Sigma Coloring and Edge Deletions

A vertex coloring c : V(G) → N of a non-trivial graph G is called a sigma coloring if σ(u) is not equal to σ(v) for any pair of adjacent vertices u and v. Here, σ(x) denotes the sum of the colors assigned to vertices adjacent to x. The sigma chromatic number of G, denoted by σ(G), is defined as the fewest number of colors needed to construct a sigma coloring of G. In this paper, we consider the sigma chromatic number of graphs obtained by deleting one or more of its edges. In particular, we study the difference σ(G)−σ(G−e) in general as well as in restricted scenarios; here, G−e is the graph obtained by deleting an edge e from G. Furthermore, we study the sigma chromatic number of graphs obtained via multiple edge deletions in complete graphs by considering the complements of paths and cycles

Critical vertices and edges in H-free graphs

A vertex or edge in a graph is critical if its deletion reduces the chromatic number of the graph by one. We consider the problems of deciding whether a graph has a critical vertex or edge, respectively. We give a complexity dichotomy for both problems restricted to -free graphs, that is, graphs with no induced subgraph isomorphic to . Moreover, we show that an edge is critical if and only if its contraction reduces the chromatic number by one. Hence, we also obtain a complexity dichotomy for the problem of deciding if a graph has an edge whose contraction reduces the chromatic number by one