Offline e-cash system

The e-cash scheme and the digital content transactions are the need of the hour. In the coming years, all these digital transactions will grow tremendously. So, a secure e-cash scheme is of utmost requirement. e-cash scheme, which is untraceable and maintains the security features, make it possible for the customers and the merchants to exchange the e-cash and the merchandise with privacy. So, there is a need to design an e-cash scheme with strong cryptosystem and algorithms in order to facilitate efficient digital transactions. There are two types of e-cash systems: Offine e-cash systems and online e-cash systems. Offine e-cash systems make it possible for the customer to pay the e-coin to the merchant without any involvement of bank. In online schemes, we require the involvement of the bank. The two most fundamental security features associated with offine scheme is the anonymity and the double spending detection. The proposed scheme maintains both the above features along with unforgeability. Besides, the E-coins have their expiration date so that the bank faces no hassles and can manage its database efficiently. This feature also ensures portability as the coins can be transferred to storage devices through the networks

Resonant Raman of OH/OD vibrations and photoluminescence studies in LiTaO3 thin film

Resonant Raman spectra (RRS) of O-H and O-D vibration and libration modes, their combinations and higher harmonics have been observed in LiTaO3 polycrystalline thin films. RRS peaks are superimposed on photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Monochromatic light from a xenon lamp is used as excitation source. PL spectrum shows two broad peaks, first near the band gap in UV (4.4-4.8eV) and another in the sub band gap region (< 4.0 eV). Band gap PL along with RRS peaks are reported for the first time. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum (PLE) shows a peak at 4.8 eV. Peak positions and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of RRS peaks depend upon the excitation energy. Dispersions of the fundamental and the third harmonic of the stretching mode of O-H with excitation energy are about 800 cm-1/eV and 2000 cm-1/eV respectively. This dispersion is much higher than reported in any other material.Comment: 20 page

Combined shear/compression structural testing of asymmetric sandwich structures

Asymmetric sandwich technology can be applied in the design of lightweight, non-pressurized aeronautical structures such as those of helicopters. A test rig of asymmetric sandwich structures subjected to compression/shear loads was designed, validated, and set up. It conforms to the standard certification procedure for composite aeronautical structures set out in the “test pyramid”, a multiscale approach. The static tests until failure showed asymmetric sandwich structures to be extremely resistant, which, in the case of the tested specimen shape, were characterized by the absence of buckling and failure compressive strains up to 10,000 μ strains. Specimens impacted with perforation damage were also tested, enabling the original phenomenon of crack propagation to be observed step-by-step. The results of the completed tests thus enable the concept to be validated, and justify the possibility of creating a much larger machine to overcome the drawbacks linked to the use of small specimens

Evaluation of anxiolytic potential of Linum usitatissimum oil in wistar rats

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of the Linum usitatissimum (Flax seed) oil (5ml and 2.5ml/kg) in wistar rats by using Elevated plus maze (EPM) model and 5ml and 10 ml/kg in Lithium induced head twitches model. Experiments were carried out on white inbred Wistar rats (180-200 g). The efficacy of the oil at both the animal models was compared with the standard anxiolytic drugs Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg). The result showed that the oil significantly increased the number of entries and time spent in the open arm in the elevated plus maze. Similarly in Lithium induced head twitches model administration of oil decreases the no. of head twitches. Present study confirms that the extract showed significant anxiolytic activity at both dose levels which is comparable with standard anxiolytic Diazepam

Effect of annealing on the phase transition in poly (vinylidene fluoride) films prepared using polar solvent

The γ -phase poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films are usually prepared using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent, regardless of preparation temperature. Here we report the crystallization of both α and γ -phase PVDF films by varying preparation temperature using DMSO solvent. The γ -phase PVDF films were annealed at 70, 90, 110, 130 and 160°C for five hours. The changes in the phase contents in the PVDF at different annealing conditions have been described. When thin films were annealed at 90°C for 5 h, maximum percentage of β -phase appears in PVDF thin films. The γ -phase PVDF films completely converted to α -phase when they were annealed at 160°C for 5 h. From X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Raman studies, it is confirmed that the PVDF thin films, cast from solution and annealed at 90°C for 5 h, have maximum percentage of β -phase. The β -phase PVDF shows a remnant polarization of 4.9 µC/cm2 at 1400 kV/cm at 1 Hz

Ergonomics of Farm Women in Manual Paddy Threshing

Thin-layer drying experiments with Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa .L) were carried out in a constant temperature and humidity chamber. Four temperatures (35, 45, 55, and 65°C) and five relative humidities (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50%RH) were tested. Statistical analysis on twelve thinlayer drying model proved the superiority of two-term exponential model. The objectives of this work were to evaluate and validate the two-term exponential model; besides, examine the effects of the drying conditions on the drying rate and constant. Validation of the developed model was done using two criterions, plotting of the predicted against experimental moisture contents and the residual versus predicted moisture content. The average values of the drying constant (k) and coefficient (a) weA study was taken up to have a comparative study on the ergonomics of farm women in pedal threshing with single and double operators (N =15) and to suggest modifications for further reduction of human drudgery. The mean HR work was found to be 135.9 ± 1.3 and 121.2 ±1.0 beats/min respectively with single and double operators; a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of 10.82 %. The corresponding work pulse (Δ HR) was 65.7 ± 0.9 and 51.5 ± 1.6 beats/min. The Δ HR was more than the allowable limit of 40 beats/min. HR work steadied after 6 minutes of threshing and there was complete recovery of HR after 6 minutes with double operators and 8 minutes with single operator. The increase in HR/kg of grain threshed was found to be 146.4 ± 4.4 and 76.0 ± 4.1 in case of single and double operators respectively; a significant reduction of 48 %. The workload decreased by 13.5 % with double operators but was still higher than the allowable limit of 35 % of VO2 max. The energy expenditure rate (ERR) was 18.9 ± 0.4 kJ/min with single operator and reduced to 16.6 ± 0.3 kJ/min with double operators. The total cardiac cost of work (TCCW) and physiological cost of work (PCW) reduced by 19.84 and 20 % with double operators. No significant variation of blood lactate accumulation between single and double operators was observed. The pedal force required was 232.3 ± 7.0 N and 199.7 ± 5.8 N in case of single operator and double operators respectively but was higher than the mean leg strength of the women of the eastern region of India. Higher pedal force application with double operators increased the number strokes/min (96/min) leading to a 51.15 % increase in output capacity of the thresher per hour per person. An increase of length of the pedal by 2 cm was suggested to reduce the force requirement. The length of the threshing drum can be reduced from 60.5 cm to 40 cm to be used by single operator or it can be increased to 75 cm to comfortably accommodate two persons.e 0.009167 and 0.776132, respectively