Towards Private Deep Learning-based Side-Channel Analysis using Homomorphic Encryption

Side-channel analysis certification is a process designed to certify the resilience of cryptographic hardware and software implementations against side-channel attacks. In certain cases, third-party evaluations by external companies or departments are necessary due to limited budget, time, or even expertise with the penalty of a significant exchange of sensitive information during the evaluation process. In this work, we investigate the potential of Homomorphic Encryption (HE) in performing side-channel analysis on HE-encrypted measurements. With HE applied to side-channel analysis (SCA), a third party can perform SCA on encrypted measurement data and provide the outcome of the analysis without gaining insights about the actual cryptographic implementation under test. To this end, we evaluate its feasibility by analyzing the impact of AI-based side-channel analysis using HE (private SCA) on accuracy and execution time and compare the results with an ordinary AI-based side-channel analysis (plain SCA). Our work suggests that both unprotected and protected cryptographic implementations can be successfully attacked already today with standard server equipment and modern HE protocols/libraries, while the traces are HE-encrypted

No distributed quantum advantage for approximate graph coloring

We give an almost complete characterization of the hardness of $c$-coloring $\chi$-chromatic graphs with distributed algorithms, for a wide range of models of distributed computing. In particular, we show that these problems do not admit any distributed quantum advantage. To do that: 1) We give a new distributed algorithm that finds a $c$-coloring in $\chi$-chromatic graphs in $\tilde{\mathcal{O}}(n^{\frac{1}{\alpha}})$ rounds, with $\alpha = \bigl\lfloor\frac{c-1}{\chi - 1}\bigr\rfloor$. 2) We prove that any distributed algorithm for this problem requires $\Omega(n^{\frac{1}{\alpha}})$ rounds. Our upper bound holds in the classical, deterministic LOCAL model, while the near-matching lower bound holds in the non-signaling model. This model, introduced by Arfaoui and Fraigniaud in 2014, captures all models of distributed graph algorithms that obey physical causality; this includes not only classical deterministic LOCAL and randomized LOCAL but also quantum-LOCAL, even with a pre-shared quantum state. We also show that similar arguments can be used to prove that, e.g., 3-coloring 2-dimensional grids or $c$-coloring trees remain hard problems even for the non-signaling model, and in particular do not admit any quantum advantage. Our lower-bound arguments are purely graph-theoretic at heart; no background on quantum information theory is needed to establish the proofs

The scenario coevolution paradigm: adaptive quality assurance for adaptive systems

Systems are becoming increasingly more adaptive, using techniques like machine learning to enhance their behavior on their own rather than only through human developers programming them. We analyze the impact the advent of these new techniques has on the discipline of rigorous software engineering, especially on the issue of quality assurance. To this end, we provide a general description of the processes related to machine learning and embed them into a formal framework for the analysis of adaptivity, recognizing that to test an adaptive system a new approach to adaptive testing is necessary. We introduce scenario coevolution as a design pattern describing how system and test can work as antagonists in the process of software evolution. While the general pattern applies to large-scale processes (including human developers further augmenting the system), we show all techniques on a smaller-scale example of an agent navigating a simple smart factory. We point out new aspects in software engineering for adaptive systems that may be tackled naturally using scenario coevolution. This work is a substantially extended take on Gabor et al. (International symposium on leveraging applications of formal methods, Springer, pp 137–154, 2018)

The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing: LOFT

LOFT, the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing, is a new space mission concept devoted to observations of Galactic and extra-Galactic sources in the X-ray domain with the main goals of probing gravity theory in the very strong field environment of black holes and other compact objects, and investigating the state of matter at supra-nuclear densities in neutron stars. The instruments on-board LOFT, the Large area detector and the Wide Field Monitor combine for the first time an unprecedented large effective area (~10 m2 at 8 keV) sensitive to X-ray photons mainly in the 2-30 keV energy range and a spectral resolution approaching that of CCD-based telescopes (down to 200 eV at 6 keV). LOFT is currently competing for a launch of opportunity in 2022 together with the other M3 mission candidates of the ESA Cosmic Vision Progra

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

The NF-κB Subunit RelA/p65 Is Dispensable for Successful Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The transcription factor NF-κB consisting of the subunits RelA/p65 and p50 is known to be quickly activated after partial hepatectomy (PH), the functional relevance of which is still a matter of debate. Current concepts suggest that activation of NF-κB is especially critical in non-parenchymal cells to produce cytokines (TNF, IL-6) to adequately prime hepatocytes to proliferate after PH, while NF-κB within hepatocytes mainly bears cytoprotective functions.</p> <h3>Methods</h3><p>To study the role of the NF-κB pathway in different liver cell compartments, we generated conditional knockout mice in which the transactivating NF-κB subunit RelA/p65 can be inactivated specifically in hepatocytes (<em>Rela^F/FAlbCre</em>) or both in hepatocytes plus non-parenchymal cells including Kupffer cells (<em>Rela^F/FMxCre</em>). 2/3 and 80% PH were performed in controls (<em>Rela^F/F</em>) and conditional knockout mice (<em>Rela^F/FAlbCre</em> and <em>Rela^F/FMxCre</em>) and analyzed for regeneration.</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>Hepatocyte-specific deletion of RelA/p65 in <em>Rela^F/FAlbCre</em> mice resulted in an accelerated cell cycle progression without altering liver mass regeneration after 2/3 PH. Surprisingly, hepatocyte apoptosis or liver damage were not enhanced in <em>Rela^F/FAlbCre</em> mice, even when performing 80% PH. The additional inactivation of RelA/p65 in non-parenchymal cells in <em>Rela^F/FMxCre</em> mice reversed the small proliferative advantage observed after hepatocyte-specific deletion of RelA/p65 so that <em>Rela^F/FMxCre</em> mice displayed normal cell cycle progression, DNA-synthesis and liver mass regeneration.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The NF-κB subunit RelA/p65 fulfills opposite functions in different liver cell compartments in liver regeneration after PH. However, the effects observed after conditional deletion of RelA/p65 are small and do not alter liver mass regeneration after PH. We therefore do not consider RelA/p65-containing canonical NF-κB signalling to be essential for successful liver regeneration after PH.</p> </div

Fluglärmberechnungen im DLR-Projekt Emissionslandkarte (ELK)

Das DLR-Projekt „Emissionslandkarte“ (ELK) verfolgt das Ziel, Kataster für Schadstoffemissionen (Gase, Aerosole, Partikel usw.) des Verkehrs, der Energieerzeugung und von verwandten Sektoren, sowie Kataster für die Lärmemission und -immission für Land-, Luft-, und Schiffsverkehr zu erarbeiten.Dieser Beitrag fokussiert sich auf den aktuellen Stand der Berechnungen der Fluglärmimmissionen. Dabei kommt die neue DLR-Prozesskette PLATON zum Einsatz. Sie verbindet Softwareprogramme zur Verkehrssimulation mit Programmen zur Flugbahnsimulation mit Programmen der Fluglärmberechnung über definierte Schnittstellen.In ELK werden aktuelle und zukünftige Flugpläne (d.h. Abflughafen, Zielflughafen, Datum, Uhrzeit, Flugzeugcode) für eine repräsentative Winter- und Sommerwoche für die wichtigsten deutschen Flughäfen prognostiziert. Darauf aufbauend werden Flugbahnsimulationen durchgeführt, sodass sich daraus eine zeitaufgelöste Verteilung der Flugbewegungen auf An- und Abflugrouten ergeben. Für die darauffolgende Fluglärmberechnung werden vergleichbare Routen gruppiert und eine Berechnung in Anlehnung an die Anleitung zur Berechnung von Lärmschutzbereichen (AzB) durchgeführt. Der aktuelle Stand der Arbeiten wird anhand der Flughäfen Hamburg und Hannover vorgestellt. Zusätzlich werden für Hamburg auch Aufwachreaktionen mit einer entsprechend detaillierten Bevölkerungsverteilung präsentiert. Der aktuelle Stand der Arbeiten wird anhand der Flughäfen Hamburg und Hannover vorgestellt. Zusätzlich werden für Hamburg auch Aufwachreaktionen mit einer entsprechend detaillierten Bevölkerungsverteilung präsentiert