Problem statement:The absorption characteristics of coir fiber were analyzed previously. Analytical method to predict the acoustical behavior of coir fiber has already been developed. However, compression effects of coir fiber were not explored which might significant for acoustics absorption during seat padding. In this study, compression effect on the sound absorption characteristics of coir fiber are demonstrated based on the previous analytical approach such as rigid frame method with the modification in the physical parameters. Approach: The verification of the estimated acoustical absorption coefficient in uncompressed condition using rigid frame JohnsonAllard Model are shown for three different thicknesses of industrially processed coir fiber mixed with binder latex. Measurements were conducted in impedance tube on normal incidence sound absorption of coir fiber. It is well known that the absorption behavior of a porous material varies during compression and affects the physical parameters. In these analyses, formulas proposed by Castagnede are employed to predict the compression effect on the absorption of coir fiber which takes into account the modifications of the physical parameters during compression. Results: The agreement between the analytical and measured results is justified for all three sample thicknesses in uncompressed condition. Analyses on the acoustic behavior of material during compressed condition show that compression has a substantial effect on the absorption of coir fiber. It also indicates that the absorption of coir fiber can be enhanced by compressing the material. In addition, the absorption performances are compared by varying the compression rate on material at uncompressed and compressed condition. Conclusion: From overall analyses, it is evident that compression of coir fiber can significantly change the absorption behavior of coir fiber from the actual acoustical characteristics as estimated at normal condition. Moreover, compressing the material might be considered as a possible approach to improve the absorption coefficient of coir fiber. An additional example is presented to show a potential way of enhancing absorption coefficient of coir fiber utilizing compression effect.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impact of cultural traits on the intention to use internet banking. Drawing from the technology acceptance model and trust literature, the paper examines the influence of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust on the intention to use internet banking among Malay and Chinese ethnic groups. Design/methodology/approach -The questionnaire was distributed to final year business students and Master of Business Administration students at four public universities in Malaysia. A separate multiple regression was employed to analyze the data for each ethnic group. Findings -For both ethnic groups, the results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust, all have significant effect on the intention to use internet banking. Further examination of the regression coefficients revealed the cultural traits that may explain the extent to which they influence factors that affect the intention to use. Research limitations/implications -Respondents of this study were students. This factor may decrease generalizability of the study because students' interest on the use of internet banking may be different from those of the general public. One research implication of this study is that there is a need to consider the role of culture in examining factors that affect behavioral intention. Practical implications -Banks need to highlight the benefits of internet banking, make internet banking easy to use, and enhance internet banking's security to improve consumers' trust. Given the fact that culture affects one's behavior, each customer group needs to be evaluated differently and the "one-size-fit-all" approach to encourage internet banking usage should be avoided. Originality/value -This paper attempts to link cultural traits that may explain the extent to which it influences factors that affect the intention to use internet banking.

No abstract

Problem statement: Substance abuse continues to cause significant personal, social and economic costs to the US economy. In order to decrease these costs, the goal of the US public health policy has been to increase access to drug treatment services by increasing their affordability. Government policy makers try to achieve such a goal by providing direct public funding to private non-profit Drug Treatment Providers (DTPs) via grants and earmarks. It is argued that public funding will allow DTPs to offer lower prices for treatment services thus making them more affordable to people who need them. Although many DTPs depend heavily on government grants, there is little research examining the effect that public funding has on the affordability of treatment services. This study examines whether public funding increases the affordability of treatment services or whether instead there is a “flypaper effect” of such aid. The flypaper effect occurs when an exogenous aid sticks where it hits and thus fails to have the intended effect. Approach: This study examines the degree to which the price of treatment services is a function of public funding, net of DTP size, local socioeconomic conditions and state policy, using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to adjust for endogeneity resulting from clustering of cases. Data from a 2009 national cross-sectional data set of DTPs are used for analysis. Results: The results show that when the data are analyzed using linear regression models, DTPs that receive public funding are statistically more likely to offer lower prices for their services. However, when Hierarchical Linear Models (HLM) are used, this effect diminishes and even disappears in some cases. Conclusion/Recommendations: The results of this study suggest that in order to maximize the benefits of the limited public funds available and make drug treatment services more affordable, public funds need to have stronger regulatory oversight as to ensure that these limited funds increase treatment affordability as intended

No abstract