15,717 research outputs found
Strong Equivalence of Qualitative Optimization Problems
We introduce the framework of qualitative optimization problems (or, simply, optimization problems) to represent preference theories. The formalism uses separate modules to describe the space of outcomes to be compared (the generator) and the preferences on outcomes (the selector). We consider two types of optimization problems. They differ in the way the generator, which we model by a propositional theory, is interpreted: by the standard propositional logic semantics, and by the equilibrium-model (answer-set) semantics. Under the latter interpretation of generators, optimization problems directly generalize answer-set optimization programs proposed previously. We study strong equivalence of optimization problems, which guarantees their interchangeability within any larger context. We characterize several versions of strong equivalence obtained by restricting the class of optimization problems that can be used as extensions and establish the complexity of associated reasoning tasks. Understanding strong equivalence is essential for modular representation of optimization problems and rewriting techniques to simplify them without changing their inherent properties
Polynomial Time corresponds to Solutions of Polynomial Ordinary Differential Equations of Polynomial Length
We provide an implicit characterization of polynomial time computation in
terms of ordinary differential equations: we characterize the class
of languages computable in polynomial time in terms of
differential equations with polynomial right-hand side.
This result gives a purely continuous (time and space) elegant and simple
characterization of . This is the first time such classes
are characterized using only ordinary differential equations. Our
characterization extends to functions computable in polynomial time over the
reals in the sense of computable analysis. This extends to deterministic
complexity classes above polynomial time.
This may provide a new perspective on classical complexity, by giving a way
to define complexity classes, like , in a very simple
way, without any reference to a notion of (discrete) machine. This may also
provide ways to state classical questions about computational complexity via
ordinary differential equations, i.e.~by using the framework of analysis
Selection, tinkering and emergence in complex networks: crossing the land of tinkering
Complex biological networks have very different origins than technologic ones. The latter involve extensive design and, as engineered structures, include a high level of optimization. The former involve (in principle) contingency and structural constraints, with new structures being incorporated through tinkering with previously evolved modules or units. However, the observation of the topological features of different biological nets suggests that nature can have a limited repertoire of ”attractors” that essentially optimize communication under some basic constraints of cost and architecture or that allow the biological nets to reach a high degree of homeostasis. Conversely, the topological features exhibited by some technology graphs indicate that tinkering and internal constraints play a key role, in spite of the ”designed” nature of these structures. Previous scenarios suggested to explain the overall trends of evolution are re-analyzed in light of topological patterns.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Weyl Numbers of Embeddings of Tensor Product Besov Spaces
In this paper we investigate the asymptotic behaviour of Weyl numbers of
embeddings of tensor product Besov spaces into Lebesgue spaces. These results
will be compared with the known behaviour of entropy numbers.Comment: 54 pages, 2 figure
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