6,703 research outputs found
Fast Parallel Fixed-Parameter Algorithms via Color Coding
Fixed-parameter algorithms have been successfully applied to solve numerous
difficult problems within acceptable time bounds on large inputs. However, most
fixed-parameter algorithms are inherently \emph{sequential} and, thus, make no
use of the parallel hardware present in modern computers. We show that parallel
fixed-parameter algorithms do not only exist for numerous parameterized
problems from the literature -- including vertex cover, packing problems,
cluster editing, cutting vertices, finding embeddings, or finding matchings --
but that there are parallel algorithms working in \emph{constant} time or at
least in time \emph{depending only on the parameter} (and not on the size of
the input) for these problems. Phrased in terms of complexity classes, we place
numerous natural parameterized problems in parameterized versions of AC. On
a more technical level, we show how the \emph{color coding} method can be
implemented in constant time and apply it to embedding problems for graphs of
bounded tree-width or tree-depth and to model checking first-order formulas in
graphs of bounded degree
Dynamic Programming for Graphs on Surfaces
We provide a framework for the design and analysis of dynamic programming
algorithms for surface-embedded graphs on n vertices and branchwidth at most k.
Our technique applies to general families of problems where standard dynamic
programming runs in 2^{O(k log k)} n steps. Our approach combines tools from
topological graph theory and analytic combinatorics. In particular, we
introduce a new type of branch decomposition called "surface cut
decomposition", generalizing sphere cut decompositions of planar graphs
introduced by Seymour and Thomas, which has nice combinatorial properties.
Namely, the number of partial solutions that can be arranged on a surface cut
decomposition can be upper-bounded by the number of non-crossing partitions on
surfaces with boundary. It follows that partial solutions can be represented by
a single-exponential (in the branchwidth k) number of configurations. This
proves that, when applied on surface cut decompositions, dynamic programming
runs in 2^{O(k)} n steps. That way, we considerably extend the class of
problems that can be solved in running times with a single-exponential
dependence on branchwidth and unify/improve most previous results in this
direction.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure
Approximating Upper Degree-Constrained Partial Orientations
In the Upper Degree-Constrained Partial Orientation problem we are given an
undirected graph , together with two degree constraint functions
. The goal is to orient as many edges as possible,
in such a way that for each vertex the number of arcs entering is
at most , whereas the number of arcs leaving is at most .
This problem was introduced by Gabow [SODA'06], who proved it to be MAXSNP-hard
(and thus APX-hard). In the same paper Gabow presented an LP-based iterative
rounding -approximation algorithm.
Since the problem in question is a special case of the classic 3-Dimensional
Matching, which in turn is a special case of the -Set Packing problem, it is
reasonable to ask whether recent improvements in approximation algorithms for
the latter two problems [Cygan, FOCS'13; Sviridenko & Ward, ICALP'13] allow for
an improved approximation for Upper Degree-Constrained Partial Orientation. We
follow this line of reasoning and present a polynomial-time local search
algorithm with approximation ratio . Our algorithm uses a
combination of two types of rules: improving sets of bounded pathwidth from the
recent -approximation algorithm for 3-Set Packing [Cygan,
FOCS'13], and a simple rule tailor-made for the setting of partial
orientations. In particular, we exploit the fact that one can check in
polynomial time whether it is possible to orient all the edges of a given graph
[Gy\'arf\'as & Frank, Combinatorics'76].Comment: 12 pages, 1 figur
Matchings with lower quotas: Algorithms and complexity
We study a natural generalization of the maximum weight many-to-one matching problem. We are given an undirected bipartite graph G=(AâȘËP,E)G=(AâȘËP,E) with weights on the edges in E, and with lower and upper quotas on the vertices in P. We seek a maximum weight many-to-one matching satisfying two sets of constraints: vertices in A are incident to at most one matching edge, while vertices in P are either unmatched or they are incident to a number of matching edges between their lower and upper quota. This problem, which we call maximum weight many-to-one matching with lower and upper quotas (WMLQ), has applications to the assignment of students to projects within university courses, where there are constraints on the minimum and maximum numbers of students that must be assigned to each project. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the complexity of WMLQ from the viewpoints of classical polynomial time algorithms, fixed-parameter tractability, as well as approximability. We draw the line between NPNP-hard and polynomially tractable instances in terms of degree and quota constraints and provide efficient algorithms to solve the tractable ones. We further show that the problem can be solved in polynomial time for instances with bounded treewidth; however, the corresponding runtime is exponential in the treewidth with the maximum upper quota umaxumax as basis, and we prove that this dependence is necessary unless FPT=W[1]FPT=W[1]. The approximability of WMLQ is also discussed: we present an approximation algorithm for the general case with performance guarantee umax+1umax+1, which is asymptotically best possible unless P=NPP=NP. Finally, we elaborate on how most of our positive results carry over to matchings in arbitrary graphs with lower quotas
On Polynomial Kernels for Integer Linear Programs: Covering, Packing and Feasibility
We study the existence of polynomial kernels for the problem of deciding
feasibility of integer linear programs (ILPs), and for finding good solutions
for covering and packing ILPs. Our main results are as follows: First, we show
that the ILP Feasibility problem admits no polynomial kernelization when
parameterized by both the number of variables and the number of constraints,
unless NP \subseteq coNP/poly. This extends to the restricted cases of bounded
variable degree and bounded number of variables per constraint, and to covering
and packing ILPs. Second, we give a polynomial kernelization for the Cover ILP
problem, asking for a solution to Ax >= b with c^Tx <= k, parameterized by k,
when A is row-sparse; this generalizes a known polynomial kernelization for the
special case with 0/1-variables and coefficients (d-Hitting Set)
Dynamic programming for graphs on surfaces
We provide a framework for the design and analysis of dynamic
programming algorithms for surface-embedded graphs on n vertices
and branchwidth at most k. Our technique applies to general families
of problems where standard dynamic programming runs in 2O(k·log k).
Our approach combines tools from topological graph theory and
analytic combinatorics.Postprint (updated version
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