mean –0.02, SD 0.03; enhanced mean –0.02, SD 0.04, P=.21). The enhanced group logged in more often at both 12 and 24 weeks, respectively (enhanced 12-week mean 34.1, SD 28.1 and 24-week mean 43.1, SD 34.0 vs basic 12-week mean 24.6, SD 25.5 and 24-week mean 31.8, SD 33.9; P=.002).ConclusionsThe addition of personalized e-feedback in the enhanced program provided limited additional benefits compared to a standard commercial Web-based weight-loss program. However, it does support greater retention in the program and greater usage, which was related to weight loss. Further research is required to develop and examine Web-based features that may enhance engagement and outcomes and identify optimal usage patterns to enhance weight loss using Web-based programs.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) trial number: ACTRN12610000197033; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=335159 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6HoOMGb8j).

Conceptual Framework for Green Affordable Home in Malaysia

In recent years, interests and activities related to green building has increased. As stakeholders such as builders, architects, and developers have moved towards implementing green building criteria and sub criteria of energy efficiency and the greater usage of reuse and recycled materials in developing homes. The benefits of this transition also influenced the development of affordable homes. In Malaysia, green building for new residential construction consists of six criteria. However the green building criteria are not focusing on affordable home as in Green Communities in US, Eco Homes in UK and Ecocents Living in Australia. Indeed, they have their own green criteria and sub criteria as a means and guidelines for green affordable home development. This paper aims to perceive the criteria and sub criteria of green building which correspond to the types of affordable home in respect to local condition within Malaysia. This research will utilize the Delphi Hierarchy Process (DHP) methodology which integrates the delphi method with the analytic hierarchy process. It assists the expert panels to systematically identify the green affordable home criteria and sub criteria. The findings proposed in this research will be DHP decision model for green affordable home in Malaysia as a tool for decision making for developers in green affordable home development. It is hoped that this study will help to cater the issues of affordable homes as well as environmental with implementation of green building criteria and sub criteria into affordable home in Malaysia.

Agricultural and Food E-Resources Usage at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus

An analysis of selected agricultural and food e-resources at UWI Mona Campus indicate only a small percentage of students and lecturers are utilizing these.&#x0D; These statistics are alarming for a number of reasons, namely: (a) the high cost of these e-resources; (b) the value in e-resources as posited by authors; (c) the reality that e-resources are a feature of the Web 2.0 age in which we currently reside; (d) and quality reviewers’ and accreditation board members’ expectations of universities to provide e-resources. If it is that e-resources are so valuable and are a feature of the Web 2.0 era and yet they are being underutilized, this has clear implications for research throughput in respect of such matters as: term papers, lectures and publications in agricultural and food sciences. Additionally, the low usage threatens the viability of continuing the provision of these e-resources at UWI. Using the UWI Mona Campus population this paper seeks to provide an understanding of the reasons for the current usage patterns; the implications for collection management as well as for research throughput; and the ways in which greater usage can be encouraged.

Technology Focus: Natural Gas Processing and Handling (April 2013)

Technology Focus On the 201st anniversary of the founding of the first commercial gas operation, the Gas, Light and Coke Company (later British Gas), the future for natural gas has never looked better. In 2011, global natural gas reserves increased to the equivalent of approximately 80% of oil reserves. Unconventional gas sources are now a large proportion of US natural gas supply, particularly tight and shale gas (30%) and coalbed methane (CBM) (6%). Natural gas in 2011 contributed 24% of worldwide energy consumption, compared with 33% for oil and 30% for coal. CBM is also an important source of energy, particularly in eastern Australia, where three CBM liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants are under construction and a fourth and possibly a fifth are proposed. CBM and Western Australian conventional gas are set to make Australia the largest LNG exporter in the world within 5 years. Gas is likely to dominate energy supply because of improved available reserves, lower carbon intensity, lesser environmental footprint, and long-term zero-carbon goals involving CO2 capture and sequestration. In addition, removal of contaminants such as water, hydrogen sulfide, and mercury has been improved through nano and smart technologies. Safety improvement research and development is another key objective of the industry. Underground gas storage is now in greater usage for supply security, with smart wireless technology becoming increasingly involved in its management. Six floating LNG offshore production facilities are expected to come on stream within this decade, five in Australasia and the other in offshore Malaysia. The potential is for very remote deep small offshore gas reserves to be economically exploited using floating compressed natural gas (FCNG) technology. Because of the massive effect of US unconventional gas production on LNG imports, gas producers such as Trinidad are reportedly reviewing their future gas export strategies and considering FCNG. Commercial exploitation of the known massive methane hydrate reserves is still some time off. However, research in hydrate control is advancing the understanding of hydrate physical chemistry. This research also has helped conventional deepwater gas production where subsea/downhole heating now is used to prevent hydrate blockages. Early last year, the US and Japan successfully completed a field trial of methane production from hydrates on the Alaska North Slope. To find out more, attend the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, 3–6 May 2013. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 161583 The Optimization of Natural Gas Transportation by Michael J. Economides, University of Houston, et al. SPE 162938 Gas Transmission Market: New Trends Around the World by Gina Vega Riveros, Reservoir Consultant SPE 151161 Control Loop Performance Management To Improve Business Objectives by Zhenhai Liu, ADGAS, et al.

Microclimate of Tree Cavities Used by Great Tits (Parus Major) in a Primeval Forest

Altricial birds nesting in places with a favourable microclimate would be able to maintain the proper temperature of eggs or nestlings with less effort and thus reproduce more successfully. Tree cavities provide relatively safe nesting sites, but their microclimate is hardly known. Here we present the first data on air temperature and humidity in natural cavities used by Great Tits nesting in protected primeval forest in the Białowieża National Park (Eastern Poland). We checked what microclimatic conditions existed in cavities selected by Great Tits, how the construction of a nest changed the microclimate in a cavity and to what extent cavity localisation and cavity dimensions modified the microclimate of the breeding cavities. Great Tits used cavities in the living trees which were characterised by cool but relatively stable temperatures and very high relative humidity. Such conditions appear to be typical for cavities in living trees in general. Cavities with Great Tit broods were warmer and drier that the unused ones. The microclimate did not appear to constitute the major factor determining Great Tit usage of cavities in living trees, but it could exert a modifying effect on the pattern of cavity use by them. By choosing cavities of appropriate dimensions and placing the nest at an appropriate distance from the entrance, Great Tits could modify the cavity microclimate. However, their options were probably constrained by necessity to meet other important requirements, such as nest safety and illumination.

Remote Channels as an Opportunity in Redesigning Portuguese Banks’ Business Model – an Empirical Study in Lisbon Metropolitan Area

Facing an unfavorable economic environment since 2007 the Portuguese banking sector has been unable to generate profitability levels capable of ensuring the industry's attractiveness to investors. The solvency adequacy measures required by regulatory authorities forced the paradigm change in the banking business model. The widespread diffusion of technological innovation in Portuguese society enhances the use of remote banking access channels such as internet banking service (IB) and the ATM, while the traditional branch channel usage is decreasing. A study conducted in the Lisbon area, with 191 responses obtained, revealed that the channels with greater usage intensity are the ATM and IB. It further revealed that there are behavior dimensions on the IB use with direct effect on customer retention. Satisfaction with IB service, perceived switching costs and favorable price perception affect customer retention in their IB service. The findings of this research also confirm that satisfaction with IB service and perceived service price have a direct effect on repurchase intention.

Face image database: a test-bed for evaluation and certification of facial recognition systems

Recently, there has been a growing interest in facial recognition technology because of its great potential usage in tracking and finding persons of interest in public spaces. However, there is no government agency or organisation in Canada with the capability to test or certify facial recognition algorithms, products, or systems. To fill this gap, we carried out a Public Security Technical Program (PSTP) project to create a database that consists of face images commonly used by biometric communities. The objective is to establish a test-bed for government agencies to evaluate the performance of facial recognition algorithms and products. Different test scenarios were studied, and the experimental results illustrated the utility, validity and flexibility of the database.