Finding the minimum vertex distance between two disjoint convex polygons in linear time

Let V = v₁, v₂, …, v_m and W = w₁, w₂, …, w_n be two linearly separable convex polygons whose vertices are specified by their cartesian coordinates in order. An algorithm with O(m + n) worst-case time complexity is described for finding the minimum euclidean distance between a vertex v₁ in V and a vertex w_j in W. It is also shown that the algorithm is optimal.     

Moments of conjugacy classes of binary words

For each nonempty binary word w=c₁c₂c_q, where c_i{0,1}, the nonnegative integer ∑_i=1^q (q+1−i)c_i is called the moment of w and is denoted by M(w). Let [w] denote the conjugacy class of w. Define M([w])={M(u): u[w]}, N(w)={M(u)−M(w): u[w]} and δ(w)=max{M(u)−M(v): u,v[w]}. Using these objects, we obtain equivalent conditions for a binary word to be an -word (respectively, a power of an -word). For instance, we prove that the following statements are equivalent for any binary word w with |w|2: (a) w is an -word, (b) δ(w)=|w|−1, (c) w is a cyclic balanced primitive word, (d) M([w]) is a set of |w| consecutive positive integers, (e) N(w) is a set of |w| consecutive integers and 0N(w), (f) w is primitive and [w]St.     

Resolvability and the upper dimension of graphs

For an ordered set W = {w₁, w₂,…, w_k} of vertices and a vertex v in a connected graph G, the (metric) representation of v with respect to W is the k-vector r(v | W) = (d(v, w₁), d(v, w₂),…, d(v, w_k)), where d(x, y) represents the distance between the vertices x and y. The set W is a resolving set for G if distinct vertices of G have distinct representations. A new sharp lower bound for the dimension of a graph G in terms of its maximum degree is presented.

A resolving set of minimum cardinality is a basis for G and the number of vertices in a basis is its (metric) dimension dim(G). A resolving set S of G is a minimal resolving set if no proper subset of S is a resolving set. The maximum cardinality of a minimal resolving set is the upper dimension dim⁺(G). The resolving number res(G) of a connected graph G is the minimum k such that every k-set W of vertices of G is also a resolving set of G. Then 1 ≤ dim(G) ≤ dim⁺(G) ≤ res(G) ≤ n − 1 for every nontrivial connected graph G of order n. It is shown that dim⁺(G) = res(G) = n − 1 if and only if G = K_n, while dim⁺(G) = res(G) = 2 if and only if G is a path of order at least 4 or an odd cycle.

The resolving numbers and upper dimensions of some well-known graphs are determined. It is shown that for every pair a, b of integers with 2 ≤ a ≤ b, there exists a connected graph G with dim(G) = dim⁺(G) = a and res(G) = b. Also, for every positive integer N, there exists a connected graph G with res(G) − dim⁺(G) ≥ N and dim⁺(G) − dim(G) ≥ N.     

A fast and practical bit-vector algorithm for the Longest Common Subsequence problem

This paper presents a new practical bit-vector algorithm for solving the well-known Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) problem. Given two strings of length m and n, nm, we present an algorithm which determines the length p of an LCS in O(nm/w) time and O(m/w) space, where w is the number of bits in a machine word. This algorithm can be thought of as column-wise “parallelization” of the classical dynamic programming approach. Our algorithm is very efficient in practice, where computing the length of an LCS of two strings can be done in linear time and constant (additional/working) space by assuming that mw.     

Minimum cost source location problem with vertex-connectivity requirements in digraphs

Given a digraph (or an undirected graph) G=(V,E) with a set V of vertices v with nonnegative real costs w(v), and a set E of edges and a positive integer k, we deal with the problem of finding a minimum cost subset SV such that, for each vertex vV−S, there are k vertex-disjoint paths from S to v. In this paper, we show that the problem can be solved by a greedy algorithm in time in a digraph (or in time in an undirected graph), where n=|V| and m=|E|. Based on this, given a digraph and two integers k and ℓ, we also give a polynomial time algorithm for finding a minimum cost subset SV such that for each vertex vV−S, there are k vertex-disjoint paths from S to v as well as ℓ vertex-disjoint paths from v to S.     

Biinfinite words with maximal recurrent unbordered factors

A finite non-empty word z is said to be a border of a finite non-empty word w if w=uz=zv for some non-empty words u and v. A finite non-empty word is said to be bordered if it admits a border, and it is said to be unbordered otherwise. In this paper, we give two characterizations of the biinfinite words of the form ^ωuvu^ω, where u and v are finite words, in terms of its unbordered factors.

The main result of the paper states that the words of the form ^ωuvu^ω are precisely the biinfinite words w=a₋₂a₋₁a₀a₁a₂ for which there exists a pair (l₀,r₀) of integers with l₀<r₀ such that, for every integers ll₀ and rr₀, the factor a_la_l0a_r0a_r is a bordered word.

The words of the form ^ωuvu^ω are also characterized as being those biinfinite words w that admit a left recurrent unbordered factor (i.e., an unbordered factor of w that has an infinite number of occurrences “to the left” in w) of maximal length that is also a right recurrent unbordered factor of maximal length. This last result is a biinfinite analogue of a result known for infinite words.     

On two-sided infinite fixed points of morphisms

Let Σ be a finite alphabet, and let h:Σ^* → Σ^* be a morphism. Finite and infinite fixed points of morphisms—i.e., those words w such that h(w)=w—play an important role in formal language theory. Head characterized the finite fixed points of h, and later, Head and Lando characterized the one-sided infinite fixed points of h. Our paper has two main results. First, we complete the characterization of fixed points of morphisms by describing all two-sided infinite fixed points of h, for both the “pointed” and “unpointed” cases. Second, we completely characterize the solutions to the equation h(xy)=yx in finite words.     

Reactive Diffracting Trees

A shared counter is a concurrent object that provides a fetch-and-increment operation in a distributed system. Recently, diffracting trees have been introduced as an efficient way of implementing shared counters in heavily loaded distributed systems. Diffracting trees dynamically partition processors into small groups that can access a collection of disjoint local counters quickly in a globally coordinated way. Their empirical performance under heavy load surpasses all other shared counter implementations. However, diffracting trees of any particular depth are optimal for only a limited load range. Thus, there would be great benefit in designing a diffracting tree algorithm that would effectively scale up from a simple centralized queue-lock-based counter at low loads to the optimal size diffracting tree counter as the load increases and scale back down to a queue-lock as the load decreases. This paper presents the reactive diffracting tree data structure and an implementation of it in a shared memory multiprocessor system. The reactive diffracting tree is a shared structure similar to a diffracting tree, with the added property that it can grow and shrink to better handle changing access patterns and the memory layouts, providing true scalability and locality. The tree mimics the behavior of an optimal size diffracting tree for each concurrency range. Empirical evidence, collected on the Alewife cache-coherent multiprocessor and the Proteus simulator, shows that the reactive diffracting tree provides throughput within a constant factor of optimal diffracting trees at all load levels. It also proves to be an effective competitor with randomized load balancing algorithms in several producer/consumer applications.     

An element for static, vibration and buckling analysis of thick laminated plates

A conforming finite element formulation of the equations governing composite multilayered plates using Reddy's higher-order theory is presented. The element has eight degrees of freedom, u₀, v₀, w, ∂w/∂x, ∂w/∂y, ∂²w/∂x∂y, γ_x, γ_y, per node. The transverse displacement of the present element is described by a modified bicubic displacement function while the in-plane displacements and shear-rotations are interpolated quadraticly. The element is evaluated for its accuracy in the analysis of static, vibration, and buckling of anisotropic rectangular plates with different lamination schemes and boundary conditions. The conforming finite element described here for the higher-order theory gives fairly accurate results for displacements, stresses, buckling loads, and natural frequencies.     

Nonlinear robust stabilization of multi-parameter families of systems

We show that given any family of asymptotically stabilizable LTI systems depending continuously on a parameter that lies in some subset [a₁,b₁]××[a_p,b_p] of , there exists a C⁰ time-varying state feedback law v(t,x) (resp. a C⁰ time-invariant feedback law v(x)) which robustly globally exponentially stabilizes (resp. which robustly stabilizes, not asymptotically) the family. Further, if these systems are obtained by linearizing some nonlinear systems, then v(t,x) locally exponentially stabilizes these nonlinear systems. Finally, v(t,x) globally exponentially stabilizes any time-varying system which switches “slowly enough” between the given LTI systems.     

Nonexistence of finite-dimensional filters for conditional statistics of the cubic sensor problem

Consider the cubic sensor dx = dw, dy = x³dt + dv where w, v are two independent Brownian motions. Given a function φ(x) of the state x let φ_t(x) denote the conditional expectation given the observations y_s, 0 s t. This paper consists of a rather detailed discussion and outline of proof of the theorem that for nonconstant φ there cannot exist a recursive finite-dimensional filter for φ driven by the observations.     

C- and C-continuous spline-interpolation of a regular triangular net of points

The investigations focus on the construction of a C^k-continuous (k=0,1,2) interpolating spline-surface for a given data set consisting of points P_ijk arranged in a regular triangular net and corresponding barycentric parameter triples (u_i,v_j,w_k). We try to generalize an algorithm by A.W. Overhauser who solved the analogous problem for the case of a univariate data set. As a straightforward generalization does not work out we adapt the Overhauser-construction. We use some blending of basic surfaces with uniquely determined basic functions. This yields a spline-surface with a polynomial parametric representation which display C¹- or C²-continuity along the common curve of two adjacent sub-patches. Local control of the emerging spline surface is provided which means moving one data point P changes only some of the sub-patches around P and does not affect regions lying far away.     

Finite element solutions of nonsteady incompressible viscous flow between two rotating concentric spheres

The problem of unsteady, incompressible viscous flow between two rotating concentric spheres has been investigated here. The full Navier-Stokes equations in terms of the velocity components u, v w and the pressure p, using spherical coordinates for axially symmetric flow, were solved by means of the finite element method in the spatial dimension and the alternating-direction method in the time dimension using Glowinski's algorithm. The element used is an annular-sector-type element with a bilinear approximation for the velocity components and with constant pressure within the element. Reynolds numbers in the range from 1 to 1000, gap size 0.5 and different combinations of the angular velocity of the inner and outer spheres were studied. In some of these cases a steady-state solution was possible, while in others only a transient solution was possible. This method proved to be successful and powerful in predicting the behavior of the flow for these nonlinear-type problems.     

On the error in Padé approximations for functions defined by Stieltjes integrals

Consdier I(z) = ∫^b_a w(t)f(t, z) dt, f(t, z) = (1 + t/z)⁻¹. It is known that generalized Gaussian quadrature of I(z) leads to approximations which occupy the (n, n + r − 1) positions of the Padé matrix table for I(z). Here r is a positive integer or zero. In a previous paper the author developed a series representation for the error in Gaussian quadrature. This approach is now used to study the error in the Padé approximations noted. Three important examples are treated. Two of the examples are generalized to the case where f(t, z) = (1 + t/z)^−v.     

Infinite words and biprefix codes

Let A be an alphabet and ƒ be a right infinite word on A. If ƒ is not ultimately periodic then there exists an infinite set {v_ii0} of (finite) words on A such that ƒ=v₀v₁…v_i…, {v_ii1} is a biprefix code and v_i≠v_j for positive integers i≠j.     

Identification of partial disjunction, parity, and threshold functions

Let F be a class of functions obtained by replacing some inputs of a Boolean function of a fixed type with some constants. The problem considered in this paper, which is called attribute efficient learning, is to identify “efficiently” a Boolean function g out of F by asking for the value of g at chosen inputs, where “efficiency” is measured in terms of the number of essential variables. We study the query complexity of attribute-efficient learning for three function classes that are, respectively, obtained from disjunction, parity, and threshold functions. In many cases, we obtain almost optimal upper and lower bound on the number of queries.     

A multi-tree routing scheme using acyclic orientations

We propose a mathematical model for fault-tolerant routing based on acyclic orientations, or acorns, of the underlying network G=(V,E). The acorn routing model applies routing tables that store the set of parent pointers associated with each out-neighborhood defined by the acorn. Unlike the standard single-parent sink-tree model, which is vulnerable to faults, the acorn model affords a full representation of the entire network and is able to dynamically route around faults. This fault tolerance is achieved when using the acorn model as a multi-tree generator for gathering data at a destination node, as well as an independent tree generator for global point-to-point communication. A fundamental fault-tolerant measure of the model is the capacity of an acorn, i.e., the largest integer k such that each vertex outside the neighborhood N(v) of the destination v has at least k parent pointers. A capacity-k acorn A to destination v is k-vertex fault-tolerant to v. More strongly, we show A supports a k independent sink-tree generator, i.e., the parent pointers of each vertex w V−N(v) can be partitioned into k nonempty classes labeled 1,2,…,k such that any set of sink trees T₁,T₂,…,T_k are pairwise independent, where tree T_i is a sink tree generated by parent pointers labeled i together with the parent pointers into v. We present an linear time optimization algorithm for finding an acorn A of maximum capacity in graphs, based upon a minimax theorem. We also present efficient algorithms that label the parent pointers of capacity-k acorn A, yielding a k-independent sink tree generating scheme.     

Maintaining statistics counters in router line cards

A network device stores and updates statistics counters. Using an optimal counter management algorithm minimizes required SRAM size and ensures correct line-rate operation for many counters. We use a well known architecture for storing and updating statistics counters. This approach maintains smaller-size counters in fast (potentially on-chip) SRAM, while maintaining full-size counters in a large, slower DRAM. Our goal is to ensure that the system always correctly maintains counter values at line rate. An optimal counter management algorithm (CMA) minimizes the required SRAM size while ensuring correct line-rate operation for a large number of counters     

Minimizing the size of an identifying or locating-dominating code in a graph is NP-hard

Let G=(V,E) be an undirected graph and C a subset of vertices. If the sets B_r(v)∩C, vV (respectively, vVC), are all nonempty and different, where B_r(v) denotes the set of all points within distance r from v, we call C an r-identifying code (respectively, an r-locating-dominating code). We prove that, given a graph G and an integer k, the decision problem of the existence of an r-identifying code, or of an r-locating-dominating code, of size at most k in G, is NP-complete for any r.     

Multi-server threshold queues with hysteresis

A queueing system with K servers operates in the following manner. When the system is empty, arriving customers are attended by only one server. A set of forward threshold values is defined so that at epochs at which the number of customers in the system exceeds a forward threshold value an extra server is added. Similarly, a set of reverse threshold values is defined so that at epochs at which the number of customers in the system becomes less than a reverse threshold value one server is removed. The forward and reverse threshold values are assumed to be different. Closed-form occupancy distribution and mean delay of customers in the system are obtained by the Green's function method.