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Given a set P of n points and a set S of n segments in the plane, we consider the problem of computing for each segment of S its closest point in P. The previously best algorithm solves the problem in n^{4/3}2^{O(log^*n)} time [Bespamyatnikh, 2003] and a lower bound (under a somewhat restricted model) Ω(n^{4/3}) has also been proved. In this paper, we present an O(n^{4/3}) time algorithm and thus solve the problem optimally (under the restricted model). In addition, we also present data structures for solving the online version of the problem, i.e., given a query segment (or a line as a special case), find its closest point in P. Our new results improve the previous work. 

We revisit the recent polynomial-time algorithm for the Max Weight Independent Set (MWIS) problem in bounded-degree graphs that do not contain a fixed graph whose every component is a subdivided claw as an induced subgraph [Abrishami, Chudnovsky, Dibek, Rzążewski, SODA 2022]. First, we show that with an arguably simpler approach we can obtain a faster algorithm with running time n^{𝒪(Δ²)}, where n is the number of vertices of the instance and Δ is the maximum degree. Then we combine our technique with known results concerning tree decompositions and provide a polynomial-time algorithm for MWIS in graphs excluding a fixed graph whose every component is a subdivided claw as an induced subgraph, and a fixed biclique as a subgraph. 

We study propositional proof systems with inference rules that formalize restricted versions of the ability to make assumptions that hold without loss of generality, commonly used informally to shorten proofs. Each system we study is built on resolution. They are called BC⁻, RAT⁻, SBC⁻, and GER⁻, denoting respectively blocked clauses, resolution asymmetric tautologies, set-blocked clauses, and generalized extended resolution - all without new variables. They may be viewed as weak versions of extended resolution (ER) since they are defined by first generalizing the extension rule and then taking away the ability to introduce new variables. Except for SBC⁻, they are known to be strictly between resolution and extended resolution. Several separations between these systems were proved earlier by exploiting the fact that they effectively simulate ER. We answer the questions left open: We prove exponential lower bounds for SBC⁻ proofs of a binary encoding of the pigeonhole principle, which separates ER from SBC⁻. Using this new separation, we prove that both RAT⁻ and GER⁻ are exponentially separated from SBC⁻. This completes the picture of their relative strengths.