In biometric authentication protocols, a user is authenticated or granted access to a service if her fresh biometric trait matches the reference biometric template stored on the service provider. This matching process is usually based on a suitable distance which measures the similarities between the two biometric templates. In this paper, we prove that, when the matching process is performed usin

Multinational enterprises have outsourced production and distribution to layers of subsidiaries and contractors to expand into new markets and increase profitability. This compartmentalization of the enterprise is facilitated by company laws and has resulted in risk shifting, excessive risk taking and lack of remediation for those injured. Company laws in virtually all jurisdictions allow for corp

In this work, we study under which circumstances it is appropriate to use simplified models for range determination using radar. Typically, pulsed radar systems result in the backscattered, demodulated, and matched signal having a chirp signal structure, with the frequency rate being related to the range to the reflecting target and the relative velocity of the transmitter and reflector. Far from

Periodic structures are known to produce passbands and stopbands for propagation of vibration energy within the frequency domain. Sources vibrating harmonically at a frequency within a passband can lead to propagation of energy through propagating modes over long distances. However, sources vibrating at a frequency within a stopband excite only nearfields in the form of attenuating and evanescent

Presents a new view of the standard of living development in Sweden during the agricultural revolution, using evidence on the ability to overcome short-term economic stress. The results corroborate previous findings, based on a variety of indicators, that standard of living in Sweden increased for most people after the mid-nineteenth century, but also support a more negative view of the immediate

Public institutions such as cities, the police or schools are increasingly adopting a brand orientation, understood as an approach to organization aiming to create coherence around image and identity, such that consistent, precise and coherent messages can be presented about the organization to internal and external stakeholders. This may be seen as an expression of what is sometimes called “brand

The real antibiotic industrial wastewater with the characteristics of complex compositions, biological toxic, and degradation-resistant, is still biologically toxic to the ecosystem and human health even if the discharge standards have been met after treatment by traditional methods. Therefore, the biological harmless treatment of real antibiotic industrial wastewater is a valuable and meaningful

Background: Previous studies have proposed growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. The present study aimed to determine if such associations remain after accounting for death as a competing risk, and if GDF-15 provides superior prediction performance than other biomarkers. Methods: Plasma GDF-15 levels and cardiovascular risk facto

The study evaluates the biogeochemical model ForSAFE-2D, designed to simulate water and chemical transport from the forest to the stream, by simulating the hydrology and the transport of the chemical tracer chloride (Cl−) along a forest hillslope in Northern Sweden. The simulated Cl− exports were in balance with the simulated inputs but measurements suggested a net release of Cl− from the catchmen

The field of studying EU external relations/actions has embraced and endorsed mainstream International Relations and European Integration theoretical orthodoxy over the past three decades. This ideological orthodoxy is proving catastrophic as the accumulation of economic, social, environmental, conflictual, and political crises are increasingly demonstrating. As Joseph Stiglitz succinctly puts it,

The use of daratumumab in combination with established regimens for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma has recently been authorized by the European Medicines Agency based on results from three separate phase III randomized, active controlled, open-label studies that have confirmed enhanced efficacy and tolerability in both transplant-ineligible (MMY3008 and MMY3007) and transplant-e

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is considered a valid strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, despite the importance of adipose tissue for whole-body energy homeostasis, the effect of AMPK activation in adipocytes has only been studied to a limited extent and mainly with the AMP-mimetic 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), which has limited

Degradation of extracellular matrix, is a prerequisite for processes like tumor invasion and angiogenesis. Numerous studies indicate that plasminogen activation, initiated by u-PA, is a key process in malignant tumor growth. The expression of u-PA as well as its receptor is increased in malignant ovarian tumors. Additionally, u-PA stimulates signal transduction leading to cell proliferation and mi

While accessible housing is known as important to promote healthy ageing, the societal issue of providing accessible housing for the ageing population bears the characteristics of a “wicked problem”. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of crucial variables for decision-making about the provision of accessible housing for the ageing population in Sweden. Materials used for a de

This contribution aims to introduce the reader to a judgement from the Court of Justice which seems to broaden the scope of application of EU free movement rules to private regulatory bodies in two ways. On the one hand, this judgment expands our understanding of what type of private regulation can fall within this scope. On the other hand, it shows that EU law requires a private prior authorisati

Field-based thermal infrared cameras provide surface temperature information at very high spatial and temporal resolution and could complement existing phenological camera and spectral sensor networks. Since temperature is one of the main drivers of ecosystem respiration (ER), field-based thermal cameras offer a new opportunity to model and upscale ER in unprecedented detail. We present such an ap