Maximum flow is approximable by deterministic constant-time algorithm in sparse networks

We show a deterministic constant-time parallel algorithm for finding an almost maximum flow in multisource-multitarget networks with bounded degrees and bounded edge capacities. As a consequence, we show that the value of the maximum flow over the number of nodes is a testable parameter on these networks.Comment: 8 page

Maximum st-flow in directed planar graphs via shortest paths

Minimum cuts have been closely related to shortest paths in planar graphs via planar duality - so long as the graphs are undirected. Even maximum flows are closely related to shortest paths for the same reason - so long as the source and the sink are on a common face. In this paper, we give a correspondence between maximum flows and shortest paths via duality in directed planar graphs with no constraints on the source and sink. We believe this a promising avenue for developing algorithms that are more practical than the current asymptotically best algorithms for maximum st-flow.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures. Short version to be published in proceedings of IWOCA'1