AC/DC: Adaptive Cutoffs and Disputable Cutoffs for robust critical transactions in smart-contracts

To guarantee delivery of their intended functionalities in the presence of unresponsive parties, current smart-contracts cut users off from being able to commit their responses after a fixed period of time has elapsed. However, current blockchains have limited transaction processing capacities, so a fixed amount of time will not always be sufficient to receive every (C-TX). This paper presents a mechanism for adaptive cutoffs (ACs) which ensures that users retain the opportunity to commit despite blockchain congestion, and enables early cutoffs when the number of required is low. A non-interactive argument system for setting adaptive cutoffs under the current Ethereum Virtual Machine is described. Additionally, disputable cutoffs (DCs) are presented, which are a more efficient approach used in parallel to ACs based on a bisection-based dispute. Furthermore, it’s empirically demonstrated that an AC/DC-enabled smart-contract can receive a larger number of than its non-adaptive counterparts when user responsiveness is slowed due to denial of service or congestion

Low scale B-L extension of the Standard Model at the LHC

The fact that neutrinos are massive indicates that the Standard Model (SM) requires extension. We propose a low energy (<TeV) B-L extension of the SM, which is based on the gauge group SU(3)_C x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y x U(1)_{B-L}. We show that this model provides a natural explanation for the presence of three right-handed neutrinos in addition to an extra gauge boson and a new scalar Higgs. Therefore, it can lead to very interesting phenomenological implications different from the SM results which can be tested at the LHC. Also we analyze the muon anomalous magnetic moment in this class of models. We show that one-loop with exchange Z' may give dominant new contribution ~ few x 10^{-11}.Comment: 12 page

Effective-action model for dynamical scalarization beyond the adiabatic approximation

In certain scalar-field extensions to general relativity, scalar charges can develop on compact objects in an inspiraling binary -- an effect known as dynamical scalarization. This effect can be modeled using effective-field-theory methods applied to the binary within the post-Newtonian approximation. Past analytic investigations focused on the adiabatic (or quasi-stationary) case for quasi-circular orbits. In this work, we explore the full dynamical evolution around the phase transition to the scalarized regime. This allows for generic (eccentric) orbits and to quantify nonadiabatic (e.g., oscillatory) behavior during the phase transition. We also find that even in the circular-orbit case, the onset of scalarization can only be predicted reliably when taking the full dynamics into account, i.e., the adiabatic approximation is not appropriate. Our results pave the way for accurate post-Newtonian predictions for dynamical scalarization effects in gravitational waves from compact binaries

Customer application protocol for data transfer between embedded processor and microcontroller systems

This paper develops a new customer application protocol (CAP) to improve the efficiency of transferring data between embedded processor and microcontroller systems. The established protocol is characterized by its fidelity and simplicity for using a small header to control and monitor the data flow between the two systems. This is achieved by constructing an embedded processor system with an Ethernet intellectual property (IP) core featured by lightweight IP (lwIP) to settle a connection with a microcontroller device. The embedded system is configured on spartan6E FPGAs slice. The system performance is tested by transferring audio samples and displaying them on chipscope media. The performance test of the designed embedded system with the developed customer application protocol showed fast, efficient and high precision data exchange between the processor and microcontroller systems

Emerging Roles for Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer and Neurological Disorders

The recent discovery of thousands of long non-coding (lnc)RNAs in the human genome has prompted investigation of the potential roles of these molecules in human biology and medicine. Indeed, it is now well documented that many lncRNAs are involved in key biological processes, including dosage compensation, genomic imprinting, chromatin regulation, alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, nuclear organization; and potentially many other biological processes, which are yet to be elucidated. Recently, a number of studies have also reported that lncRNAs are dysregulated in a number of human diseases, including several cancers and neurological disorders. Although many of these studies have fallen short of implicating lncRNAs as causative, they suggest potential roles that warrant further in depth investigations. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the roles of lncRNAs in cancer and neurological disorders, and suggest potential future directions in this rapidly emerging field

Sterile neutrino dark matter in B−LB-L extension of the standard model and galactic 511 keV line

Sterile right-handed neutrinos can be naturally embedded in a low scale gauged $U(1)_{B-L}$ extension of the standard model. We show that, within a low reheating scenario, such a neutrino is an interesting candidate for dark matter. We emphasize that if the neutrino mass is of order of MeV, then it accounts for the measured dark matter relic density and also accommodates the observed flux of 511 keV photons from the galactic bulge.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, references added, final version appeared in JCA

Maternal and neonatal complications of fetal macrosomia: cohort study

Objective: To estimate risks of maternal and neonatal complications in pregnancies with macrosomia. Method: This was a retrospective cohort study undertaken at a large maternity unit in United Kingdom between January 2009-December 2016. We compared the incidence of complications in pregnancies with macrosomia, defined by birthweight (BW)>4,000 g and severe macrosomia with BW>4,500 g, to those in pregnancies with normal BW 2,500-4,000 g. Regression analysis was undertaken to determine odds ratios (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for pregnancy complications in macrosomic compared to normal BW group. Results: The study population of 35,548 pregnancies included 4,522 (12.7%) with macrosomia, 643 (1.8%) with severe macrosomia and 31,026 (87.3%) with normal BW. In macrosomia group, adjusted OR was 3.07 (95%CI:1.64,2.01) for cesarean section for failure to progress, 2.40 (95%CI:1.95,2.96) for post-partum haemorrhage, 2.29 (95%CI:1.86,2.82) for sphincter injury, 10.37 (95%CI:8.57,12.55) for shoulder dystocia, 28.48 (95%CI:8.94,90.67) for brachial plexus injury, 32.33 (95%CI:3.76,278.15) for birth fractures and 4.40 (95%CI:2.20,8.82) for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The respective values for severe macrosomia were 4.32 (95%CI:3.05,6.13), 2.93 (95%CI:1.93,4.44), 3.12 (95%CI:1.92,5.08), 28.74 (95%CI:20.75,39.79), 73.92 (95%CI:15.05,363.16), 87.17 (95%CI:7.72,984.96) and 13.77 (95%CI: 5.16,36.75). Conclusion: Macrosomia is associated with serious adverse perinatal outcomes. This study provides accurate estimates of risks to aid in pregnancy management

Effect of extreme low and high temperatures on the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

he different immature stages of the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) were exposed to low temperature of -5ºC for different exposure times. Exposure of eggs to 240 to 360 minutes is sufficient to achieve 100% mortality for this stage. Exposed early larval instar to -5ºC for 180 minutes is sufficient to achieve 100% mortality. Exposure of the late larval instars to 300 and/or 360 minutes is effective to achieve a complete mortality for the late larval instars of the pest. The calculated LT50 and LT95 were 113.73 and 208.64 minutes. Exposure of pupae to 300 minutes or more is effective to get a complete mortality for the pupal stage. High temperatures of 45º, 50º, 55º and 60ºC were tested against egg, late larval instars and pupal stages of E. cautella. Mortality tended to be increased with the increasing of temperature and exposure time. Exposure time for more than one hour at 45ºC, 15 minutes at 50ºC and 10 minutes at 55ºC were more effective and led to more than 95% mortality for the egg stage of E. cautella. Exposure of the late larval instars for more than 97.22, 72.17, 17.65 minutes at 45, 50 and 55ºC is sufficient to achieve more than 95% mortality for the late larval instars as indicated by LT95 values. Exposing the pupae to 25 minutes at high temperatures of 50ºC and to 15 minutes at 55ºC is an effective to get complete mortality for the pupal stage. Thus exposure times for more than 90 minutes at high temperature of 45ºC; 33 minutes at 50ºC and/or 11.67 minutes at 55ºC were more effective to achieve more than 95% mortality of the pupal stage of E. cautella.