A robust parallel algorithm for combinatorial compressed sensing

In previous work two of the authors have shown that a vector $x \in \mathbb{R}^n$ with at most $k < n$ nonzeros can be recovered from an expander sketch $Ax$ in $\mathcal{O}(\mathrm{nnz}(A)\log k)$ operations via the Parallel-$\ell_0$ decoding algorithm, where $\mathrm{nnz}(A)$ denotes the number of nonzero entries in $A \in \mathbb{R}^{m \times n}$. In this paper we present the Robust-$\ell_0$ decoding algorithm, which robustifies Parallel-$\ell_0$ when the sketch $Ax$ is corrupted by additive noise. This robustness is achieved by approximating the asymptotic posterior distribution of values in the sketch given its corrupted measurements. We provide analytic expressions that approximate these posteriors under the assumptions that the nonzero entries in the signal and the noise are drawn from continuous distributions. Numerical experiments presented show that Robust-$\ell_0$ is superior to existing greedy and combinatorial compressed sensing algorithms in the presence of small to moderate signal-to-noise ratios in the setting of Gaussian signals and Gaussian additive noise

Self-Specifying Machines

We study the computational power of machines that specify their own acceptance types, and show that they accept exactly the languages that \manyonesharp-reduce to NP sets. A natural variant accepts exactly the languages that \manyonesharp-reduce to P sets. We show that these two classes coincide if and only if \psone = \psnnoplusbigohone, where the latter class denotes the sets acceptable via at most one question to \sharpp followed by at most a constant number of questions to \np.Comment: 15 pages, to appear in IJFC

Different perceptions of adaptation to climate change: a mental model approach applied to the evidence from expert interviews

We argue that differences in the perception and governance of adaptation to climate change and extreme weather events are related to sets of beliefs and concepts through which people understand the environment and which are used to solve the problems they face (mental models). Using data gathered in 31 in-depth interviews with adaptation experts in Europe, we identify five basic stakeholder groups whose divergent aims and logic can be related to different mental models they use: advocacy groups, administration, politicians, researchers, and media and the public. Each of these groups uses specific interpretations of climate change and specifies how to deal with climate change impacts. We suggest that a deeper understanding and follow-up of the identified mental models might be useful for the design of any stakeholder involvement in future climate impact research processes. It might also foster consensus building about adequate adaptation measures against climate threats in a society

On the Power of Probabilistic Polynomial Time: PNP[log] ⊆ PP

We show that every set in the ΘP2 level of the polynomial hierarchy -- that is, every set polynomial-time truth-table reducible to SAT -- is accepted by a probabilistic polynomialtime Turing machine: PNP[log] ⊆ PP

Psychological needs as motivators for security and privacy actions on smartphones

Much work has been conducted to investigate the obstacles that keep users from using mitigations against security and privacy threats on smartphones. By contrast, we conducted in-depth interviews (N = 19) to explore users’ motivations for voluntarily applying security and privacy actions on smartphones. Our work focuses on analyzing intrinsic motivation in terms of psychological need fulfillment. The findings from the interview study provide first insights on the salience of basic psychological needs in the context of smartphone security and privacy. They illustrate how security and privacy actions on smartphones are motivated by a variety of psychological needs, only one of them being the need for Security. We further conducted an online survey (N = 70) in which we used questionnaires on psychological need fulfillment from the literature. The online survey is a first attempt to quantify psychological need fulfillment for security and privacy actions on smartphones. Whereas the results of the interview study indicate that Security and other needs play a role as motivators for employing security and privacy actions on smartphones, the online study does not support the need for Security as an outstanding motivator. Instead, in the online study, other needs such as Keeping the meaningful, Stimulation, Autonomy, and Competence show to be rather salient as motivators for security and privacy actions. Furthermore, the mean need fulfillment for security and privacy actions is in general rather low in the online survey. We conclude that there is scope for improvement to maximize psychological need fulfillment with security and privacy actions. In order to achieve a positive user experience with security and privacy technologies on smartphones, we suggest addressing additional psychological needs, beyond the need for Security, in the design of such technologies

Yield Gap Analysis for Tanzania – The Impacts of Climate, Management, and Socio-economic Impacts on Maize Yields

AbstractFood security will be the biggest challenge for Tanzania in the next decades. Besides, Tanzania has a multifarious ecosystem, which is endangered through not adapted agronomic practices. Current innovation strategies focus mostly either on the issue of food security or on environmental damages, but rarely on both issues. However, both issues are very crucial. With crop models, a wide range of agricultural practices can be investigated to show possibilities to optimize the application of these practices. Model assessments allow to separate the effects of agronomic and climatic conditions. The process-based model SWIM (Soil and Water Integrated Model) can compute the impacts of agronomic practices and thus develop strategies to decrease the yield gap between actual (farm) yields (Ya) and potential yields (Yp). The Yp are limited through the nutrient (Yn) and water supply and reduced by pests, diseases, and weeds. Furthermore, socio-economic impacts are also relevant (knowledge, tradition, or culture). These impacts can be captured by statistical crop models. Due to regional-adapted, integrated agronomic practices, Ya can be increased and thus the yield gap between Ya and Yp can be decreased. However, enhanced yields due to sufficient nutrient supply are more sensitive on climate (higher yield volatility). In particular, for innovative farmers increase the production risk of climate change impacts. These endangered adaptation from farmers and therefore both food security and the environment. However, not all influences between Ya and Yn can be explained by agronomic (fertilizer application, harvest time, tillage, and plant protection) and climatic conditions. Additionally, the Ya are affected by a broad range of non- biophysical, socio economic constraints. To decrease the yield gap on regional level, agricultural practices and knowledge are required, which consider regional-specific the issue of food security and environmental protection in a balanced ratio