On 2-factors with cycles containing specified edges in a bipartite graph

Let k≥1 be an integer and G=(V₁,V₂;E) a bipartite graph with |V₁|=|V₂|=n such that n≥2k+2. In this paper it has been proved that if for each pair of nonadjacent vertices x∈V₁ and y∈V₂, , then for any k independent edges e₁,…,e_k of G, G has a 2-factor with k+1 cycles C₁,…,C_k+1 such that e_i∈E(C_i) and |V(C_i)|=4 for each i∈{1,…,k}. We shall also show that the conditions in this paper are sharp.     

Vertex-disjoint quadrilaterals containing specified edges in a bipartite graph

The theory of vertex-disjoint cycles and 2-factors of graphs is the extension and generation of the well-known Hamiltonian cycles theory and it has important applications in network communication. In this paper we first prove the following result. Let G=(V ₁,V ₂;E) be a bipartite graph with |V ₁|=|V ₂|=n such that n≥2k+1, where k≥1 is an integer. If d(x)+d(y)≥?(4n+2k?1)/3? for each pair of nonadjacent vertices x and y of G with x∈V ₁ and y∈V ₂, then, for any k independent edges e ₁,…,e _k of G, G contains k vertex-disjoint quadrilaterals C ₁,…,C _k such that e _i ∈E(C _i ) for each i∈{1,…,k}. We further show that the degree condition above is sharp. If |V ₁|=|V ₂|=2k, we give degree conditions that G has a 2-factor with k vertex-disjoint quadrilaterals C ₁,…,C _k containing specified edges of G.     

A survey on labeling graphs with a condition at distance two

For positive integers k,d₁,d₂, a k-L(d₁,d₂)-labeling of a graph G is a function f:V(G)→{0,1,2,…,k} such that |f(u)-f(v)|?d_i whenever the distance between u and v is i in G, for i=1,2. The L(d₁,d₂)-number of G, λ_d1,d2(G), is the smallest k such that there exists a k-L(d₁,d₂)-labeling of G. This class of labelings is motivated by the code (or frequency) assignment problem in computer network. This article surveys the results on this labeling problem.     

Two new methods to obtain super vertex-magic total labelings of graphs

Let G=(V,E) be a finite non-empty graph, where V and E are the sets of vertices and edges of G, respectively, and |V|=n and |E|=e. A vertex-magic total labeling (VMTL) is a bijection λ from V∪E to the consecutive integers 1,2,…,n+e with the property that for every v∈V, , for some constant h. Such a labeling is super if λ(V)={1,2,…,n}. In this paper, two new methods to obtain super VMTLs of graphs are put forward. The first, from a graph G with some characteristics, provides a super VMTL to the graph kG graph composed by the disjoint unions of k copies of G, for a large number of values of k. The second, from a graph G₀ which admits a super VMTL; for instance, the graph kG, provides many super VMTLs for the graphs obtained from G₀ by means of the addition to it of various sets of edges.     

Disjoint triangles and quadrilaterals in a graph

Let G be a simple graph of order n and s and k be two positive integers. Brandt et al. obtained the following result: If s?k, n?3s+4(k-s) and σ₂(G)?n+s, then G contains k disjoint cycles C₁,…,C_k satisfying |C_i|=3 for 1?i?s and |C_i|?4 for s<i?k. In the above result, the length of C_i is not specified for s<i?k. We get a result specifying the length of C_i for each s<i?k if n?3s+4(k-s)+3.     

A generalization of Fan’s results: Distribution of cycle lengths in graphs

Fan [G. Fan, Distribution of cycle lengths in graphs, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 84 (2002) 187-202] proved that if G is a graph with minimum degree δ(G)≥3k for any positive integer k, then G contains k+1 cycles C₀,C₁,…,C_k such that k+1<|E(C₀)|<|E(C₁)|<?<|E(C_k)|, |E(C_i)−E(C_i−1)|=2, 1≤i≤k−1, and 1≤|E(C_k)|−|E(C_k−1)|≤2, and furthermore, if δ(G)≥3k+1, then |E(C_k)|−|E(C_k−1)|=2. In this paper, we generalize Fan’s result, and show that if we let G be a graph with minimum degree δ(G)≥3, for any positive integer k (if k≥2, then δ(G)≥4), if d_G(u)+d_G(v)≥6k−1 for every pair of adjacent vertices u,v∈V(G), then G contains k+1 cycles C₀,C₁,…,C_k such that k+1<|E(C₀)|<|E(C₁)|<?<|E(C_k)|, |E(C_i)−E(C_i−1)|=2, 1≤i≤k−1, and 1≤|E(C_k)|−|E(C_k−1)|≤2, and furthermore, if d_G(u)+d_G(v)≥6k+1, then |E(C_k)|−|E(C_k−1)|=2.     

The Ramsey numbers for disjoint unions of graphs

For given graphs G and H, the Ramsey number R(G,H) is the smallest natural number n such that for every graph F of order n: either F contains G or the complement of F contains H. In this paper we investigate the Ramsey number of a disjoint union of graphs . For any natural integer k, we contain a general upper bound, R(kG,H)?R(G,H)+(k-1)|V(G)|. We also show that if m=2n-4, 2n-8 or 2n-6, then R(kS_n,W_m)=R(S_n,W_m)+(k-1)n. Furthermore, if |G_i|>(|G_i|-|G_i+1|)(χ(H)-1) and R(G_i,H)=(χ(H)-1)(|G_i|-1)+1, for each i, then .     

Arbitrarily vertex decomposable suns with few rays

A graph G of order n is called arbitrarily vertex decomposable if for each sequence (n₁,…,n_k) of positive integers with n₁+?+n_k=n, there exists a partition (V₁,…,V_k) of the vertex set of G such that V_i induces a connected subgraph of order n_i, for all i=1,…,k. A sun with r rays is a unicyclic graph obtained by adding r hanging edges to r distinct vertices of a cycle. We characterize all arbitrarily vertex decomposable suns with at most three rays. We also provide a list of all on-line arbitrarily vertex decomposable suns with any number of rays.     

Balanced decomposition of a vertex-colored graph

A balanced vertex-coloring of a graph G is a function c from V(G) to {−1,0,1} such that ∑{c(v):v∈V(G)}=0. A subset U of V(G) is called a balanced set if U induces a connected subgraph and ∑{c(v):v∈U}=0. A decomposition V(G)=V₁∪?∪V_r is called a balanced decomposition if V_i is a balanced set for 1≤i≤r.In this paper, the balanced decomposition number f(G) of G is introduced; f(G) is the smallest integer s such that for any balanced vertex-coloring c of G, there exists a balanced decomposition V(G)=V₁∪?∪V_r with |V_i|≤s for 1≤i≤r. Balanced decomposition numbers of some basic families of graphs such as complete graphs, trees, complete bipartite graphs, cycles, 2-connected graphs are studied.     

Graph parameters measuring neighbourhoods in graphs—Bounds and applications

The neighbourhood-width of a graph G=(V,E) is introduced in [F. Gurski, Linear layouts measuring neighbourhoods in graphs, Discrete Math. 306 (15) (2006) 1637-1650.] as the smallest integer k such that there is a linear layout ?:V→{1,…,|V|} such that for every 1?i<|V| the vertices u with ?(u)?i can be divided into at most k subsets each members having the same neighbours with respect to the vertices v with ?(v)>i.In this paper we show first bounds for the neighbourhood-width of general graphs, caterpillars, trees and grid graphs and give applications of the layout parameter neighbourhood-width in graph drawing and VLSI design.     

On 2-factors with cycles containing specified vertices in a bipartite graph

Let k≥1 be an integer and G=(V ₁,V ₂;E) a bipartite graph with |V ₁|=|V ₂|=n such that n≥2k+2. Our result is as follows: If $d(x)+d(y)\geq \lceil\frac{4n+k}{3}\rceil$ for any nonadjacent vertices x∈V ₁ and y∈V ₂, then for any k distinct vertices z ₁,…,z _k , G contains a 2-factor with k+1 cycles C ₁,…,C _k+1 such that z _i ∈V(C _i ) and l(C _i )=4 for each i∈{1,…,k}.     

Linear layouts measuring neighbourhoods in graphs

In this paper we introduce the graph layout parameter neighbourhood-width as a variation of the well-known cut-width. The cut-width of a graph G=(V,E) is the smallest integer k, such that there is a linear layout ?:V→{1,…,|V|}, such that for every 1?i<|V| there are at most k edges {u,v} with ?(u)?i and ?(v)>i. The neighbourhood-width of a graph is the smallest integer k, such that there is a linear layout ?, such that for every 1?i<|V| the vertices u with ?(u)?i can be divided into at most k subsets each members having the same neighbourhood with respect to the vertices v with ?(v)>i.We show that the neighbourhood-width of a graph differs from its linear clique-width or linear NLC-width at most by one. This relation is used to show that the minimization problem for neighbourhood-width is NP-complete.Furthermore, we prove that simple modifications of neighbourhood-width imply equivalent layout characterizations for linear clique-width and linear NLC-width.We also show that every graph of path-width k or cut-width k has neighbourhood-width at most k+2 and we give several conditions such that graphs of bounded neighbourhood-width have bounded path-width or bounded cut-width.     

Oberwolfach rectangular table negotiation problem

We completely solve certain case of a “two delegation negotiation” version of the Oberwolfach problem, which can be stated as follows. Let H(k,3) be a bipartite graph with bipartition X={x₁,x₂,…,x_k},Y={y₁,y₂,…,y_k} and edges x₁y₁,x₁y₂,x_ky_k−1,x_ky_k, and x_iy_i−1,x_iy_i,x_iy_i+1 for i=2,3,…,k−1. We completely characterize all complete bipartite graphs K_n,n that can be factorized into factors isomorphic to G=mH(k,3), where k is odd and mH(k,3) is the graph consisting of m disjoint copies of H(k,3).     

On a labeling problem in graphs

Motivated by applications in software programming, we consider the problem of covering a graph by a feasible labeling. Given an undirected graph G=(V,E), two positive integers k and t, and an alphabet Σ, a feasible labeling is defined as an assignment of a set L_v⊆Σ to each vertex v∈V, such that (i) |L_v|≤k for all v∈V and (ii) each label α∈Σ is used no more than t times. An edge e={i,j} is said to be covered by a feasible labeling if L_i∩L_j≠0?. G is said to be covered if there exists a feasible labeling that covers each edge e∈E.In general, we show that the problem of deciding whether or not a tree can be covered is strongly NP-complete. For k=2, t=3, we characterize the trees that can be covered and provide a linear time algorithm for solving the decision problem. For fixed t, we present a strongly polynomial algorithm that solves the decision problem; if a tree can be covered, then a corresponding feasible labeling can be obtained in time polynomial in k and the size of the tree. For general graphs, we give a strongly polynomial algorithm to resolve the covering problem for k=2, t=3.     

Fast algorithms for identifying maximal common connected sets of interval graphs

Given a family of interval graphs F={G₁=(V,E₁),…,G_k=(V,E_k)} on the same vertices V, a set S⊂V is a maximal common connected set of F if the subgraphs of G_i,1?i?k, induced by S are connected in all G_i and S is maximal for the inclusion order. The maximal general common connected set for interval graphs problem (gen-CCPI) consists in efficiently computing the partition of V in maximal common connected sets of F. This problem has many practical applications, notably in computational biology. Let n=|V| and . For k?2, an algorithm in O((kn+m)logn) time is presented in Habib et al. [Maximal common connected sets of interval graphs, in: Combinatorial Pattern Matching (CPM), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 3109, Springer, Berlin, 2004, pp. 359-372]. In this paper, we improve this bound to O(knlogn+m). Moreover, if the interval graphs are given as k sets of n intervals, which is often the case in bioinformatics, we present a simple time algorithm.     

On the packing chromatic number of some lattices

For a positive integer k, a k-packing in a graph G is a subset A of vertices such that the distance between any two distinct vertices from A is more than k. The packing chromatic number of G is the smallest integer m such that the vertex set of G can be partitioned as V₁,V₂,…,V_m where V_i is an i-packing for each i. It is proved that the planar triangular lattice T and the three-dimensional integer lattice Z³ do not have finite packing chromatic numbers.     

Cliques, minors and apex graphs

In this paper, we proved the following result: Let G be a (k+2)-connected, non-(k−3)-apex graph where k≥2. If G contains three k-cliques, say L₁, L₂, L₃, such that |L_i∩L_j|≤k−2(1≤i<j≤3), then G contains a K_k+2 as a minor. Note that a graph G is t-apex if G−X is planar for some subset X⊆V(G) of order at most t.This theorem generalizes some earlier results by Robertson, Seymour and Thomas [N. Robertson, P.D. Seymour, R. Thomas, Hadwiger conjecture for K₆-free graphs, Combinatorica 13 (1993) 279-361.], Kawarabayashi and Toft [K. Kawarabayashi, B. Toft, Any 7-chromatic graph has K₇ or K_4,4 as a minor, Combinatorica 25 (2005) 327-353] and Kawarabayashi, Luo, Niu and Zhang [K. Kawarabayashi, R. Luo, J. Niu, C.-Q. Zhang, On structure of k-connected graphs without K_k-minor, Europ. J. Combinatorics 26 (2005) 293-308].     

On the spanning fan-connectivity of graphs

Let G be a graph. The connectivity of G, κ(G), is the maximum integer k such that there exists a k-container between any two different vertices. A k-container of G between u and v, C_k(u,v), is a set of k-internally-disjoint paths between u and v. A spanning container is a container that spans V(G). A graph G is k^∗-connected if there exists a spanning k-container between any two different vertices. The spanning connectivity of G, κ^∗(G), is the maximum integer k such that G is w^∗-connected for 1≤w≤k if G is 1^∗-connected.Let x be a vertex in G and let U={y₁,y₂,…,y_k} be a subset of V(G) where x is not in U. A spanningk−(x,U)-fan, F_k(x,U), is a set of internally-disjoint paths {P₁,P₂,…,P_k} such that P_i is a path connecting x to y_i for 1≤i≤k and . A graph G is k^∗-fan-connected (or -connected) if there exists a spanning F_k(x,U)-fan for every choice of x and U with |U|=k and x∉U. The spanning fan-connectivity of a graph G, , is defined as the largest integer k such that G is -connected for 1≤w≤k if G is -connected.In this paper, some relationship between κ(G), κ^∗(G), and are discussed. Moreover, some sufficient conditions for a graph to be -connected are presented. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of a spanning pipeline-connectivity and discuss some sufficient conditions for a graph to be k^∗-pipeline-connected.     

On covering vertices of a graph by trees

The purpose of this paper is to initiate study of the following problem: Let G be a graph, and k?1. Determine the minimum number s of trees T₁,…,T_s, Δ(T_i)?k,i=1,…,s, covering all vertices of G. We conjecture: Let G be a connected graph, and k?2. Then the vertices of G can be covered by edge-disjoint trees of maximum degree ?k. As a support for the conjecture we prove the statement for some values of δ and k.     

Degree conditions for the partition of a graph into cycles, edges and isolated vertices

Let k,n be integers with 2≤k≤n, and let G be a graph of order n. We prove that if max{d_G(x),d_G(y)}≥(n−k+1)/2 for any x,y∈V(G) with x≠y and xy∉E(G), then G has k vertex-disjoint subgraphs H₁,…,H_k such that V(H₁)∪?∪V(H_k)=V(G) and H_i is a cycle or K₁ or K₂ for each 1≤i≤k, unless k=2 and G=C₅, or k=3 and G=K₁∪C₅.