Selected Problems in Graph Coloring

The Borodin–Kostochka Conjecture states that for a graph G, if ∆(G) ≥ 9 and ω(G) ≤ ∆(G) − 1, then χ(G) ≤ ∆(G) − 1. We prove the Borodin–Kostochka Conjecture for (P5, gem)-free graphs, i.e., graphs with no induced P5 and no induced K1 ∨P4. ForagraphGandt,k∈Z+ at-tonek-coloringofGisafunctionf:V(G)→ [k] such that |f(v)∩f(w)| \u3c d(v,w) for all distinct v,w ∈ V(G). The t-tone t chromatic number of G, denoted τt(G), is the minimum k such that G is t-tone k- colorable. For small values of t, we prove sharp or nearly sharp upper bounds on the t-tone chromatic number of various classes of sparse graphs. In particular, we determine τ2(G) exactly when mad(G) \u3c 12/5 and also determine τ2(G), up to a small additive constant, when G is outerplanar. Finally, we determine τt(Cn) exactly when t ∈ {3, 4, 5}

Defective and Clustered Graph Colouring

Consider the following two ways to colour the vertices of a graph where the requirement that adjacent vertices get distinct colours is relaxed. A colouring has "defect" $d$ if each monochromatic component has maximum degree at most $d$. A colouring has "clustering" $c$ if each monochromatic component has at most $c$ vertices. This paper surveys research on these types of colourings, where the first priority is to minimise the number of colours, with small defect or small clustering as a secondary goal. List colouring variants are also considered. The following graph classes are studied: outerplanar graphs, planar graphs, graphs embeddable in surfaces, graphs with given maximum degree, graphs with given maximum average degree, graphs excluding a given subgraph, graphs with linear crossing number, linklessly or knotlessly embeddable graphs, graphs with given Colin de Verdi\`ere parameter, graphs with given circumference, graphs excluding a fixed graph as an immersion, graphs with given thickness, graphs with given stack- or queue-number, graphs excluding $K_t$ as a minor, graphs excluding $K_{s,t}$ as a minor, and graphs excluding an arbitrary graph $H$ as a minor. Several open problems are discussed.Comment: This is a preliminary version of a dynamic survey to be published in the Electronic Journal of Combinatoric

Multi-source spanning trees: algorithms for minimizing source eccentricities

AbstractWe present two efficient algorithms constructing a spanning tree with minimum eccentricity of a source, for a given graph with weighted edges and a set of source vertices. The first algorithm is both simpler to implement and faster of the two. The second approach involves enumerating single-source shortest-path spanning trees for all points on a graph, a technique that may be useful in solving other problems

Building a larger class of graphs for efficient reconfiguration of vertex colouring

A $k$-colouring of a graph $G$ is an assignment of at most $k$ colours to the vertices of $G$ so that adjacent vertices are assigned different colours. The reconfiguration graph of the $k$-colourings, $\mathcal{R}_k(G)$, is the graph whose vertices are the $k$-colourings of $G$ and two colourings are joined by an edge in $\mathcal{R}_k(G)$ if they differ in colour on exactly one vertex. For a $k$-colourable graph $G$, we investigate the connectivity and diameter of $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$. It is known that not all weakly chordal graphs have the property that $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$ is connected. On the other hand, $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$ is connected and of diameter $O(n^2)$ for several subclasses of weakly chordal graphs such as chordal, chordal bipartite, and $P_4$-free graphs. We introduce a new class of graphs called OAT graphs that extends the latter classes and in fact extends outside the class of weakly chordal graphs. OAT graphs are built from four simple operations, disjoint union, join, and the addition of a clique or comparable vertex. We prove that if $G$ is a $k$-colourable OAT graph, then $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$ is connected with diameter $O(n^2)$. Furthermore, we give polynomial time algorithms to recognize OAT graphs and to find a path between any two colourings in $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$. Feghali and Fiala defined a subclass of weakly chordal graphs, called compact graphs, and proved that for every $k$-colourable compact graph $G$, $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$ is connected with diameter $O(n^2)$. We prove that the class of OAT graphs properly contains the class of compact graphs. Feghali and Fiala also asked if for a $k$-colourable ($P_5$, co-$P_5$, $C_5$)-free graph $G$, $\mathcal{R}_{k+1}(G)$ is connected with diameter $O(n^2)$. We answer this question in the positive for the subclass of $P_4$-sparse graphs, which are the ($P_5$, co-$P_5$, $C_5$, $P$, co-$P$, fork, co-fork)-free graphs

Complexity and algorithms related to two classes of graph problems

This thesis addresses the problems associated with conversions on graphs and editing by removing a matching. We study the f-reversible processes, which are those associated with a threshold value for each vertex, and whose dynamics depends on the number of neighbors with different state for each vertex. We set a tight upper bound for the period and transient lengths, characterize all trees that reach the maximum transient length for 2-reversible processes, and we show that determining the size of a minimum conversion set is NP-hard. We show that the AND-OR model defines a convexity on graphs. We show results of NP-completeness and efficient algorithms for certain convexity parameters for this new one, as well as approximate algorithms. We introduce the concept of generalized threshold processes, where the results are NP-completeness and efficient algorithms for both non relaxed and relaxed versions. We study the problem of deciding whether a given graph admits a removal of a matching in order to destroy all cycles. We show that this problem is NP-hard even for subcubic graphs, but admits efficient solution for several graph classes. We study the problem of deciding whether a given graph admits a removal of a matching in order to destroy all odd cycles. We show that this problem is NP-hard even for planar graphs with bounded degree, but admits efficient solution for some graph classes. We also show parameterized results.Esta tese aborda problemas associados a conversões em grafos e de edição pela remoção de um emparelhamento. Estudamos processos f-reversíveis, que são aqueles associados a um valor de limiar para cada vértice e cuja dinâmica depende da quantidade de vizinhos com estado contrário para cada vértice. Estabelecemos um limite superior justo para o tamanho do período e transiente, caracterizamos todas as árvores que alcançam o transiente máximo em processos 2-reversíveis e mostramos que determinar o tamanho de um conjunto conversor mínimo é NP-difícil. Mostramos que o modelo AND-OR define uma convexidade sobre grafos. Mostramos resultados de NP-completude e algoritmos eficientes para certos parâmetros de convexidade para esta nova, assim como algoritmos aproximativos. Introduzimos o conceito de processos de limiar generalizados, onde mostramos resultados de NP-completude e algoritmos eficientes para ambas as versões não relaxada e relaxada. Estudamos o problema de decidir se um dado grafo admite uma remoção de um emparelhamento de modo a remover todos os ciclos. Mostramos que este problema é NP-difícil mesmo para grafos subcúbicos, mas admite solução eficiente para várias classes de grafos. Estudamos o problema de decidir se um dado grafo admite uma remoção de um emparelhamento de modo a remover todos os ciclos ímpares. Mostramos que este problema é NP-difícil mesmo para grafos planares com grau limitado, mas admite solução eficiente para algumas classes de grafos. Mostramos também resultados parametrizados

On locally irregular decompositions of subcubic graphs

International audienceA graph G is locally irregular if every two adjacent vertices of G have different degrees. A locally irregular decomposition of G is a partition E1,...,Ek of E(G) such that each G[Ei] is locally irregular. Not all graphs admit locally irregular decompositions, but for those who are decomposable, in that sense, it was conjectured by Baudon, Bensmail, Przybyło and Woźniak that they decompose into at most 3 locally irregular graphs. Towards that conjecture, it was recently proved by Bensmail, Merker and Thomassen that every decomposable graph decomposes into at most 328 locally irregular graphs.We here focus on locally irregular decompositions of subcubic graphs, which form an important family of graphs in this context, as all non-decomposable graphs are subcubic. As a main result, we prove that decomposable subcubic graphs decompose into at most 5 locally irregular graphs, and only at most 4 when the maximum average degree is less than 12/5. We then consider weaker decompositions, where subgraphs can also include regular connected components, and prove the relaxations of the conjecture above for subcubic graphs