bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical strategies in the management of atlantoaxial dislocation in Down syndrome
Authors: Joseph Vivek Baylis , Ganesh Swaminathan , Panicker Tony Varghese
Published: March 2024

Aims:

To study the clinicoradiological features and treatment outcomes of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) in Down syndrome.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective case series.

Subjects and Methods:

A retrospective chart and radiology review of 9 Down syndrome patients with AAD managed at our center from 2007 to 2018.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Chi-squared/Fisher’s exact test.

Results:

There were 4 males and 5 females (n = 9). The median age was 14 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 7–15.5). 77.7% (7/9) of patients had severe spasticity (Nurick Grades 4 and 5). The median duration of symptoms was 9 months (IQR: 5–39). The AAD was reducible in all (n = 9) cases. Eight (88.8%) patients had os odontoideum. The mean atlantodental interval (ADI) was 8.5 mm (±2.9). T2W cord hyperintensity was seen in 66.6% (6/9). Posterior C1–2 transarticular fixation was done in 8 and occipitocervical fusion in 1 patient. Follow-up of more than 6 months (7–57 months) was available in 8/9 (88.9%) patients. There was a significant improvement in spasticity (n = 8, mean Nurick Grade 1.7 (±1.1), P = 0.003). Follow-up radiographs (n = 8) showed good reduction and fusion. A preoperative bedbound patient with poor respiratory reserve expired at 10 months following surgery. There were no other complications.

Conclusions:

Posterior surgical approach for AAD in Down syndrome resulted in good alignment and fusion, with excellent clinical improvement. Patients with elevated PCO2 are poor surgical candidates and require home ventilation facility.
Advancing insights into recurrent lumbar disc herniation: A comparative analysis of surgical approaches and a new classification
Authors: Musa Gerald , Abakirov Medetbek Dzhumabekovich , Chmutin Gennady E. , Mamyrbaev Samat Temirbekovich , Ramirez Manuel De Jesus Encarnacion , Sichizya Kachinga , Kim Alexander V. , Antonov Gennady I. , Chmutin Egor G. , Hovrin Dmitri V. , Slabov Mihail V. , Chaurasia Bipin
Published: March 2024

Background:

The management of recurrent lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) lacks a consensus. Consequently, the choice between repeat microdiscectomy (MD) without fusion, discectomy with fusion, or endoscopic discectomy without fusion typically hinges on the surgeon’s expertise. This study conducts a comparative analysis of postoperative outcomes among these three techniques and proposes a straightforward classification system for rLDH aimed at optimizing management.

Patients and Methods:

We examined the patients treated for rLDH at our institution. Based on the presence of facet resection, Modic-2 changes, and segmental instability, they patients were categorized into three groups: Types I, II, and III rLDH managed by repeat MD without fusion, MD with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) (MD + TLIF), and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (TFED), respectively.

Results:

A total of 127 patients were included: 52 underwent MD + TLIF, 50 underwent MD alone, and 25 underwent TFED. Recurrence rates were 20%, 12%, and 0% for MD alone, TFED, and MD + TLIF, respectively. A facetectomy exceeding 75% correlated with an 84.6% recurrence risk, while segmental instability correlated with a 100% recurrence rate. Modic-2 changes were identified in 86.7% and 100% of patients experiencing recurrence following MD and TFED, respectively. TFED exhibited the lowest risk of durotomy (4%), the shortest operative time (70.80 ± 16.5), the least blood loss (33.60 ± 8.1), and the most favorable Visual Analog Scale score, and Oswestry Disability Index quality of life assessment at 2 years. No statistically significant differences were observed in these parameters between MD alone and MD + TLIF. Based on this analysis, a novel classification system for recurrent disc herniation was proposed.

Conclusion:

In young patients without segmental instability, prior facetectomy, and Modic-2 changes, TFED was available should take precedence over repeat MD alone. However, for patients with segmental instability, MD + TLIF is recommended. The suggested classification system has the potential to enhance patient selection and overall outcomes.
Exclusive Spinal Epidural Arteriovenous Malformation: Taming the Serpent in the Canal
Authors: Chheda Rushabh Mulchand , Bhaisora Kamlesh Singh , Rai Shreyash , Patel Rashesh Amrutlal , Singh Vivek , Srivastava Arun , Maurya Ved Prakash , Kumar Ashutosh
Published: March 2024

Most spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are dural arteriovenous fistulas in which a singularly intradural venous drainage emanates from an extradural nidus. A pure extradural spinal arteriovenous malformation (E-AVM), in the absence of a vertebral body (cavernous) hemangioma, is extremely rare, and full clinical, radiological, and operative descriptions are scant. We report this case and review the relevant literature to document the rare occurrence of a symptomatic E-AVM producing compressive spinal myelopathy like symptoms. Adult patient presented with 7-month progressive spastic quadriparesis, hypertonia in lower limbs and graded sensory loss below c6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2 hypointese extradural lesion at C4-5 level and CT angiography revealed an epidural vascular malformation.DSA revealed a Type A epidural AVM. Preoperative embolisation of the AVM with Onyx and coils was done and later a C4-5 laminectomy with excision of the entire Epidural AVM nidus with prolapsed coils was done. Surgical excision was done in view of compressive symptoms Post operatively patient had considerable improvement in power as well decrease in hypertonia. Postoperative MRI imaging after 3 months of surgery revealed complete excision of the malformation and resolution of cord edema. Based on the literature review done, ours is a first of its kind case of Exculsive Epidural AVM (EEAVMs) presenting with symptoms suggestive of Compressive spinal myelopathy. To conclude, E-AVMs may present with compressive myelopathy like symptoms. Treatment should be by tailored to benefit the patient like in our case.
Delayed Asymptomatic Migration of Cervical Screws – A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Uddanapalli Srinivasan Sreeramulu , Subramanian Balaji , Anand Prem
Published: March 2024

Delayed asymptomatic migration of cervical screws after a decade has been rarely reported. Here, we report such a case of asymptomatic missing cervical screws 13 years after anterior cervical spine surgery. A 79-year-old male presented with progressive quadriparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed C1-C2 cord compression for which he was operated the second time. Thirteen years ago for cervical cord compression, he had undergone C4 and C5 corpectomy with stabilization using a cervical plate from C3-C6. Radiographs of the cervical spine showed that lower two screws inserted at C6 level were missing. X-ray cervical spine taken a year ago showed the presence of screws at all the three levels. The migrated cervical screws could not be traced. Our case highlights the fact that delayed migration of the anterior cervical screws asymptomatically without any evidence of esophageal perforation even after a decade after surgery can occur.
Diagnostic threshold and performance of anion gap in screening for high anion gap metabolic acidosis
Authors: Chionh Chang Yin , Tien Carolyn Shan-Yeu ,   Changi REnal MEdicine REsearch (CREMERE) Group, Yeon Wenxiang
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

The anion gap (AG) is commonly used to screen for acid–base disorders. It was proposed that the cut-off for high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) may be lower with current laboratory techniques, although modern laboratory equipment are still calibrated to familiar reference ranges established with earlier techniques. The appropriate cut-off for HAGMA is unclear. This study aimed to assess the performance of AG as a screening test for HAGMA and to determine the optimal diagnostic threshold of AG for HAGMA.

Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of a large, anonymised dataset extracted by computerised protocol from 2017 to 2019. All inpatients with blood samples taken for organic acids (lactate, ketone or salicylate) paired with a metabolic panel were included. The target condition was HAGMA secondary to elevated blood lactate, ketone and/or salicylate. Sensitivity for HAGMA was explored at various AG cut-off levels.

Results:

Of 16,475 patients, 2,621 had organic acidosis. Median age was 65 years, and median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. With organic acidosis, the median AG was 23 (interquartile range [IQR] 20–29) mEq/L, while without organic acidosis, the median AG was 16 (IQR 14–19) mEq/L. The area under the curve-receiver operating characteristic of AG for HAGMA was 0.873. Desired sensitivity for HAGMA was set at ≥95%, and this was found with an AG threshold of ≥15 mEq/L (sensitivity 98.1%, specificity 34.0%).

Conclusion:

The recommended AG threshold value is ≥15 mEq/L with a high sensitivity for HAGMA. The AG should always be interpreted with the clinical context, and it should be repeated as the clinical picture evolves.
Preventing perioperative hypothermia in children through implementation of customised guidelines
Authors: Lee Shu Ying , Sultana Rehena , Allen John Carson , Bong Choon Looi
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Perioperative hypothermia (PH) is common in children and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Guidelines to prevent PH are mainly developed for adults and differ among institutions. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of customised guidelines in reducing PH in our paediatric population and the impact of cost considerations on physician practice.

Methods:

Patients aged ≤16 years undergoing general anaesthesia in our tertiary paediatric hospital were prospectively recruited in this cohort study. Patient demographics, surgical procedures, anaesthesia details and temperature control measures were recorded. Data collection occurred over four phases: Phases 1 and 2 comprised standard management, while Phases 3 and 4 occurred following guidelines implementation. Sensors for continuous core temperature monitoring were provided free to patients during Phases 1 and 3, but were charged during Phases 2 and 4. The main outcome was occurrence of PH, defined as core temperature <36°C at any point from induction of anaesthesia to discharge from the postanaesthetic care unit. The impact of guidelines implementation and cost considerations influencing physician practice on PH outcomes was also analysed.

Results:

Data from 3917 patients was analysed (1766 in Phase 1, 679 in Phase 2, 706 in Phase 3 and 766 in Phase 4). Guidelines implementation decreased PH incidence from 11.0% to 6.79% (odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–0.80, P = 0.0002). Free sensors increased the odds of detecting PH (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.17–1.88, P = 0.001). With guidelines implementation, there was greater reduction in PH with free sensors (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47–0.88, P = 0.0055) compared to chargeable sensors (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.50–1.11, P = 0.1471).

Conclusions:

Customised guidelines facilitated a sustained reduction of hypothermia in our paediatric surgical patients, although its impact was reduced by cost considerations.
A Multi-Model Machine Learning Approach for Monitoring Calories Being Burnt During Workouts Using Smart Calorie Tracer
Authors: Challagundla Yagnesh , K Badri Narayanan , Devatha Krishna Sai , V C Bharathi , Ravindra J V R
Published: March 2024

INTRODUCTION: In today's health-conscious world, accurate calorie monitoring during exercise is crucial for achieving fitness goals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, existing methods often lack precision, driving the need for more reliable tracking systems. This paper explores the use of a multi-model machine learning approach to predict calorie burn during workouts by utilizing a comprehensive dataset.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to develop a user-friendly program capable of accurately predicting calorie expenditure during exercise, leveraging advanced machine learning techniques.
METHODS: Techniques from social network analysis were employed to analyze the dataset, which included information on age, gender, height, weight, workout intensity, and duration. Data preprocessing involved handling missing values, eliminating irrelevant columns, and preparing features for analysis. The dataset was then divided into training and testing sets for model development and evaluation. Machine learning models, including Neural Networks, AdaBoost, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting, were chosen based on their performance in regression tasks.
RESULTS: The neural network model demonstrated superior performance in predicting calorie burn, outperforming other models in terms of MSE, RMSE, and an R2 score. Data visualization techniques aided in understanding the relationship between variables and calorie burn, highlighting the effectiveness of the neural network model.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a multi-model machine learning approach offers a promising solution for accurate calorie tracking during exercise. The neural network model, in particular, shows potential for developing user-friendly calorie monitoring applications. While limitations exist, such as dataset scope and environmental factors, this study lays the groundwork for future advancements in calorie monitoring and contributes to the development of holistic fitness applications.
Decay of pathogens (indicators of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.) in soil due to the application of reuse water
Authors: Handam Natasha Berendonk , Silva Rodrigo Bezerra da , Carvajal Elvira , Sotero-Martins Adriana
Published: March 2024

Reuse water is defined as the reuse of water from treated effluents, it requires careful monitoring to avoid damage to environmental health. This study evaluates the decay of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. bacteria in soil irrigated with reused water for agricultural reuse, without damaging public or environmental health. The decay of Escherichia coli and of Salmonella spp. was verified using the Filter Membrane method SS AGAR culture medium was used. The decay curves over time were made using the Sigmaplot program. Each experimental group had 4 pots (one group irrigated with recycled water and the other with drinking water), two pots containing vegetation cover and two containing only soil. In crops irrigated with reused water, the survival time of Salmonella spp. was double compared to the others, and E. coli survival did not vary between groups. Pots with bare soil irrigated with uncontaminated reused water showed a faster decline in Salmonella spp. For agricultural reuse, irrigation must be done by drip and with the use of personal protective equipment. It is essential to create national legislation to protect public and environmental health.
Keywords: agricultural reuse, decay analysis of microorganisms, public health.
Asymptotic stability of planar rarefaction wave to a 2D hyperbolic-elliptic coupling system of the radiating gas on half-space
Authors: Zhang Minyi , Zhu Changjiang
Published: March 2024

This paper studies the asymptotic stability of solutions to an initial-boundary value problem for a hyperbolic-elliptic coupling system on the two-dimensional half-space, where the data on the boundary and at the far field are prescribed as

u_{-}

and

u_{+}

, respectively. We show that the solution to the problem converges to the corresponding planar rarefaction wave for

0\le u_{-}<u_{+}

as time tends to infinity. To the best of our knowledge, the stability results of planar rarefaction waves on half-space focus primarily on the single viscous conservation law because the rarefaction wave (one-dimensional diffusion wave) of the corresponding one-dimensional problem to scalar viscous conservation law is known. In other words, for a general high-dimensional system of equations, we cannot obtain the stability of planar rarefaction waves on half-space because we cannot construct the rarefaction wave of the corresponding one-dimensional problem. In this paper, we use the structure of the hyperbolic-elliptic coupling system to obtain the monotonic rarefaction wave of the corresponding one-dimensional hyperbolic-elliptic coupling system, and hence give the stability of the planar rarefaction wave on half-space. This can be viewed as the first result for the system of equations on the stability of planar rarefaction waves on half-space.
Arc Damage Assessment of Arc Plume and Physical Damage
Authors:   AE-8A Elec Wiring and Fiber Optic Interconnect Sys Install
Published: March 2024

This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) describes the means of assessing the damage zone of an electrical arcing event to determine appropriate separation/segregation requirements between a power-carrying wire harness and nearby components.
Textile Circularity and the Sustainability Model of New
Mobility
Authors: Lee-Jeffs Ann , Safi Joanna
Published: March 2024

The world is on a “take-make-waste,” linear-growth economic trajectory where
products are bought, used, and then discarded in direct progression with little
to no consideration for recycling or reuse. This unsustainable path now requires
an urgent call to action for all sectors in the global society: circularity is a
must to restore the health of the planet and people. However, carbon-rich
textile waste could potentially become a next-generation feedstock, and the
mobility sector has the capacity to mobilize ecologically minded designs, supply
chains, financing mechanisms, consumer education, cross-sector activation, and
more to capitalize on this “new source of carbon.” Activating textile
circularity will be one of the biggest business opportunities to drive top- and
bottom-line growth for the mobility industry.

Textile Circularity and the Sustainability Model of New Mobility
provides context and insights on why textiles—a term that not only includes
plant-based and animal-based fibers, but plastics as well—are contributing to
overflowing landfills, polluted waterways, compromised access to clean water,
loss of biodiversity and deforestation, and more. Additionally, it gives an
overview of the current state of textile circularity, notable policy and
regulatory trends, and how to leverage capabilities of the mobility sector,
especially in decarbonization.

Click
here to access the full SAE EDGETM
Research Report portfolio.
Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Authors:   Brake Fluids Standards Committee
Published: March 2024

This SAE Standard covers motor vehicle brake fluids of the nonpetroleum type, based upon glycols, glycol ethers, and appropriate inhibitors, for use in the braking system of any motor vehicle such as a passenger car, truck, bus, or trailer. These fluids are not intended for use under arctic conditions. These fluids are designed for use in braking systems fitted with rubber cups and seals made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), or a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and a diene (EPDM).
Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid Based Upon Glycols, Glycol Ethers, and the Corresponding Borates
Authors:   Brake Fluids Standards Committee
Published: March 2024

This SAE Standard covers motor vehicle brake fluids of the nonpetroleum type, based upon glycols, glycol ethers, and borates of glycol ethers, and appropriate inhibitors for use in the braking system of any motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, bus, or trailer. These fluids are not intended for use under arctic conditions. These fluids are designed for use in braking systems fitted with rubber cups and seals made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and a diene (EPDM).
Grupa Wagnera w Afryce. Pozorowana walka rosyjskich najemników z terroryzmem
Authors: Olech Aleksander
Published: March 2024

W ostatnich latach Grupa Wagnera znacznie zwiększyła swoją obecność w kilku krajach Afryki. Rosyjscy najemnicy zaangażowali się w wiele konfliktów, starając się poszerzyć wpływy. Jednym z ich głównych zadań miała być walka z terroryzmem. Przeprowadzone analizy, w ramach których autor wykorzystał metody jakościowe i źródła odnoszące się do teoretycznego i praktycznego wymiaru omawianej problematyki, wskazują, że wagnerowcy pozorują działania, aby utrzymać swoją obecność wojskową na kontynencie afrykańskim. Intensyfikacja obecności Grupy Wagnera to długoterminowa strategia Kremla, który realizuje interesy dwutorowo – korzysta ze współpracy na poziomie państw i angażuje najemników. Do rozwoju współpracy z partnerami z Afryki dążą również kraje szeroko rozumianego Zachodu (członkowie Sojuszu Północnoatlantyckiego i Unii Europejskiej). O wpływy na kontynencie zamierzają walczyć także organizacje terrorystyczne. W związku z tym konieczne jest stałe monitorowanie proaktywnej polityki zagranicznej Rosji ukierunkowanej na rywalizację, gdyż ma ona wpływ na obecność w Afryce Polski i jej sojuszników.
Optimal impulsive control of coffee berry borers in a berry age-structured epidemiological model
Authors: Fotso Fotso Yves , Touzeau Suzanne , Tsanou Berge , Grognard Frédéric , Bowong Samuel
Published: March 2024

The coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is the most important insect pest affecting coffee production worldwide and generating huge economic losses. As most of its life cycle occurs inside the coffee berry, its control is extremely difficult. To tackle this issue, we solve an optimal control problem based on a berry age-structured dynamical model that describes the infestation dynamics of coffee berries by CBB during a cropping season. This problem consists in applying a bio-insecticide at discrete times in order to maximise the economic profit of healthy coffee berries, while minimising the CBB population for the next cropping season. We derive analytically the first-order necessary optimality conditions of the control problem. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the optimal control strategy.
SNSF Datastory - Rising demand for funding is becoming a challenge
Authors: Okasa Gabriel , Strinzel Michaela
Published: March 2024

Demand for SNSF funding has been rising for years now. Why is this? Are more researchers applying for funding or are they submitting higher budgets? What consequences is this development having? An evaluation of internal data provides answers.
Religion, Media, and Materiality
Authors: Pons Jessie
Published: March 2024

This introduction to the Special Issue “Religion, Media, Materiality” succinctly outlines the central themes of media and authority, serving as tertia comparationis within the volume, and evokes their significance in addressing media changes from a transdisciplinary perspective. It surveys three theoretical frameworks and general perspectives on the interplay between religion, media, and authority, as put forth by Stewart Hoover, Birgit Meyer, and David Morgan. The discussion emphasises how the case studies examined by Sarit Shalev-Eyni, Ines Weinrich, Hanna Staehle, Giulia Evolvi, and Tim Karis actively engage with these frameworks. In doing so, they contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the intricate connections between media, authority, and religion, offering a detailed exploration of these overarching concepts.
Revisiting Keccak and Dilithium Implementations on ARMv7-M
Authors: Huang Junhao , Adomnicăi Alexandre , Zhang Jipeng , Dai Wangchen , Liu Yao , Cheung Ray C. C. , Koç Çetin Kaya , Chen Donglong
Published: March 2024

Keccak is widely used in lattice-based cryptography (LBC) and its impact to the overall running time in LBC scheme can be predominant on platforms lacking dedicated SHA-3 instructions. This holds true on embedded devices for Kyber and Dilithium, two LBC schemes selected by NIST to be standardized as quantumsafe cryptographic algorithms. While extensive work has been done to optimize the polynomial arithmetic in these schemes, it was generally assumed that Keccak implementations were already optimal and left little room for enhancement.In this paper, we revisit various optimization techniques for both Keccak and Dilithium on two ARMv7-M processors, i.e., Cortex-M3 and M4. For Keccak, we improve its efficiency using two architecture-specific optimizations, namely lazy rotation and memory access pipelining, on ARMv7-M processors. These optimizations yield performance gains of up to 24.78% and 21.4% for the largest Keccak permutation instance on Cortex-M3 and M4, respectively. As for Dilithium, we first apply the multi-moduli NTT for the small polynomial multiplication cti on Cortex-M3. Then, we thoroughly integrate the efficient Plantard arithmetic to the 16-bit NTTs for computing the small polynomial multiplications csi and cti on Cortex-M3 and M4. We show that the multi-moduli NTT combined with the efficient Plantard arithmetic could obtain significant speed-ups for the small polynomial multiplications of Dilithium on Cortex-M3. Combining all the aforementioned optimizations for both Keccak and Dilithium, we obtain 15.44% ∼ 23.75% and 13.94% ∼ 15.52% speed-ups for Dilithium on Cortex-M3 and M4, respectively. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the Keccak optimizations yield 13.35% to 15.00% speed-ups for Kyber, and our Keccak optimizations decrease the proportion of time spent on hashing in Dilithium and Kyber by 2.46% ∼ 5.03% on Cortex-M4.
ConvKyber: Unleashing the Power of AI Accelerators for Faster Kyber with Novel Iteration-based Approaches
Authors: Zhou Tian , Zheng Fangyu , Fan Guang , Wan Lipeng , Tang Wenxu , Song Yixuan , Bian Yi , Lin Jingqiang
Published: March 2024

The remarkable performance capabilities of AI accelerators offer promising opportunities for accelerating cryptographic algorithms, particularly in the context of lattice-based cryptography. However, current approaches to leveraging AI accelerators often remain at a rudimentary level of implementation, overlooking the intricate internal mechanisms of these devices. Consequently, a significant number of computational resources is underutilized.In this paper, we present a comprehensive exploration of NVIDIA Tensor Cores and introduce a novel framework tailored specifically for Kyber. Firstly, we propose two innovative approaches that efficiently break down Kyber’s NTT into iterative matrix multiplications, resulting in approximately a 75% reduction in costs compared to the state-of-the-art scanning-based methods. Secondly, by reversing the internal mechanisms, we precisely manipulate the internal resources of Tensor Cores using assembly-level code instead of inefficient standard interfaces, eliminating memory accesses and redundant function calls. Finally, building upon our highly optimized NTT, we provide a complete implementation for all parameter sets of Kyber. Our implementation surpasses the state-of-the-art Tensor Core based work, achieving remarkable speed-ups of 1.93x, 1.65x, 1.22x and 3.55x for polyvec_ntt, KeyGen, Enc and Dec in Kyber-1024, respectively. Even when considering execution latency, our throughput-oriented full Kyber implementation maintains an acceptable execution latency. For instance, the execution latency ranges from 1.02 to 5.68 milliseconds for Kyber-1024 on R3080 when achieving the peak throughput.
MiRitH: Efficient Post-Quantum Signatures from MinRank in the Head
Authors: Adj Gora , Barbero Stefano , Bellini Emanuele , Esser Andre , Rivera-Zamarripa Luis , Sanna Carlo , Verbel Javier , Zweydinger Floyd
Published: March 2024

Since 2016’s NIST call for standardization of post-quantum cryptographic primitives, developing efficient post-quantum secure digital signature schemes has become a highly active area of research. The difficulty in constructing such schemes is evidenced by NIST reopening the call in 2022 for digital signature schemes, because of missing diversity in existing proposals. In this work, we introduce the new postquantum digital signature scheme MiRitH. As direct successor of a scheme recently developed by Adj, Rivera-Zamarripa and Verbel (Africacrypt ’23), it is based on the hardness of the MinRank problem and follows the MPC-in-the-Head paradigm. We revisit the initial proposal, incorporate design-level improvements and provide more efficient parameter sets. We also provide the missing justification for the quantum security of all parameter sets following NIST metrics. In this context we design a novel Grover-amplified quantum search algorithm for solving the MinRank problem that outperforms a naive quantum brute-force search for the solution.MiRitH obtains signatures of size 5.7 kB for NIST category I security and therefore competes for the smallest signatures among any post-quantum signature following the MPCitH paradigm.At the same time MiRitH offers competitive signing and verification timings compared to the state of the art. To substantiate those claims we provide extensive implementations. This includes a reference implementation as well as optimized constant-time implementations for Intel processors (AVX2), and for the ARM (NEON) architecture. The speedup of our optimized AVX2 implementation relies mostly on a redesign of the finite field arithmetic, improving over existing implementations as well as an improved memory management.
Efficient ASIC Architecture for Low Latency Classic McEliece Decoding
Authors: Fallnich Daniel , Lanius Christian , Zhang Shutao , Gemmeke Tobias
Published: March 2024

Post-quantum cryptography addresses the increasing threat that quantum computing poses to modern communication systems. Among the available “quantum-resistant” systems, the Classic McEliece key encapsulation mechanism (KEM) is positioned as a conservative choice with strong security guarantees. Building upon the code-based Niederreiter cryptosystem, this KEM enables high performance encapsulation and decapsulation and is thus ideally suited for applications such as the acceleration of server workloads. However, until now, no ASIC architecture is available for low latency computation of Classic McEliece operations. Therefore, the present work targets the design, implementation and optimization of a tailored ASIC architecture for low latency Classic McEliece decoding. An efficient ASIC design is proposed, which was implemented and manufactured in a 22 nm FDSOI CMOS technology node. We also introduce a novel inversionless architecture for the computation of error-locator polynomials as well as a systolic array for combined syndrome computation and polynomial evaluation. With these approaches, the associated optimized architecture improves the latency of computing error-locator polynomials by 47% and the overall decoding latency by 27% compared to a state-of-the-art reference, while requiring only 25% of the area.
JustSTART: How to Find an RSA Authentication Bypass on Xilinx UltraScale(+) with Fuzzing
Authors: Ender Maik , Hahn Felix , Fyrbiak Marc , Moradi Amir , Paar Christof
Published: March 2024

Fuzzing is a well-established technique in the software domain to uncover bugs and vulnerabilities. Yet, applications of fuzzing for security vulnerabilities in hardware systems are scarce, as principal reasons are requirements for design information access, i.e., HDL source code. Moreover, observation of internal hardware state during runtime is typically an ineffective information source, as its documentation is often not publicly available. In addition, such observation during runtime is also inefficient due to bandwidth-limited analysis interfaces, i.e., JTAG, and minimal introspection of hardware-internal modules.In this work, we investigate fuzzing for Xilinx 7-Series and UltraScale(+) FPGA configuration engines, the control plane governing the (secure) bitstream configuration within the FPGA. Our goal is to examine the effectiveness of fuzzing to analyze and document the opaque inner workings of FPGA configuration engines, with a primary emphasis on identifying security vulnerabilities. Using only the publicly available hardware chip and dispersed documentation, we first design and implement ConFuzz, an advanced FPGA configuration engine fuzzing and rapid prototyping framework. Based on our detailed understanding of the bitstream file format, we then systematically define 3 novel key fuzzing strategies for Xilinx FPGA configuration engines. Moreover, our strategies are executed through mutational structure-aware fuzzers and incorporate various novel custom-tailored, FPGA-specific optimizations to reduce search space. Our evaluation reveals previously undocumented behavior within the configuration engine, including critical findings such as system crashes leading to unresponsive states of the whole FPGA. In addition, our investigations not only lead to the rediscovery of the recent starbleed attack but also uncover a novel unpatchable vulnerability, denoted as JustSTART (CVE-2023-20570), capable of circumventing RSA authentication for Xilinx UltraScale(+). Note that we also discuss effective countermeasures by secure FPGA settings to prevent aforementioned attacks.
CASA: A Compact and Scalable Accelerator for Approximate Homomorphic Encryption
Authors: He Pengzhou , Oliva Madrigal Samira Carolina , Koç Çetin Kaya , Bao Tianyou , Xie Jiafeng
Published: March 2024

Approximate arithmetic-based homomorphic encryption (HE) scheme CKKS [CKKS17] is arguably the most suitable one for real-world data-privacy applications due to its wider computation range than other HE schemes such as BGV [BGV14], FV and BFV [Bra12, FV12]. However, the most crucial homomorphic operation of CKKS called key-switching induces a great amount of computational burden in actual deployment situations, and creates scalability challenges for hardware acceleration. In this paper, we present a novel Compact And Scalable Accelerator (CASA) for CKKS on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platform. The proposed CASA addresses the aforementioned computational and scalability challenges in homomorphic operations, including key-exchange, homomorphic multiplication, homomorphic addition, and rescaling.On the architecture layer, we propose a new design methodology for efficient acceleration of CKKS. We design this novel hardware architecture by carefully studying the homomorphic operation patterns and data dependency amongst the primitive oracles. The homomorphic operations are efficiently mapped into an accelerator with simple control and smooth operation, which brings benefits for scalable implementation and enhanced pipeline and parallel processing (even with the potential for further improvement).On the component layer, we carry out a detailed and extensive study and present novel micro-architectures for primitive function modules, including memory bank, number theoretic transform (NTT) module, modulus switching bank, and dyadic multiplication and accumulation.On the arithmetic layer, we develop a new partially reduction-free modular arithmetic technique to eliminate part of the reduction cost over different prime moduli within the moduli chain of the Residue Number System (RNS). The proposed structure can support arbitrary numbers of security primes of CKKS during key exchange, which offers better security options for adopting the scalable design methodology.As a proof-of-concept, we implement CASA on the FPGA platform and compare it with state-of-the-art designs. The implementation results showcase the superior performance of the proposed CASA in many aspects such as compact area, scalable architecture, and overall better area-time complexities.In particular, we successfully implement CASA on a mainstream resource-constrained Artix-7 FPGA. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first compact CKKS accelerator implemented on an Artix-7 device, e.g., CASA achieves a 10.8x speedup compared with the state-of-the-art CPU implementations (with power consumption of only 5.8%). Considering the power-delay product metric, CASA also achieves 138x and 105x improvement compared with the recent GPU implementation.
Single trace HQC shared key recovery with SASCA
Authors: Goy Guillaume , Maillard Julien , Gaborit Philippe , Loiseau Antoine
Published: March 2024

This paper presents practicable single trace attacks against the Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) Key Encapsulation Mechanism. These attacks are the first Soft Analytical Side-Channel Attacks (SASCA) against code-based cryptography. We mount SASCA based on Belief Propagation (BP) on several steps of HQC’s decapsulation process. Firstly, we target the Reed-Solomon (RS) decoder involved in the HQC publicly known code. We perform simulated attacks under Hamming weight leakage model, and reach excellent accuracies (superior to 0.9) up to a high noise level (σ = 3), thanks to a re-decoding strategy. In a real case attack scenario, on a STM32F407, this attack leads to a perfect success rate. Secondly, we conduct an analogous attack against the RS encoder used during the re-encryption step required by the Fujisaki-Okamoto-like transform. Both in simulation and practical instances, results are satisfactory and this attack represents a threat to the security of HQC. Finally, we analyze the strength of countermeasures based on masking and shuffling strategies. In line with previous SASCA literature targeting Kyber, we show that masking HQC is a limited countermeasure against BP attacks, as well as shuffling countermeasures adapted from Kyber. We evaluate the “full shuffling” strategy which thwarts our attack by introducing sufficient combinatorial complexity. Eventually, we highlight the difficulty of protecting the current RS encoder with a shuffling strategy. A possible countermeasure would be to consider another encoding algorithm for the scheme to support a full shuffling. Since the encoding subroutine is only a small part of the implementation, it would come at a small cost.
Carry Your Fault: A Fault Propagation Attack on Side-Channel Protected LWE-based KEM
Authors: Kundu Suparna , Chowdhury Siddhartha , Saha Sayandeep , Karmakar Angshuman , Mukhopadhyay Debdeep , Verbauwhede Ingrid
Published: March 2024

Post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms, especially those based on the learning with errors (LWE) problem, have been subjected to several physical attacks in the recent past. Although the attacks broadly belong to two classes – passive side-channel attacks and active fault attacks, the attack strategies vary significantly due to the inherent complexities of such algorithms. Exploring further attack surfaces is, therefore, an important step for eventually securing the deployment of these algorithms. Also, it is mportant to test the robustness of the already proposed countermeasures in this regard. In this work, we propose a new fault attack on side-channel secure masked implementation of LWE-based key-encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs) exploiting fault propagation. The attack typically originates due to an algorithmic modification widely used to enable masking, namely the Arithmetic-to-Boolean (A2B) conversion. We exploit the data dependency of the adder carry chain in A2B and extract sensitive information, albeit masking (of arbitrary order) being present. As a practical demonstration of the exploitability of this information leakage, we show key recovery attacks of Kyber, although the leakage also exists for other schemes like Saber. The attack on Kyber targets the decapsulation module and utilizes Belief Propagation (BP) for key recovery. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first attack exploiting an algorithmic component introduced to ease masking rather than only exploiting the randomness introduced by masking to obtain desired faults (as done by Delvaux [Del22]). Finally, we performed both simulated and electromagnetic (EM) fault-based practical validation of the attack for an open-source first-order secure Kyber implementation running on an STM32 platform.
Unlock the Door to my Secrets, but don’t Forget to Glitch
Authors: Schink Marc , Wagner Alexander , Oberhansl Felix , Köckeis Stefan , Strieder Emanuele , Freud Sven , Klein Dominik
Published: March 2024

In this work, we look into an attack vector known as flash erase suppression. Many microcontrollers have a feature that allows the debug interface protection to be deactivated after wiping the entire flash memory. The flash erase suppression attack exploits this feature by glitching the mass erase, allowing unlimited access to the data stored in flash memory. This type of attack was presented in a confined context by Schink et al. at CHES 2021. In this paper, we investigate whether this generic attack vector poses a serious threat to real-world products. For this to be true, the success rate of the attack must be sufficiently high, as otherwise, device unique secrets might be erased. Further, the applicability to different devices, different glitching setups, cost, and limitations must be explored. We present the first in-depth analysis of this attack vector. Our study yields that realistic attacks on devices from multiple vendors are possible. As countermeasures can hardly be retrofitted with software, our findings should be considered by users when choosing microcontrollers for security-relevant products or for protection of intellectual property (IP), as well by hardware designers when creating next generation microcontrollers.
investigación y prueba de los delitos de odio
Authors: Nicolás García José Neftalí
Published: March 2024

Desde los inicios de la humanidad la población del mundo se ha mostrado en continuo movimiento, originando los llamados flujos migratorios, respondiendo estos movimientos a diversas razones, entre otras, el trabajo, la familia, la violencia, persecuciones y educación. Los delitos de odio nacen en una sociedad multiétnica y se desarrollan sobre la base de tres factores esenciales: la discriminación, la protección de los colectivos más vulnerables y la necesidad de proteger los valores de nuestra comunidad. En este contexto el odio puede ocasionar amenazas e incluso alterar el orden social, por ello el concepto de odio adquiere suma importancia desde el punto de vista penológico y encuentra su tipificación en la Ley Orgánica 10/1995, de 23 de noviembre del Código Penal, si bien es necesario llevar a cabo por parte de las autoridades policiales y judiciales una investigación exhaustiva para conseguir prueba suficiente que sustente una condena penal. La mayoría de ocasiones hay que acudir a la prueba indiciaria para acreditar la motivación de la comisión del delito por razones de odio, es decir, probar el odio discriminatorio y su proyección en el delito depende de la prueba indiciaria.
THE APPLICATION OF ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) FOR SELECTING COMMUNITY PROBLEMS: MULTICRITERIA DECISION- MAKING APPROACH ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASPECTS
Authors:   Thammasat University, CHOMPOOK PORNTHIP , ROEMMONTRI JIRATAYA ,   Thammasat University, KETSAKORN ARROON ,   Thammasat University
Published: March 2024

Addressing environmental health problems within communities necessitates an approach that considers multiple factors. A multicriteria method can identify useful decisions for carrying out alternative aspects of environmental health. This cross-sectional study illustrates the utility of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, which is suitable for combining qualitative and quantitative factors across a wide area. This study aims to apply a multicriteria decision-making approach. Stakeholder opinions were collected and the Expert Choice software was utilised. The results showed that solid waste management was the most suitable alternative in addressing problems in the community, with a significance level of 34.3% (Consistency Ratio; CR ≤ 0.1). Other alternatives were wastewater management (26.8%), air pollution management (25.3%), water consumption and quality (8.1%), and food safety and sanitation (5.6%). This study recommends the use of AHP as a crucial tool for prioritising environmental management plans to allocate resources necessary to mitigate adverse environmental health aspects within the community
Pengaruh Technology Oriented pada Customers terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Sektor Perdagangan Provinsi Jawa Timur
Authors: Putri Isnaeni Widya Okta , Oktafia Renny
Published: March 2024

The development of information and communication technologies has given rise to many changes, as if all the activities that take place in this world always involve technology in it. Appropriate use of technology, provides positive influences that create opportunities and innovations that can be exploited for the advancement of various sectors, especially the economy of the trade sector. One of the forms of implementation created due to the development of technology and information in the world is online commerce is the level of awareness of the public to prefer products of technological processing with good quality. This behavior is called Technology Oriented in Customers. The use of technology in the world of trade, where trade is one of the activities that affects economic growth, should be increased in order to support the magnitude of the economic growth of the trade sector. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the results of Technology Oriented Practice on Customers which has more or less begun to be adopted by the East Java community as a form of technology implementation in the trade sector, mainly the sales level can affect the amount of numbers that can increase the value gain of the trade sector for East Java Province. By processing secondary data using multiple linear regression analysis methods. This study found that the influence of the Internet for sales did not have a significant effect on the trade sector because the number of sales made through the Internet is still lacking. The people of East Java tend to play the role of consumers. This reality is unfortunate because with good use of the digital economy, it can support the number of increased economic growth of the trade sector in East Java.
Analisis Kinerja Keuangan pada PT Sariguna Primatirta Tbk
Authors: Hastuti Wedia
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this studyis to analyze the financial performance of PT Sariguna Primatirta Tbk tahun 2020 – 2022, in terms of the liquidity ratio, solvibility ratio, activity ratio and profitability ratio. Analysis ratio’s used for analyzing on this research. Based on the analysis of the liquidity ratio, using the current ratio, cash ratio and the quick ratio, the financial performance of PT Sariguna Primatirta Tbk tahun, it wasn’t good, because the company has a tendency to not cover its current liabilities on current assets, cash and bank’s saving and current assets regardless on inventories’ values. Then, based on the results of the solvency ratio analysis, seen from the debt to asset ratio and debt to equity ratio, it shows that the company's ability to pay off its debts, both short term and long term are still in good condition. This shows that the company's performance is quite good. From the results of the analysis using the activity ratio, working capital turnover shows that the company's working capital turnover in generating sales is still in good condition. Meanwhile, for total asset turnover, the company's ability to turnover total assets is ins’t good or unstable condition. Based on the results of profitability ratio analysis using net profit margin, return on equity and return on investment, there is instability, for return on equity and return on investment, meaning that the company's ability to generate net profits from its capital and assets is ins’t good or less stable. Meanwhile, the net profit margin results show that the company's ability to generate net profits from sales is still good.