Cryptographic techniques used to provide integrity of digital content in long-term storage

The main objective of the project was to obtain advanced mathematical methods to guarantee the verification that a required level of data integrity is maintained in long-term storage. The secondary objective was to provide methods for the evaluation of data loss and recovery. Additionally, we have provided the following initial constraints for the problem: a limitation of additional storage space, a minimal threshold for desired level of data integrity and a defined probability of a single-bit corruption. With regard to the main objective, the study group focused on the exploration methods based on hash values. It has been indicated that in the case of tight constraints, suggested by PWPW, it is not possible to provide any method based only on the hash values. This observation stems from the fact that the high probability of bit corruption leads to unacceptably large number of broken hashes, which in turn stands in contradiction with the limitation for additional storage space. However, having loosened the initial constraints to some extent, the study group has proposed two methods that use only the hash values. The first method, based on a simple scheme of data subdivision in disjoint subsets, has been provided as a benchmark for other methods discussed in this report. The second method ("hypercube" method), introduced as a type of the wider class of clever-subdivision methods, is built on the concept of rewriting data-stream into a n-dimensional hypercube and calculating hash values for some particular (overlapping) sections of the cube. We have obtained interesting results by combining hash value methods with error-correction techniques. The proposed framework, based on the BCH codes, appears to have promising properties, hence further research in this field is strongly recommended. As a part of the report we have also presented features of secret sharing methods for the benefit of novel distributed data-storage scenarios. We have provided an overview of some interesting aspects of secret sharing techniques and several examples of possible applications

Capabilities of Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) Electricity Generation to Charge Electric Vehicle (EV) Operating in Real Driving Conditions (RDC)

The growing number of electric vehicles in recent years is observable in almost all countries. The country’s energy transition should accompany this rise in electromobility if it is currently generated from non-renewable sources. Only electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources can be considered zero-emission. Therefore, it is essential to conduct interdisciplinary research on the feasibility of combining energy recovery/generation structures and testing the energy consumption of electric vehicles under real driving conditions. This work presents a comprehensive approach for evaluating the energy consumption of a modern public building–electric vehicle system within a specific location. The original methodology developed includes surveys that demonstrate the required mobility range to be provided to occupants of the building under consideration. In the next step, an energy balance was performed for a novel near-zero energy building equipped with a 199.8 kWp photovoltaic installation, the energy from which can be used to charge an electric vehicle. The analysis considered the variation in vehicle energy consumption by season (winter/summer), the actual charging profile of the vehicle, and the parking periods required to achieve the target range for the user

Analysis of total microcystins and nodularins by oxidative cleavage of their ADMAdda, DMAdda, and Adda moieties

Microcystins (MCs) and nodularins (NODs) exhibit high structural variability, including modifications of the Adda (3S-amino-9S-methoxy-2S,6,8S-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4E,6E-dienoic acid) moiety. Variations include 9-O-desmethylAdda (DMAdda) and 9-O-acetylDMAdda (ADMAdda) which, unless targeted, may go undetected. Therefore, reference standards were prepared of [ADMAdda5]MCs and [DMAdda5]MCs, which were analyzed using multiple approaches. The cross-reactivities of the [DMAdda5]- and [ADMAdda5]MC standards were similar to that of MC-LR when analyzed with a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibition assay, but were <0.25% when analyzed with an Adda enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative cleavage experiments identified compounds that could be used in the analysis of total MCs/NODs in a similar fashion to the 2R-methyl-3S-methoxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid (MMPB) technique. Products from oxidative cleavage of both the 4,5- and 6,7-ene of Adda, DMAdda and ADMAdda were observed, and three oxidation products, one from each Adda variant, were chosen for analysis and applied to three field samples and a Nostoc culture. Results from the oxidative cleavage method for total Adda, DMAdda, and ADMAdda were similar to those from the Adda-ELISA, PP2A inhibition, and LC-MS/MS analyses, except for the Nostoc culture where the Adda-ELISA greatly underestimated microcystin levels. This oxidative cleavage method can be used for routine analysis of field samples and to assess the presence of the rarely reported, but toxic, DMAdda/ADMAdda-containing MCs and NODs

The influence of mixing inside the fermentation reactors during the study of biogas efficiency of the substrates in mesophilic technology

Along with the development of environmental friendly technologies, an increasing interest in generating the electricity and heat from renewable sources has been observed in Poland. Perfect example of such installations are agricultural biogas plants, where methane fermentation produces high-energy gas fuel i.e. biogas. Before investing, it is necessary to perform a detailed studies of the biogas efficiency of the substrates used. The proper run of fermentation process, as well as the high biogas production related to the operation, depend on many factors, including the mixing inside the reactor. The DIN 38 414-S8 standard, commonly used in the tests, assumes the mixing of the whole eudiometric sets, used in accredited laboratory units, which due to their uniform construction may cause problems. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of laboratory mixing in the fermentation reactor on the biogas efficiency of the maize straw. The experiment tests were performed in the Laboratory of Ecotechnologies, in the Poznan, in accordance with the current standard DIN 38 414-S8.The obtained research results confirmed the effect of mixing inside the fermentation reactors on the biogas efficiency of the maize straw

The influence of mixing inside the fermentation reactors during the study of biogas efficiency of the substrates in mesophilic technology

Along with the development of environmental friendly technologies, an increasing interest in generating the electricity and heat from renewable sources has been observed in Poland. Perfect example of such installations are agricultural biogas plants, where methane fermentation produces high-energy gas fuel i.e. biogas. Before investing, it is necessary to perform a detailed studies of the biogas efficiency of the substrates used. The proper run of fermentation process, as well as the high biogas production related to the operation, depend on many factors, including the mixing inside the reactor. The DIN 38 414-S8 standard, commonly used in the tests, assumes the mixing of the whole eudiometric sets, used in accredited laboratory units, which due to their uniform construction may cause problems. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of laboratory mixing in the fermentation reactor on the biogas efficiency of the maize straw. The experiment tests were performed in the Laboratory of Ecotechnologies, in the Poznan, in accordance with the current standard DIN 38 414-S8.The obtained research results confirmed the effect of mixing inside the fermentation reactors on the biogas efficiency of the maize straw