Conference on Combinatorial Optimization and Applications 

About: Conference on Combinatorial Optimization and Applications is an academic conference. The conference publishes majorly in the area(s): Approximation algorithm & Time complexity. Over the lifetime, 727 publications have been published by the conference receiving 4220 citations.

Energy minimizing vehicle routing problem

Abstract: This paper proposes a new cost function based on distance and load of the vehicle for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem. The vehicle-routing problem with this new load-based cost objective is called the Energy Minimizing Vehicle Routing Problem (EMVRP). Integer linear programming formulations with O(n2) binary variables and O(n2) constraints are developed for the collection and delivery cases, separately. The proposed models are tested and illustrated by classical Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) instances from the literature using CPLEX 8.0.

On the complexity of some colorful problems parameterized by treewidth

Abstract: We study the complexity of several coloring problems on graphs, parameterized by the treewidth t of the graph: (1) The list chromatic number χl(G) of a graph G is defined to be the smallest positive integer r, such that for every assignment to the vertices v of G, of a list Lv of colors, where each list has length at least r, there is a choice of one color from each vertex list Lv yielding a proper coloring of G. We show that the problem of determining whether χl(G) ≤ r, the LIST CHROMATIC NUMBER problem, is solvable in linear time for every fixed treewidth bound t. The method by which this is shown is new and of general applicability. (2) The LIST COLORING problem takes as input a graph G, together with an assignment to each vertex v of a set of colors Cv. The problem is to determine whether it is possible to choose a color for vertex v from the set of permitted colors Cv, for each vertex, so that the obtained coloring of G is proper. We show that this problem is W[1]-hard, parameterized by the treewidth of G. The closely related PRECOLORING EXTENSION problem is also shown to be W[1]-hard, parameterized by treewidth. (3) An equitable coloring of a graph G is a proper coloring of the vertices where the numbers of vertices having any two distinct colors differs by at most one. We show that the problem is hard for W[1], parameterized by (t, r). We also show that a list-based variation, LIST EQUITABLE COLORING is W[1]-hard for trees, parameterized by the number of colors on the lists.

Optimal Movement of Mobile Sensors for Barrier Coverage of a Planar Region

Abstract: Intrusion detection, area coverage and border surveillance are important applications of wireless sensor networks today. They can be (and are being) used to monitor large unprotected areas so as to detect intruders as they cross a border or as they penetrate a protected area. We consider the problem of how to optimally move mobile sensors to the fence (perimeter) of a region delimited by a simple polygon in order to detect intruders from either entering its interior or exiting from it. We discuss several related issues and problems, propose two models, provide algorithms and analyze their optimal mobility behavior.

Positive Influence Dominating Set in Online Social Networks

Abstract: Online social network has developed significantly in recent years as a medium of communicating, sharing and disseminating information and spreading influence. Most of current research has been on understanding the property of online social network and utilizing it to spread information and ideas. In this paper, we explored the problem of how to utilize online social networks to help alleviate social problems in the physical world, for example, the drinking, smoking, and drug related problems. We proposed a Positive Influence Dominating Set (PIDS) selection algorithm and analyzed its effect on a real online social network data set through simulations. By comparing the size and the average positive degree of PIDS with those of a 1-dominating set, we found that by strategically choosing 26% more people into the PIDS to participate in the intervention program, the average positive degree increases by approximately 3.3 times. In terms of the application, this result implies that by moderately increasing the participation related cost, the probability of positive influencing the whole community through the intervention program is significantly higher. We also discovered that a power law graph has empirically larger dominating sets (both the PIDS and 1-dominating set) than a random graph does.

Solving the Connected Dominating Set Problem and Power Dominating Set Problem by Integer Programming

Abstract: In this paper, we propose several integer programming approaches with a polynomial number of constraints to formulate and solve the minimum connected dominating set problem. Further, we consider both the power dominating set problem – a special dominating set problem for sensor placement in power systems – and its connected version. We propose formulations and algorithms to solve these integer programs, and report results for several power system graphs.