Verification Protocol Research Articles

Application of the Interagency and Modeling Analysis Group Model Verification Approach for Scientific Reproducibility in a Study of Biomineralization.

Model verification is a critical aspect of scientific accountability, transparency, and learning. Here, we demonstrate an application of a model verification approach for a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, where the interactions between silica and silk protein were studied experimentally toward understanding biomineralization. Following the ten rules for credible modeling and simulation of biosciences as developed in Erdemir et al., the authors of the original paper collaborated with an external modeling group to verify the key findings of their original simulation model and to document this verification approach. The process resulted in successful replication of the key findings of the original model. Beyond verification, study of the model from a new perspective generated new insight into the basic assumptions. We discuss key learnings for how model validation processes can be improved more generally, specifically through improved documentation methods. We anticipate that this application of our protocol for model verification can be further replicated and improved to verify and validate other simulations.

A Low-Overhead Auditing Protocol for Dynamic Cloud Storage Based on Algebra

With the widespread adoption of cloud storage, ensuring the integrity of outsourced data has become increasingly important. Various cloud storage auditing protocols based on public key cryptography have been proposed. However, all of them require complex cryptographic operations and incur significant storage and communication costs. To address the issues of significant storage overhead for data tags, high computational complexity of cryptographic algorithms, and limited efficiency of dynamic data algorithms in signature algorithm-based cloud storage outsourcing data integrity verification protocols, we propose a dynamic auditing protocol called AB-DPDP, which is based on algebra. Our protocol reduces the computational complexity of tag generation by utilizing basic algebraic operations instead of the traditional cryptographic method used in most current auditing protocols. To reduce storage overhead and protect private data, our protocol stores only tags, allowing for data to be restored through these tags, as opposed to storing both tags and data on the cloud server. To accommodate for more frequent and efficient data dynamics, we propose the dynamic index skip table data structure. Furthermore, the security of our proposed protocol is thoroughly proven based on the security definition of secure cloud storage. Finally, through theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation, we demonstrate the advantages of our scheme in terms of data privacy, storage overhead, communication overhead, computation overhead, and data dynamic efficiency.

An accurate scapula registration process in shoulder arthroplasty using mixed reality.

Arthroplasty surgery can be challenging because of limited exposure of the bones. However, in shoulder arthroplasty for example, a good positioning of the glenoid component is essential to mitigate risks of revision surgeries. To improve the procedure's outcomes, mixed reality can be used as a guidance system relying on a fundamental registration step between the patient's bone and its corresponding 3D model. We present a complete registration workflow for shoulder arthroplasty using Hololens 2 Head Mounted Display. We rely on acquisitions made thanks to our marker-based tracking system, an improved Iterative Closest Point algorithm and verification steps. Our accuracy targets are 1.5 ± 1.5mm for the glenoid guidewire entry point on both antero-posterior and supero-inferior axes, and 1.5 ± 1[Formula: see text] for inclination and version. The overall process must last less than 5min. We have evaluated our process on a cohort of 13 3D printed glenoid bones of all types, showing an average accuracy of 0.84 ± 0.58mm on the antero-posterior axis and 0.49 ± 0.41mm on the supero-inferior one for the entry point. As for inclination and version, we have 0.89±0.6[Formula: see text] and 0.97±0.8[Formula: see text], respectively. The mean process time is about 1min 24s. We have developed a complete, embedded registration workflow and a verification protocol to evaluate our accuracy. Our results are promising for the improvement of the glenoid guidewire placement. Moreover, everything is performed in the field of view of the surgeon, which allows them to fully concentrate on the surgical site.

Classical verification of quantum measurement for the computational basis and the XY -plane basis

Recent advances in quantum technologies raise the urgent need of verifying the correct functionality of a quantum device. Certifying the correctness of a quantum device in a fully classical manner is an important research branch. In this paper, we present a measurement protocol that allows a classical verifier to interact with an efficient quantum prover to verify the computational basis or the $XY$-plane basis measurement on a quantum state. With the help of two adaptive hardcore bit properties of a noisy trapdoor claw-free family, the security of measurement protocol is proved, which is under quantum hardness of the learning with error. The security characterizes the distance between the output distribution of measurement protocol and the distribution obtained by measuring certain quantum states in the designated basis, with or without the presence of honest behavior of the prover. Moreover, exploiting the measurement protocol, we present two device-noise-independent verification protocols of graph states and a classical verification protocol of delegated quantum computing whose soundness is 0.5757.

Towards a trajectory for sustainable policies and market strategies governing building lifecycle energy performance

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to discuss a selection of policy strategies, regional initiatives and market approaches to uncover the realities of twenty-first-century building energy performance. A position that market-based approaches, human influence and policy interventions are part of an ecosystem of building energy performance is presented.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory search of secondary sources spanning the last three decades was conducted. Both peer-reviewed and grey literature were included to capture a broader understanding of the discourse in literature. Research questions guided the literature search, and a data extraction tool was designed to categorise the literature. The primary limitation of this study is that only a few applications could be discussed in a condensed format.FindingsSeveral challenges about the current status quo of building energy performance were identified and summarised as follows. (1) Inconsistencies in measurement and verification protocols, (2) Impacts of market approaches, (3) National policy priorities that are at variance with regional targets and (4) Ambiguous reporting on environmental impacts of energy efficiency (EE) technologies.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the findings in this paper for practice and research are that as part of the building energy performance ecosystem, national responses through government interventions must become adaptive to keep up with the fast-paced energy sector and social trends. Simultaneously, before market-based approaches overcome the messiness of socio-economic dynamics, institutional conditions and cultural nuances, they ought to transparently address environmental impacts and the infringement of several SDGs before they can become viable solutions to building energy performance.Originality/valueThis paper presents building energy performance as an ecosystem comprising human influence, market-based approaches and policy interventions which form interdependent parts of the whole. However, evidence in the literature shows that these aspects are usually investigated separately. By presenting them as an ecosystem, this paper contributes to the discourse by advocating the need to re-align building energy performance to socio-economic-political dynamics and contextually viable solutions.

Annual Effect of the VRF Control Algorithm in Response to the TOU Rate Plan

Many countries adopt a time-of-use (TOU) rate system, in which electricity rates vary by season and time of day, to reduce power usage during peak power consumption hours. South Korea offers a TOU rate plan that depends on the electricity usage of a building and its contracted power; in this plan, the electricity rate reaches up to 300% depending on the time of day. Hence, electrically powered variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are increasingly being installed in small- and medium-sized buildings requiring individual cooling and heating operations. This study aims to develop a new control algorithm to reduce electricity consumption and electricity rates for cooling and heating by VRF systems in university buildings adopting the TOU rate plan and apply it to actual buildings to verify the reduction effect. The proposed control algorithm primarily consists of a module that controls the refrigerant evaporation temperature (cooling) and high pressure (heating) according to the indoor heat load and a module that controls the indoor set temperature based on the hourly electricity rate. The developed algorithm was installed in the controller of a VRF system installed in an actual university building and the annual effect was verified using the method proposed by the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol. As a result, power consumption was reduced by 17.8% for heating and 4.0% for cooling due to the application of the control algorithm, and the electricity rates reduced by 19.2% and 7.3%, respectively.

Homomorphic inference of deep neural networks for zero-knowledge verification of nuclear warheads

Disarmament treaties have been the driving force towards reducing the large nuclear stockpile assembled during the Cold War. Further efforts are built around verification protocols capable of authenticating nuclear warheads while preventing the disclosure of confidential information. This type of problem falls under the scope of zero-knowledge protocols, which aim at multiple parties agreeing on a statement without conveying any information beyond the statement itself. A protocol capable of achieving all the authentication and security requirements is still not completely formulated. Here we propose a protocol that leverages the isotopic capabilities of NRF measurements and the classification abilities of neural networks. Two key elements guarantee the security of the protocol, the implementation of the template-based approach in the network’s architecture and the use of homomorphic inference. Our results demonstrate the potential of developing zero-knowledge protocols for the verification of nuclear warheads using Siamese networks on encrypted spectral data.

Protecting Information Stored Inside the Cloud with A New CCA-EBO Protocol Designed on Hive Technology

Massively scalable facilities may be accessed online with ease due to "Cloud Computing (CC)". The CC resources are primarily characterized by the fact that "Cloud User (CU)" information is often kept on "Cloud Server (CS)" that the CU doesn't even possess or control. The CUs' apprehension about the loss of management of their information may lead to a substantial roadblock in their acceptance of CC offerings. In an attempt to highlight the effectiveness of CC security, the "Cloud Service Providers (CSP)" need to empower the CU to control and evaluate their data. The focus of this research chooses to highlight a key aspect of CC platforms employed to handle CU information on unrecognized CSs at remote locations. Concerns about compromising personal information arise from this feature's importance. In this research, a novel swarm-based "Enhanced BAT Optimization (EBO)" for key generating in "Cloud Computing Accountability (CCA)" for CC information tracking is proposed to solve security issues. Generally, this proposed hybrid CCA-EBO architecture is based on the idea of data accountability, which enables dispersed end-to-end responsibility. The information is made available to the general public, although with a limited set of permissions. The "Cloud Administrator (CA)" would specify the level of access each CU has to the data before it is made available to them. All CU accesses to data are recorded and will be found in a log file for CA to review. According to evaluation methods for the proposed CCA-EBO, existing "Hybrid Secure Cloud Storage (HSCS)", and "Advanced Distribution Verification Protocol (ADVP)", the CCA-EBO provides more security than HSCS, and ADVP in terms of "Auditing Time", "Encryption Time", "Decryption Time", and "Storage Overhead".

Verification of analytical performance of the microalbumin assay on the Abbott Alinity ci®: Experience of the central laboratory Mohammed VI Oujda

The verification of analytical methods is a requirement of the standard NF EN ISO 15 189. It consists of evaluating the performance of an analytical method according to a well-defined protocol and then comparing it with pre-established analytical objectives. The mastery of this approach must be the concern of any biologist. Through this work we present the results of the protocol of verification of the method of determination of microalbumin by comparing two automats: Alinity ci ® and Architect ci-8200® Abbott. Microalbumin monitoring in urine is an important element in the treatment of diabetes mellitus types I and II. It can also be used to predict diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of death in people with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Short- and long-term forecasting for building energy consumption considering IPMVP recommendations, WEO and COP27 scenarios

Understanding and predicting power consumption behavior helps estimate costs, seek actions to save energy and plan affirmative actions that raise people's awareness. Organized civil society has made efforts in this context. Our contribution is a framework that first extracts knowledge about consumption through an extensive time series analysis of the building under study. Proper acquisition of meteorological (e. g. dry bulb temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and precipitation) and power consumption data are discussed. The correlation between these time series is verified, which develops knowledge about the problem. We believe forecasts will be more reliable using accurate models with more knowledge. Afterward, we forecast for the short-term period (hour, day and month-ahead) and long-term period (2030 and 2050), considering the scenarios proposed by the World Energy Outlook (WEO-2022) and Convention on Climate Change (COP27). Acquisition, processing, data analysis, as well as predictions, each framework step follows the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP-2022) recommendations. Building energy consumption forecasts considering IPMVP, WEO, and COP27 scenarios are originals in the literature. IEEE rigor for load measurement and modeling is achieved. Our study also follows the ISO:50000 energy efficiency purposes. The analysis and forecasting use data from a public building with an approximate circulation of 5,000 people per day. The objective is to contribute to a better understanding of building engineering to structure energy management actions. As stated at COP27: enough greenwashing talk, let us move on to smart actions.

Ultrasound Verification of Plaque Brachytherapy Placement in Patients Treated for Primary Uveal Melanoma: A Single-Center Experience

Introduction: Proper plaque positioning is essential for effective episcleral plaque brachytherapy and can be verified using ultrasound. In this study, we show our center’s protocol for intraoperative ultrasound verification of plaque placement and present our single-center local recurrence data in patients with primary UM involving the choroid and/or ciliary body. We also indicate our center’s distance metastasis rate for patients presenting with primary UM. Methods: All patients who presented to our institution with UM of the choroid and/or ciliary body between May 2017 and March 2022 and treated with plaque brachytherapy were enrolled. Endpoints include the 24-month local recurrence-free rate (primary) and 24-month metastasis rate (secondary), both estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method (KM). Results: Local Recurrence: 176 patients met the study criteria with median follow-up of 23.2 months. The 24-month recurrence-free probability for this cohort was estimated at 99.1% (95% confidence interval: 0.974–1.00). Metastatic Recurrence: 136 of these patients underwent at least one follow-up surveillance scan. The 24-month metastasis-free survival probability in our cohort was estimated at 87% (95% confidence interval: 81–94%). Conclusions: We show improved local control utilizing ultrasound verification compared to historical controls who received TTT and brachytherapy without intraoperative ultrasound confirmation.

Low-cost energy conservation measures power saving impact on electronic appliances usage

<span lang="EN-US">Energy conservation measures use less energy to reduce costs and the environmental impact without compromising the consumer’s comfort level. Low-cost energy conservation measures play a critical role in power saving on the usage of electronic devices. The paper compares two different facilities using air-conditioning applications to study the impacts of low-cost energy conservation measures (LCECM) in real-time operations. The effect was recorded at both facilities by lowering the air-conditioning running time and increasing its set temperature ensuring that there was no compromise in occupants’ comfort level. As per international performance measurement and verification (IPMV) protocol A, data analysis was done using pre- and post-experiment readings. IPMVP output was analyzed more by running a <br /> t-Test in the SPSS software. Results indicated energy conservation with a cumulative impact on carbon footprint, environment, and cost of importing fossil fuel. The limitations of this study are that the energy conservation measurements were made with limited facilities and respondents' restrictions.</span>

Efficient verification of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki states

Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) states are an important class of many-body quantum states that are useful in quantum information processing, including measurement-based quantum computation in particular. Here we propose a general approach for constructing efficient verification protocols for AKLT states on arbitrary graphs with local spin measurements. Our verification protocols build on bond verification protocols and matching covers (including edge coloring) of the underlying graphs, which have a simple geometric and graphic picture. We also provide rigorous performance guarantee that is required for practical applications. With our approach, most AKLT states of wide interest, including those defined on 1D and 2D lattices, can be verified with a constant sample cost, which is independent of the system size and is dramatically more efficient than all previous approaches. As an illustration, we construct concrete verification protocols for AKLT states on various lattices and on arbitrary graphs up to five vertices.

Innovative Data-Driven Energy Services and Business Models in the Domestic Building Sector

The market of energy services for the residential sector in Europe is very limited at present. Various reasons can be argued such as the high transaction costs in a highly fragmented market and the low energy consumption per dwelling. The rather long payback time for investments render Energy Services Companies’ (ESCOs) services financially unattractive for many ESCOs and building residents, thus hindering a large potential of energy savings in a sector that is responsible of almost half of Europe’s energy consumption. If the ambitious 2030 and 2050’s decarbonisation targets are to be met, the EU’s residential sector must be part of the solution. This paper offers insights about novel ESCO business models based on intensive data-driven Artificial Intelligence algorithms and analytics that enable the deployment of smart energy services in the domestic sector under a Pay-for-Performance (P4P) approach. The combination of different sources of energy efficiency services and the optimal participation of domestic consumers in aggregated demand response (DR) schemes open the door to new revenue streams for energy service providers and building residents and reduce the hitherto long payback periods of ESCOs services in the sector. Innovative business models for ESCOs and demand flexibility Aggregators are thoroughly described. Especially customised Performance Measurement and Verification protocols enable fair and transparent P4P ESCO contracts. The new human-centric energy and non-energy services increase the energy consumption awareness of building users and deploy behavioural and automated responses to both environmental and market signals to maximise the economic benefit for both energy service providers and consumers, always respecting data protection rules and the consumers’ comfort preferences. The new hybrid business models of P4P energy services make traditional EPC more attractive to energy service providers, with low cost data collection and treatment systems to bring payback periods below 10 years in the residential building sector.

Deployment of Formal Verification Methodology for AXI based Protocol for a Memory Model Verification

Deployment of Formal Verification Methodology for AXI based Protocol for a Memory Model Verification

Distributed Data Integrity Verification Scheme in Multi-Cloud Environment.

Most existing data integrity auditing protocols in cloud storage rely on proof of probabilistic data possession. Consequently, the sampling rate of data integrity verification is low to prevent expensive costs to the auditor. However, in the case of a multi-cloud environment, the amount of stored data will be huge. As a result, a higher sampling rate is needed. It will also have an increased cost for the auditor as a consequence. Therefore, this paper proposes a blockchain-based distributed data integrity verification protocol in multi-cloud environments that enables data verification using multi-verifiers. The proposed scheme aims to increase the sampling rate of data verification without increasing the costs significantly. The performance analysis shows that this protocol achieved a lower time consumption required for verification tasks using multi-verifiers than a single verifier. Furthermore, utilizing multi-verifiers also decreases each verifier's computation and communication costs.

Optimised conformal total body irradiation: a heterogeneous practice, so where next?

The use of volumetric arc therapy and inverse planning has been in routine use in radiotherapy for two decades. However, use in total body irradiation (TBI) has been more recent and few guidelines exist as to how to plan or verify. This has led to heterogeneous approaches. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of current advanced planning and dosimetry verification protocols used in optimised conformal TBI as a basis for investigating the need for greater standardisation in TBI.

Remote Sensing Protocol for Verification and Authentication Management System for Pensioners (RSPVAMSP)

This paper provides a less rigorous pensioner screening exercise by using remote sensing protocol for pensioners screening process. In Nigeria, pensioners are faced with several challenges such as long queue during periodic routing exercise to asserting existing pensioners, long distance traveling to be physically presence at screening centers, identity masquerading, bribery of staff to changing self-information, possible out breaking communicable diseases due to overcrowding among others are regular recurrent pensioners’ experiences under the current pension screening process. In solving these challenges, a remote sensing protocol for verification and authentication management system for pensioners was developed using Ada Boost, Local Binary Pattern, cascade classifier, Haar-like feature, and Principal Component Analysis and facial image pre-processing. In resolving these challenges, a remote sensing facial biometrics techniques by introducing mobile application facial image capturing methodology for real time feature mapping and secured transferred protocols of pensioners’ information sharing, verification and authentication which only accept real time images and information from identified pensioners only, confirm life picture, and generate reports for actions on pensioners’ periodic emoluments. These algorithms were used to extract, detect, verify and authenticate individual’s facial identity who are alive. The system developed on three tiers architecture, the mobile tier where individuals’ facial images are captured and sent to the system gateway in real time using android studio mobile editor. The system gateway was developed within Microsoft dot-net framework to processes such image and report stored at the system database where monthly pension emoluments are generated for payment to only living pensioners.

Investigation of Changes in Main Error of Rotary Gas Meters during Their Operation

The main error of rotary gas meters may change during their operation because of mechanical wear of the meter moving parts. Control of changes in metrological characteristics of meters is carried out during periodic metrological verifications. In this paper, an investigation of the change in a main error of rotary gas meters during their operation was carried out based on the results of their metrological verification. The paper considers the results of periodic metrological verifications of rotary gas meters in the laboratories of four gas distribution companies. According to the results of processing the metrological verification protocols, the correlation of the rotary gas meter error with the measured gas volume was confirmed. Based on processing the set of meter error values and the measured gas volume for each of the checked flowrate values, regression dependencies of the error of the meter on the measured gas volume were developed. By averaging the obtained regression dependencies, a generalized dependence of the systematic error of RG-250 rotary gas meter on the measured gas volume was developed. The regression dependencies make it possible to estimate the change in the main error of RG-250 gas meters according to its measured volume and to decide on their additional (out-of-plan) metrological verification. This makes it possible to detect in time gas meters operating with a significant systematic error, and therefore to eliminate this error.

Energy performance assessment of a post-retrofit office building using measurement and verification protocol: A case study from KSA

Buildings account for over one third of the global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. While new buildings are being sought to be more efficient, retrofitting of existing building is also critical to improve the energy and environmental sustainability of the building sector. Measurement and Verification (M&V) based energy retrofitting studies are becoming important in presenting the case for energy retrofit solutions. This work presents an energy performance assessment of a retrofitted office building using the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) option B to conduct the M&V. The building, an office block with a built-up area of 7,500 m2, is in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The work carries out a detailed energy audit of the building to investigate the energy saving opportunities. Of the identified options, five energy efficiency measures (EEMs) are implemented. The energy performance of the building is also helped by the installation of a rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) system. The results indicate that retrofit measures helped reduce the Energy Use Index (EUI) from 458.9 kWh/m2/year to 361.4 kWh/m2/year. The economic analysis finds the compound payback period for the investments to be six years.