Proof-of-Stake (PoS) protocols have been actively researched for the past five years. PoS finds direct applicability in open blockchain platforms and has been seen as a strong candidate to replace the largely inefficient Proof of Work mechanism that is currently plugged in most existing open blockchains. Although a number of PoS variants have been proposed, these protocols suffer from a number ...

A general equilibrium monetary model is developed to study the optimal design of a cryptocurrency system based on a blockchain. The model is then calibrated to Bitcoin transaction data to perform a quantitative assessment of the scheme. We formalize the critical elements of a cryptocurrency: the blockchain to keep a history of transactions, the distributed updating of information and consensus ...

Short abstract This paper in short1 presents the thesis that insecurity of software is due to interaction of technological and legal shortcomings, fostered by economic rationality. Ineffective liability laws further the distribution of unreliable and insecure software. Copyright protection for software hinders the quality improvement. Patent protection encourages the use of proprietary instead ...

The cloud computing is a paradigm involving many disparate stake holders. Any system built upon this paradigm and a business run on such system architecture would have similarly disparate scope of access, activities and responsibilities for the stake holders. Depending on the scope of the activities and responsibilities, a stakeholder has to device the security measures to secure his activity s...

A new process is described that assists engineers in making complex decisions during the design process. The Interactive Design Selection Process (iDSP) allows designers to collect design information, compare candidate designs, build user preferences, and ultimately zero in on the best designs. In contrast to traditional black-box optimization approaches, the iDSP involves the designer in each ...

BACKGROUND In Europe, a comparable scope of training in GP can be observed especially in the field of knowledge. This feasibility study determines if a knowledge test is suitable in the context of a neighboring country. METHODS A Dutch knowledge multiple choice test was used after validation of its content in Flanders (Belgium) in the academic year 2010-2011. Satisfaction with the test format...