Geometry of Interaction V: Logic in the hyperfinite factor

Geometry of Interaction is a transcendental syntax developed in the framework of operator algebras. This fifth installment of the program takes place inside a von Neumann algebra, the hyperfinite factor. It provides a built-in interpretation of cut-elimination as well as an explanation for light, i.e., complexity sensitive, logics.     

The balanced traveling salesmanproblem

In this paper we introduce the balanced traveling salesman problem (BTSP), which can be used to model optimization problems where equitable distribution of resources are important. BTSP is obviously NP-hard. Efficient heuristic algorithms are presented to solve the problem along with extensive computational results using benchmark problems from TSPLIB and random instances. Our algorithms produced provably optimal solutions for several test instances. Application of the model in solving the nozzle guide vane assembly problem related to the maintenance of aircraft engines is also discussed.     

The efficiency of identifying timed automata and the power of clocks

We develop theory on the efficiency of identifying (learning) timed automata. In particular, we show that: (i) deterministic timed automata cannot be identified efficiently in the limit from labeled data and (ii) that one-clock deterministic timed automata can be identified efficiently in the limit from labeled data. We prove these results based on the distinguishability of these classes of timed automata. More specifically, we prove that the languages of deterministic timed automata cannot, and that one-clock deterministic timed automata can be distinguished from each other using strings in length bounded by a polynomial. In addition, we provide an algorithm that identifies one-clock deterministic timed automata efficiently from labeled data.Our results have interesting consequences for the power of clocks that are interesting also out of the scope of the identification problem.     

On packing shortest cycles in graphs

We study the problems to find a maximum packing of shortest edge-disjoint cycles in a graph of given girth g (g-ESCP) and its vertex-disjoint analogue g-VSCP. In the case g=3, Caprara and Rizzi (2001) have shown that g-ESCP can be solved in polynomial time for graphs with maximum degree 4, but is APX-hard for graphs with maximum degree 5, while g-VSCP can be solved in polynomial time for graphs with maximum degree 3, but is APX-hard for graphs with maximum degree 4. For g∈{4,5}, we show that both problems allow polynomial time algorithms for instances with maximum degree 3, but are APX-hard for instances with maximum degree 4. For each g?6, both problems are APX-hard already for graphs with maximum degree 3.     

Approximately counting locally-optimal structures

In general, constructing a locally-optimal structure is a little harder than constructing an arbitrary structure, but significantly easier than constructing a globally-optimal structure. A similar situation arises in listing. In counting, most problems are #P-complete, but in approximate counting we observe an interesting reversal of the pattern. Assuming that #BIS is not equivalent to #SAT under AP-reductions, we show that counting maximal independent sets in bipartite graphs is harder than counting maximum independent sets. Motivated by this, we show that various counting problems involving minimal separators are #SAT-hard to approximate. These problems have applications for constructing triangulations and phylogenetic trees.     

#BIS-hardness for 2-spin systems on bipartite bounded degree graphs in the tree non-uniqueness region

Counting independent sets on bipartite graphs (#BIS) is considered a canonical counting problem of intermediate approximation complexity. It is conjectured that #BIS neither has an FPRAS nor is as hard as #Sat to approximate. We study #BIS in the general framework of two-state spin systems on bipartite graphs. We define two notions, nearly-independent phase-correlated spins and unary symmetry breaking. We prove that it is #BIS-hard to approximate the partition function of any 2-spin system on bipartite graphs supporting these two notions. Consequently, we classify the complexity of approximating the partition function of antiferromagnetic 2-spin systems on bounded-degree bipartite graphs.