Electronic evidence and the meaning of "original"

Article based on a paper given at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology, Ookayama-campus, Tokyo.Article by Stephen Mason published in Amicus Curiae - Journal of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London

Is there a need for identity cards?

Commentary by Stephen Mason on the issues and practicalities involved in government introduction of compulsory registration cards - in particular claims regarding prevention of terrorism and crime. Published in Amicus Curiae – Journal of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by SALS at the IALS (Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London)

Business begins at home

One of the most significant trends in the post-industrial era has been for the home to become an important focus for work. The boundaries between work and home are now increasingly blurred, reversing the forces of the industrial era in which places deemed suitable for each were clearly demarcated and physically separate. The most recent published figures available from the Labour Force Survey (2005)1 indicate that 3.1m people now work mainly from home, 11% of the workforce. This represents a rise from 2.3m in 1997 (9% of the workforce), a 35% increase. The majority of homeworkers (2.4m or 77% of the total) are 'teleworkers' – people who use computers and telecommunications to work at home. The number of teleworkers has increased by 1.5m between 1997 and 2005, a 166% increase. Clearly, it is the growth in the number of teleworkers which is driving the increase in homeworking

An investigation of Martian atmospheric trace species using laboratory and computer-based simulation

The study of trace gas species in the Martian atmosphere has the potential to shed new light on wide-ranging topics such as the search for life and the history of liquid water on the planet. Investigating the way that molecules such as ozone, water and HCl are cycled in the atmosphere will give insights into the interactions taking place between the atmosphere, lithosphere and any potential biosphere. Numerous missions are currently being planned; for example the NASA/ESA Trace Gas Orbiter which will probe the trace constituents of the Martian atmosphere and to try to explain recent observations such as the Tharsis methane plumes and the presence of perchlorate in the North polar plains. Currently there are two Mars General Circulation Models (MGCMs) that have fully coupled photochemistry modules: the 3D Mars Global Multiscale Model (GM3) and the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD) MGCM. Both modules focus on odd-hydrogen (HOx) and odd-oxygen (Ox) chemistry and are not yet capable of simulating more complex chemical interactions. However, the benefit of fully-coupled MGCMs is that both the chemistry and the global transport of trace species can be investigated. In the current project we plan to study the more exotic chemical reactions occurring in the Martian atmosphere and to constrain their mechanisms and rates using both laboratory analogues and computerbased simulation

The City's role in providing for the public equity financing needs of UK SMEs

The City of London recognises the important contribution made by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to the UK economy and the critical role played by UK financial services in providing equity finance to facilitate their growth. As a result the City of London has commissioned research to assess the role and contribution made by UK financial services in terms of supporting the provision of and access to equity finance for UK SMEs. This commission is timely given the Government’s concerns over gaps in the SME funding escalator and the recent economic downturn, which has led to a withdrawal of venture capital funds and a loss of investor confidence

Vehicle remote keyless entry systems and engine immobilisers: do not believe the insurer that this technology is perfect

In the 1990s, governments put pressure on motor vehicle manufacturers to provide better security for vehicles. Thieves could steal cars and lorries with relative ease. The manufacturers responded by introducing electronic systems to make it more difficult for vehicles to be stolen without the key. However, as with most forms of technology, the software can be bypassed. In recent years, thieves have manipulated weaknesses in the technology, so that vehicles can be stolen without the key

Cameras in the courts: why the prohibition occurred in the UK

At the turn of the twentieth century, the owners of newspapers quickly understood the significance of truly portable cameras when they began to be manufactured. Photographers began to take photographs in courts, mainly for the purposes of publishing images of salacious trials and society gossip from the divorce courts. This article Stephen Mason (Barrister + IALS Associate Research Fellow) sets out why the taking of photographs was prohibited in courts in England & Wales in 1925 and outlines the recent decision by the Minister of Justice to permit the use of cameras in court

Cooperation in the Commons with Unobservable Actions

We model a dynamic common property resource game with unobservable actions and non-linear stock dependent costs. We propose a strategy profile that generates a worst perfect equilibrium in the punishment phase, thereby supporting cooperation under the widest set of conditions. We show under what set of parameter values for the discount rate, resource growth rate, harvest price, and the number of resource users, this strategy supports cooperation in the commons as a subgame perfect equilibrium. The strategy profile that we propose, which involves harsh punishment after a defection followed by forgiveness, is consistent with human behavior observed in experiments and common property resource case studies.Common property resource, cooperation, dynamic game, unobservable actions

The microstructure, mechanical properties and surface transformations of a syalon ceramic

The potential application of nitride based ceramics in structural applications is dependent on their performance at elevated temperatures. To meet these demands the microstructure of a syalon ceramic has been refined. Improved processing techniques, by the use of high purity powders and "balanced" compositions, have been shown to improve the degree of inter granular crystallisation. The key aspects are the reduction of impurity levels, particularly calcium, and the use of high nitrogen compositions such that full crystallisation is achieved. The achievement of complete crystallisation results in the elimination of subcritical crack growth during fracture and high temperature creep processes dominated by non-cavitational grain boundary diffusional processes. The mechanism for oxidation has been identified by determination of the kinetics, surface and sub-surface reactions. A temperature limit of l300 oC has been identified by the reversion of YAG to a eutectic liquid by reaction with the Si02-rich oxidation layer. In this regime oxidation rates are determined by the YAG reversion and cation out-diffusion to the oxide layer. Oxidation effects have been shown to be responsible for the onset of sub-critical crack growth at temperatures above 1300oC, where crack extension results directly from YAG reversion effects. Enhanced high temperature performance above and beyond l300oC by surface transformation and surface coating was investigated. Surface microstructures based upon BI and Si2N20 have been shown to increase oxidation resistance upto 1375oC but are difficult to form without substantial surface degradation. Si3N4 and SiC coatings deposited by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) were found to have similar effects, increasing oxidation resistance beyond 1300oC