2,683 research outputs found
Combinatorial Properties and Recognition of Unit Square Visibility Graphs
Unit square (grid) visibility graphs (USV and USGV, resp.) are described by axis-parallel visibility between unit squares placed (on integer grid coordinates) in the plane. We investigate combinatorial properties of these graph classes and the hardness of variants of the recognition problem, i.e., the problem of representing USGV with fixed visibilities within small area and, for USV, the general recognition problem
Unit Grid Intersection Graphs: Recognition and Properties
It has been known since 1991 that the problem of recognizing grid
intersection graphs is NP-complete. Here we use a modified argument of the
above result to show that even if we restrict to the class of unit grid
intersection graphs (UGIGs), the recognition remains hard, as well as for all
graph classes contained inbetween. The result holds even when considering only
graphs with arbitrarily large girth. Furthermore, we ask the question of
representing UGIGs on grids of minimal size. We show that the UGIGs that can be
represented in a square of side length 1+epsilon, for a positive epsilon no
greater than 1, are exactly the orthogonal ray graphs, and that there exist
families of trees that need an arbitrarily large grid
Smoothing the gap between NP and ER
We study algorithmic problems that belong to the complexity class of the
existential theory of the reals (ER). A problem is ER-complete if it is as hard
as the problem ETR and if it can be written as an ETR formula. Traditionally,
these problems are studied in the real RAM, a model of computation that assumes
that the storage and comparison of real-valued numbers can be done in constant
space and time, with infinite precision. The complexity class ER is often
called a real RAM analogue of NP, since the problem ETR can be viewed as the
real-valued variant of SAT.
In this paper we prove a real RAM analogue to the Cook-Levin theorem which
shows that ER membership is equivalent to having a verification algorithm that
runs in polynomial-time on a real RAM. This gives an easy proof of
ER-membership, as verification algorithms on a real RAM are much more versatile
than ETR-formulas. We use this result to construct a framework to study
ER-complete problems under smoothed analysis. We show that for a wide class of
ER-complete problems, its witness can be represented with logarithmic
input-precision by using smoothed analysis on its real RAM verification
algorithm. This shows in a formal way that the boundary between NP and ER
(formed by inputs whose solution witness needs high input-precision) consists
of contrived input. We apply our framework to well-studied ER-complete
recognition problems which have the exponential bit phenomenon such as the
recognition of realizable order types or the Steinitz problem in fixed
dimension.Comment: 31 pages, 11 figures, FOCS 2020, SICOMP 202
Beyond analytical knowledge: The need for a combined theory of generation and explanation
Analytic approaches to design develop theories from real-world phenomena, and as such are predominantly focused on the ‘laws that restrict and structure the field of possibility’ (Hillier 1996: 221). However, in the domain of design we need theories of design possibility and actuality, or a combined theory of generation and explanation. Starting from the assertion that there are multiple branches of architectural knowledge, this paper discusses three artefacts (Venice, Le Corbusier’s Venice Hospital and Calvino’s Invisible Cities) suggesting that in these artefacts we recognise common morphogenetic characteristics, and the intersection of analytic thought with generative design. The aim is threefold: firstly, to explore the ways in which the common characteristics in the three works create syntaxes of combinations capable of describing the generative imagination as the outcome of definable processes and relations; secondly, to explain the importance of a theory in dynamic processes of interaction and association aside to static spatial structures. Thirdly, to show where we can situate these ideas in relation to intellectual and design practices, and how to project them in the future.
It is proposed that the diversification of knowledge is the basic condition for the intersection of generative with analytical thought and the dynamic generation of meaning. The paper borrows from aesthetic and literary theory the notion of ‘possible worlds’ to take into account design as ‘worldmaking’ (Goodman 1978). It argues that analytic and generative knowledge are central in design, as each allows access to worlds whose centres of reality are not separate or fixed but interact and shift dynamically with creative activity and time. Aside to theories of explanation we need theories of generation or a combined theory of freedom and necessity in architecture and design
Sign rank versus VC dimension
This work studies the maximum possible sign rank of sign
matrices with a given VC dimension . For , this maximum is {three}. For
, this maximum is . For , similar but
slightly less accurate statements hold. {The lower bounds improve over previous
ones by Ben-David et al., and the upper bounds are novel.}
The lower bounds are obtained by probabilistic constructions, using a theorem
of Warren in real algebraic topology. The upper bounds are obtained using a
result of Welzl about spanning trees with low stabbing number, and using the
moment curve.
The upper bound technique is also used to: (i) provide estimates on the
number of classes of a given VC dimension, and the number of maximum classes of
a given VC dimension -- answering a question of Frankl from '89, and (ii)
design an efficient algorithm that provides an multiplicative
approximation for the sign rank.
We also observe a general connection between sign rank and spectral gaps
which is based on Forster's argument. Consider the adjacency
matrix of a regular graph with a second eigenvalue of absolute value
and . We show that the sign rank of the signed
version of this matrix is at least . We use this connection to
prove the existence of a maximum class with VC
dimension and sign rank . This answers a question
of Ben-David et al.~regarding the sign rank of large VC classes. We also
describe limitations of this approach, in the spirit of the Alon-Boppana
theorem.
We further describe connections to communication complexity, geometry,
learning theory, and combinatorics.Comment: 33 pages. This is a revised version of the paper "Sign rank versus VC
dimension". Additional results in this version: (i) Estimates on the number
of maximum VC classes (answering a question of Frankl from '89). (ii)
Estimates on the sign rank of large VC classes (answering a question of
Ben-David et al. from '03). (iii) A discussion on the computational
complexity of computing the sign-ran
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