QuickSync: A Quickly Synchronizing PoS-Based Blockchain Protocol

To implement a blockchain, we need a blockchain protocol for all the nodes to follow. To design a blockchain protocol, we need a block publisher selection mechanism and a chain selection rule. In Proof-of-Stake (PoS) based blockchain protocols, block publisher selection mechanism selects the node to publish the next block based on the relative stake held by the node. However, PoS protocols, such as Ouroboros v1, may face vulnerability to fully adaptive corruptions. In this paper, we propose a novel PoS-based blockchain protocol, QuickSync, to achieve security against fully adaptive corruptions while improving on performance. We propose a metric called block power, a value defined for each block, derived from the output of the verifiable random function based on the digital signature of the block publisher. With this metric, we compute chain power, the sum of block powers of all the blocks comprising the chain, for all the valid chains. These metrics are a function of the block publisher's stake to enable the PoS aspect of the protocol. The chain selection rule selects the chain with the highest chain power as the one to extend. This chain selection rule hence determines the selected block publisher of the previous block. When we use metrics to define the chain selection rule, it may lead to vulnerabilities against Sybil attacks. QuickSync uses a Sybil attack resistant function implemented using histogram matching. We prove that QuickSync satisfies common prefix, chain growth, and chain quality properties and hence it is secure. We also show that it is resilient to different types of adversarial attack strategies. Our analysis demonstrates that QuickSync performs better than Bitcoin by an order of magnitude on both transactions per second and time to finality, and better than Ouroboros v1 by a factor of three on time to finality

Antecedents, Wide-Spread Consequences, and Strategic Implications of Organizational Corruption

Antecedents, Wide-spread Consequences, and Strategic Implications of Organizational Corruptio

THE CO-RELATION BETWEEN QWL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES IN INDIA

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of QWL of University employees and, to explore the association between QWL and some demographic characteristics among them. The study adopted a case study research method. The investigation was carried out in the University, and the universe of the study comprises of employees from University. The sample was made up of both males and females, from all the race groups within the University. Primary data was used for research whereas secondary data was utilized for literature review. The study suggested statistically significant correlation between the demographic variables namely age,    period of service, income and education of employees of University and QWL. Also, it concluded that employees’ gender has no specific relation regarding the degree of their QWL. The study suggests that quality of work life condition in the University is favorable to the total job environment of its employees. The paper focuses on two questions: what is the level of ‘Quality of Work Life’ of employees of the University? And is there any relationship between gender, age, work experience, income &educational qualification of the employees and their QWL. The overall findings of this study are quite encouraging and will contribute to the extant literature in a positive way. It is expected that the contribution from this study will help the top management from this organization in developing apposite policies that can augment employees’   satisfaction with their personal as well as professional lives

Cytotoxic compounds from the genus Centaurea.

This thesis, which is divided into four chapters, represents an account on the isolation, identification and the assessment of bioactivity of cytotoxic compounds from the genus Centaurea (Family: Asteraceae alto Compositae), a large genus of about 500 species. The first three chapters deal with an introduction of natural products and Centaurea species, followed by the isolation and characterisation of compounds from twelve Centaurea species. The last chapter describes the bioactivities of extracts and isolated compounds from these species. A total of 45 compounds were isolated from twelve Centaurea species, and only C. americana, C. cyanus, C. dealbata and C. macrocephala had previously been studied. Four of these are novel compounds. Four lignans arctiin, matairesinoside, matairesinol and lappaol A were isolated fromthe methanol extract of C. macrocephala seeds. Arctiin and matairesinoside were also isolated from the methanol extract of C. americana, C. bornmuel/eri, C. dealbata, C. huber-morathii, C. mucronifera, C. pamphylica, C. schischkinii and C. urvillei. The methanol extract of C. americana also afforded 20-hydroxyecdysone, 24-hydroxyecdysone, lappaol A, arctigenin and a novel compound, 3"-O-caffeoyl(9"'->3")-arctiin. The methanol extract of C. cyanus produced lariciresinol 4-0-B-D-glucoside, berchemol, moschamine and cis-moschamine. Arctigenin, astragalin, afzelin, matairesinol and a novel indole alkaloids, schischkiniin, were isolated from the methanol extract of C. schischkinii. Extract from C. bornmuelleri afforded arctigenin, astragalin, afzelin and matairesinol. The methanol extract of C. mon/ana yielded berchemol, berchemol 4'-O-B-D-glucoside, p-coumaroylquinic acid, cis-pcoumaroylquinic acid, pinoresinol, pinoresinol mono methyl ether, pinoresinol dimethyl ether, pinoresinol 4-0-B-D-glucoside, pinoresinol 4,4'di-0-B-D-glucoside, pinoresinol 4-0-apiose-(1->2)-B-D-glucoside, centcyamine, cis-centcyamine, N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxytryptamine, cis-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxytryptamine, moschamine, cis-moschamine, tryptamine and two novel compounds, flavanone-apiose-glucuronic acid and montamine. C. gigantea afforded arctiopicrin, 8-0-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoyl)-salonitenolide, chlorogenic acid, cirsiliol, isoquercetrin, orientin, isoorientin and 4"-hydroxybenzoyl-isoorientin. General toxicity, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated, respectively, by the brine shrimp lethality assay, MTT assay on human colon cancer cell line (CaCo-2) and DPPH assay. Among all the species, the methanol extract of C. bornmuelleri, C. gigantea, C. huber-morathii and C. montana were the most toxic extracts in brine shrimp lethality and MTT assay. Arctigenin (IC50=7.0 mM), matairesinol, montamine (IC50=43.9 mM) and lappol A, schischkiniin, arctiopicrin (IC50=8.5 mM) and 8-0-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoyl)-salonitenolide (IC50=26.4 mM) showed higher cytotoxicity against MTT assay. Matairesinoside (IC50=2.2 x 10-3 mg/mL), matairesinol (IC50=2.0 x 10-3 mg/mL) and schischkiniin (lC50=3.8 x 10-3 mg/mL) exhibited significant free radical scavenging activities towards DPPH assay

THREE ESSAYS ON NEW ISSUES IN CORPORATE FINANCE

This dissertation focuses on three new issues in corporate finance, each aiming at different aspects of a firm\u27s behavior. First, I propose a novel way to classify domestic manufacturing firms based on their level of financial constraint. Using the operating cash flow ratio as my new measure, I find that the behavior of constrained and unconstrained firms differ significantly, unlike existing constraint measures from the literature. My results indicate that constrained firms cannot engage in equity recycling, have a higher sensitivity to cash flow, use the proceeds from the sales of their fixed assets in R&D, and cannot change leverage quickly. Overall, my findings support using a cash flow-based constraint measure as it performs better at identifying constrained firms that indeed behave as if they are financially constrained. My second essay discusses factors that drive a firm\u27s financing choices and aims to evaluate competing capital structure theories. Six factors are identified as a reliable basis for explaining leverage changes from a comprehensive range of farm-specific and macroeconomic factors used in prior studies. The reliable impact of market-to book, Firm Size, and expected inflation factors observed in market-based leverage is not present when studying book leverage. However, median industry leverage, tangibility, and profitability are statistically significant. The pecking order theory offers an intuitive explanation for the observation that more profitable firms tend to have lower leverage. The trade-off theory can account for many factors, including industry leverage, firm size, tangibility, and market-to-book. In my third essay, I investigate whether firms behave differently based on the type of performance goal set for their CEOs. I find correlations between CEO performance-based grants and the utilization of accrual and real activities-based earnings management by examining a comprehensive dataset of CEO performance goals. I hope my findings could lead to recommendations for compensation committees and consultants to structure performance-pay contracts differently to reduce earnings management efforts

Effect of thermal annealing and carbon implantation on the functional properties of nanocomposite TiSiN coatings on steel

This PhD research contributes to the part of advanced materials technology. The machining industry currently faces tremendous pressures with the need for durable cutting tools suitable for eco-friendly high speed machining operations becoming acute. In this thesis innovative design and synthesis strategies are explored to tailor the properties of nanocomposite coatings. Advanced characterisation techniques are applied to identify the mechanisms that control the mechanical, tribological, and corrosion behaviours of these coatings. Cutting tools protected by these coatings are anticipated to exhibit a unique combination of superior toughness and greater resistance to wear and corrosion, providing significant economic and environmental benefits. The thin ceramic coatings are commonly applied to various kinds of steel cutting and machining tools to enhance their mechanical and tribological properties. The most common ceramic coating is TiN. But the major issues that hamper the application of TiN are high friction co-efficient (typically~0.5), lower hardness, lower thermal stability (~5000 C) and lower corrosion resistance. To address some of these problems, TiSiN nanocomposite coatings are developed, which have super-hardness, better thermal stability (~10000C) and better corrosion resistance. But the as-deposited TiSiN coating still has high co-efficient of friction (~0.4) and high residual stress (~7-9 GPa) which consequently affect the adhesion and toughness of the coating. This project aims to address these problems by (a) the application of carbon implantation to modify the structure and chemistry of the surface layer of the nanocomposite coatings with reduced friction and residual stress; and (b) thermal annealing of the nanocomposite coating to reduce the residual stress with enhanced fracture toughness, better corrosion resistance and more thermal stability. In addition, the role of microstructure, residual stress and defects of these hard coating in corrosive environment will be studied. For this research, a combination of microstructural and mechanical properties characterization, corrosion analysis, tribological test and finite element modelling facilities will be used. The study includes focused ion beam (FIB) milling and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photo Spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), nanoindentation, nano-scratching, potentio-dynamic polarization cell and Atomic force microscopy(AFM)

Corporate Governance in the Financial Sector of Pakistan

La Porta et al. (1998) assign Pakistan, a common-law country, the maximum score of 5 for their anti-director rights index. Pakistan should therefore be a country with good investor protection attracting large amounts of investments. However, the reality could not be more different. Pakistan has been lagging behind other, comparable Asian economies in terms of incoming foreign direct investment as well as GDP-per-capita growth. This paper focuses on the Pakistani banking sector. The paper analyses the banks ownership and control structure. It finds that Pakistan has its own idiosyncrasies, which are difficult to associate with La Porta et al.s characterisation of corporate governance and investor protection in common-law countries. The paper also reviews the recent reforms of corporate governance.Corporate governance, corporate control, Banks, Pakistan, Emerging Markets, investor protection

Job Analysis in Organizations: Transition From Traditional to Strategic

Purpose: The aim of the study is to highlight essential elements of job analysis techniques, discusses innovative approaches, and the strategies adopted by organizations to improvise the Job Analysis procedure.   Theoretical framework: Technological advancements and dynamic work environments have changed the means and methods through which job analysis procedure was managed earlier. HR professionals are now exploring innovative approaches and strategies to job analysis which are essentially compatible with the present-day organizational situation. To achieve this objective, human resources operations should be incorporated into the company's strategic management process. Professional experts of human resources should construct a compatible HR management system to support the organization implement its strategic objectives.   Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is primarily based upon secondary data. For this, extant literature related to the topic from different databases, websites, and other available sources was gathered. A logical and orderly review of the accumulated literature was completed.   Findings: The findings envisage the need for a well-established job analysis framework with all the elements needed to help human resource personnel updated about the changes in the work force concerns around them, make meticulous decisions using job data, and communicate effectively through all the departments in their organization.   Practical implications: The study intends to provide managers with a detailed framework of job analysis practices in organization enfolding both the traditional and modern methods and suggesting probable ways to implement them.   Originality/value: The paper is basically a descriptive viewpoint that may contribute positively to the extant literature, academicians, professionals and other related streams of the discipline