Efficient algorithms for the periodic subgraphs mining problem

Given a sequence G=〈G(0),…,G(T−1)〉 of simple graphs over uniquely labeled vertices from a set V, the periodic subgraph mining problem consists in discovering maximal subgraphs that recur at regular intervals in G. For a periodic subgraph to be maximal, it is intended here that it cannot be enriched by adding edges nor can its temporal span be expanded in any direction. We give algorithms that improve the theoretical complexity of solutions previously available for this problem. In particular, we show an optimal solution based on an implicit description of the output subgraphs that takes time — where is the average number of edges over the entire sequence G — to publish all maximal periodic subgraphs that meet or exceed a minimum occurrence threshold σ.