The quantification of fingerprint quality using a relative contrast index

Research into fingermark enhancement techniques has traditionally used visual comparisons and qualitative methods to assess their effectiveness based on the quality of the developed fingermark. However, with increasing research into the optimisation of these techniques the need for a quantitative evaluative method has arisen. Parameters for acceptable fingerprint quality are not well defined and generally encompass clear, sharp edges and high levels of contrast between the fingermark ridges and background material. Using these current parameters, a conclusive measurement of fingerprint quality and thus the effectiveness of development techniques cannot be achieved.This study presents a model through which an aspect of fingerprint quality can be objectively and impartially measured based on a relative contrast index, constructed through measuring the reflective intensity of the fingermark ridges against the background material. Using a fibre-optic spectrophotometer attached to a microscope with axial illumination, the intensity counts of the ridge detail and background material were measured and a logarithmic contrast index constructed. The microscope and spectrophotometer parameters were experimentally tested using a standard colour resolution chart with known reflective properties. The protocol was successfully applied to four sample groups: black inked fingerprints on white paper; latent fingermarks on white paper developed separately with ninhydrin and physical developer; and fingermarks in blood deposited on white tiles and enhanced with amido black. The contrast indices obtained quantitatively reflect the level of contrast and provide an indication of fingerprint quality through a numerical representation rather than previous qualitative methods. It has been suggested that the proposed method of fingerprint quantification may be viable for application in the forensic research arena as it allows the definitive measurement of contrast to aid the evaluation of fingermark detection and enhancement techniques.     

Object-oriented Bayesian networks for paternity cases with allelic dependencies

This study extends the current use of Bayesian networks by incorporating the effects of allelic dependencies in paternity calculations. The use of object-oriented networks greatly simplify the process of building and interpreting forensic identification models, allowing researchers to solve new, more complex problems. We explore two paternity examples: the most common scenario where DNA evidence is available from the alleged father, the mother and the child; a more complex case where DNA is not available from the alleged father, but is available from the alleged father’s brother. Object-oriented networks are built, using HUGIN, for each example which incorporate the effects of allelic dependence caused by evolutionary relatedness.     

中国国家生态文明指标建设探析

该文在阐述生态文明指标建设意义的基础上，对中国国家生态文明指标所应具备的特征作出了分析，并结合区域可持续发展研究与实践，进一步说明了生态文明指标建设的原则。这对于在现阶段经济技术水平下，促进国家及地方资源节约、环境友好型社会建设具有参考价值。     

中国推出股指期货的市场影响

该文分析了股指期货交易的特点,剖析了中国股指期货交易制度和市场影响,提出来了股指期货改革的具体建议。     

Does intellectual property lead to economic growth? Insights from a novel IP dataset

While policymakers often make bold claims as to the positive impact of intellectual property (IP) rights on both developed and developing country economies, the empirical literature is more ambiguous. IP rights have both incentive and inhibitory effects that are difficult to isolate in the abstract and are dependent on economic context. To unravel these contradictory effects, this article introduces an index that evaluates the strength of IP protection in 124 developing countries for the years 1995 to 2011. We illustrate the value of this index to economics study and show evidence that is consistent with IP leading to increased growth. Our results are further consistent with two causal pathways highlighted in the literature: that IP leads to greater levels of technology transfer and increased domestic inventive activity. Yet other aspects of our study fit uneasily with this simple story. For example, we find evidence suggesting that increased levels of growth lead to greater levels of IP protection, contradictory evidence in the literature linking IP with growth, a lack of evidence that increased levels of IP protection lead to actual use of the IP system, and problems with what IP indexes measure. Because of this, we suggest another – and so far undertheorized – explanation of the links between IP and growth: that IP may have few direct effects on growth and that any causality is a result of belief rather than actual deployment of IP.     

希望：在自由与幸福之间——康德的希望问题略探

希望问题论域在康德哲学体系中具有重要的地位。希望的前提是道德,而道德的核心是自由,由此人的自由构成了人们得以希望的前提;同时,希望指向的对象是幸福,而这种幸福只有和德行匹配才具有人性的价值和意义,由此只有以正义原则为核心的幸福才能构成希望的真正对象,即康德的希望问题论域介于人的自由和希望本性之间,是理解康德哲学的人学内涵一“人的两重性”——的一把钥匙。     

Testing the antecedents to e-democracy towards citizens’ happiness: a structural equation modelling approach to ‘MyGov’ initiative,India

ABSTRACT

“MyGov” is an ambitious ICT-based platform of the government of India, where citizens contribute to policy making by engaged in various ways. As the initiative is about to complete 5 years, the research is focused on to test the antecedents to e-democracy and citizens’ happiness by a structural equation modeling on responses from 413 users of “MyGov” platform. The empirical outcomes established the predictive role of transparency and value expectancy on e-democracy in addition to the impact of trust and e-democracy on citizens’ happiness. The study also supported the positive association between transparency and trust.     

日常生活理论视阈下幸福建设研究

日常生活理论视阈下探讨幸福建设有助于针对不同领域,理清不同主体的建设责任,采取针对性举措,并随着建设进程而逐步改变建设重点和内容。在日常生活领域,主要是满足群众日常消费、日常交往、日常休闲和日常观念等需要,而在非日常生活领域重点在于推进社会主义民主法治,以公共政策等引领和提升日常生活。     

“民本”思想下民众的情感基础和幸福指数

当今社会因有关部门监管不力甚至严重失职等原因,各地不断发生安全事故,造成了巨大的人员伤亡和财产损失。究其原因,均为管理者或是为了绩效,或是为了响应号召却置人民利益于不顾,这与当代所提倡的"以人为本"极不协调。其实,传统"民惟邦本,本固邦宁"的民本思想要求"民为国本,德治仁政,重视民意,爱民安民",而历代有作为的君主均身体力行,亦得到了百姓的认可。借鉴古人做法,今天政府为人民办事更应该真心实意,由"良心"出发,真正地实现"人本",从而提高人民的幸福指数。     

行走间隔年：中国青年幸福感的自我体验

幸福是人生的终极目标,不同的社会人群都在努力提升自己的幸福感。青年群体作为社会的中坚力量,幸福体验的重要性不言而喻。通过检视可以发现,很多青年人都沉迷和陶醉于自我营设的虚幻幸福感中,内心却非常苦闷。间隔年旅行可以帮助青年人获得幸福感的自我体验,在欣赏大自然的奇绝与壮美中,在与异域人群的接触与交往中,在劳动创造和挫折经历中,在义工和志愿活动中,青年经受着岁月流年的洗礼,把成熟、仁爱与自信熔铸于内心,同时也体味和获取着别样的幸福感受。