Related papers: Competitive Search in a Network
We carry out a comparative study on the problem for a walker searching on several typical complex networks. The search efficiency is evaluated for various strategies. Having no knowledge of the global properties of the underlying networks…
We consider a classic search problem first proposed by S. Gal in which a Searcher randomizes between unit speed paths on a network, aiming to find a hidden point in minimal expected time in the worst case. This can be viewed as a zero-sum…
Inspired by the diverse set of technologies used in underground object detection and imaging, we introduce a novel multimodal linear search problem whereby a single searcher starts at the origin and must find a target that can only be…
We study a generalized binary search problem on the line and general trees. On the line (e.g., a sorted array), binary search finds a target node in $O(\log n)$ queries in the worst case, where $n$ is the number of nodes. In situations with…
Finding efficient algorithms to explore large networks with the aim of recovering information about their structure is an open problem. Here, we investigate this challenge by proposing a model in which random walkers with previously…
We consider the following distributed pursuit-evasion problem. A team of mobile agents called searchers starts at an arbitrary node of an unknown $n$-node network. Their goal is to execute a search strategy that guarantees capturing a fast…
We consider a search and rescue game introduced recently by the first author. An immobile target or targets (for example, injured hikers) are hidden on a graph. The terrain is assumed to dangerous, so that when any given vertex of the graph…
We consider a search problem in which one or more targets must be rescued by a search party, or Searcher. The targets may be survivors of some natural disaster, or prisoners held by an adversary. The targets are hidden among a finite set of…
Influence maximization is the problem of finding the set of nodes of a network that maximizes the size of the outbreak of a spreading process occurring on the network. Solutions to this problem are important for strategic decisions in…
A divisible treasure is located at a node $H$ of a network. From a given start node a group of $n$ Searchers each seek to reach $H$ first, dividing the treasure equally with the other first arrivers. This type of search game is called…
We consider the problem of selecting $k$ seed nodes in a network to maximize the minimum probability of activation under an independent cascade beginning at these seeds. The motivation is to promote fairness by ensuring that even the least…
We present results on new variants of the famous linear search (or cow-path) problem that involves an agent searching for a target with unknown position on the infinite line. We consider the variant where the agent can move either at speed…
We consider linear search for an escaping target whose speed and initial position are unknown to the searcher. A searcher (an autonomous mobile agent) is initially placed at the origin of the real line and can move with maximum speed $1$ in…
The performance of search algorithms for grid-based pathfinding, e.g. A*, critically depends on the heuristic function that is used to focus the search. Recent studies have shown that informed heuristics that take the positions/shapes of…
We revisit the linear search problem where a robot, initially placed at the origin on an infinite line, tries to locate a stationary target placed at an unknown position on the line. Unlike previous studies, in which the robot travels along…
Borrowing from concepts in expander graphs, we study the expansion properties of real-world, complex networks (e.g. social networks, unstructured peer-to-peer or P2P networks) and the extent to which these properties can be exploited to…
We study the design of resilient and reliable communication networks in which a signal can be transferred only up to a limited distance before its quality falls below an acceptable threshold. When excessive signal degradation occurs,…
We consider a class of zero-sum search games in which a Hider hides one or more target among a set of $n$ boxes. The boxes may require differing amount of time to search, and detection may be imperfect, so that there is a certain…
Previous work on the competitive retrieval setting focused on a single-query setting: document authors manipulate their documents so as to improve their future ranking for a given query. We study a competitive setting where authors opt to…
We consider the problem of searching for an object on a line at an unknown distance OPT from the original position of the searcher, in the presence of a cost of d for each time the searcher changes direction. This is a generalization of the…