Around three years ago Amir Taaki, a London-based code-writer linked to the free software movement, and Donald Norman, a young American entrepreneur, set up the British bitcoin exchange Intersango. In an E&T interview at the time, they were both full of youthful idealism and keen to ensure Intersango was secure and ticked the right regulatory boxes. Today, Taaki lives in the Calafou commune in Barcelona and works on the Dark Wallet bitcoin project backed by Cody Wilson of Liberator 3D-printed gun fame, named by Wired Magazine as one of the '15 Most Dangerous People in the World'. Both Taaki and Norman are also subjects of a $500,000 lawsuit filed in August 2012 in San Francisco by four bitcoin investors who lost money on an exchange called Bitcoinica, which was acquired by Intersango that year. Bitcoinica was a cloud-based exchange - built in five days by a Singaporean teenager - that was hacked before and after Intersango acquired it.
The new world of mobile devices offers reasonable likelihood that virtual currency will prevail on a global scale. Currently, the bitcoin crypto-currency model appears to be a forerunner. Bitcoin, a highly disruptive technology, has both supporters and detractors. Nonetheless, in concert with other trends, some form of virtual currency, even if a successor to bitcoin, appears to have a path forward. Virtual currencies will likely gain in stature as other novel, unspecified, and disruptive innovations take hold in a world of increasingly autonomous systems. This department is part of a special issue on mobile commerce.
Since its introduction in 2009, Bitcoin, an open source, peer to peer, digital crypto currency has been growing in popularity and wide spread use. Growing attention, recognition by major financial institutions and high valued currency units (BTC) ascertains Bitcoin to a sturdy and ever increasing choice of currency. A public transaction log called the âBlockchainâ keeps records of all committed transactions and Bitcoin ownership details, that is, addresses derived by cryptographic keys. Bitcoin mining, a process which results in the generation of new Bitcoins, is performed by miner operators for reception of incentives in the form of Bitcoins. This mining process is essentially operations of SHA-256 hashing of values in search of a hash digest smaller than a specific value. Once this winning hash has been discovered, a new block to Blockchain is added and BTC incentives are furnished by the Bitcoin network to the miner. This paper discusses methods of performing Bitcoin mining on non-custom hardware which results in contextually faster mining by combined usage of computing elements within machines in mining networks, both illegal and legal.
Andrew Miller, Ari Juels, Elaine Shi, Bryan Parno ¡ 5 authors
Bit coin is widely regarded as the first broadly successful e-cash system. An oft-cited concern, though, is that mining Bit coins wastes computational resources. Indeed, Bit coin's underlying mining mechanism, which we call a scratch-off puzzle (SOP), involves continuously attempting to solve computational puzzles that have no intrinsic utility. We propose a modification to Bit coin that repurposes its mining resources to achieve a more broadly useful goal: distributed storage of archival data. We call our new scheme Perm coin. Unlike Bit coin and its proposed alternatives, Perm coin requires clients to invest not just computational resources, but also storage. Our scheme involves an alternative scratch-off puzzle for Bit coin based on Proofs-of-Retrievability (PORs). Successfully minting money with this SOP requires local, random access to a copy of a file. Given the competition among mining clients in Bit coin, this modified SOP gives rise to highly decentralized file storage, thus reducing the overall waste of Bit coin. Using a model of rational economic agents we show that our modified SOP preserves the essential properties of the original Bit coin puzzle. We also provide parameterizations and calculations based on realistic hardware constraints to demonstrate the practicality of Perm coin as a whole.
Dieudonne Alemagi, Peter A. Minang, Mireille Feudjio, Lalisa Duguma
Cameroon has been a keen participant in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+) negotiations since 2005 and has engaged in activities to enhance the implementation of REDD+. This article reviews progress on REDD+ readiness in Cameroon based on a multiple REDD+ functions framework. Results show that some progress has been made in terms of planning and coordination, institutional development, and the development of some REDD+ projects. Absence of a legal framework, inadequate procedures for stakeholder participation, slow progress in the development of a national strategy, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) challenges, and weak financing remain prominent constraints. Despite having one of the slowest REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) processes in the Congo Basin, stakeholders feel strong ownership because the R-PP was done almost entirely by Cameroonian experts. Some opportunities for improving REDD+ can be considered going forward, including the establishment of procedures for a broader participatory process, speeding up the operationalization of the National Observatory on Climate Change, making use of the ongoing forestry law reform, consideration of a carbon concessions concept, tapping from international initiatives to build on MRV, and improving benefit sharing and financing through the development of an appropriate and decentralized mechanism. Enhancing these opportunities is fundamental for successful REDD+ implementation in Cameroon.Policy relevanceThis article offers a new multidimensional approach to assessing the REDD+ readiness process in Cameroon. This critical assessment, which is done using six key functions, provides an opportunity for enhanced understanding of the process by policy makers, decision makers, and professionals with a view to enabling improvements in the readiness process. Furthermore, the article proffers a series of opportunities that the government and other relevant stakeholders can capitalize on to overcome current hurdles affecting the REDD+ readiness process. It is hoped that policy makers driving the REDD+ process in Cameroon will be able to incorporate the findings of this research into their strategic policy, formulated to advance the REDD+ readiness process. More importantly, it is hoped that the multidimensional framework applied in this study could be useful for assessing REDD+ in similar contexts in the Congo Basin.
Open access
Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
Quantum zero-knowledge proofs and quantum proofs of knowledge are inherently\ndifficult to analyze because their security analysis uses rewinding. Certain\ncases of quantum rewinding are handled by the results by Watrous (SIAM J\nComput, 2009) and Unruh (Eurocrypt 2012), yet in general the problem remains\nelusive. We show that this is not only due to a lack of proof techniques:\nrelative to an oracle, we show that classically secure proofs and proofs of\nknowledge are insecure in the quantum setting.\n More specifically, sigma-protocols, the Fiat-Shamir construction, and\nFischlin's proof system are quantum insecure under assumptions that are\nsufficient for classical security. Additionally, we show that for similar\nreasons, computationally binding commitments provide almost no security\nguarantees in a quantum setting.\n To show these results, we develop the "pick-one trick", a general technique\nthat allows an adversary to find one value satisfying a given predicate, but\nnot two.\n
Quantum zero-knowledge proofs and quantum proofs of knowledge are inherently difficult to analyze because their security analysis uses rewinding. Certain cases of quantum rewinding are handled by the results by Watrous (SIAM J Comput, 2009) and Unruh (Eurocrypt 2012), yet in general the problem remains elusive. We show that this is not only due to a lack of proof techniques: relative to an oracle, we show that classically secure proofs and proofs of knowledge are insecure in the quantum setting. More specifically, sigma-protocols, the Fiat-Shamir construction, and Fischlin's proof system are quantum insecure under assumptions that are sufficient for classical security. Additionally, we show that for similar reasons, computationally binding commitments provide almost no security guarantees in a quantum setting. To show these results, we develop the "pick-one trick", a general technique that allows an adversary to find one value satisfying a given predicate, but not two.
Context & Problem Overview - There is a great necessity for improved sanitation practices in the developing world. Forty percent of the worldâs population practice open defecation or lack adequate sanitation facilities. In urban areas throughout the developing world, where household and community toilets are available, 2.1 billion people use toilets connected to septic tanks that are not safely emptied or use other systems that discharge raw sewage into open drains or surface waters resulting in a greater incidence of waterborne diseases, poor drinking water quality, and contaminated water sources. In the Philippines, poor sanitation infrastructure and disease costs the economy $1.94 billion a year. Improved sanitation practices and infrastructure are difficult to implement and sustain. Public services, treatment systems, and sanitation practices in the developing world often require sufficient land, capital, and energy resources that are often scarce. Low cost, sustainable improvements and innovations, as well as local acceptance and ownership, are necessary to develop and implement alternative technologies that can help reuse waste, improve water treatment and improve overall quality of sanitation services. \nResearchers at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International have developed and tested a secondary waste water treatment filter that can be appended to existing decentralized waste water treatment systems (DEWATS) and collection facilities. Using a cocopeat filter, the discarded dust and coir generated from coconut processing plants, an effective bio-filter unit can be constructed. This simple device can easily be connected to existing septic tanks or other primary treatment components to filter effluent waste water and meet national discharge standards. This filtration technology has the potential to improve health and positively impact sanitation services for urban poor communities. Although successful pilot programs have been launched through grant funding and self-financing, RTI would like to explore alternative implementation models to deliver this technology to a larger audience in the Philippines. \n\nPolicy Question - What implementation models could RTI International consider for scaling up cocopeat bio-filtration systems to improve access to safe water and sanitation in urban poor areas of the Philippines?\n\nData and Methodology - To assess and recommend potential implementation model options the following data and methodology was used: 1) Sanitation Sector Landscape Analysis â I conducted a literature review of the Philippines sanitation sector to assess the most significant institutional factors related to implementing DEWATS projects. 2) Case Study Analysis â I collected and reviewed relevant case studies related to DEWATS projects implemented in urban Philippines locations to determine key lessons learned, potential implementation models, and project financing structures. 3) Integrated Financial and Economic Analysis â From the financial and economic data collected in the case studies, I analyzed cocopeat filter technology system costs with comparable secondary treatment systems. Additionally, I analyzed potential cost distributions of a cocopeat filter system using four different implementation models. \n\nFindings - \t1) Cocopeat filter technology is a proven low cost, sustainable, and effective alternative to other secondary waste water treatment technology options with comparable efficiency. 2) The Community Participation model shows the most potential for mitigating institutional risks and constraints within the sanitation sector. 3) Efficient DEWATS implementation using a cocopeat filter has the potential to improve benefit to cost ratios (BCRs), reduce cost burdens on direct users, and introduce sanitation treatment systems to urban areas where space constraints are a key limiting factor. \n\nRecommendations - RTI could pursue Community Participation models for implementing cocopeat filter DEWATS projects with support from local government units (LGUs) and NGOs. This model shows the most promise for mitigating institutional risks, promoting awareness of sanitation benefits, driving ownership by end users, and enabling technology adoption. Given that technical implementation, social marketing, and sanitation training expertise resides predominantly with NGOs, RTI should also continue to promote the benefits of cocopeat filter technology through these subject matter experts.
Housing decentralization not only positions housing sector as regional obligatory, but also triggerspublic expectations upon the improvement of housing conditions. Various weaknesses of centralizedsystem that full of generalization in housing policy makes decentralized system is interpreted as aninnovative renewal process. However, the central government still does a lot of intervention towardhousing program. Limitation happens to local government such as limitation in housing finance,weakness in coordination ability, and less established of local bureaucracy makes intervention fromcentral government in housing program financed by APBN always dominates. The least contributionfrom local government on public housing sector in decentralization era creates paradox. It is caused bythe Ministry of Public Housing (Kemenpera) that cannot perform fully as substitutional institution rolein managing housing in local area. Kemenpera position as ministerial cluster 3 makes them does nothave representative office in local area. Thus, there will be potential of a repeat experience in the past, inform of generalization in housing policy, that complicates the housing problems itself.
Today, municipal bonds are a critical source of capacity building in the United States. The bond market exceeds $4 trillion and is comparable to one fourth of the national debt or the current-dollar market value of the nation&s;s projected output of goods and services in2012. In the United States&s; decentralized political system, the municipal bond has been an important asset in the growth of the national economy. Liberal theory lays out three potential avenues for cities to play a role in world politics either by importing to them the domestic capacity of the state or as relatively autonomous players in the world economy. The urban role in the national economy emerged in two distinct stages. The most significant difference between these two stages is the federal government&s;s efforts, beginning in the late 1960s, to limit the use of intergovernmental tax immunity. The financial management organization, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), held that the legislation violated the Sixteenth Amendment.
We give an explicit definition of decentralization and show you that\ndecentralization is almost impossible for the current stage and Bitcoin is the\nfirst truly noncentralized currency in the currency history. We propose a new\nframework of noncentralized cryptocurrency system with an assumption of the\nexistence of a weak adversary for a bank alliance. It abandons the mining\nprocess and blockchain, and removes history transactions from data\nsynchronization. We propose a consensus algorithm named Converged Consensus for\na noncentralized cryptocurrency system.\n
Permasalahan lambatnya akses Internet client terjadi ketika mengakses Internet secara bersamaan, akibat distribusi bandwidth yang tidak merata oleh pengguna yang melakukan aktivitas download dan upload. Pengertian Quality of Service (QoS) adalah kemampuan suatu jaringan untuk menyediakan layanan yang baik dengan menyediakan bandwidth. Tujuan saya menggunakan metode Hierarchy Token Bucket pada DD-WRT untuk mengatur kecepatan Upload dan download pada masing-masing alamat IP client secara sentralisasi menggunakan firmware dd-wrt. Dengan demikian jika ada client yang mengakses internet membutuhkan kapasitas bandwidth yang besar, maka client lain tidak akan terganggu, karena masing-masing sudah mempunyai kapasitas bandwidth yang dipakai untuk mengakses internet.
Purpose â The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between R&D internationalization and finance decisions by providing survey evidence on the funding sources of R&D in light of recent perceptions of MNEs' decentralized knowledge-related competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach â The study draws upon a survey of 83 decentralized R&D units located in countries outside the EU core of mature economies. Funding sources are classified as MNE-internal and external. Using simulation-based models, six ordered probit regression models were run with each funding source forming the dependent variable. Findings â There are three significant findings. First, decentralized R&D funding relies mainly on MNE-internal sources. Second, decentralized R&D funding patterns reflect on the interdependencies within an overall MNE R&D strategy that is articulated through varied laboratory roles. Third, while the strategy-finance interaction is confirmed, the prevalence of parent funding is challenged. Instead, evidence recorded here suggests support for the decentralized, âsubsidiary-focusedâ perspective that has recently regained a considerable momentum in the literature. Research limitations/implications â Notwithstanding that this study reinforces the interaction between strategic decisions and funding patterns, more work is required to identify the effects of other aspects of strategy on the funding sources of decentralized R&D activity. However, it is seemingly the first study that investigates MNEs' R&D financial decisions in economies outside the EU core, incorporating also a wide array of external funding sources. Practical implications â Funding choices for decentralized R&D labs should be contingent upon their unique contribution to the competitive evolution of the MNE group. Further, R&D activity seems to leverage the autonomy of subsidiary managers. Originality/value â This research is one of the very few empirical studies providing evidence on the funding sources of decentralized R&D laboratories, and suggests possible predictors that have not been put forward hitherto.
Internet of Things: Technologies and Applications for a New Age of Intelligence outlines the background and overall vision for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), as well as associated emerging technologies. Key technologies are described including device communication and interactions, connectivity of devices to cloud-based infrastructures, distributed and edge computing, data collection, and methods to derive information and knowledge from connected devices and systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Also included are system architectures and ways to integrate these with enterprise architectures, and considerations on potential business impacts and regulatory requirements. New to this edition: ⢠Updated material on current market situation and outlook. ⢠A description of the latest developments of standards, alliances, and consortia. More specifically the creation of the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) and its architecture and reference documents, the creation of the Reference Architectural Model for Industrie 4.0 (RAMI 4.0), the exponential growth of the number of working groups in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the transformation of the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) to OMA SpecWorks and the introduction of OMA LightweightM2M device management and service enablement protocol, the initial steps in the specification of the architecture of Web of Things (WoT) by World Wide Consortium (W3C), the GS1 architecture and standards, the transformation of ETSI-M2M to oneM2M, and a few key facts about the Open Connectivity Forum (OCF), IEEE, IEC/ISO, AIOTI, and NIST CPS. ⢠The emergence of new technologies such as distributed ledgers, distributed cloud and edge computing, and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence for IoT. ⢠A chapter on security, outlining the basic principles for secure IoT installations. ⢠New use case description material on Logistics, Autonomous Vehicles, and Systems of CPS Standards organizations covered: IEEE, 3GPP, IETF, IEC/ISO, Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), ITU-T, GS1, Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), Open Mobile Alliance (OMA, e.g. LightweightM2M), Object Management Group (OMG, e.g. Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN)), oneM2M, Open Connectivity Forum (OCF), W3C Key technologies for IoT covered: Embedded systems hardware and software, devices and gateways, capillary networks, local and wide area networking, IoT data management and data warehousing, data analytics and big data, complex event processing and stream analytics, control systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence, distributed cloud and edge computing, and business process and enterprise integration. In-depth security solutions for IoT systems Technical explanations combined with design features of IoT and use cases, which help the development of real-world solutions Detailed descriptions of the architectures and technologies that form the basis of IoT Clear examples of IoT use cases from real-world implementations such as Smart Grid, Smart Buildings, Smart Cities, Logistics and Participatory Sensing, Industrial Automation, and Systems of CPS Market perspectives, IoT evolution, and future outlook
Yiannis Sakellaridis and Akshay Venkathesh have determined, when the group\n$G$ is split and the field $\\F$ is of characteristic zero, the Plancherel\nformula for any spherical space $X$ for $G$ modulo the knowledge of the\ndiscrete spectrum.\n The starting point is the determination of good neighborhoods at infinity of\n$X/J$, where $J$ is a small compact open subgroup of $G$. These neighborhoods\nare related to "boundary degenerations" of $X$. The proof of their existence is\nmade by using wonderful compactifications.\n In this article we will show the existence of such neighborhoods assuming\nthat $\\F$ is of characteristic different from 2 and $X$ is symmetric. In\nparticular, one does not assume that $G$ is split. Our main tools are the\nCartan decomposition of Benoist and Oh, our previous definition of the constant\nterm and asymptotic properties of Eisenstein integrals due to Nathalie Lagier .\n Once the existence of these neighborhoods at infinity of $X$ is established,\nthe analog of the work of Sakellaridis and Venkatesh is straightforward and\nleads to the Plancherel formula for $X$.\n
The perspectives of this book stake out but a small, sturdy base camp from\nwhich to explore sexual appeals in advertising and marketing. As much as\none fifth of advertising uses such appeals (Lin, 1998; Reichert, Lambiase,\nMorgan, Carstarphen, & Zavoina, 1999; Walker, 2000)/ but sexualized persuasion in the Western landscape looms larger than that because it surrounds us in films, music videos, television programming, Web content,\nmagazine and book covers, and beyond. Among all this visual "sex noise/"\nthe most common metaphor for sex is a woman/s body, although men/s\nbodies are being commodified as well, as Barbara Stern reminds us in this\nvolume. These appeals to sexual impulses are nothing neWt of course; Aristotle discussed them to help speakers connect with particular audiences in\nThe Rhetoric. Young men, he said, "are prone to desires and inclined to do\nwhatever they desire. Of the desires of the body they are most inclined to\npursue that relating to sex, and they are powerless against this" (1991 translation/ p. 165). Aristotle/s ideas, of course, are deliberate stereotypes, but\nthat they hold true more than 2/300 years later is proof of their power.