arXiv subjects

Gabriele Di Stefano

Publications and source records attributed to Gabriele Di Stefano.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Time-optimal geodesic mutual visibility of robots on grids within minimum area

The \textsc{Mutual Visibility} is a well-known problem in the context of mobile robots. For a set of $n$ robots disposed in the Euclidean plane, it asks for moving the robots without collisions so as to achieve a placement ensuring that no three robots are collinear. For robots moving on graphs, we consider the \textsc{Geodesic Mutual Visibility} ($\GMV$) problem. Robots move along the edges of the graph, without collisions, so as to occupy some vertices that guarantee they become pairwise geodesic mutually visible. This means that there is a shortest path (i.e., a "geodesic") between each pair of robots along which no other robots reside. We study this problem in the context of finite and infinite square grids, for robots operating under the standard Look-Compute-Move model. In both scenarios, we provide resolution algorithms along with formal correctness proofs, highlighting the most relevant peculiarities arising within the different contexts, while optimizing the time complexity.

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arXiv2023

Variety of mutual-visibility problems in graphs

If $X$ is a subset of vertices of a graph $G$, then vertices $u$ and $v$ are $X$-visible if there exists a shortest $u,v$-path $P$ such that $V(P)\cap X \subseteq \{u,v\}$. If each two vertices from $X$ are $X$-visible, then $X$ is a mutual-visibility set. The mutual-visibility number of $G$ is the cardinality of a largest mutual-visibility set of $G$ and has been already investigated. In this paper a variety of mutual-visibility problems is introduced based on which natural pairs of vertices are required to be $X$-visible. This yields the total, the dual, and the outer mutual-visibility numbers. We first show that these graph invariants are related to each other and to the classical mutual-visibility number, and then we prove that the three newly introduced mutual-visibility problems are computationally difficult. According to this result, we compute or bound their values for several graphs classes that include for instance grid graphs and tori. We conclude the study by presenting some inter-comparison between the values of such parameters, which is based on the computations we made for some specific families.

math.CO↗

arXiv2023

Mutual-visibility in distance-hereditary graphs: a linear-time algorithm

The concept of mutual-visibility in graphs has been recently introduced. If $X$ is a subset of vertices of a graph $G$, then vertices $u$ and $v$ are $X$-visible if there exists a shortest $u,v$-path $P$ such that $V(P)\cap X \subseteq \{u, v\}$. If every two vertices from $X$ are $X$-visible, then $X$ is a mutual-visibility set. The mutual-visibility number of $G$ is the cardinality of a largest mutual-visibility set of $G$. It is known that computing the mutual-visibility number of a graph is NP-complete, whereas it has been shown that there are exact formulas for special graph classes like paths, cycles, blocks, cographs, and grids. In this paper, we study the mutual-visibility in distance-hereditary graphs and show that the mutual-visibility number can be computed in linear time for this class.

math.CO↗

arXiv2022

On monophonic position sets in graphs

The general position problem in graph theory asks for the largest set $S$ of vertices of a graph $G$ such that no shortest path of $G$ contains more than two vertices of $S$. In this paper we consider a variant of the general position problem called the \emph{monophonic position problem}, obtained by replacing `shortest path' by `induced path'. We prove some basic properties and bounds for the monophonic position number of a graph and determine the monophonic position number of some graph families, including unicyclic graphs, complements of bipartite graphs and split graphs. We show that the monophonic position number of triangle-free graphs is bounded above by the independence number. We present realisation results for the general position number, monophonic position number and monophonic hull number. Finally we discuss the complexity of the monophonic position problem.

math.CO↗

arXiv2022

On the Vertex Position Number of Graphs

In this paper we generalise the notion of visibility from a point in an integer lattice to the setting of graph theory. For a vertex $x$ of a connected graph $G$, we say that a set $S \subseteq V(G)$ is an \emph{$x$-position set} if for any $y \in S$ the shortest $x,y$-paths in $G$ contain no point of $S\setminus \{ y\}$. We investigate the largest and smallest orders of maximum $x$-position sets in graphs, determining these numbers for common classes of graphs and giving bounds in terms of the girth, vertex degrees, diameter and radius. Finally we discuss the complexity of finding maximum vertex position sets in graphs.

math.CO↗

arXiv2022

On the mutual visibility in Cartesian products and triangle-free graphs

Given a graph $G=(V(G), E(G))$ and a set $P\subseteq V(G)$, the following concepts have been recently introduced: $(i)$ two elements of $P$ are \emph{mutually visible} if there is a shortest path between them without further elements of $P$; $(ii)$ $P$ is a \emph{mutual-visibility set} if its elements are pairwise mutually visible; $(iii)$ the \emph{mutual-visibility number} of $G$ is the size of any largest mutual-visibility set. % In this work we continue to investigate about these concepts. We first focus on mutual-visibility in Cartesian products. For this purpose, too, we introduce and investigate independent mutual-visibility sets. In the very special case of the Cartesian product of two complete graphs the problem is shown to be equivalent to the well-known Zarenkiewicz's problem. We also characterize the triangle-free graphs with the mutual-visibility number equal to $3$.

math.CO↗

arXiv2022

About the Infinite Windy Firebreak Location problem

The severity of wildfires can be mitigated adopting preventive measures like the construction of firebreaks that are strips of land from which the vegetation is completely removed. In this paper, we model the problem of wildfire containment as an optimization problem on infinite graphs called Infinite Windy Firebreak Location. A land of unknown extension is modeled as an infinite undirected graph in which the vertices correspond to areas subject to fire and edges represent the propagation of fire from an area to another. The construction of a firebreak on the territory is modeled as the removal of edges in both directions between two vertices. The number of firebreaks that can be installed depends on budget constraints. We assume that fire ignites in a subset of vertices and propagates to the neighbours. The goal is to select a subset of edges to remove in order to contain the fire and avoid burning an infinite part of the graph. We prove that Infinite Windy Firebreak Location is coNP-complete in restricted cases and we address some polynomial cases. We show that Infinite Windy Firebreak Location polynomially reduces to Min Cut for certain classes of graphs like infinite grid graphs and polyomino-grids.

cs.DM↗

arXiv2021

Mutual Visibility in Graphs

Let $G=(V,E)$ be a graph and $P\subseteq V$ a set of points. Two points are mutually visible if there is a shortest path between them without further points. $P$ is a mutual-visibility set if its points are pairwise mutually visible. The mutual-visibility number of $G$ is the size of any largest mutual-visibility set. In this paper we start the study about this new invariant and the mutual-visibility sets in undirected graphs. We introduce the mutual-visibility problem which asks to find a mutual-visibility set with a size larger than a given number. We show that this problem is NP-complete, whereas, to check whether a given set of points is a mutual-visibility set is solvable in polynomial time. Then we study mutual-visibility sets and mutual-visibility numbers on special classes of graphs, such as block graphs, trees, grids, tori, complete bipartite graphs, cographs. We also provide some relations of the mutual-visibility number of a graph with other invariants.

math.CO↗

arXiv2021

A graph theoretical approach to the firebreak locating problem

In the last decade, wildfires have become wider and more destructive. The climate change and the growth of urban areas may further increase the probability of incidence of large-scale fires. The risk of fire can be lowered with preventive measures. Among them, firefighting lines are used to stop the fire from spreading beyond them. Due to high costs of installation and maintenance, their placement must be carefully planned. In this work, we address the wildfire management problem from a theoretical point of view and define a risk function to model the fire diffusion phenomena. The land is modeled by a mixed graph in which vertices are areas subject to fire with a certain probability while edges model the probability of fire spreading from one area to another. To reduce the risk, we introduce the {\sc Windy Firebreak Location} problem that addresses the optimal positioning of firefighting lines under budget constraints. We study the complexity of the problem and prove its hardness even when the graph is planar, bipartite, with maximum degree four and the propagation probabilities are equal to one. We also show an efficient polynomial time algorithm for particular instances on trees.

math.CO↗

arXiv2020

Arbitrary Pattern Formation on Infinite Regular Tessellation Graphs

Given a set R of robots, each one located at different vertices of an infinite regular tessellation graph, we aim to explore the Arbitrary Pattern Formation (APF) problem. Given a multiset F of grid vertices such that |R|=|F|, APF asks for a distributed algorithm that moves robots so as to reach a configuration similar to F. Similarity means that robots must be disposed as F regardless of translations, rotations, reflections. So far, as possible graph discretizing the Euclidean plane only the standard square grid has been considered in the context of the classical Look-Compute-Move model. However, it is natural to consider also the other regular tessellation graphs, that are triangular and hexagonal grids. We provide a resolution algorithm for APF when the initial configuration is asymmetric and the considered topology is any regular tessellation graph.

cs.DC↗

arXiv2020

A methodology to design distributed algorithms for mobile entities: the pattern formation problem as case study

Following the wide investigation in distributed computing issues by mobile entities of the last two decades, we consider the need of a structured methodology to tackle the arisen problems. The aim is to simplify both the design of the resolution algorithms and the writing of the required correctness proofs. We would encourage the usage of a common framework in order to help both algorithm designer and reviewers in the intricate work of analyzing the proposed resolution strategies. In order to better understand the potentials of our methodology, we consider the Pattern Formation (PF) problem approached in [Fujinaga et al. SIAM J. Comput., 2015] as case study. Since the proposed resolution algorithm has turned out to be inaccurate and also of difficult fixing, we design a new algorithm guided by the proposed methodology, hence fully characterizing the problem.

cs.DC↗

arXiv2018

Asynchronous Arbitrary Pattern Formation: the effects of a rigorous approach

Given any multiset F of points in the Euclidean plane and a set R of robots such that |R|=|F|, the Arbitrary Pattern Formation (APF) problem asks for a distributed algorithm that moves robots so as to reach a configuration similar to F. Similarity means that robots must be disposed as F regardless of translations, rotations, reflections, uniform scalings. Initially, each robot occupies a distinct position. When active, a robot operates in standard LCM cycles. Robots are asynchronous, oblivious, anonymous, silent and execute the same distributed algorithm. So far, the problem has been mainly addressed by assuming chirality, that is robots share a common left-right orientation. We are interested in removing such a restriction. While working on the subject, we faced several issues that required close attention. We deeply investigated how such difficulties were overcome in the literature, revealing that crucial arguments for the correctness proof of the existing algorithms have been neglected. The systematic lack of rigorous arguments with respect to necessary conditions required for providing correctness proofs deeply affects the validity as well as the relevance of strategies proposed in the literature. Here we design a new deterministic distributed algorithm that fully characterizes APF showing its equivalence with the well-known Leader Election problem in the asynchronous model without chirality. Our approach is characterized by the use of logical predicates in order to formally describe our algorithm as well as its correctness. In addition to the relevance of our achievements, our techniques might help in revising previous results. In fact, it comes out that well-established results like [Fujinaga et al, SIAM J. Comp. 44(3) 2015], more recent approaches like [Bramas et al, PODC and SSS 2016] and 'unofficial' results like [Dieudonne et al, arXiv:0902.2851] revealed to be not correct.

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