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This paper explores the use of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart bin technologies to automate the recycling waste collection process and ensure the reliability of the entire system through the incorporation of security measures and blockchain technology. With the increasing global concern for waste management and sustainable practices, the integration of IoT and smart bins brings forth a multitude of benefits. These include heightened efficiencies, reduced costs, and improved accuracy in waste collection. By integrating IoT sensors into traditional waste bins, these smart bins can gather data regarding the fill levels of waste. This enables waste collectors to optimize their routes and collection schedules, resulting in a more streamlined process. The collected data is securely transmitted to the relevant stakeholders and it is recorded on a blockchain-based platform to enhance transparency and accountability. The incorporation of security measures ensures the privacy and integrity of the collected data throughout the entire data transmission process. This paper emphasizes the immense potential of utilizing IoT and smart bin technologies to revolutionize waste collection practices, thereby contributing to a more efficient and sustainable recycling ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an innovative technology used in manufacturing, environmental monitoring, home automation, human health applications, and other fields. IoT devices, however, are susceptible to various security risks. Cyber-attacks on IoT systems can halt the entire system, resulting in data loss. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can quickly identify malicious activity that could have compromised the network's performance. Effective IDS and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) are necessary to protect IoT systems. Blockchain technology presents another innovative method to strengthen security systems against the latest attacks. This paper focuses on conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on Blockchain-based Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems in IoT Networks. We reviewed several relevant blockchain-based IDS and IPS proposed for IoT networks and their mechanisms. The most recent research articles, published between 2017 and 2022, were selected from several databases. Consequently, a comprehensive review of these selected papers sheds light on their techniques, advantages, and drawbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has become a reality and its experimentation promises a future of innovative and beneficial technology. In almost all fields, this technology has seduced the actors because of its potentialities, namely traceability, transparency, security, immutability, etc. However, setting up such a technology adapted to one's needs is far from being a classic project. Indeed, a technical and organizational decision support is very important during a blockchain project to measure its actions and anticipate the risks. In this paper, we will focus on the choice of the public or private blockchain according to technical, functional criteria, and a decision aid module based on the Fuzzy method is proposed to do so. The results obtained prove the effectiveness of our approach used in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain (SC) conditions are becoming more challenging, and its systems are gaining more complexities over time. However, managing a complex SC depends on multiple variables related to the SC and its environment. In addition, digital technologies have shown potential to reshape the present understanding of SC management. In this regard, blockchain technology (BT) can help business models by enhancing transparency, improving traceability, reducing costs, minimizing risks, and bringing resiliency to the SC processes. This paper follows the Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV) theory as a theoretical lens to investigate the capabilities of the BT and its impact on supply chain resilience (SCR). The paper uses a PLS-SEM method for analyzing the collected data and drawing evidence from the manufacturing and assembling industries to demonstrate the technological benefits and potential of BT, as well as its capacity to drive SCR and enhance efficiency in business models. The findings of the paper show that the sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities of the BT have a substantial effect on SCR (R2 adjusted= 0.701). The obtained results from this study highlight the potential of adopting BT to help policymakers in their query to build SCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fast, reliable signature generation, blockchain storage, and video verification. • Our method detects video forgery on any file, anytime, anywhere, by anyone. • Insignificant additional storage requirements with respect to video size. • Withstands attacks: collisions, key substitutions, side-channels, chosen messages. • Aids real-time devices, e.g., phones, CCTV, serving legal, police, medical inquiries. Within the field of forensic science, video integrity is an essential component that ensures the validity and dependability of visual evidence that is essential for court cases. Maintaining the integrity of justice in a time when digital modification tools are easily accessible requires making sure that video recordings are unaltered. Video footage is carefully inspected by forensic analysts who use advanced tools to look for indications of manipulation or change. This paper presents a novel, lightweight approach for verifying the integrity of video data. The proposed method utilizes the blockchain and the Edwards Curve Digital Signature Algorithm, coupled with the BLAKE2b hash function. Signatures are generated for video clips with a predetermined size called video segments and stored in blocks chronologically. The signature of the previous block is stored in the current block to add another layer of security. At the time of validation, these signatures are verified. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods in both speed and security. Our method is capable of identifying any type of forgery on any video file, by anyone, at any given moment, with insignificant additional storage requirements. Furthermore, our security analysis shows that our method is resilient against various types of attacks, including collision attacks, key substitution attacks, side-channel attacks, and chosen message attacks. The proposed lightweight video integrity verification method is better suited for use in resource constrained devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We study whether distributed ledger technology (DLT) can disintermediate banks. • Early modern economies developed effective peer-to-peer lending based on notaries. • We compare cryptolending and notarial loans: actors, uses, rates, risks, guarantees. • Smart contracts cannot substitute trust intrinsically involved in financial relations. • Cryptolending is a complement rather than an alternative to banks. The application of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the financial sector has fostered the development of new services that are frequently referred to collectively as 'decentralized finance', or DeFi. In the wake of these recent developments many observers and practitioners regard DLT as a major technological disruption to the financial system, possibly leading to the complete disintermediation of banks and to their substitution with a network of bilateral relations between borrowers and lenders recorded in a common ledger. Recent historiography has shown that a potentially analogous system existed in Ancien Régime societies whereby finance was provided not only by specialized intermediaries, but also by an 'informal' credit network where debtors and creditors entered directly into relationship through notaries. In this paper, we carry out a systematic comparison between cryptolending, an extreme form of DeFi at the technological frontier, and the early system of peer-to-peer lending represented by notarized loans in the early modern period. Our aim is to assess the true novelty of current practices and to understand if, and in what sense, the technological innovation represented by DLT can effectively produce a structural change in the functioning of the financial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the limitations of 5 G, 6 G wireless networks are envisaged to provide sub-millisecond latency, ultra-high connection density, extremely high data rates, better coverage, reliability, availability, etc., for cloud computing, Internet-of-Everything, and cyber-physical systems. However, avoiding several trust-related issues in the design of the wireless networks may delay the goal. In recent years, Blockchain has become a promising technology that can transform various fields by providing innovative and profitable solutions. Blockchain's intrinsic features, such as immutability, decentralization, anonymity, and transparency, can corroborate trust among isolated networks to secure access control, authentication, better integrity, secrecy, and effectual resource sharing. This paper paints a holistic picture of 6 G wireless networks and Blockchain, including architecture, Blockchain-assisted 6 G services, deployment, 6 G-assisted Blockchain service models, consensus mechanisms for Blockchain-as-a-Service, 6 G-assisted mining and consensus, and others. It also sheds light on the integration possibilities of Blockchain and 6 G, its potential benefits, and the effects of consensus mechanisms on 6 G concerning security, scalability, and energy consumption, to name a few. The existing 6 G projects and applications have also been summarized, along with the discussion on research and projects to standardize 6 G. Various research directions for Blockchain, 6 G, and their integration have also been explored and reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data and its analysis are crucial for other applications like the Internet of Things (IoT), data mining, cloud computing, etc. The volume of data is expanding along with the internet and other digital technologies. Traditional systems, however, cannot process this volume of data. Analyzing this much data will take a lot of work. However, there are several difficulties in assuring data security and privacy, such as safeguarding against data leakage and security breaches, flaws in open databases, and third-party data sharing, among others. This paper's goal is to analyze the benefits of blockchain in big data as well as its drawbacks and identify potential future approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the ethical dilemmas propelled by a significant shift in the allocation of trust and intelligence due to blockchain technology and AI, resulting in a notable decrease in transaction costs. The ethical and political implications of democratizing the resulting productivity gains are noteworthy, and while the pie is expanding, how its slices are distributed remains an open question. Enter Worldcoin, an innovative worldwide initiative that creates an identity system based on proof of personhood and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to provide everyone with a distinct and anonymous "World ID. Using the author's "cyberethics-mix" framework, this paper examines the possible implications of such a system concerning data's protection, ownership, accuracy, and accessibility, underscoring the ethical significance of a political approach emphasizing inclusivity and sustainability through digital decentralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain management (SCM), product traceability, and product quality certification are some of the initial prominent uses of blockchain technology. This is because blockchain technology is built on trust and cannot be changed. The popularity of blockchain technology is increasing as it is trustworthy and cannot be changed; hence making traceability easier for information such as where food came from, thus essential for managing the agricultural food supply chain (SC). On the contrary, suggested SCM systems premised on smart contract technology and blockchain tend to be specifically apply to production and production processes. Through qualitative research, this paper suggests framework for adoption of smart contracts based on Ethereum in the agri-food SC, with the aim to establish means to adopt blockchain for checking food quality and origins in the agri-food supply chain. Remix IDE is utilised to build and test the smart contract. The significance of the framework is realised through ensuring the traceability of product safety and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain has become one of the great drivers of technological evolution of nowadays, making industries interested in the possible applications of that technology. One of the sectors that can benefit from this technology is the online betting industry. According to Statista, the total value of transactions carried out in this industry will be 92.9 billion dollars in 2023. Therefore, the need to make transactions more transparent is undoubtedly one of the main requirements of the betting industry, which promotes continuous technological development in the search for ideal solutions. This "technology" allows the creation of records that cannot be falsified. The applicability of this technology in the betting industry can be very attractive in terms of ensuring greater transparency in transactions. Furthermore, in order to decentralize the organization, it is also intended to implement a DAO governance model. This model aims to solve a centralized governance problem and, therefore, consists of governance based on the code and not on a single person/entity. In the scope of this paper, it was possible to demonstrate through a proof-of-concept solution, the applicability of Blockchain and the DAO governance model in a bookmaker. Thie solution was designed and implemented on the Ethereum Blockchain platform, using smart contracts. The results obtained in the comparison study showed that the solution is viable and presents advantages compared to traditional solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chit fund is a peer-to-peer saving and borrowing scheme operated among trusted groups of people. It is a reliable source of funds in emergencies with no guarantor and low-interest rate. Despite their enduring benefits, chit funds face challenges related to trust, transparency, and security. At present, unscrupulous subscribers might join chit-funds, borrow money, and make payment defaults. This leads to disruptions in contribution cycle and affects overall functioning. Additionally, non-transparent record-keeping and transaction processes, hinder participants from verifying fund activities, creating a susceptible environment for fraud and malpractice. These challenges are an obstacle to the sustainability and trustworthiness of the chit-fund system. Therefore, to overcome aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes TruChit, a blockchain-based chit fund system with creditworthiness evaluation framework. It leverages the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to assess the creditworthiness of subscribers, which ensures the credibility and reliability of individual participants. Further, proposes permissioned blockchain-assisted chit-fund framework with role-based access control to instill trust, security, and transparency within chit-fund operations. Moreover, the efficacy of TruChit is evaluated by analyzing credit score dataset and achieves 93.5% accuracy, which is better than other approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial anomalies must be detected in order for financial institutions and regulatory bodies to manage risks and avoid fraudulent behavior. Financial anomaly detection is the practice of identifying unexpected or irregular financial transactions or patterns that may indicate fraudulent behavior or errors. It is crucial in today's digital era to prevent fraud, limit financial losses, and maintain secure financial systems. Various types of financial anomalies, such as credit card fraud, money laundering, financial statement fraud, and cryptocurrency fraud, pose significant risks to individuals and organizations. This review critically evaluates a selected research article on the use of blockchain technology in conjunction with data mining techniques to detect financial anomalies. The paper employs the case study method to demonstrate how well the suggested integrated system works in spotting financial anomalies. This review evaluates the article's methodology and conclusions and discusses its implications for practice. The report claims that merging data mining methods with blockchain technology can increase the precision and effectiveness of financial anomaly identification. This research advances knowledge about how block-chain technology and data mining techniques can be used to find financial abnormalities while also offering suggestions for further study and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, various research studies have proven that the marine currents turbine (MCT) resource has enormous potential for electric power. For the proper exploitation of this resource, it is necessary to understand the hydrodynamics of the marine current turbine. In this paper a modeling was done in order to design a horizontal axis MCT, in an optimal way. In the first step, we evaluated the energy potential of the northern region of Morocco Ksar Srir. In the second step, we described the different building blocks of the conversion chain of a marine current turbine system. Finally, we present the simulation results obtained on Matlab/Simulink. The multi-physical and the hydrodynamic modeling were tested on the P66 marine current turbine of Guinard energy of 3,5 kW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger technology that offers transparency, security, and immutability by recording and verifying transactions across multiple computers. However, it faces limitations such as scalability issues, high energy consumption, slow transaction validation, expanding storage requirements. Understanding these limitations is crucial for evaluating blockchain's suitability for specific use cases and finding solutions to overcome these challenges. Recognizing these limitations is imperative for assessing blockchain's applicability and devising solutions. This paper introduces a hybrid mechanism, ShardedScale, designed to enhance scalability, throughput, and system performance while mitigating time, gas, and ether consumption. The proposed ShardedScale approach combines various techniques including Proof of Work (PoW), Dynamic On-demand Proof of Stake (DPOS), Inter Planetary File System (IPFS), and sharding. ShardedScale achieved a remarkable 40% reduction in transaction confirmation times, a substantial 60% improvement in throughput, and demonstrated cost-effectiveness with a 30% reduction in gas price consumption and a 25% decrease in ethers consumption. These findings signify a significant step towards addressing challenges faced by traditional blockchain systems, providing valuable insights for future designs in blockchain technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges around the world, including lockdowns, remote working and studying, and travel restrictions imposed by governments to curb the spread of the virus. As vaccines have become more widely available, restrictions have begun to ease for those vaccinated. Many countries use paper-based COVID-19 vaccination certificates to prove vaccination status. However, traditional certificates are vulnerable to forgery and counterfeiting. We developed a blockchain-based system where vaccination certificates are stored and accessed via smart contracts on an Ethereum blockchain. The certificates are stored in a tamper-proof, decentralized manner, ensuring secure verification of vaccination status. This research project successfully designed and implemented a system that securely stores and verifies vaccination certificates using blockchain, demonstrating the benefits of this approach. According to our knowledge, this is the first kind of research initiative in Brunei to develop a blockchain-based immutable COVID-19 Vaccination certificate. Despite its advantages, blockchain still has its flaws, particularly in scalability and adoption, which should be considered for further optimization of the proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain is an emerging technology penetrating various real-time and sensitive domains including financial products. Block chain can deal with complex system of financial transactions with focus to provide security and integrity to both the parties with reliable flow of transactions and asset securitization. Block chain is a distributed technology providing a lot of benefits such as cryptic transactions, smart contracts, distributed ledger system along with decentralization, authentication, authorization, and immutability to enhance the efficiency of the financial system. In this paper, the existing solutions for asset-backed securitization in blockchain are analysed and reviewed to highlight the requirements for change in design and ideas for enterprise applicability of blockchain for asset securitization. Also, the benefits of blockchain to reduce the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, technological systems lack a secure and transparent method for tracking goods and preventing theft in e-commerce, leading to trust issues and data vulnerabilities. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive solution that integrates Ethereum blockchain, IPFS, and advanced cryptographic techniques to address these challenges and enhance the security and transparency of transactions. This research paper presents a robust system that harnesses the Ethereum blockchain, IPFS (Interplanetary File System), and advanced cryptographic algorithms to create a secure, decentralized approach for tracking goods and preventing theft incidents. Unique identifiers and related information will be sent to the mail of the customer and same should entered by the customer for successful transaction. By assigning unique identifiers to purchased products and employing cryptographic techniques to encrypt sensitive data, our system ensures both user privacy and the creation of an immutable transaction ledger. Users can efficiently manage their purchased goods, block stolen items, and communicate with sellers through an intuitive interface. Additionally, the system provides sellers with a comprehensive transaction history, enhancing accountability and transparency within the supply chain. Through this research, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our blockchain based anti-theft measures, underpinned by Ethereum, IPFS, and cutting-edge cryptographic algorithms, in fostering secure, trustless transactions. This work highlights the transformative potential of blockchain technology and decentralized protocols in revolutionizing security and transparency across diverse sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for high data throughput and security in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) communication is rising. Efficient data transmission remains challenging due to limited wireless resources. This paper introduces a Scale Perception Compression Method that leverages compression and blockchain technology to optimize UAV communication. The method involves normalizing data into matrices, generating compression and decompression matrix codebook pairs, and selecting suitable pairs for small or large-scale matrices. Simulation results show that the error rate is associated with the distributions of the data and compression matrix. It remains relatively low when the data and compression matrix subjected to Uniform distribution compared to Gaussian distribution, regardless of the values of the number of rows m and columns r in compression matrix. Bubble method is more suitable to find out the proper matrix pair to compress and decompress transmitted data for small-scale codebook because it is stable, fast and results in lower difference between original and recovered data matrices. The same applies to Merge method for the large-scale codebook. The ER is always lower based on a small-scale codebook searching by Bubble method than that of on a large-scale codebook searching by Merge method, which indicates the former is sufficient for compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probability distributions are frequently used for statistical modeling of real-life phenomena in every field of life. Most often, real-life data sets are skewed in nature, and therefore, asymmetrical probability distributions are very competent for such scenarios. In the recent gains in distribution theory, researchers are focusing on developing new symmetrical and asymmetrical trigonometric-based probability distributions for data modeling in various fields. In the literature, however, there is no published work on statistical modeling of the transaction confirmation times on blockchain technology using trigonometric-originated probability distributions. For the first time covering the aforesaid research gap, this paper introduces a new trigonometric-based probabilistic approach for modeling the transaction confirmation times on blockchain technology. The new approach is called a new sine- G family of distributions. Using the proposed method, a new probability distribution called a new sine-Weibull distribution is studied. The proposed model is very flexible and obeys the symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes of its density function. The estimators of the new sine-Weibull distribution are derived, and their evaluation is tested through a simulation study. The applicability of the new sine-Weibull distribution is demonstrated by analyzing the average waiting time until the Bitcoin transaction is confirmed on blockchain technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of Industry 4.0 has revolutionized the manufacturing industry by incorporating interconnectivity, decentralized decision-making, resource optimization, and automation. This transformation has been made possible through the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Physical Systems, the Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, and Blockchain Technology. However, while Industry 4.0 has primarily focused on production efficiency and real-time transparency, the need for the transition toward a holistically sustainable environment has become increasingly urgent. As a result, the term Industry 5.0 was devised, merging the concept of Industry 4.0 with sustainability, resilience, and human-centric goals. This paper explores the potential areas of influence these technologies have on the environmental dimension of sustainability. The findings indicate that various Industry 4.0 technologies can contribute to environmental sustainability in manufacturing. These technologies offer opportunities to optimize supply chain performance, improve product traceability, reduce waste, enhance resource management, and minimize overall environmental impact. By understanding the implications of Industry 4.0 for environmental sustainability, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners can collaborate to develop strategies that integrate advanced technologies and sustainable practices in the manufacturing sector. The research provides insights into the potential benefits of these technologies for environmental sustainability and calls for further investigation to fully explore their environmental dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a literature review on the topic of digitalization in the healthcare supply chain. The healthcare industry is currently undergoing a transformation, and the supply chain is not an exception. The adoption of advanced technologies such as the blockchain is increasingly prevalent, offering improved traceability, security, trust, and privacy. However, managing the influx of new data requires highly qualified personnel. The potential benefits of digitalization are thus explored, as well as the need for collaborations to improve the present and future of the healthcare supply chain. The authors analyze the current state of digitalization in the healthcare supply chain by conducting a literature review of 81 relevant documents. The outcomes of the analyses highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with digitalization, which has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare supply chain. However, it is apparent that further studies are necessary to ensure the success of digitalization in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address challenges in digital evidence collection and responsibility determination for industrial safety accidents involving industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device nodes, this paper proposes a blockchain-based digital forensic scheme within the IIoT communication architecture. The scheme utilizes a decentralized blockchain storage mechanism to enable remote storage of digital forensic data. Additionally, it leverages smart contract mechanisms to facilitate efficient retrieval and tracing of related evidence chains. To enhance data security of IIoT device nodes, a token mechanism is implemented for access control. Moreover, to meet real-time evidence acquisition requirements in IIoT, an efficient batch consensus mechanism is proposed. Experimental simulations demonstrate the superiority of the novel consensus algorithm compared to the traditional Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPOS) consensus in the proposed scheme for the IIoT environment. It meets speed requirements for evidence collection, ensuring tamper-proof, non-repudiable, and permanent storage of digital forensic data. Consequently, the application of blockchain technology for judicial access and evidence storage has made significant contributions to digital forensics within the IIoT context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development of a decentralized healthcare marketplace, where patients can anonymously sell their data in the form of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to researchers. The platform aims to merge NFTs, decentralized finance, and patients' record management, empowering patients, expanding research opportunities, and enhancing healthcare outcomes through blockchain technology. The methodology employed for this research includes field research and discussions with professionals, ensuring credible and valuable insights. The article concludes that blockchain technology offers a transformative solution for healthcare record management, addressing issues of data security, privacy, interoperability, and transparency. Future work focuses on scalability and performance optimization, regulatory compliance, and governance, as well as interoperability and data standardization, among other areas, to unlock the platform's full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an ongoing study of a novel attack surface generator tool for smart contracts developed in Solidity. The tool leverages a rule-based engine and ChatGPT API for security analysis. The rule-based engine provides numerical values and key variables and functions for further analysis, while ChatGPT handles complex queries. However, ChatGPT may generate similar responses for more general questions, irrespective of the given contract code. The tool combines both approaches to identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities in Solidity-based smart contracts. The effectiveness of the tool is evaluated on real-world smart contracts, and its potential for detecting and preventing common attack vectors is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urban energy management by optimization through modified bat algorithm (MBA). • Stochastic framework using unscented transform (UT). • Blockchain integration for data security. This paper introduces an innovative approach to optimizing the allocation of local workforce and resources in the renewable energy sector through the application of the Modified Bat Algorithm (MBA). By leveraging MBA, the study achieves enhanced precision in decision-making, maximizing the positive impact of urban energy transition on local employment while respecting various constraints. To address the inherent uncertainties associated with the energy transition process, the paper employs a stochastic framework grounded in the Unscented Transform (UT). By incorporating UT, the study captures and analyzes the probabilistic nature of factors such as economic growth, energy production, and environmental impact. This framework provides a robust foundation for decision-making under uncertainty, ensuring the reliability of the proposed assessment model. Recognizing the critical importance of data integrity and security in the assessment of local economic and employment effects, this paper integrates blockchain technology to enhance the trustworthiness of the data transaction process. The use of blockchain ensures transparency, immutability, and security of data, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the results and fostering trust in the assessment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent applications are highly susceptible to uncertainty and inconsistency due to the intense and intricate interactions among their autonomous components (or agents), making their verification theoretically and practically challenging. This paper presents the design and implementation of a new open-source and scalable software tool for modeling and verifying intelligent applications with commitment and trust protocols under both uncertainty and inconsistency settings, using reduction-based multi-valued model checking techniques. The proposed tool is equipped with original and novel algorithms that transform our logics of multi-valued commitment (mv-CTLC) and multi-value trust (mv-TCTL) that we recently introduced to their classical two-valued commitment (CTLC) and trust (TCTL) logic versions as well as to Computational Tree Logic (CTL). Moreover, the tool transforms the mv-CTL to CTL, and it is applicable for the classical model checking by transforming the classical logics of trust and commitment to CTL. To demonstrate the practicality and applicability of the proposed tool in real settings, we present and report experimental results over two blockchain-based applications in the healthcare domain. Finally, we provide discussions and comparisons between the proposed approaches regarding scalability and efficiency. Moreover, we provide packages of more than 11 experiments, including the ones we conduct in this paper and enhanced experiments from previous works. Our findings ensure that the proposed approaches and the software tool that implements them are highly efficient and scalable, giving accurate results under varying conditions. • Design and implementation of an open-source scalable tool for systems model checking. • System modeling with multi-valued logic capturing uncertainty and inconsistency. • Practical demonstration using blockchain-based applications in healthcare domain. • Extensive experiments showing scalability, efficiency and reliability of the tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has recently enhanced energy trading by providing a new low-cost, secure, and decentralized transaction mechanism. This paper proposes a new methodology for applying blockchain in energy trading for a hybrid microgrid. The proposed methodology accounts for droop-based hybrid microgrids. The active power droop for both AC and DC sub-grids are used to reflect the suppliers bidding. A bidding strategy is implemented to minimize the generation cost and therefore maximizes the social welfare. On the other hand, the reactive power droop for the AC sub-grids is utilized to minimize the power loss on the microgrid through bus voltage support. Further, the paper presents a power losses allocation approach for precisely allocating system losses to each node. A case study with many transactions is conducted. The results demonstrate the suggested framework's efficacy in maximizing social welfare while minimizing system losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of blockchain and digital currencies, cybercrimes targeting blockchain transactions are proliferating. Various abnormal transaction behaviors caused by malicious nodes and malicious transactions have emerged in blockchain systems. Therefore, blockchain transaction security research is a hot issue in blockchain research. Deep learning has made remarkable achievements in image and audio. However, deep learning is less effective when processing text-like data than tree-based models. Therefore, for the highly unbalanced textual financial dataset, this paper designs a deep learning anomaly detection method called 1D SA-Inception by combining CNN with Transformer structure on the basis of traditional one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNN), introduces the Inception structure to learn the information of different scales of tabular data, and introduces the Transformer (self-attention) self-attention mechanism for the research of blockchain anomaly transaction detection technology, effectively improving the prediction effect. Finally, by conducting experiments on the extreme class imbalance dataset, the results show that the 1D SA-Inception designed in this paper outperforms the traditional CNN with AUC, G-mean, and F1 indexes of 91.05 %, 84.95 %, and 83.52 %, respectively, on the textual dataset. This method can more efficiently achieve the detection of abnormal transaction behavior, safeguard consumer rights and interests, and ensure the safe development of the financial sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularization of digital credentials brings convenience to people, but it also increases the risks of privacy leakage and capability abuse. Designing an accountable anonymous credential scheme offers a promising solution to this problem. However, most existing schemes of accountable anonymous credentials cannot effectively support both decentralized verification and flexible revocation. In this paper, we present S-Cred, an accountable anonymous credential scheme with decentralized verification and flexible revocation, to provide a delegation issuance method for credentials. The ownership of attributes will be transferred to users' temporary identities on the blockchain. In order to prevent credentials misuse, we also design several constraint mechanisms for tracing misbehaving users and revoking their credentials. We further construct a non-fungible obfuscation mechanism by introducing special roles called cloakers. In addition, this paper conducts analysis on security, functionality, efficiency and performance. The results show that S-Cred combines decentralized authentication and flexible revocation with a low computational cost in verification, which demonstrates the practicality of our solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology, with its peer-to-peer trading feature, influences the management of energy consumption by offering the potential to transform transparency, efficiency, and sustainability within the energy sector. Nonetheless, there is a need to develop analytical decision-making models tailored for managing peer-to-peer energy transactions to improve energy resilience. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address the research question: How can energy distribution systems be protected via blockchain technology to enhance energy resilience and mitigate vulnerabilities to disruptions ? This paper employs a conceptual research model design and a mathematical decision-making model to address the research question by capturing the peer-to-peer trading capability of blockchain technology. The theory of planned behavior provides theoretical explanations for the proposed model. The sample includes longitudinal energy consumption data from 2015 to 2023 in Texas. The findings indicate a significant improvement in energy efficiency along with a considerable decrease in total electricity consumption. Post hoc analysis results reveal that the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average algorithm is effective as a reliable input for the proposed mathematical model. The significant implications are to implement blockchain-based smart grids in which energy systems become more resilient to disruptions, as the peer-to-peer capability enables users to trade energy. The proposed model suggests that energy will be used more efficiently and effectively. This paper contributes to prior works by introducing a mathematical model that captures the trading behavior of energy consumers. Moreover, this paper proposes the SARIMA algorithm to predict energy demand. • A mathematical peer-to-peer trading model is presented to improve resilience. • A blockchain-based smart grid is presented for consumer energy consumption. • Five machine learning algorithms are presented in energy demand management. • Longitudinal energy consumption data of Texas is used in the model. • Theoretical support is provided using the theory of planned behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of smart justice, blockchain technology has revolutionized the way of preserving and examining electronic evidence.Blockchain technology has its functional advantages of distributed storage, hash function verification, and timestamp and accordingly possesses the technical characteristics of stability, integrity, and immutability. As such, blockchain technology can help alleviate the dilemma over electronic evidence due to its flaws, such as easy distortion and modification and difficulty in the collection, especially in the cases of copyright disputes where it is difficult to determine the ownership of works and fixation of evidence. The paper explores two ways of applying blockchain evidence and their distinct proving roles in copyright infringement cases. The paper further finds the similarities and differences between the two types of blockchain electronic preservation in the judicial review mechanism. In Chinese copyright judicial practice, the ambiguity in the rules of blockchain evidence, the inconsistency of different courts in examining blockchain evidence, and the disarray of blockchain evidence preservation platforms all confused and affected judicial discretion when dealing with blockchain evidence. Learning from the United States, the paper concludes with standard-related, judicial, and self-governance suggestions to pave the way for applying and examining blockchain evidence in Chinese copyright judicial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial provides an overview of the economic, social, and political impacts of blockchain and introduces the papers published in the special issue. It discusses how blockchain can facilitate entrepreneurial ventures, optimize business operations, and enhance supply chain efficiency. The potential of central bank digital currencies to improve transaction efficiency and financial inclusion is also highlighted. Socially, blockchain is positioned to address labor abuses, improve working conditions, and combat corruption through enhanced transparency and accountability. However, risks such as illicit financing and high energy consumption are acknowledged. Overall, blockchain holds promise to transform economies, societies, and organizations, but thoughtful policymaking is needed to maximize benefits and mitigate unintended consequences. This editorial introduces papers in this special issue, which aim to expand understanding of blockchain's diverse applications and implications across institutional governance, business, sustainability, energy, and payments systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual paper challenges the notion that the enhanced data security of blockchain results in superior privacy. Blockchain's fundamental characteristics - immutability, decentralization, and transparency - promote an excessive reliance on historical data. This reliance, in turn, leads to inaccurate predictions and misguides consumer privacy preferences. The paper contends that this stern protection conflicts with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). We argue that the lack of choice in managing data denies freedom, causing psychological reactance. Additionally, the dependence on past data contributes to an intensified privacy paradox as consumers need to assert accurate privacy preferences. These combined effects result in increased consumer digital vulnerability, which arises from an imbalanced power dynamic in data management. We propose a novel approach, which we call "modified blockchain". The approach is based on three pillars: i) selective immutability, ii) federal decentralization, and iii) supervised transparency. These pillars aim to effectively integrate regulations, organizations, and end-users within advocating for a socio-technical decision-making approach. This work also broadens the scope of the psychological reactance theory and the privacy paradox literature by affirming that a lack of autonomy in data management leads to digital vulnerability. • Blockchain technology creates intricate privacy issues despite the prevailing standards on data security. • Blockchain necessitates to adopt a customer-centric "outside-in" approach. • We propose modified blockchain as a paradigm shift from the current blockchain technology. • The modified blockchain framework builds on psychological reactance and privacy paradox theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaverse, built on blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, involves virtual, extended, and augmented realities. Metaverse is a disruptive emerging technology that is still in its early stages. There needs to be more empirical research on the metaverse, making it difficult to fully understand its potential and guide future investigations. Therefore, this paper aims to address this gap by examining empirical studies focused on metaverse technology. A systematic review of 1342 papers identified 331 that focused on metaverse technology, with 40 providing empirical evidence about the metaverse's impacts. The results indicate that organizational and behavioral factors affect metaverse applications in healthcare, marketing, operations management, sustainable development, and supply chain management. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that the metaverse can enhance the performance of both individuals and organizations. The primary theories underpinning metaverse models are the technology acceptance model and cognitive theory. We propose that, within the context of organizational performance, the practice-based view theory offers a more comprehensive understanding of metaverse outcomes. Moreover, the social exchange theory can explain users' attitudes toward privacy and security more insightfully. This paper recommends that future research should provide empirical evidence on the metaverse, focusing on organizational capabilities (e.g., absorptive capacity and power structure) and behavioral aspects (e.g., privacy concerns and confidence). Future research has significant potential to address risk, resilience, and sustainable development through the metaverse. • This paper examines empirical studies focused on metaverse technology. • A systematic review of 1342 papers was conducted. • Metaverse can enhance the performance of both individuals and organizations. • Practice-based view and social exchange theory can explain metaverse phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring sustainable supplier selection (SSS) is crucial for companies that seek to procure goods and services responsibly. On the other hand, emergence of new technologies, such as the blockchain technology, has made a significant impact in the way businesses interact with each other. The blockchain technology offers several advantages, including enhanced information security, transparency, traceability, decentralization, and enabling the use of smart and trustless contracts, among others. While previous research has studied blockchain technology in supply chain management, its application towards advancing SSS remains unexplored. This study fills this gap by specifically addressing the blockchain technology adoption into the sustainable supplier selection and order allocation process. In doing so, a novel two-phase framework is proposed to deal with the problem under consideration. In phase I, first, the Best Worst Method (BWM) is used for calculating the importance weights of criteria for supplier selection in four categories of economic, circular, social, and blockchain compatibility to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of suppliers. Next, the MULTIMOORA method is applied to derive the scores of suppliers, where a new scoring method, addressing the shortcomings of the dominance theory approach, is proposed in the MULTIMOORA method in this paper. Then, the phase II of the framework determines the final selected suppliers and the optimal allocation of orders to each selected supplier through a bi-objective Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model. The developed model incorporates a novel cost objective, which includes information coordination and oracle-related costs corresponding to blockchain infrastructure deployment, and also a blockchain-related threshold constraint to ensure that the buyer does not exceed its predefined limits towards blockchain attunement. The proposed approach in this paper represents a significant contribution to the field of supplier selection by integrating sustainability and blockchain-related attributes into the decision-making process. The numerical results demonstrate the practicality and efficacy of the proposed approach in identifying blockchain-enabled and sustainable suppliers, making it a valuable decision-making tool for businesses seeking to enhance their procurement processes. [Display omitted] • Spotting blockchain technology in sustainable supplier selection and order allocation. • Developing an integrated BWM, MULTIMOORA, and bi-objective programming methodology. • Using WEE nexus status criterion which considers the equilibrium of three criteria. • Proposing a modified MUTIMOORA method for evaluating suppliers. • Considering the usage of trustless contracts with blockchain-enabled companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has a huge impact on our digital society by enabling a more decentralized economy and policy making. This decentralization is also pivotal in payment Payment channel networks (PCNs), including the Lightning Network, have emerged as a promising solution to the scalability challenges that many blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, grapple with. These PCNs, while innovative, also inherit the rigorous dependability demands of the blockchain. A pivotal aspect of this dependability is the need for a high degree of decentralization, essential for mitigating liquidity bottlenecks and on-path attacks. Driven by this imperative, our research embarks on an empirical centrality analysis of the Lightning Network, with a keen focus on the betweenness centrality distribution of its routing system. Utilizing an extensive dataset, sourced from several millions of broadcasted messages via the gossip protocol, we introduce the TimeMachine tool, an innovative method that allows for a temporal exploration of the network's evolution. Our findings reveal that while the Lightning Network exhibits a commendable level of decentralization, there is a discernible skew: a limited set of nodes command a significant portion of the transactions. Alarmingly, over the past two years, the network's centrality has surged, with the inequality, as gauged by the Gini index, rising by over 15 uptick of approximately 5 in. This research not only uncovers critical insights into the Lightning Network's structural dynamics but also raises the question about strategies and policies that ensure its sustained decentralization in the face of evolving challenges such as security vulnerabilities, potential monopolistic tendencies, liquidity bottlenecks, the risk of transaction censorship and many more. • In this journal version, we extended our previous conference paper published by Springer in Financial Cryptography and Data Security 2022 by 40%. • We gathered recent data and updated our results. • Our enhanced work includes an analysis with multi-path payments, introducing new results and comparisons. • We discussed decentralization in payment channels and the policy significance in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology has been proposed to achieve sustainable development through various solutions, such as carbon credit trading, energy systems and supply chain management. While existing literature has not covered this topic in a structured fashion, this paper provides insights to policymakers on how blockchain can deliver sustainable development. This study conducted a systematic literature review on the role of blockchain technologies in assisting policymakers in achieving ESG and environmental sustainability goals. The paper performs a detailed PRISMA SLR analysis of 10,188 technical and policy papers sourced from Scopus and IEEE databases to ensure high-quality inputs and breadth of coverage across relevant sources. In addition, the study reviews the relevant regulatory environment related to ESG, including SDGs, IPCC, COP 27, ESMA, ISSB, SEC, GRI, TCFD, ESRS, IFRS S1 and S2 and CRSD. Most papers do not outline a structured approach to applying blockchain in the emerging regulatory environment. Our paper outlines recommendations to policymakers wishing to ensure that the blockchain research community and solutions proposed are usefully directed to enable the world to achieve its net zero goals. • Blockchain energy measurements are currently heterogenous, unable to be compared and provide varying results. • The blockchain and cryptocurrency industry could learn much from how the ICT industry approaches environmental measurement. • Emerging regulations for CRSD and others mean increasing demands to measure energy consumption efficiently. • Policymakers can drive the industry to ensure blockchain delivers sustainable development instead of unintended consequences. • Paper provides a systematic literature review of 6545 papers on blockchain and sustainability to guide policymakers in this space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Existing technologies like smart grid (SG) and smart meters play a significant role in meeting the everlasting demand of energy consumption, supply, and generation for Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading between different distributed prosumers. Whereas blockchain when used with P2P energy trading plays a major role in cost and security for trading by eliminating any involvement of outsiders and third parties. However, existing works related to the blockchain with P2P energy trading are engaged in increasing the cost related to resource allocation, latency, computational processing, and large network setup. • Moreover, in current existing techniques, peer nodes can send 25-200 transactions per second. By expanding the number of peer nodes, the network traffic volume can also be enhanced. This resulted in a significant reduction in network throughput. The network latency will increase as the number of peer nodes grows. • The objective of this paper is to design and develop a 3-tier architecture, an analytical model, and a hybrid algorithm for network analysis in a blockchain-based P2P energy trading system using reinforcement learning (RL) and feed-forward neural network (FFNN) techniques. In this model, we will examine the various parameters and tradeoffs which affect the delay, throughput, and security in P2P energy trading. This will lead to profitable P2P energy trading between different distributed prosumers. Existing technology like smart grid (SG) and smart meters play a significant role in meeting the everlasting demand of energy consumption, supply, and generation for peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading between different distributed prosumers. Whereas blockchain when used with P2P energy trading plays a major role in cost and security by eliminating any involvement of outsiders and third parties. However, existing works related to the blockchain with P2P energy trading are engaged in increasing the cost related to resource allocation, latency, computational processing, and large network setup. The objective of this paper is to design and develop a three-tier architecture, an analytical model, and a hybrid algorithm for network analysis in a blockchain-based P2P energy trading system using reinforcement learning (RL) and feed forward neural network (FFNN) techniques. In this model, we will examine the various parameters and tradeoffs which affect the delay, throughput, and security in P2P energy trading. This will lead to profitable P2P energy trading between different distributed prosumers. By analyzing the simulation results of the proposed model and algorithm by benchmarking with the existing state-of-the-art techniques it's clear that the proposed algorithm shows marked improvement over network latency generated results. The simulation of the model is conducted using the iFogSim simulator, Ganache with Ethereum platform, Truffle, Python editor tool, and ATOM IDE with solidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper investigates data fusion in IoMT, its associated issues and potential solutions. • ESDNB algorithm detected epileptic seizures in IoMT networks most accurately, 99.53 % to 99.99 %. • Architecture and security standardization may improve security threat detection. • Cryptography and blockchain technology have shown to be promising ways to improve IoMT security. • Future research could address IoMT system heterogeneity by detecting malware across platforms. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has created a wide range of opportunities for knowledge exchange in numerous industries. The opportunities include patient empowerment, healthcare collaboration, medical education and training, remote monitoring and telemedicine, customized treatment plans, data sharing for innovation, continuous medical learning, supply chain management, public health initiatives, wearable health devices, and quality improvement initiatives. However, the adoption of IoMT faces numerous challenges regarding interoperability, data privacy, security, regulatory, and infrastructure costs. This paper aims to address the implications of data fusion in IoMT, as well as the associated security challenges and their potential solutions, which are lacking in the literature. Data collected from IoMT devices has a direct impact on the accuracy of predictions because of its quality, quantity, and relevance. With an accuracy of 99.53 % to 99.99 %, the Epilepsy seizure detector-based Naive Bayes (ESDNB) algorithm is found to be the most effective for detecting epileptic seizures in IoMT networks. However, the way data are stored must also undergo a major revolution, and all phases—collection, protection, and storage—need to be improved. The standardization of architecture and security measures may improve the detection of security threats and compromises. Methods to detect malware in cross platforms is also an avenue for future research that can effectively tackle the heterogeneity of the IoMT systems. Cryptography and blockchain technology have shown to be promising ways to increase the security of an IoMT-based system. The findings of this review will assist a wide variety of stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• One of the first studies to explore the impact of NFTs on Sustainable Supply Chain Management. • Explores how NFTs can overcome present barriers to Blockchain Technology adoption in supply chains. • Introduces a 'Mint-to-Order' (digital product first, physical product second) production strategy for the metaverse and Web3. • Explores the link between physical supply chains and the metaverse. • Proposes NFTs as a critical component of enabling more sustainable models in the metaverse age. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), unique digital assets on a blockchain that can represent ownership of digital or physical items, are potentially ground-breaking in their capacity for transforming the sustainability of supply chains. This paper explores and discusses how NFTs, analysed through the lens of the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework, can drive supply chain sustainability and overcome the barriers to Blockchain Technology (BCT) adoption. We elucidate the unique value proposition of NFTs and explore the potential of 'phygital products' for linking digital NFTs to physical goods. Based on the existing literature and a review of real-world case studies, we propose that NFTs can (1) incentivise supply chain stakeholders to engage in more sustainable practices; (2) enhance customer willingness to pay for sustainable products; (3) provide anti-counterfeit measures; (4) support circular business model growth. A sustainable 'Mint-to-Order' production strategy starting with the creation (minting) of an NFT is proposed based on a synthesis of the findings. The use of NFTs has significant implications for both digital and physical product offerings and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practice making a compelling case for adoption. This paper is one of the first to explore the potential of using NFTs to drive sustainability in supply chains forming an essential component of a metaverse nexus and delineating a future research agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consortium blockchain has been widely applied in various fields such as agricultural product traceability, supply chain management, and logistics transportation. As an indispensable component of a consortium blockchain, the consensus algorithm ensures the consistency and trustworthiness of each node in the network. However, existing consensus algorithms in large-scale consortium blockchain scenarios suffer from low system throughput and high latency due to the complexity of communication processes, rendering them impractical for real-world use. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel consensus algorithm called credit evaluation-based practical Byzantine fault tolerance (CE-PBFT). This algorithm designs a new node credit evaluation model that considers node completion rate, consensus decay, and node behavior. It effectively measures and reflects the specific reliability status of nodes during system operation, thereby enhancing system reliability and security. Additionally, the paper introduces the innovative use of decision tree algorithms to analyze network node behavior and simplifies the existing consensus protocol. Nodes are categorized as excellent, good, ordinary, or poor based on the classification results, and non-Byzantine nodes are dynamically selected accordingly. This greatly improves the overall efficiency of the system. The performance of CE-PBFT is validated through experiments and compared with PBFT, G-PBFT, RBFT, WBFT and PPoR. Experimental results demonstrate that in large-scale consortium scenarios, CE-PBFT significantly improves system throughput, effectively reduces transaction latency and communication overhead, and outperforms the compared protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stablecoins have enabled the rapid growth of decentralized payments and the birth of the new generation of payment system with cryptocurrencies and Blockchain technology. However, while some studies have investigated the price-performance or role of Stablecoins, a comprehensive overview focused on the full context, stabilization mechanisms, and payment applicability of Stablecoins is still missing. This paper first summarizes the definition and the current state of Stablecoins and then presents the relative ecosystem. More precisely, after summarizing the system structure and stability mechanism, we discuss its applicability for payment. The overview proposed in this paper represents the most comprehensive summary of research on Stablecoin. We identified that the asset-backed Stablecoins is the most efficient and widely used Stablecoins. On the other hand, the cryptocurrency-backed Stablecoins are currently the most balanced applicable to the original concept of Stablecoins. Again, the algorithm-backed Stablecoins have the most potential for development, though they hesitated without real collateral or deposit reserves and are potentially prone to collapse. Finally, we conclude and present possible future trends for Stablecoins. • This article represents the first overview of Stablecoins in a comprehensive perspective that investigates extensive ecosystem, mechanism, applicability as payment method, related monetary policy, use case, and risk considerations in this field. • Study focuses on the structure, stabilization mechanisms, and applicability of Stablecoins as a payment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Focus of the study is on integrating BCT with the procurement process of supply chains. • Study provides a comprehensive review of 95 highly relevant research papers. • There is an under-representation of theories in BCT-integrated procurement research. • Most of the studies are based on conceptual frameworks. • Empirical studies in the context of BCT-integrated procurement are limited. Balancing efficiency and resilience in any supply chain commences from its ability to secure supplier networks. Blockchain technology applications in procurement can work as a major enabler in this process. Despite the unquestionable relevance of Blockchain Technology (BCT)-integrated Procurement, no comprehensive review exists. Considering this significant research gap, the present study aims to provide a comprehensive literature review by deeply examining 95 highly relevant papers published from January 2012 to Sep 2023. Existing literature studies suggest BCT as the imitable enabler of the Procurement 4.0 era, yet the topic has not been fully explored and researched. This study identifies noteworthy deficits in theoretical underpinnings, technological contributions in generating new revenue models, radical impacts anticipated on the procurement organization restructuring, and so forth. The research is timely and importantly advantageous because it offers a holistic view of relevant literature-driven evidence about a range of existing dimensions on the subject. More specifically, this study provides exhaustive key recommendations for future research on BCT applications in procurement utilizing the Theory, Context, and Methodology (TCM) framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federated learning, involving a central server and multiple clients, aims to keep data local but raises privacy concerns like data exposure and participation privacy. Secure aggregation, especially with pairwise masking, preserves privacy without accuracy loss. Yet, issues persist like security against malicious models, central server fault tolerance, and trust in decryption keys. Resolving these challenges is vital for advancing secure federated learning systems. In this paper, we present BFL-SA, a blockchain-based federated learning scheme via enhanced secure aggregation, which addresses key challenges by integrating blockchain consensus, publicly verifiable secret sharing, and an overdue gradients aggregation module. These enhancements significantly boost security and fault tolerance while improving the efficiency of data utilization in the secure aggregation process. After security analysis, we have demonstrated that BFL-SA achieves secure aggregation even in malicious models. Through experimental comparative analysis, BFL-SA exhibits rapid secure aggregation speed and achieves 100% model aggregation accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as wind, solar, batteries, etc. into the grid presents opportunities as well as challenges with regard to efficient coordination and trading. Virtual power plants (VPPs) have emerged as an important paradigm for aggregating and managing numerous DERs. This paper proposes a decentralized blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) multilayer energy trading framework to facilitate optimized coordination of DERs within a VPP context. A control center, prosumers, and service operators constitute the model's multi-layered architecture. Profits from feed-in tariffs, ancillary services, and P2P sales are optimized for revenue while expenses are minimized using a mixed-integer linear programming formulation. Smart contracts enable prosumers to trade energy units in the Ethereum blockchain with ease via a participatory web platform. The effectiveness of the framework in synchronizing power supply and demand within the VPP by coordinating the charging and discharging of storage systems in accordance with consumption patterns is demonstrated through performance evaluation. In contrast to conventional centralized architectures, the proposed framework utilized decentralized architecture efficiently consolidates and optimizes distributed energy resources (DERs) to improve grid stability and renewable energy utilization. [Display omitted] • A novel multi-layer framework for peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, within VPP. • An interactive web-based trading platform using the Ethereum blockchain to facilitate exchange of energy units. • Implementation of MILP-based DER management model for optimal trading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Requirement engineering (RE), a systematic process of eliciting, defining, analyzing, and managing requirements, is a vital phase in systems engineering. In RE, requirement traceability establishes the relationship between the artifacts and supports requirement validation, change management, and impact analysis. Establishing requirement traceability is challenging, especially in the early stages of a complex system design, as requirements constantly evolve and change. Moreover, the involvement of distributed stakeholders in system development introduces collaboration and trust issues. This paper outlines a novel blockchain-based requirement traceability framework that includes a data acquisition template and graph-based visualization. The template enables dual-level traceability (artifact and object) in the RE processes. The traceability information acquired through the templates is stored in the blockchain, where traces are embedded in blocks' metadata and data. Furthermore, the blockchain is represented as a Neo4J property graph where traces can be retrieved using Cypher queries, thus enabling a mechanism to query and examine the history of requirements. The framework's efficacy is showcased by documenting the RE process of an autonomous automotive system. Our results indicated that the framework can record the history of artifacts with constantly changing requirements and can yield secure decentralized ledgers of requirement artifacts. The proposed distributed traceability framework has shown promise to enhance stakeholder collaboration and trust. However, additional user studies should be conducted to bolster our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-chain interaction plays a crucial role in enhancing asset circulation and data sharing across diverse blockchain systems. However, achieving secure and stable cross-chain data transactions remains a significant challenge. Traditional frameworks often prioritize efficiency, leading to potential security vulnerabilities, such as single points of failure and excessive computational burdens. These issues compromise the reliability of cross-chain interactions, necessitating the development of more robust methodologies to ensure secure data communication across consortium blockchains. To address these concerns, this paper proposes a novel cross-chain data interaction protocol based on a relay network, incorporating auditing and result arbitration mechanisms using short signatures from bilinear pairings. The protocol employs a trusted execution environment (TEE) within the relay network to execute service nodes that record transaction states. This approach not only reduces the computational load on the chain but also facilitates effective coordination for cross-chain consensus. Moreover, we present a cross-chain asynchronous consensus mechanism, named d-PBFT, to improve the flexibility of the cross-chain network. Security analysis and experimental results show that the protocol enhances the efficiency and ensures the security of cross-chain interaction, while reducing on-chain storage consumption. Thus, the protocol has a high level of security and feasibility for cross-chain data interaction among consortium blockchains. © 2014 xxxxxxxx. Hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication is increasing due to high rate of accidents and advancements in information exchange system. The V2V communication facilitates vehicles to exchange real-time informations about their surrounding, such as nearby vehicle, pedestrian, and road hazard. These type of informations are very helpful to detect potential collision, warn driver of imminent danger, and take advanced measure to avoid accident. Both security and privacy of user participating in the vehicular networking system depends upon reliable data transmission system. The suggested approaches must have minimal processing complexity and be unaffected by latency problems due to the scalability of V2V connection. This paper contains module lattice based quantum safe blockchain empowered authentication framework for autonomous vehicle communication system. This framework uses blockchain that is always contains multiple nodes, then we need an aggregation technique to provide authenticity to the system. The proposed framework provides authenticity to the system based on two assumptions, (1) Module Learning With Error and (2) Module Short Integer Solution. The proposed framework is quantum safe, provides high latency and throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The adverse impact of consumer reference quality effect due to false marketing in online retailing is considered. • The interaction between the two consumer reference effects is explored. • Four blockchain implementation effects are summarized. • The equilibrium distribution strategy is clarified. False marketing on online platforms may distort consumer perceptions of product quality and exacerbate the negative impact of the reference quality effect (RQE). Blockchain technology (BCT) enables credible quality disclosure and is seen as a critical tool for brand manufacturers to combat false marketing. This article focuses on a platform-based supply chain comprising one brand manufacturer and one online retail platform. In this case, the brand manufacturer defines the product quality strategy and BCT implementation strategy, and the platform is responsible for online marketing and developing the distribution strategy. This paper clarifies when the manufacturer should implement BCT and how BCT affects the platform's distribution strategy when both RQE and reference price effect (RPE) are considered. The analytical results reveal four effects of BCT implementation: the decision motivation effect , marketing leverage effect , positive externality effect , and collaboration-enhancing effect. In addition, previous studies have suggested a negative impact of the RQE and RPE. We confirm that this occurs when online marketing is efficient and brand goodwill dominates demand. Counterintuitively, the two reference effects show positive impacts when online marketing is inefficient or the RPE dominates demand. The interaction between the two reference effects is further strengthened by BCT. Regarding the platform's distribution strategy, we confirm that the main results of previous studies occur when online marketing is efficient. Counterintuitively, when online marketing is inefficient, the platform will choose reselling at both lower and higher commission rates. Besides, agency selling is employed at moderate commission rates. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that BCT helps supply chain members reach stable and long-lasting cooperation on more product categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]