On k-critical 2k-connected graphs

A graph G is called an (n, k)-graph if k(G - S) = n - |S| for any S V(G) with |S| ≤ k, where k.(G) denotes the connectivity of G. Mader conjectured that for k ≥ 3 the graph K2k+2 - (1-factor) is the unique (2k, k)-graph. Kriesell has settled two special cases for k = 3, 4. We prove the conjecture for the general case k ≥ 5.     

A result on quasi k-connected graphs

Let G be a k-connected graph, and T be a subset of V(G)If G- T is not connected,then T is said to be a cut-set of GA k-cut-set T of G is a cut-set of G with |T | = kLet T be a k-cut-set of a k-connected graph GIf G- T can be partitioned into subgraphs G1 and G2 such that |G1| ≥ 2, |G2| ≥ 2, then we call T a nontrivial k-cut-set of GSuppose that G is a(k- 1)-connected graph without nontrivial(k- 1)-cut-setThen we call G a quasi k-connected graphIn this paper, we prove that for any integer k ≥ 5, if G is a k-connected graph without K-4, then every vertex of G is incident with an edge whose contraction yields a quasi k-connected graph, and so there are at least|V(G)|2edges of G such that the contraction of every member of them results in a quasi k-connected graph.     

Contractible edges in some k-connected graphs

An edge e of a k-connected graph G is said to be k-contractible (or simply contractible) if the graph obtained from G by contracting e (i.e., deleting e and identifying its ends, finally, replacing each of the resulting pairs of double edges by a single edge) is still k-connected. In 2002, Kawarabayashi proved that for any odd integer k ? 5, if G is a k-connected graph and G contains no subgraph D = K ₁ + (K ₂ ∪ K _1,2), then G has a k-contractible edge. In this paper, by generalizing this result, we prove that for any integer t ? 3 and any odd integer k ? 2t + 1, if a k-connected graph G contains neither K ₁ + (K ₂ ∪ K _1,t ), nor K ₁ + (2K ₂ ∪ K _1,2), then G has a k-contractible edge.     

On the structure of linear graphs

Denote byG(n; m) a graph ofn vertices andm edges. We prove that everyG(n; [n ²/4]+1) contains a circuit ofl edges for every 3 ≦l<c ₂ n, also that everyG(n; [n ²/4]+1) contains ak _e(u _n, u_n) withu _n=[c ₁ logn] (for the definition ofk _e(u _n, u_n) see the introduction). Finally fort>t ₀ everyG(n; [tn ^3/2]) contains a circuit of 2l edges for 2≦l<c ₃ t ². This work was done while the author received support from the National Science Foundation, N.S.F. G.88.     

On the structure of unbreakable graphs

A nonempty set C of vertices is a star-cutset in a graph G if G – C is disconnected and some vertex in C is adjacent to all the remaining vertices in C. Va?ek Chvátal proposed to call a graph G unbreakable if neither G nor its complement G has a star-cutset. A path with four vertices and three edges will be termed a P₄. An edge uv of a graph G is called a wing, if for some vertices x, y, {u,v,x,y} induces a P₄ in G. We define recursively the coercion class C_uv of a wing uv as follows:

• 1 uv ∈ C_uv, and
• 1 if xy ∈ C_uv and xy, x'y' are wings of a same P₄ in G, then x'y' ∈ C_uv.

The purpose of this work is to present new results concerning unbreakable graphs, using the notion of coercion class. These results include a theorem asserting that every unbreakable graph contains at most two distinct coercion classes and a structure theorem for those unbreakable graphs that contain precisely two coercion classes. These results generalize several previously known results about unbreakable graphs.     

Spanning 3-ended trees in k-connected K 1,4-free graphs

A tree with at most m leaves is called an m-ended tree.Kyaw proved that every connected K1,4-free graph withσ4(G)n-1 contains a spanning 3-ended tree.In this paper we obtain a result for k-connected K1,4-free graphs with k 2.Let G be a k-connected K1,4-free graph of order n with k 2.Ifσk+3(G)n+2k-2,then G contains a spanning 3-ended tree.     

On the structure of infinite vertex-transitive graphs

A characterization of all vertex-transitive graphs Γ of connectivity l is given in terms of the lobe structure of Γ. Among these, all graphs are determined whose automorphism groups act primitively (respectively, regularly) on the vertex set.     

On the combinatorial structure of Rauzy graphs

Let S _m ⁰ be the set of all irreducible permutations of the numbers {1, ??,m} (m ?? 3). We define Rauzy induction mappings a and b acting on the set S _m ⁰ . For a permutation ?? ?? S _m ⁰ , denote by R(??) the orbit of the permutation ?? under the mappings a and b. This orbit can be endowed with the structure of an oriented graph according to the action of the mappings a and b on this set: the edges of this graph belong to one of the two types, a or b. We say that the graph R(??) is a tree composed of cycles if any simple cycle in this graph consists of edges of the same type. An equivalent formulation of this condition is as follows: a dual graph R*(??) of R(??) is a tree. The main result of the paper is as follows: if the graph R(??) of a permutation ?? ?? S _m ⁰ is a tree composed of cycles, then the set R(??) contains a permutation ?? ₀: i ? m + 1 ? i, i = 1, ??,m. The converse result is also proved: the graph R(?? ₀) is a tree composed of cycles; in this case, the structure of the graph is explicitly described.     

On the structure of bull-free perfect graphs

A bull is a graph obtained by adding a pendant vertex at two vertices of a triangle. Chvátal and Sbihi showed that the Strong Perfect Graph Conjecture holds for bull-free graphs. We show that bull-free perfect graphs are quasi-parity graphs, and that bull-free perfect graphs with no antihole are perfectly contractile. Our proof yields a polynomial algorithm for coloring bull-free strict quasi-parity graphsPartially supported by CNPq, grant 30 1160/91.0