Distances and automatic sequences in distinguished variants of Hanoi graphs

In this thesis three open problems concerning Hanoi-type graphs are addressed. I prove a theorem to determine all shortest paths between two arbitrary vertices s and t in the General Sierpiński graph S_p^n with base p ≥ 3 and exponent n ≥ 0 and find an algorithm based on this theorem which gives us the index of the potential auxiliary subgraph, the distance between s and t and the best first move(s). Using the isomorphism between S_3^n and the Hanoi graphs H_3^n, this algorithm also determines the shortest paths in H_3^n. The results are also used in order to simplify proofs of already known metric properties of S_p^n. Additionally, I compute the average number of input pairs (s_i, t_i) for i ϵ{1,...,n} to be read by the algorithm. The Theorem and the algorithm for S_p^n are modified for the Sierpiński triangle graphs, which are deeply connected to the well-known Sierpiński triangle and the Sierpiński graphs, with the result that the shortest paths in the Sierpiński triangle graphs can be determined for the first time. The Hanoi graphs H_3^n are then considered as directed graphs by differentiating the directions of the disc moves between the pegs of the corresponding Tower of Hanoi. For the problem to transfer a tower from one peg to another peg there are five different solvable variants. Here, the variants TH(C_3^+) and TH(K_3^-) are discussed concerning the infinite sequences of moves which arise from the solutions as n tends to infinity. The Allouche-Sapir Conjecture says that these sequences are not d-automatic for any d. I prove this for the TH(C_3^+) sequence with the aid of the frequency of a letter and its rationality in automatic sequences. For the TH(K_3^-) sequence I employ Cobham’s Theorem about multiplicative independence, automatic sequences and ultimate periodicity. I show that this sequence is the image, under a 1-uniform morphism, of an iterative fixed point of a primitive prolongable endomorphism. F. Durand’s methodᵃ is then used for the decision about the question whether the sequence is ultimately periodic. The method of I. V. Mitrofanovᵇ, which works with subword schemata,is applied to the problem as well. Using the theory of recognisable sets, a sufficient condition for deciding the question about the automaticity of the TH(K_3^-) sequence is deduced. Finally, a yet not studied distance problem on the so-called Star Tower of Hanoi, which is based on the star graph S t(4), is considered. Assuming that the Frame-Stewart type strategy is optimal, a recurrence for the length of the resulting paths is deduced and solved up to n = 12. ᵃ F. Durand, HD0L ω-equivalence and periodicity problems in the primitive case (to the memory of G. Rauzy). Journal of Uniform Distribution Theory, 7(1):199-215, 2012 ᵇ I. V. Mitrofanov, Periodicity of Morphic Words, Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 206(6):679-687, 2015Ich beweise ein Theorem zur Bestimmung aller kürzesten Wege zwischen zwei beliebigen Ecken s und t in den allgemeinen Sierpiński-Graphen S_p^n mit Basis p ≥ 3 und Exponent n ≥ 0 und erstelle auf diesem Theorem beruhend einen Algorithmus, der den Index des allfälligen Hilfsuntergraphen, den Abstand zwischen s und t und einen besten ersten Schritt liefert. Unter Verwendung des Isomorphismus zwischen S_3^n und den Hanoi-Graphen H_3^n bestimmt dieser Algorithmus auch die kürzesten Wege in H_3^n. Die Ergebnisse werden benutzt, um Beweise bereits bekannter metrischer Eigenschaften der S_p^n zu vereinfachen. Zusätzlich berechne ich die durchschnittlich benötigte Anzahl von Eingabepaaren (s_i, t_i) für i ϵ{1,...,n} in den Algorithmus. Das Theorem und der Algorithmus für S_p^n werden für die Klasse der Sierpiński-Dreiecksgraphen, welche in direktem Zusammenhang mit dem berühmten Sierpiński-Dreieck und den Sierpiński-Graphen stehen, modifiziert, sodass erstmals auch die kürzesten Wege in diesen Graphen bestimmt werden können. Die Hanoi-Graphen H_3^n werden dann als gerichtete Graphen betrachtet, indem man die Richtungen der Bewegungen zwischen den Stäben des entsprechenden Turms von Hanoi differenziert. Für das Problem des Versetzens eines Turms von einem Stab auf einen anderen gibt es fünf verschiedene lösbare Varianten. Die Varianten TH(C_3^+) und TH(K_3^-) werden bezüglich der unendlichen Folgen von Bewegungen betrachtet, die sich durch die Lösung für n gegen Unendlich strebend ergeben. Die Allouche-Sapir-Vermutung besagt, dass für kein d diese Folgen d-automatisch erzeugt sind. Ich beweise dies für die TH(C_3^+) Folge mit Hilfe der Theorie über die Häufigkeit eines Buchstabens und deren Rationalität in automatisch erzeugten Folgen. Für die TH(K_3^-) Folge wird Cobhams Theorem über multiplikative Unabhängigkeit, automatisch erzeugte Folgen und ultimative Periodizität verwendet. Ich zeige, dass diese Folge das Bild, unter einem 1-uniformen Morphismus, eines iterativen Fixpunktes eines primitiven verlängerbaren Endomorphismus ist. Die Methode von F. Durandᵃ wird dann für die Entscheidung über die Frage, ob die Folge ultimativ periodisch ist, verwendet. Ebenso wird die Methode von I. V. Mitrofanovᵇ, welche mit Teilwortschemata arbeitet, auf das Problem angewandt. Unter Verwendung der Theorie über erkennbare Mengen wird eine hinreichende Bedingung für die Frage der Automatizität der TH(K_3^-) Folge hergeleitet. Zuletzt wird ein bislang nicht untersuchtes Abstandsproblem im sogenannten Stern-Turm-von- Hanoi betrachtet, welcher auf dem Stern-Graphen St(4) beruht. Unter der Annahme, dass die Frame-Stewart-Strategie optimal sei, wird eine Rekursionsvorschrift für die Länge der so gewonnenen Wege entwickelt und bis n = 12 gelöst. ᵃ F. Durand, HD0L ω-equivalence and periodicity problems in the primitive case (to the memory of G. Rauzy). Journal of Uniform Distribution Theory, 7(1):199-215, 2012 ᵇ I. V. Mitrofanov, Periodicity of Morphic Words, Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 206(6):679-687, 201

Additive Pattern Database Heuristics

We explore a method for computing admissible heuristic evaluation functions for search problems. It utilizes pattern databases, which are precomputed tables of the exact cost of solving various subproblems of an existing problem. Unlike standard pattern database heuristics, however, we partition our problems into disjoint subproblems, so that the costs of solving the different subproblems can be added together without overestimating the cost of solving the original problem. Previously, we showed how to statically partition the sliding-tile puzzles into disjoint groups of tiles to compute an admissible heuristic, using the same partition for each state and problem instance. Here we extend the method and show that it applies to other domains as well. We also present another method for additive heuristics which we call dynamically partitioned pattern databases. Here we partition the problem into disjoint subproblems for each state of the search dynamically. We discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods and apply both methods to three different problem domains: the sliding-tile puzzles, the 4-peg Towers of Hanoi problem, and finding an optimal vertex cover of a graph. We find that in some problem domains, static partitioning is most effective, while in others dynamic partitioning is a better choice. In each of these problem domains, either statically partitioned or dynamically partitioned pattern database heuristics are the best known heuristics for the problem

Analysis of Recursive Algorithms for Solving the Problemof the Tower of Hanoi

This problem is well known to students of Informatics, since it appears in virtually at the introductory text on the data structure or the algorithms, this is why it's one of the main examples in programming, it is known as the problem of Tower of Hanoi. The recursive algorithm calls itself with simpler input values, what the algorithm does to the current input it applies simple operations to the returned value for the simpler input, and which obtains the result for the current input. Well this is why the recursive algorithm is very famous and also why we chose to solve the problem with this algorithm, we minimize the problem and then we can solve the problem easier. In this paper, we will try to solve the problem with a recursive algorithm and to analyses the recursive algorithms of it. The paper deals with the problem of Tower of Hanoi and recursive algorithm of this problem.Keywords: Towers of Hanoi, algorithm, recursion, analysis

Distances and automatic sequences in distinguished variants of Hanoi graphs

In this thesis three open problems concerning Hanoi-type graphs are addressed. I prove a theorem to determine all shortest paths between two arbitrary vertices s and t in the General Sierpiński graph S_p^n with base p ≥ 3 and exponent n ≥ 0 and find an algorithm based on this theorem which gives us the index of the potential auxiliary subgraph, the distance between s and t and the best first move(s). Using the isomorphism between S_3^n and the Hanoi graphs H_3^n, this algorithm also determines the shortest paths in H_3^n. The results are also used in order to simplify proofs of already known metric properties of S_p^n. Additionally, I compute the average number of input pairs (s_i, t_i) for i ϵ{1,...,n} to be read by the algorithm. The Theorem and the algorithm for S_p^n are modified for the Sierpiński triangle graphs, which are deeply connected to the well-known Sierpiński triangle and the Sierpiński graphs, with the result that the shortest paths in the Sierpiński triangle graphs can be determined for the first time. The Hanoi graphs H_3^n are then considered as directed graphs by differentiating the directions of the disc moves between the pegs of the corresponding Tower of Hanoi. For the problem to transfer a tower from one peg to another peg there are five different solvable variants. Here, the variants TH(C_3^+) and TH(K_3^-) are discussed concerning the infinite sequences of moves which arise from the solutions as n tends to infinity. The Allouche-Sapir Conjecture says that these sequences are not d-automatic for any d. I prove this for the TH(C_3^+) sequence with the aid of the frequency of a letter and its rationality in automatic sequences. For the TH(K_3^-) sequence I employ Cobham’s Theorem about multiplicative independence, automatic sequences and ultimate periodicity. I show that this sequence is the image, under a 1-uniform morphism, of an iterative fixed point of a primitive prolongable endomorphism. F. Durand’s methodᵃ is then used for the decision about the question whether the sequence is ultimately periodic. The method of I. V. Mitrofanovᵇ, which works with subword schemata,is applied to the problem as well. Using the theory of recognisable sets, a sufficient condition for deciding the question about the automaticity of the TH(K_3^-) sequence is deduced. Finally, a yet not studied distance problem on the so-called Star Tower of Hanoi, which is based on the star graph S t(4), is considered. Assuming that the Frame-Stewart type strategy is optimal, a recurrence for the length of the resulting paths is deduced and solved up to n = 12. ᵃ F. Durand, HD0L ω-equivalence and periodicity problems in the primitive case (to the memory of G. Rauzy). Journal of Uniform Distribution Theory, 7(1):199-215, 2012 ᵇ I. V. Mitrofanov, Periodicity of Morphic Words, Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 206(6):679-687, 2015Ich beweise ein Theorem zur Bestimmung aller kürzesten Wege zwischen zwei beliebigen Ecken s und t in den allgemeinen Sierpiński-Graphen S_p^n mit Basis p ≥ 3 und Exponent n ≥ 0 und erstelle auf diesem Theorem beruhend einen Algorithmus, der den Index des allfälligen Hilfsuntergraphen, den Abstand zwischen s und t und einen besten ersten Schritt liefert. Unter Verwendung des Isomorphismus zwischen S_3^n und den Hanoi-Graphen H_3^n bestimmt dieser Algorithmus auch die kürzesten Wege in H_3^n. Die Ergebnisse werden benutzt, um Beweise bereits bekannter metrischer Eigenschaften der S_p^n zu vereinfachen. Zusätzlich berechne ich die durchschnittlich benötigte Anzahl von Eingabepaaren (s_i, t_i) für i ϵ{1,...,n} in den Algorithmus. Das Theorem und der Algorithmus für S_p^n werden für die Klasse der Sierpiński-Dreiecksgraphen, welche in direktem Zusammenhang mit dem berühmten Sierpiński-Dreieck und den Sierpiński-Graphen stehen, modifiziert, sodass erstmals auch die kürzesten Wege in diesen Graphen bestimmt werden können. Die Hanoi-Graphen H_3^n werden dann als gerichtete Graphen betrachtet, indem man die Richtungen der Bewegungen zwischen den Stäben des entsprechenden Turms von Hanoi differenziert. Für das Problem des Versetzens eines Turms von einem Stab auf einen anderen gibt es fünf verschiedene lösbare Varianten. Die Varianten TH(C_3^+) und TH(K_3^-) werden bezüglich der unendlichen Folgen von Bewegungen betrachtet, die sich durch die Lösung für n gegen Unendlich strebend ergeben. Die Allouche-Sapir-Vermutung besagt, dass für kein d diese Folgen d-automatisch erzeugt sind. Ich beweise dies für die TH(C_3^+) Folge mit Hilfe der Theorie über die Häufigkeit eines Buchstabens und deren Rationalität in automatisch erzeugten Folgen. Für die TH(K_3^-) Folge wird Cobhams Theorem über multiplikative Unabhängigkeit, automatisch erzeugte Folgen und ultimative Periodizität verwendet. Ich zeige, dass diese Folge das Bild, unter einem 1-uniformen Morphismus, eines iterativen Fixpunktes eines primitiven verlängerbaren Endomorphismus ist. Die Methode von F. Durandᵃ wird dann für die Entscheidung über die Frage, ob die Folge ultimativ periodisch ist, verwendet. Ebenso wird die Methode von I. V. Mitrofanovᵇ, welche mit Teilwortschemata arbeitet, auf das Problem angewandt. Unter Verwendung der Theorie über erkennbare Mengen wird eine hinreichende Bedingung für die Frage der Automatizität der TH(K_3^-) Folge hergeleitet. Zuletzt wird ein bislang nicht untersuchtes Abstandsproblem im sogenannten Stern-Turm-von- Hanoi betrachtet, welcher auf dem Stern-Graphen St(4) beruht. Unter der Annahme, dass die Frame-Stewart-Strategie optimal sei, wird eine Rekursionsvorschrift für die Länge der so gewonnenen Wege entwickelt und bis n = 12 gelöst. ᵃ F. Durand, HD0L ω-equivalence and periodicity problems in the primitive case (to the memory of G. Rauzy). Journal of Uniform Distribution Theory, 7(1):199-215, 2012 ᵇ I. V. Mitrofanov, Periodicity of Morphic Words, Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 206(6):679-687, 201

Front-to-End Bidirectional Heuristic Search with Near-Optimal Node Expansions

It is well-known that any admissible unidirectional heuristic search algorithm must expand all states whose $f$-value is smaller than the optimal solution cost when using a consistent heuristic. Such states are called "surely expanded" (s.e.). A recent study characterized s.e. pairs of states for bidirectional search with consistent heuristics: if a pair of states is s.e. then at least one of the two states must be expanded. This paper derives a lower bound, VC, on the minimum number of expansions required to cover all s.e. pairs, and present a new admissible front-to-end bidirectional heuristic search algorithm, Near-Optimal Bidirectional Search (NBS), that is guaranteed to do no more than 2VC expansions. We further prove that no admissible front-to-end algorithm has a worst case better than 2VC. Experimental results show that NBS competes with or outperforms existing bidirectional search algorithms, and often outperforms A* as well.Comment: Accepted to IJCAI 2017. Camera ready version with new timing result

Calculating Criticalities

We present a novel method for building style abstraction hierarchies in planning. The aim of this method is to minimize search by limiting backtracking both between abstraction levels and within an abstraction level. Previous approaches for building style abstractions have determined the criticality of operator preconditions by reasoning about plans directly. Here, we adopt a simpler and faster approach where we use numerical simulation of the planning process. We develop a simple but powerful theory to demonstrate the theoretical advantages of our approach. We use this theory to identify some simple properties lacking in previous approaches but possessed by our method. We demonstrate the empirical advantages of our approach by a set of four benchmark experiments using the system. We compare the quality of the abstraction hierarchies generated with those built by the and algorithms

The effects of individual differences on mobile phone users’ operational behaviour

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Mobile handset technology has improved greatly in recent decades. Improvements in hardware and software conduce the importance of the handset as a computer. Whilst the mobile phone industry and researchers emphasise understanding users from sociological aspects, such as services, usage habits, functionalities and so forth; this research aims to seek the variables that impact upon users’ interactions with the phone from the root-individual differences. For the purpose of placing mobile phone users at the core of the interface design process, the individual differences of gender, cognitive style and user experience were applied as the main variables in this research. Accordingly, to examine individuals’ differences and their operational behaviour with phone interfaces, the effects of cognitive style and user experience present stronger impact on the user performance than gender. The two factors were then investigated with regard to individuals’ operational behaviour with phone interfaces. This research then developed categories to link the theoretical attributes of cognitive style and phone users’ practical operational behaviour. Furthermore, the impact of cognitive style on the users’ operational behaviour was also connected to individuals’ problem solving ability. Meanwhile, the effect of user experience was investigated with a novel methodology-Taxonomy of Experience. The results revealed necessary elements that the users cared about the most, and these differed from the interface design guidelines of phone industry. This PhD thesis presents the application of the triangulation method to explore the variables that impact upon individuals’ interaction with mobile phone interfaces, specially concerned with mobile phone interface design from a psychological perspective, and provides a deeper understanding of users for future design events. More importantly, this research delivered the concept of understanding users before conducting design