Families of cuts with the MFMC-property

A family ℱ of cuts of an undirected graphG=(V, E) is known to have the weak MFMC-property if (i) ℱ is the set ofT-cuts for someT⊆V with |T| even, or (ii) ℱ is the set of two-commodity cuts ofG, i.e. cuts separating any two distinguished pairs of vertices ofG, or (iii) ℱ is the set of cuts induced (in a sense) by a ring of subsets of a setT⊆V. In the present work we consider a large class of families of cuts of complete graphs and prove that a family from this class has the MFMC-property if and only if it is one of (i), (ii), (iii).     

The binding number of line graphs and total graphs

D.R. Woodall [7] introduced the concept of the binding number of a graphG, bind (G), and proved that bind(G)≦(|V(G)|−1)/(|V(G)|−ρ(G)). In this paper, some properties of a graph with bind(G)=(|V(G)|−1)/(|V(G)|−ρ(G)) are given, and the binding number of some line graphs and total graphs are determined.     

The chromatic number of the product of two 4-chromatic graphs is 4

For any graphG and numbern≧1 two functionsf, g fromV(G) into {1, 2, ...,n} are adjacent if for all edges (a, b) ofG, f(a) ≠g(b). The graph of all such functions is the colouring graph ℒ(G) ofG. We establish first that χ(G)=n+1 implies χ(ℒ(G))=n iff χ(G ×H)=n+1 for all graphsH with χ(H)≧n+1. Then we will prove that indeed for all 4-chromatic graphsG χ(ℒ(G))=3 which establishes Hedetniemi’s [3] conjecture for 4-chromatic graphs. This research was supported by NSERC grant A7213     

The size-Ramsey number of trees

IfG andH are graphs, let us writeG→(H)₂ ifG contains a monochromatic copy ofH in any 2-colouring of the edges ofG. Thesize-Ramsey number r _e(H) of a graphH is the smallest possible number of edges a graphG may have ifG→(H)₂. SupposeT is a tree of order |T|≥2, and lett ₀,t ₁ be the cardinalities of the vertex classes ofT as a bipartite graph, and let Δ(T) be the maximal degree ofT. Moreover, let Δ₀, Δ₁ be the maxima of the degrees of the vertices in the respective vertex classes, and letβ(T)=T ₀Δ₀+t ₁Δ₁. Beck [7] proved thatβ(T)/4≤r _e(T)=O{β(T)(log|T|)¹²}, improving on a previous result of his [6] stating thatr _e(T)≤Δ(T)|T|(log|T|)¹². In [6], Beck conjectures thatr _e(T)=O{Δ(T)|T|}, and in [7] he puts forward the stronger conjecture thatr _e(T)=O{β(T)}. Here, we prove the first of these conjectures, and come quite close to proving the second by showing thatr _e(T)=O{β(T)logΔ(T)}.     

Reconstructing graphs as subsumed graphs of hypergraphs,and some self-complementary triple systems

LetV be a set ofn elements. The set of allk-subsets ofV is denoted . Ak-hypergraph G consists of avertex-set V(G) and anedgeset , wherek≥2. IfG is a 3-hypergraph, then the set of edges containing a given vertexvεV(G) define a graphG _v . The graphs {G _v νvεV(G)} aresubsumed byG. Each subsumed graphG _v is a graph with vertex-setV(G) − v. They can form the set of vertex-deleted subgraphs of a graphH, that is, eachG _v ≽H −v, whereV(H)=V(G). In this case,G is a hypergraphic reconstruction ofH. We show that certain families of self-complementary graphsH can be reconstructed in this way by a hypergraphG, and thatG can be extended to a hypergraphG ^*, all of whose subsumed graphs are isomorphic toH, whereG andG ^* are self-complementary hypergraphs. In particular, the Paley graphs can be reconstructed in this way. This work was supported by an operating grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

The Erdös-Jacobson-Lehel conjecture on potentiallyP k-graphic sequence is true

A variation in the classical Turan extrernal problem is studied. A simple graphG of ordern is said to have propertyPk if it contains a clique of sizek+1 as its subgraph. Ann-term nonincreasing nonnegative integer sequence π=(d₁, d₂,⋯, d₂) is said to be graphic if it is the degree sequence of a simple graphG of ordern and such a graphG is referred to as a realization of π. A graphic sequence π is said to be potentiallyP _k-graphic if it has a realizationG having propertyP _k . The problem: determine the smallest positive even number σ(k, n) such that everyn-term graphic sequence π=(d₁, d₂,…, d₂) without zero terms and with degree sum σ(π)=(d ₁+d ₂+ …+d ₂) at least σ(k,n) is potentially P_k-graphic has been proved positive. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 19671077) and the Doctoral Program Foundation of National Education Department of China.     

Path extendable graphs

A pathP in a graphG is said to beextendable if there exists a pathP’ inG with the same endvertices asP such thatV(P)⊆V (P’) and |V(P’)|=|V(P)|+1. A graphG ispath extendable if every nonhamiltonian path inG is extendable. We investigate the extent to which known sufficient conditions for a graph to be hamiltonian-connected imply the extendability of paths in the graph. Several theorems are proved: for example, it is shown that ifG is a graph of orderp in which the degree sum of each pair of non-adjacent vertices is at leastp+1 andP is a nonextendable path of orderk inG thenk≤(p+1)/2 and 〈V (P)〉≅K _k orK _k −e. As corollaries of this we deduce that if δ(G)≥(p+2)/2 or if the degree sum of each pair of nonadjacent vertices inG is at least (3p−3)/2 thenG is path extendable, which strengthen results of Williamson [13].     

Asynchronous threshold networks

LetG=(V,E) be a graph with an initial signs(v)∈{±1} for every vertexv∈V. When a certexv becomesactive, it resets its sign tos′(v) which is the sign of the majority of its neighbors(s′(v)=1 if there is a tie).G is in astable state if,s′(v) for allv∈V. We show that for every graphG=(V,E) and every initial signs, there is a sequencev ₁,v ₂,...,v _r of vertices ofG, in which no vertex appears more than once, such that ifv _i becomes active at timei, (1≤i≤r), then after theser stepsG reaches a stable state. This proves a conjecture of Miller. We also consider some generalizations to directed graphs with weighted edges.     

On the sum of the reciprocals of cycle lengths in sparse graphs

For a graphG let ℒ(G)=Σ{1/k contains a cycle of lengthk}. Erdős and Hajnal [1] introduced the real functionf(α)=inf {ℒ (G)|E(G)|/|V(G)|≧α} and suggested to study its properties. Obviouslyf(1)=0. We provef (k+1/k)≧(300k logk)⁻¹ for all sufficiently largek, showing that sparse graphs of large girth must contain many cycles of different lengths.     

Total colorings of graphs of order 2n having maximum degree 2n−2

Let χ _t (G) and †(G) denote respectively the total chromatic number and maximum degree of graphG. Yap, Wang and Zhang proved in 1989 that ifG is a graph of orderp having †(G)≥p−4, then χ _t (G≤Δ(G)+2. Hilton has characterized the class of graphG of order 2n having †(G)=2n−1 such that χ _t (G=Δ(G)+2. In this paper, we characterize the class of graphsG of order 2n having †(G)=2n−2 such that χ _t (G=Δ(G)+2 Research supported by National Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC 79-0208-M009-15)     

Matching-perfect and cover-perfect graphs

It is shown that a graphG has all matchings of equal size if and only if for every matching setλ inG, G\V(λ) does not contain a maximal open path of odd length greater than one, which is not contained in a cycle. (V(λ) denotes the set of vertices incident with some edge ofλ.) Subsequently edge-coverings of graphs are discussed. A characterization is supplied for graphs all whose minimal covers have equal size.     

Trees with Equal Domination and Restrained Domination Numbers

Let G = (V,E) be a graph and let S V. The set S is a packing in G if the vertices of S are pairwise at distance at least three apart in G. The set S is a dominating set (DS) if every vertex in V − S is adjacent to a vertex in S. Further, if every vertex in V − S is also adjacent to a vertex in V − S, then S is a restrained dominating set (RDS). The domination number of G, denoted by γ(G), is the minimum cardinality of a DS of G, while the restrained domination number of G, denoted by γ_r(G), is the minimum cardinality of a RDS of G. The graph G is γ-excellent if every vertex of G belongs to some minimum DS of G. A constructive characterization of trees with equal domination and restrained domination numbers is presented. As a consequence of this characterization we show that the following statements are equivalent: (i) T is a tree with γ(T)=γ_r(T); (ii) T is a γ-excellent tree and T ≠ K₂; and (iii) T is a tree that has a unique maximum packing and this set is a dominating set of T. We show that if T is a tree of order n with ℓ leaves, then γ_r(T) ≤ (n + ℓ + 1)/2, and we characterize those trees achieving equality.     

Closed Separator Sets

A smallest separator in a finite, simple, undirected graph G is a set S ⊆ V (G) such that G–S is disconnected and |S|=κ(G), where κ(G) denotes the connectivity of G. A set S of smallest separators in G is defined to be closed if for every pair S,T ∈ S, every component C of G–S, and every component S of G–T intersecting C either X(C,D) := (V (C) ∩ T) ∪ (T ∩ S) ∪ (S ∩ V (D)) is in S or |X(C,D)| > κ(G). This leads, canonically, to a closure system on the (closed) set of all smallest separators of G. A graph H with is defined to be S-augmenting if no member of S is a smallest separator in G ∪ H:=(V (G) ∪ V (H), E(G) ∪ E(H)). It is proved that if S is closed then every minimally S-augmenting graph is a forest, which generalizes a result of Jordán. Several applications are included, among them a generalization of a Theorem of Mader on disjoint fragments in critically k-connected graphs, a Theorem of Su on highly critically k-connected graphs, and an affirmative answer to a conjecture of Su on disjoint fragments in contraction critically k-connected graphs of maximal minimum degree.     

Computing the genus of the 2-amalgamations of graphs

The above authors [2] and S. Stahl [3] have shown that if a graphG is the 2-amalgamation of subgraphsG ₁ andG ₂ (namely ifG=G ₁∪G ₂ andG ₁∩G ₂={x, y}, two distinct points) then the orientable genus ofG,γ(G), is given byγ(G)=γ(G ₁)+γ(G ₂)+ε, whereε=0,1 or −1. In this paper we sharpen that result by giving a means by whichε may be computed exactly. This result is then used to give two irreducible graphs for each orientable surface.     

On galois groups and their maximal 2-subgroups

LetG be a finite group of even order, having a central element of order 2 which we denote by −1. IfG is a 2-group, letG be a maximal subgroup ofG containing −1, otherwise letG be a 2-Sylow subgroup ofG. LetH=G/{±1} andH=G/{±1}. Suppose there exists a regular extensionL ₁ of ℚ(T) with Galois groupG. LetL be the subfield ofL ₁ fixed byH. We make the hypothesis thatL ₁ admits a quadratic extensionL ₂ which is Galois overL of Galois groupG. IfG is not a 2-group we show thatL ₁ then admits a quadratic extension which is Galois over ℚ(T) of Galois groupG and which can be given explicitly in terms ofL ₂. IfG is a 2-group, we show that there exists an element α ε ℚ(T) such thatL ₁ admits a quadratic extension which is Galois over ℚ(T) of Galois groupG if and only if the cyclic algebra (L/ℚ(T).a) splits. As an application of these results we explicitly construct several 2-groups as Galois groups of regular extensions of ℚ(T).     

Graphs whose every transitive orientation contains almost every relation

Given a graphG onn vertices and a total ordering ≺ ofV(G), the transitive orientation ofG associated with ≺, denotedP(G; ≺), is the partial order onV(G) defined by settingx<y inP(G; ≺) if there is a pathx=x ₁ x ₂…x _r=y inG such thatx ₁ ≺x _j for 1≦i<j≦r. We investigate graphsG such that every transitive orientation ofG contains ₂ ⁿ −o(n ²) relations. We prove that almost everyG _n,p satisfies this requirement if , but almost noG _n,p satisfies the condition if (pn log log logn)/(logn log logn) is bounded. We also show that every graphG withn vertices and at mostcn logn edges has some transitive orientation with fewer than ₂ ⁿ −δ(c)n ² relations. Partially supported by MCS Grant 8104854.     

On r-recognition by prime graph of Bp(3) where p is an odd prime

Let G be a finite group. The prime graph Γ(G) of G is defined as follows. The vertices of Γ(G) are the primes dividing the order of G and two distinct vertices p and p′ are joined by an edge if there is an element in G of order pp′. We denote by k(Γ(G)) the number of isomorphism classes of finite groups H satisfying Γ(G) = Γ(H). Given a natural number r, a finite group G is called r-recognizable by prime graph if k(Γ(G)) =  r. In Shen et al. (Sib. Math. J. 51(2):244–254, 2010), it is proved that if p is an odd prime, then B _p (3) is recognizable by element orders. In this paper as the main result, we show that if G is a finite group such that Γ(G) = Γ(B _p (3)), where p > 3 is an odd prime, then G @ B_p(3){G\cong B_p(3)} or C _p (3). Also if Γ(G) = Γ(B ₃(3)), then G @ B₃(3), C₃(3), D₄(3){G\cong B_3(3), C_3(3), D_4(3)}, or G/O₂(G) @ Aut(²B₂(8)){G/O_2(G)\cong {\rm Aut}(^2B_2(8))}. As a corollary, the main result of the above paper is obtained.     

On Optimal Orientations of Cartesian Products of Trees

. Let d(D) (resp., d(G)) denote the diameter and r(D) (resp., r(G)) the radius of a digraph D (resp., graph G). Let G×H denote the cartesian product of two graphs G and H. An orientation D of G is said to be (r, d)-invariant if r(D)=r(G) and d(D)=d(G). Let {T _i }, i=1,…,n, where n≥2, be a family of trees. In this paper, we show that the graph ∏ _{i =1} ⁿ T _i admits an (r, d)-invariant orientation provided that d(T ₁)≥d(T ₂)≥4 for n=2, and d(T ₁)≥5 and d(T ₂)≥4 for n≥3. Received: July 30, 1997 Final version received: April 20, 1998     

Extremal clique coverings of complementary graphs

Letcc(G) (resp. cp(G)) be the least number of complete subgraphs needed to cover (resp. partition) the edges of a graphG. We present bounds on max {cc(G)+cc(Ḡ)}, max {cp(G)+cp(Ḡ)}, max {cc(G)cc(Ḡ)} and max {cp(G)cp(Ḡ)} where the maxima are taken over all graphsG onn vertices and Ḡ is the complement ofG inK _n . Several related open problems are also given.     

Multigraphs with Δ ≥ 3 are Totally-(2Δ−1)-Choosable

The total graph T(G) of a multigraph G has as its vertices the set of edges and vertices of G and has an edge between two vertices if their corresponding elements are either adjacent or incident in G. We show that if G has maximum degree Δ(G), then T(G) is (2Δ(G) − 1)-choosable. We give a linear-time algorithm that produces such a coloring. The best previous general upper bound for Δ(G) > 3 was , by Borodin et al. When Δ(G) = 4, our algorithm gives a better upper bound. When Δ(G)∈{3,5,6}, our algorithm matches the best known bound. However, because our algorithm is significantly simpler, it runs in linear time (unlike the algorithm of Borodin et al.).