Coupling and self-stabilization

A randomized self-stabilizing algorithm is an algorithm that, whatever the initial configuration is, reaches a set of М legal configurations} in finite time with probability 1. The proof of convergence towards is generally done by exhibiting a potential function , which measures the “vertical” distance of any configuration to , such that decreases with non-null probability at each step of . We propose here a method, based on the notion of coupling, which makes use of a “horizontal” distance between any pair of configurations, such that decreases in expectation at each step of . In contrast with classical methods, our coupling method does not require the knowledge of . In addition to the proof of convergence, the method allows us to assess the convergence rate according to two different measures. Proofs produced by the method are often simpler or give better upper bounds than their classical counterparts, as examplified here on Herman's mutual exclusion and Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma algorithms in the case of cyclic graphs.     

The complexity of constructing pseudorandom generators from hard functions

We study the complexity of constructing pseudorandom generators (PRGs) from hard functions, focussing on constant-depth circuits. We show that, starting from a function computable in alternating time O(l) with O(1) alternations that is hard on average (i.e. there is a constant such that every circuit of size fails to compute f on at least a 1/poly(l) fraction of inputs) we can construct a computable by DLOGTIME-uniform constant-depth circuits of size polynomial in n. Such a PRG implies under DLOGTIME-uniformity. On the negative side, we prove that starting from a worst-case hard function (i.e. there is a constant such that every circuit of size fails to compute f on some input) for every positive constant there is no black-box construction of a computable by constant-depth circuits of size polynomial in n. We also study worst-case hardness amplification, which is the related problem of producing an average-case hard function starting from a worst-case hard one. In particular, we deduce that there is no blackbox worst-case hardness amplification within the polynomial time hierarchy. These negative results are obtained by showing that polynomialsize constant-depth circuits cannot compute good extractors and listdecodable codes.     

Lower bounds for sense of direction in regular graphs

A graph G with n vertices and maximum degree cannot be given weak sense of direction using less than colours. It is known that n colours are always sufficient, and it was conjectured that just are really needed, that is, one more colour is sufficient. Nonetheless, it has been shown [3] that for sufficiently large n there are graphs requiring more colours than . In this paper, using recent results in asymptotic graph enumeration, we show that (surprisingly) the same bound holds for regular graphs. We also show that colours are necessary, where d _G is the degree of G.Received: April 2002, Accepted: April 2003, Sebastiano Vigna: Partially supported by the Italian MURST (Finanziamento di iniziative di ricerca diffusa condotte da parte di giovani ricercatori).The results of this paper appeared in a preliminary form in Distributed Computing. 14th International Conference, DISC 2000, Springer-Verlag, 2000.     

Free binary decision diagrams for the computation of EAR n

Free binary decision diagrams (FBDDs) are graph-based data structures representing Boolean functions with the constraint (additional to binary decision diagram) that each variable is tested at most once during the computation. The function EAR_n is the following Boolean function defined for n × n Boolean matrices: EAR_n(M) = 1 iff the matrix M contains two equal adjacent rows. We prove that each FBDD computing EAR_n has size at least and we present a construction of such diagrams of size approximately .     

On the complexity of approximating k-set packing

Given a k-uniform hypergraph, the Maximum k -Set Packing problem is to find the maximum disjoint set of edges. We prove that this problem cannot be efficiently approximated to within a factor of unless P = NP. This improves the previous hardness of approximation factor of by Trevisan. This result extends to the problem of k-Dimensional-Matching.     

Complexity of some arithmetic problems for binary polynomials

We study various combinatorial complexity measures of Boolean functions related to some natural arithmetic problems about binary polynomials, that is, polynomials over . In particular, we consider the Boolean function deciding whether a given polynomial over is squarefree. We obtain an exponential lower bound on the size of a decision tree for this function, and derive an asymptotic formula, having a linear main term, for its average sensitivity. This allows us to estimate other complexity characteristics such as the formula size, the average decision tree depth and the degrees of exact and approximative polynomial representations of this function. Finally, using a different method, we show that testing squarefreeness and irreducibility of polynomials over cannot be done in for any odd prime p. Similar results are obtained for deciding coprimality of two polynomials over as well.     

Synchronous condition-based consensus

The condition-based approach studies restrictions on the inputs to a distributed problem, called conditions, that facilitate its solution. Previous work considered mostly the asynchronous model of computation. This paper studies conditions for consensus in a synchronous system where processes can fail by crashing. It describes a full classification of conditions for consensus, establishing a continuum between the asynchronous and synchronous models, with the following hierarchy where includes all conditions (and in particular the trivial one made up of all possible input vectors). For a condition , we have:

On the complexity of computing determinants

We present new baby steps/giant steps algorithms of asymptotically fast running time for dense matrix problems. Our algorithms compute the determinant, characteristic polynomial, Frobenius normal form and Smith normal form of a dense n × n matrix A with integer entries in and bit operations; here denotes the largest entry in absolute value and the exponent adjustment by +o(1) captures additional factors for positive real constants C₁, C₂, C₃. The bit complexity results from using the classical cubic matrix multiplication algorithm. Our algorithms are randomized, and we can certify that the output is the determinant of A in a Las Vegas fashion. The second category of problems deals with the setting where the matrix A has elements from an abstract commutative ring, that is, when no divisions in the domain of entries are possible. We present algorithms that deterministically compute the determinant, characteristic polynomial and adjoint of A with n^3.2+o(1) and O(n^2.697263) ring additions, subtractions and multiplications.To B. David Saunders on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Time efficient k-shot broadcasting in known topology radio networks

The paper considers broadcasting protocols in radio networks with known topology that are efficient in both time and energy. The radio network is modelled as an undirected graph G = (V, E) where |V| = n. It is assumed that during execution of the communication task every node in V is allowed to transmit at most once. Under this assumption it is shown that any radio broadcast protocol requires transmission rounds, where D is the diameter of G. This lower bound is complemented with an efficient construction of a deterministic protocol that accomplishes broadcasting in rounds. Moreover, if we allow each node to transmit at most k times, the lower bound on the number of transmission rounds holds. We also provide a randomised protocol that accomplishes broadcasting in rounds. The paper concludes with a number of open problems in the area. The research of L. Gąsieniec, D.R. Kowalski and C. Su supported in part by the Royal Society grant Algorithmic and Combinatorial Aspects of Radio Communication, IJP - 2006/R2. The research of E. Kantor and D. Peleg supported in part by grants from the Minerva Foundation and the Israel Ministry of Science.     

Stability of Linear Difference and Differential Inclusions

Any given n×n matrix A is shown to be a restriction, to the A-invariant subspace, of a nonnegative N×N matrix B of spectral radius (B) arbitrarily close to (A). A difference inclusion , where is a compact set of matrices, is asymptotically stable if and only if can be extended to a set of nonnegative matrices B with or . Similar results are derived for differential inclusions.     

Crash failure detection in asynchronous agent communication languages

Agent Communication Languages (ACLs) have been developed to provide a way for agents to communicate with each other supporting cooperation in Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). In the past few years many ACLs have been proposed for MAS and new standards are emerging such as the ACL developed by the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA). Despite these efforts, an important issue in the research on ACLs is still open and concerns how these languages should deal with failures of agents in asynchronous MAS. The Fault Tolerant Agent Communication Language ( - ) presented in this paper addresses this issue dealing with crash failures of agents. - provides high-level communication primitives which support a fault-tolerant anonymous interaction protocol designed for open MAS. We present a formal semantics for - and a formal specification of the underlying agent architecture. This formal framework allows us to prove that the ACL satisfies a set of well defined knowledge-level programming requirements. To illustrate the language features we show how - can be effectively used to write high-level executable specifications of fault tolerant protocols, such as the Contract Net one.     

Quantum Orlicz Spaces in Information Geometry

Let H₀ be a selfadjoint operator such that Tr is of trace class for some , and let denote the set of ε-bounded forms, i.e., for some 0 $$" align="middle" border="0"> . Let χ := Span . Let denote the underlying set of the quantum information manifold of states of the form . We show that if Tr ,