153 research outputs found
Boomerang Connectivity Table:A New Cryptanalysis Tool
A boomerang attack is a cryptanalysis framework that regards a block cipher as the composition of two sub-ciphers and builds a particular characteristic for with probability by combining differential characteristics for and with probability and , respectively.
Crucially the validity of this figure is under the assumption that the characteristics for and can be chosen independently. Indeed, Murphy has shown that independently chosen characteristics may turn out to be incompatible. On the other hand, several researchers observed that the probability can be improved to or around the boundary between and by considering a positive dependency of the two characteristics, e.g.~the ladder switch and S-box switch by Biryukov and Khovratovich.
This phenomenon was later formalised by Dunkelman et al.~as a sandwich attack that regards as , where satisfies some differential propagation among four texts with probability , and the entire probability is .
In this paper, we revisit the issue of dependency of two characteristics in , and propose a new tool called Boomerang Connectivity Table (BCT), which evaluates in a systematic and easy-to-understand way when is composed of a single S-box layer. With the BCT, previous observations on the S-box including the incompatibility, the ladder switch and the S-box switch are represented in a unified manner. Moreover, the BCT can detect a new switching effect, which shows that the probability around the boundary may be even higher than or .
To illustrate the power of the BCT-based analysis, we improve boomerang attacks against Deoxys-BC, and disclose the mechanism behind an unsolved probability amplification for generating a quartet in SKINNY. Lastly, we discuss the issue of searching for S-boxes having good BCT and extending the analysis to modular addition
Hippocampal-Dependent Spatial Memory in the Water Maze is Preserved in an Experimental Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rats
Cognitive impairment is a major concern in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). While different experimental models have been used to characterize TLE-related cognitive deficits, little is known on whether a particular deficit is more associated with the underlying brain injuries than with the epileptic condition per se. Here, we look at the relationship between the pattern of brain damage and spatial memory deficits in two chronic models of TLE (lithium-pilocarpine, LIP and kainic acid, KA) from two different rat strains (Wistar and Sprague-Dawley) using the Morris water maze and the elevated plus maze in combination with MRI imaging and post-morten neuronal immunostaining. We found fundamental differences between LIP- and KA-treated epileptic rats regarding spatial memory deficits and anxiety. LIP-treated animals from both strains showed significant impairment in the acquisition and retention of spatial memory, and were unable to learn a cued version of the task. In contrast, KA-treated rats were differently affected. Sprague-Dawley KA-treated rats learned less efficiently than Wistar KA-treated animals, which performed similar to control rats in the acquisition and in a probe trial testing for spatial memory. Different anxiety levels and the extension of brain lesions affecting the hippocampus and the amydgala concur with spatial memory deficits observed in epileptic rats. Hence, our results suggest that hippocampal-dependent spatial memory is not necessarily affected in TLE and that comorbidity between spatial deficits and anxiety is more related with the underlying brain lesions than with the epileptic condition per se
Simpira v2: A Family of Efficient Permutations Using the AES Round Function
International audienceThis paper introduces Simpira, a family of cryptographic permutations that supports inputs of 128*b bits, where b is a positive integer. Its design goal is to achieve high throughput on virtually all modern 64-bit processors, that nowadays already have native instructions for AES. To achieve this goal, Simpira uses only one building block: the AES round function. For b=1, Simpira corresponds to 12-round AES with fixed round keys, whereas for b>=2, Simpira is a Generalized Feistel Structure (GFS) with an F-function that consists of two rounds of AES. We claim that there are no structural distinguishers for Simpira with a complexity below 2^128, and analyze its security against a variety of attacks in this setting. The throughput of Simpira is close to the theoretical optimum, namely, the number of AES rounds in the construction. For example, on the Intel Skylake processor, Simpira has throughput below 1 cycle per byte for b≤4 and b=6. For larger permutations, where moving data in memory has a more pronounced effect, Simpira with b=32 (512 byte inputs) evaluates 732 AES rounds, and performs at 824 cycles (1.61 cycles per byte), which is less than 13% off the theoretical optimum. If the data is stored in interleaved buffers, this overhead is reduced to less than 1%. The Simpira family offers an efficient solution when processing wide blocks, larger than 128 bits, is desired
Precision measurement of violation in the penguin-mediated decay
A flavor-tagged time-dependent angular analysis of the decay
is performed using collision data collected
by the LHCb experiment at % at TeV, the center-of-mass energy of
13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb^{-1}. The
-violating phase and direct -violation parameter are measured
to be rad and
, respectively, assuming the same values
for all polarization states of the system. In these results, the
first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These parameters
are also determined separately for each polarization state, showing no evidence
for polarization dependence. The results are combined with previous LHCb
measurements using collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV,
yielding rad and . This is the most precise study of time-dependent violation
in a penguin-dominated meson decay. The results are consistent with
symmetry and with the Standard Model predictions.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and
additional information, are available at
https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2023-001.html (LHCb
public pages
Measurement of the differential branching fraction
The branching fraction of the rare decay is measured for the first time, in the squared dimuon mass
intervals, , excluding the and regions. The data
sample analyzed was collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies
of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of $9\
\mathrm{fb}^{-1}q^{2}q^{2} >15.0\
\mathrm{GeV}^2/c^4$, where theoretical predictions have the smallest model
dependence, agrees with the predictions.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and
additional information, are available at
https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-050.html (LHCb
public pages
Probing the Standard Model with Higgs signal rates from the Tevatron, the LHC and a future ILC
We explore the room for possible deviations from the Standard Model (SM)
Higgs boson coupling structure in a systematic study of Higgs coupling scale
factor benchmark scenarios using the latest signal rate measurements from the
Tevatron and LHC experiments. We employ chi-squared fits performed with
HiggsSignals, which takes into account detailed information on signal
efficiencies and major correlations of theoretical and experimental
uncertainties. All considered scenarios allow for additional non-standard Higgs
boson decay modes, and various assumptions for constraining the total decay
width are discussed. No significant deviations from the SM Higgs boson coupling
structure are found in any of the investigated benchmark scenarios. We derive
upper limits on an additional (undetectable) Higgs decay mode under the
assumption that the Higgs couplings to weak gauge bosons do not exceed the SM
prediction. We furthermore discuss the capabilities of future facilities for
probing deviations from the SM Higgs couplings, comparing the high luminosity
upgrade of the LHC with a future International Linear Collider (ILC), where for
the latter various energy and luminosity scenarios are considered. At the ILC
model-independent measurements of the coupling structure can be performed, and
we provide estimates of the precision that can be achieved.Comment: 64 pages, 25 figures, 17 tables; v2: minor corrections in the text,
references added. Matches published version on JHE
A global analysis of terrestrial plant litter dynamics in non-perennial waterways
Perennial rivers and streams make a disproportionate contribution to global carbon (C) cycling. However, the contribution of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), which sometimes cease to flow and can dry completely, is largely ignored although they represent over half the global river network. Substantial amounts of terrestrial plant litter (TPL) accumulate in dry riverbeds and, upon rewetting, this material can undergo rapid microbial processing. We present the results of a global research collaboration that collected and analysed TPL from 212 dry riverbeds across major environmental gradients and climate zones. We assessed litter decomposability by quantifying the litter carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and oxygen (O2) consumption in standardized assays and estimated the potential short-term CO2 emissions during rewetting events. Aridity, cover of riparian vegetation, channel width and dry-phase duration explained most variability in the quantity and decomposability of plant litter in IRES. Our estimates indicate that a single pulse of CO2 emission upon litter rewetting contributes up to 10% of the daily CO2 emission from perennial rivers and stream, particularly in temperate climates. This indicates that the contributions of IRES should be included in global C-cycling assessments
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