An immunity based configuration for multilayer single featured biometric authentication algorithms

Immune systems have been used in the last years to inspire approaches for several computational problems. This paper focus on behavioural biometric authentication algorithms’ accuracy enhancement by using them more than once and with different thresholds in order to first simulate the protection provided by the skin and then look for known outside entities, like lymphocytes do. The paper describes the principles that support the application of this approach to Keystroke Dynamics, an authentication biometric technology that decides on the legitimacy of a user based on his typing pattern captured on he enters the username and/or the password and, as a proof of concept, the accuracy levels of one keystroke dynamics algorithm when applied to five legitimate users of a system both in the traditional and in the immune inspired approaches are calculated and the obtained results are compared.

Effector memory CD4+ T cells are associated with cognitive performance in a senior population

Objective: Immunosenescence and cognitive decline are common markers of the aging process. Taking into consideration the heterogeneity observed in aging processes and the recently described link between lymphocytes and cognition, we herein explored the possibility of an association between alterations in lymphocytic populations and cognitive performance. Methods: In a cohort of cognitively healthy adults (n = 114), previously characterized by diverse neurocognitive/psychological performance patterns, detailed peripheral blood immunophenotyping of both the innate and adaptive immune systems was performed by flow cytometry. Results: Better cognitive performance was associated with lower numbers of effector memory CD4(+) T cells and higher numbers of naive CD8(+) T cells and B cells. Furthermore, effector memory CD4(+) T cells were found to be predictors of general and executive function and memory, even when factors known to influence cognitive performance in older individuals (e.g., age, sex, education, and mood) were taken into account. Conclusions: This is the first study in humans associating specific phenotypes of the immune system with distinct cognitive performance in healthy aging.