Mathematical programming models for some smallest-world problems

Given a weighted graph G, in the minimum-cost-edge-selection problem (MCES), a minimum weighted set of edges is chosen subject to an upper bound on the diameter of graph G. Similarly, in the minimum-diameter-edge-selection problem (MDES), a set of edges is chosen to minimize the diameter subject to an upper bound on their total weight. These problems are shown to be equivalent and proven to be NP-complete. MCES is then formulated as a 0–1 integer programming problem. The problems MCES and MDES provide models for determining smallest-world networks and for measuring the “small-worldness” of graphs.     

Using Homogeneous Weights for Approximating the Partial Cover Problem

In this paper we consider the natural generalizations of two fundamental problems, the Set-Cover problem and the Min-Knapsack problem. We are given a hypergraph, each vertex of which has a nonnegative weight, and each edge of which has a nonnegative length. For a given threshold , our objective is to find a subset of the vertices with minimum total cost, such that at least a length of of the edges is covered. This problem is called the partial set cover problem. We present an O(|V|² + |H|)-time, Δ_E-approximation algorithm for this problem, where Δ_E ≥ 2 is an upper bound on the edge cardinality of the hypergraph and |H| is the size of the hypergraph (i.e., the sum of all its edges cardinalities). The special case where Δ_E = 2 is called the partial vertex cover problem. For this problem a 2-approximation was previously known, however, the time complexity of our solution, i.e., O(|V|²), is a dramatic improvement.We show that if the weights are homogeneous (i.e., proportional to the potential coverage of the sets) then any minimal cover is a good approximation. Now, using the local-ratio technique, it is sufficient to repeatedly subtract a homogeneous weight function from the given weight function.     

一类最小支撑树的逆问题及其求解方法

本文针对传统的基于边的最小支撑树逆问题，提出了一类基于点边更新策略的最小支撑树逆问题．更新一个点是指减少与此点相关联的某些边的权值．根据是否含有更新点的费用，考虑了两类模型，它们均可转化为森林上的最小(费用)点覆盖的求解问题，算法的复杂性都是O(mn)，其中m=|E|n=|V|。     

Approximation of max independent set, min vertex cover and related problems by moderately exponential algorithms

Using ideas and results from polynomial time approximation and exact computation we design approximation algorithms for several NP-hard combinatorial problems achieving ratios that cannot be achieved in polynomial time (unless a very unlikely complexity conjecture is confirmed) with worst-case complexity much lower (though super-polynomial) than that of an exact computation. We study in particular two paradigmatic problems, max independent set and min vertex cover.     

Graphs with equal eternal vertex cover and eternal domination numbers

Mobile guards on the vertices of a graph are used to defend it against an infinite sequence of attacks on either its vertices or its edges. If attacks occur at vertices, this is known at the eternal domination problem. If attacks occur at edges, this is known as the eternal vertex cover problem. We focus on the model in which all guards can move to neighboring vertices in response to an attack. Motivated by the question of which graphs have equal eternal vertex cover and eternal domination numbers, a number of results are presented; one of the main results of the paper is that the eternal vertex cover number is greater than the eternal domination number (in the all-guards move model) in all graphs of minimum degree at least two.     

最大度为5的图的Alcuin数

1000多年前,英国著名学者Alcuin曾提出过一个古老的渡河问题,即狼、羊和卷心菜的渡河问题.最近,Prisner和Csorba等人把这一问题推广到任意的"冲突图"G=(V,E)上,考虑了一类情况更一般的运输计划问题.现在监管者欲运输V中的所有"物品/点"渡河,这里V的两个点邻接当且仅当这两个点为冲突点.冲突点是指不能在无人监管的情况下留在一起的点.特别地,Alcuin渡河问题可转化成"冲突路"P_3上是否存在可行运输方案问题.图G的Alcuin数是指图G具有可行运输方案(即把V的点代表的"物品"全部运到河对岸)时船的最小容量.最大度为5且覆盖数至少为5的图和最大度Δ(G)≤4且覆盖数不小于Δ(G)-1的图的Alcuin数已经被确定.本文给出最大度为4且覆盖数不超过2和最大度为5且覆盖数不超过4的图的Alcuin数.至此,最大度不超过5的图的Alcuin数被完全确定.     

The most vital nodes with respect to independent set and vertex cover

Given an undirected graph with weights on its vertices, the k most vital nodes independent set (k most vital nodes vertex cover) problem consists of determining a set of k vertices whose removal results in the greatest decrease in the maximum weight of independent sets (minimum weight of vertex covers, respectively). We also consider the complementary problems, minimum node blocker independent set (minimum node blocker vertex cover) that consists of removing a subset of vertices of minimum size such that the maximum weight of independent sets (minimum weight of vertex covers, respectively) in the remaining graph is at most a specified value. We show that these problems are NP-hard on bipartite graphs but polynomial-time solvable on unweighted bipartite graphs. Furthermore, these problems are polynomial also on cographs and graphs of bounded treewidth. Results on the non-existence of ptas are presented, too.     

Geometric separation and exact solutions for the parameterized independent set problem on disk graphs

We consider the parameterized problem, whether for a given set  of n disks (of bounded radius ratio) in the Euclidean plane there exists a set of k non-intersecting disks. For this problem, we expose an algorithm running in time that is—to our knowledge—the first algorithm with running time bounded by an exponential with a sublinear exponent. For λ-precision disk graphs of bounded radius ratio, we show that the problem is fixed parameter tractable with a running time  . The results are based on problem kernelization and a new “geometric ( -separator) theorem” which holds for all disk graphs of bounded radius ratio. The presented algorithm then performs, in a first step, a “geometric problem kernelization” and, in a second step, uses divide-and-conquer based on our new “geometric separator theorem.”     

On the minimum corridor connection problem and other generalized geometric problems

In this paper we discuss the complexity and approximability of the minimum corridor connection problem where, given a rectilinear decomposition of a rectilinear polygon into “rooms”, one has to find the minimum length tree along the edges of the decomposition such that every room is incident to a vertex of the tree. We show that the problem is strongly NP-hard and give a subexponential time exact algorithm. For the special case when the room connectivity graph is k-outerplanar the algorithm running time becomes cubic. We develop a polynomial time approximation scheme for the case when all rooms are fat and have nearly the same size. When rooms are fat but are of varying size we give a polynomial time constant factor approximation algorithm.     

Minimum vertex cover problem for coupled interdependent networks with cascading failures

This paper defines and analyzes a generalization of the classical minimum vertex cover problem to the case of two-layer interdependent networks with cascading node failures that can be caused by two common types of interdependence. Previous studies on interdependent networks mainly addressed the issues of cascading failures from a numerical simulations perspective, whereas this paper proposes an exact optimization-based approach for identifying a minimum-cardinality set of nodes, whose deletion would effectively disable both network layers through cascading failure mechanisms. We analyze the computational complexity and linear 0–1 formulations of the defined problems, as well as prove an LP approximation ratio result that generalizes the well-known 2-approximation for the classical minimum vertex cover problem. In addition, we introduce the concept of a “depth of cascade” (i.e., the maximum possible length of a sequence of cascading failures for a given interdependent network) and show that for any problem instance this parameter can be explicitly derived via a polynomial-time procedure.     

The complexity of minimum difference cover

The complexity of searching minimum difference covers, both in Z⁺ and in Z_n, is studied. We prove that these two optimization problems are NP-hard. To obtain this result, we characterize those sets—called extrema—having themselves plus zero as minimum difference cover. Such a combinatorial characterization enables us to show that testing whether sets are not extrema, both in Z⁺ and in Z_n, is NP-complete. However, for these two decision problems we exhibit pseudo-polynomial time algorithms.     

Decision and approximation complexity for identifying codes and locating-dominating sets in restricted graph classes

An identifying code is a subset of vertices of a graph with the property that each vertex is uniquely determined (identified) by its nonempty neighbourhood within the identifying code. When only vertices out of the code are asked to be identified, we get the related concept of a locating-dominating set. These notions are closely related to a number of similar and well-studied concepts such as the one of a test cover. In this paper, we study the decision problems Identifying Code and Locating-Dominating Set (which consist in deciding whether a given graph admits an identifying code or a locating-dominating set, respectively, with a given size) and their minimization variants Minimum Identifying Code and Minimum Locating-Dominating Set. These problems are known to be NP-hard, even when the input graph belongs to a number of specific graph classes such as planar bipartite graphs. Moreover, it is known that they are approximable within a logarithmic factor, but hard to approximate within any sub-logarithmic factor. We extend the latter result to the case where the input graph is bipartite, split or co-bipartite: both problems remain hard in these cases. Among other results, we also show that for bipartite graphs of bounded maximum degree (at least 3), the two problems are hard to approximate within some constant factor, a question which was open. We summarize all known results in the area, and we compare them to the ones for the related problem Dominating Set. In particular, our work exhibits important graph classes for which Dominating Set is efficiently solvable, but Identifying Code and Locating-Dominating Set are hard (whereas in all previous works, their complexity was the same). We also introduce graph classes for which the converse holds, and for which the complexities of Identifying Code and Locating-Dominating Set differ.     

Persistency in combinatorial optimization problems on matroids

Optimization problems on matroids are generalizations of such important combinatorial optimization problems like the problem of minimum spanning tree of a graph, the bipartite matching problem, flow problems, etc. We analyze algorithms for finding the maximum weight independent set of a matroid and for finding a maximum cardinality intersection of two matroids and extend them to obtain the so-called “persistency” partition of the basic set of the matroid, where contain elements belonging to all optimum solutions; contain elements not belonging to any optimum solution; contain elements that belong to some but not to all optimum solutions.     

Optimization problems in multiple subtree graphs

We study various optimization problems in t-subtree graphs, the intersection graphs of t-subtrees, where a t-subtree is the union of t disjoint subtrees of some tree. This graph class generalizes both the class of chordal graphs and the class of t-interval graphs, a generalization of interval graphs that has recently been studied from a combinatorial optimization point of view. We present approximation algorithms for the Maximum Independent Set, Minimum Coloring, Minimum Vertex Cover, Minimum Dominating Set, and Maximum Clique problems.     

On single-machine scheduling without intermediate delays

This paper introduces the non-idling machine constraint where no intermediate idle time between the operations processed by a machine is allowed. In its first part, the paper considers the non-idling single-machine scheduling problem. Complexity aspects are first discussed. The “Earliest Non-Idling” property is then introduced as a sufficient condition so that an algorithm solving the original problem also solves its non-idling variant. Moreover it is shown that preemptive problems do have that property. The critical times of an instance are then introduced and it is shown that when their number is polynomial, as for equal-length jobs, a polynomial algorithm solving the original problem has a polynomial variant solving its non-idling version.     

Māl, enunciations, and the prehistory of Arabic algebra

Medieval Arabic algebra books intended for practical training generally have in common a first “book” which is divided into two sections: one on the methods of solving simplified equations and manipulating expressions, followed by one consisting of worked-out problems. By paying close attention to the wording of the problems in the books of al-Khwārizmī, Abū Kāmil, and Ibn Badr, we reveal the different ways the word māl was used. In the enunciation of a problem it is a common noun meaning “quantity,” while in the solution it is the proper noun naming the square of “thing” (shay '). We then look into the differences between the wording of enunciations and equations, which clarify certain problems solved without “thing,” and help explain the development of algebra before the time of al-Khwārizmī.     

The rate of convergence for the cyclic projections algorithm III: Regularity of convex sets

The cyclic projections algorithm is an important method for determining a point in the intersection of a finite number of closed convex sets in a Hilbert space. That is, for determining a solution to the “convex feasibility” problem. This is the third paper in a series on a study of the rate of convergence for the cyclic projections algorithm. In the first of these papers, we showed that the rate could be described in terms of the “angles” between the convex sets involved. In the second, we showed that these angles often had a more tractable formulation in terms of the “norm” of the product of the (nonlinear) metric projections onto related convex sets.In this paper, we show that the rate of convergence of the cyclic projections algorithm is also intimately related to the “linear regularity property” of Bauschke and Borwein, the “normal property” of Jameson (as well as Bakan, Deutsch, and Li’s generalization of Jameson’s normal property), the “strong conical hull intersection property” of Deutsch, Li, and Ward, and the rate of convergence of iterated parallel projections. Such properties have already been shown to be important in various other contexts as well.     

Exploiting structure in quantified formulas

We study the computational problem “find the value of the quantified formula obtained by quantifying the variables in a sum of terms.” The “sum” can be based on any commutative monoid, the “quantifiers” need only satisfy two simple conditions, and the variables can have any finite domain. This problem is a generalization of the problem “given a sum-of-products of terms, find the value of the sum” studied in [R.E. Stearns and H.B. Hunt III, SIAM J. Comput. 25 (1996) 448–476]. A data structure called a “structure tree” is defined which displays information about “subproblems” that can be solved independently during the process of evaluating the formula. Some formulas have “good” structure trees which enable certain generic algorithms to evaluate the formulas in significantly less time than by brute force evaluation. By “generic algorithm,” we mean an algorithm constructed from uninterpreted function symbols, quantifier symbols, and monoid operations. The algebraic nature of the model facilitates a formal treatment of “local reductions” based on the “local replacement” of terms. Such local reductions “preserve formula structure” in the sense that structure trees with nice properties transform into structure trees with similar properties. These local reductions can also be used to transform hierarchical specified problems with useful structure into hierarchically specified problems having similar structure.     

Crown reductions for the Minimum Weighted Vertex Cover problem

The paper studies crown reductions for the Minimum Weighted Vertex Cover problem introduced recently in the unweighted case by Fellows et al. [Blow-Ups, Win/Win's and crown rules: some new directions in FPT, in: Proceedings of the 29th International Workshop on Graph Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science (WG’03), Lecture notes in computer science, vol. 2880, 2003, pp. 1-12, Kernelization algorithms for the vertex cover problem: theory and experiments, in: Proceedings of the Workshop on Algorithm Engineering and Experiments (ALENEX), New Orleans, Louisiana, January 2004, pp. 62-69]. We describe in detail a close relation of crown reductions to Nemhauser and Trotter reductions that are based on the linear programming relaxation of the problem. We introduce and study the so-called strong crown reductions, suitable for finding (or counting) all minimum vertex covers, or finding a minimum vertex cover under some additional constraints. It is described how crown decompositions and strong crown decompositions suitable for such problems can be computed in polynomial time. For weighted König-Egerváry graphs (G,w) we observe that the set of vertices belonging to all minimum vertex covers, and the set of vertices belonging to no minimum vertex covers, can be efficiently computed.Further, for some specific classes of graphs, simple algorithms for the MIN-VC problem with a constant approximation factor r<2 are provided. On the other hand, we conclude that for the regular graphs, or for the Hamiltonian connected graphs, the problem is as hard to approximate as for general graphs.It is demonstrated how the results about strong crown reductions can be used to achieve a linear size problem kernel for some related vertex cover problems.