Authentication based on bioelectrical parameters

Some current mobile devices authenticate users by verifying the user’s fingerprint, the user’s face, etc. Smartphones and other mobile devices are increasingly being designed to be smaller and thinner, with displays occupying a proportionately larger area of the surface of the device. Consequently, there is less area available near the top and bottom of the screen to place fingerprint or camera-based authentication hardware. When users permit use of such data, techniques of this disclosure make advantageous use of unique electrical parameters of the human body, e.g., resistance, capacitance, and/or inductance between the fingers of a user’s hand to authenticate the user. Standard electrical sensors are placed unobtrusively on the sides of the mobile device and are configured to measure a bioelectrical signature of the user. In this manner, user authentication is performed without use of traditional hardware, e.g., fingerprint or face recognition sensors, thereby freeing up additional space for display

Generalized Uncertainty Principle Corrections to the Simple Harmonic Oscillator in Phase Space

We compute Wigner functions for the harmonic oscillator including corrections from generalized uncertainty principles (GUPs), and study the corresponding marginal probability densities and other properties. We show that the GUP corrections to the Wigner functions can be significant, and comment on their potential measurability in the laboratory.Comment: minor revisions; included journal referenc

The Justice Thread: A Curriculum for Ghanaian Churches on Biblical Justice and Child Trafficking

The goal of this project is to support the work of International Justice Mission in Ghana to end child trafficking by developing a compelling curriculum on biblical justice. The Justice Thread is an eight-week Bible study tracing the theme of biblical justice as it unfolds throughout the Bible. The curriculum aims to be a practical and contextually appropriate tool for churches in Ghana, which currently lack resources, training, and emphasis on justice-related ministry. The Justice Thread seeks to introduce participants to the God of justice while also educating them about the injustice of child trafficking in their midst. Ultimately, participants are urged toward action on behalf of the oppressed in their community. This study demonstrates the prominence and prevalence of the theme of justice throughout the various sections of the Bible. It is argued that justice in human affairs is of utmost importance to God and therefore to the Christian mission of the church. The exegetical study introduces concepts related to justice such as shalom, holistic ministry, the purpose of authority, the role of a prophet, and God’s particular concern for the vulnerable. The study seeks to inspire greater familiarity with God’s heart for justice, increased commitment to the oppressed, and growing courage to stand up to oppressors. Recognizing the importance of contextualization, the study includes cultural exegesis and ministry context analysis drawn from the author’s two years of experience in the field and input from Ghanaian scholars and International Justice Mission national staff. The curriculum was field tested with approximately two hundred pastors and church leaders from fishing villages along the shores of Lake Volta, an area with a high prevalence of child trafficking. The curriculum has been well received by churches from many different denominations making plans for implementation

Investigating the Complexities of Nation-building: A Sub-national Regional Perspective

Stabilization and reconstruction operations are necessary to secure and maintain the peace in the aftermath of conflict. The complexities of nation-building involve many different but interrelated systems and institutions. The basic structure of a country may or may not remain; its political, economic, and judicial systems, cultural, educational, medical, and military institutions, and critical infrastructure all vitally contribute to the overall progression of stability and prosperity. Understanding the significance of the dynamic relationships between the forces in play during stability and reconstruction operations is paramount to the successful conclusion of such missions. The system dynamics model proposed in this research functions as a support tool allowing decision makers and analysts to investigate different sets of decision approaches at a sub-national, regional level. Concentration on the regional level allows for specific identification and investigation of potentially troublesome regions, providing the model-user with more detailed information concerning the internal dynamics prevalent within the area of operations. Construction of two different measures via logistic regression, a probability of stabilization success and a probability of stabilization failure, provide indication as to the successful execution of stabilization and reconstruction operations. The proposed model is a general construct, widely adaptable to a variety of post-conflict nation-building scenarios. The model is notionally demonstrated using Operation Iraqi Freedom as a test case

Authentication Using Sparse Modeling of Fingerprint Images

Fingerprint sensors often have difficulty authenticating users if the user’s fingers are wet or moist, e.g., due to sweat. This disclosure presents robust techniques for fingerprint identification based on the K-SVD algorithm, which is a technique to represent images in a sparse manner. A K-SVD dictionary is created out of enrolled fingerprint images. A fingerprint that is to be authenticated is segmented into blocks, and each block is projected against the dictionary. A heat map of highest projection coefficients is formed, and overall match-score is calculated. The overall match-score is used to authenticate the fingerprint. The dictionary stores the essential features of the enrolled fingerprints, and the enrolled fingerprint images are deleted. Fingerprint authentication is made possible without actual storage of the enrolled fingerprints, which serves to improve security

Annotated checklist and biogeographic composition of the Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad, West Indies

A revised annotated checklist for the butterfl y family Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad is presented, updating nomenclature, and indicating synonyms from earlier lists and papers. The checklist includes 131 species of Lycaenidae, comprising 127 species of 49 genera of Eumaeini, Theclinae, and four species of three genera of Polyommatinae. There are more than 30 new island records. No lycaenid species is endemic to Trinidad, and the fauna consists primarily of widespread species (71%) that occur from Central America to the Amazon Basin. However, the primary biogeographic affi nity is the Amazon Region, where 94% of the Trinidad lycaenid fauna also occurs. Corrections are made to the literature cited in the fi rst author’s earlier checklists on other Trinidad butterfl ies. Resumen. Se presenta una lista anotada para la familia de mariposas Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) de Trinidad, actualizando la nomenclatura e indicando sinónimos de listas y artículos prévios. La lista incluye 131 especies de Lycaenidae, que comprende 127 especies de 49 géneros de Eumaeini, Theclinae, y cuatro especies de tres géneros de Polyommatinae. Se presentan más de 30 nuevo registros procedente de la isla. Ninguna especies de lycaenido es endémico de Trinidad, y la fauna consiste principalmente de especies de amplia distribución (71%) que ocurren desde Centroamérica hasta la Cuenca del Amazonas. Sin embargo, la principal afi nidad biogeográfi ca es la Región Amazónica, donde el 94% de la fauna de lycaenidos de Trinidad ocurren. Se hacen correcciones en la literatura citada de las listas anotadas anteriores del primer autor sobre otras mariposas de Trinidad