15654193
A dynamic data structure for 3-d convex hulls and 2-d nearest neighbor queries
We present a fully dynamic randomized data structure that can answer queries about the convex hull of a set of <i>n</i> points in three dimensions, where insertions take <i>O</i>(log<sup>3</sup> <i>n</i>) expected amortized time, deletions take <i>O</i>(log<sup>6</sup> <i>n</i>) expected amortized time, and extreme-point queries take <i>O</i>(log<sup>2</sup> <i>n</i>) worst-case time. This is the first method that guarantees polylogarithmic update and query cost for arbitrary sequences of insertions and deletions, and improves the previous <i>O</i>(<i>n</i><sup>ε</sup>)-time method by Agarwal and Matoušek a decade ago. As a consequence, we obtain similar results for nearest neighbor queries in two dimensions and improved results for numerous fundamental geometric problems (such as levels in three dimensions and dynamic Euclidean minimum spanning trees in the plane).
5726313
Finding the shortest bottleneck edge in a parametric minimum spanning tree
<b>The result.</b> <i>Parametric optimization problems</i> that concern graphs with continuously changing edge weights have been explored by numerous researchers, with motivation ranging from sensitivity analysis to mobile-data applications. For instance, Dey [5] has shown that for an undirected graph with <i>n</i> vertices and <i>m</i> edges where the edge weights are linear functions in one parameter ("time"), the minimum spanning tree (MST) can undergo at most <i>O</i>(<i>mn</i><sup>1/3</sup>) changes (edge swaps). Agarwal <i>et al.</i> [1] have given data structures to maintain the MST over time, with a cost of <i>O</i>(<i>n</i><sup>2/3</sup> polylog <i>n</i>) per change. Fernandez-Baca <i>et al.</i> [7] have given an algorithm to compute all changes to the MST in <i>O</i>(<i>mn</i> log <i>n</i>) total time.
15785799
Semi-online maintenance of geometric optima and measures
We give the first nontrivial worst-case results for dynamic versions of various basic geometric optimization and measure problems under the semi-online model, where during the insertion of an object we are told when the object is to be deleted. Problems that we can solve with sublinear update time include the Hausdorff distance of two point sets, discrete 1-center, largest empty circle, convex hull volume in three dimensions, volume of the union of axis-parallel cubes, and minimum enclosing rectangle. The decision versions of the Hausdorff distance and discrete 1-center problems can be solved fully dynamically. Some applications are mentioned.
133008994
A Randomized Algorithm for Online Unit Clustering
In this paper, we consider the online version of the following problem: partition a set of input points into subsets, each enclosable by a unit ball, so as to minimize the number of subsets used. In the one-dimensional case, we show that surprisingly the naive upper bound of 2 on the competitive ratio can be beaten: we present a new randomized 15/8-competitive online algorithm. We also provide some lower bounds and an extension to higher dimensions.
15266108
Optimal output-sensitive convex hull algorithms in two and three dimensions
We present simple output-sensitive algorithms that construct the convex hull of a set ofn points in two or three dimensions in worst-case optimalO (n logh) time andO (n) space, whereh denotes the number of vertices of the convex hull.
26455402
On Enumerating and Selecting Distances
Given an n-point set, the problems of enumerating the k closest pairs and selecting the k-th smallest distance are revisited. For the enumeration problem, we give simpler randomized and deterministic algorithms with O(nlog n+k) running time in any fixed-dimensional Euclidean space. For the selection problem, we give a randomized algorithm with running time O(nlog n+n2/3k1/3log5/3n) in the Euclidean plane. We also describe output-sensitive results for halfspace range counting that are of use in more general distance selection problems. None of our algorithms requires parametric search.
20538253
Parallel Complexity of Domain Decomposition Methods and Optimal Coarse Grid Size
Abstract In this paper, we analyze the parallel complexity of domain decomposition method through estimating the arithmetic time as well as the communication time. In most domain decomposition (DD) methods, a coarse grid solve is employed to provide global coupling and obtain an optimal convergence rate. Generally, a small coarse grid size H improves the convergence rate at the cost of a larger coarse grid problem and a large number P of processors results in more costly global communication, whereas a large H and a small P have the opposite effect. Therefore, there often exists an optimal H such that the execution time on the parallel machine reaches a minimum. Our main goal here is to find this optimal coarse grid size H in the parallel environment. We assume the same solver is used for the subdomains as well as the coarse problem. By expressing the parallel complexity as a function of H and h, we can derive the analytic optimal coarse grid size Hopt. When the number of processors is equal to the number of subdomains, we can prove that the choice of Hopt = √h asymptotically minimises the execution time as h tends to zero. This optimal coarse grid size is independent of the choice of subproblem solvers and the spatial dimension. However, when the number of processors is much less than the number of subdomains, the optimal coarse grid size depends on the number of processors, the subdomain solver and dimension.
16750516
Spanners with Slack
Given a metric (V,d), a spanner is a sparse graph whose shortest-path metric approximates the distance d to within a small multiplicative distortion. In this paper, we study the problem of spanners with slack: e.g., can we find sparse spanners where we are allowed to incur an arbitrarily large distortion on a small constant fraction of the distances, but are then required to incur only a constant (independent of n) distortion on the remaining distances? We answer this question in the affirmative, thus complementing similar recent results on embeddings with slack into l p spaces. For instance, we show that if we ignore an e fraction of the distances, we can get spanners with O(n) edges and O(log 1 ∈) distortion for the remaining distances. We also show how to obtain sparse and low-weight spanners with slack from existing constructions of conventional spanners, and these techniques allow us to also obtain the best known results for distance oracles and distance labelings with slack. This paper complements similar results obtained in recent research on slack embeddings into normed metric spaces.
15943063
Enterprise Systems Success: A Measurement Model
This paper presents a validated measurement model and instrument for assessing enterprise systems success from multiple perspectives. The final validated study model employs 27 measures of the four dimensions: information quality, system quality, individual impact, and organizational impact. The model is empirically tested with survey data gathered from 27 public sector organizations that implemented SAP R/3 in the late 1990s. The study consists of an exploratory inventory survey (model building) to identify the salient success dimensions and measures, followed by a confirmatory weights survey, for testing model validity (model testing). Test results demonstrate the discriminant validity of the four dimensions, as well as their convergence on a single higher-order phenomenon: enterprise systems success (ESS). Criterion validity testing further demonstrates the additivity of the four dimensions of success, and the completeness of the resultant overarching, second-order measure of ESS.
13840611
Dynamic cluster formation using level set methods
Density-based clustering has the advantages for: 1) allowing arbitrary shape of cluster and 2) not requiring the number of clusters as input. However, when clusters touch each other, both the cluster centers and cluster boundaries (as the peaks and valleys of the density distribution) become fuzzy and difficult to determine. We introduce the notion of cluster intensity function (CIF) which captures the important characteristics of clusters. When clusters are well-separated, CIFs are similar to density functions. But, when clusters become closed to each other, CIFs still clearly reveal cluster centers, cluster boundaries, and degree of membership of each data point to the cluster that it belongs. Clustering through bump hunting and valley seeking based on these functions are more robust than that based on density functions obtained by kernel density estimation, which are often oscillatory or oversmoothed. These problems of kernel density estimation are resolved using level set methods and related techniques. Comparisons with two existing density-based methods, valley seeking and DBSCAN, are presented which illustrate the advantages of our approach.
2980605
A Simplified Approach to the Order Conditions of Integration Methods
We present an approach to the numerical integration of ordinary differential equations based on the algebraic theory of Butcher (Math. Comp. 26, 79–106, 1972) and the -series theory of Hairer and Wanner (Computing 13, 1–15, 1974). We clarify the differences of these two approaches by equating the elementary weight functions and showing the differences of the composition rules. By interpreting the elementary weight function as a mapping from input values to output values and introducing some special mappings, we are able to derive the order conditions of several types of integration methods in a straight-forward way. The simplicity of the derivation is illustrated by linear multistep methods that use the second derivative as an input value, Runge-Kutta type methods that use the second as well as first derivatives, and general two-step Runge-Kutta methods. We derive new high stage-order methods in each example. In particular, we found a symmetric and stiffly-accurate method of order eight in the second example.