An efficient verifiable (t,n)-threshold secret image sharing scheme with ultralight shares

Multimedia Tools and Applications - A secret sharing scheme partitions a secret into a set of shares and distributes them among the eligible participants, with each participant receiving one share...     

Effect of 100 KeV Ar+ ion beam irradiation on ZnO thin films – Influence of morphology vis-a-vis electrode/electrolyte interface and its impact on photoelectrochemical water splitting

The present study attempts quantitative determination of changes in the morphological surface features viz. fractal dimension, lower and upper cut off length scale through Power Spectral Density analysis prior to and after irradiation of 100 KeV Ar⁺ ion beam at incidence angles of 0°, 40° and 60° on ZnO thin films. All the unirradiated and irradiated samples are subjected to photoelectrochemical characterization and a correlation between photoelectrochemical performance and morphological parameters is established. Sample irradiated at 40° angle at the fluence of 5 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm² is found to possess maximum fractal dimension of 2.72, lower and upper cut off length scale of 3.16 nm and 63.00 nm respectively. This sample exhibits maximum photocurrent density of 3.19 mA/cm² and applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 1.12% at 1.23 V/RHE. Hydrogen gas collected for duration of 1 h for the same sample was ~4.83 mLcm^?2.     

Modeling of laser keyhole welding: Part I. mathematical modeling,numerical methodology,role of recoil pressure,multiple reflections,and free surface evolution

A three-dimensional laser-keyhole welding model is developed, featuring the self-consistent evolution of the liquid/vapor (L/V) interface together with full simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer. Important interfacial phenomena, such as free surface evolution, evaporation, kinetic Knudsen layer, homogeneous boiling, and multiple reflections, are considered and applied to the model. The level set approach is adopted to incorporate the L/V interface boundary conditions in the Navier-Stokes equation and energy equation. Both thermocapillary force and recoil pressure, which are the major driving forces for the melt flow, are incorporated in the formulation. For melting and solidification processes at the solid/liquid (S/L) interface, the mixture continuum model has been employed. The article consists of two parts. This article (Part I) presents the model formulation and discusses the effects of evaporation, free surface evolution, and multiple reflections on a steady molten pool to demonstrate the relevance of these interfacial phenomena. The results of the full keyhole simulation and the experimental verification will be provided in the companion article (Part II).     

A prospective study of closure techniques of abdominal incisions in infants and children

In a prospective study of layered versus mass closure of abdominal incisions in infants and children, 34 cases underwent wound closure by layered and mass closure technique on an alternate basis. All the patients were assessed for their nutritional status and haemoglobin level pre-operatively, and wound complications were compared with respect to closure technique, nutritional status and normal haemoglobin level. Presence of protein energy malnutrition and anaemia did not increase the risk of wound complications with either of the technique.     

Corrosion characteristics of aluminium alloy graphite particulate composite in various environments

The present study was aimed at understanding the response of 2014 Al alloy dispersed with graphite particles in various corrosive environments. Marine (sodium chloride) as well as acidic media were selected for the purpose with a view to widen the range of utility of the composite for applications where such environments may be encountered. Studies were also extended to characterize the corrosion resistance of the composite in fresh as well as used lubricating oils to explore the possibilities of using it in bearing, bushing and such other applications. The corrosion behaviour of the base alloy processed under identical conditions was also examined in the above media to see the influence of graphite addition in the alloy. In order to assess the role of the matrix microstructure, the composite as well as the base alloy was subjected to corrosion in heat-treated as well as-cast conditions. It was observed that the specimens suffered from the maximum rate of corrosion in acid, while sodium chloride produced the minimum corrosion rate. Oil in both used and fresh conditions revealed a negligibly small extent of corrosion. The composite was found to show a higher rate of corrosion than the base alloy under identical test conditions. This was attributed to the dispersoid/matrix interfacial corrosion in the case of the graphitic aluminium alloy. Heat treatment of the composite and the base alloy was found to lower the rate of corrosion in the environments tested. Microstructural modifications of the matrix and possible relief of residual stresses were thought to be responsible for the lower rate of corrosion in the heat-treated condition.     

Modeling energy and agriculture interactions—I: A rural energy systems model

Since many of the factors related to rural energy systems are gradually being quantified, there is a need to construct a model that integrates a number of these factors simultaneously in a consistent framework. Therefore, a general linear programming model is developed to capture energy and agricultural interactions existing in the rural areas of developing countries. Energy used for agriculture includes fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization. Several technological choices of each of the above are considered and so are several crop commodities, several types of livestock, and farmers of different income groups along with their assets, i.e. land holdings, livestock, etc. The by-products of agriculture, i.e. biomass, such as crop residues, animal dung, wood, etc., can be used to generate energy. On the demand side the use of them for feed, fuel, and fertilizer must be considered. Thus, the household sector (which is the largest user of noncommercial energy), as well as the rural industries sector, is intimately related to the agriculture sector. Twelve different energy sources and several conversion technologies, such as biogas, charcoal kilns, alcohol distilleries, etc., are considered. The model is applicable to low-income, biomass-scarce developing countries. However, different types of countries will require different approximations, and their needs for detailing some aspects or other may vary. The model is suitable for policy purposes because it considers several income groups separately and considers how different changes affect each of them.     

Analysis of a soliton-based logic module for a ring network

We analyze and numerically study the code-matching logic module that is the central element in a proposed soliton-based ring network system running at peak rates of 100 Gb/s. The proposed network is packet-switched, and fast logic is required to route each packet. That is the function of the code-matching logic module, and four soliton logic gates that can perform fast logic are the key devices in its design. The behavior of the code-matching logic module is governed by a large set of parameters, and we simulate it by varying many of these parameters. The physical effects that occur in these devices and their significance are analyzed. The results indicate that the logic module will work but within a restricted parameter range