Reduced-pair conjecture for nonintegral type-2 zero-problems

Let $P=(T;U,V)$ be a 3M-DAP, define $r_v=2[s_t-(v-1)s_v]$ and $b^*=2s_v/r_v$, and set

$$\hat b=\left\lceil\frac{2s_v}{r_v}\right\rceil.$$

A $b$-pair is a maximal inseparable $(T,V)$-pair with $|B|=b$ and $|A|=(v-1)b+1$.

Reduced-pair conjecture. If $s_t>(v-1)s_v$ and $b^*=2s_v/r_v$ is not an integer, then there exists an optimal solution in which all maximal inseparable pairs are either $\hat b$-pairs or $(\hat b-1)$-pairs.

This conjecture predicts a two-size structure for maximal inseparable pairs in the nonintegral case. The source gives no resolution in the supplied context.