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\begin{document}
\pagestyle{myheadings}
\markright{\sc the electronic journal of combinatorics 1 (1994), \#R5\hfill}
\thispagestyle{empty}
\large        
 
\centerline{\LARGE{\bf EVEN KERNELS}}
\medskip
\centerline{Aviezri Fraenkel\footnote{Permanent address:\ Dept.\ 
of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, The Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. The main part of
this work was done at the University of Pennsylvania and later
at the University of Calgary, during 1993.}}
\centerline{Curtin University}
\centerline{School of Mathematics and Statistics}
\centerline{GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6001, Australia}
 
\vspace{0.5in}
 
 
{\sc Abstract}. Given a graph $G =
(V,E)$, an {\it even kernel} is a nonempty independent
subset $V' \subseteq V$,  such that every vertex of $G$ is
adjacent to an even number (possibly $0$) of vertices in $V'$.
It is proved that the question of whether a graph
has an even kernel is {\rm NP}-complete.  
The motivation stems from combinatorial game theory. It is 
known that this question is polynomial if $G$ is bipartite.
We also prove that the question of whether there is an even 
kernel whose size is between two given bounds, in a given 
bipartite graph, is {\rm NP}-complete.
This result has applications in coding and set theory. 

\vspace{0.3in}

\section{Introduction} 

\indent {\sc Even Kernel} (EVEK).  Given an undirected graph 
$G = (V,E)$. Is there a
nonempty independent subset $V' \subseteq V$ such that every $u
\in V$ has even degree with respect to $V'$, i.e., $u$ has an
even number (possibly $0$) of neighbors in $V'$?
 
     {\sc Example}.  In the graph depicted in Fig.\ 1, the subset
$\{u_1,u_3,u_7,u_9\}$ is an even kernel.  So is its subset
$\{u_1,u_3\}$; and also
$\{u_2,u_4,u_5,u_6,u_8\}$ is an even kernel.  Thus an even kernel
may exist nonuniquely.  A triangle has no even kernel.
 
\epsfysize 1.5 true in
$$\epsffile{fig1new.ps}$$
 
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 1. Even kernels in a graph $G = (V,E)$.}
 
\vspace{0.2in}
 
     The notion of an even kernel was defined in Fraenkel,
Scheinerman and Ullman  [1993], with the motivation that the
vertices of an even kernel are $P$-positions (second player win
positions) in a game called ``Edge Geography''.  It was shown
there that EK is polynomially decidable if $G$ is bipartite. 
In \S 2 we prove
 
\proclaim{Theorem 1}.  {\rm EVEK} is {\rm NP}-complete even for
graphs with maximum degree 3. \par
 
     This result is best possible, in the sense that for a graph
with maximum degree $\leq 2$, the question can be decided in
linear time, since a simple path or a simple circuit each have an
even kernel if and only if the path or circuit has even length
(an even number of edges).

     The notion of an even kernel is not all that new, though our
terminology for it might be. Berlekamp, McEliece and van 
Tilborg [1978]
showed that the problem of whether a binary matrix $A$ contains 
exactly
$L$ rows such that each column of these $L$ rows has an even number
of 1-bits (i.e., whether there is a binary vector $X$ such that
$XA \equiv 0 \pmod{2}$)  
is {\rm NP}-complete, and asked about the status of the 
problem when ``exactly $L$'' is replaced by ``$\leq  L$'' ($\leq 
{\rm DECOD}$). See also Garey and Johnson [1979, DECODING OF LINEAR 
CODES]. They also asked in ``OPEN5'' about the following EVEN SET
(EVES) problem: ``Given a collection $C$ of subsets of a finite 
set $X$ and $L \in {\cal Z}^+$, is there a nonempty subcollection
${C'} \subseteq C$ with $|{C'}| \leq L$, such that each 
$x \in X$ belongs to an even number (possibly $0$) of sets
in ${C'}$?''. They stated that EVES is equivalent to $\leq$
DECOD. It is easy to see that both EVES and $\leq$ DECOD are
equivalent to asking whether a given bipartite graph 
$G=(V_1,V_2;E)$ with disjoint and independent parts $V_1$
and $V_2$ has an even kernel $K \subseteq V_1$ with 
$|K| \leq L$.

     Define the problem

     {\sc Even Single Bipartite Kernel} (ESBIK). Given
$A,C \in {\cal Z}^+$ with $A \leq C$ and a bipartite graph 
$G=(V_1,V_2;E)$, where $V_1, V_2$ are disjoint independent
subsets of vertices. Is there a subset $K \subseteq V_1$, 
with $A \leq |K| \leq C$ such that every vertex has an
even number of neighbors (possibly $0$) in $K$?

     In \S 3 we prove

     \proclaim{Theorem 2}. {\rm ESBIK} is {\rm NP}-complete
even for graphs with maximum degree 3. \par

     A related problem is

     {\sc Even Double Bipartite Kernel} (EDBIK). Given
$A,C \in {\cal Z}^+$ with $A \leq B$ and a bipartite graph
$G=(V_1,V_2;E)$, where $V_1, V_2$ are disjoint indpendent
subsets of vertices. Is there a subset 
$K \subseteq V_1 \cup V_2$ with $A \leq |K| \leq C$, such that
every vertex has an even number of neighbors (possibly $0$) in
$K$?

     In \S 4 we prove

     \proclaim{Theorem 3}. {\rm EDBIK} is {\rm NP}-complete
even for graphs with maximum degree 3. \par
     
     All our reductions are made from 1-3SAT, defined below.
A Boolean formula is {\it positive} if it contains no negated
variables. A Boolean formula is in 3CNF if it is a conjunction
of clauses, where each clause is a disjunction of three literals.

     {\sc One-In-Three 3SAT} (1-3SAT). Given a positive Boolean 
3CNF formula $B$. Is $B$ {\it 1-satisfiable}, i.e., is there a
truth assignment for $B$ such that each clause in $B$ has precisely
one true variable?

     Schaefer [1978] proved that 1-3SAT is {\rm NP}-complete.
See also Garey and Johnson [1979]. 
     
     For all the three proofs, we associate with any positive
3CNF-formula $B=c_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge~c_m$ with clauses
$c_1, \ldots ,c_m$ and variables $x_1, \ldots, x_n$, a graph 
$G(B)$  whose vertex set is $\{c_1 \ldots c_m, x_1, \ldots, x_n \}$
and there is an edge $(x_j, c_i)$ if and only if $x_j  \in c_i$,
i.e., $x_j$ is in $c_i$ (Fig.\ 2). We shall make a standard 
modification on $G(B)$, so as to preserve the
degree-at-most-3 requirement throughout the construction.

\epsfysize 4 true in
$$\epsffile{fig2new.ps}$$
 
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 2.  The graph $G(B)$ for $B = (x_1 \vee
x_2 \vee x_3) \wedge (x_3 \vee x_4 \vee x_5) \wedge 
(x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_4)$.}
 
\vspace{0.2in}
 
\noindent
 
\vspace{0.2in}
 
     It is clear that each of the problems EVEK, ESBIK and EDBIK
is in {\it NP}.

\vspace{0.2in}
 
     {\sc Notation}.  A vertex belonging to a given fixed even 
kernel will be
termed {\it marked}.  Otherwise it is {\it unmarked}. In the 
figures below, we use asterisks to indicate marked vertices.

     The {\it length} of a simple path in a graph is the number 
of its edges, so it is 1 less than the number of its vertices. An
$n$-{\it path} is a path of length $n$.
 
\vspace{0.2in}

\section{Proof of Theorem 1}
 
\indent 1.  {\sc Injectors}.  An {\it injector} injects a mark 
onto
a vertex.  Typically, one end of an injector is a two-pronged 
``or''-gate consisting of two adjacent vertices $u_1,u_2$,
constituting one edge $e = (u_1,u_2)$ of a circuit in which
alternate vertices are marked.  Thus precisely one of $u_1,u_2$
is marked.  The two vertices $u_1,u_2$ are both adjacent to the
{\it focus} $v$ of the injector.  The focus is adjacent to the
other end of the injector, which is a single vertex $u$ (Fig.\ 
3(i)), possibly joined to an or-gate of several vertices, an odd
number of them being marked (Fig.\ 3 (ii),(iii)).  The
latter vertices may be adjacent to each other (implying further
mark and adjacency restrictions) or not.  Note that an injector
injects a mark in either direction, and in fact may be completely
symmetric relative to its mid-vertex (Fig.~\ 3(ii), if $u_3$ and
$u_4$ are adjacent).
 
\epsfysize 2.5true in
$$\epsffile{fig3e.ps}$$
 
\begin{tabbing}
xxxxxxx\= xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\= xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\=
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\= \kill
\>(i)\ Simple injector \>(ii)\ Injector with \>(iii)\ Injector
with\\
\> \>2-pronged or-gate \>3-pronged or-gate\\
\end{tabbing}
\vspace{0.1in}
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 3. Various manifestations of injectors.}
 
\vspace{0.2in}
 
     We wish to make sure that the even kernel induced by our
construction is a ``full'' even kernel, rather than only some
subset of an even kernel, such as pointed out in Fig.\ 1.  The
injectors see to this.
 
\vspace{0.2in}
 
     2.  {\sc Variable Circuits}.  Let $m(j)$ be the total number
of
occurrences of the variable $x_j$ in $B$.  Construct a simple
circuit of $2(2m(j) + 2)$ vertices for $x_j$ $(1 \leq j \leq ~n)$,
where alternate vertices are {\it labeled} $x_{1j},x_{2j},\ldots,
x_{2m(j)+2,j}$; the vertices in-between are {\it unlabeled}.  The
circuits for $x_{j-1}$ and $x_j$ are joined by an injector with a
$2$-pronged or-gate on both of its sides (Fig.\ 4), where, here
and below, $x_{ij}$ is indicated by $ij$.  The locations of the 
ends of the injector on any variable circuit are such
that if the vertices of a variable circuit are traversed in
clockwise
direction, then the first vertex of the injector which is
encountered in this traversal is labeled. (Note the distinction
between marked and labeled vertices.)

\epsfysize 1.5 true in
$$\epsffile{fig4new.ps}$$
 
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 4.  Two adjacent variable circuits
joined via an injector.}
 
\vspace{0.3in}
 
\noindent
 
\vspace{0.3in}
 
     3.  {\sc Clause Circuits}.  A clause circuit $c_i$ $(1 \leq
i \leq m)$ is a network consisting of $12$ vertices
interconnected as
shown in Fig.\ 5. (It would be more compact, if the degree
constraint would be
relaxed to $d \leq 4$.)  It has four {\it terminals}, $a,b,d$ and
$g$.
\epsfysize 3 true in
$$\epsffile{fig5new.ps}$$
 
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 5.  A clause circuit $c_i$.}
 
\epsfysize 4 true in
$$\epsffile{fig6e.ps}$$

\centerline{{\sc Figure} 6.  Joining variable circuits with a
clause circuit.}

\vspace{0.3in}
 
     In the global construction, $x_{ij}$ is joined via a 
$2$-path to precisely one of the terminals $a,b$ or $d$ of $c_i$,
if and only if $x_j$ is in $c_i$.  In addition, one injector,
based on an $x_j$-variable circuit with $x_j$ in $c_i$ is joined,
via a $2$-path, to terminal $g$ of $c_i$
(Fig.\ 6).  Also here the location of the ends of the injector 
is such
that if the vertices of a variable circuit are traversed in
clockwise direction,
then the first vertex of the injector encountered in this
traversal is labeled.  Since there are $m(j)$ $2$-paths between
the variable circuit of $x_j$ and the $c_i$, and at most $m(j) +
2$ injectors on it, the $2(2m(j)+2)$ vertices on the 
variable circuit suffice to insure that the degrees on any
variable circuit are at most $3$.  The global construction (Fig.\ 
7) is clearly polynomial.

\epsfysize 5 true in
$$\epsffile{fig7new.ps}$$
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 7.  The global construction for $B =
(x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_3) \wedge (x_3 \vee x_4 \vee x_5) \wedge
(x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_4)$.}
 
\vspace{0.3in}
 
     Now assume that 1-3SAT is $1$-satisfiable, i.e., each
clause in $B$ has precisely one true variable.  In the variable
circuits, mark the $x_{ij}$ $(1 \leq i \leq 2m(j) + 2)$ if $x_j =
1$ for some truth assignment for which $B$ is 1-satisfiable, 
and the unlabeled vertices between the $x_{ij}$ $(1 \leq i
\leq 2m(j)+2)$ if $x_j = 0$.  Then precisely one of the $x_{ij}$
for $x_j$ in $c_i$ is marked for each $i$, and precisely one
of $a,b,d$ is marked, namely, the one at the end of a $2$-path
whose other end is a marked $x_{ij}$.  Also the vertices $u$
(Figs.~\ 6 and~ 7) and
the mid-vertices on the injectors connecting adjacent variable
circuits get injected marks.  If $d$ has been marked, no further
vertex of $c_i$ is marked.  But if $a$ or $b$ has been marked,
then $h$ is marked; and so is $a_1$ and $a_2$ (if $a$ is marked)
or $b_1$ and $b_2$ (if $b$ is marked).  It is easily verified
that the marked vertices constitute an even kernel of the
constructed graph $G$.
 
     Conversely, assume that $G$ has an even kernel.  We begin by
collecting a few properties of $G$ and its even kernel.
 
\proclaim{\bf Proposition 1}.  If a labeled vertex of a variable
circuit is marked, then all labeled vertices of that variable
circuit are marked. \par
 
     {\bf Proof}.  Proceed in clockwise direction from a marked
vertex $x_{ij}$, and note that the mark necessarily 
``propagates'' along the
circuit at the labeled vertices, including those which impinge on
$2$-paths joined to the $c_i$, and at the beginnings of
injectors, all of which are labeled. $\Box$
 
\proclaim{\bf Proposition 2}.  No focus $v$ of any injector can
be marked. \par
 
     {\bf Proof}.  Suppose $v$ is marked.  Then both $x_{ij}$ in
clockwise direction and the unlabeled vertex $w$ in
counterclockwise direction of a variable circuit (Fig.\ 8) are
marked.  By Proposition 1, all labeled vertices are marked, in
particular $x_{i-1,j}$.  This
is a contradiction, since $x_{i-1,j}$ is adjacent to both $v$ 
and $w$. $\Box$
 
 
\epsfysize 3 true in
$$\epsffile{fig8e.ps}$$
\centerline{{\sc Figure} 8.  An impossible situation.}
 
\vspace{0.3in}
 
 
\proclaim{\bf Proposition 3}.  For every clause circuit $c_i$,
none of the vertices $g$ and $v_j$ $(1 \leq j \leq 6)$ can be
marked (Fig.\ 6).\par
 
 
     {\bf Proof}.  For $g,v_1$ and $v_6$ this follows directly
from Proposition 2.  If $v_2$ were marked, then both $b_1$ and
$b_2$ would be marked, so $a_1$ would have an odd number of
marked neighbors, a contradiction.  By symmetry, also $v_3$
cannot be marked.  But then also neither $v_4$ nor $v_5$ can be
marked.
$\Box$
 
\proclaim{\bf Proposition 4}.  If an unlabeled vertex $w$ of a
variable circuit is marked, then all unlabeled vertices of that
variable circuit are marked. \par
 
     {\bf Proof}.  The only neighbors of the vertices of a
variable circuit which lie outside that circuit, are vertices of
the type $v,v_4,v_5$ and $v_6$ (Fig.\ 6).  By Propositions 2 and
3, none of these is marked.  Thus the mark at $w$ necessarily
propagates along the variable circuit itself. $\Box$
 
\vspace{0.3in}
 
     Propositions 1 and 4 imply that if any vertex on any
variable circuit is marked, then because of the injectors between
adjacent  variable circuits, all variable circuits are marked: \
either all $2m(j)+2$ labeled or all $2m(j)+2$ unlabeled vertices
are marked in every variable circuit.  Moreover, these two
possible markings are independent of each other in the $n$
variable circuits.
 
     We now show that any even kernel of $G$ necessarily
intersects a variable circuit.  A mark on any of $a,b$ or $d$
injects a mark into a variable circuit via $v_4,v_5$ or $v_6$
respectively, a mark on $u$ does so via $v$, and a mark on $h$
via $d$ or $u$.  Also a mark on $b_1$ or $b_2$ injects a mark
into a variable circuit via $b$, and a mark on $a_1$ or $a_2$
does so via $a$.  By Propositions~ 2 and 3, no other vertex
outside the variable circuits and their interconnecting injectors
can be marked.  Since an even
kernel is nonempty, some vertex of a variable circuit must be
marked.  Hence all the variable circuits are marked; in fact,
each one has all its labeled or else all its unlabeled vertices
marked.
 
     Each clause circuit $c_i$ receives a mark that is injected 
via some $u$. 
Then precisely one of $d$ and $h$ is marked, otherwise $g$ 
would have 3 marked neighbors.  Assume first that
$d$ is marked.  Since $h$ is then unmarked, $a$ is marked if and
only
if $b$ is marked.  But if both $a$ and $b$ are marked, then so
are the adjacent vertices $a_1$ and $b_1$, a contradiction.  Thus
$a$ and $b$ are both unmarked.  Secondly, assume that $h$ is
marked.  Then precisely one of $a$ and $b$ is marked ($a_1$ and
$a_2$ are marked if $a$ is marked; $b_1$ and $b_2$ are marked if
$b$ is marked).
 
     It follows that for every $c_i$, precisely one of the three
terminals $a,b$ or $d$ is marked.  Hence precisely one of the
three variable circuits connecting to the terminals via $2$-paths
has all its labeled vertices marked, and the other two have all
their unlabeled vertices marked.  Putting $x_j = 1$ if and only
if the $j^{th}$ variable circuit has all its labeled vertices
marked, thus constitutes a consistent truth assignment which 
$1$-satisfies the given instance of 1-3SAT.  $\Box$

\section{Proof of Theorem 2}

     We make again a reduction from 1-3SAT. Since the construction
is similar to that used for proving Theorem 1, we give less detail
and refer the reader to Fig.\ 9, where the global construction is
illustrated. We also use the same notation as in the proof of 
Theorem 1. The main difference between the two constructions is 
that in the present case the injector cannot be used, as it is not
bipartite. Its function is emulated, in part, by long chains (paths) 
whose length may cause certain subgraphs to be marked or unmarked.

\epsfysize 5 true in
$$\epsffile{fig9e.ps}$$

\centerline{{\sc Figure 9}. The global construction for
$B=(x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_3) \wedge (x_3 \vee x_4 \vee x_5)
\wedge (x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_4).$}

\vspace{0.3in}

    1. {\sc Ignition Bus}. This is a path of length $4(7m+n)$, where
alternate vertices, including the two end vertices, are numbered 
1, \ldots, $14m+2n+1$. In a proper labeling, the numbered vertices 
are ``ignited'', i.e., marked. The vertices numbered 1, \ldots, $m$
feed into the $m$ clause circuits $c_1, \ldots, c_m$, and the vertices
numbered $m+1, \ldots, m+n$ feed into the $n$ variable circuits via
{\it ignitors} (see below). Each of the vertices 
$i\, (1 \leq i \leq m+n)$  appears twice in Fig.\ 9, but it is one and
the same vertex. Its split into two was precipitated only by the
desire to avoid the many intersecting edges which would otherwise
clutter the drawing.

     2. {\sc Ignitors}. The variable-ignitors are 2-paths feeding 
into the variable circuits, and the clause-ignitors are 3-paths 
feeding into the clause circuits. The vertices numbered $i$ are
marked in proper operation ($i \in \{1, \ldots, m+n \}$). From each
vertex labeled $p$ on each clause-ignitor, there emanates a simple
path $L$ of length $2(22m+3n+1)$. In proper operation, all vertices
of the paths $L$ remain unmarked.

      3. {\sc Variable Circuits}. The variable circuit for $x_j$
contains $2(m(j)+1)$ vertices $(1 \leq j \leq n)$, and again
alternate vertices are labeled. There is a {\it shunt} of length
$2(m(j)+1)-1$ connected to the $j$\/th variable circuit. If the 
ignition bus is marked, then either the variable circuit or its 
shunt are marked, but not both.

     4. {\sc Clause Circuits}. There are terminals $a, b, d, g$
as in the previous construction, but the clause circuits are now
bipartite.

     The construction is complete by putting $A=14m+2n+1$ and
$C=22m+3n+1$. It is clearly polynomial and produces a bipartite
graph $G$ with degrees at most 3.
 
     Suppose $B$ is 1-satisfiable. Mark the numbered vertices 
on the ignition bus. Mark the labeled vertices in the variable 
circuit of $x_j$ if and only if $x_j=1$ in a truth assignment
which makes $B$\/ 1-satisfiable. In all other variable circuits,
alternate vertices on the shunts are marked. Since $B$ is
1-satisfiable, exactly one of $a, b, d$ gets an
induced mark from a variable circuit. Three additional vertices 
on $c_i$ or on the path leading from $d$ to a variable circuit
are then marked. The resulting set of marked vertices forms
an even kernel $K$ of size
\begin{eqnarray*} 
|K| = & 14m+2n+1  &  ({\rm ignition\; bus})\\
      + & 4m + m  & ({\rm clause\;circuits\;and\;their\;ignitors})\\
      + & \sum_{j=1}^{n}(m(j)+1) & ({\rm variable\;circuits/shunts})\\
       &  &= 22m + 3n+1 = C.
\end{eqnarray*}
 
     Conversely, assume that $G$ has an even kernel $K$ of size 
$A \leq |K| \leq C$. First note that none of the vertices labeled
$p$ can be marked: if any were marked, we would already have an 
entire path marked, contributing $22m+3n+2 > C$ marks. Secondly, 
suppose that the ignition bus is unmarked. The largest $K$ could 
then be is when each $c_i$ contributes 8 labels ($d$ is marked;
so is precisely one of $a$ and $b$), and the labeled vertices on
all the variable circuits and shunts are marked. Then
\[|K| \leq 8m+\sum_{j=1}^{n} 2(m(j)+1) = 14m+2n < A. \]
We could have unlabeled vertices in all the variable circuits
and the two neighbors of $v$ in all the $c_i$ marked. But this
clearly produces an even kernel of size $ < A$. 

     Thus alternate vertices on the ignition bus have to be 
marked. It is easy to see that then in each $c_i$ either one
or all three terminals $a,b,d$ are marked. If precisely one is
marked, then $|K|=B$ as we saw in the first part of the proof.
The marked terminal induces marks on the labeld vertices in the
variable circuit it is connected to via a two-path. Putting
$x_j=1$ if and only if the labeled vertices are marked in the 
$j$-th variable circuit, thus constitutes a 1-satisfable solution
to $B$. If even one $c_i$ has 3 marked terminals, then
$|K|>B$, so this is not possible. So the existence of an
even kernel $K$ of size $A \leq |K| \leq |C|$ implies that $B$ 
is 1-satisfiable. $\Box$ 

\section{Proof of Theorem 3}

     The construction is similar to the constructions used 
for Theorems 1 and 2, 
especially to the latter. See Fig.~\ 10 for the global picture.
On the variable circuits we now have two shunts. The one connected
to a labeled vertex is termed shunt $s$, and the other, connected
to an unlabeled vertex, is shunt $s'$.  
From each of the vertices labeled $p$ on the clause-ignitors,
there emanates a path $L$ of length $2(39m+6n+2)$. There are 
two ignition buses, numbered 1 and 2, each of length 
$4(7m+n)$. We put 
$A=31m+5n+2$ and $C=39m+6n+2$, and note that the construction
is polynomial and produces a bipartite graph.

\epsfysize 5 true in
$$\epsffile{fig10new.ps}$$

\centerline {{\sc Figure} 10. The global construction for
$B=(x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_3) \wedge (x_3 \vee x_4 \vee x_5)
\wedge (x_1 \vee x_2 \vee x_4)$.}

\vspace{0.3in}

     Suppose $B$ is 1-satisfiable. Mark the numbered vertices 
on the ignition buses. Mark the labeled vertices in a variable
circuit of $x_j$ and alternate vertices on shunt $s'$ if 
$x_j=1$; the unlabeled vertices in the variable circuit or
alternate vertices on $s'$ (but not both), and
alternate vertices on shunt $s$ if $x_j=0$ for a given truth 
assignment that renders $B$\/ 1-satisfiable. Then exactly one 
of $a,b,d$ in each $c_i$ is marked, leading to a total of 4
marked vertices in each $c_i$. The result is an even kernel
$K$ of size
\[|K|= 28m+4n+2 +5m +2\sum_{j=1}^{n} (m(j)+1)=39m+6n+2=C.\]

     Conversely, assume that $G$ has an even kernel $K$ of
size $A \leq |K| \leq C$. None of the vertices labeled $p$
can be labeled, for otherwise we would already have a kernel
of size $\geq 39m+6n+3 > C$. Now suppose that at most one of
the ignition buses is marked, say ignition bus 2. Then each 
$c_i$ can contribute at most 8 to $K$ and each variable circuit
at most $3(m(j)+1)$, so
\[|K| \leq 14m+2n+1+8m+3\sum_{j=1}^{n} (m(j)+1)=31m+5n+1<A.\]
If ignition bus 1 rather than 2 is marked, we get a 
smaller even kernel. It follows that the numbered vertices of
both ignition buses have 
to be marked. Then each variable circuit has the labeled 
vertices and alternate vertices on shunt $s'$ marked; or
else alternate vertices on 
$s$, and either the unlabeled vertices or alternate vertices 
on $s'$ (but not both). Each $c_i$ has either precisely one 
of $a,b,d$ \/ labeled
or else all three of them. In the first case we have then
a kernel $K$ of size
\[|K|=28m+4n+2 +5m +2\sum_{j=1}^{n} (m(j)+1)=39m+6n+2=C.\]
If even a single $c_i$ has all of the $a,b,d$ marked, then
the kernel would obviously be larger than C. $\Box$   

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\centerline{\bf REFERENCES}
 
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\bib{1}E.R. Berlekamp, R.J. McEliece and H.C.A. van Tilborg
[1978],
On the inherent intractability of certain coding problems,
{\it IEEE Trans.\ Inform.\ Theory} {\bf IT-24}, 384-386.

 
\bib{2}A.S. Fraenkel, E.R. Scheinerman and D. Ullman [1993],
Undirected edge geography, {\it Theoret. Comput. Sci. (Math.
Games)} {\bf 112}, 371-381.
 
\bib{3}M.R. Garey and A.S. Johnson [1979], {\it Computers and
Intractability:\ A guide to the Theory of {\rm NP}-Completeness},
Freeman, New York.
 
\bib{4}T.J. Schaefer [1978], The complexity of satisfiability
problems, {\it Proc. 10th Annual ACM Symp. on Theory of
Computing}, Assoc. Comput. Mach., New York, 216-226.
 
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