Largest Placement of One Convex Polygon Inside Another

We show that the largest similar copy of a convex polygon P with m edges inside a convex polygon Q with n edges can be computed in O(mn ² log n) time. We also show that the combinatorial complexity of the space of all similar copies of P inside Q is O(mn ² ) , and that it can also be computed in O(mn ² log n) time. Received December 11, 1995, and in revised form March 3, 1997.     

Separating two simple polygons by a sequence of translations

LetP andQ be two disjoint simple polygons havingm andn sides, respectively. We present an algorithm which determines whetherQ can be moved by a sequence of translations to a position sufficiently far fromP without colliding withP, and which produces such a motion if it exists. Our algorithm runs in timeO(mn(mn) logm logn) where (k) is the extremely slowly growing inverse Ackermann's function. Since in the worst case (mn) translations may be necessary to separateQ fromP, our algorithm is close to optimal.Work on this paper by the first author has been supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. DMS-8501947. Work on this paper by the second author has been supported by Office of Naval Research Grant No. N00014-82-K-0381, National Science Foundation Grant No. NSP-DCR-83-20085, and by grants from the Digital Equipment Corporation, and the IBM Corporation. Work by the second and third authors has also been supported by a grant from the joint Ramot-Israeli Ministry of Industry Foundation. Part of the work on this paper has been carried out at the Workshop on Movable Separability of Sets at the Bellairs Research Institute of McGill University, Barbados, February 1986.     

Convergence of ray sequences of Padé approximants for 2 f 1(a, 1; c; z), (c > a > 0)

The Padé table of ₂ F ₁(a, 1; c; z) is normal for c > a > 0 (cf. [4]). For m ≥ n - 1 and c ? Z^-, the denominator polynomial Q _mn (z) in the [m/n] Padé approximant P _mn (z)/Q _mn (z) for ₂ F ₁(a, 1; c; z) and the remainder term Q _mn (z)₂ F ₁(a, 1; c; z)-P_mn (z) were explicitly evaluated by Padé (cf. [2], [6] or [9]). We show that for c > a > 0 and m ≥ n - 1, the poles of P_mn (z)/Q_mn (z) lie on the cut (1,∞). We deduce that the sequence of approximants P_mn (z)/Q_mn (z) converges to ₂ F ₁(a, 1; c; z) as m → ∞, n/m → ρ with 0 < ρ ≤ 1, uniformly on compact subsets of the unit disc |z| < 1 for c > a > 0.     

A recursive algorithm for finding the minimum norm point in a polytope and a pair of closest points in two polytopes

For a given pair of finite point setsP andQ in some Euclidean space we consider two problems: Problem 1 of finding the minimum Euclidean norm point in the convex hull ofP and Problem 2 of finding a minimum Euclidean distance pair of points in the convex hulls ofP andQ. We propose a finite recursive algorithm for these problems. The algorithm is not based on the simplicial decomposition of convex sets and does not require to solve systems of linear equations.     

A new technique to compute polygonal schema for 2-manifolds with application to null-homotopy detection

We provide a new technique for deriving optimal-sized polygonal schema for triangulated compact 2-manifolds without boundary inO(n) time, wheren is the size of the given triangulationT. We first derive a polygonal schemaP embedded inT using Seifert-Van Kampen's theorem. A reduced polygonal schemaQ of optimal size is computed fromP, where a surjective map from the vertices ofP is retained to the vertices ofQ. This helps detecting null-homotopic (contractible to a point) cycles. Given a cycle of lengthk, we determine if it is null-homotopic inO(n+k logg) time and in θ(n+k) space, whereg is the genus of the given 2-manifold. The actual contraction for a null-homotopic cycle can be computed in θ(nk) time and space. This is a considerable improvement over the previous best-known algorithm for this problem.     

Deadlock avoidance with a modified banker's algorithm

There are three methods for handling deadlocks in resource allocation systems: deadlock prevention, deadlock avoidance and deadlock detection combined with recovery. Of these three methods deadlock avoidance is preferable in many cases but seldom used on account of its high cost. We present a simple modification of a known deadlock avoidance algorithm, the banker's algorithm, which has a running time (mn ²) in a system consisting ofn processes andm different types of resources. Our modified algorithm gives an amortized worst case running time ofO(mn) under certain likely conditions and in that way it can be considered a competitive method for handling deadlocks. At worst, our algorithm is twice as fast as the banker's algorithm.This work was partly supported by The National Swedish Board for Technical Development (STUF) under contract number 85-3127.     

An exact algorithm for MAX-CUT in sparse graphs

We study exact algorithms for the MAX-CUT problem. Introducing a new technique, we present an algorithmic scheme that computes a maximum cut in graphs with bounded maximum degree. Our algorithm runs in time O^*(2^(1-(2/Δ))n). We also describe a MAX-CUT algorithm for general graphs. Its time complexity is O^*(2^mn/(m+n)). Both algorithms use polynomial space.     

On the complexity of a single cell in certain arrangements of surfaces related to motion planning

We obtain near-quadratic upper bounds on the maximum combinatorial complexity of a single cell in certain arrangements ofn surfaces in 3-space where the lower bound for this quantity is Ω(n ²) or slightly larger. We prove a theorem that identifies a collection of topological and combinatorial conditions for a set of surface patches in space, which make the complexity of a single cell in an arrangement induced by these surface patches near-quadratic. We apply this result to arrangements related to motion-planning problems of two types of robot systems with three degrees of freedom and also to a special type of arrangements of triangles in space. The complexity of the entire arrangement in each case that we study can be Θ(n ³) in the worst case, and our single-cell bounds are of the formO(n ² α(n)), O(n ² logn), orO(n ² α(n)logn). The only previously known similar bounds are for the considerably simpler arrangements of planes or of spheres in space, where the bounds are Θ(n) and Θ(n ²), respectively. For some of the arrangements that we study we derive near-quadratic-time algorithms to compute a single cell. A preliminary version of this paper has appeared inProc. 7th ACM Symposium on Computational Geometry, North Conway, NH, 1991, pp. 314–323.     

Vertex-Rounding a Three-Dimensional Polyhedral Subdivision

Let P be a polyhedral subdivision in R ³ with a total of n faces. We show that there is an embedding σ of the vertices, edges, and facets of P into a subdivision Q , where every vertex coordinate of Q is an integral multiple of . For each face f of P , the Hausdorff distance in the L _∈fty metric between f and σ(f) is at most 3/2 . The embedding σ preserves or collapses vertical order on faces of P . The subdivision Q has O(n ⁴ ) vertices in the worst case, and can be computed in the same time. Received September 3, 1997, and in revised form March 29, 1999.     

A Faster Deterministic Maximum Flow Algorithm

Cheriyan and Hagerup developed a randomized algorithm to compute the maximum flow in a graph with n nodes and m edges in O(mn + n² log²n) expected time. The randomization is used to efficiently play a certain combinatorial game that arises during the computation. We give a version of their algorithm where a general version of their game arises. Then we give a strategy for the game that yields a deterministic algorithm for computing the maximum flow in a directed graph with n nodes and m edges that runs in time O(mn(log_{m/n log n}n)). Our algorithm gives an O(mn) deterministic algorithm for all m/n = Ω(n^ε) for any positive constant ε, and is currently the fastest deterministic algorithm for computing maximum flow as long as m/n = ω(log n).     

Extension of holomorphic vector bundles across a boundary point

Let U ? C ⁿ , n ≥ 3, be a domain and P ∈ ?U such that U is 2-concave at P. Here we prove the existence of a holomorphic vector bundle on U which does not extend across P, but it extends across every Q ∈ ?U with Q ≠ P. We also prove a similar result taking a Stein space X instead of C ⁿ .     

Cutting a Convex Polyhedron Out of a Sphere

Given a convex polyhedron P of n vertices inside a sphere Q, we give an O(n ³)-time algorithm that cuts P out of Q by using guillotine cuts and has cutting cost O(log² n) times the optimal.     

Numerical decomposition of a convex function

Given then×p orthogonal matrixA and the convex functionf:R ⁿR, we find two orthogonal matricesP andQ such thatf is almost constant on the convex hull of ± the columns ofP, f is sufficiently nonconstant on the column space ofQ, and the column spaces ofP andQ provide an orthogonal direct sum decomposition of the column space ofA. This provides a numerically stable algorithm for calculating the cone of directions of constancy, at a pointx, of a convex function. Applications to convex programming are discussed.This work was supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Grant No. A3388 and Summer Grant).     

Vertical Decomposition of a Single Cell in a Three-Dimensional Arrangement of Surfaces

Let Σ be a collection of n algebraic surface patches in of constant maximum degree b, such that the boundary of each surface consists of a constant number of algebraic arcs, each of degree at most b as well. We show that the combinatorial complexity of the vertical decomposition of a single cell in the arrangement is O(n^{2+ɛ}), for any ɛ > 0, where the constant of proportionality depends on ɛ and on the maximum degree of the surfaces and of their boundaries. As an application, we obtain a near-quadratic motion-planning algorithm for general systems with three degrees of freedom. Received May 30, 1996, and in revised form February 18, 1997.     

Distribution of Distances and Triangles in a Point Set and Algorithms for Computing the Largest Common Point Sets

This paper considers the following problem, which we call the largest common point set problem (LCP): given two point sets P and Q in the Euclidean plane, find a subset of P with the maximum cardinality that is congruent to some subset of Q . We introduce a combinatorial-geometric quantity λ(P, Q) , which we call the inner product of the distance-multiplicity vectors of P and Q , show its relevance to the complexity of various algorithms for LCP, and give a nontrivial upper bound on λ(P, Q) . We generalize this notion to higher dimensions, give some upper bounds on the quantity, and apply them to algorithms for LCP in higher dimensions. Along the way, we prove a new upper bound on the number of congruent triangles in a point set in four-dimensional space. Received July 17, 1997, and in revised form March 6, 1998.     

Ray Shooting Amidst Convex Polygons in 2D

We consider the problem of ray shooting in a two-dimensional scene consisting ofmconvex polygons with a total ofnedges. We present a data structure that requiresO(mn log m) space and preprocessing time and that answers a ray shooting query inO(log² m log² n) time. If the polygons are pairwise disjoint, the space and preprocessing time can be improved toO((m²+n)log m) andO((m²+n log n)log m), respectively. Our algorithm also works for a collection of disjoint simple polygons. We also show that if we allow onlyO(n) space, a ray shooting query among a collection of disjoint simple polygons can be answered in timeO(m/[formula]¹⁺ log² n) time, for any >0.     

A note on a lowest order divergence‐free Stokes element on quadrilaterals

This short note reports a lowest order divergence‐free Stokes element on quadrilateral meshes. The velocity space is based on a P₁ spline element over the crisscross partition of a quadrilateral, and the pressure is approximated by piecewise constant. For a given quadrilateral mesh, this element is stable if and only if the well‐known Q₁‐P₀ element is also stable. Although this method is a subspace method of Qin‐Zhang's P₁‐P₀ element, their velocity solutions are precisely equal. Moreover, an explicit basis representation is also provided. These theoretical findings are verified by numerical tests.     

On Bounding the Betti Numbers and Computing the Euler Characteristic of Semi-Algebraic Sets

In this paper we prove new bounds on the sum of the Betti numbers of closed semi-algebraic sets and also give the first single exponential time algorithm for computing the Euler characteristic of arbitrary closed semi-algebraic sets. Given a closed semi-algebraic set S R ^k defined as the intersection of a real variety, Q=0, deg(Q)≤d, whose real dimension is k', with a set defined by a quantifier-free Boolean formula with no negations with atoms of the form P _i =0, P _i ≥ 0, P _i ≤ 0, deg(P _i ) ≤ d, 1≤ i≤ s, we prove that the sum of the Betti numbers of S is bounded by s ^k' (O(d)) ^k . This result generalizes the Oleinik—Petrovsky—Thom—Milnor bound in two directions. Firstly, our bound applies to arbitrary unions of basic closed semi-algebraic sets, not just for basic semi-algebraic sets. Secondly, the combinatorial part (the part depending on s ) in our bound, depends on the dimension of the variety rather than that of the ambient space. It also generalizes the result in [4] where a similar bound is proven for the number of connected components. We also prove that the sum of the Betti numbers of S is bounded by s ^k' 2 ^{O(k2 m4)} in case the total number of monomials occurring in the polynomials in is m. Using the tools developed for the above results, as well as some additional techniques, we give the first single exponential time algorithm for computing the Euler characteristic of arbitrary closed semi-algebraic sets. Received September 9, 1997, and in revised form March 18, 1998, and October 5, 1998.     

An augmenting path algorithm for linear matroid parity

Linear matroid parity generalizes matroid intersection and graph matching (and hence network flow, degree-constrained subgraphs, etc.). A polynomial algorithm was given by Lovász. This paper presents an algorithm that uses timeO(mn ³), wherem is the number of elements andn is the rank. (The time isO(mn ^2.5) using fast matrix multiplication; both bounds assume the uniform cost model). For graphic matroids the time isO(mn ²). The algorithm is based on the method of augmenting paths used in the algorithms for all subcases of the problem. First author was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under grants MCS 78-18909, MCS-8302648, and DCR-8511991. The research was done while the second author was at the University of Denver and at the University of Colorado at Boulder.     

Minimal extensions of Π01 classes

A minimal extension of a Π⁰₁ class P is a Π⁰₁ class Q such that P ? Q, Q – P is infinite, and for any Π⁰₁ class R, if P ? R ? Q, then either R – P is finite or Q – R is finite; Q is a nontrivial minimal extension of P if in addition P and Q′ have the same Cantor‐Bendixson derivative. We show that for any class P which has a single limit point A, and that point of degree ≤ 0 , P admits a nontrivial minimal extension. We also show that as long as P is infinite, then P does not admit any decidable nontrivial minimal extension Q. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)