Showing papers by "Boise State University published in 1998"

Robust efficient distributed RSA-key generation

Abstract: The invention provides for robust efficient distributed generation of RSA keys. An efficient protocol is one which is independent of the primality test “circuit size”, while a robust protocol allows correct completion even in the presence of a minority of arbitrarily misbehaving malicious parties. The disclosed protocol is secure against any minority of malicious parties (which is optimal). The disclosed method is useful in establishing sensitive distributed cryptographic function sharing services (certification authorities, signature schemes with distributed trust, and key escrow authorities), as well as other applications besides RSA (namely: composite ElGamal, identification schemes, simultaneous bit exchange, etc.). The disclosed method can be combined with proactive function sharing techniques to establish the first efficient, optimal-resilience, robust and proactively-secure RSA-based distributed trust services where the key is never entrusted to a single entity (i.e., distributed trust totally “from scratch”). The disclosed method involves new efficient “robustness assurance techniques” which guarantee “correct computations” by mutually distrusting parties with malicious minority.

Rapid evolution of migratory behaviour in the introduced house finch of eastern North America

Abstract: The house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) of eastern North America was introduced onto Long Island, New York, around 1940. The source is presumed to be southern California, where ca. 80% of individuals are completely sedentary. The eastern population has become migratory: by the early 1960s, 36% of eastern house finches were performing migratory movements (more than 80 km from their banding site) and that proportion has fluctuated between 28% and 54% in succeeding years. The movements of birds banded during the breeding season and recovered in winter were strongly orientated toward the south-west, and the same pattern was evident in the earliest recoveries (1958 to 1966); recoveries of birds banded during winter and recovered in the breeding season were orientated toward the north-east. The average distance of migration has continued to increase logarithmically. Areas colonized later, as the range expanded, were characterized by initial long migration distances and high proportions of migrants, suggesting that these traits have evolved in the eastern population. Eastern house finches are partial migrants: not all individuals migrate, and birds that migrate some winters remain in breeding areas in others. Younger birds exhibit a stronger tendency to migrate. A very few western (including southern California) house finches moved long distances, but they did so in directions consistent with seasonal migration, indicating that the machinery subserving migratory behaviour pre-existed in the parent population.

Effect of Environmental Factors on Driver Speed: A Case Study

Abstract: A case study on the effects of visibility and other environmental factors on driver speed was conducted as part of an intelligent transportation systems field operational test to reduce accidents caused by sudden changes in visibility levels. Baseline conditions established normal vehicle speeds for passenger cars and trucks. Reduced visibility and winds exceeding 40 km/h were found to be the primary factors affecting driver speed.

Gender Differences in Teacher and Student Perceptions of Gifted Students' Ability and Effort.

Abstract: This study investigated whether female gifted students viewed the quality and importance of their work, effort, and ability differently than male gifted students The study also investigated whether teachers perceived male and female students differently with respect to these areas in mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science The sample included 5,385 fourth through eighth grade students who were identified as gifted and talented by their teachers Teachers consistently rated females higher than males on effort and the quality of their work Teachers rated males and females similarly on all abilities except language arts in which they rated females higher Female students rated their language arts ability higher than males while the males rated their mathematics, science, and social studies abilities higher The correlation between ratings of students' ability and quality of work and ratings of students' effort and quality of work were significantly different for students and teachers

Body Condition and the Adrenal Stress Response in Captive American Kestrel Juveniles

Abstract: We examined the adrenal response to handling stress of birds in different body conditions In order to affect the birds' body condition, young (73‐d old) female American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were maintained for 6 wk on one of three diets: a control diet (fed ad lib) and two calorically restricted diets To invoke a stress response, we removed birds from their cages and took repeated blood samples over the course of an hour All birds responded to handling stress with an increase in plasma corticosterone, but control birds (in good body condition) showed a more rapid increase to maximum corticoste‐rone levels, followed by a decrease Both groups of food‐restricted birds had a slower rate of increase to maximum corticosterone levels and then maintained high corticosterone levels through 60 min These results suggest that birds in good physical condition respond more quickly to stressors and adapt physiologically to stressful situations more rapidly than do birds in poor physical condition

Robust efficient distributed RSA-key generation

Abstract: We solve n central open problem in distributed cryptography, that of robust efficient distributed generation of RSA keys An ejiciennt prolocol is one which is independent of the primality test “circuit ~ixe”, while n robustprotocol allows correct completion even in the presence of n minority of arbitrarily misbehaving malicious parIle,r, Our protocol is shown to be secure against any minority of malicious parties (which is optimal). The above problem was mentioned in various works in the last decade and most recently by Boneh nnd Franklin [BF97]. The solution is a crucial step in establishing sensitive distributed cryptographic function sharing services (certification authorities, aignnture schemes with distributed trust, and key escrow authoritics), as well ns other applications besides RSA (namely: composite DlGnmal, idcntificntion schemes, imultaneous bit exchange, etc.). Of opccinl interest is the fact that the solution can be combined with recent pronctive function sharing techniques to establish the first efficient, optimal-resilience, robust and proactively-secure RSAbased diotributcd trust services where the key is never entrusted to a oin8le entity (Le., distributed trust totally “from scratch”). Our solution involves new efficient “robustness assurance t chniques” which guarantee “correct computations” by mutually distrusting parties with malicious minority. These distributed-value represcntntion and manipulation techniques are of independent interest,

Every Picture Tells a Story

Abstract: Most Americans educated in the last half of the 20th century are familiar with the photographs taken by the early social photographers. The stark, blunt photographs of New York's poor, taken by Jacob Riis, the carefully composed and biting images of working children and Ellis Island immigrants created by Lewis Hine, and the compelling portraits of depression migrants taken by Dorothea Lange, have entered the nation's collective memory through magazines, history books, and films (Trachtenberg, 1989). Many of the more notable social photographers were also avid social reformers who worked closely with many social work pioneers. One of the strategies commonly used by key figures in social work's history was their effective use of images. In the first few decades of the 20th century, the profession's pioneers leaned heavily on the then new technology of the camera (Squires, 1991). Early social work leaders recognized that wedding the data accumulated through their investigations and surveys to sensitive drawings and photographs made their presentations more powerful (Kellogg, 1914; Squires, 1991). However, the strong links between early social work and social photography is a piece of the profession's legacy that is in danger of being lost. Social Photographers Jacob Riis was a famous author and reform crusader of the 1880s and 1890s, who wrote a poignant description of life in New York's seamier tenements. Riis worked and collaborated with prominent social work reformers including Lillian Wald, Jane Addams, and Paul Kellogg (Chambers, 1971). Lewis Hine, the creator of a remarkable collection of images documenting working class life in the early 20th century, worked for both Florence Kelly at the Child Labor Committee and Kellogg at Survey, the social work journal (Gutman, 1967). Roy Stryker, head of the Farm Service Administration (FSA) photography team, worked his way through college as a settlement house resident. Hine taught Stryker how to mix images and text and Kellogg helped Stryker publicize the photographs his team was collecting (Hurley, 1972). Dorothea Lange, a prominent social photographer of the 1930s, was the daughter of a social worker and the wife of a relief official (Curtis, 1989). Consequently, she was well aware that her work with "dust bowl" migrants was a powerful reform tool. Her photographs of the rural refugees were largely responsible for the creation of public services to help these people (Time-Life, 1972). Lange's (1936) early work with migrants was published in Survey Graphic and she continued to contribute photo essays for that publication throughout the decade (Curtis, 1989). By the general definitions of their day, some of the early social photographers were social workers. Ironically, the names of even the leading social photographers are far better known in photography than in social work (Guimond, 1991). This situation needs to be changed. Not only did these individuals play important roles in social work's history, their work exemplified how social work can make its contemporary campaigns more effective through the use of images. What follows is a brief examination of the contributions of some early social photographers who were closest to social work and who believed that their reform impulses were as much a part of their photographs as were their skills at composition and printmaking (Goldberg, 1991). Jacob Riis - Camera Crusader (1849-1914) A man cannot be expected to live like a pig and vote like a man. - Jacob Riis Jacob Riis was a reformer and a pioneer in the field now known as documentary photography. He began using photography in the late 1880s to accompany his descriptions of the sordid conditions in the slums of New York City (Riis, 1890). He took photographs for only 10 years and claimed he was awkward with the techniques of photography. Many say his images project a power and sense of intimacy that is unique (Alland, 1974). …

Examination of cognitive variables relevant to sunbathing.

Abstract: This study examined cognitions relevant to sunbathing decision-making in college-aged subjects. Using Jaccard's (1981) theory of alternative behavior as a guiding model, 263 subjects were recruited from psychology classes and administered questionnaires assessing their sunbathing behavioral tendencies, attitudes toward sunbathing, attitudes toward reasonable behavioral alternatives to sunbathing, and cognitive variables underlying these attitudinal variables. The fits of models predicting sunbathing attitudes and sunbathing behavioral tendencies (evaluated using covariate structural equations modeling techniques; LISREL VIII) were good for all models tested. In contrast to previous work, the results of this study support the notion that young people will make their decisions regarding sunbathing based on the behavioral alternatives available to them (i.e., generally the one that they prefer most). Furthermore, the multivariate approach used clearly delineates the specific cognitive beliefs and orientations that might be targeted to change these attitudes. The relevance of these findings to skin cancer prevention interventions is discussed.

Embedded Patterns of International Alliance Formation

Abstract: Using a combination of institutional, systems contingency and ecological theory, this paper argues and empirically demonstrates that key founding characteristics of international alliances are embedded (interactively related) in one another. Specifically, the technical area of the alliance activity, the intended direction of product/knowledge flows among sponsors, and the administrative form of the alliances are shown to be interactively related. Further, the concept of embeddedness was combined with Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) and technological views to show two founding patterns. One pattern called Hybridization was consistent with technological explanations while the second called Dominance was suggested by TCE approaches. The new interactive relationships were identified in two large samples involving US, Japanese and European firms during a period from 1970 to 1989.

Religion and Hypertension: Testing Alternative Explanations Among Immigrants

Abstract: A number of researchers have found that religious commitment has a salutary effect on blood pressure levels. Levin and Vanderpool's review of several of these studies led them to offer some methodological, epistemological, and conceptual criticisms of this body of literature, and they advanced various hypotheses offering possible alternative explanations for the putative salutary effect of religion on blood pressure. In this article, the effect of religious commitment on hypertension among a sample of immigrants is examined with these hypotheses and criticisms in mind. Even when the majority of Levin and Vanderpool's criticisms are addressed, the religion effect remains.

Research in creativity and GSS

Abstract: Recent IS literature points to a growing interest in the subject of creativity. After some isolated attempts in the 1980's by researchers, systematic efforts by Couger (1996) and others have yielded much useful creativity research in the 1990s pertinent to the field of information systems. Much less work relevant to creativity has been done in the topic area of group support systems (GSS); we review this research and prepare the ground for stimulating more extensive studies.

U.S. National Wetland Inventory Classif ications as Predictors of the Occurrence of Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris) and Pacific Treefrogs (Hylaregilla)

Abstract: In the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho, we compared the habitat characteristics of sites at which we captured Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) and Pacific treefrogs (Hyla regilla) to habitat characteristics of sites without frogs. Our primary objective was to determine if National Wetland Inventory classifications can be used to predict the presence of these species. Adult spotted frogs tended to be at palustrine, shrubscrub, seasonally flooded sites or at intermittent riverine, streambed, seasonally flooded sites; they tended not to be at palustrine, emergent, seasonally flooded or at intermittent riverine, streambed, temporarily flooded sites. Spotted frog sites also tended to have more submerged vegetation and algae and less grass and sagebrush; they were more likely to be located at oxbows, pools, or ponds; and they were more likely to have obvious hiding places than were sites without spotted frogs. Sites where treefrog adults were found tended to be lower in willow and higher in grass and emergent and submerged vegetation; they were more likely to be at a pond or pool than were sites without treefrog adults. Treefrog larvae tended to be found at intermittent riverine, streambed, seasonally flooded sites or at palustrine, emergent, seasonally flooded sites; they tended not to be at palustrine, shrubscrub, seasonally flooded sites. Treefrog larval sites also were higher in silt, emergent vegetation, and algae and lower in sagebrush and willow, and they were more likely be located at a pond, oxbow, or pool than were sites without treefrog larvae. Although certain National Wetland Inventory classifications were associated with frog presence, none could be used to predict with complete assurance the presence or absence of either species. Logistic regression models using habitat measures were better at predicting the presence of amphibian species than were models using National Wetland Inventory classifications; models using a combination of habitat measures and National Wetland Inventory classifications performed best. Because of their ready availability in geographic information system data bases, however, National Wetland Inventory classifications may in some circumstances provide a valuable indicator of the likelihood of finding certain amphibian species. National Wetland Inventory classifications should be most useful for highly aquatic species in arid environments. Clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales de E.U.A. como Predictores de la Aparicion de la Rana Moteada de Columbia (Rana luteiventris) y la Rana Arboricola del Pacifico (Hyla regilla) En las montanas Owyhee el suroeste de Idaho, comparamos las caracteristicas del habitat de sitios donde capturamos la rana moteada de Columbia (Rana luteiventris) y la rana arboricola del Pacifico (Hyla regilla) con sitios sin ranas. Nuestro objetivo principal fue el de determinar si las clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales pueden ser utilizados para predecir la presencia de estas especies. Los adultos de la rana moteada tienden a utilizar sitios palustres, arbustivos, estacionalmente inundados, o sitios reverinos intermitentes, camas de arroyos, estacionalmente inundados, pero no sitios palustres, emergentes, estacionalmente inundados o intermitentemente riverinos, camas de arroyos, temporalmente inundados. Los sitios para la rana moteada tambien tienden a tener mas vegetacion sumergida y algas y menos pasto y salvia; fue mas probable localizarlas en estanques, meandros y charcos, donde es probable localizar mas sitios de refugio que en sitios sin ranas moteadas. Los sitios donde se encontraron ranas arboricolas adultas tendian a tener pocos sauces, mucho pasto y vegetacion emergente y sumergida, tambien fueron mas comunes los estanques y charcos, que en sitios sin ranas arboricolas. Las larvas de las ranas arboricolas tienden a ser encontradas en sitios riverinos intermitentes, camas de arroyo, estacionalmente inundados, o en sitios palustres, emergentes, estacionalmente inundados; pero no en sitios palustres, arbustivos, estacionalmente inundados. Las larvas de la rana arboricola frecuentan sitios con alto contenido de arcilla, vegetacion emergente y algas, bajas en salvia y sauces y fueron mas probables de localizar en estanques, meandros y charcos que en sitios sin larvas de ranas arboricolas. Aunque algunas clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales estan asociadas con la presencia de ranas, ninguna puede ser usada para predecir con completa certeza la presencia o ausencia de alguna de las dos especies. Modelos de regresion logistica con datos del habitat resultaron ser mejores en la prediccion de la presencia de especies de anfibios que los modelos con las clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales. Los mejores modelos resultaron ser aquellos que combinaron las mediciones del habitat y las clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales. Debido a su facil acceso a traves del bases de datos de Sistemas de Informacion Geografica, las clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales podrian sin embargo en algunas circunstancias proveer un indicador valioso de la probabilidad de encontrar ciertas especies de anfibios. Las clasificaciones del Inventario Nacional de Humedales podrian tener mas aplicacion para especies altamente acuaticas en ambientes aridos.

Differences in Inmate-Inmate and Inmate-Staff Altercations: Examples from a Medium Security Prison

Abstract: Inmate violence is a major concern for correctional organizations. Most research on violence lump together inmate-inmate and inmate-staff violence and attempt to understand them from a single perspective. This article posits that inmate-inmate and inmate-staff violence are different phenomenon. Data from a medium security prison is used to understand the relationship between inmate-inmate and inmate-staff violence and other variables. Inmate-inmate altercations are related to structural and interpersonal variables. Inmate-staff altercations are related to the extent to which inmates are involved in social relationship with other inmates and see the correctional staff as a physical threat to them. variables. Inmate-staff altercations are related to the extent to which inmates are involved in social relationship with other inmates and see the correctional staff as a physical threat to them. variables. Inmate-staff altercations are related to the extent to which inmates are involved in social relationship with other inmates and see the correctional staff as a physical threat to them.

Seismic Reflection Imaging of a Geothermal Aquifer in an Urban Setting

Abstract: A seismic reflection survey that was conducted in downtown Boise, Idaho, to help city planners site a new well for injection of spent geothermal water illustrates some methods to safely and successfully employ a seismic reflection survey in an urban setting. The objective of the seismic survey was to estimate the depth and continuity of a basalt and rhyolite volcanic sequence. Well siting was based on geothermal aquifer depth, location of interpreted faults, projected thermal impact of injection on existing wells, surface pipe extension costs, and public land availability. Seismic acquisition tests and careful processing were used to ensure high‐quality data while minimizing the potential for damage along city streets. A video camera placed in a sewer and a blast vibration monitor were used to confirm that energy from the seismic source (a 75-in3 land air gun) did not damage nearby buildings, street surfaces, or buried utilities along the survey lines. Walkaway seismic tests were also used to compare sign...

On contention resolution protocols and associated probabilistic phenomena

Abstract: Consider an on-line scheduling problem in which a set of abstract processes are competing for the use of a number of resources. Further assume that it is either prohibitively expensive or impossible for any two of the processes to directly communicate with one another. If several processes simultaneously attempt to allocate a particular resource (as may be expected to occur, since the processes cannot easily coordinate their allocations), then none succeed. In such a framework, it is a challenge to design efficient contention resolution protocols.Two recently-proposed approaches to the problem of PRAM emulation give rise to scheduling problems of the above kind. In one approach, the resources (in this case, the shared memory cells) are duplicated and distributed randomly. We analyze a simple and efficient deterministic algorithm for accessing some subset of the duplicated resources. In the other approach, we analyze how quickly we can access the given (nonduplicated) resource using a simple randomized strategy. We obtain precise bounds on the performance of both strategies. We anticipate that our results with find other applications.

Terminating the Provincial Career: Retirement and Electoral Defeat in Canadian Provincial Legislatures, 1960–1997*

Abstract: This article analyzes data on incumbent turnover in 103 provincial elections in Canada from 1960 to 1997. The author examines total turnover and the proportions attributable to retirement and electoral defeat. He notes that the overall rate of turnover in the provincial legislative assemblies is similar to that of the Canadian House of Commons. Further, voluntary retirement and electoral defeat comprise equal proportions of the total turnover. There are, however, important differences in the turnover rate and in its makeup, both by province and by time period. The author tests several models in an attempt to determine the correlates of turnover in Canadian provincial legislatures.

Four-week supplementation with a natural dietary compound produces favorable changes in body composition.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a natural dietary supplement produced favorable changes in body composition during a 4-week diet- and-exercise program. The active compound contains a patented combination of chromium picolinate, inulin, capsicum, L-phenylalanine, and other lipotropic nutrients. A double-blind, weight-loss intervention design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to either a diet/exercise/supplement group (n = 56) or a diet/exercise/placebo group (n = 67). Caloric intake was reduced to 1500 kcal/d and participants walked for 45 minutes, 5 days a week, to attain between 60% and 80% of predicted maximal heart rate. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed significant differences (P .05) in body weight, body mass index, or energy intake. Independent t tests showed no significant differences (P > .05) in diet composition between groups. Results indicate that the addition of a natural dietary supplement during a 4-week diet-and-exercise weight-loss program accelerates the rate of body fat loss and helps maintain fat-free mass (lean tissue), thereby producing favorable changes in body composition.

Employee Attitudes Toward Benefit Packaging The Job Sector Dilemma

Abstract: Increasingly, public sector organizations are creating flexible and innovative benefit packages to augment low salaries. While it is commonly perceived that the public sector has had an edge in ben...

Topological Interpretations of Lattice Gauge Field Theory

Abstract: We construct lattice gauge field theory based on a quantum group on a lattice of dimension one. Innovations include a coalgebra structure on the connections and an investigation of connections that are not distinguishable by observables. We prove that when the quantum group is a deformation of a connected algebraic group G (over the complex numbers), then the algebra of observables forms a deformation quantization of the ring of $G$-characters of the fundamental group of the lattice. Finally, we investigate lattice gauge field theory based on quantum SL 2ℂ, and conclude that the algebra of observables is the Kauffman bracket skein module of a cylinder over a surface associated to the lattice.

3-manifold invariants and periodicity of homology spheres

Abstract: We show how the periodicity of a homology sphere is reflected in the Reshetikhin-Turaev-Witten invariants of the manifold. These yield a criterion for the periodicity of a homology sphere.

Sexual Harassment in Women's Jails:

Abstract: The pernicious problem of sexual harassment continues to infest criminal justice workplaces. The research indicates and theory predicts that the incidence level of this behavior is particularly hig...