E-Commerce Innovations in the Personal Tax System of the United Kingdom

This study finds evidence that attempts to reduce costs and error rates in the Inland Revenue through the use of e-commerce technology are flawed. While it is technically possible to write software that will record tax data, and then transmit it to the Inland Revenue, there is little demand for this service. The key finding is that the tax system is so complex that many people are unable to complete their own tax returns. This complexity cannot be overcome by well-designed software. The recommendation is to encourage the use of agents to assist taxpayers or simplify the tax system. The Inland Revenue is interested in saving administrative costs and errors by encouraging electronic submission of tax returns. To achieve these objectives, given the raw data it would seem clear that the focus should be on facilitating the work of agents.

Characterization and Modeling of the Indoor Radio Channel at 868 MHz for a Mobile Bodyworn Wireless Personal Area Network

This letter reports the statistical characterization and modeling of the indoor radio channel for a mobile wireless personal area network operating at 868 MHz. Line of sight (LOS) and non-LOS conditions were considered for three environments: anechoic chamber, open office area and hallway. Overall, the Nakagami-m cdf best described fading for bodyworn operation in 60% of all measured channels in anechoic chamber and open office area environments. The Nakagami distribution was also found to provide a good description of Rician distributed channels which predominated in the hallway. Multipath played an important role in channel statistics with the mean recorded m value being reduced from 7.8 in the anechoic chamber to 1.3 in both the open office area and hallway.

Head-SAR dependence on spectacle frame shape for operator of 450 MHz personal radio

Power deposition in the head of a user wearing metal-framed spectacles was calculated with a 450 MHz personal radio transmitting in close proximity. Peak tissue SAR in the head depended on lens shape whether circular half-rim or rectangular with 70 and 174% increases, respectively, compared to the spectacle-free case. However, localised screening occurred with square frames, with a 40% reduction of peak SAR in the eye closest to the antenna.

Exposure to the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland influences the clinical presentation of schizophrenia

Introduction: This study investigates the effect of exposure to "The Troubles" (the period of civil unrest from 1968 onwards) in Northern Ireland on symptomatology in people with schizophrenia.

Method: Eighty-two participants were assessed on a number of psychiatric rating scales and on measures of trauma, including an instrument designed to assess exposure to "Troubles"-related trauma.

Results: People with schizophrenia and a history of exposure to "The Troubles" had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, dissociative symptoms and number of admissions compared to those patients with no such exposure.

Discussion: "Troubles"-related trauma has a direct effect on the presentation of schizophrenia in Northern Ireland. Specific therapeutic intervention may be required in order to help patients come to terms with their experiences. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.