@inproceedings{19778,
  abstract     = {A verifiable delay function VDF(x, T)->(y, π) maps an input x and time parameter T to an output y together with an efficiently verifiable proof π certifying that y was correctly computed. The function runs in T sequential steps, and it should not be possible to compute y much faster than that. The only known practical VDFs use sequential squaring in groups of unknown order as the sequential function, i.e., y = x^2^T. There are two constructions for the proof of exponentiation (PoE) certifying that y = x^2^T, with Wesolowski (Eurocrypt’19) having very short proofs, but they are more expensive to compute and the soundness relies on stronger assumptions than the PoE proposed by Pietrzak (ITCS’19).
A recent application of VDFs by Arun, Bonneau and Clark (Asiacrypt’22) are short-lived proofs and signatures, which are proofs and signatures that are only sound for some time t, but after that can be forged by anyone. For this they rely on “watermarkable VDFs”, where the proof embeds a prover chosen watermark. To achieve stronger notions of proofs/signatures with reusable forgeability, they rely on “zero-knowledge VDFs”, where instead of the output y, one just proves knowledge of this output. The existing proposals for watermarkable and zero-knowledge VDFs all build on Wesolowski’s PoE, for the watermarkable VDFs there’s currently no security proof.

In this work we give the first constructions that transform any PoEs in hidden order groups into watermarkable VDFs and into zkVDFs, solving an open question by Arun et al. Unlike our watermarkable VDF, the zkVDF (required for reusable forgeability) is not very practical as the number of group elements in the proof is a security parameter. To address this, we introduce the notion of zero-knowledge proofs of sequential work (zkPoSW), a notion that relaxes zkVDFs by not requiring that the output is unique. We show that zkPoSW are sufficient to construct proofs or signatures with reusable forgeability, and construct efficient zkPoSW from any PoE, ultimately achieving short lived proofs and signatures that improve upon Arun et al.’s construction in several dimensions (faster forging times, arguably weaker assumptions).
A key idea underlying our constructions is to not directly construct a (watermarked or zk) proof for y = x^2^T, but instead give a (watermarked or zk) proof for the more basic statement that 
x^l, y^l satisfy x^l = x ^r, y^l = y^r for some r, together with a normal PoE for y^l = (x^l)^2^T.},
  author       = {Hoffmann, Charlotte and Pietrzak, Krzysztof Z},
  booktitle    = {28th IACR International Conference on Practice and Theory of Public-Key Cryptography},
  isbn         = {9783031918193},
  issn         = {1611-3349},
  location     = {Roros, Norway},
  pages        = {36--66},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{Watermarkable and zero-knowledge Verifiable Delay Functions from any proof of exponentiation}},
  doi          = {10.1007/978-3-031-91820-9_2},
  volume       = {15674},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{19852,
  abstract     = {Technology involving hybrid superconductor–semiconductor materials is a promising avenue for engineering quantum devices for information storage, manipulation, and transmission. Proximity-induced superconducting correlations are an essential part of such devices. While the proximity effect in the conduction band of common semiconductors is well understood, its manifestation in confined hole gases, realized for instance in germanium, is an active area of research. Lower-dimensional hole-based systems, particularly in germanium, are emerging as an attractive platform for a variety of solid-state quantum devices, due to their combination of efficient spin and charge control and long coherence times. The recent experimental realization of the proximity effect in germanium thus calls for a theoretical description that is tailored to hole gases. In this work, we propose a simple model to describe proximity-induced superconductivity in two-dimensional hole gases, incorporating both the heavy-hole (HH) and light-hole (LH) bands. We start from the Luttinger–Kohn model, introduce three parameters that characterize hopping across the superconductor–semiconductor interface, and derive explicit intraband and interband effective pairing terms for the HH and LH bands. Unlike previous approaches, our theory provides a quantitative relationship between induced pairings and interface properties. Restricting our general model to an experimentally relevant case where only the HH band crosses the chemical potential, we predict the coexistence of 𝑠-wave and 𝑑-wave singlet pairings, along with triplet-type pairings, and modified Zeeman and Rashba spin–orbit couplings. Our results thus present a starting point for theoretical modeling of quantum devices based on proximitized hole gases, fueling further progress in quantum technology.},
  author       = {Babkin, Serafim and Joecker, Benjamin and Flensberg, Karsten and Serbyn, Maksym and Danon, Jeroen},
  issn         = {2469-9969},
  journal      = {Physical Review B},
  number       = {21},
  publisher    = {American Physical Society},
  title        = {{Superconducting proximity effect in two-dimensional hole gases}},
  doi          = {10.1103/k4jh-pnxy},
  volume       = {111},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{19853,
  abstract     = {The internal dynamical properties of red giant stars have been explored extensively in recent
years as a result of the increase in high precision data availability from the space missions
Kepler and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), and in this exploration, it has been
discovered that some of these stars are not behaving as expected. Red giants are stars that have
evolved off of the main sequence after having completed fusing hydrogen into helium in their
core. Observational data shows that the cores are rotating significantly slower than models can
recreate consistently across evolutionary stages. This discrepancy has prompted investigation
into the efficiency of angular momentum transport mechanisms and mixing processes including
meridional circulation, shear instability, internal gravity waves, Tayler-Spruit dynamo, fossil
magnetic fields etc., to explain this behavior.
Analyzing seismic oscillations in stars, via asteroseismology, is a powerful tool as it is the only
way in which the deep stellar interior can be probed and subsequently characterized; this is
possible as global oscillations modulating the stellar surface are effected by internal processes.
For red giants, p-modes (pressure modes; resonating through the entire star) and g-modes
(gravity-modes; resonating in the radiative interior) couple to create mixed modes. These
mixed modes give access to the otherwise hidden stellar interior as g-modes couple to p-modes,
delivering information from the interior to the surface.
Internal magnetic signatures have been observationally confirmed in red giant stars via
asteroseismology and characterized in two ways. One being that dipole mixed modes with
ℓ = 1 will display a global asymmetric frequency shift of its azimuthal components; where
the m = 0 and m = ±1 components of the ℓ = 1 dipole mode will be shifted by two
different power laws, respectively. And the other being a reduced visibility of dipole mixed
mode amplitudes in the power spectra, where stars presenting with this feature are denoted as
suppressed.
Several studies of the suppressed dipole mixed mode amplitudes have been carried out, but thus
far, no dedicated studies of the asymmetric frequency shifts of suppressed red giants have been
conducted; one reason being that the asymmetric frequency shifts cannot be characterized
when the dipole mixed mode amplitudes are severely reduced in many of the suppressed stars.
Sincefullysuppressedstarsdonothavedetectablemixed-modestoevaluate, partiallysuppressed
stars, that is, red giant stars presenting with suppressed dipole mixed modes in select parts of
their power spectra rather than across the entire spectra, will be the subject of this study as
the respective mode amplitudes are still visible at high frequencies.
As such, this study will search for asymmetric frequency shifts on the dipole mixed
modes of partially suppressed red giant stars; the aim here is to investigate if both
mode suppression and magnetic shifting of dipole mixed modes occur simultaneously.
Thisstudywillbeconductedbycreatingapipelinetoestimatepriorsofasteroseismicparameters,
use the priors to model the power spectra with the stellar modeling code sloscillations_ISTA,
and perform a Bayesian fit of the parameters with the simulated data on the star KIC 6975038,
a target with partially suppressed dipolar mode amplitudes identified in the literature, to fit its
magnetic parameters. I present a novel method to model the stellar power spectra of
partially suppressed red giants by application of a sigmoid profile to the ℓ= 1 dipolar
mode component of the spectra. With the results of this study I aim at constraining
the cause of this partial dipole mode amplitude suppression, allowing for more detailed
studies regarding their astrophysical nature. Furthermore, the long term hope for the method
used in this study will be to expand the sample of partially suppressed red giants and fit their
asteroseismic parameters accordingly.},
  author       = {Smith, Kanah},
  issn         = {2791-4585},
  keywords     = {asteroseismology, stellar physics, red giant, magnetism, suppressed},
  pages        = {38},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Exploring internal magnetism in partially suppressed red giant stars}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-19853},
  year         = {2025},
}

@misc{19885,
  abstract     = {This .zip file contains the data to reproduce the figures and supplementary figures of "Automated All-RF Tuning for Spin Qubit Readout and Control" by Cornelius Carlsson and Jaime Saez-Mollejo et al.},
  author       = {Saez Mollejo, Jaime},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Automated All-RF Tuning for Spin Qubit Readout and Control}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT:ISTA:19885},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{20149,
  abstract     = {Immune responses depend on the coordinated and efficient migration of leukocytes. These
cells, which are embedded and tightly confined within tissues, must navigate and traverse
diverse and complex three-dimensional environments. Leukocytes adapt their locomotory
behavior to the mechanical, geometrical, and biochemical characteristics of their
surroundings. In low-density environments, where the pore size of the interstitial matrix
allows free passage, these cells position the nucleus directly behind the lamellipodium, the
protrusive actin structure that forms the leading front of the cell. In this configuration, they
use the nucleus as a gauge to identify the path of least resistance.
Here, we show that in high-density environments, where the pore size precludes free passage
of the cell body, leukocytes reposition the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and
associated organelles in front of the nucleus. In this configuration, they use actin structures
protruding orthogonally to the direction of migration in order to open a path for the cell body.
We identify two distinct actin populations that serve this purpose at different subcellular
localizations. At the leading edge, local indentation of the plasma membrane leads to
recruitment of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp), which, via Arp2/3, results in
the formation of individual actin foci. At the cell body, actin polymerization is triggered by
DOCK8, a Cdc42 exchange factor, resulting in the formation of a central actin pool.
We demonstrate that the central and peripheral actin pools are functionally communicating
and that depletion of the central actin pool leads to increased actin accumulation at the cell
front, resulting in excessive extension of the leading edge.},
  author       = {Dos Reis Rodrigues, Patricia},
  issn         = {2663-337X},
  pages        = {114},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Coordination of protrusive forces in immune cell migration }},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-20149},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20184,
  abstract     = {Specialized DNA polymerases facilitate various cellular processes. Despite extensive research, the mutagenic effects of these error-prone enzymes on genomes are not fully understood. Here we show that Pol IV promotes genomic instability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by misincorporating oxidized guanine nucleotides. This activity led to a distinctive mutational signature, characterized by A-to-C transversions occurring preferentially at AT sites flanked by a 5’G and/or 3’C. Furthermore, Pol IV preferentially targeted pathogenicity genes located at specific chromosomal locations near the replication termination region and rRNA-encoding operons. Half of the mutation events catalyzed by Pol IV impaired gene function. This can be attributed to the bias of Pol IV for mutating codons with its preferred sequence contexts, leading to substitutions to unreactive alanine and glycine residues. Remarkably, mutation signatures identified for Pol IV were found in clinical isolate genomes of P. aeruginosa, providing compelling evidence for its role in genetic diversification during pathogen adaptation.},
  author       = {Castell, Sofía D. and Fernandez, Consuelo M. and Tumas, Ignacio N. and Margara, Lucía M. and Miserendino, Maria C and Ceschin, Danilo G. and Pezza, Roberto J. and Monti, Mariela R.},
  issn         = {2399-3642},
  journal      = {Communications Biology},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{The low-fidelity DNA Pol IV accelerates evolution of pathogenicity genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa}},
  doi          = {10.1038/s42003-025-08589-5},
  volume       = {8},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20425,
  abstract     = {Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from accreting black holes ionizes the intergalactic gas around early quasars, carving out highly ionized bubbles in their surroundings. Any changes in a quasar’s luminosity are therefore predicted to produce outward-propagating ionization gradients, affecting the Lyα absorption opacity near the quasar’s systemic redshift. This “proximity effect” is well-documented in rest-UV quasar spectra but only provides a one-dimensional probe along our line of sight. Here we present deep spectroscopic observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of galaxies in the background of a superluminous quasar at zQSO ≈ 6.3, which reveal the quasar’s “light echo” with Lyα tomography in the transverse direction. This transverse proximity effect is detected for the first time toward multiple galaxy sightlines, allowing us to map the extent and geometry of the quasar’s ionization cone. We obtain constraints on the orientation and inclination of the cone, as well as an upper limit on the obscured solid angle fraction of fobsc < 91%. Additionally, we find a timescale of the quasar’s UV radiation of tqso = 10^5.6+0.1-0.3 yr, which is significantly shorter than would be required to build up the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) with conventional growth models, but is consistent with independent measurements of the quasars’ duty cycle. Our inferred obscured fraction disfavors a scenario where short quasar lifetimes can be explained exclusively by geometric obscuration, and instead supports the idea that radiatively inefficient accretion or growth in initially heavily enshrouded cocoons plays a pivotal role in early SMBH growth. Our results pave the way for novel studies of quasars’ ionizing geometries and radiative histories at early cosmic times.},
  author       = {Eilers, Anna Christina and Yue, Minghao and Matthee, Jorryt J and Hennawi, Joseph F. and Davies, Frederick B. and Simcoe, Robert A. and Teague, Richard and Bordoloi, Rongmon and Brammer, Gabriel and Kang, Yi and Kashino, Daichi and Mackenzie, Ruari and Naidu, Rohan P. and Navarrete, Benjamín},
  issn         = {2041-8213},
  journal      = {The Astrophysical Journal Letters},
  number       = {2},
  publisher    = {IOP Publishing},
  title        = {{The light echo of a high-redshift quasar mapped with Lyα tomography}},
  doi          = {10.3847/2041-8213/ae057a},
  volume       = {991},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20454,
  abstract     = {Context. γ Dor stars are ideal targets for studies of the innermost dynamical properties of stars, due to their rich asteroseismic spectrum of gravity modes. Integrating internal magnetism to the picture appears as the next milestone of detailed asteroseismic studies, for its prime importance on stellar evolution. The inertial dip in prograde dipole modes period-spacing pattern of γ Dors stands out as a unique window on the convective core structure and dynamics. Recent studies have highlighted the dependence of the dip structure on core density stratification, the contrast of the near-core Brunt-Väisälä frequency and rotation rate, as well as the core-to-near-core differential rotation. In addition, the effect of envelope magnetism has been derived on low-frequency magneto-gravito-inertial waves.

Aims. We revisited the inertial dip formation including core and envelope magnetism, and explored the probing power of this feature on dynamo-generated core fields.

Methods. We considered as a first step a toroidal magnetic field with a bi-layer (core and envelope) Alfvén frequency. This configuration allowed us to revisit the coupling problem using our knowledge on both core magneto-inertial modes and envelope magneto-gravito-inertial modes. Using this configuration, we were able to stay in an analytical framework to exhibit the magnetic effects on the inertial dip shape and location. This configuration allowed a laboratory to be set up that moves us towards the comprehension of magnetic effects on the dip structure.

Results. We show a shift of the inertial dip towards lower spin parameter values and a thinner dip with increasing core magnetic field’s strength, quite similar to the signature of differential rotation. The magnetic effects become sizeable when the ratio of the magnetic to the Coriolis effects is high enough. We explored the potential degeneracy of the magnetic effects with differential rotation. We studied the detectability of core magnetism, considering both observational constraints on the periods of the modes and potential gravito-inertial mode suppression.},
  author       = {Barrault, Lucas and Bugnet, Lisa Annabelle and Mathis, S. and Mombarg, J. S.G.},
  issn         = {1432-0746},
  journal      = {Astronomy & Astrophysics},
  publisher    = {EDP Sciences},
  title        = {{Exploring the probing power of γ Dor's inertial dip for core magnetism: The case of a toroidal field}},
  doi          = {10.1051/0004-6361/202555213},
  volume       = {701},
  year         = {2025},
}

@unpublished{20576,
  abstract     = {We prove that a very general class of $N\times N$ Hermitian random band matrices is in the delocalized phase when the band width $W$ exceeds the critical threshold, $W\gg \sqrt{N}$. In this regime, we show that, in the bulk spectrum, the eigenfunctions are fully delocalized, the eigenvalues follow the universal Wigner-Dyson statistics, and quantum unique ergodicity holds for general diagonal observables with an optimal convergence rate. Our results are valid for general variance profiles, arbitrary single entry distributions, in both real-symmetric and complex-Hermitian symmetry classes. In particular, our work substantially generalizes the recent breakthrough result of Yau and Yin [arXiv:2501.01718], obtained for a specific complex Hermitian Gaussian block band matrix. The main technical input is the optimal multi-resolvent local laws -- both in the averaged and fully isotropic form. We also generalize the $\sqrtη$-rule from [arXiv:2012.13215] to exploit the additional effect of traceless observables. Our analysis is based on the zigzag strategy, complemented with a new global-scale estimate derived using the static version of the master inequalities, while the zig-step and the a priori estimates on the deterministic approximations are proven dynamically.},
  author       = {Erdös, László and Riabov, Volodymyr},
  booktitle    = {arXiv},
  title        = {{The zigzag strategy for random band matrices}},
  doi          = {10.48550/ARXIV.2506.06441},
  year         = {2025},
}

@unpublished{20580,
  abstract     = {This paper explores the geometry of the space of codimension-2 submanifolds. We implicitly represent these submanifolds by a class of complex-valued functions. This reveals a prequantum bundle structure over the space of submanifolds, equipped with the well-known Marsden-Weinstein symplectic structure. This bundle allows a new physical interpretation of the Marsden-Weinstein structure as the curvature of a connection form, which measures the average of volumes swept by the deformation of the S^1-family of hypersurfaces, defined as the phases of a complex function implicitly representing a submanifold.},
  author       = {Chern, Albert and Ishida, Sadashige},
  booktitle    = {arXiv},
  title        = {{Implicit representations of codimension-2 submanifolds and their prequantum structure}},
  doi          = {10.48550/ARXIV.2507.11727},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20628,
  abstract     = {The realistic simulation of sand, soil, powders, rubble piles, and large collections of rigid bodies is a common and important problem in the fields of computer graphics, computational physics, and engineering. Direct simulation of these individual bodies quickly becomes expensive, so we often approximate the entire group as a continuum material that can be more easily computed using tools for solving partial differential equations, like the material point method (MPM). In this paper, we present a method for automatically extracting continuum material properties from a collection of rigid
bodies. We use numerical homogenization with periodic boundary conditions to simulate an effectively infinite number of rigid bodies in contact. We then record the effective stress-strain relationships from these simulations and convert them into elastic properties and yield criteria for the continuum simulations. Our experiments validate existing theoretical models like the Mohr-Coulomb yield surface by extracting material behaviors from a collection of spheres in contact. We further generalize these existing models to more exotic materials derived from diverse and non-convex shapes. We
observe complicated jamming behaviors from non-convex grains, and we introduce a new material model for materials with extremely high levels of internal friction and cohesion. We simulate these new continuum models using MPM with an improved return mapping technique. The end result is a complete system for turning an input rigid body simulation into an efficient continuum simulation with the same effective mechanical properties.},
  author       = {Chen, Yi-Lu and Ly, Mickaël and Wojtan, Christopher J},
  issn         = {1557-7368},
  journal      = {ACM Transactions on Graphics},
  location     = {Hong Kong, China},
  number       = {6},
  publisher    = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  title        = {{Numerical homogenization of sand from grain-level simulations}},
  doi          = {10.1145/3763344},
  volume       = {44},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20664,
  abstract     = {Conference travel contributes to the climate footprint of academic research. Here, we provide a quantitative estimate of the carbon emissions associated with conference attendance by analyzing travel data from participants of 10 international conferences in the field of magnetic resonance, namely EUROMAR, ENC and ICMRBS. We find that attending a EUROMAR conference produces, on average, more than 1 t CO2 eq.. For the analyzed conferences outside Europe, the corresponding value is about 2–3 times higher, on average, with intercontinental trips amounting to up to 5 t. We compare these conference-related emissions to other activities associated with research and show that conference travel is a substantial portion of the total climate footprint of a researcher in magnetic resonance. We explore several strategies to reduce these emissions, including the impact of selecting conference venues more strategically and the possibility of decentralized conferences. Through a detailed comparison of train versus air travel – accounting for both direct and infrastructure-related emissions – we demonstrate that train travel offers considerable carbon savings. These data may provide a basis for strategic choices of future conferences in the field and for individuals deciding on their conference attendance.},
  author       = {Kapoor, Lucky and Ruzickova, Natalia and Zivadinovic, Predrag and Leitner, Valentin and Sisak, Maria A and Mweka, Cecelia N and Dobbelaere, Jeroen A and Katsaros, Georgios and Schanda, Paul},
  issn         = {2699-0016},
  journal      = {Magnetic Resonance},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {243--256},
  publisher    = {Copernicus Publications},
  title        = {{Quantifying the carbon footprint of conference travel: The case of NMR meetings}},
  doi          = {10.5194/mr-6-243-2025},
  volume       = {6},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{20737,
  author       = {Casado Polanco, Raquel},
  isbn         = {978-3-99078-072-5},
  issn         = {2663-337X},
  keywords     = {NOTCH, radial glial progenitor, lineage progression, cortical development},
  pages        = {133},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Role of NOTCH signaling in radial glial progenitor lineage progression}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-20737},
  year         = {2025},
}

@inproceedings{22120,
  author       = {Muñoz Hermosilla, José M and Miles, Evan and McCarthy, Michael and Hardmeier, Florian and Melo Velasco, Juan Vicente and Jouvet, Guillaume and Pellicciotti, Francesca},
  booktitle    = {EGU General Assembly 2025},
  location     = {Vienna, Austria & Virtual},
  publisher    = {European Geosciences Union},
  title        = {{Towards reconstructing debris supply to reproduce the historic changes in debris extent at a Swiss glacier}},
  doi          = {10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17446},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{20441,
  abstract     = {Epithelial spreading plays a pivotal role in the development of organisms especially those
such as zebrafish which require the epithelial enveloping layer (EVL) to spread to cover the
substantial yolk surface during gastrulation. Epiboly requires the transition of the epithelium
with cuboidal cells to form a thin, flat squamous epithelial sheet. During this transition, the
cells show tissue-scale mechanosensation with mechanisms such as direct mechanical control
over the axis of cell division.
Cytoskeletal intermediate filaments play a crucial role in vertebrate cells, not only facilitating
mechanical stability but also helping facilitate the mechanosensitive response of the cell.
Mechanosenstivity displayed by intermediate filaments is due not just to their interesting
physical properties but also to their interactions with other cytoskeletal elements such as actin
and microtubules. Keratin is the predominant intermediate filament expressed in the EVL.
It expresses concomitantly with the gastrulation movements of the developing embryo. Our
work focuses on understanding the role and dynamics of the keratin cytoskeletal network in
modulating the physical aspects of EVL spreading. We demonstrated with the combination of
physical characterisation and manipulations of the EVL, utilising a variety of biophysical tools
and microscopy, the mechanistic role of keratin in tissue spreading.
Generating novel genetic morphants and mutants, we probe the effect that the loss of the
keratin network has on the physiology of the epithelium and the developing embryo. We
show that the changing organisation of the keratin network is important for changing EVL
physical properties as the stress imposed on the EVL increases during epiboly. By modelling
the epithelium, we study how the mechanical heterogeneity in an epithelium can feed back into
a mechanical loop to the maturation of the keratin network and hence affect the mechanics
of the epithelium. However, unlike what would be predicted by the effect of intermediate
filaments in acting as a security belt and increasing the resistance of the epithelium, we observe
that loss of keratin leads to a delay in the EVL movement. Using both local aspirations of the
YSL and EVL ablations, we demonstrate the mechanistic facilitation of actin mechanosensation
in a keratin-dependent manner.
Furthermore, using chemical inhibitors of microtubule polymerisation, we provide insight into
the mechanisms underlying the organisation and distribution of keratin. Interestingly, the
phenotype observed upon this loss of microtubules shows that keratins interact with the nucleus
through microtubular interactions. Together with these diverse observations, we describe
the mechanosensory feedback between resilience and that is critical for uniform and robust
spreading of the epithelium.},
  author       = {Naik, Suyash},
  isbn         = {978-3-99078-069-5},
  issn         = {2663-337X},
  pages        = {105},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Keratins act as global coordinators of tissue spreading through mechanosensitive feedback}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-20441},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{20920,
  abstract     = {Verifiable Delay Functions (VDFs) introduced by Boneh et al. (CRYPTO'18) are functions that require a prescribed number of sequential steps T to evaluate, yet their output can be verified in time much faster than T. Since their introduction, VDFs have gained a lot of attention due to their applications in blockchain protocols, randomness beacons, timestamping and deniability. This thesis explores the theory and applications of VDFs, focusing on enhancing their soundness, efficiency and practicality.

The only practical VDFs known to date are based on repeated squaring in hidden order groups. Consider the function VDF(x,T)=x^(2^T).
The iterated squaring assumption states that, for a random group element x, the result of VDF cannot be computed significantly faster than performing T sequential squarings if the group order is unknown. To make the result verifiable a prover can compute a proof of exponentiation (PoE) \pi. Given \pi, the output of VDF can be verified in time much less than T.

We first present new constructions of statistically sound proofs of exponentiation, which are an important building block in the construction of SNARKs (Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge). Statistical soundness means that the proofs remain secure against computationally unbounded adversaries, in particular, it remains secure even when the group order is known. We thereby address limitations in previous PoE protocols which either required (non-standard) hardness assumptions or a lot of parallel repetitions. Our construction significantly reduces the proof size of statistically sound PoEs that allow for a structured exponent, which leads to better efficiency of SNARKs and other applications.

Secondly, we introduce improved batching techniques for PoEs, which allow multiple proofs to be aggregated and verified with minimal overhead. These protocols optimize communication and computation complexity in large-scale blockchain environments and enable scalable remote benchmarking of parallel computation resources.

We then construct VDFs with enhanced properties such as zero-knowledge and watermarkability. It was shown by Arun, Bonneau and Clark (ASIACRYPT'22) that these features enable new cryptographic primitives called short-lived proofs and signatures. The validity of such proofs and signatures expires after a predefined amount of time T, i.e., they are deniable after time T. Our constructions improve upon the constructions by Arun, Bonneau and Clark in several dimensions (faster forging times, arguably weaker assumptions).

Finally, we apply PoEs in the realm of primality testing, providing cryptographically sound proofs of non-primality for large Proth numbers. This work gives a surprising application of VDFs in the area of computational number theory.

Together, our contributions advance both the theoretical foundations and the real-world usability of VDFs in general and in particular of PoEs, making them more adaptable and secure for current and emerging cryptographic applications.},
  author       = {Hoffmann, Charlotte},
  issn         = {2663-337X},
  pages        = {116},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Theory and applications of verifiable delay functions}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-20920},
  year         = {2025},
}

@phdthesis{20556,
  abstract     = {Verifiable Delay Functions (VDFs) introduced by Boneh et al. (CRYPTO'18) are functions that require a prescribed number of sequential steps T to evaluate, yet their output can be verified in time much faster than T. Since their introduction, VDFs have gained a lot of attention due to their applications in blockchain protocols, randomness beacons, timestamping and deniability. This thesis explores the theory and applications of VDFs, focusing on enhancing their soundness, efficiency and practicality.

The only practical VDFs known to date are based on repeated squaring in hidden order groups. Consider the function VDF(x,T)=x^(2^T).
The iterated squaring assumption states that, for a random group element x, the result of VDF cannot be computed significantly faster than performing T sequential squarings if the group order is unknown. To make the result verifiable a prover can compute a proof of exponentiation (PoE) \pi. Given \pi, the output of VDF can be verified in time much less than T.

We first present new constructions of statistically sound proofs of exponentiation, which are an important building block in the construction of SNARKs (Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge). Statistical soundness means that the proofs remain secure against computationally unbounded adversaries, in particular, it remains secure even when the group order is known. We thereby address limitations in previous PoE protocols which either required (non-standard) hardness assumptions or a lot of parallel repetitions. Our construction significantly reduces the proof size of statistically sound PoEs that allow for a structured exponent, which leads to better efficiency of SNARKs and other applications.

Secondly, we introduce improved batching techniques for PoEs, which allow multiple proofs to be aggregated and verified with minimal overhead. These protocols optimize communication and computation complexity in large-scale blockchain environments and enable scalable remote benchmarking of parallel computation resources.

We then construct VDFs with enhanced properties such as zero-knowledge and watermarkability. It was shown by Arun, Bonneau and Clark (ASIACRYPT'22) that these features enable new cryptographic primitives called short-lived proofs and signatures. The validity of such proofs and signatures expires after a predefined amount of time T, i.e., they are deniable after time T. Our constructions improve upon the constructions by Arun, Bonneau and Clark in several dimensions (faster forging times, arguably weaker assumptions).

Finally, we apply PoEs in the realm of primality testing, providing cryptographically sound proofs of non-primality for large Proth numbers. This work gives a surprising application of VDFs in the area of computational number theory.

Together, our contributions advance both the theoretical foundations and the real-world usability of VDFs in general and in particular of PoEs, making them more adaptable and secure for current and emerging cryptographic applications.},
  author       = {Hoffmann, Charlotte},
  issn         = {2663-337X},
  pages        = {116},
  publisher    = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
  title        = {{Theory and applications of verifiable delay functions}},
  doi          = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-20556},
  year         = {2025},
}

@article{20101,
  abstract     = {Evading imminent threat from predators is critical for animal survival. Effective defensive strategies can vary, even between closely related species. However, the neural basis of such species-specific behaviours remains poorly understood1,2,3,4. Here we find that two sister species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus)5 show different responses to the same looming stimulus: Peromyscus maniculatus, which occupies densely vegetated habitats, predominantly escapes, whereas the open field specialist, Peromyscus polionotus, briefly freezes. This difference arises from species-specific escape thresholds, is largely context-independent, and can be triggered by both visual and auditory threat stimuli. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological recordings, we find that although visual threat activates the superior colliculus in both species, the role of the dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG) in driving behaviour differs. Whereas dPAG activity scales with running speed in P. maniculatus, neural activity in the dPAG of P. polionotus correlates poorly with movement, including during visually triggered escape. Moreover, optogenetic activation of dPAG neurons elicits acceleration in P. maniculatus but not in P. polionotus, and their chemogenetic inhibition during a looming stimulus delays escape onset in P. maniculatus to match that of P. polionotus. Together, we trace species-specific escape thresholds to a central circuit node, downstream of peripheral sensory neurons, localizing an ecologically relevant behavioural difference to a specific region of the mammalian brain.},
  author       = {Baier, Felix and Reinhard, Katja and Nuttin, Bram and Sans-Dublanc, Arnau and Liu, Chen and Tong, Victoria and Murmann, Julie Stefanie and Wierda, Keimpe and Farrow, Karl and Hoekstra, Hopi E.},
  issn         = {1476-4687},
  journal      = {Nature},
  pages        = {439--447},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{The neural basis of species-specific defensive behaviour in Peromyscus mice}},
  doi          = {10.1038/s41586-025-09241-2},
  volume       = {645},
  year         = {2025},
}

@misc{20883,
  abstract     = {Evading imminent predator threat is critical for survival. Effective defensive strategies can vary, even between closely related species. However, the neural basis of such species-specific behaviours is still poorly understood. Here we find that two sister species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) show different responses to the same looming stimulus: P. maniculatus, which occupies densely vegetated habitats, predominantly escapes, while the open field specialist, P. polionotus, briefly freezes. This difference arises from species-specific escape thresholds, is largely context-independent, and can be triggered by both visual and auditory threat stimuli. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological recordings, we find that although visual threat activates the superior colliculus in both species, the role of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) in driving behaviour differs. While dPAG activity scales with running speed in P. maniculatus, neural activity in the dPAG of P. polionotus correlates poorly with movement, including during visually triggered escape. Moreover, optogenetic activation of dPAG neurons elicits acceleration in P. maniculatus but not P. polionotus, while their chemogenetic inhibition during a looming stimulus delays escape onset in P. maniculatus to match that of P. polionotus. Together, we trace species-specific escape thresholds to a central circuit node, downstream of peripheral sensory neurons, localizing an ecologically relevant behavioural difference to a specific region of the mammalian brain.},
  author       = {Felix, Baier and Reinhard, Katja and Nuttin, Bram and Sans Dublanc, Arnau and Liu, Chen and Tong, Victoria and Murmann, Julie Stefanie and Wierda, Keimpe and Farrow, Karl and Hoekstra, Hopi},
  publisher    = {Dryad},
  title        = {{The neural basis of species-specific defensive behaviour in Peromyscus mice}},
  doi          = {10.5061/DRYAD.Q2BVQ83XC},
  year         = {2025},
}

@unpublished{21399,
  abstract     = {We report on the Equational Theories Project (ETP), an online collaborative pilot project to explore new ways to collaborate in mathematics with machine assistance. The project successfully determined all 22 028 942 edges of the implication graph between the 4694 simplest equational laws on magmas, by a combination of human-generated and automated proofs, all validated by the formal proof assistant language Lean. As a result of this project, several new constructions of magmas satisfying specific laws were discovered, and several auxiliary questions were also addressed, such as the effect of restricting attention to finite magmas.},
  author       = {Bolan, Matthew and Breitner, Joachim and Brox, Jose and Carlini, Nicholas and Carneiro, Mario and Doorn, Floris van and Dvorak, Martin and Goens, Andrés and Hill, Aaron and Husum, Harald and Mejia, Hernán Ibarra and Kocsis, Zoltan A. and Floch, Bruno Le and Bar-on, Amir and Luccioli, Lorenzo and McNeil, Douglas and Meiburg, Alex and Monticone, Pietro and Nielsen, Pace P. and Osazuwa, Emmanuel Osalotioman and Paolini, Giovanni and Petracci, Marco and Reinke, Bernhard and Renshaw, David and Rossel, Marcus and Roux, Cody and Scanvic, Jérémy and Srinivas, Shreyas and Tadipatri, Anand Rao and Tao, Terence and Tsyrklevich, Vlad and Vaquerizo-Villar, Fernando and Weber, Daniel and Zheng, Fan},
  booktitle    = {arXiv},
  title        = {{The equational theories project: Advancing collaborative mathematical research at scale}},
  doi          = {10.48550/arXiv.2512.07087},
  year         = {2025},
}