Combinatorics (math.CO)

Abstract: Given a graph class~$\mathcal{C}$, the $\mathcal{C}$-blind-treewidth of a graph~$G$ is the smallest integer~$k$ such that~$G$ has a tree-decomposition where every bag whose torso does not belong to~$\mathcal{C}$ has size at most~$k$. In this paper we focus on the class~$\mathcal{B}$ of bipartite graphs and the class~$\mathcal{P}$ of planar graphs together with the odd-minor relation. For each of the two parameters, $\mathcal{B}$-blind-treewidth and ${(\mathcal{B}\cup\mathcal{P})}$-blind-treewidth, we prove an analogue of the celebrated Grid Theorem under the odd-minor relation. As a consequence we obtain FPT-approximation algorithms for both parameters. We then provide FPT-algorithms for \textsc{Maximum Independent Set} on graphs of bounded $\mathcal{B}$-blind-treewidth and \textsc{Maximum Cut} on graphs of bounded ${(\mathcal{B}\cup\mathcal{P})}$-blind-treewidth.

Abstract: The \textsl{branchwidth} of a graph has been introduced by Roberson and Seymour as a measure of the tree-decomposability of a graph, alternative to treewidth. Branchwidth is polynomially computable on planar graphs by the celebrated ``Ratcatcher''-algorithm of Seymour and Thomas. We investigate an extension of this algorithm to minor-closed graph classes, further than planar graphs as follows: Let $H_{0}$ be a graph embeddedable in the projective plane and $H_{1}$ be a graph embeddedable in the torus. We prove that every $\{H_{0},H_{1}\}$-minor free graph $G$ contains a subgraph $G'$ where the difference between the branchwidth of $G$ and the branchwidth of $G'$ is bounded by some constant, depending only on $H_{0}$ and $H_{1}$. Moreover, the graph $G'$ admits a tree decomposition where all torsos are planar. This decomposition can be used for deriving an EPTAS for branchwidth: For $\{H_{0},H_{1}\}$-minor free graphs, there is a function $f\colon\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ and a $(1+\epsilon)$-approximation algorithm for branchwidth, running in time $\mathcal{O}(n^3+f(\frac{1}{\epsilon})\cdot n),$ for every $\epsilon>0$.

Abstract: The Alon-Tarsi number of a polynomial is a parameter related to the exponents of its monomials. For graphs, their Alon-Tarsi number is the Alon-Tarsi number of their graph polynomials. As such, it provides an upper bound on their choice and online choice numbers. In this paper, we obtain the Alon-Tarsi number of some complete multipartite graphs and line graphs of some complete graphs of even order.

Abstract: The Springer numbers, introduced by Arnold, are generalizations of Euler numbers in the sense of Coxeter groups. They appear as the row sums of a double triangular array $(v_{n,k})$ of integers, $1\leq|k|\leq n$, defined recursively by a boustrophedon algorithm. We say a sequence of combinatorial objects $(X_{n,k})$ is an Arnold family if $X_{n,k}$ is counted by $v_{n,k}$. A polynomial refinement $V_{n,k}(t)$ of $v_{n,k}$, together with the combinatorial interpretations in several combinatorial structures was introduced by Eu and Fu recently. In this paper, we provide three new Arnold families of combinatorial objects, namely the cycle-up-down permutations, the valley signed permutations and Knuth's flip equivalences on permutations. We shall find corresponding statistics to realize the refined polynomial arrays.

Abstract: A graph $H$ is called common and respectively, strongly common if the number of monochromatic copies of $H$ in a 2-edge-coloring $\phi$ of a large clique is asymptotically minimised by the random coloring with an equal proportion of each color and respectively, by the random coloring with the same proportion of each color as in $\phi$. A well-known theorem of Jagger, {\v S}t'ov{\' i}{\v c}ek and Thomason states that every graph containing a $K_4$ is not common. Here we prove an analogous result that every graph containing a $K_3$ and with at least four edges is not strongly common.

Abstract: The dichromatic number $\vec\chi(D)$ of a digraph $D$ is the minimum size of a partition of its vertices into acyclic induced subgraphs. We denote by $\lambda(D)$ the maximum local edge connectivity of a digraph $D$. Neumann-Lara proved that for every digraph $D$, $\vec\chi(D) \leq \lambda(D) + 1$. In this paper, we characterize the digraphs $D$ for which $\vec\chi(D) = \lambda(D) + 1$. This generalizes an analogue result for undirected graph proved by Stiebitz and Toft as well as the directed version of Brooks' Theorem proved by Mohar. Along the way, we introduce a generalization of Haj\'os join that gives a new way to construct families of dicritical digraphs that is of independent interest.

Abstract: We show that, if $\Gamma$ is a point group of $\mathbb{R}^{k+1}$ of order two for some $k\geq 2$ and $\mathcal S$ is a $k$-pseudomanifold which has a free automorphism of order two, then either $\mathcal S$ has a $\Gamma$-symmetric infinitesimally rigid realisation in $\mathbb{R}^{k+1}$ or $k=2$ and $\Gamma$ is a half-turn rotation group.This verifies a conjecture made by Klee, Nevo, Novik and Zhang for the case when $\Gamma$ is a point-inversion group. Our result implies that Stanley's lower bound theorem for centrally symmetric polytopes extends to pseudomanifolds with a free simplicial involution, thus verifying (the inequality part) of another conjecture of Klee, Nevo, Novik and Zheng. Both results actually apply to a much larger class of simplicial complexes, namely the circuits of the simplicial matroid. The proof of our rigidity result adapts earlier ideas of Fogelsanger to the setting of symmetric simplicial complexes.

Abstract: The goal of this article is to study some basic algebraic and combinatorial properties of "generalized $n$-series" over a commutative ring $R$, which are functions $s: \mathbf{Z}_{\geq 0} \to R$ satisfying a mild condition. A special example of generalized $n$-series is given by the $q$-integers $\frac{q^n-1}{q-1} \in \mathbf{Z}[\![q-1]\!]$. Given a generalized $n$-series $s$, one can define $s$-analogues of factorials (via $n!_s = \prod_{i=1}^n s(n)$) and binomial coefficients. We prove that Pascal's identity, the binomial identity, Lucas' theorem, and the Vandermonde identity admit $s$-analogues; each of these specialize to their appropriate $q$-analogue in the case of the $q$-integer generalized $n$-series. We also study the growth rates of generalized $n$-series defined over the integers. Finally, we define an $s$-analogue of the ($q$-)derivative, and prove $s$-analogues of the Poincar\'e lemma and the Cartier isomorphism for the affine line, as well as a pullback square due to Bhatt-Lurie.

Abstract: Krasnosselsky's art gallery theorem gives a combinatorial characterization of star-shaped sets in Euclidean spaces, similar to Helly's characterization of finite families of convex sets with non-empty intersection. We study colorful and quantitative variations of Krasnosselsky's result. In particular, we are interested in conditions on a set $K$ that guarantee there exists a measurably large set $K'$ such that every point in $K'$ can see every point in $K$. We prove results guaranteeing the existence of $K'$ with large volume or large diameter.

Abstract: We consider the maximum chromatic number of hypergraphs consisting of cliques that have pairwise small intersections. Designs of the appropriate parameters produce optimal constructions, but these are known to exist only when the number of cliques is exponential in the clique size. We construct near designs where the number of cliques is polynomial in the clique size, and show that they have large chromatic number. The case when the cliques have pairwise intersections of size at most one seems particularly challenging. Here we give lower bounds by analyzing a random greedy hypergraph process. We also consider the related question of determining the maximum number of caps in a finite projective/affine plane and obtain nontrivial upper and lower bounds.