Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a share of a digital signature, wherein each participant has a respective share of a first shared private key, wherein the method is performed by a first participant and comprises: obtaining a first message; generating a first data item based on at least a hash of a first external data item; generating a first ephemeral private key share of an ephemeral private key based on the first data item and a respective data item generated by each other participant; generating an ephemeral public key corresponding to the ephemeral private key; generating a first signature share based on the first message, the first ephemeral private key share, a first share of the first shared private key, and the ephemeral public key; and making the first signature share available to a coordinator for generating a first signature based on at least a threshold number of signature shares.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a digital signature, wherein the method is performed by a signing party and comprises: obtaining a first message; generating an ephemeral private key based on at least a hash of an external data item; and generating a first signature comprising first and second signature components, wherein the first signature component is generated based on an ephemeral public key corresponding to the ephemeral private key, and wherein the second signature component is generated based on the first message, the ephemeral private key, the first signature component and a first private key.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a blockchain address based on a corresponding template output script of a blockchain transaction, wherein the blockchain address comprises a prefix component and a data component, and wherein the method is performed by a first party and comprises: generating a first blockchain address based on a first template output script, the first blockchain address comprising a first prefix component for identifying a first template output script, and a first data component representing one or more data items required to populate the first template output script; wherein the first prefix component is greater than one byte, and/or wherein the first data component is generated based on a plurality of data items required to populate the first template output script.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of accepting blockchain transactions, wherein the method is performed by a blockchain node of a blockchain network and comprises: generating a first transaction comprising a first output, the first output comprising a first output script; causing the first transaction to be published on the blockchain; receiving a second transaction comprising a second output, the second output comprising a second output script; and accepting the second transaction based on one or more conditions being met, wherein a first condition of said one or more conditions is that the second output script corresponds to the first output script.

Abstract: A system comprising a layered network, wherein the layered network comprises a plurality of LN nodes arranged in an ordered set of layers, the ordered set of layers comprising, in order, a core layer comprising a plurality of master nodes each connected to one or more blockchain nodes of a blockchain network, one or more intermediate layers comprising a respective set of intermediate nodes, and a device layer comprising a set of end devices, wherein: each master node is configured to control a respective subset of intermediate nodes; a first master node is configured to control a first subset of intermediate nodes; a second master node is configured to control a second subset of intermediate nodes; and each intermediate node is configured to control a respective subset of end devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of testing whether or not a blockchain transaction is a double spend attempt, the method being performed by a first party and comprising: generating a first blockchain transaction, wherein the first blockchain transaction comprises an input for unlocking an output of a blockchain transaction previously transmitted to one or more nodes of a blockchain network for inclusion in the blockchain; generating a signature based on the first blockchain transaction and one or more time indicators, each time indicator indicating when the first blockchain transaction was generated and/or transmitted to a second party; and transmitting to the second party, the first blockchain transaction, the signature and the one or more time indicators, wherein at least the first blockchain transaction is transmitted to the second party via an off-chain communication channel.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling one or more devices of a first network. The first network comprises a set of bridging nodes and a set of devices controllable by one or more of the set of bridging nodes. Each bridging node is also a node of a blockchain network, and each device has a respective device identifier. The method is performed by a first one of the bridging nodes and comprises generating a first blockchain transaction. The first blockchain transaction comprises a first input comprising a signature linked to a first public key of the first node, and a first output comprising command data. The command data comprises a respective identifier of a first one of the devices controlled by a second one of the bridging nodes, and a command message for controlling the first device.

Abstract: Methods and devices to track proof-of-work contributions from mining devices in a mining pool. The mining pool includes a pool master computing device that stores a bloom filter. The bloom filter stores candidate block header information that meets a partial proof-of-work standard based on regular reports from the mining devices during their proof-of-work searching. On receipt of new candidate block header information form one of the mining device, the pool master constructs a candidate block header using the information and assesses whether it is already stored in the bloom filter. If not, then it stores the block header in the bloom filter. If so, then it records a bad hash in association with the mining device that reported it.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of encoding a digital contract between first and second parties of a blockchain network, the digital contract being for transferring an amount of a digital asset from the first to the second party based on a condition being fulfilled; the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of data elements, each representing a different contract condition, wherein at least one of the conditions is linked to the second party; generating a hash tree based on the data elements, wherein the hash tree comprises: i) first leaf hashes generated by hashing a respective data element, and second leaf hashes comprising at least one hash key generated by hashing a secret value known only to the trusted third party, ii) internal hashes, and iii) a root hash; and making the root hash available to the first party for inclusion in a transaction of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and system of recording work history of a mining node on a blockchain in a blockchain network. The methods may include mining a first block containing a registration generation transaction that includes, within a registration information field, a miner identifier for the mining node; and mining two or more additional blocks in an order, each additional block containing a generation transaction that includes an information field containing the miner identifier, a reference to the generation transaction of the preceding additional block in the order, wherein the registration generation transaction is a first block in the order. Work history may be verified by tracing the recorded work history and validating the miner identifier. Recorded work history may serve as the basis for a reputation score for the miner, which reflects contributed work evidenced by the proof-of-work secured work history.

Abstract: Methods and systems for registering identity of a mining node on a blockchain in a blockchain network. The methods may include creating a validity-check transaction having a first output controlled by the mining node and containing a miner identifier and propagating the validity-check transaction on the blockchain network. The methods may further include mining, by the mining node, a new block containing a generation transaction, wherein the generation transaction includes an information field that contains the miner identifier and a reference to the validity-check transaction. Another node may validate identity by receiving the miner identifier and the reference to the validity-check transaction, retrieving the validity-check transaction to confirm it contains the miner identifier, and determining that the first output is an unspent transaction output.

Abstract: Methods include introducing a multistage treatment fluid into one or more intervals of a wellbore, wherein the treatment fluid contains one or more stages of a polymer-forming composition and one or more stages of a spacer fluid and initiating polymerization of the one or more stages of polymer-forming composition. Methods may include designing a multistage treatment fluid containing one or more stages of a polymer-forming composition and one or more stages of a spacer fluid, wherein or more stages of the polymer-forming composition comprises a thermosetting polymer; and pumping the multistage treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the pumping rate is determined by constructing a model based upon (a) the minimum pumping rate determined from the critical reaction temperature and the downhole temperature, (b) the fracture closing time, (c) the temperature within one or more fractures, and (d) the maximum pumping rate.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore include providing environmental water, admixing a viscosifying amount of a polymer and at least one divalent cation with the environmental water to form an admixture, and pumping the admixture through the wellbore at a rate and pressure sufficient to treat the subterranean formation. The viscosity of the admixture increases after the at least one divalent cation, the viscosifying amount of polymer and the environmental water are admixed. Such viscosity increase may be at least about 5% over at least a 10 minute period after the admixture is prepared. The divalent cation(s) may be selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium, copper(II), iron(II), magnesium, manganese(II), strontium, tin(II), zinc, and mixtures thereof. Further, the divalent cation(s) may be provided in the form of a salt with one or more anions selected from acetate, bicarbonate, nitrate, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate ion, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods include introducing a multistage treatment fluid into one or more intervals of a wellbore, wherein the treatment fluid contains one or more stages of a polymer-forming composition and one or more stages of a spacer fluid and initiating polymerization of the one or more stages of polymer-forming composition. Methods may include designing a multistage treatment fluid containing one or more stages of a polymer-forming composition and one or more stages of a spacer fluid, wherein or more stages of the polymer-forming composition comprises a thermosetting polymer; and pumping the multistage treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the pumping rate is determined by constructing a model based upon (a) the minimum pumping rate determined from the critical reaction temperature and the downhole temperature, (b) the fracture closing time, (c) the temperature within one or more fractures, and (d) the maximum pumping rate.

Abstract: A method includes providing a water sample for analysis at a well site, or at a location proximate the well site, where the water sample is collected from at least one water source and the water sample comprises at least one analyte. The water sample and a reagent are introduced into a microfluidic mixing cell to produce a mixture of the reagent and water sample, and the mixture has a detectable characteristic indicative of concentration of the at least one analyate in the water sample. The detectable characteristic is measured by spectrophotometry to determine concentration of the at least one analyte. Then a subterranean formation treatment fluid is prepared using water from the at least one water source based on the concentration of the at least one analyte. The introducing into the microfluidic mixing cell and the measuring by spectrophotometry are conducted over an elapsed time period of about 5 minutes or less.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore include providing environmental water, admixing a viscosifying amount of a polymer and at least one divalent cation with the environmental water to form an admixture, and pumping the admixture through the wellbore at a rate and pressure sufficient to treat the subterranean formation. The viscosity of the admixture increases after the at least one divalent cation, the viscosifying amount of polymer and the environmental water are admixed. Such viscosity increase may be at least about 5% over at least a 10 minute period after the admixture is prepared. The divalent cation(s) may be selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium, copper(II), iron(II), magnesium, manganese(II), strontium, tin(II), zinc, and mixtures thereof. Further, the divalent cation(s) may be provided in the form of a salt with one or more anions selected from acetate, bicarbonate, nitrate, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate ion, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sill for a door frame, whether a door is hinged, sliding, or bi-fold or otherwise, comprising or including a stationary sill member, whether of unitary or composite construction, a movable sill member with a surface thereon to act as a threshold (hereafter ‘threshold surface’) for said sill, and at least one moving means, wherein said at least one moving means acts on said movable sill member, directly or indirectly to move said movable sill member between, a first position wherein said threshold surface is retracted at least in part toward or within said stationary sill member, and a second position wherein said threshold surface is extended from said stationary sill member, said at least one moving means energised by a controlling event. The invention also relates to a method of providing and installing a sill for a door frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ware washing process that is conducted in the presence of a biocide. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a ware washing process including the steps of (i) washing ware in a washing cavity (25) of a ware washer (10) with water and a ware washing detergent; (ii) rinsing the ware in the ware washer with water; and (iii) introducing a biocide into the washing cavity of the ware washer in order to provide a gaseous atmosphere thereof in the washing cavity, the biocide being introduced into the washing cavity prior to or contemporaneously with or subsequently to the washing or rinsing of the ware.