This paper demonstrates a new class of security vulnerabilities due to the Micro-Op Caches, also called Decode Stream Buffer, and other components in the processor frontend. The vulnerabilities presented in this work exploit multiple paths in the processor frontend that the micro-ops can take: through the Micro-Instruction Translation Engine (MITE), through the Decode Stream Buffer (DSB), or through the Loop Stream Detector (LSD). Each path has its own unique timing and power signature, which leads to security vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities can be used as side or covert channels for information leakage and can be exploited to create both timing and power attacks. As information leakage channels, the new vulnerabilities are orthogonal to the existing speculative execution attacks and can be used as covert transmission channels in a new variant of speculative attacks that is demonstrated in this work. The vulnerabilities further affect Intel SGX enclaves, and this work shows how information can be leaked from SGX enclaves through the sharing of the frontend paths. The transmission rates for new attacks based on the vulnerabilities presented can be as high as 1410 Kbps (1.41 Mbps) with an almost 0% error rate. Consequently, this work demonstrates that multiple paths in the processor frontend are a source of security vulnerabilities which have not been considered before and that focusing on just speculative execution attacks is not sufficient to secure today's processors.
In this work, we report an ab initio prediction of 12 different solid-state phases based on the combination of pentazolate anions (cyclo-N5–) and transition metals (Hf4+, Rh3+, Ir3+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Pd2+, and Ag+). To our delight, multiple coordination networks are discovered at ambient and high pressure, ranging from one-dimensional to three-dimensional metal–inorganic frameworks. The viability of each predicted M(cyclo-N5)x, with x = 1–4, is investigated by verifying their thermodynamic, dynamic, and thermal stabilities. Metal-pentazolate interactions are indeed expected to stabilize this cyclic nitrogen ring, enabling the synthesis of these compounds. For M = Fe, Ni, and Pd, two-dimensional lamellar compounds are obtained, showing moderate exfoliation energies, suggesting their possible experimental synthesis. Finally, most of the predicted phases display excellent detonation properties and combustion enthalpy. As expected by their high nitrogen content (up to 20 nitrogen atoms per metal in Hf(N5)4), these metal-pentazolate complexes might serve as new high-energy density materials.
Abstract The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors while they make corrections to the work. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
In this paper, we present the mathematical formulation of an OpenStreetMaps (OSM) based tool that compares the costs and emissions of long-haul medium and heavy-duty (M&HD) electric and diesel freight trucks, and determines the spatial distribution of added energy demand due to M&HD EVs. The optimization utilizes a combination of information on routes from OSM, utility rate design data across the United States, and freight volume data, to determine these values. In order to deal with the computational complexity of this problem, we formulate the problem as a convex optimization problem that is scalable to a large geographic area. In our analysis, we further evaluate various scenarios of utility rate design (energy charges) and EV penetration rate across different geographic regions and their impact on the operating cost and emissions of the freight trucks. Our approach determines the net emissions reduction benefits of freight electrification by considering the primary energy source in different regions. Such analysis will provide insights to policy makers in designing utility rates for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) operators depending upon the specific geographic region and to electric utilities in deciding infrastructure upgrades based on the spatial distribution of the added energy demand of M&HD EVs. To showcase the results, a case study for the U.S. state of Texas is conducted.
This paper evaluates new security threats due to the processor frontend in modern Intel processors. The root causes of the security threats are the multiple paths in the processor frontend that the micro-operations can take: through the Micro-Instruction Translation Engine (MITE), through the Decode Stream Buffer (DSB), also called the Micro-operation Cache, or through the Loop Stream Detector (LSD). Each path has its own unique timing and power signatures, which lead to the side- and covert-channel attacks presented in this work. Especially, the switching between the different paths leads to observable timing or power differences which, as this work demonstrates, could be exploited by attackers. Because of the different paths, the switching, and way the components are shared in the frontend between hardware threads, two separate threads are able to be mutually influenced and timing or power can reveal activity on the other thread. The security threats are not limited to multi-threading, and this work further demonstrates new ways for leaking execution information about SGX enclaves or a new in-domain Spectre variant in single-thread setting. Finally, this work demonstrates a new method for fingerprinting the microcode patches of the processor by analyzing the behavior of different paths in the frontend. The findings of this work highlight the security threats associated with the processor frontend and the need for deployment of defenses for the modern processor frontend.
The incorporation of study in teamwork participation and team role, especially in the student area, has been facilitated by the availability of quantitive analysis. This research focuses on the effect on team role and team participation brought by gender. Many quantitive measures have been taken, like t-test, linear fit, and correlation test, to make a conclusion that masculinity has a strong correlation with team organization and femininity is related to team roles like the linker, coordinator, maintainer and producer. It may give us a new way to make clear the roles in teamwork to promote management changes with the gender identity view.
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