All Maximal Independent Sets and Dynamic Dominance for Sparse Graphs

We describe algorithms, based on Avis and Fukuda's reverse search paradigm, for listing all maximal independent sets in a sparse graph in polynomial time and delay per output. For bounded degree graphs, our algorithms take constant time per set generated; for minor-closed graph families, the time is O(n) per set, and for more general sparse graph families we achieve subquadratic time per set. We also describe new data structures for maintaining a dynamic vertex set S in a sparse or minor-closed graph family, and querying the number of vertices not dominated by S; for minor-closed graph families the time per update is constant, while it is sublinear for any sparse graph family. We can also maintain a dynamic vertex set in an arbitrary m-edge graph and test the independence of the maintained set in time O(sqrt m) per update. We use the domination data structures as part of our enumeration algorithms.Comment: 10 page

Maximal induced matchings in triangle-free graphs

An induced matching in a graph is a set of edges whose endpoints induce a $1$-regular subgraph. It is known that any $n$-vertex graph has at most $10^{n/5} \approx 1.5849^n$ maximal induced matchings, and this bound is best possible. We prove that any $n$-vertex triangle-free graph has at most $3^{n/3} \approx 1.4423^n$ maximal induced matchings, and this bound is attained by any disjoint union of copies of the complete bipartite graph $K_{3,3}$. Our result implies that all maximal induced matchings in an $n$-vertex triangle-free graph can be listed in time $O(1.4423^n)$, yielding the fastest known algorithm for finding a maximum induced matching in a triangle-free graph.Comment: 17 page

Fast algorithms for min independent dominating set

We first devise a branching algorithm that computes a minimum independent dominating set on any graph with running time O*(2^0.424n) and polynomial space. This improves the O*(2^0.441n) result by (S. Gaspers and M. Liedloff, A branch-and-reduce algorithm for finding a minimum independent dominating set in graphs, Proc. WG'06). We then show that, for every r>3, it is possible to compute an r-((r-1)/r)log_2(r)-approximate solution for min independent dominating set within time O*(2^(nlog_2(r)/r))

An Improved Exact Algorithm for the Exact Satisfiability Problem

The Exact Satisfiability problem, XSAT, is defined as the problem of finding a satisfying assignment to a formula $\varphi$ in CNF such that exactly one literal in each clause is assigned to be "1" and the other literals in the same clause are set to "0". Since it is an important variant of the satisfiability problem, XSAT has also been studied heavily and has seen numerous improvements to the development of its exact algorithms over the years. The fastest known exact algorithm to solve XSAT runs in $O(1.1730^n)$ time, where $n$ is the number of variables in the formula. In this paper, we propose a faster exact algorithm that solves the problem in $O(1.1674^n)$ time. Like many of the authors working on this problem, we give a DPLL algorithm to solve it. The novelty of this paper lies on the design of the nonstandard measure, to help us to tighten the analysis of the algorithm further

Immature oocytes grow during in vitro maturation culture

BACKGROUND. Oocyte competence for maturation and embryogenesis is associated with oocyte diameter in many mammals. This study aimed to test whether such a relationship exists in humans and to quantify its impact upon in vitro maturation (IVM). METHODS. We used computer-assisted image analysis daily to measure average diameter, zona thickness and other parameters in oocytes. Immature oocytes originated from unstimulated patients with polycystic ovaries, and from stimulated patients undergoing ICSI. They were cultured with or without meiosis activating sterol (FF-MAS). Oocytes maturing in vitro were inseminated using ICSI and embryo development was monitored. A sample of freshly collected in vivo matured oocytes from ICSI patients were also measured. RESULTS. Immature oocytes were usually smaller at collection than in vivo matured oocytes. Capacity for maturation was related to oocyte diameter and many oocytes grew in culture. FF-MAS stimulated growth in ICSI derived oocytes, but only stimulated growth in PCO derived oocytes if they eventually matured in vitro. Oocytes degenerating showed cytoplasmic shrinkage. Neither zona thickness, perivitelline space, nor the total diameter of the oocyte including the zona were informative regarding oocyte maturation capacity. CONCLUSIONS. Immature oocytes continue growing during maturation culture. FF-MAS promotes oocyte growth in vitro. Oocytes from different sources have different growth profiles in vitro. Measuring diameters of oocytes used in clinical IVM may provide additional non-invasive information that could potentially identify and avoid the use of oocytes that remain in the growth phase

Statistical Mechanics of maximal independent sets

The graph theoretic concept of maximal independent set arises in several practical problems in computer science as well as in game theory. A maximal independent set is defined by the set of occupied nodes that satisfy some packing and covering constraints. It is known that finding minimum and maximum-density maximal independent sets are hard optimization problems. In this paper, we use cavity method of statistical physics and Monte Carlo simulations to study the corresponding constraint satisfaction problem on random graphs. We obtain the entropy of maximal independent sets within the replica symmetric and one-step replica symmetry breaking frameworks, shedding light on the metric structure of the landscape of solutions and suggesting a class of possible algorithms. This is of particular relevance for the application to the study of strategic interactions in social and economic networks, where maximal independent sets correspond to pure Nash equilibria of a graphical game of public goods allocation

Tur\'an Graphs, Stability Number, and Fibonacci Index

The Fibonacci index of a graph is the number of its stable sets. This parameter is widely studied and has applications in chemical graph theory. In this paper, we establish tight upper bounds for the Fibonacci index in terms of the stability number and the order of general graphs and connected graphs. Tur\'an graphs frequently appear in extremal graph theory. We show that Tur\'an graphs and a connected variant of them are also extremal for these particular problems.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Feedback Vertex Sets in Tournaments

We study combinatorial and algorithmic questions around minimal feedback vertex sets in tournament graphs. On the combinatorial side, we derive strong upper and lower bounds on the maximum number of minimal feedback vertex sets in an n-vertex tournament. We prove that every tournament on n vertices has at most 1.6740^n minimal feedback vertex sets, and that there is an infinite family of tournaments, all having at least 1.5448^n minimal feedback vertex sets. This improves and extends the bounds of Moon (1971). On the algorithmic side, we design the first polynomial space algorithm that enumerates the minimal feedback vertex sets of a tournament with polynomial delay. The combination of our results yields the fastest known algorithm for finding a minimum size feedback vertex set in a tournament