On hash functions using checksums

We analyse the security of iterated hash functions that compute an input dependent checksum which is processed as part of the hash computation. We show that a large class of such schemes, including those using non-linear or even one-way checksum functions, is not secure against the second preimage attack of Kelsey and Schneier, the herding attack of Kelsey and Kohno and the multicollision attack of Joux. Our attacks also apply to a large class of cascaded hash functions. Our second preimage attacks on the cascaded hash functions improve the results of Joux presented at Crypto’04. We also apply our attacks to the MD2 and GOST hash functions. Our second preimage attacks on the MD2 and GOST hash functions improve the previous best known short-cut second preimage attacks on these hash functions by factors of at least 226 and 254, respectively. Our herding and multicollision attacks on the hash functions based on generic checksum functions (e.g., one-way) are a special case of the attacks on the cascaded iterated hash functions previously analysed by Dunkelman and Preneel and are not better than their attacks. On hash functions with easily invertible checksums, our multicollision and herding attacks (if the hash value is short as in MD2) are more efficient than those of Dunkelman and Preneel

Induced activation in accelerator components

The residual activity induced in particle accelerators is a serious issue from the point of view of radiation safety as the long-lived radionuclides produced by fast or moderated neutrons and impact protons cause problems of radiation exposure for staff involved in the maintenance work and when decommissioning the facility. This paper presents activation studies of the magnets and collimators in the High Energy Beam Transport line of the European Spallation Source due to the backscattered neutrons from the target and also due to the direct proton interactions and their secondaries. An estimate of the radionuclide inventory and induced activation are predicted using the GEANT4 code

ER stress induces caspase-2-tBID-GSDME-dependent cell death in neurons lytically infected with herpes simplex virus type 2

Neurotropic viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, have the capacity to infect neurons and can cause severe diseases. This is associated with neuronal cell death, which may contribute to morbidity or even mortality if the infection is not controlled. However, the mechanistic details of HSV-induced neuronal cell death remain enigmatic. Here, we report that lytic HSV-2 infection of human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells and primary human and murine brain cells leads to cell death mediated by gasdermin E (GSDME). HSV-2-induced GSDME-mediated cell death occurs downstream of replication-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress driven by inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α), leading to activation of caspase-2, cleavage of the pro-apoptotic protein BH3-interacting domain death agonist (BID), and mitochondria-dependent activation of caspase-3. Finally, necrotic neurons released alarmins, which activated inflammatory responses in human iPSC-derived microglia. In conclusion, lytic HSV infection in neurons activates an ER stress-driven pathway to execute GSDME-mediated cell death and promote inflammation.</p

Improvement of Infrared Detectors for Tissue Oximetry using Black Silicon Nanostructures

AbstractWe present a nanostructured surface, made of dry etched black silicon, which lowers the reflectance for light incident at all angles. This surface is fabricated on infrared detectors used for tissue oximetry, where the detection of weak diffuse light signals is important. Monte Carlo simulations performed on a model of a neonatal head shows that approximately 60% of the injected light will be diffuse reflected. However, the change in diffuse reflected light due to the change in cerebral oxygenation is very low and the light will be completely isotropic scattered. The reflectance of the black silicon surface was measured for different angels of incident and was fund to be below 10% for angles of incident up to 70o. The quantum efficiency of detectors with the black silicon nanostructures was measured and compared to detectors with a simple anti-reflection coating. The result was an improvement in quantum efficiency for both normal incident light and light incident at 38o

Perennials as Future Grain Crops: Opportunities and Challenges

Perennial grain crops could make a valuable addition to sustainable agriculture, potentially even as an alternative to their annual counterparts. The ability of perennials to grow year after year significantly reduces the number of agricultural inputs required, in terms of both planting and weed control, while reduced tillage improves soil health and on-farm biodiversity. Presently, perennial grain crops are not grown at large scale, mainly due to their early stages of domestication and current low yields. Narrowing the yield gap between perennial and annual grain crops will depend on characterizing differences in their life cycles, resource allocation, and reproductive strategies and understanding the trade-offs between annualism, perennialism, and yield. The genetic and biochemical pathways controlling plant growth, physiology, and senescence should be analyzed in perennial crop plants. This information could then be used to facilitate tailored genetic improvement of selected perennial grain crops to improve agronomic traits and enhance yield, while maintaining the benefits associated with perennialism