A Framework for Resilient, Transparent, High-throughput, Privacy-Enabled Central Bank Digital Currencies

Central Bank Digital Currencies refer to the digitization of lifecycle\u27s of central bank money in a way that meets first of a kind requirements for transparency in transaction processing, interoperability with legacy or new world, and resilience that goes beyond the traditional crash fault tolerant model. This comes in addition to legacy system requirements for privacy and regulation compliance, that may differ from central bank to central bank. This paper introduces a novel framework for Central Bank Digital Currency settlement that outputs a system of record---acting a a trusted source of truth serving interoperation, and dispute resolution/fraud detection needs---, and brings together resilience in the event of parts of the system being compromised, with throughput comparable to crash-fault tolerant systems. Our system further exhibits agnosticity of the exact cryptographic protocol adopted for meeting privacy, compliance and transparency objectives, while ensuring compatibility with the existing protocols in the literature. For the latter, performance is architecturally guaranteed to scale horizontally. We evaluated our system\u27s performance using an enhanced version of Hyperledger Fabric, showing how a throughput of >100K TPS can be supported even with computation-heavy privacy-preserving protocols are in place

Analysis of composite plates through cell-based smoothed finite element and 4-noded mixed interpolation of tensorial components techniques

The static bending and the free vibration analysis of composite plates are performed with Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF). We combine the cell-based smoothed finite element method (CSFEM) and the 4-noded mixed interpolation of tensorial components approach (MITC4). The smoothing method is used for the approximation of the bending strains, whilst the mixed interpolation allows the calculation of the shear transverse stress in a different manner. With a few numerical examples, the accuracy and the efficiency of the approach is demonstrated. The insensitiveness to shear locking is also demonstrated. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Analysis of composite plates by a unified formulation-cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent elements

In this article, we combine Carrera’s Unified Formulation (CUF) [13] and [7] and cell based smoothed finite element method [28] for studying the static bending and the free vibration of thin and thick laminated plates. A 4-noded quadrilateral element based on the field consistency requirement is used for this study to suppress the shear locking phenomenon. The combination of cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent approach with CUF allows a very accurate prediction of field variables. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach are demonstrated through numerical experiments

Parallel Computation of 2D Morse-Smale Complexes

Abstract—The Morse-Smale complex is a useful topological data structure for the analysis and visualization of scalar data. This paper describes an algorithm that processes all mesh elements of the domain in parallel to compute the Morse-Smale complex of large twodimensional data sets at interactive speeds. We employ a reformulation of the Morse-Smale complex using Forman’s Discrete Morse Theory and achieve scalability by computing the discrete gradient using local accesses only. We also introduce a novel approach to merge gradient paths that ensures accurate geometry of the computed complex. We demonstrate that our algorithm performs well on both multicore environments and on massively parallel architectures such as the GPU. Index Terms—Topology-based methods, discrete Morse theory, large datasets, gradient pairs, multicore, 2D scalar functions

A Hybrid Parallel Algorithm for Computing and Tracking Level Set Topology

The contour tree is a topological abstraction of a scalar field that captures evolution in level set connectivity. It is an effective representation for visual exploration and analysis of scientific data. We describe a work-efficient, output sensitive, and scalable parallel algorithm for computing the contour tree of a scalar field defined on a domain that is represented using either an unstructured mesh or a structured grid. A hybrid implementation of the algorithm using the GPU and multi-core CPU can compute the contour tree of an input containing 16 million vertices in less than ten seconds with a speedup factor of upto 13. Experiments based on an implementation in a multi-core CPU environment show near-linear speedup for large data sets

Gangliocapsular bleed with ipsilateral internal carotid artery aplasia

BACKGROUND: Agenesis requires an extensive work-up as a number of associated other vascular and nonvascular anomalies can be expected. In this scenario, an associated ipsilateral basal ganglia bleeding with subarachnoid haemorrhage with no aetiology is uncommon. We present such a case of moderate ipsilateral ganglio-capsular bleed of unknown cause with associate aortic arch vessel anomaly. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old diabetic man of Indian origin with complaints of a sudden onset of giddiness, left-sided weakness and slurring of speech. Motor system examination revealed power of grade 2. Computed tomography scan revealed a moderate bleeding in the basal ganglia and the right temporo-parietal lobe. Angiography revealed unilateral aplasia of the internal carotid artery. Patient improved symptomatically with a motor system power of grade 4 after hematoma evacuation and treatment with antibiotics, anti-edema measures and neuroprotective drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Developmental anomalies of the carotid and aortic arch with intracranial bleeding is a rare occurrence and any arterial anomaly requires extensive evaluation

DC Link Voltage Enhancement in DC Microgrid Using PV Based High Gain Converter with Cascaded Fuzzy Logic Controller

Renewable-based sources can be interconnected through power electronic converters and connected with local loads and energy storage devices to form a microgrid. Nowadays, DC microgrids are gaining more popularity due to their higher efficiency and reliability as compared to AC microgrid systems. The DC Microgrid has power electronics converters between the DC loads and renewable-based energy sources. The power converters controlled with an efficient control algorithm for maintaining stable DC bus voltage in DC microgrids under various operating modes is a challenging task for researchers. With an aim to address the above-mentioned issues, this study focuses on the DC link voltage enhancement of a DC Microgrid system consisting of PV, DFIG-based wind energy conversion system (WECS), and battery Energy Storage System (ESS). To elevate PV output voltage and minimize the oscillations in DC link voltage, a high-gain Luo converter with Cascaded Fuzzy Logic Controller (CFLC) is proposed. Droop control with virtual inertia and damping control is proposed for DFIG-based WECS to provide inertia support. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based droop control is utilised to regulate the ESS’s State of Charge (SOC). The effectiveness of the proposed converter and its control algorithms for maintaining stable DC bus link voltage has been analysed using MATLAB/Simulink and experimentally validated using a prototype model and FPGA Spartan 6E controllers

Effect of Rare Earth Metals (Y, La) and Refractory Metals (Mo, Ta, Re) to Improve the Mechanical Properties of W–Ni–Fe Alloy—A Review

Tungsten heavy alloys are two-phase metal matrix composites that include W–Ni–Fe and W–Ni–Cu. The significant feature of these alloys is their ability to acquire both strength and ductility. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the basic alloy and to limit or avoid the need for post-processing techniques, other elements are doped with the alloy and performance studies are carried out. This work focuses on the developments through the years in improving the performance of the classical tungsten heavy alloy of W–Ni–Fe through doping of other elements. The influence of the percentage addition of rare earth elements of yttrium, lanthanum, and their oxides and refractory metals such as rhenium, tantalum, and molybdenum on the mechanical properties of the heavy alloy is critically analyzed. Based on the microstructural and property evaluation, the effects of adding the elements at various proportions are discussed. The addition of molybdenum and rhenium to the heavy alloy gives good strength and ductility. The oxides of yttrium, when added in a small quantity, help to reduce the tungsten’s grain size and obtain good tensile and compressive strengths at high temperatures

Analysis of Surface Roughness and 3D Scanning Topography of Zirconia Implants Before and After Photofunctionalisation by 3D Optical Profilometry- An Invitro Study

Introduction: Zirconia is considered as an alternative material for the fabrication of implants. Surface roughness of the implant plays a fundamental role in the initial bone formation. The rationale of using 3D optical profilometry in this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of the zirconia implants before and after Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalisation. Also, Moreso 3D optical instruments have a better resolution than the mechanical ones like Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Aim: To analyse the surface roughness and topography of zirconia implants after photofunctionalisation using optical profilometry. Materials and Methods: This is an in-vitro study conducted over a period of six months from March 2020 to August 2020. Ten commercially machined Zirconia implants, five each in study and control group, were micro analysed at three different regions (abutment, thread and crest) by optical profilometry. Study group was surface treated by UV radiation for 48 hours. Quantitative morphometric analysis was done between two groups and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The statistical test applied in this study was independent t-test. Results: Scanning micrographs of the study group revealed highest density of summits contributing to increased surface area in the study group. Quantitative analysis of surface roughness showed statistically significant higher mean roughness parameter for photofunctionalised implants in abutment, crest and thread region (p<0.05). Conclusion: Photofunctionalisation is a potentially synergistic technique in producing textured zirconia implants