On Hoffman's celebrated cycling LP example

We answer two questions that naturally arise while dealing with Hoffman's celebrated 50-year-old linear program to be solved by the primal simplex method, where an angle θ$\theta$ and a scaling factor ω$\omega$ are adjustable parameters. In particular, we determine what conditions have to be imposed on ω$\omega$ for classical cycling to occur with θ=2π/5$\theta =2\pi /5$, and what on θ$\theta$ with ω=±tan(θ)$\omega =\pm \tan (\theta )$. The first answer reveals that the sufficient condition widely spread over the literature is false, so fixing it turns this example into a correct example of classical cycling. Some progress towards necessary and sufficient conditions for cycling to occur in this example is also reported.     

Drawing slicing graphs with face areas

We consider orthogonal drawings of a plane graph G$G$ with specified face areas. For a natural number k$k$, a k$k$-gonal drawing of G$G$ is an orthogonal drawing such that the boundary of G$G$ is drawn as a rectangle and each inner face is drawn as a polygon with at most k$k$ corners whose area is equal to the specified value. In this paper, we show that every slicing graph G$G$ with a slicing tree T$T$ and a set of specified face areas admits a 10-gonal drawing D$D$ such that the boundary of each slicing subgraph that appears in T$T$ is also drawn as a polygon with at most 10 corners. Such a drawing D$D$ can be found in linear time.     

Divergence bounded computable real numbers

A real x$x$ is called h$h$-bounded computable  , for some function h:N→N$h:\mathbb{N}\to \mathbb{N}$, if there is a computable sequence (_xs)$(x_s)$ of rational numbers which converges to x$x$ such that, for any n∈N$n\in \mathbb{N}$, at most h(n)$h(n)$ non-overlapping pairs of its members are separated by a distance larger than 2^-n$2^{-n}$. In this paper we discuss properties of h$h$-bounded computable reals for various functions h$h$. We will show a simple sufficient condition for a class of functions h$h$ such that the corresponding h$h$-bounded computable reals form an algebraic field. A hierarchy theorem for h$h$-bounded computable reals is also shown. Besides we compare semi-computability and weak computability with the h$h$-bounded computability for special functions h$h$.     

On semimeasures predicting Martin-Löf random sequences

Solomonoff’s central result on induction is that the prediction of a universal semimeasure M$M$ converges rapidly and with probability 1 to the true sequence generating predictor μ$\mu$, if the latter is computable. Hence, M$M$ is eligible as a universal sequence predictor in the case of unknown μ$\mu$. Despite some nearby results and proofs in the literature, the stronger result of convergence for all (Martin-Löf) random sequences remained open. Such a convergence result would be particularly interesting and natural, since randomness can be defined in terms of M$M$ itself. We show that there are universal semimeasures M$M$ which do not converge to μ$\mu$ on all μ$\mu$-random sequences, i.e. we give a partial negative answer to the open problem. We also provide a positive answer for some non-universal semimeasures. We define the incomputable measure D$D$ as a mixture over all computable measures and the enumerable semimeasure W$W$ as a mixture over all enumerable nearly measures. We show that W$W$ converges to D$D$ and D$D$ to μ$\mu$ on all random sequences. The Hellinger distance measuring closeness of two distributions plays a central role.     

A modified hidden Markov model

This paper considers two discrete time, finite state processes X$X$ and Y$Y$. In the usual hidden Markov model X$X$ modulates the values of Y$Y$. However, the values of Y$Y$ are then i.i.d. given X$X$. In this paper a new model is considered where the Markov chain X$X$ modulates the transition probabilities of the second, observed chain Y$Y$. This more realistically can represent problems arising in DNA sequencing. Algorithms for all related filters, smoothers and parameter estimations are derived. Versions of the Viterbi algorithms are obtained.     

Learning multiple languages in groups

We consider a variant of Gold’s learning paradigm where a learner receives as input n$n$ different languages (in the form of one text where all input languages are interleaved). Our goal is to explore the situation when a more “coarse” classification of input languages is possible, whereas more refined classification is not. More specifically, we answer the following question: under which conditions, a learner, being fed n$n$ different languages, can produce m$m$ grammars covering all input languages, but cannot produce k$k$ grammars covering input languages for any k>m$k>m$. We also consider a variant of this task, where each of the output grammars may not cover more than r$r$ input languages. Our main results indicate that the major factor affecting classification capabilities is the difference n−m$n-m$ between the number n$n$ of input languages and the number m$m$ of output grammars. We also explore the relationship between classification capabilities for smaller and larger groups of input languages. For the variant of our model with the upper bound on the number of languages allowed to be represented by one output grammar, for classes consisting of disjoint languages, we found complete picture of relationship between classification capabilities for different parameters n$n$ (the number of input languages), m$m$ (number of output grammars), and r$r$ (bound on the number of languages represented by each output grammar). This picture includes a combinatorial characterization of classification capabilities for the parameters n,m,r$n,m,r$ of certain types.     

From Nerode’s congruence to suffix automata with mismatches

In this paper we focus on the minimal deterministic finite automaton _Sk$S_k$ that recognizes the set of suffixes of a word w$w$ up to k$k$ errors. As first result we give a characterization of the Nerode’s right-invariant congruence that is associated with _Sk$S_k$. This result generalizes the classical characterization described in [A. Blumer, J. Blumer, D. Haussler, A. Ehrenfeucht, M. Chen, J. Seiferas, The smallest automaton recognizing the subwords of a text, Theoretical Computer Science, 40, 1985, 31–55]. As second result we present an algorithm that makes use of _Sk$S_k$ to accept in an efficient way the language of all suffixes of w$w$ up to k$k$ errors in every window of size r$r$ of a text, where r$r$ is the repetition index of w$w$. Moreover, we give some experimental results on some well-known words, like prefixes of Fibonacci and Thue-Morse words. Finally, we state a conjecture and an open problem on the size and the construction of the suffix automaton with mismatches.     

Algorithms for near solutions to polynomial equations

Let F(x,y)$F(x,y)$ be a polynomial over a field K$K$ and m$m$ a nonnegative integer. We call a polynomial g$g$ over K$K$ an m$m$-near solution of F(x,y)$F(x,y)$ if there exists a c∈K$c\in K$ such that F(x,g)=cx^m$F(x,g)=c{x}^m$, and the number c$c$ is called an m$m$-value of F(x,y)$F(x,y)$ corresponding to g$g$. In particular, c$c$ can be 0. Hence, by viewing F(x,y)=0$F(x,y)=0$ as a polynomial equation over K[x]$K\left[x\right]$ with variable y$y$, every solution of the equation F(x,y)=0$F(x,y)=0$ in K[x]$K\left[x\right]$ is also an m$m$-near solution. We provide an algorithm that gives all m$m$-near solutions of a given polynomial F(x,y)$F(x,y)$ over K$K$, and this algorithm is polynomial time reducible to solving one variable equations over K$K$. We introduce approximate solutions to analyze the algorithm. We also give some interesting properties of approximate solutions.     

On the minimum of a positive polynomial over the standard simplex

We present a new positive lower bound for the minimum value taken by a polynomial P$P$ with integer coefficients in k$k$ variables over the standard simplex of R^k${\mathbb{R}}^k$, assuming that P$P$ is positive on the simplex. This bound depends only on the number of variables k$k$, the degree d$d$ and the bitsize τ$\tau$ of the coefficients of P$P$ and improves all the previous bounds for arbitrary polynomials which are positive over the simplex.     

An example of relations on the Ext-quiver for the Suzuki group Sz(8) in characteristic 2

Let G$G$ be the smallest Suzuki group Sz(8) and let F$F$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic 2. The basic algebra of the group algebra of G$G$ over F$F$ is described by its Ext-quiver and a certain set of relations.     

On the parameterized complexity of multiple-interval graph problems

Multiple-interval graphs are a natural generalization of interval graphs where each vertex may have more than one interval associated with it. Many applications of interval graphs also generalize to multiple-interval graphs, often allowing for more robustness in the modeling of the specific application. With this motivation in mind, a recent systematic study of optimization problems in multiple-interval graphs was initiated. In this sequel, we study multiple-interval graph problems from the perspective of parameterized complexity. The problems under consideration are k$k$-Independent Set, k$k$-Dominating Set, and k$k$-Clique, which are all known to be W[1]-hard for general graphs, and NP-complete for multiple-interval graphs. We prove that k$k$-Clique is in FPT, while k$k$-Independent Set and k$k$-Dominating Set are both W[1]-hard. We also prove that k$k$-Independent Dominating Set, a hybrid of the two above problems, is also W[1]-hard. Our hardness results hold even when each vertex is associated with at most two intervals, and all intervals have unit length. Furthermore, as an interesting byproduct of our hardness results, we develop a useful technique for showing W[1]-hardness via a reduction from the k$k$-Multicolored Clique problem, a variant of k$k$-Clique. We believe this technique has interest in its own right, as it should help in simplifying W[1]-hardness results which are notoriously hard to construct and technically tedious.     

Isotopic triangulation of a real algebraic surface

We present a new algorithm for computing the topology of a real algebraic surface S$S$ in a ball B$B$, even in singular cases. We use algorithms for 2D and 3D algebraic curves and show how one can compute a topological complex equivalent to S$S$, and even a simplicial complex isotopic to S$S$ by exploiting properties of the contour curve of S$S$. The correctness proof of the algorithm is based on results from stratification theory. We construct an explicit Whitney stratification of S$S$, by resultant computation. Using Thom’s isotopy lemma, we show how to deduce the topology of S$S$ from a finite number of characteristic points on the surface. An analysis of the complexity of the algorithm and effectiveness issues conclude the paper.     

The cell probe complexity of succinct data structures

We consider time-space tradeoffs for static data structure problems in the cell probe model with word size 1 (the bit probe model). In this model, the goal is to represent n$n$-bit data with s=n+r$s=n+r$ bits such that queries (of a certain type) about the data can be answered by reading at most t$t$ bits of the representation. Ideally, we would like to keep both s$s$ and t$t$ small, but there are tradeoffs between the values of s$s$ and t$t$ that limit the possibilities of keeping both parameters small.     

Design and analysis of the precision-driven unit for nano-indentation and scratch test

This paper presents a kind of precision-driven unit consisting of the piezoelectric actuator and flexure hinge to realize precision motion of the indenter in a self-made indentation device. Two important parameters of the flexure hinge, thickness t$t$ and width w$w$, were analyzed via finite element method and the results showed that the output displacement was a monotonic decreasing function of thickness t$t$ and width w$w$. The stiffness was a monotonic increasing function of thickness t$t$ and width w$w$. But almost all the first-order modal frequencies of flexure hinges with different thickness t$t$ and width w$w$ were higher than 3800 Hz which indicated that flexure hinges had good stability at low frequency condition. Output performance of the unit was tested and analyzed. Experimental results showed that the average maximum output displacement was 12.88 μm when the voltage was 120 V and the resolution was about 0.537 μm/V. The hysteresis was very small and it was about 8.91%. At last, the designed unit was assembled on a self-made indentation device. Preliminary indentation experiments proved that the unit worked well. So, the piezoelectric mechanism can be used in the indentation device and it is beneficial to ensure the miniaturization and realize in situ indentation experiments in the SEM and TEM.     

Paths and trails in edge-colored graphs

This paper deals with the existence and search for properly edge-colored paths/trails between two, not necessarily distinct, vertices s$s$ and t$t$ in an edge-colored graph from an algorithmic perspective. First we show that several versions of the s−t$s-t$ path/trail problem have polynomial solutions including the shortest path/trail case. We give polynomial algorithms for finding a longest properly edge-colored path/trail between s$s$ and t$t$ for a particular class of graphs and characterize edge-colored graphs without properly edge-colored closed trails. Next, we prove that deciding whether there exist k$k$ pairwise vertex/edge disjoint properly edge-colored s−t$s-t$ paths/trails in a c$c$-edge-colored graph G^c$G^c$ is NP-complete even for k=2$k=2$ and c=Ω(n²)$c=\Omega \left(n^2\right)$, where n$n$ denotes the number of vertices in G^c$G^c$. Moreover, we prove that these problems remain NP-complete for c$c$-edge-colored graphs containing no properly edge-colored cycles and c=Ω(n)$c=\Omega \left(n\right)$. We obtain some approximation results for those maximization problems together with polynomial results for some particular classes of edge-colored graphs.     

Quadratic programming with transaction costs

We consider the problem of maximizing the mean-variance utility function of n$n$ assets. Associated with a change in an asset's holdings from its current or target value is a transaction cost. These must be accounted for in practical problems. A straightforward way of doing so results in a 3n$3n$-dimensional optimization problem with 3n$3n$ additional constraints. This higher dimensional problem is computationally expensive to solve. We present an algorithm for solving the 3n$3n$-dimensional problem by modifying an active set quadratic programming (QP) algorithm to solve the 3n$3n$-dimensional problem as an n$n$-dimensional problem accounting for the transaction costs implicitly rather than explicitly. The method is based on deriving the optimality conditions for the higher dimensional problem solely in terms of lower dimensional quantities and requires substantially less computational effort than any active set QP algorithm applied directly on a 3n$3n$-dimensional problem.