Abstract: This research paper seeks to investigate the factors determining the continuance usage of online mobile payment applications among WECHAT users in China. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory would both be applied as the theoretical foundation for this study. A developed instrument would be administered to the targeted sample of 1000 WECHAT Users in the City of Harbin, China, through an online questionnaire administration platform. Factors such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived service quality, social influence, trust in the internet, internet self-efficacy, relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity would be explored to determine its significant impact on the continuance intention to use mobile payment apps. This study is at the development and implementation stage. The successful completion of this research article would not only provide an insightful understanding of the factors influencing the decision of WECHAT users in China to use mobile payment applications but also enrich the e-commerce adoption literature.
Abstract: The main objective of this research was to study the differences of aluminum hydrolytic products between two PACl preparation methods. These two methods were the acidification process of freshly formed amorphous Al(OH)3 and the conventional alkalization process of aluminum chloride solution. According to Ferron test and 27Al NMR analysis of those two PACl preparation procedures, the reaction rate constant (k) values and Al13 percentage of acid addition process at high basicity value were both lower than those values of the alkaline addition process. The results showed that the molecular structure and size distribution of the aluminum species in both preparing methods were suspected to be significantly different at high basicity value.
Abstract: The study of organisations’ information security
cultures has attracted scholars as well as healthcare services industry
to research the topic and find appropriate tools and approaches to
develop a positive culture. The vast majority of studies in Saudi
national health services are on the use of technology to protect and
secure health services information. On the other hand, there is a lack
of research on the role and impact of an organisation’s cultural
dimensions on information security. This research investigated and
analysed the role and impact of cultural dimensions on information
security in Saudi Arabia health service. Hypotheses were tested and
two surveys were carried out in order to collect data and information
from three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia (SA). The first survey
identified the main cultural-dimension problems in SA health
services and developed an initial information security culture
framework model. The second survey evaluated and tested the
developed framework model to test its usefulness, reliability and
applicability. The model is based on human behaviour theory, where
the individual’s attitude is the key element of the individual’s
intention to behave as well as of his or her actual behaviour. The
research identified a set of cultural and sub-cultural dimensions in SA
health information security and services.
Abstract: This study was conducted using the data collected at the mouth of Jen-Gen River to investigate and analyze chromium (Cr) contained in the sediments, and to evaluate the accumulation of Cr and the degree of its potential risk. The results show that samples collected at all monitoring stations near the mouth of Jen-Gen River contain 92–567 mg/kg of Cr with average of 366±166 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Cr reveals that the Cr concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. The accumulation factor and potential ecological risk index indicate that the sedimentation at Jen-Gen River mouth has the most serious degree of Cr accumulation and the highest ecological potential risk.
Abstract: Surface sediment samples were collected from the
Canon River mouth, Taiwan and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total PAHs concentrations varied from 337 to
1,252 ng/g dry weight, with a mean concentration of 827 ng/g dry
weight. The spatial distribution of PAHs reveals that the PAHs
concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and
gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. Diagnostic ratios
showed that the possible source of PAHs in the Canon River mouth
could be petroleum combustion. The toxic equivalent concentrations
(TEQcarc) of PAHs varied from 47 to 112 ng TEQ/g dry weight. Higher
total TEQcarc values were found in the river mouth region. As
compared with the US Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the
observed levels of PAHs at Canon River mouth were lower than the
effects range low (ERL), and would probably not exert adverse
biological effects.
Abstract: A given polynomial, possibly with multiple roots, is
factored into several lower-degree distinct-root polynomials with
natural-order-integer powers. All the roots, including multiplicities,
of the original polynomial may be obtained by solving these lowerdegree
distinct-root polynomials, instead of the original high-degree
multiple-root polynomial directly.
The approach requires polynomial Greatest Common Divisor
(GCD) computation. The very simple and effective process, “Monic
polynomial subtractions" converted trickily from “Longhand
polynomial divisions" of Euclidean algorithm is employed. It
requires only simple elementary arithmetic operations without any
advanced mathematics.
Amazingly, the derived routine gives the expected results for the
test polynomials of very high degree, such as p( x) =(x+1)1000.
Abstract: The distribution, enrichment, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of copper (Cu) in the surface sediments of northern Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan were investigated. Sediment samples from 12 locations of northern Kaohsiung Harbor were collected and characterized for Cu, aluminum, water content, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total grease and grain size. Results showed that the Cu concentrations varied from 6.9–244 mg/kg with an average of 109±66 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Cu reveals that the Cu concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor entrance region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of Cu pollution. Results from the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index analyses imply that the sediments collected from the river mouth can be characterized between moderate and moderately severe degree enrichment and between none to medium and moderate accumulation of Cu, respectively. However, results of potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has low ecological potential risk.
Abstract: The distribution, enrichment, and accumulation of zinc
(Zn) in the sediments of Kaohsiung Ocean Disposal Site (KODS),
Taiwan were investigated. Sediment samples from two outer disposal
site stations and nine disposed stations in the KODS were collected per
quarterly in 2009 and characterized for Zn, aluminum, organic matter,
and grain size. Results showed that the mean Zn concentrations varied
from 48 mg/kg to 456 mg/kg. Results from the enrichment factor (EF)
and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analyses imply that the sediments
collected from the KODS can be characterized between moderate and
moderately severe degree enrichment and between none and none to
medium accumulation of Zn, respectively. However, results of
potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has low
ecological potential risk. The EF, Igeo, and Zn concentrations at the
disposed stations were slightly higher than those at outer disposal site.
This indicated that the disposed area centers may be subjected to the
disposal impaction of harbor dredged sediments.