A High Reliability Asymptotic Approach for Packet Inter-Delivery Time Optimization in Cyber-Physical Systems

In cyber-physical systems such as automobiles, measurement data from sensor nodes should be delivered to other consumer nodes such as actuators in a regular fashion. But, in practical systems over unreliable media such as wireless, it is a significant challenge to guarantee small enough inter-delivery times for different clients with heterogeneous channel conditions and inter-delivery requirements. In this paper, we design scheduling policies aiming at satisfying the inter-delivery requirements of such clients. We formulate the problem as a risk-sensitive Markov Decision Process (MDP). Although the resulting problem involves an infinite state space, we first prove that there is an equivalent MDP involving only a finite number of states. Then we prove the existence of a stationary optimal policy and establish an algorithm to compute it in a finite number of steps. However, the bane of this and many similar problems is the resulting complexity, and, in an attempt to make fundamental progress, we further propose a new high reliability asymptotic approach. In essence, this approach considers the scenario when the channel failure probabilities for different clients are of the same order, and asymptotically approach zero. We thus proceed to determine the asymptotically optimal policy: in a two-client scenario, we show that the asymptotically optimal policy is a "modified least time-to-go" policy, which is intuitively appealing and easily implementable; in the general multi-client scenario, we are led to an SN policy, and we develop an algorithm of low computational complexity to obtain it. Simulation results show that the resulting policies perform well even in the pre-asymptotic regime with moderate failure probabilities

Yield improvement using configurable analogue transistors (CATs)

Continued process scaling has led to significant yield and reliability challenges for today’s designers. Analogue circuits are particularly susceptible to poor variation, driving the need for new yield resilient techniques in this area. This paper describes a new configurable analogue transistor structure and supporting methodology that facilitates variation compensation at the post-manufacture stage. The approach has demonstrated significant yield improvements and can be applied to any analogue circui

Discounting in Games across Time Scales

We introduce two-level discounted games played by two players on a perfect-information stochastic game graph. The upper level game is a discounted game and the lower level game is an undiscounted reachability game. Two-level games model hierarchical and sequential decision making under uncertainty across different time scales. We show the existence of pure memoryless optimal strategies for both players and an ordered field property for such games. We show that if there is only one player (Markov decision processes), then the values can be computed in polynomial time. It follows that whether the value of a player is equal to a given rational constant in two-level discounted games can be decided in NP intersected coNP. We also give an alternate strategy improvement algorithm to compute the value

Catalysis and mechanistic studies of ruthenium and osmium on synthesis of anthranilic acids

Ruthenium, osmium and ruthenium + osmium catalyzed synthetic methodology was developed for the synthesis of anthranilic acids from indoles in good to excellent yields using bromamine-B in alkaline acetonitrile-water (1 : 1) at 313 K. Detailed catalysis studies of ruthenium, osmium and the mixture of both were carried out for the synthetic reactions. The positive synergistic catalytic activity of Ru(III) + Os(VIII) was observed to a large extent with the activity greater than the sum of their separate catalytic activities. Detailed kinetic and mechanistic investigations for each catalyzed reactions were carried out. The kinetic pattern and mechanistic picture of each catalyzed reaction were found to be different for each catalyst and to obey the underlying rate laws

An Agent-Based Approach to Self-Organized Production

The chapter describes the modeling of a material handling system with the production of individual units in a scheduled order. The units represent the agents in the model and are transported in the system which is abstracted as a directed graph. Since the hindrances of units on their path to the destination can lead to inefficiencies in the production, the blockages of units are to be reduced. Therefore, the units operate in the system by means of local interactions in the conveying elements and indirect interactions based on a measure of possible hindrances. If most of the units behave cooperatively ("socially"), the blockings in the system are reduced. A simulation based on the model shows the collective behavior of the units in the system. The transport processes in the simulation can be compared with the processes in a real plant, which gives conclusions about the consequencies for the production based on the superordinate planning.Comment: For related work see http://www.soms.ethz.c

Fermionic Molecular Dynamics for nuclear dynamics and thermodynamics

A new Fermionic Molecular Dynamics (FMD) model based on a Skyrme functional is proposed in this paper. After introducing the basic formalism, some first applications to nuclear structure and nuclear thermodynamics are presentedComment: 5 pages, Proceedings of the French-Japanese Symposium, September 2008. To be published in Int. J. of Mod. Phys.

Biological Warfare: An Emerging Threat of the Future

We are living in a geo-politically transforming world, forcing nations to persistently engage in cooperation, competition, cooperation, and even conflict. While the potential global threat and disastrous consequences of biological warfare were known to the domain and few security experts, this threat has come to the forefront and greater scrutiny ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mind-boggling numbers of human fatalities and casualties, it's spiraling and continuing destructive potential (evolving mutations), along with consequences to the global economy and way of life has clearly illustrated that the biological threat can be even moredevastating than nuclear, because they can persist, propagate, and spread through a population globally. Unfortunately, the existing agreements/conventions specially the Biological Warfare Convention (BWC), signedand ratified almost universally (183 nations), is widely acknowledged, butlacks compliance monitoring and verification mechanisms- making it farfrom effective in controlling biological weapons (BW). In this perspective,the paper examines the emerging threat of biological warfare and theimplications it holds for the world at large and India in particular

Normal mode analysis for scalar fields in BTZ black hole background

We analyze the possibility of inequivalent boundary conditions for a scalar field propagating in the BTZ black hole space-time. We find that for certain ranges of the black hole parameters, the Klein-Gordon operator admits a one-parameter family of self-adjoint extensions. For this range, the BTZ space-time is not quantum mechanically complete. We suggest a physically motivated method for determining the spectra of the Klein-Gordon operator.Comment: 6 pages, no figure, late

Transnational Approaches on Money Laundering as an Organized Crime: Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts and the Indian State Practice

Money laundering refers to the conversion or laundering of money which is illegally obtained so as to make it appear to originate from a legitimate source Money laundering is being employed by launderer s worldwide to conceal criminal activity associated with it such as drugs arms trafficking terrorism extortion and reason for various other heinous crimes But in simple term it is the conversion of black money into white money The research inevitably to explain the paper to context that any instance of money laundering would have an angle of international degree as money laundering typically involves transferring money through several countries in order to obscure its origin Further the research has divided into four parts first part deals with the jurisdictional issue arise during transnational money laundering Second part deals with the intention of Parliament of India meant to target proceeds of criminal conduct then and now in the money laundering and its related offenses Third part elaborates international development through different instruments and controlling mechanisms to deal with this problem and analyse the position of India in controlling money laundering Fourth part discusses various problems and loopholes in implementation of anti-money laundering laws Finally the research concludes with few suggestions to have better anti-money laundering regim