Toward trust-based multi-modal user authentication on the Web : a fuzzy approach

In the last few years authentication has become of paramount importance both on the corporate Intranets and on the global Web. While most approaches focus on the initial authentication and then no further check ensure the identity of the navigating user, in this work we present a fuzzy approach to multi-modal authentication for a trust-based, continuous identity check during Web navigation. The potentiality of such an approach for generating trust-based metadata is also discussed

Dermatology disease classification via novel evolutionary artificial neural network

Neuro-genetic systems are biologically inspired computational models that use evolutionary algorithms (EAs) in conjunction with neural networks (NNs) to solve problems. They are especially useful in classification problems in which classifier systems are not able to provide easy answers. In this paper a novel neuro-genetic approach is used in order to predict a known classification problem, related to dermatology diseases

A fuzzy trust model proposal to ensure the identity of a user in time

Access controls ensure that all direct accesses to objects are authorized by means of user identification. However, in some scenarios it is also necessary to continuously check the identity of the user in order to avoid malicious behaviors such as person exchanges immediately after the initial authentication phase. Aim of this work is to propose a methodology based on a balanced mix of strong and weak authentication techniques studied to guarantee a high and prolonged in time level of security combining the advantages of each authenticator

Ensuring the identity of a user in time : a multi-modal fuzzy approach

This work proposes a fuzzy multimodal technique capable of guaranteeing the desired level of security while keeping under control the high costs typically associated to some biometric authentication devices. Specifically we describe a fuzzy controller choosing within a palette of authentication techniques to continuously check and confirm its trust in the identity of a user

In Cardiac Patients β-Blockers Attenuate the Decrease in Work Rate during Exercise at a Constant Submaximal Heart Rate

Purpose Exercise prescription based on fixed heart rate (HR) values is not associated with a specific work rate (WR) during prolonged exercise. This phenomenon has never been evaluated in cardiac patients and might be associated with a slow component of HR kinetics and β-adrenergic activity. The aims were to quantify, in cardiac patients, the WR decrease at a fixed HR and to test if it would be attenuated by β-blockers. Methods Seventeen patients with coronary artery disease in stable conditions (69 ± 9 yr) were divided into two groups according to the presence (BB) or absence (no-BB) of a therapy with β-blockers, and performed on a cycle ergometer: An incremental exercise (INCR) and a 15-min "HRCLAMPED"exercise, in which WR was continuously adjusted to maintain a constant HR, corresponding to the gas exchange threshold +15%. HR was determined by the ECG signal, and pulmonary gas exchange was assessed breath-by-breath. Results During INCR, HRpeak was lower in BB versus no-BB (P < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed for other variables. During HRCLAMPED, the decrease in WR needed to maintain HR constant was less pronounced in BB versus no-BB (-16% ± 10% vs -27 ± 10, P = 0.04) and was accompanied by a decreased VO2 only in no-BB (-13% ± 6%, P < 0.001). Conclusions The decrease in WR during a 15-min exercise at a fixed HR (slightly higher than that at gas exchange threshold) was attenuated in BB, suggesting a potential role by β-adrenergic stimulation. The phenomenon may represent, also in this population, a sign of impaired exercise tolerance and interferes with aerobic exercise prescription

Predicting candidemia in internal medicine departments: are we chasing the Holy Grail?

Candidemia is a challenging clinical condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality.1 Key requirements for its prompt management include early identification and timely initiation of appropriate systemic antifungal therapy, consistently reported as a major determinant of survival. However, the diagnosis of candidemia can be challenging and is often delayed as there are no specific clinical signs, blood cultures have low sensitivity, and detection of fungal blood cultures takes a long time. In addition, there is evidence that a significant percentage of such infections occurs in patients admitted to internal medicine departments. This is not particularly surprising given the advanced age of many inpatients at internal medicine departments and multiple complex comorbidities. Moreover, related therapies and healthcare system contacts often involve the use of central venous catheters and other indwelling devices, potentially entailing high risk of candidemia.2 Therefore, optimization of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach is an important and still unfulfilled need for the management of candidemia in internal medicine department

Photon Pair Generation in Silicon Micro-Ring Resonator with Reverse Bias Enhancement

Photon sources are fundamental components for any quantum photonic technology. The ability to generate high count-rate and low-noise correlated photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion using bulk crystals has been the cornerstone of modern quantum optics. However, future practical quantum technologies will require a scalable integration approach, and waveguide-based photon sources with high-count rate and low-noise characteristics will be an essential part of chip-based quantum technologies. Here, we demonstrate photon pair generation through spontaneous four-wave mixing in a silicon micro-ring resonator, reporting a maximum coincidence-to-accidental (CAR) ratio of 602 (+-) 37, and a maximum photon pair generation rate of 123 MHz (+-) 11 KHz. To overcome free-carrier related performance degradations we have investigated reverse biased p-i-n structures, demonstrating an improvement in the pair generation rate by a factor of up to 2, with negligible impact on CAR.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

The Potential Health Benefits of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Cichorium intybus

Phytochemicals can exert their bioactivity without reaching the systemic circulation; scarcely absorbed antioxidants might reach the large bowel contributing to protection from oxidative damage-induced gastrointestinal diseases. In the present work, we aimed to study the relationship between potential activity of polyphenol-rich extracts from Cichorium intybus L. and changes in morphological characteristics on Caco-2 cells. Phytochemicals content (carotenoids and flavonoids) and total antioxidant activity of Red Chicory of Treviso and Variegated Chicory of Castelfranco were evaluated. The bioactivity of polyphenol-rich extracts from chicories was studied in in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayers model. Morphological characteristics changes to test the antioxidant and/or prooxidant effect were verified by histological analysis and observed by Electronic Scansion Microscopy (SEM). On Caco-2 cell model, the polyphenols fractions from chicories have indicated a moderate antioxidant behavior until 17 μM concentration, while 70 μM and 34 μM exert cytotoxic effects for Treviso’s and Castelfranco’s Chicory, respectively, highlighted by TEER decreasing, increased permeability, and alteration of epithelium. Our findings support the beneficial effects of these products in counteracting the oxidative stress and cellular damage, induced in vitro on Caco-2 cell model, through interaction with the mucopolysaccharide complexes in the glycocalyx, maintaining in vivo a healthy and effective intestinal barrier

Hybrid membrane distillation reverse electrodialysis configuration for water and energy recovery from human urine: an opportunity for off-grid decentralised sanitation

The integration of membrane distillation with reverse electrodialysis has been investigated as a sustainable sanitation solution to provide clean water and electrical power from urine and waste heat. Reverse electrodialysis was integrated to provide the partial remixing of the concentrate (urine) and diluate (permeate) produced from the membrane distillation of urine. Broadly comparable power densities to those of a model salt solution (sodium chloride) were determined during evaluation of the individual and combined contribution of the various monovalent and multivalent inorganic and organic salt constituents in urine. Power densities were improved through raising feed-side temperature and increasing concentration in the concentrate, without observation of limiting behaviour imposed by non-ideal salt and water transport. A further unique contribution of this application is the limited volume of salt concentrate available, which demanded brine recycling to maximise energy recovery analogous to a battery, operating in a ‘state of charge’. During recycle, around 47% of the Gibbs free energy was recoverable with up to 80% of the energy extractable before the concentration difference between the two solutions was halfway towards equilibrium which implies that energy recovery can be optimised with limited effect on permeate quality. This study has provided the first successful demonstration of an integrated MD-RED system for energy recovery from a limited resource, and evidences that the recovered power is sufficient to operate a range of low current fluid pumping technologies that could help deliver off-grid sanitation and clean water recovery at single household scale