Distributed Hypothesis Testing with Privacy Constraints

We revisit the distributed hypothesis testing (or hypothesis testing with communication constraints) problem from the viewpoint of privacy. Instead of observing the raw data directly, the transmitter observes a sanitized or randomized version of it. We impose an upper bound on the mutual information between the raw and randomized data. Under this scenario, the receiver, which is also provided with side information, is required to make a decision on whether the null or alternative hypothesis is in effect. We first provide a general lower bound on the type-II exponent for an arbitrary pair of hypotheses. Next, we show that if the distribution under the alternative hypothesis is the product of the marginals of the distribution under the null (i.e., testing against independence), then the exponent is known exactly. Moreover, we show that the strong converse property holds. Using ideas from Euclidean information theory, we also provide an approximate expression for the exponent when the communication rate is low and the privacy level is high. Finally, we illustrate our results with a binary and a Gaussian example

MANSION-GS: seMANtics as the n-th dimenSION for Geographic Space

The extended understanding of geographic ecosystems, including the physical and logical description of space with associated data and activities as well as the dynamics inside, poses complex scenarios that cannot be obtained from a simple geographic-oriented data model. The main purpose of this current work is the conceptual integration of a physical space model with dynamic logic support able to describe the relations amongst the different elements composing the space as well as the relations between spaces and external elements. In the context of this work, semantics have the critical and central role of connecting and relating the different dimensions on the space, even though they are mostly a virtual dimension in the overall model

Is emamectin benzoate effective against the different stages of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)?

peer-reviewedThis work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project AGL 2007-66130-C03-02 to P. Medina). F. Amor and P. Bengochea acknowledge the ministry of Education and Culture and the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) for the doctoral fellowships. Special thanks to Syngenta Agro S.A. for their support.The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a major polyphagous pest in greenhouses and open fields worldwide and also a main problem in sweet pepper greenhouses. The effectiveness of the pesticide emamectin benzoate was tested in the laboratory on different stages of S. exigua using different concentrations and uptake routes. After dipping young (48-h-old) S. exigua eggs in emamectin benzoate at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/L a.i. the chemical did not exhibit any ovicidal activity. There was, however, progressive neonate mortality at all concentrations, culminating at 72 hours after hatching, when 100% of the larvae from the treated young eggs died. Second and fourth instar S. exigua larvae did not exhibit significant mortality when exposed to the inert surfaces which were treated. In contrast, ingesting a diet contaminated with 0.5 mg/L a.i. of emamectin benzoate caused 100% mortality in L2 and L4 larvae 24 and 72 hours after ingestion, respectively. The LC50 value of the compound against L4 larvae that fed on sprayed sweet pepper leaves for 24 hours was 0.81 mg/L a.i.. When adults were fed on a solution of 0.5 mg/L a.i., there was a reduction in the female and male lifespan of 29.3% and 55.3%, respectively. Fecundity was reduced by more than 99%. These data suggest that emamectin benzoate is not only a useful insecticide when ingested by beet armyworm larvae but it also has ovolarvicidal and adult activity.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovatio

Coping strategies of long-term unemployed in Portugal

This paper examines coping strategies adopted by women and men after job loss in Portugal. The data were gathered through interviews and an open-ended inquiry applied to fifteen unemployed persons (eight women), who were asked to describe their cognitive and behavioural efforts to cope with unemployment. Almost all the sampled unemployed persons search for a job, accept or look for training, do odd jobs, or request financial support from family and friends. However, there are interesting differences between women and men. Whereas men find the loss of their breadwinner status difficult, women worry about their economic independence and ultimately gender equality. We suggest that women's early entry in the labour market in Portugal created a social identity based on work, and this identity has contributed to negative consequences of unemployment for both genders. Men and women differ however in their emotions. Men revealed embarrassment, shame but also a colder and rational attitude, while women demonstrated strong emotions including crying during the interview. There are indeed differences in the strategies described by the people interviewed and observed by researchers. Latent strategies enhanced our understanding and therefore represented a powerful source of information.FC

Enxertia de maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) em porta-enxertos oriundos de sementes de espécies de passifloras nativas.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência de copas de maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener) enxertadas sobre dois porta-enxertos, oriundos de sementes de espécies de passifloras nativas. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetal da Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura, no período de maio de 2012 a abril de 2013

Tres tumbas de la etapa Hispano-Goda en Gomacín, Puente la Reina (Navarra)

Se publican tres tumbas de una necrópolis inédita de la etapa visigoda (s. VIVIR d.C), descubierta en Puente la Reina, (Navarra, España). Se describe, junto a otras paleopatologías, el caso más antiguo de lepra identificado en España

A Simulation Workflow for Membrane Computing: From MeCoSim to PMCGPU Through P-Lingua

P system simulators are of high importance in Membrane Computing, since they provide tools to assist on model validation and verification. Keeping a balance between generality and flexibility, on the one side, and efficiency, on the other hand, is always challenging, but it is worth the effort. Besides, in order to prove the feasibility of P system models as practical tools for solving problems and aid in decision making, it is essential to provide functional mechanisms to have all the elements required at disposal of the potential users smoothly integrated in a robust workflow. The aim of this paper is to describe the main components and connections within the approach followed in this pipeline.Ministerio de Industria, Economía y Competitividad TIN2017-89842-

Joint Direction-of-Arrival and Time-of-Arrival Estimation with Ultra-wideband Elliptical Arrays

This paper presents a general technique for the joint Direction-of-Arrival (DoA) and Time-of-Arrival (ToA) estimation in multipath environments. The proposed ultra-wideband technique is based on phase-mode expansions and the use of nearly frequency-invariant elliptical arrays. New possibilities open with the present approach, as not only elliptical, but also circular and linear (highly flattened) arrays can be considered with the same implementation. Systematic selection/rejection of signals-of-interest/signals-not-of-interest in smart wireless environments is possible, unlike with previous approaches based on circular arrays. Concentric elliptical arrays of many sizes and eccentricities can be jointly considered, with the subsequent improvement that entails in DoA and ToA detection. This leads to the realization of pseudo-random array patterns; namely, quasi-arbitrary geometries created from the superposition of multiple elliptical arrays. Some simulation and experimental tests (measurements in an anechoic chamber) are carried out for several frequency bands to check the correct performance of the method. The method is proven to give accurate estimations in all tested scenarios, and to be robust against noise and position uncertainty in sensor placement.Comment: Published in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communication