Faster all-pairs shortest paths via circuit complexity

We present a new randomized method for computing the min-plus product (a.k.a., tropical product) of two $n \times n$ matrices, yielding a faster algorithm for solving the all-pairs shortest path problem (APSP) in dense $n$-node directed graphs with arbitrary edge weights. On the real RAM, where additions and comparisons of reals are unit cost (but all other operations have typical logarithmic cost), the algorithm runs in time $$\frac{n^3}{2^{\Omega(\log n)^{1/2}}}$$ and is correct with high probability. On the word RAM, the algorithm runs in $n^3/2^{\Omega(\log n)^{1/2}} + n^{2+o(1)}\log M$ time for edge weights in $([0,M] \cap {\mathbb Z})\cup\{\infty\}$. Prior algorithms used either $n^3/(\log^c n)$ time for various $c \leq 2$, or $O(M^{\alpha}n^{\beta})$ time for various $\alpha > 0$ and $\beta > 2$. The new algorithm applies a tool from circuit complexity, namely the Razborov-Smolensky polynomials for approximately representing ${\sf AC}^0[p]$ circuits, to efficiently reduce a matrix product over the $(\min,+)$ algebra to a relatively small number of rectangular matrix products over ${\mathbb F}_2$, each of which are computable using a particularly efficient method due to Coppersmith. We also give a deterministic version of the algorithm running in $n^3/2^{\log^{\delta} n}$ time for some $\delta > 0$, which utilizes the Yao-Beigel-Tarui translation of ${\sf AC}^0[m]$ circuits into "nice" depth-two circuits.Comment: 24 pages. Updated version now has slightly faster running time. To appear in ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC), 201

Letters between Alfred Osmond and William Kerr

Letter concerning a position in the English department at Utah Agricultural College

Networked Human, Network’s Human: Humans in Networks Inter-Asia

This special issue explores the conceptions of the human that emerge out of the form and the design of information and communications technologies (ICTs). Geographically, our focus compares two countries with a relatively high level of ICT penetration—South Korea and Singapore—and two countries with a relatively low level—India and Vietnam. In each country we see how different forms of the human emerge, in part out of the ways in which technological infrastructure develop and intertwine with social order. In this introduction we reflect on the long genealogy of “human” and “humanity” and the more recent history of ICTs in Asia

Es sei wie es wolle, es war doch so schön!

ES SEI WIE ES WOLLE, ES WAR DOCH SO SCHÖN! Es sei wie es wolle, es war doch so schön! / Kerr, Alfred (Public Domain) ( - ) Cover front ( - ) Handschriftliche Notiz ( - ) Title page ( - ) Torspruch ( - ) Erster Teil. Fahrten ([9]) Caput I. Das schönste Deutschland liegt am Brennerhang ([11]) Caput II. Pyrenäenhimmel ([32]) Caput III. Hesperischer Himmel ([85]) Caput IV. Bayernhimmel ([155]) Caput V. Schlesischer Himmel ([165]) Caput VI. Heidehimmel ([183]) Caput VII. Schwarzer Himmel ([194]) Caput VIII. Seinehimmel ([196]) Caput IX. Helvetischer Himmel ([220]) Caput X. Schiffshimmel ([231]) Zweiter Teil. Hausung. Junggesell um das dreissigste Jahr. Ein Tagebuch aus Berlin um 1900 ([237]) Erster Zyklus. Verwirrungen ([241]) Zweiter Zyklus. Lützow-Ufer ([278]) Dritter Zyklus. Unterbrechungen ([301]) Vierter Zyklus. Diese Stadt... ([319]) Fünfter Zyklus. Gruss an das Dunkel ([341]) Nach dem dreissigsten Jahr ([379]) Garten ([379]) Der "Seeger" (380) Junggesellen-Flucht (382) Affenbegrübelnder Junggesell (386) Umweltlicher Junggesell (389) Weltlicher Junggesell (392) Der feine Ton, oder: das samowar vivre (394) Der Sucher im Hotel (395) Ein Schildpattkamm (397) Ohne Eurykleia (397) Unterschied einer und derselben Eurykleia (399) Betörung der Eurykleia (400) Zusammenstoß im Auto (411) Ich habe gelebt... (415) Es schollert (418) Tee bei mir (419) Vorleserin (421) Mitbringsel (422) An den Dieb. Oder: Nachwirkung der großen Zeit (424) An den Finder (425) Rundfrage betreffs Erfahrungen (426) An Herrn Gottfurcht (428) Rezept für Publizisten (433) Die Umwälzung Holstein (433) Der Helfer Hugo Wolf (439) Im "Einsiedler" (441) Umzug (442) Wieder heiraten (449) Die neue Erfahrung. Julia (450) Ausklang ([457]) Der Scherenschnitt ([457]) Jula (458) Sprache (459) Erna Schmidt in Mecklenburg (460) Der Grimm gegen Grimm (460) Humsti-Bumsti (462) Kinderbühne (463) Contents ([465]) Imprint ( - ) Cover back ( - ) ColorChart ( -

Dialects, Cultural Identity, and Economic Exchange

We study the effect of cultural ties on economic exchange using a novel measure for cultural identity: dialect similarity across regions of the same country. We evaluate linguistic micro-data from a unique language survey conducted between 1879 and 1888 in about 45,000 German schools. The recorded geography of dialects comprehensively portrays local cultural ties that have been evolving for centuries, and provides an ideal opportunity to measure cul-tural barriers to economic exchange. In a gravity analysis, we then show that cross-regional migration flows in the period 2000–2006 are positively affected by historical dialect similari-ty. Using different empirical strategies, we show that this finding indicates highly time-persistent cultural borders that impede economic exchange even at a fine geographical scale

Late 1920s film theory and criticism as a test-case for Benjamin’s generalizations on the experiential effects of editing

This article investigates Walter Benjamin’s influential generalization that the effects of cinema are akin to the hyper-stimulating experience of modernity. More specifically, I focus on his oft-cited 1935/36 claim that all editing elicits shock-like disruption. First, I propose a more detailed articulation of the experience of modernity understood as hyper-stimulation and call for distinguishing between at least two of its subsets: the experience of speed and dynamism, on the one hand, and the experience of shock/disruption, on the other. Then I turn to classical film theory of the late 1920s to demonstrate the existence of contemporary views on editing alternative to Benjamin’s. For instance, whereas classical Soviet and Weimar theorists relate the experience of speed and dynamism to both Soviet and classical Hollywood style editing, they reserve the experience of shock/disruption for Soviet montage. In order to resolve the conceptual disagreement between these theorists, on the one hand, and Benjamin, on the other, I turn to late 1920s Weimar film criticism. I demonstrate that, contrary to Benjamin’s generalizations about the disruptive and shock-like nature of all editing, and in line with other theorists’ accounts, different editing practices were regularly distinguished by comparison to at least two distinct hyper-stimulation subsets: speed and dynamism, and shock-like disruption. In other words, contemporaries regularly distinguished between Soviet montage and classical Hollywood editing patterns on the basis of experiential effects alone. On the basis of contemporary reviews of city symphonies, I conclude with a proposal for distinguishing a third subset – confusion. This is an original manuscript / preprint of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Early Popular Visual Culture on 02 Aug 2016 available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/17460654.2016.1199322

Quality of life, coping strategies and support needs of women seeking Traditional Chinese Medicine for infertility and viable pregnancy in Australia: a mixed methods approach

Extent: 11p.Background: Infertility affects about 15% of couples in Western-societies with most progressing to fertility clinics for treatment. Despite being common, infertility is often experienced as a lonely road for affected couples. In this paper we expand on our previously published findings of women’s experiences with infertility or difficulty of viable pregnancy who had sought Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy in Australia, and focus on women’s quality of life, coping strategies, and support needs. Methods: We applied mixed methods using the Tuebingen Quality of Life and the COPE questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 25 women with primary or secondary infertility, recurrent miscarriages or unexplained stillbirth, and who had consulted a TCM practitioner. We used a thematic approach to analyse the interviews, and descriptive statistics to evaluate questionnaire responses. Results: Women reported through both questionnaires and interviews compromised quality of life due to the high level of distress, guilt, grief, and frustration caused by infertility. However, our women represented a highly motivated sample, actively seeking alternative support. While the TCM approach to infertility management increased women’s sense of personal agency and control through education and continuity of care, the need for greater understanding and support on a societal level remains. Conclusions: In infertility, ongoing emotional and instrumental support is pivotal to the wellbeing and quality of life of the affected. Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses some support needs in infertility not routinely available in the Western model of care. More peer-led and professional-led support groups are greatly needed for women experiencing infertility to help break isolation and raise awareness of integrative approaches to fertility management.Karin Ried and Ann Alfre