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Restricted Polarizationless P Systems with Active Membranes: Minimal Cooperation Only Outwards

Abstract

Membrane computing is a computing paradigm providing a class of distributed parallel computing devices of a biochemical type whose process units represent biological membranes. In the cell-like basic model, a hierarchical membrane structure formally described by a rooted tree is considered. It is well known that families of such systems where the number of membranes can only decrease during a computation (for instance by dissolving membranes), can only solve in polynomial time problems in class P. P systems with active membranes is a variant where membranes play a central role in their dynamics. In the seminal version, membranes have an electrical polarization (positive, negative, or neutral) associated in any instant, and besides being dissolved, they can also replicate by using division rules. These systems are computationally universal, that is, equivalent in power to deterministic Turing machines, and computationally e fficient, that is, able to solve computationally hard problems in polynomial time. If polarizations in membranes are removed and dissolution rules are forbidden, then only problems in class P can be solved in polynomial time by these systems (even in the case when division rules for non-elementary membranes are permitted). In that framework it has been shown that by considering minimal cooperation (left-hand side of such rules consists of at most two symbols) and minimal production (only one object is produced by the application of such rules) in object evolution rules, such systems provide e cient solutions to NP{complete problems. In this paper, minimal cooperation and minimal production in communication rules instead of object evolution rules is studied, and the computational e fficiency of these systems is obtained in the case where division rules for non-elementary membranes are permitted.

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Restricted Polarizationless P Systems with Active Membranes: Minimal Cooperation Only Outwards

Author: Valencia Cabrera, Luis; Orellana Martín, David; Martínez del Amor, Miguel Ángel; Riscos Núñez, Agustín; Pérez Jiménez, Mario de Jesús
Publisher: Fenix Editora
Year: 2017
Source: https://idus.us.es/bitstreams/575befd2-4a3d-4f4b-8f35-dcbdd1315e87/download
Res ic ed Pola iza ionless P Sys ems wi h Ac i e
Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds
Luis Valencia-Cab e a, Da id O ellana-Ma ´ın, Miguel ´
A. Ma ´ınez-del-Amo ,
Agus ´ın Riscos-N´u˜nez, Ma io J. P´e ez-Jim´enez
Resea ch G oup on Na u al Compu ing
Depa men o Compu e Science and A i icial In elligence
Uni e sidad de Se illa
A da. Reina Me cedes s/n, 41012 Se illa, Spain
E-mail: {l alencia, do ellana, mdelamo , a iscosn, ma pe }@us.es
Summa y. Memb ane compu ing is a compu ing pa adigm p o iding a class o dis-
ibu ed pa allel compu ing de ices o a biochemical ype whose p ocess uni s ep esen
biological memb anes. In he cell-like basic model, a hie a chical memb ane s uc u e
o mally desc ibed by a oo ed ee is conside ed. I is well known ha amilies o such
sys ems whe e he numbe o memb anes can only dec ease du ing a compu a ion ( o
ins ance by dissol ing memb anes), can only sol e in polynomial ime p oblems in class
P.P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes is a a ian whe e memb anes play a cen al ole in
hei dynamics. In he seminal e sion, memb anes ha e an elec ical pola iza ion (posi-
i e, nega i e, o neu al) associa ed in any ins an , and besides being dissol ed, hey can
also eplica e by using di ision ules. These sys ems a e compu a ionally uni e sal, ha
is, equi alen in powe o de e minis ic Tu ing machines, and compu a ionally e icien ,
ha is, able o sol e compu a ionally ha d p oblems in polynomial ime. I pola iza ions
in memb anes a e emo ed and dissolu ion ules a e o bidden, hen only p oblems in
class Pcan be sol ed in polynomial ime by hese sys ems (e en in he case when di i-
sion ules o non-elemen a y memb anes a e pe mi ed). In ha amewo k i has been
shown ha by conside ing minimal coope a ion (le -hand side o such ules consis s o
a mos wo symbols) and minimal p oduc ion (only one objec is p oduced by he appli-
ca ion o such ules) in objec e olu ion ules, such sys ems p o ide e icien solu ions o
NP–comple e p oblems. In his pape , minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion in
communica ion ules ins ead o objec e olu ion ules is s udied, and he compu a ional
e iciency o hese sys ems is ob ained in he case whe e di ision ules o non-elemen a y
memb anes a e pe mi ed.
Key wo ds: Memb ane Compu ing, pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e mem-
b anes, coope a i e ules, he P e sus NP p oblem, SAT p oblem.
254 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
1 In oduc ion
Memb ane Compu ing is an eme gen b anch o Na u al Compu ing p o iding
dis ibu ed pa allel and non-de e minis ic compu ing models whose compu a ional
de ices a e called memb ane sys ems ha ing uni s p ocesso called compa men s.
This compu ing pa adigm is inspi ed by some basic biological ea u es, by he
s uc u e and unc ioning o he li ing cells, as well as om he coope a ion o cells
in issues, o gans, and o ganisms. Celllike memb ane sys ems use he biological
memb anes a anged hie a chically, inspi ed om he s uc u e o he cell.
In Memb ane Compu ing, some a ian s cap u e he ac ha memb anes a e
no a all passi e om a biochemis y iew, o ins ance, he passing o a chem-
ical compound h ough a memb ane is o en done by a di ec in e ac ion wi h
he memb ane i sel . Some a ian s o P sys ems whe e he cen al ole in hei
dynamics is played by he memb anes ha e been conside ed. In hese models, he
memb anes no only di ec ly media e he e olu ion and he communica ion o ob-
jec s, bu hey can eplica e hemsel es by means o a di ision p ocess. Inspi ed
by hese ea u es, P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes [6] we e in oduced, based
on p ocessing mul ise s by means o non-coope a i e ew i ing ules, ha is, ules
whe e i s le -hand side has a mos only one objec . Speci ically, objec s e ol e
inside memb anes which can communica e be ween each o he , can dissol e, and
mo eo e (inspi ed by cellula mi osis p ocess) can eplica e by means o di ision
ules. I is assumed ha each memb ane has associa ed an elec ical pola iza ion
in any ins an , one o he h ee possible: posi i e, nega i e, o neu al.
P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes a e compu a ionally comple e, ha is, any
ecu si ely enume able se o ec o s o na u al numbe s (in pa icula , each e-
cu si ely enume able se o na u al numbe s) can be gene a ed by such a sys em
[6]. Hence, hey a e equi alen in powe o de e minis ic Tu ing machines.
Wha abou he compu a ional e iciency o P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes?
The key is ce ainly in he use o di ision ules, as we can deduce om he so-
called Milano heo em [13]: A de e minis ic P sys em wi h ac i e memb anes bu
wi hou memb ane di ision can be simula ed by a de e minis ic Tu ing machine
wi h a polynomial slowdown.
Howe e , P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes which make use o di ision ules
ha e he abili y o p o ide e icien solu ions o compu a ionally ha d p oblems, by
making use o an exponen ial wo kspace c ea ed in a polynomial ime. Speci ically,
NP-comple e p oblems can be sol ed in polynomial ime by amilies o P sys ems
wi h ac i e memb anes, wi hou dissolu ion ules and which use di ision ules only
o elemen a y memb anes [6]. Mo eo e , he class o decision p oblems which can
be sol ed by amilies o P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes wi h dissolu ion ules
and which use di ision o elemen a y and non-elemen a y memb anes is equal
o PSPACE [8]. Consequen ly, he usual amewo k o P sys ems wi h ac i e
memb anes and elec ical pola iza ions o sol ing decision p oblems seems o be
oo powe ul om he compu a ional complexi y poin o iew.
Wi h espec o he compu a ional e iciency, in he classical amewo k o P
sys em wi h ac i e memb anes, dissolu ion ules play an “innocen ” ole as well as
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 255
di ision o non-elemen a y memb anes. Howe e , i elec ical cha ges a e emo ed
hen hese kind o ules come o play a ele an ole. Speci ically, P sys ems wi h
ac i e memb anes and wi hou elec ical cha ges we e ini ially s udied in [1, 2] by
eplacing elec ical cha ges by he abili y o change he label o he memb anes.
In his pape , pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes whe e labels o
memb anes keep unchanged by he applica ion o ules, a e conside ed. In his
new amewo k, i dissolu ion ules a e o bidden hen only p oblems in class P
can be sol ed in an e icien way, e en in he case ha di ision o non-elemen a y
memb anes a e pe mi ed [5]. Is he class o pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e
memb anes, wi h dissolu ion bu using only di ision ules o elemen a y mem-
b anes compu a ionally e icien ? I P6=NP, which is a all expec ed, hen i is
an open ques ion, so-called P˘aun’s conjec u e.
In he seminal pape whe e P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes we e in o-
duced, Gh. P˘aun says ha “wo king wi h non-coope a i e ules is na u al om
a ma hema ical poin o iew bu om a biochemical poin o iew his is no only
non-necessa y, bu also non- ealis ic: mos o he chemical eac ions in ol e wo
o mo e han wo chemical compounds (and also p oduce wo o mo e han wo
compounds)”. In his con ex , a es ic ed coope a ion has been conside ed in he
classical amewo k o pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes. Speci i-
cally, minimal coope a ion ( he le -hand side and he igh -hand side o any ules
ha e, a mos , wo objec s) in objec e olu ion ules, has been p e iously s ud-
ied om a compu a ional complexi y poin o iew. A polynomial- ime solu ion
o he SAT p oblem by means o amilies o pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e
memb anes, wi h minimal coope a ion in objec e olu ion ules, has been p o ided
[9]. Recen ly, his esul has been imp o ed by conside ing minimal coope a ion in
objec e olu ion ules wi h and addi ional es ic ion: he igh -hand side o any
ules has only one objec (called minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion)
[11]. A ele an ac in hese esul s is he ollowing: dissolu ion ules and di ision
ules o non-elemen a y memb anes a e no necessa y o each he compu a ional
e iciency.
In his pape he ole o minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion in com-
munica ion ules ins ead o objec e olu ion ules, is s udied om a complexi y
poin o iew. Speci ically, by using amilies o memb ane sys ems which use hese
syn ac ical ing edien s, a polynomial- ime solu ion o he SAT p oblem is p o ided
bu allowing di ision ules o non-elemen a y memb anes.
The pape is s uc u ed as ollows. Fi s , some basic no ions a e ecalled and
he e minology and no a ion o be used in he pape is p esen ed. Then, Sec ion 3
in oduces he model ha will be in es iga ed in his pape : pola iza ionless P sys-
ems wi h ac i e memb anes, wi h minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion
in hei communica ion ules. Sec ion 4 con ains he main esul o his pape ,
showing ha hese sys ems a e capable o sol ing an NP-comple e p oblem in an
e icien way. Finally, he pape concludes wi h some inal ema ks and ideas o
u u e wo k.
256 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
2 P elimina ies
An alphabe Γis a non-emp y se and hei elemen s a e called symbols. A s ing u
o e Γis an o de ed ini e sequence o symbols, ha is, a mapping om a na u al
numbe n∈Non o Γ. The numbe nis called he leng h o he s ing uand i is
deno ed by |u|. The emp y s ing (wi h leng h 0) is deno ed by λ. The se o all
s ings o e an alphabe Γis deno ed by Γ∗. A language o e Γis a subse o Γ∗.
Amul ise o e an alphabe Γis an o de ed pai (Γ, ) whe e is a mapping
om Γon o he se o na u al numbe s N. The suppo o a mul ise m= (Γ, ) is
de ined as supp(m) = {x∈Γ| (x)>0}. A mul ise is ini e ( espec i ely, emp y)
i i s suppo is a ini e ( espec i ely, emp y) se . We deno e by ∅ he emp y
mul ise . Le m1= (Γ, 1), m2= (Γ, 2) be mul ise s o e Γ, hen he union o m1
and m2, deno ed by m1+m2, is he mul ise (Γ, g), whe e g(x) = 1(x) + 2(x)
o each x∈Γ. We deno e by M (Γ) he se o all mul ise s o e Γ.
2.1 G aphs and ees
Le us ecall some no ions ela ed wi h g aph heo y (see [3] o de ails). An
undi ec ed g aph is an o de ed pai (V, E) whe e Vis a se whose elemen s a e
called nodes o e ices and E={{x, y} | x∈V, y ∈V, x 6=y}whose elemen s
a e called edges. A pa h o leng h k≥1 om a node u o a node in a g aph
(V, E) is a ini e sequence (x0, x1, . . . , xk) o nodes such ha x0=u,xk= and
{xi, xi+1} ∈ E. I k≥2 and x0=xk hen we say ha he pa h is a cycle o
he g aph. A g aph wi h no cycle is said o be acyclic. An undi ec ed g aph is
connec ed i he e exis pa hs be ween e e y pai o nodes.
A oo ed ee is a a connec ed, acyclic, undi ec ed g aph in which one o he
e ices (called he oo o he ee) is dis inguished om he o he s. Gi en a node
x(di e en om he oo ), i he las edge on he (unique) pa h om he oo o
he ee o he node xis {x, y}(in his case, x6=y), hen yis he pa en o node
xand xis achild o node y. The oo is he only node in he ee wi h no pa en .
A node wi h no child en is called a lea .
2.2 The Can o pai ing unc ion
The Can o pai ing unc ion encodes pai s o na u al numbe s by single na u al
numbe s, and i is de ined as ollows: o each n, p ∈N
hn, pi=(n+p)(n+p+ 1)
2+n
The Can o pai ing unc ion is a p imi i e ecu si e unc ion and bijec i e om
N×Non o N. Then, o each ∈N he e exis unique na u al numbe s n, p ∈N
such ha =hn, pi.
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 257
2.3 Decision p oblems and languages
A decision p oblem Xis an o de ed pai (IX, θX), whe e IXis a language
o e a ini e alphabe ΣXand θXis a o al Boolean unc ion o e IX.
The elemen s o IXa e called ins ances o he p oblem X. Each decision
p oblem Xhas associa ed a language LXo e he alphabe ΣXas ollows:
LX={u∈ΣX
∗|θX(u)=1}. Con e sely, e e y language Lo e an alphabe
Σhas associa ed a decision p oblem XL= (IXL, θXL) as ollows: IXL=Σ∗and
θXL(u) = 1 i and only i u∈L. The e o e, gi en a decision p oblem Xwe ha e
XLX=X, and gi en a language Lo e an alphabe Σwe ha e LXL=L. Then,
sol ing a decision p oblem can be exp essed equi alen ly as he ask o ecognizing
he language associa ed wi h i .
2.4 Recognize memb ane sys ems
Recognize memb ane sys ems we e in oduced in [7] and hey p o ide a na u al
amewo k o sol e decision p oblems. This kind o sys ems a e cha ac e ized by
he ollowing ea u es: (a) he wo king alphabe Γhas wo dis inguished objec s
yes and no; (b) he e exis s an inpu memb ane and an inpu alphabe Σs ic ly
con ained in Γ; (c) he ini ial con en s o he memb anes a e mul ise s o e Γ Σ;
(d) all compu a ions hal ; and (e) o each compu a ion, ei he objec yes o objec
no (bu no bo h) mus ha e been eleased in o he en i onmen , and only a he
las s ep o he compu a ion.
Gi en a ecognize memb ane sys em, Π, o each mul ise mo e he inpu
alphabe Σwe deno e by Π+m he memb ane sys em Πwi h inpu mul ise m,
ha is in he ini ial con igu a ion o ha sys em, he mul ise mis added o he
ini ial con en o he inpu memb ane. Thus, in a ecognize memb ane sys em,
Π, he e exis s an ini ial con igu a ion associa ed wi h each mul ise m∈M (Σ).
3 Minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion in
communica ion ules
De ini ion 1. A pola iza ionless P sys em wi h ac i e memb anes, wi h simple
objec e olu ion ules, wi hou dissolu ion, wi h di ision ules o elemen a y and
non-elemen a y memb anes, and which makes use o minimal coope a ion and
minimal p oduc ion in send-ou communica ion ules, is a uple
Π= (Γ, Σ, H, µ, M1,...,Mq,R, iin, iou )
whe e:
•Γis a ini e alphabe whose elemen s a e called objec s and con ains wo dis-
inguished objec s yes and no.
•Σ(Γis he inpu alphabe .

258 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
•His a ini e alphabe such ha H∩Γ=∅whose elemen s a e called labels.
•q≥1is he deg ee o he sys em.
•µis a labelled oo ed ee (called memb ane s uc u e)consis ing o qnodes
injec i ely labelled by elemen s o H( he oo o µis labelled by µ).
• M1,...,Mqa e mul ise s o e Γ Σ.
• R is a ini e se o ules, o he ollowing o ms:
(a0) [ a→b]h, whe e h∈H,a, b ∈Γ,u∈M (Γ) (simple objec e olu ion
ules).
(b0)a[ ]h→[b]h, whe e h∈H { µ},a, b, c ∈Γ(send–in communica ion
ules).
(c0) [ a b ]h→c[ ]h, whe e h∈H,a, b ∈Γ(send–ou communica ion ules wi h
minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion).
(d0) [ a]h→b, whe e h∈H {iou , µ},a, b ∈Γ(dissolu ion ules).
(e0) [ a]h→[b]h[c]h, whe e h∈H {iou , µ},a, b, c ∈Γand his he label o
an elemen a y memb ane µ(di ision ules o elemen a y memb anes).
( 0) [ [ ]h1[ ]h2]h0→[ [ ]h1]h0[ [ ]h2]h0, whe e h0, h1, h2∈Hand h06= µ(di i-
sion ules o non-elemen a y memb anes).
•iin ∈H,iou ∈H∪ {en }(i iou ∈H hen iou is he label o a lea o µ).
In a simila way is de ined he concep o “pola iza ionless P sys em wi h ac i e
memb anes, wi h simple objec e olu ion ules, wi hou dissolu ion, wi h di ision
ules o elemen a y and non-elemen a y memb anes, and which makes use o
minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion in send-in communica ion ules ”.
The only di e ence conce ns ules o ype (b0) and (c0). In his case a e, espec-
i ely:
(b0
0)a b [ ]h→[c]h o h∈H { µ},a, b ∈Γ(send–in communica ion ules wi h
minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion).
(c0
0) [ a]h→b[ ]h o h∈H,a, b, c ∈Γ(send–ou communica ion ules).
The seman ics o his kind o P sys ems ollows he usual p inciples o P sys ems
wi h ac i e memb anes [6].
We deno e by DAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n) ( espec i ely,
DAM0(+es, mcmpin,−d, +n)) he class o all ecognize pola iza ionless P
sys em wi h ac i e memb anes, wi h simple objec e olu ion ules, wi hou
dissolu ion, wi h di ision ules o elemen a y and non-elemen a y memb anes,
which make use o minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion in send-ou
( espec i ely, send-in) communica ion ules.
4 Sol ing SAT in DAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n)
In his sec ion, a polynomial- ime solu ion o SAT p oblem, is explici ly gi en in
he amewo k o ecognize pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 259
wi h simple objec e olu ion ules, wi hou dissolu ion and wi h di ision ules o
elemen a y and non-elemen a y memb anes which make use o minimal coope a-
ion and minimal p oduc ion in send-in communica ion ules. Fo ha , a amily
Π={Π( )| ∈N}o ecognize P sys ems om DAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n)
will be p esen ed.
4.1 Desc ip ion o a solu ion o SAT p oblem in
DAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n)
Fo each n, p ∈N, we conside he ecognize P sys em
Π(hn, pi)=(Γ, Σ, H, µ, M0,M1,M2,R, iin, iou )
om DAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n), de ined as ollows:
(1)Wo king alphabe :
Γ=Σ∪ {yes ,no ,#}∪{ai,k |1≤i≤n∧1≤k≤2i−1} ∪
{αk|0≤k≤4np +n+ 2p} ∪ {βk|0≤k≤4np +n+ 2p+ 1} ∪
{γk|0≤k≤4np +n} ∪
{ i,k, i,k |1≤i≤n∧2i−1≤k≤2n+ 2p−1} ∪
{Ti, Fi|1≤i≤n} ∪ {cj|1≤j≤p} ∪
{cj,k |1≤j≤p∧0≤k≤np −1}∪{dj|1≤j≤p} ∪
{xi,j,k, xi,j,k, x∗
i,j,k |1≤i≤n∧1≤j≤p∧
1≤k≤n+ 2np +n(j−1) + (i−1)}
whe e he inpu alphabe is Σ={xi,j,0, xi,j,0, x∗
i,j,0|1≤i≤n∧1≤j≤p};
(2)H={0,1,2};
(3)Memb ane s uc u e: µ= [ [ [ ]2]1]0, ha is, µ= (V, E) whe e V={0,1,2}
and E={(0,1)(1,2)}
(4)Ini ial mul ise s: M0={α0, β0},M1=∅,M2={γ0} ∪ {ai,1, T p
i, Fp
i|1≤i≤
n}.
(5)The se o ules Rconsis s o he ollowing ules:
5.1Coun e s o synch onize he answe o he sys em.
[αk−→ αk+1 ]0, o 0 ≤k≤4np +n+ 2p−1
[βk−→ βk+1 ]0, o 0 ≤k≤4np +n+ 2p
[γk−→ γk+1 ]2, o 0 ≤k≤4np +n−1
5.2Rules o gene a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 and 2nmemb anes labelled
by 2 ( hese encoding all possible u h assignmen o n a iables o he
inpu o mula).
[ai,2i−1]2−→ [ i,i ]2[ i,i ]2, o 1 ≤i≤n
[ai,j −→ ai,j+1 ]2, o 2 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤2i−2
[ [ ]2[ ]2]1−→ [ [ ]2]1[ [ ]2]1
[ i,j −→ i,j+1 ]2
[ i,j −→ i,j+1 ]2, o 1 ≤i≤n, i ≤j≤2n−1
260 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
5.3Rules o p oduce exac ly pcopies o each u h assignmen encoded by
memb anes labelled by 2.
[ i,2jn Fi]2−→ i,2jn+1 [ ]2
[ i,2jn Ti]2−→ i,2jn+1 [ ]2
i,(2j+1)n[ ]2−→ [ i,(2j+1)n+1 ]2
i,(2j+1)n[ ]2−→ [ i,(2j+1)n+1 ]2







, o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p−1
[ i,2np Fi]2−→ # [ ]2
[ i,2np Ti]2−→ # [ ]2, o 1 ≤i≤n
[ i,(2j+1)n+k−→ i,(2j+1)n+k+1 ]2
[ i,(2j+1)n+k−→ i,(2j+1)n+k+1 ]2
[ i,2jn+k−→ i,2jn+k+1 ]1
[ i,2jn+k−→ i,2jn+k+1 ]1







, o
1≤i≤n,
1≤j≤p−1,
1≤k≤n−1
5.4Rules o p epa e he inpu o mula o check clauses:
[xi,j,k −→ xi,j,k+1 ]2
[xi,j,k −→ xi,j,k+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,k −→ x∗
i,j,k+1 ]2


, o
1≤i≤n,
1≤j≤p,
0≤k≤2np +n+n(j−1) + (i−1) −1
5.5Rules implemen ing he i s checking s age.
[Tixi,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ cj,0[ ]2
[Tixi,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ #[ ]2
[Tix∗
i,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ #[ ]2
[Fixi,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ #[ ]2
[Fixi,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ cj,0[ ]2
[Fix∗
i,j,2np+n+n(j−1)+(i−1)]2−→ #[ ]2















, o 1≤i≤n,
1≤j≤p
5.6Rules implemen ing he second checking s age.
[cj,k −→ cj,k+1 ]1, o 1 ≤j≤p, 0≤k≤np −2
cj,np−1[ ]2−→ [cj]2, o 1 ≤j≤p
[γ4np+nc1]2−→ d1[ ]2
[djcj+1 ]2−→ dj+1[ ]2
dj[ ]2−→ [dj]2, o 1 ≤j≤p−1
5.7Rules o p o ide he co ec answe o he sys em.
[dp]1−→ dp[ ]1
[α4np+n+2pdp]0−→ yes [ ]0
[α4np+n+2pβ4np+n+2p+1 ]0−→ no [ ]0
(6) he inpu memb ane is he memb ane labelled by 2 (iin = 2) and he ou pu
egion is he en i onmen (iou =en ).
5 A o mal e i ica ion
Le ϕ=C1∧. . . ∧Cpan ins ance o SAT p oblem consis ing o pclauses
Cj=lj,1∨. . . ∨lj, j, 1 ≤j≤p, whe e V a (ϕ) = {x1, . . . , xn}, and lj,k ∈
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 261
{xi,¬xi|1≤i≤n}, 1 ≤j≤p, 1 ≤k≤ j. Le us asume ha he numbe o
a iables, n, and he numbe o clauses, p, o ϕ, a e g ea e o equal o 2.
We conside he polynomial encoding (cod, s) om SAT in Πde ined as ollows:
Fo each ϕ∈ISAT wi h n a iables and pclauses, s(ϕ) = hn, piand
cod(ϕ) = {xi,j,0|xi∈Cj}∪{xi,j,0|¬xi∈Cj}∪{x∗
i,j,0|xi6∈ Cj,¬xi6∈ Cj}
Fo ins ance, he o mula ϕ= (x1+x2+x3)(x2+x4)(x2+x3+x4) is encoded
as ollows:
cod(ϕ) = 

x1,1,0x2,1,0x3,1,0x∗
4,1,0
x∗
1,2,0x2,2,0x∗
3,2,0x4,2,0
x∗
1,3,0x2,3,0x3,3,0x4,3,0


Tha is, j- h ow (1 ≤j≤p) ep esen s he j- h clause Cjo ϕ. We deno e
(cod(ϕ))p
j he code o he clauses Cj, . . . , Cp, ha is, he exp ession con aining
om j- h ow o p- h ow. Fo ins ance,
cod(ϕ)p
2=x∗
1,2,0x2,2,0x∗
3,2,0x4,2,0
x∗
1,3,0x2,3,0x3,3,0x4,3,0
We deno e (codk(ϕ))p
j) he code cod(ϕ)p
jwhen he hi d index o he a iables
equal 3. Fo ins ance: ow o p- h ow. Fo ins ance,
cod3(ϕ)p
2=x∗
1,2,3x2,2,3x∗
3,2,3x4,2,3
x∗
1,3,3x2,3,3x3,3,3x4,3,3
We deno e (cod0
k(ϕ))p
j) he code cod(ϕ)p
jwhen he hi d index o he a iables
equal 3. Fo ins ance: ow o p- h ow. Fo ins ance,
cod0
3(ϕ)p
2=x∗0
1,2,3x0
2,2,3x∗0
3,2,3x0
4,2,3
x∗0
1,3,3x0
2,3,3x0
3,3,3x0
4,3,3
We deno e (cod∗(ϕ))p
j) he code cod(ϕ)p
jwhen he hi d index does no exis .
Fo ins ance: ow o p- h ow. Fo ins ance,
cod∗(ϕ)p
2=x∗1,2x2,2x∗
3,2x4,2
x∗1,3x2,3x3,3x4,3
The Boolean o mula ϕwill be p ocessed by he sys em Π(s(ϕ)) + cod(ϕ).
Nex , we in o mally desc ibe how ha sys em wo ks.
The solu ion p oposed ollows a b u e o ce algo i hm in he amewo k o
ecognize P sys ems wi h ac i e memb anes, minimal coope a ion in objec e o-
lu ion ules and di ision ules only o elemen a y memb anes, and i consis s o
he ollowing s ages:
•Gene a ion s age: using sepa a ion ules, beside o he ules ha make a
“simula ion” o di ision ules, we ge all u h assignmen s o he a iables
{x1, . . . , xn}associa ed wi h ϕa e p oduced. Speci ically, 2nmemb anes la-
belled by 1 and 2nlabelled by 2 a e gene a ed. Each o he o me ones encodes
a u h assignmen . This s age akes exac ly n+2np s eps, being n he numbe
o a iables o ϕ.
268 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
- a con igu a ion C3nwe ha e C3n(0) = {α3n, β3n}and he e exis 2n
memb anes labelled by 1 con aining and a di e en subse o objec s
i,3n+1−i, 1 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }, ha is, he co esponding u h
assignmen o he b anch; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining
he inpu mul ise cod3n(ϕ), an objec γ3n,pcopies o Tiand Fi, being
1≤i≤ni he u h assignmen associa ed o he b anch con ains i s
co esponding objec io i,p−1 objec s o he wise. Then, con igu a ion
C3nyields con igu a ion C3n+1 by applying he ules:
1,3n[ ]2→[ 1,3n+1 ]2
1,3n[ ]2→[ 1,3n+1 ]2
[ i,3n−i+1 → i,3n−i+2 ]1
[ i,3n−i+1 → i,3n−i+2 ]1 o 2 ≤i≤n
[α3n→α3n+1 ]0
[β3n→β3n+1 ]0
[γ3n→γ3n+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n→xi,j,3n+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n→xi,j,3n+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,3n→x∗
i,j,3n+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Thus, C3n+1(0) = {α3n+1, β3n+1}, and he e exis 2nmemb anes la-
belled by 1 con aining a di e en subse o objec s i,3n−i+2, 2 ≤i≤n,
being ∈ { , }; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining he in-
pu mul ise cod3n+1(ϕ), an objec γ3n+1,pcopies o Tiand Fi, being
1≤i≤ni he u h assignmen associa ed o he b anch con ains
i s co esponding objec io i,p−1 objec s o he wise and an objec
1,3n+1, being ∈ { , }.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(1 ≤k≤n)
-C3n+k(0) = {α3n+k, β3n+k}
- In C3n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains objec s i,3n+k−i+1,k+ 1 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- In C3n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod3n+k(ϕ);
?an objec γ3n+k;
? p copies o e e y Tiand Fi o 1 ≤i≤no hei co esponding i
o iis assigned o ha b anch, p−lcopies o he wise; and
?a di e en subse o objec s i,3n+k−i+1, 1 ≤i≤k, being ∈ { , }.
Then, con igu a ion C3n+kyields con igu a ion C3n+k+1 by applying he
ules:
k+1,3n[ ]2→[ k+1,3n+1 ]2
k+1,3n[ ]2→[ k+1,3n+1 ]2
[ i,3n+k−i+1 → i,3n+k−i+2 ]1
[ i,3n+k−i+1 → i,3n+k−i+2 ]1 o k+ 2 ≤i≤n
[ i,3n+k−i+1 → i,3n+k−i+2 ]2
[ i,3n+k−i+1 → i,3n+k−i+2 ]2 o 1 ≤i≤k

P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 269
[α3n+k→α3n+k+1 ]0
[β3n+k→β3n+k+1 ]0
[γ3n+k→γ3n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+k→xi,j,3n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+k→xi,j,3n+k+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,3n+k→x∗
i,j,3n+k+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-C3n+k+1(0) = {α3n+k+1, β3n+k+1}
- In C3n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains objec s i,3n+k−i+2,k+ 2 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- In C3n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod3n+k+1(ϕ);
?an objec γ3n+k+1;
? p copies o e e y Tiand Fi o 1 ≤i≤no he co esponding io
iis assigned o ha b anch, p−lcopies o he wise; and
?a di e en subse o objec s i,3n+k−i+2, 1 ≤i≤k+ 1, being ∈
{ , }.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o l(0 ≤l≤p−1)
(a0) The base case k= 1 is i ial because:
- a con igu a ion C2n+(l+1)n1we ha e: C2n+(l+1)n(0) = {α2n+(l+1)n,
β2n+(l+1)n}and he e exis 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1; and 2n
memb anes labelled by 2 con aining he inpu mul ise cod2n+(l+1)n(ϕ),
an objec γ2n+(l+1)n,pcopies o Tiand Fi, being 1 ≤i≤n, and p−l
copies o Ti( esp. Fi) objec s ha a e in a b anch wi h an objec i
( esp. i) and a di e en subse o objec s i,2n+(l+1)n−i+1, 1 ≤i≤n, be-
ing ∈ { , }, he co esponding u h assignmen o he b anch. Then,
con igu a ion C2n+(l+1)nyields con igu a ion C2n+(l+1)n+1 by applying
he ules:
[ i,2n+(l+1)nFi]2→ i,2n+(l+1)n+1[ ]2
[ i,2n+(l+1)nTi]2→ i,2n+(l+1)n+1[ ]2
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+1−i→ i,2n+(l+1)n+2−i]2
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+1−i→ i,2n+(l+1)n+2−i]2 o 2 ≤i≤n
[α2n+(l+1)n→α2n+(l+1)n+1 ]0
[β2n+(l+1)n→β2n+(l+1)n+1 ]0
[γ2n+(l+1)n→γ2n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[xi,j,2n+(l+1)n→xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[xi,j,2n+(l+1)n→xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,2n+(l+1)n→x∗
i,j,2n+(l+1)n+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Thus, C2n+(l+1)n+1(0) = {α2n+(l+1)n+1, β2n+(l+1)n+1}, and he e exis
2nmemb anes labelled by 1 con aining and an objec 1,2n+(l+1)n+1,
1No e ha (l+ 1)n=ln +n, and i has been demons a ed in he i s s ep o he
induc ion ha i is co ec .
270 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
being ∈ { , }; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining he inpu
mul ise cod2n+(l+1)n+1(ϕ), an objec γ2n+(l+1)n+1,pcopies o Ti( esp.
Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i( esp. i) objec exis s in
ha b anch, o he wise p−lcopies o Fi( esp. Ti) i 2 ≤i≤n,p−l−1
o he wise and a di e en subse o objec s i,2n+(l+1)n−i+2, 2 ≤i≤n,
being ∈ { , }.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(1 ≤k≤n)
-C2n+(l+1)n+k(0) = {α2n+(l+1)n+k, β2n+(l+1)n+k}
- In C2n+(l+1)n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o
hem con ains objec s i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1, 1 ≤i≤k, being ∈ { , }.
- In C2n+(l+1)n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2n+(l+1)n+k(ϕ);
?an objec γ2n+(l+1)n+k;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, o he wise p−lcopies o Fi
( esp. Ti) i k+ 1 ≤i≤n,p−l−1 o he wise; and
?a di e en subse o objec s i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1,k+ 1 ≤i≤n, being
∈ { , }.
Then, con igu a ion C2n+kyields con igu a ion C2n+(l+1)n+k+1 by ap-
plying he ules:
[ k+1,2n+(l+1)nFk+1 ]2→ k+1,2n+(l+1)n+1[ ]2
[ k+1,2n+(l+1)nTk+1 ]2→ k+1,2n+(l+1)n+1[ ]2
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,2n+k−i+2 ]2
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,2n+k−i+2 ]2 o k+ 2 ≤i≤n
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]1
[ i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]1 o 1 ≤i≤k
[α2n+(l+1)n+k→α2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]0
[β2n+(l+1)n+k→β2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]0
[γ2n+(l+1)n+k→γ2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+k→xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+k→xi,j,2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,2n+(l+1)n+k→x∗
i,j,2n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-C2n+(l+1)n+k+1(0) = {α2n+(l+1)n+k+1, β2n+(l+1)n+k+1}
- In C2n+(l+1)n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o
hem con ains objec s i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+2, 1 ≤i≤k+1, being ∈ { , }.
- In C2n+(l+1)n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each
o hem con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2n+(l+1)n+k+1(ϕ);
?an objec γ2n+(l+1)n+k+1;
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 271
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, o he wise p−lcopies o Fi
( esp. Ti) i k+ 2 ≤i≤n,p−l−1 o he wise; and
?a di e en subse o objec s i,2n+(l+1)n+k−i+2,k+ 2 ≤i≤n, being
∈ { , }.
(a1) The base case k= 1 is i ial because:
- a con igu a ion C3n+(l+1)nwe ha e C3n+(l+1)n(0) = {α3n+(l+1)n,
β3n+(l+1)n}and he e exis 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 con aining a
di e en subse o objec s i,3n+(l+1)n−i+1, 1 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , },
ha is, he co esponding u h assignmen o he b anch; and 2nmem-
b anes labelled by 2 con aining he inpu mul ise cod3n+(l+1)n(ϕ), an
objec γ3n+(l+1)nand pcopies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni
he co esponding i( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and p−l
copies o Fi( esp. Ti). Then, con igu a ion C3n+(l+1)nyields con igu a-
ion C3n+(l+1)n+1 by applying he ules:
1,3n+(l+1)n[ ]2→[ 1,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
1,3n+(l+1)n[ ]2→[ 1,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[ i,3n+(l+1)n−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n−i+2 ]1
[ i,3n+(l+1)n−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n−i+2 ]1 o 2 ≤i≤n
[α3n+(l+1)n→α3n+(l+1)n+1 ]0
[β3n+(l+1)n→β3n+(l+1)n+1 ]0
[γ3n+(l+1)n→γ3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+(l+1)n→xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+(l+1)n→xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,3n+(l+1)n→x∗
i,j,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Thus, C3n+(l+1)n+1(0) = {α3n+(l+1)n+1, β3n+(l+1)n+1}, and he e exis
2nmemb anes labelled by 1 con aining a di e en subse o objec s
i,3n+(l+1)n−i+2, 2 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }; and 2nmemb anes la-
belled by 2 con aining he inpu mul ise cod3n+(l+1)n+1(ϕ), an objec
γ3n+(l+1)n+1,pcopies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co espond-
ing i( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and p−lcopies o Fi( esp.
Ti) and an objec 1,3n+(l+1)n+1, being ∈ { , }.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(1 ≤k≤n)
-C3n+(l+1)n+k(0) = {α3n+(l+1)n+k, β3n+(l+1)n+k}
- In C3n+(l+1)n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o
hem con ains objec s i,3n+k−i+1,k+ 1 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- In C3n+(l+1)n+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod3n+(l+1)n+k(ϕ);
?an objec γ3n+(l+1)n+k;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and p−lcopies o Fi( esp.
Ti)
272 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
?a di e en subse o objec s i,3n+(l+1)n−i+1, 1 ≤i≤k, being ∈
{ , }.
Then, con igu a ion C3n+(l+1)n+kyields con igu a ion C3n+(l+1)n+k+1 by
applying he ules:
k+1,3n+(l+1)n[ ]2→[ k+1,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
k+1,3n+(l+1)n[ ]2→[ k+1,3n+(l+1)n+1 ]2
[ i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]1
[ i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]1 o k+ 2 ≤i≤n
[ i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]2
[ i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+1 → i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2 ]2 o 1 ≤i≤k
[α3n+(l+1)n+k→α3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]0
[β3n+(l+1)n+k→β3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]0
[γ3n+(l+1)n+k→γ3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+k→xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+k→xi,j,3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,3n+(l+1)n+k→x∗
i,j,3n+(l+1)n+k+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-C3n+(l+1)n+k+1(0) = {α3n+(l+1)n+k+1, β3n+(l+1)n+k+1}
- In C3n+(l+1)n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o
hem con ains objec s i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2,k+2 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- In C3n+(l+1)n+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each
o hem con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod3n+(l+1)n+k+1(ϕ);
?an objec γ3n+(l+1)n+k+1;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and p−lcopies o Fi( esp.
Ti)
?a di e en subse o objec s i,3n+(l+1)n+k−i+2, 1 ≤i≤k+ 1, being
∈ { , }.
- In o de o p o e (b) i is enough o no ice ha , on he one hand, om (a)
con igu a ion C2np−12holds:
-C2np−1(0) = {α2np−1, β2np−1}
- In C2np−1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains an objec n,2np, being ∈ { , }.
- In Cn+2np−1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2np−1(ϕ);
?an objec γ2np−1;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i( esp.
i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy o he wise; and
?a di e en subse o objec s i,2np−i, 1 ≤i≤n−1.
2No e ha 2np −1 = n+ 2n(p−1) + (n−1)
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 273
Then, con igu a ion Cn+2np−1yields Cn+2np by applying he ules:
n,2np[ ]2→[ n,2np+1 ]2
n,2np[ ]2→[ n,2np+1 ]2
[ i,n+2np−i→ i,n+2np−i+1 ]2
[ i,n+2np−i→ i,n+2np−i]2 o 1 ≤i≤n−1
[αn+2np−1→αn+2np ]0
[βn+2np−1→βn+2np ]0
[γn+2np−1→γn+2np ]2
[xi,j,n+2np−1→xi,j,n+2np ]2
[xi,j,n+2np−1→xi,j,n+2np ]2
[x∗
i,j,n+2np−1→x∗
i,j,n+2np ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Then, we ha e C2np(0) = {α2np, β2np}, and he e exis 2nemp y memb anes
labelled by 1; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining con aining he
inpu mul ise cod2np(ϕ), an objec γ2np,pcopies o Ti( esp. Fi) being
1≤i≤ni he co esponding i( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and
1 copy o he wise and a di e en mul ise o objec s i,2np−i+1, 1 ≤i≤n,
being ∈ { , }, ha is, he u h assignmen associa ed wi h he b anch.

P oposi ion 3. Le C= (C0,C1,...,Cq)be a compu a ion o he sys em Π(s(ϕ))
wi h inpu mul ise cod(ϕ).
(a)Fo each k(1≤k≤n−1) a con igu a ion C2np+kwe ha e he ollowing:
-C2np+k(0) = {α2np+k, β2np+k}
- The e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem con ains k
objec s #.
- he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2np+k(ϕ);
?an objec γ2np+k;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1≤i≤ni he co esponding i( esp. i)
objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy o Fi( esp. Ti) i k+1 ≤i≤n;
and
?objec s i,2np+k−i+1,k+ 1 ≤i≤n.
(b)Cn+2np(0) = {αn+2np, βn+2np}, and in Cn+2np he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled
by 1, such ha each o hem con ains nobjec s #; and 2nmemb anes labelled
by 2, such ha each o hem con ains he inpu mul ise codn+2np(ϕ), an ob-
jec γn+2np,pcopies o e e y Tiand Fi,1≤i≤ni he u h assignmen
associa ed o he b anch con ains i s co esponding io iobjec .
P oo . (a) is going o be demons a ed by induc ion on k
- he base case k= 1 is i ial because:
- a C2np we ha e C2np(0) = {α2np, β2np}and he e exis 2nemp y memb anes
labelled by 1; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining he inpu mul ise
cod2np(ϕ), an objec γ2np pcopies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni

274 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
he co esponding i( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy
o he wise and a di e en mul ise o objec s i,2np−i+1, 1 ≤i≤n, being
∈ { , }, ha is, he u h assignmen associa ed wi h he b anch. Then,
con igu a ion C2np yields C2np+1 by applying he ules.
[ 1,2np F1]2→#[ ]2
[ 1,2np T1]2→#[ ]2
[ i,2np−i+1 → i,2np−i+2 ]2
[ i,2np−i+1 → i,2np−i+2 ]2 o 2 ≤i≤n
[α2np →α2np+1 ]0
[β2np →β2np+1 ]0
[γ2np →γ2np+1 ]2
[xi,j,2np →xi,j,2np+1 ]2
[xi,j,2np →xi,j,2np+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,2np →x∗
i,j,2np+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Thus, C2np+1(0) = {α2np+1, β2np+1}, and he e exis 2nmemb anes labelled
by 1 con aining an objec #; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining
he inpu mul ise cod2np+1(ϕ), an objec γ2np+1,pcopies o Ti( esp. Fi)
being 1 ≤i≤ni hei co esponding i( esp. i) objec exis s in ha
b anch, and 1 copy o Fi( esp. Ti) i k+ 2 ≤i≤nand objec s i,2np−i+2,
k+ 2 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(1 ≤k≤n−1)
-C2np+k(0) = {α2np+k, β2np+k}
- In C2np+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains kobjec s #.
- In C2np+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2np+k(ϕ);
?an objec γ2np+k;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni hei co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy o Fi( esp. Ti) i
k+ 1 ≤i≤n; and
?objec s i,2np+k−i+1,k+ 1 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
Then, con igu a ion C2np+kyields con igu a ion C2np+k+1 by applying he
ules:
[ k+1,2np F1]2→#[ ]2
[ k+1,2np T1]2→#[ ]2
[ i,2np+k−i+1 → i,2np+k−i+2 ]2
[ i,2np+k−i+1 → i,2np+k−i+2 ]2 o 2 ≤i≤n
[α2np+k→α2np+k+1 ]0
[β2np+k→β2np+k+1 ]0
[γ2np+k→γ2np+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,2np+k→xi,j,2np+k+1 ]2
[xi,j,2np+k→xi,j,2np+k+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,2np+k→x∗
i,j,2np+k+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 275
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-C2np+k+1(0) = {α2np+k+1, β2np+k+1}
- In C2np+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains k+ 1 objec s #.
- In C2np+k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise cod2np+k+1(ϕ);
?an objec γ2np+k+1;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni hei co esponding i
( esp. i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy o Fi( esp. Ti) i
k+ 2 ≤i≤n; and
?objec s i,2np+k−i+2,k+ 2 ≤i≤n, being ∈ { , }.
- In o de o p o e (b) i is enough o no ice ha , on he one hand, om (a)
con igu a ion Cn+2np−13holds:
-Cn+2np−1(0) = {αn+2np−1, βn+2np−1}
- In Cn+2np−1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains n−1 objec s #.
- In Cn+2np−1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise codn+2np−1(ϕ);
?an objec γn+2np−1;
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni he co esponding i( esp.
i) objec exis s in ha b anch, and 1 copy o Fn( esp. Tn); and
?an objec n,2np, being ∈ { , }.
Then, con igu a ion Cn+2np−1yields con igu a ion Cn+2np by applying he
ules:
[ n,2np F1]2→#[ ]2
[ n,2np T1]2→#[ ]2
[αn+2np−1→αn+2np ]0
[βn+2np−1→βn+2np ]0
[γn+2np−1→γn+2np ]2
[xi,j,n+2np−1→xi,j,n+2np ]2
[xi,j,n+2np−1→xi,j,n+2np ]2
[x∗
i,j,n+2np−1→x∗
i,j,n+2np ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-Cn+2np(0) = {αn+2np, βn+2np}
- In Cn+2np he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains nobjec s #.
- In Cn+2np he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
? he inpu mul ise codn+2np(ϕ);
?an objec γn+2np; and
3No e ha n+ 2np −1 = 2np + (n−1)
276 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
? p copies o Ti( esp. Fi) being 1 ≤i≤ni hei co esponding i( esp.
i) objec exis s in ha b anch.

5.2 Fi s checking s age
A his s age, we y o de e mine he clauses sa is ied o he u h assignmen
encoded by each b anch. Fo ha , ules om 5.5 will be applied in such manne
ha in he m- h s ep, being m=ln+k(1 ≤k≤n, 0 ≤l≤p−1), clause Cl+1 will
be e alua ed wi h he k- h a iable o he o mula. This s age will ake exac ly np
s eps.
P oposi ion 4. Le C= (C0,C1,...,Cq)be a compu a ion o he sys em Π(s(ϕ))
wi h inpu mul ise cod(ϕ).
(a)Fo each k(1≤k≤n) and l(0≤l≤p−1) a con igu a ion Cn+2np+ln+kwe
ha e he ollowing:
-Cn+2np+ln+k(0) ={αn+2np+ln+k, βn+2np+ln+k}
- The e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem con ains
? m objec s cj, (1≤j≤l+ 1,0≤ ≤ln +k−1), ha is, clauses ha
ha e been sa is ied by any a iable; and
? n +ln +k−mobjec s #.
- The e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem con ains
? he (n−k)- h las elemen s o codn+2np+ln+k(ϕ)l+1
l+1;
? he inpu mul ise codn+2np+ln+k(ϕ)p
l+2;
?an objec γn+2np+ln+k; and
? p−lcopies o objec s Tio Fi,k+1 ≤i≤n,p−l−1copies o he wise,
co esponding o he u h assignmen assigned o he b anch.
(b)Cn+3np(0) = {αn+3np, βn+3np}, and in Cn+3np he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled
by 1, such ha each o hem con ains mobjec s cj, (1≤j≤p,0≤ ≤np−1),
ha is, he clauses sa is ied by any a iable and n+np −mobjec s #; and 2n
memb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem con ains an objec γn+3np.
P oo . (a) is going o be demons a ed by induc ion on l
- The base case l= 0 is goig o be demons a ed by induc ion on k
- The base case k= 1 is i ial because:
- a con igu a ion Cn+2np we ha e: Cn+2np(0) = {αn+2np, βn+2np}and
he e exis 2nmemb anes labelled by 1, such ha each o hem con-
ains; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem con ains
nobjec s # he inpu mul ise codn+2np(ϕ), an objec γn+2np and p
copies o objec s Tiand Fi, 1 ≤i≤n, ep esen ing he co espon-
den u h assignmen o he b anch. Then, con igu a ion Cn+2np yields
con igu a ion Cn+2np+1 by applying he ules:
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 277
[T1x1,1,n+2np ]2−→ c1,0[ ]2
[T1x1,1,n+2np ]2−→ #[ ]2
[T1x∗
1,1,n+2np ]2−→ #[ ]2
[F1x1,1,n+2np ]2−→ #[ ]2
[F1x1,1,n+2np ]2−→ c1,0[ ]2
[F1x∗
1,1,n+2np ]2−→ #[ ]2
4
[αn+2np →αn+2np+1 ]0
[βn+2np →βn+2np+1 ]0
[γn+2np →γn+2np+1 ]2
[xi,j,n+2np →xi,j,n+2np+1 ]2
[xi,j,n+2np →xi,j,n+2np+1 ]2
[x∗
i,j,n+2np →x∗
i,j,n+2np+1 ]2


 o 1 ≤i≤n, 1≤j≤p
Thus, Cn+2np+1(0) = {αn+2np+1, βn+2np+1}, and he e exis 2nmemb anes
labelled by 1 con aining nobjec s # and an objec c1,0i he co esponding
u h assignmen makes ue clause 1 wi h a iable 1, ano he objec #
o he wise; and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 con aining he las n−1 elemen s
o codn+2np+1(ϕ)1
1, he inpu mul ise codn+2np+1(ϕ)p
2,pcopies o Tio Fi,
being 2 ≤i≤n, and p−1 copies o T1o F1.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(1 ≤k≤n)
-Cn+2np+k(0) = {αn+2np+k, βn+2np+k}
- In Cn+2np+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o
hem con ains
? m objec s c1, (0 ≤ ≤k−1), ha is, he numbe o a iables
wi h he co esponding u h assignmen ha makes ue he inpu
o mula ϕ; and
? n +k−mobjec s #.
- In Cn+2np+k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
? he (n−k)- h las elemen s o codn+2np+k(ϕ)1
1;
? he inpu mul ise codn+2np+k(ϕ)p
2;
?an objec γn+2np+k; and
? p copies o objec s Tio Fi,k+ 1 ≤i≤n,p−1 copies i 1 ≤i≤k,
co esponding o he u h assignmen assigned o he b anch.
Then, con igu a ion Cn+2np+kyields con igu a ion Cn+2np+k+1 by ap-
plying he ules:
[Tkx1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ c1,0[ ]2
[Tkx1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ #[ ]2
[Tkx∗
1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ #[ ]2
[Fkx1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ #[ ]2
[Fkx1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ c1,0[ ]2
[Fkx∗
1,1,n+2np+k]2−→ #[ ]2
5
4I k= 1, l = 0, hen i= 1, j = 1, so 2np +n+n(j−1) + (i−1) = n+ 2np
5I l= 0, hen i=k+ 1, j = 1, so 2np + 2n+n(j−1) + (i−1) = 2n+ 2np +k
284 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
?an objec γn+4np o de
j−1( espec i ely, an objec dk) i he co esponding
u h assignmen does no make ue ( esp., makes ue) he clause C1
o Cj(2≤j≤p) ( esp., he i s kclauses); and
? mj−1objec s cj o 1≤j≤min(e
j, k + 1) and mjobjec s cj o
min(e
j, k + 2) ≤j≤p.
(a1)Fo each 2k(1≤k≤p−2) a con igu a ion Cn+4np+2kwe ha e he ollowing:
-Cn+4np+2k(0) = {αn+4np+2k, βn+4np+2k}
- The e a e 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1.
- The e a e 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem con ains
?an objec γn+4np o de
j−1i he co esponding u h assignmen does no
make ue he clause C1o Cj(2≤j≤p); and
? mj−1objec s cj o 1≤j≤min(e
j, k)and mjobjec s cj o min(e
j, k+
1) ≤j≤p.
(b)Cn+4np+2p−1(0) = {αn+4np+2p−1, βn+4np+2p−1}, and in Cn+4np+2p−1 he e a e
2nmemb anes labelled by 1, such ha each o hem con ains an objec dpi
and only i he co esponding u h assignmen makes ue he inpu o mula
ϕ(de
j−1o he wise); and 2nmemb anes labelled by 2, such ha each o hem
con ains mj−1objec s cj o 1≤j≤min(e
j, p+1),mjobjec s cj o min(e
j, p+
1) ≤j≤pand an objec γn+4np ( espec i ely, de
j) i clause C1( esp., Cj) is
no sa is ied by he co esponding u h assignmen .
P oo . (a) is going o be demons a ed by induc ion on k
- The base case k= 1 is i ial because:
(a0) a con igu a ion Cn+4np we ha e: Cn+4np(0) = {αn+4np, βn+4np}and he e
exis 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1; and he e exis 2nmemb anes
labelled by 2 con aining an objec γn+4np and mobjec s cj(1 ≤j≤p).
Then, con igu a ion Cn+4np yields con igu a ion Cn+4np+1 by applying he
ules:
[αn+4np →αn+4np+1 ]0
[βn+4np →βn+4np+1 ]0
[γ4np+2nc1]2−→ d1[ ]2
(a1) a Cn+4np+1(0) = {αn+4np+1, βn+4np+1}and he e exis 2nmemb anes la-
belled by 1 con aining an objec d1i and only i he e was a leas one
objec c1wi hin memb ane labelled by 1 a con igu a ion Cn+4np; and 2n
memb anes labelled by 2 con aining an objec γn+4np i and only i he e
we e no objec s c1a con igu a ion Cn+4np,m1−1 ( espec i ely, m1) objec s
c1i he e was any objec cjin his memb ane in he p e ious con igu a-
ion ( esp., m1) and mjobjec s cj o 2 ≤j≤p. Then, he con igu a ion
Cn+4np+1 yields con igu a ion Cn+4np+2 by applying he ules:
[αn+4np+1 →αn+4np+2 ]0
[βn+4np+1 →βn+4np+2 ]0
d1[ ]2−→ [d1]2
Thus, Cn+4np+2(0) = {αn+4np+2, βn+4np+2}, and he e exis 2nemp y
memb anes labelled by 1; and he e exis 2nmemb anes labelled by 2

P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 285
con aining an objec d1( espec i ely, γn+4np) i he co esponding u h
assignmen makes ue ( esp., doesn’ make ue) clause C1,m1−1 ( esp.,
m1) objec s c1and mjobjec s cj o 1 ≤j≤p. Hence, he esul holds o
k= 1.
- Supposing, by induc ion, esul is ue o k(0 ≤k≤p−1)
-Cn+4np+2k(0) = {αn+4np+2k, βn+4np+2k}
- In Cn+4np+2k he e a e 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1.
- In Cn+4np+2k he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o hem
con ains
?an objec γn+4np o de
j−1( espec i ely, an objec dk) i he co esponding
u h assignmen does no make ue ( esp., makes ue) he clause C1
o Cj(2 ≤j≤p) ( esp., he i s kclauses); and
? mj−1 objec s cj o 1 ≤j≤min(e
j, k + 1) and mjobjec s cj o
min(e
j, k + 2) ≤j≤p.
Then, con igu a ion Cn+4np+2kyields con igu a ion Cn+4np+2k+1 by apply-
ing he ules:
[αn+4np+2k→αn+4np+2k+1 ]0
[βn+4np+2k→βn+4np+2k+1 ]0
[dkck+1 ]2−→ dk+1[ ]2
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-Cn+4np+2k+1(0) = {αn+4np+2k+1, βn+4np+2k+1}
- In Cn+4np+2k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1 such ha each o hem
con ains an objec dk+1 i and only i he co esponding u h assignmen
makes ue he i s k+ 1 clauses.
- In Cn+4np+2k+1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
?an objec γn+4np o de
j−1i he co esponding u h assignmen does no
make ue he clause C1o Cj(2 ≤j≤p); and
? mj−1 objec s cj o 1 ≤j≤min(e
j, k) and mjobjec s cj o min(e
j, k +
1) ≤j≤p.
Then, con igu a ion Cn+4np+2k+1 yields Cn+4np+2k+2 by applying he ules:
[αn+4np+2k+1 →αn+4np+2k+2 ]0
[βn+4np+2k+1 →βn+4np+2k+2 ]0
dk+1[ ]2−→ [dk+1 ]2
The e o e, he ollowing holds
-Cn+4np+2k+2(0) = {αn+4np+2k+2, βn+4np+2k+2}
- In Cn+4np+2k+2 he e a e 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1.
- In Cn+4np+2k+2 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
?an objec γn+4np o de
j−1( espec i ely, an objec dk+1) i he co e-
sponding u h assignmen does no make ue ( esp., makes ue) he
clause C1o Cj(2 ≤j≤p) ( esp., he i s k+ 1 clauses); and
286 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
? mj−1 objec s cj o 1 ≤j≤min(e
j, k + 2) and mjobjec s cj o
min(e
j, k + 3) ≤j≤p.
Hence, he esul holds o k+ 1.
- In o de o p o e (b) i is enough o no ice ha , on he one han, om (a)
con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−2holds:
-Cn+4np+2p−2(0) = {αn+4np+2p−2, βn+4np+2p−2}
- In Cn+4np+2p−2 he e a e 2nemp y memb anes labelled by 1.
- In Cn+4np+2p−2 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 2 such ha each o
hem con ains
- an objec γn+4np o de
j−1( espec i ely, dp−1) i he co esponding u h
assignmen does no make ue he clause C1o Cj(2 ≤j≤p−1)
( esp., makes ue clauses Cj(1 ≤j≤p−1)); and
-mj−1 objec s cj o 1 ≤j≤min(e
j, p −1) and mjobjec s cj o
min(e
j, p)≤j≤p
Then, con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−2yields con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−1by ap-
plying he ules:
[αn+4np+2p−2→αn+4np+2p−1]0
[βn+4np+2p−2→βn+4np+2p−1]0
[dp−1cp]2−→ dp[ ]2
Then, we ha e Cn+4np+2p−1(0) = {αn+4np+2p−1, βn+4np+2p−1}, and in
Cn+4np+2p−1 he e a e 2nmemb anes labelled by 1, such ha each o
hem con ains an objec dpi and only i he co esponding u h as-
signmen makes ue he inpu o mula ϕ(de
j−1o he wise); and 2nmem-
b anes labelled by 2, such ha each o hem con ains mj−1 objec s cj o
1≤j≤min(e
j, p + 1), mjobjec s cj o min(e
j, p + 1) ≤j≤pand an
objec γn+4np ( espec i ely, de
j) i clause C1( esp., Cj) is no sa is ied by
he co esponding u h assignmen .

5.4 Ou pu s age
The ou pu phase s a s a con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−1, and akes exac ly wo s eps
when he e is an a i ma i e answe and h ee s eps when he e is a nega i e one.
Rules om 5.7 a e de o ed o compu e his s age.
-A i ma i e answe : In his case, a con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−1, in some mem-
b ane 1 he e is an objec dp. By applying he ule [ dp]1−→ dp[ ]1(a
he same ime ha [ αn+4np+2p−1→αn+4np+2p]0and [ βn+4np+2p−1→
βn+4np+2p]0a e execu ed), an objec dpis p oduced in memb ane 0. Then
by applying he ules [ α4np+n+2pdp]0−→ yes[ ]0and [ βn+4np+2p→
βn+4np+2p+1 ]0, an objec yes is eleased o en i onmen and he compu a-
ion hal s.
P Sys ems wi h Ac i e Memb anes: Minimal Coope a ion Only Ou wa ds 287
-Nega i e answe : In his case, a con igu a ion Cn+4np+2p−1, he e a e no mem-
b anes labelled by 1 ha con ains an objec dp, so he only ules execu ed
a e [ αn+4np+2p−1→αn+4np+2p]0and [ βn+4np+2p−1→βn+4np+2p]0. Rule
[βn+4np+2p→βn+4np+2p+1 ]0is execu ed in he nex s ep. Thus, a con-
igu a ion Cn+4np+2p+1 in memb ane labelled by 0 we execu e ha e a copy
o objec αn+4np+2pand a copy o objec βn+4np+2p+1. By applying he ule
[α4np+n+2pβ4np+n+2p+1]0−→ no[ ]0an objec no is eleased o he en i on-
men and hen he compu a ion hal s.
5.5 Resul
Theo em 1. SAT ∈PMCDAM0(+es,mcmpou ,−d,+n).
P oo . The amily Πo P sys ems p e iously cons uc ed e i ies he ollowing:
(a) The amily Πis polynomially uni o m by Tu ing machines because o each
n, p ∈N, he ules o Π(hn, pi) o he amily a e ecu si ely de ined om
n, p ∈N, and he amoun o esou ces needed o build an elemen o he amily
is o a polynomial o de in nand p, as shown below:
– Size o he alphabe : 15n2p2
2+3n2p+3n2+np2+35np
2+5n+6p+6 ∈Θ(n2p2).
– Ini ial numbe o memb anes: 3 ∈Θ(1).
– Ini ial numbe o objec s in memb anes: 3np +n+ 3 ∈Θ(np).
– Numbe o ules: 15n2p2
2+ 7n2p+np2+33np
2+ 4n+ 6p+ 4 ∈Θ(n2p2).
– Maximal numbe o objec s in ol ed in any ule: 3 ∈Θ(1).
(b) The amily Πis polynomially bounded wi h ega d o (SAT,cod, s): indeed o
each ins ance ϕo he SAT p oblem, any compu a ion o he sys em Π(s(ϕ))
wi h inpu mul ise cod(ϕ) akes a mos 2n+ 4np + 2p+5 compu a ion s eps.
(e) The amily Πis sound wi h ega d o (SAT,cod, s): indeed o each ins ance
ϕo he SAT p oblem, i he compu a ion o Π(s(ϕ)) + cod(ϕ) is an accep ing
compu a ion, hen ϕis sa is iable.
( ) The amily Πis comple e wi h ega d o (SAT,cod, s): indeed, o each ins ance
ϕo he SAT p oblem such ha ϕis sa is iable, any compu a ion o Π(s(ϕ)) +
cod(ϕ) is an accep ing compu a ion.
The e o e, he amily Πo P sys ems p e iously cons uc ed sol es he SAT p ob-
lem in polynomial ime and in a uni o m way.
Co olla y 1. NP ∪co −NP ⊆PMCDAM0(+es,mcmpou ,−d,+n).
P oo . I su ices o no ice ha SAT p oblem is a NP-comple e p ob-
lem, SAT ∈PMCDAM0(+es,mcmpou ,−d,+n), and he complexi y class
PMCDAM0(+es,mcmpou ,−d,+n)is closed unde polynomial- ime educ ion and un-
de complemen .
288 L. Valencia-Cab e a e al.
6 Conclusions
F om a compu a ional complexi y poin o iew and assuming ha P6=NP, dis-
solu ion ules play a c ucial ole in classical pola iza ionless P sys ems wi h ac i e
memb anes whe e he e is no coope a ion, no changing labels nei he p io i ies. In
ha amewo k, PSPACE-comple e p oblems can be sol ed in polynomial ime
when dissolu ion ules and di ision o elemen a y and non-elemen a y memb anes
a e pe mi ed. Howe e , dissolu ion ules and di ision ules o non-elemen a y
memb anes can be eplaced by minimal coope a ion ( he le -hand side o he
ules has a mos wo objec s) and minimal p oduc ion ( he igh -hand side o
he ules has a mos wo objec s) in objec e olu ion ules in o de o ob ain he
compu a ional e iciency [11].
In his pape , he ing edien o minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion
in objec e olu ion ules is eplaced by minimal coope a ion and minimal p o-
duc ion in send-ou communica ion ules bu we ha e need o use di ision o
non-elemen a y memb anes. The new sys ems conside ed a e able o e icien ly
sol e compu a ional ha d p oblems e en by conside ing simple objec e olu ion
ules, ha is, hese kind o ules only p oduce one objec . An analogous esul can
be ob ained i minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion a e conside ed only
o send-in ules, ins ead o send-ou ules ([12]).
The case whe e only elemen a y di ision is allowed, while keeping he es ic-
ion ha minimal coope a ion and minimal p oduc ion a e used in communica ion
ules o he same di ec ion (only ou o only in) emains as u u e wo k, as well
as he case whe e di ision ules a e eplaced by sepa a ion ules.
Wha abou he class SAM0(+es, mcmpou ,−d, +n)? Tha is, wha hap-
pens i we e isi he amewo k s udied in his pape bu eplacing di ision
ules by sepa a ion ules? We can adap he easoning used in he p oo o
P=PMCSAM0
bmc(−d,−n)(see [10]), and we can p o e ha by using amilies
o ecognize memb ane sys ems belonging o his class, only p oblems in class P
can be sol ed in polynomial ime.
Acknowledgemen s
This wo k was pa ially suppo ed by G an numbe s 61472328 and 61320106005
o he Na ional Na u al Science Founda ion o China.
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