Encryption debate rages again

“We hear about mandatory access to encryption keys by law enforcement but nothing about privacy.” With that statement, Senator John Ashcroft of Missouri, an unannounced candidate for President in 2000, opened Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearings on the Clinton administration's doddering encryption policy. Ashcroft lambasted the administration for asking American citizens to turn over crypto keys to the government after it rifled through 1000 raw FBI files seeking political dirt on opponents.     

MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE FILLED EVA: THE EFFECTS OF FILLER SURFACE MODIFICATION ON THE STRENGTH OF FILLER/MATRIX ADHESION AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR COMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES

The interaction of ammonium stearate (AS) and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) treatments with a magnesium hydroxide flame retardant filler and their effects on its use in an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer compound have been investigated. The work has shown clear evidence of changes in the structure of the surface layers formed on the filler as the amount of additive is increased and the levels at which these occur can be correlated with theoretical monolayer quantities. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy data suggest that the stearate coating changes from a half salt to a full salt as the coating level is increased and that the APS coating on the filler initially has a significant bicarbonate content, presumably due to reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide. The effect of coating level on the melt flow rate, insoluble matrix content, crystallisation behaviour, tensile properties, limiting oxygen index, and ageing of the filled compound has been studied. Distinct trends have been observed, many of which can be correlated with the structure of the filler surface layers. Of particular importance is the observation that, unlike APS, excess stearate appears to promote detrimental ageing effects.     

Algorithm for finding all k nearest neighbors

A very simple algorithm for computing all k nearest neighbors in 2-D is presented. The method does not rely on complicated forms of tessellation, it only requires simple data binning for fast range searching. Its applications range from scattered data interpolation to reverse engineering.     

Executive and managerial assessment: Value for the money?

Highlights key considerations that should be addressed by consulting psychologists to demonstrate the value of assessment services that they provide to clients. Executive and managerial assessment (EMA) is done in a variety of contexts, at multiple levels, and for multiple purposes. In order to demonstrate the value of EMA, it is suggested that consultants present a 2-part framework of evidence to decision makers. First, they should present the results of utility analysis, using the very best parameter estimates available. Second, they should present a detailed linkage of essential job tasks to required knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs). Then, KSAOs should be linked to instruments of prediction back to essential job tasks. Value is therefore demonstrated in 2 ways: in financial terms as well as by presenting construct-oriented evidence of validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prediction of higher heating values for saturated fatty acids from their physical properties

Higher heating values (HHVs) of fatty acids (C₄–C₁₈) were measured and correlated using linear least square regression analysis. Equations were developed for the estimation of the HHVs of saturated fatty acids from their molecular weight (Mw), density (DN) and carbon number (CN). These equations are HHV = 0.0518 Mw + 29.76, HHV = −93.4 DN + 122.67 and HHV = 0.7271 CN + 31.419 with R² values of 0.9895, 0.9798, and 0.9895, respectively. The correlations may be used for HHV estimation of mixtures of fatty acids developed from vegetable oils.