42237174
On the Complexity of Distributed Network Decomposition
In this paper, we improve the bounds for computing a network decomposition distributively and deterministically. Our algorithm computes an (n?(n),n?(n))-decomposition innO(?(n))time, whereformula. As a corollary we obtain improved deterministic bounds for distributively computing several graph structures such as maximal independent sets and ?-vertex colorings. We also show that the class of graphs G whose maximum degree isnO(?(n))where ?(n)=1/log lognis complete for the task of computing a near-optimal decomposition, i.e., a (logn, logn)-decomposition, in polylog(n) time. This is a corollary of a more general characterization, which pinpoints the weak points of existing network decomposition algorithms. Completeness is to be intended in the following sense: if we have an algorithmAthat computes a near-optimal decomposition in polylog(n) time for graphs inG, then we can compute a near-optimal decomposition in polylog(n) time for all graphs.
39527744
Efficient Algorithms for the Minimum Weighted Dominating Clique Problem on Permutation Graphs
Given a graph G=(V, E) with real weights assigned to its vertices, a clique of G that also dominates its vertex set V, is called a dominating clique (DC) of G. Given a permutation graph G with all its vertices having nonnegative weights, and its permutation representation, the problem addressed in this paper is that of finding any minimum weight DC of G. We improve the existing O(|V|2) algorithm for this problem to O(|V|log|V|). The space complexity of our algorithm is O(|V|). We also present a |V| processor, O(log|V|) time, O(|V|log|V|) space parallel EREW PRAM algorithm for this problem.
8868988
Contention resolution with constant expected delay
We study contention resolution in a multiple-access channel such as the Ethernet channel. In the model that we consider, n users generate messages for the channel according to a probability distribution. Raghavan and Upfal have given a protocol in which the expected delay (time to get serviced) of every message is O(log n) when messages are generated according to a Bernoulli distribution with generation rate up to about 1/10. Our main results are the following protocols: (a) one in which the expected average message delay is O(1) when messages are generated according to a Bernoulli distribution with a generation rate smaller than 1/e, and (b) one in which the expected delay of any message is O(1) for an analogous model in which users are synchronized (i.e., they agree about the time), there are potentially an infinite number of users, and messages are generated according to a Poisson distribution with generation rate up to 1/e. (Each message constitutes a new user.)
To achieve (a), we first show how to simulate (b) using n synchronized users, and then show how to build the synchronization into the protocol.
23028632
Mechanism design for intellectual property rights protection
Estimates for the annual size of software piracy are in the region of $15 billion. The problem is also manifest in other forms of intellectual property. The explosive growth of the Internet and other communications networks has accentuated this problem. The new infrastructure has facilitated piracy by effectively reducing the cost of copying to negligible levels. (Recently, the FBI launched an operation called “Cyber Strike,” with the objective of curbing illegal copying and distribution of software over computer networks.) A naive suggestion has been that intellectual property rights (IPR) violation is actually beneficial from the social point of view, since it decreases the monopoly power of the provider. However, the flip side of this argument is that the IPR violations decrease the incentive for innovation because they lead to lower profits. In this paper, several mechanisms for IPR protection are designed. The mechanisms involve two tools: the level of enforcement (i.e., the probability that an IPR violator will be apprehended) and the penalty to be levied on an apprehended IPR violator. These tools are analyzed by considering the tradeoff between social welfare and the provider’s profit. The paper considers a provider who wants to maximize his profit and a policy maker who wants to maximize “net” social welfare (defined as welfare less any costs of enforcement), subject to a target profit for the provider. The consumers choose from among three options: buy, copy, or stay out of the market. A game-theoretic framework is adopted, where the policy maker, the provider, and the consumers get to move in that order. Among the results, the research shows that
8959226
Low-Discrepancy Sets For High-Dimensional Rectangles: A Survey
A sub-area of discrepancy theory that has received much attention in computer science recently, is that of explicit constructions of low-discrepancy point sets for various types of rectangle families in high dimension. This research has led to interesting applications in error-control coding, distributed protocols, Web document filtering, derandomization, and other areas. We give a short survey of this area here.
12370019
New algorithmic aspects of the Local Lemma with applications to routing and partitioning
The Lovasz local lemma (LLL)is a powerful tool that is increasingly playing a valuable role in computer science. The original lemma was nonconstructive; a breakthrough of Beck and its generalizations (due to Alon and Molloy and Reed)have led to constructive versions. However, these methods do not capture some classes of applications of the LLL. We make progress on this by providing algorithmic approaches to two families of applications of the LLL. The first provides constructive versions of certain applications of an extension of the LLL (modeling, e.g., hypergraph-partitioning and low-congestion routing problems); the second provides new algorithmic results on constructing disjoint paths in graphs. Our results can also be seen as constructive upper bounds on the integrality gap of certain packing problems. One common theme of our work is a "gradual rounding" approach.
16914350
Biochemical Knowledge Discovery Using Inductive Logic Programming
Machine Learning algorithms are being increasingly used for knowledge discovery tasks. Approaches can be broadly divided by distinguishing discovery of procedural from that of declarative knowledge. Client requirements determine which of these is appropriate. This paper discusses an experimental application of machine learning in an area related to drug design. The bottleneck here is in finding appropriate constraints to reduce the large number of candidate molecules to be synthesised and tested. Such constraints can be viewed as declarative specifications of the structuralel ements necessary for high medicinal activity and low toxicity. The first-order representation used within Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) provides an appropriate description language for such constraints. Within this application area knowledge accreditation requires not only a demonstration of predictive accuracy but also, and crucially, a certification of novel insight into the structuralc hemistry. This paper describes an experiment in which the ILP system Progolw as used to obtain structural constraints associated with mutagenicity of molecules. In doing so Progol found a new indicator of mutagenicity within a subset of previously published data. This subset was already known not to be amenable to statistical regression, though its complement was adequately explained by a linear model. According to the combined accuracy/explanation criterion provided in this paper, on both subsets comparative trials show that Progol's structurally-oriented hypotheses are preferable to those of other machine learning algorithms.
28892549
Improved Monte Carlo Linear Solvers Through Non-diagonal Splitting
Fast, but approximate, solutions to linear algebra problems have many potential applications, such as in graph partitioning, preconditioning, information retrieval, etc. Monte Carlo techniques appear attractive for such needs. While Monte Carlo linear solvers have a long history, their application has been limited due to slow convergence. Despite the development of techniques to improve their accuracy, current methods suffer from the drawback that they are stochastic realizations of inherently poor iterative methods. The reason for such choices is the need for efficient Monte Carlo implementation, which has restricted the splittings that are considered. However, in this paper we demonstrate that such restrictions are not necessarily required, and that efficient Monte Carlo implementations are possible even with splittings that do not appear amenable to it.
5149437
The case for fair multiprocessor scheduling
In this paper, we compare the PD/sup 2/ Pfair algorithm to the EDF-FF partitioning scheme, which uses "first fit" (FF) as a partitioning heuristic and the earliest-deadline-first (EDF) algorithm for per-processor scheduling. We present experimental results that show that PD/sup 2/ is competitive with, and in some cases outperforms, EDF-FF. These results suggest that Pfair scheduling is a viable alternative to partitioning. Furthermore, as discussed herein, Pfair scheduling provides many additional benefits, such as simple and efficient synchronization, temporal isolation, fault tolerance, and support for dynamic tasks.
13618830
Optimal rate-based scheduling on multiprocessors
The PD2 Pfair/ERfair scheduling algorithm is the most efficient known algorithm for optimally scheduling periodic tasks on multiprocessors. In this paper, we prove that PD2 is also optimal for scheduling "rate-based" tasks whose processing steps may be highly jittered. The rate-based task model we consider generalizes the widely-studied sporadic task model.
38425944
Scheduling on Unrelated Machines Under Tree-Like Precedence Constraints
We present polylogarithmic approximations for the R|prec|Cmax and R|prec|∑jwjCj problems, when the precedence constraints are “treelike” – i.e., when the undirected graph underlying the precedences is a forest. We also obtain improved bounds for the weighted completion time and flow time for the case of chains with restricted assignment – this generalizes the job shop problem to these objective functions. We use the same lower bound of “congestion+dilation”, as in other job shop scheduling approaches. The first step in our algorithm for the R|prec|Cmax problem with treelike precedences involves using the algorithm of Lenstra, Shmoys and Tardos to obtain a processor assignment with the congestion + dilation value within a constant factor of the optimal. We then show how to generalize the random delays technique of Leighton, Maggs and Rao to the case of trees. For the weighted completion time, we show a certain type of reduction to the makespan problem, which dovetails well with the lower bound we employ for the makespan problem. For the special case of chains, we show a dependent rounding technique which leads to improved bounds on the weighted completion time and new bicriteria bounds for the flow time.