Distinguishing Characteristics of Robotic Writing

Advances in robotic handwriting technology create new challenges for forensic document examiners. In the past, devices such as the autopen were used to replicate signatures of government officials and corporate companies. In today's technology, companies such as Bond utilize robots to create written documents, which mimic natural patterns of handwriting. They generate customizable written samples by simulating pen movements and letter formations. Four forensic document examiners were given various reproduced questioned documents and utilized a modified ACE‐V (analysis, comparison, evaluation, verification) methodology to determine their genuineness. Examiners were able to make a distinction between the human writing samples and the skilled robotic equivalents. Several distinct features that are not seen in natural handwriting, such as even pen pressure and the superimposition of letterforms were observed in the robotic samples. Careful examination of identifying features of the Bond produced documents resulted in an opinion of nongenuineness.     

Forensic Analysis of Digital Dynamic Signatures: New Methods for Data Treatment and Feature Evaluation

This study explored digital dynamic signatures containing quantifiable dynamic data. The change in data content and nature necessitates the development of new data treatment approaches. A SignPad Omega digitizing tablet was used to assess measurement reproducibility, as well as within‐writer variation and the occurrence of correctly simulated features. Measurement reproducibility was found to be high except for pressure information. Within‐writer variation was found to be higher between days than on a same day. Occurrence of correct simulation was low for features such as signature size, trajectory length, and total signature time. Feature discrimination factors combining within‐writer variability and the occurrence of correctly simulated features were computed and show that signature size, trajectory length, and signature time are the features that perform the best for discriminating genuine from simulated signatures. A final experiment indicates that dynamic information can be used to create connections between simulation cases.     

ARPA-E and DARPA: Applying the DARPA model to energy innovation

ARPA-E offers a new innovation institutional model to meet energy technology challenges. Because it is explicitly based on DARPA, this article reviews the noted DARPA approach in detail. Briefly citing well-known features of DARPA, it explores a number of important features that have not been well discussed in the policy literature on DARPA. These include DARPA??s ability to undertake multigenerational technology thrusts, the synergies it has been able to create through complementary strategic technologies, its ability to build an advocate community, and connections it has built to larger innovation elements downstream from DARPA. It has also taken on incumbent technologies within both DOD and in the private sector, used ties to DOD leadership to press its advances, and supported initial market creation. The article then reviews the new ARPA-E model in detail, commenting first on how ARPA-E has adopted key DARPA approaches. It then discusses new features ARPA-E is adopting, driven by the unique demands of the complex, established energy sector. These include new ways: (1) to sharpen the research visioning, selection and support processes, (2) to build a community of support, important to its political survival, and (3) to implement technologies it supports. In addition, the further DARPA features enumerated above provide potentially useful future guideposts to ARPA-E. The paper closes with a discussion of the difficult technology implementation problems on the ??back end?? of the innovation system??including demonstrations, test beds, and initial markets. The article posits that both agencies must further address these implementation issues by fostering additional downstream partnerships, including between government and private sector.     

电子伪装语音的变声规律研究

本文以目前社会上流行的两款不同类别的电子伪装语音器材为对象,对多名实验对象变声前、后的声学特征（基频、共振峰、声调、能量和过零率等）进行了深入的实验分析。实验结果和分析表明,变声相对于原声,其声学特征变化是有规律的,根据这一声学特征变化规律,对变声语音逆变声就能得到与原声符合很好的恢复语音,这为深入开展对经过电子伪装的语音进行同一人鉴定奠定了基础。     

诺基亚与微软：两只火鸡变不成一只雄鹰

诺基亚与微软合作是希望整合双方力量和资源打造新的手机生态系统，重振诺基亚雄风。微软也希望借助诺基亚庞大的用户群，来改变windowsmobile不景气现状。这两个各有所图的商业帝国能够联手打造出手机产业的另一种未来吗？     

The Social Development of the Working Class of the USSR

The working class is the major force in the revolutionary reorganization of society and the creator of a new, communist system and of new economic, social, and political relationships among human beings. All the basic changes in the contemporary world are indissolubly associated with its revolutionizing activity. In turn, these changes themselves create special features in the growth and development of the working class, further strengthening its revolutionary, creative potential and its greater preparedness for historically creative activity. The timeliness of analysis of these trends at the present stage of the building of communism in the USSR, under conditions created by the revolution in science and technology, is in our view determined by at least three circumstances.     

电子伪装语音的变声规律研究

本文以目前社会上流行的两款不同类别的电子伪装语音器材为对象,对多名实验对象变声前、后的声学特征(基频、共振峰、声调、能量和过零率等)进行了深入的实验分析。实验结果和分析表明,变声相对于原声,其声学特征变化是有规律的,根据这一声学特征变化规律,对变声语音逆变声就能得到与原声符合很好的恢复语音,这为深入开展对经过电子伪装的语音进行同一人鉴定奠定了基础。     

The Need for Effective Dialogue

In common with some other work on the topic of theft of electronic products, the approach of project MARC is to lay considerable responsibility for these crimes at the door of the electronics manufacturers. This seems misplaced and appears to stem from an insufficient appreciation of the nature and drivers of the global consumer electronics market and an ineffective dialogue with the manufacturers. Many options for additional security are possible, but the global nature of the market, the ever-diminishing product lifetimes of electronic products and consumer reluctance to ascribe a high value to such features complicates their introduction. Thought should be given to the establishment of a new quasi-official body to bring together the stakeholders to create a constructive dialogue between interested parties.     

著作权法之激励理论研究——以经济学、社会福利理论与后现代主义为视角

激励理论是认识著作权法精神的一个重要哲学层面。激励理论可以从经济学层面加以理解。著作权法使用市场的经济酬报来激励新作品的创作和传播,即著作权法通过赋予作者或其他著作权人对被创作出来的作品的专有权,为作者提供市场经济上的回报,这将激励他们创作新的作品。激励理论也可以从社会福利理论和后现代主义的视野认识。     

Infectious disease surveillance in the United States and the United Kingdom: from public goods to the challenges of new technologies

Infectious diseases are a long-standing and continuing threat to health and welfare, with their containment dependent on national disease surveillance and response capacities. This article discusses infectious disease surveillance in the United States and the United Kingdom, examining historical national traditions for identifying and controlling infectious disease risks and how globalization and technical advances have influenced the evolution of their respective approaches. The two systems developed in different but parallel ways. In the United States, surveillance remained quite localized at the state level until the early twentieth century and still retains many of those features. The U.K. approach became centralized from the latter part of the nineteenth century and has principally remained so. In both cases, disease surveillance was traditionally conceived as a public good, where national or local authorities held sovereign rights and power to protect public health. With the increasing globalized nature of infectious disease, such notions shifted toward surveillance as a global public good, with countries responding in turn by creating new global health governance arrangements and regulations. However, the limitations of current surveillance systems and the strong hold of national interests place into question the provision of surveillance as a global public good. These issues are further highlighted with the introduction of new surveillance technologies, which offer opportunities for improved disease detection and identification but also create potential tensions between individual rights, corporate profit, equitable access to technology, and national and global public goods.     

Photo identification: facial metrical and morphological features in South African males

Personal identification of individuals is very important in forensic sciences. Facial identification is becoming even more relevant with increasing crime rates, problems with access control and terrorist attacks. To make facial identification more accurate, an in depth knowledge of the common and rare facial characteristics seen in various populations is needed. This will be advantageous when comparing facial photographs. Currently very little data is available on the facial variation of South Africans. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyse the facial features of a group of South African Bantu-speaking men, to determine the common and rare facial features seen in the group. Facial photographs were taken for 200 volunteers from the Pretoria Police College, in the norma frontalis position. The subjects were between 20 and 40 years of age, with no facial deformities. Thirteen measurements were taken directly from the photographs and used in 12 indices. Eight morphological features were also analysed on each face. Each feature was divided into different categories, which described variants of that feature. The metrical and morphological data were then used to create various combinations of facial characteristics that described different regions of the face. The frequency of occurrence of these combinations was calculated for the study population. The most common features were oval or inverted trapezoid facial shapes, intermediate size noses with a down-turned septum tilt and intermediate size mouths with a flat V-shaped upper lip notch (cupid's bow). The eyes were mostly situated closely together. Some of the rare or absent features included round or square facial shapes and narrow noses with an upturned septum tilt. Matching these rare features on facial photographs will be useful during cases of disputed identification.     

Requirements of prosecution services to deal with cyber crime

The advent of digital technology and the convergence of computing and communications have begun to change the way we live. These trends have also created unprecedented opportunities for crime. Criminal activities that were not foreseeable two decades ago have become facts of life today. Digital technologies now provide ordinary citizens, even juveniles, with the capacity to inflict massive harm. It is essential for public prosecutors to equip themselves with the knowledge that will permit an effective response. The continued uptake of digital technology will create new opportunities for criminal exploitation.     

FAMILY COURT IMPROVEMENT AND THE ART OF GRANTSMANSHIP: A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE

Many American courts face funding obstacles as they try to create and implement unified family court processes that have not been part of the traditional family court adversarial process. To create new staff positions, build and equip adequate facilities, and create and implement innovative programs, grant funding may be available to supplement what local and state governments provide. While social science research confirms that children are adversely affected by exposure to high‐conflict family litigation and domestic violence, many communities have few affordable and available resources to address these issues. This article presents lessons and principles that one court learned as it applied for a grant to design programs for high‐conflict families and families with domestic violence history.     

《刑法修正案(八)》器官犯罪规定之解析

《刑法修正案(八)》第35条增设了有关器官犯罪的规定,其核心内容是新增了一个罪名。该罪名应确定为组织出卖人体器官罪。该罪中的人体器官既包括《人体器官移植条例》所指的器官的全部或者部分,也应包括角膜等人体组织。本罪客观方面表现为组织出卖他人人体器官的行为,主体是一般主体,主观方面是故意。非法摘取活体器官与尸体器官的行为不构成该罪,应视其情况分别认定为故意杀人罪、故意伤害罪或盗窃、侮辱尸体罪。     

完善村民自治推进社会主义新农村建设

村民自治是社会主义新农村建设的重要基石。在社会主义新农村建设中,村集体经济薄弱、青壮年农民大量外出打工、现行乡村政治文化环境及乡村关系冲突等是制约村民自治有效运作的重要因素。为此,必须发展农村经济,增强村民自治的物质基础;培育健康的村民自治意识,使农民成为合格的村民自治主体;着力推进村民自治的科学化和法制化;理顺村民自治中的各种关系;营造村民自治法治环境,为村民自治的健康发展和社会主义新农村建设创造良好的社会环境。     

Preparation of pyrolysis reference samples: evaluation of a standard method using a tube furnace

A new, simple method for the reproducible creation of pyrolysis products from different materials that may be found at a fire scene is described. A temperature programmable steady-state tube furnace was used to generate pyrolysis products from different substrates, including softwoods, paper, vinyl sheet flooring, and carpet. The temperature profile of the tube furnace was characterized, and the suitability of the method to reproducibly create pyrolysates similar to those found in real fire debris was assessed. The use of this method to create proficiency tests to realistically test an examiner's ability to interpret complex gas chromatograph-mass spectrometric fire debris data, and to create a library of pyrolsates generated from materials commonly found at a fire scene, is demonstrated.     

Democracy,social capital and school governing bodies in South Africa

Critics of school governing bodies (SGBs) – both on the left and on the right – tend to rely upon arguments that ignore significant portions of the act that created SGBs – the South African Schools Act (SASA) – the exact nature of the changes to SGBs wrought by amendments to the act and the manner in which the courts, in interpreting the act, have both reinforced the autonomy of SGBs at the same time as they have set limits on those powers. The authors’ reading takes seriously all of the provisions of SASA, its amendments and various court constructions of SASA's provisions. This close reading of the South African Constitution, SASA, SASA's amendments and the case law reveals the lineaments of a fourth level of democratic government. Even with their uneven success as a fourth tier of democratic government, SGBs reflect, in many respects, the most important interactions that citizens have with the state. The authors contend that SGBs provide a vehicle for popular political participation that is quite real, and that participation is made no less real by the strictures imposed upon them by South Africa's constitutional and regulatory order. Despite concerns about their lack of capacity, SGBs enjoy popular acceptance and participation across class and language divides. The legal status of SGBs does not merely enhance various forms of local democracy, SGBs also maintain and create effective social networks that generate new stores of social capital. The ability to provide new forms of democratic participation and to create new stores of social capital suggests that SGBs have the makings of a great, new and rather unique ‘South African’ political institution.     

Questions concerning the process of requesting exceptions from the skilled nursing facility cost limits

The new PRM provisions provide helpful guidance to SNFs in submitting requests for exceptions to cost limits. However, they also make the process more rigid and create procedural traps for the unwary. Accordingly, SNFs are advised to study the PRM sections to assure that their exception requests contain the required information. However, they should not feel bound by the limits in the PRM. When submitting requests, SNFs should think creatively about why their facilities are atypical and how to best quantify their higher costs. They should then protect their rights by including these more creative theories or calculations in the materials they submit to the intermediaries.     

Between a rock and a hard place – An international law perspective of the difficult position of globally active Internet intermediaries

With its ability to create a global legal risk exposure, combined with contradicting rights and duties, and limited enforcement possibilities, the Internet has created a unique environment where persons and corporations legitimately can question whether they should comply with all the laws that apply to them. Focussing on the role of globally active Internet intermediaries, this article attempts to tackle this issue by discussing the potential for, and potential features of, an international law doctrine of selective legal compliance.     

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (2008) and the Tenacity of the Sexual Family Form1

The new parenthood provisions set out in Part 2 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 have been attacked as dangerous and radical, offering a ‘lego‐kit model of family life’ and a ‘magical mystery tour’ in how legal fatherhood is to be determined. In this paper, we explain what is innovative about these new provisions but also explore what they owe to deep‐rooted traditional assumptions about the family. Relying both on published documentation relating to this reform process and a small number of key actor interviews, we trace the imprint of what Fineman has described as the ‘sexual family’ model on the provisions. We conclude that the way that parenthood is framed within the legislation relies on a number of important normative assumptions which received very little scrutiny in this process. We also highlight a number of tensions within this framing which, we suggest, may create future problems for judicial determination.