A New PVSS Scheme with a Simple Encryption Function

A Publicly Verifiable Secret Sharing (PVSS) scheme allows anyone to verify the validity of the shares computed and distributed by a dealer. The idea of PVSS was introduced by Stadler in [18] where he presented a PVSS scheme based on Discrete Logarithm. Later, several PVSS schemes were proposed. In [2], Behnad and Eghlidos present an interesting PVSS scheme with explicit membership and disputation processes. In this paper, we present a new PVSS having the advantage of being simpler while offering the same features.Comment: In Proceedings SCSS 2012, arXiv:1307.8029. This PVSS scheme was proposed to be used to provide a distributed Timestamping schem

Strengthening SMEs to make export competitive

The importance of SMEs in any economy cannot be overlooked as they form a major chunk in the economic activity of nations. India has nearly three million SMEs, which account for almost 50 per cent of industrial output. However, SMEs which form the backbone of industrial development in India are not export competitive and contribute only about 34 percent of exports. It is this feature of the SMEs that make it an ideal target to realize its potential export competitive. Drawing from the experiences of countries that have successfully promoted the export competitiveness of SMEs, this paper has identified ways in which SMEs in India can have an access to external markets through exports, which include simplification of procedures, incentives for higher production, preferential treatments to SMEs in the market development fund, linking up SMEs with Transnational Companies or large domestic exporting firms; and formation of clusters and networks in order to reinforce their external competitiveness.Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), SWOT Analysis, Export, India

Analyzing the effects of surface distribution of pores in cell electroporation for a cell membrane containing cholesterol

This paper presents a model and numerical analysis (simulations) of transmembrane potential induced in biological cell membrane under the influence of externally applied electric field (i.e., electroporation). This model differs from the established models of electroporation in two distinct ways. Firstly, it incorporates the presence of cholesterol (~20% mole-fraction) in biological membrane. Secondly, it considers the distribution of pores as a function of the variation of transmembrane potential from one region of the cell to another. Formulation is based on the role of membrane tension and electrical forces in the formation of pores in a cell membrane, which is considered as an infinitesimally thin insulator. The model has been used to explore the process of creation and evolution of pores and to determine the number and size of pores as a function of applied electric field (magnitude and duration). Results show that the presence of cholesterol enhances poration by changing the membrane tension. Analyses indicate that the number of pores and average pore radii differ significantly from one part of the cell to the other. While some regions of the cell membrane undergo rapid and dense poration, others remain unaffected. The method can be a useful tool for a more realistic prediction of pore formation in cells subjected to electroporation.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. v2: added new references, grammatical changes, corrected typo

Indigenous Knowledge on Healthcare Practices by the Reang Tribe of Dhalai District of Tripura, North East India

The present study aimed to prepare an inventory of ethnomedicinal plants used by the Reang tribe Dhalai district of Tripura state, India. Reangs are mostly residing in deep forest and depend on their own traditional health care system. The survey was conducted during 2003 to 2004 in the different villages of Dhalai district of the state covering all the seasons. In the present work a total of 58 medicinal plants species belonging to 57 genera and 39 families are presented. Out of the total collection, in maximum cases leaves (48.28%) are used which is followed by root/rhizome (29.31%), bark (10.34%), fruit/seed (8.62%), stem (3.45%) and whole plant (1.72%), against different ailments. The collected plants are mostly used in blood coagulation, cough and cold, fever and headache, diarrhoea and dysentery, stomach problem and gastritis, bone fracture and sprains, carbuncle, jaundice, leucorrhoe, rheumatism, ringworm etc. Plant parts used, their preparation, and doses are discussed along with the family and local names of the collected herbs

Ethnomedicinal Importance of Pteridophytes Used by Reang tribe of Tripura, North East India

The present study mainly focuses on the ethnomedicinal importance of Pteridophytic floras used by the Reang tribes of Tripura state, India. As many as 16 pteridophytic plants species belonging to 14 genera and 10 families are presented in this research article. The botanical name, family name, vernacular name, habit, and their ethnomedicinal uses are provided

Localizing Gravitational Wave Sources with Single-Baseline Atom Interferometers

Localizing sources on the sky is crucial for realizing the full potential of gravitational waves for astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. We show that the mid-frequency band, roughly 0.03 to 10 Hz, has significant potential for angular localization. The angular location is measured through the changing Doppler shift as the detector orbits the Sun. This band maximizes the effect since these are the highest frequencies in which sources live several months. Atom interferometer detectors can observe in the mid-frequency band, and even with just a single baseline can exploit this effect for sensitive angular localization. The single baseline orbits around the Earth and the Sun, causing it to reorient and change position significantly during the lifetime of the source, and making it similar to having multiple baselines/detectors. For example, atomic detectors could predict the location of upcoming black hole or neutron star merger events with sufficient accuracy to allow optical and other electromagnetic telescopes to observe these events simultaneously. Thus, mid-band atomic detectors are complementary to other gravitational wave detectors and will help complete the observation of a broad range of the gravitational spectrum.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Life cycle costing: an alternative selection tool

In today’s complex business environment, both raising and application of fund becomes so costly. Thus, business needs to take a wise decision of investing funds in fixed facilities, which at one side consumes a lot of costly fund and on the other, set the value of the business. Net present value (NPV), pay back period (PBP), internal rate of return (IRR) are some widely used and customary tools in such situation most of which are based on projected revenues. In this paper, we have tried to use life cycle costing as a strong alternative, which considers every cost category throughout the life of the assets, from cradle to grave, to represent the effective use of funds in its totality. The theoretical foundation of LCC as a tool comes from literature review but the application of LCC in alternative choosing areas are the development of the authors. The use of mathematical tools and equations is an exemplary one that may be changed or modified to fit it with the typical context, if necessary. The paper can be a guideline which finally concludes that the use of life cycle costing as an alternative selection tool results a better cost structure analysis than others.Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS), Invisible Costs, Iceberg Effect, Affinity Diagram

Value-based measure: an application of EVA in small manufacturing company in Bangladesh

Performance measurement matters in today’s complex business arena irrespective of the type, nature, and volume diversity in business. If the result of performance measurement goes wrong due to the faulty or inaccurate selection of tool(s), then the total process will prove wrong in due time. This paper evaluates Economic Value Added (EVA) as a smart and powerful alternative to traditional performance measures like gross margin, percentage change in sales, net margin etc. in a small manufacturing company perspective. Small manufacturing companies are the focus of the study, as most of the people in such companies believe that EVA is truly designed for large companies and the equation of EVA cannot be applied in small companies due to the non-availability of required data. This paper results in a typical model applicable to small manufacturing companies where all adjustments and other technicalities are discussed with a real life example. Finally, the possible advantages and opportunities of using EVA as a performance measurement tool is discussed that may encourage the users/readers to incorporate EVA with their current setup to reap the potential benefits from it.Economic Value Added (EVA), Market Value Added (MVA), Cost of Capital (COC), Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT), Small Manufacturing Companies, Performance Measures, Tailored EVA, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Autophagy, TGF-β, and SMAD-2/3 Signaling Regulates Interferon-β Response in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infected Macrophages

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a lung tropic virus causing severe airway diseases including bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants, children and immuno-compromised individuals. RSV triggers transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) production from lung epithelial cells and TGF-beta facilitates RSV infection of these cells. However, it is still unknown whether RSV infected myeloid cells like macrophages produce TGF-beta and the role of TGF-beta if any during RSV infection of these cells. Our study revealed that RSV infected macrophages produce TGF-beta and as a consequence these cells activate TGF-beta dependent SMAD-2/3 signaling pathway. Further mechanistic studies illustrated a role of autophagy in triggering TGF-beta production from RSV infected macrophages. In an effort to elucidate the role of TGF-beta and SMAD-2/3 signaling during RSV infection, we surprisingly unfolded the requirement of TGF-beta---SMAD2/3 signaling in conferring optimal innate immune antiviral response during RSV infection of macrophages. Type-I interferon (e.g. interferon-beta or IFN-beta) is a critical host factor regulating innate immune antiviral response during RSV infection. Our study revealed that loss of TGF-beta---SMAD2/3 signaling pathway in RSV infected macrophages led to diminished expression and production of IFN-beta. Inhibiting autophagy in RSV infected macrophages also resulted in reduced production of IFN-beta. Thus, our studies have unfolded the requirement of autophagy---TGF-beta---SMAD2/3 signaling network for optimal innate immune antiviral response during RSV infection of macrophages