Orthogonal factorizations of digraphs

Let G be a digraph with vertex set V(G) and arc set E(G) and let g = (g ⁻, g ⁺) and ƒ = (ƒ ⁻, ƒ ⁺) be pairs of positive integer-valued functions defined on V(G) such that g ⁻(x) ⩽ ƒ ⁻(x) and g ⁺(x) ⩽ ƒ ⁺(x) for each x ∈ V(G). A (g, ƒ)-factor of G is a spanning subdigraph H of G such that g ⁻(x) ⩽ id _H (x) ⩽ ƒ ⁻(x) and g ⁺(x) ⩽ od _H (x) ⩽ ƒ ⁺(x) for each x ∈ V(H); a (g, ƒ)-factorization of G is a partition of E(G) into arc-disjoint (g, ƒ)-factors. Let = {F ₁, F ₂,…, F _m} and H be a factorization and a subdigraph of G, respectively. is called k-orthogonal to H if each F _i , 1 ⩽ i ⩽ m, has exactly k arcs in common with H. In this paper it is proved that every (mg+m−1,mƒ−m+1)-digraph has a (g, f)-factorization k-orthogonal to any given subdigraph with km arcs if k ⩽ min{g ⁻(x), g ⁺(x)} for any x ∈ V(G) and that every (mg, mf)-digraph has a (g, f)-factorization orthogonal to any given directed m-star if 0 ⩽ g(x) ⩽ f(x) for any x ∈ V(G). The results in this paper are in some sense best possible.      

（g, f）-Factorizations Randomly Orthogonal to a Subgraph in Graphs

Let G be a graph with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G) and let g and f be two integervalued functions defined on V(G) such that 2k - 2 ≤g(x)≤f(x) for all x∈V(G). Let H be a subgraph of G with mk edges. In this paper, it is proved that every (mg m-1,mf-m 1)-graph G has (g, f)-factorizations randomly k-orthogonal to H under some special conditions.     

Randomly Orthogonal (g,f)-factorizations in Graphs

Let G be a graph with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G) and let g and f be two integer-valued functions defined on V(G) such that 2k − 2 ≤ f(x) for all x ∈ V(G). Let H be a subgraph of G with mk edges. In this paper it is proved that every (mg + m − 1,mf − m + 1)-graph G has (g,f)-factorizations randomly k-orthogonal to H and shown that the result is best possible.     

A Generalization of Orthogonal Factorizations in Graphs

Let G be a graph with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G) and let g and f be two integer-valuated functions defined on V(G) such that g(x) ≤f(x) for all x∈V(G). Then a (g, f)-factor of G is a spanning subgraph H of G such that g(x) ≤d _H (x) ≤f(x) for all x∈V(G). A (g, f)-factorization of G is a partition of E(G) into edge-disjoint (g, f)-factors. Let = {F ₁, F ₂, ..., F _m } be a factorization of G and H be a subgraph of G with mr edges. If F _i , 1 ≤i≤m, has exactly r edges in common with H, then is said to be r-orthogonal to H. In this paper it is proved that every (mg + kr, mf−kr)-graph, where m, k and r are positive integers with k < m and g≥r, contains a subgraph R such that R has a (g, f)-factorization which is r-orthogonal to a given subgraph H with kr edges. This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19831080) and RSDP of China     

(g,f)-Factorizations of graphs orthogonal to [1,2]-subgraph

LetG be a simple graph. Letg(x) andf(x) be integer-valued functions defined onV(G) withf(x)g(x)1 for allxV(G). It is proved that ifG is an (mg+m–1,mf–m+1)-graph andH is a [1,2]-subgraph withm edges, then there exists a (g,f)-factorization ofG orthogonal toH.This work is supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and Shandong Youth Science Foundation.     

Decomposition of Graphs into (g, f)-Factors

Let G be a multigraph, g and f be integer-valued functions defined on V(G). Then a graph G is called a (g, f)-graph if g(x)≤deg _G(x)≤f(x) for each x∈V(G), and a (g, f)-factor is a spanning (g, f)-subgraph. If the edges of graph G can be decomposed into (g, f)-factors, then we say that G is (g, f)-factorable. In this paper, we obtained some sufficient conditions for a graph to be (g, f)-factorable. One of them is the following: Let m be a positive integer, l be an integer with l=m (mod 4) and 0≤l≤3. If G is an -graph, then G is (g, f)-factorable. Our results imply several previous (g, f)-factorization results. Revised: June 11, 1998     

Partial Parity (g,f )-Factors and Subgraphs Covering Given Vertex Subsets

 Let G be a graph and W a subset of V(G). Let g,f:V(G)→Z be two integer-valued functions such that g(x)≤f(x) for all x∈V(G) and g(y)≡f(y) (mod 2) for all y∈W. Then a spanning subgraph F of G is called a partial parity (g,f)-factor with respect to W if g(x)≤deg _F (x)≤f(x) for all x∈V(G) and deg _F (y)≡f(y) (mod 2) for all y∈W. We obtain a criterion for a graph G to have a partial parity (g,f)-factor with respect to W. Furthermore, by making use of this criterion, we give some necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph G to have a subgraph which covers W and has a certain given property. Received: June 14, 1999?Final version received: August 21, 2000     

Existence of subgraph with orthogonal (g,f)-factorization

Simple graphs are considered. Let G be a graph andg(x) andf(x) integer-valued functions defined on V(G) withg(x)⩽f(x) for everyxɛV(G). For a subgraphH ofG and a factorizationF=|F ₁,F ₂,⃛,F ₁| ofG, if |E(H)∩E(F ₁)|=1,1⩽i⩽j, then we say thatF orthogonal toH. It is proved that for an (mg(x)+k,mf(x) -k)-graphG, there exists a subgraphR ofG such that for any subgraphH ofG with |E(H)|=k,R has a (g,f)-factorization orthogonal toH, where 1⩽k<m andg(x)⩾1 orf(x)⩾5 for everyxɛV(G). Project supported by the Chitia Postdoctoral Science Foundation and Chuang Xin Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

On Group Chromatic Number of Graphs

Let G be a graph and A an Abelian group. Denote by F(G, A) the set of all functions from E(G) to A. Denote by D an orientation of E(G). For f ∈ F(G,A), an (A,f)-coloring of G under the orientation D is a function c : V(G)↦A such that for every directed edge uv from u to v, c(u)−c(v) ≠ f(uv). G is A-colorable under the orientation D if for any function f ∈ F(G, A), G has an (A, f)-coloring. It is known that A-colorability is independent of the choice of the orientation. The group chromatic number of a graph G is defined to be the least positive integer m for which G is A-colorable for any Abelian group A of order ≥m, and is denoted by χ_g(G). In this note we will prove the following results. (1) Let H₁ and H₂ be two subgraphs of G such that V(H₁)∩V(H₂)=∅ and V(H₁)∪V(H₂)=V(G). Then χ_g(G)≤min{max{χ_g(H₁), max_v∈V(H2)deg(v,G)+1},max{χ_g(H₂), max_u∈V(H1) deg (u, G) + 1}}. We also show that this bound is best possible. (2) If G is a simple graph without a K_3,3-minor, then χ_g(G)≤5.     

Connected Factors and Spanning Trees in Graphs

 Let G be a graph, and g, f, f′ be positive integer-valued functions defined on V(G). If an f′-factor of G is a spanning tree, we say that it is f′-tree. In this paper, it is shown that G contains a connected (g, f+f′−1)-factor if G has a (g, f)-factor and an f′-tree. Received: October 30, 2000 Final version received: August 20, 2002     

On the Existence of a Long Path Between Specified Vertices in a 2-Connected Graph

 Let G be a 2-connected graph with maximum degree Δ (G)≥d, and let x and y be distinct vertices of G. Let W be a subset of V(G)−{x, y} with cardinality at most d−1. Suppose that max{d _G(u), d _G(v)}≥d for every pair of vertices u and v in V(G)−({x, y}∪W) with d _G(u,v)=2. Then x and y are connected by a path of length at least d−|W|. Received: February 5, 1998 Revised: April 13, 1998     

How Close to Regular Must a Semicomplete Multipartite Digraph Be to Secure Hamiltonicity?

 Let D be a semicomplete multipartite digraph, with partite sets V ₁, V ₂,…, V _c, such that |V ₁|≤|V ₂|≤…≤|V _c|. Define f(D)=|V(D)|−3|V _c|+1 and . We define the irregularity i(D) of D to be max|d ⁺(x)−d ⁻(y)| over all vertices x and y of D (possibly x=y). We define the local irregularity i _l(D) of D to be max|d ⁺(x)−d ⁻(x)| over all vertices x of D and we define the global irregularity of D to be i _g(D)=max{d ⁺(x),d ⁻(x) : x∈V(D)}−min{d ⁺(y),d ⁻(y) : y∈V(D)}. In this paper we show that if i _g(D)≤g(D) or if i _l(D)≤min{f(D), g(D)} then D is Hamiltonian. We furthermore show how this implies a theorem which generalizes two results by Volkmann and solves a stated problem and a conjecture from [6]. Our result also gives support to the conjecture from [6] that all diregular c-partite tournaments (c≥4) are pancyclic, and it is used in [9], which proves this conjecture for all c≥5. Finally we show that our result in some sense is best possible, by giving an infinite class of non-Hamiltonian semicomplete multipartite digraphs, D, with i _g(D)=i(D)=i _l(D)=g(D)+?≤f(D)+1. Revised: September 17, 1998     

A Neighborhood Condition for Graphs to Have [a, b]-Factors II

 Let a, b, m, and t be integers such that 1≤a<b and 1≤t≤⌉(b−m+1)/a⌉. Suppose that G is a graph of order |G| and H is any subgraph of G with the size |E(H)|=m. Then we prove that G has an [a,b]-factor containing all the edges of H if the minimum degree is at least a, |G|>((a+b)(t(a+b−1)−1)+2m)/b, and |N _G (x ₁)∪⋯ ∪N _G (x _t )|≥(a|G|+2m)/(a+b) for every independent set {x ₁,…,x _t }⊆V(G). This result is best possible in some sense and it is an extension of the result of H. Matsuda (A neighborhood condition for graphs to have [a,b]-factors, Discrete Mathematics 224 (2000) 289–292). Received: October, 2001 Final version received: September 17, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" This research was partially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists, 13740084, 2001     

Factors and Connected Induced Subgraphs

 Let G be a connected graph without loops and without multiple edges, and let p be an integer such that 0 < p<|V(G)|. Let f be an integer-valued function on V(G) such that 2≤f(x)≤ deg _G (x) for all x∈V(G). We show that if every connected induced subgraph of order p of G has an f-factor, then G has an f-factor, unless ∑ _{x ∈ V ( G )} f(x) is odd. Received: June 29, 1998?Final version received: July 30, 1999     

Degree Sums,Connectivity and Dominating Cycles in Graphs

Let G be a graph of order n with connectivity κ≥3 and let α be the independence number of G. Set σ₄(G)= min{∑⁴ _{i =1} d(x _i ):{x ₁,x ₂,x ₃,x ₄} is an independent set of G}. In this paper, we will prove that if σ₄(G)≥n+2κ, then there exists a longest cycle C of G such that V(G−C) is an independent set of G. Furthermore, if the minimum degree of G is at least α, then G is hamiltonian. Received: July 31, 1998?Final version received: October 4, 2000     

A lower bound on the total signed domination numbers of graphs

Let G be a finite connected simple graph with a vertex set V(G)and an edge set E(G). A total signed domination function of G is a function f:V(G)∪E(G)→{-1,1}.The weight of f is W(f)=∑_(x∈V)(G)∪E(G))f(X).For an element x∈V(G)∪E(G),we define f[x]=∑_(y∈NT[x])f(y).A total signed domination function of G is a function f:V(G)∪E(G)→{-1,1} such that f[x]≥1 for all x∈V(G)∪E(G).The total signed domination numberγ_s~*(G)of G is the minimum weight of a total signed domination function on G. In this paper,we obtain some lower bounds for the total signed domination number of a graph G and compute the exact values ofγ_s~*(G)when G is C_n and P_n.     

Pan-connectedness of graphs with large neighborhood unions

Let G be a simple graph with n vertices. For any v ? V(G){v \in V(G)} , let N(v)={u ? V(G): uv ? E(G)}{N(v)=\{u \in V(G): uv \in E(G)\}} , NC(G) = min{|N(u) èN(v)|: u, v ? V(G){NC(G)= \min \{|N(u) \cup N(v)|: u, v \in V(G)} and uv \not ? E(G)}{uv \not \in E(G)\}} , and NC₂(G) = min{|N(u) èN(v)|: u, v ? V(G){NC_2(G)= \min\{|N(u) \cup N(v)|: u, v \in V(G)} and u and v has distance 2 in E(G)}. Let l ≥ 1 be an integer. A graph G on n ≥ l vertices is [l, n]-pan-connected if for any u, v ? V(G){u, v \in V(G)} , and any integer m with l ≤ m ≤ n, G has a (u, v)-path of length m. In 1998, Wei and Zhu (Graphs Combinatorics 14:263–274, 1998) proved that for a three-connected graph on n ≥ 7 vertices, if NC(G) ≥ n − δ(G) + 1, then G is [6, n]-pan-connected. They conjectured that such graphs should be [5, n]-pan-connected. In this paper, we prove that for a three-connected graph on n ≥ 7 vertices, if NC ₂(G) ≥ n − δ(G) + 1, then G is [5, n]-pan-connected. Consequently, the conjecture of Wei and Zhu is proved as NC ₂(G) ≥ NC(G). Furthermore, we show that the lower bound is best possible and characterize all 2-connected graphs with NC ₂(G) ≥ n − δ(G) + 1 which are not [4, n]-pan-connected.     

Longest Paths and Longest Cycles in Graphs with Large Degree Sums

 Let p(G) and c(G) denote the number of vertices in a longest path and a longest cycle, respectively, of a finite, simple graph G. Define σ₄(G)=min{d(x ₁)+d(x ₂)+ d(x ₃)+d(x ₄) | {x ₁,…,x ₄} is independent in G}. In this paper, the difference p(G)−c(G) is considered for 2-connected graphs G with σ₄(G)≥|V(G)|+3. Among others, we show that p(G)−c(G)≤2 or every longest path in G is a dominating path. Received: August 28, 2000 Final version received: May 23, 2002     

The Linear 2-Arboricity of Planar Graphs

 Let G be a planar graph with maximum degree Δ and girth g. The linear 2-arboricity la ₂(G) of G is the least integer k such that G can be partitioned into k edge-disjoint forests, whose component trees are paths of length at most 2. We prove that (1) la ₂(G)≤⌈(Δ+1)/2⌉+12; (2) la ₂(G)≤⌈(Δ+1)/2⌉+6 if g≥4; (3) la ₂(G)≤⌈(Δ+1)/2⌉+2 if g≥5; (4) la ₂(G)≤⌈(Δ+1)/2⌉+1 if g≥7. Received: June 28, 2001 Final version received: May 17, 2002 Acknowledgments. This work was done while the second and third authors were visiting the Institute of Mathematics, Academia Sinica, Taipei. The financial support provided by the Institute is greatly appreciated.     

Large Monotone Paths in Graphs with Bounded Degree

 We prove that for every ε>0 and positive integer r, there exists Δ₀=Δ₀(ε) such that if Δ>Δ₀ and n>n(Δ,ε,r) then there exists a packing of K _n with ⌊(n−1)/Δ⌋ graphs, each having maximum degree at most Δ and girth at least r, where at most εn ² edges are unpacked. This result is used to prove the following: Let f be an assignment of real numbers to the edges of a graph G. Let α(G,f) denote the maximum length of a monotone simple path of G with respect to f. Let α(G) be the minimum of α(G,f), ranging over all possible assignments. Now let α_Δ be the maximum of α(G) ranging over all graphs with maximum degree at most Δ. We prove that Δ+1≥α_Δ≥Δ(1−o(1)). This extends some results of Graham and Kleitman [6] and of Calderbank et al. [4] who considered α(K _n ). Received: March 15, 1999?Final version received: October 22, 1999