Representations of biometric traits to be used in automatic recognition systems are typically learned with the goal of obtaining significant discriminative capabilities, that is, generating features that are notably different when produced by traits of different subjects, while maintaining an appropriate consistency for a given user. Nonetheless, discriminability is not the only desirable property of a biometric representation. For instance, the mutual independence of the coefficients in the employed templates is a valuable property when designing biometric template protection schemes. In fact, managing representations with independent coefficients allows to maximize the achievable security. In this paper we propose different learning strategies to obtain biometric representations with the property of statistical independence among coefficients, while preserving discriminability. In order to achieve this goal, different strategies are employed to train convolutional autoencoders. As a proof of concept, the effectiveness of the proposed approaches is tested by considering biometric recognition systems using both finger-vein and palm-vein patterns.

Supersonic jet wing integrated configurations are expected to be relatively louder than subsonic installed configurations, increasing the wall pressure load transmitted inside the fuselage and stressing the wing/fuselage panels with very energetic and frequency localized supersonic effects. In this framework, a model-scale experimental investigation of an installed jet-wing configuration has been performed using a supersonic convergent-divergent nozzle interacting with a wing generated by a NACA4415 airfoil. The measurements have been carried out in the semi-anechoic chamber of the “G.Guj” Fluid Dynamic laboratory at the University Roma Tre. Wall pressure fluctuations are acquired at different axial locations in stream-wise and span-wise directions. Measurements are repeated for different wing radial positions and by varying the NPR between 2.2 and 2.6, thus exploring both over-expanded and under-expanded jet flow conditions. The flow features that characterize the different flow regimes were caught using the Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) technique. Fluctuating pressure data, acquired with flush-mounted pressure transducers, were analysed in the frequency domain, considering a Fourier-based approach. A comparison of results obtained with an infinite flat plate has been used to highlight effects generated by the discontinuity related to the trailing edge.

In the light of the current climate crisis, one of the most serious ecological threats is the increase of desertification. In this context, restoration projects are necessary for reverting land degradation, and nature-based solutions could help them. The Cocoon™ has been designed as a new ecotechnology for improving seedling establishment. The Cocoon consists of a donut-shaped container made out of recycled cardboard that provides water and shelter to the seedling, at least during its first year, which is the most critical for plant establishment. The Cocoon was tested on a variety of soils, Mediterranean mesoclimates, vegetation and land uses that allowed testing the effectiveness of this ecotechnology under different conditions. Six planting trials, five of them in Spain (Canary Islands, Almería, Catalonia and two in Valencia), and one in Ptolemais (Greece), were performed. With the objective of studying its functionality, the survival of the seedlings, their vigor and growth were monitored along two years. In general, the Cocoon has proven its effectiveness by increasing seedling survival compared to the conventional planting system, especially under dry growing conditions (low rainfall, soils with low water holding capacity). The Cocoon also allowed for higher growth of some species (olive trees, olm oaks and Aleppo pines). Moreover, a positive correlation between the rainfall on the site and the degradation degree of the Cocoon device was observed. Overall, the Cocoon becomes more efficient the more arid the climate or the more difficult the growing conditions are.

Pedestrian flow efficiency and safety are primary requirements in the effective configuration and management of urban gathering spaces, such as railway stations, stadiums, or shopping malls. Moreover, the quality and comfort level of available walking environments play a key role in the challenge of sustainable mobility. As a consequence, there has been growing interest in developing methodologies for analysing the walking transport mode. In this context, the authors deem crucial to build a pedestrian dynamics simulation framework that they can completely control, from the modelling and calibration under different flow conditions to the implementation of a user-friendly tool that allows testing the model in a variety of case studies. In this study, they focus on the implementation and calibration of an agent-based model that microscopically simulates the interactions between individuals and with the environment. They calibrate the model parameters with a behavioural-based approach that relies on observed motion behaviours. Additionally, they present preliminary findings from pedestrian flow experiments performed and monitored with dedicated video recording systems. The collected data are meant to improve the calibration and validate the simulator, but they also provide insights into the emergence of collective behaviours, which can have significant upshots on the theoretical framework.

On 23 April 2019, the authors of this roundtable discussion met to deliberate the vaccinations that fall outside the Section 7A immunisation programme. The three-hour meeting resulted in the produc...

On 23 April 2019, the authors of this roundtable discussion met to deliberate the vaccinations that fall outside the Section 7A immunisation programme. The three-hour meeting resulted in the production of this article

On 23 April 2019, the authors of this roundtable discussion met to deliberate the vaccinations that fall outside of the Section 7A immunisation programme. The 3-hour meeting resulted in the production of this article. Funding for vaccinations that fall outside of the Section 7a programme is mired in confusion. Who is responsible for the payments? What are the outliers? What are the loopholes in vaccination commissioning? What are the regional differences? Where can best practice be found? When will these issues be resolved? These questions and more were discussed at length and in great detail. This article explains where these discrepancies lie, analyses specific issues that require clear guidance, and discusses the competing interests of health professionals. This discussion aims to inform the national vaccination review and hopes to shed light on areas that cause GPs and practice nurses confusion during their daily tasks. We all enjoyed the meeting, and its discussion and transformation into a working document. We hope you find this article useful and that it impacts your understanding of vaccinations that fall outside of the Section 7A programme.

This chapter examines clauses in investment treaties that enable foreign investors to bring claims against States for compensation when investments have suffered damage due to acts of war or civil unrest. The authors examine these so-called war clauses through the prism of the bilateral investment treaties of three States with histories of armed conflict: Libya, Syria and Yemen. They find that war clauses display a striking diversity in the degree and type of protection offered. The authors also analyse the limited number of arbitral awards in which tribunals have interpreted and applied war clauses. They find that when tribunals do apply war clauses, there is a high risk that the arbitrators misapply such clauses or conflate them with other substantive standards. The authors argue that war clauses should not be seen as replacing other investment protection standards in the context of war or civil unrest. They are distinct standards that provide investors with additional protection where host States claim that they were unable to protect investments due to the exigencies of war or military necessity. War clauses also are relatively robust standards, as they are less vulnerable than other investment protection standards to defences based on a State’s alleged inability to provide protection, essential security clauses, a state of necessity or other circumstances precluding wrongfulness under the customary international law on State responsibility. Relatively common but often overlooked, war clauses are likely to take a more prominent place in investor-State arbitration in the coming years given the unfortunate number of armed conflicts that affect States parties to bilateral investment treaties today.

Abstract The Dispute Concerning Coastal State Rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Kerch Strait between Ukraine and the Russian Federation probably will reactivate the debate regarding whether and to what extent tribunals constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea have jurisdiction to decide law of the sea disputes involving concurrent land sovereignty issues. The tribunal’s characterisation of the dispute likely will have a significant impact on its decision on jurisdiction. Although the tribunal might apply its own test to define the dispute, the awards on jurisdiction in the Chagos Marine Protected Area Arbitration and in The South China Sea Arbitration offer useful guidance on the key components that might influence that characterisation.

In order to deal with an increasingly complex world, we need ever more sophisticated computational models that can help us make decisions wisely and understand the potential consequences of choices. But creating a model requires far more than just raw data and technical skills: it requires a close collaboration between model commissioners, developers, users and reviewers. Good modelling requires its users and commissioners to understand more about the whole process, including the different kinds of purpose a model can have and the different technical bases. This paper offers a guide to the process of commissioning, developing and deploying models across a wide range of domains from public policy to science and engineering. It provides two checklists to help potential modellers, commissioners and users ensure they have considered the most significant factors that will determine success. We conclude there is a need to reinforce modelling as a discipline, so that misconstruction is less likely; to increase understanding of modelling in all domains, so that the misuse of models is reduced; and to bring commissioners closer to modelling, so that the results are more useful.