The topology of the external activity complex of a matroid

We prove that the external activity complex $\textrm{Act}_<(M)$ of a matroid is shellable. In fact, we show that every linear extension of LasVergnas's external/internal order $<_{ext/int}$ on $M$ provides a shelling of $\textrm{Act}_<(M)$. We also show that every linear extension of LasVergnas's internal order $<_{int}$ on $M$ provides a shelling of the independence complex $IN(M)$. As a corollary, $\textrm{Act}_<(M)$ and $M$ have the same $h$-vector. We prove that, after removing its cone points, the external activity complex is contractible if $M$ contains $U_{3,1}$ as a minor, and a sphere otherwise.Comment: Comments are welcom

The topology of the external activity complex of a matroid

International audienceWe prove that the external activity complex Act<(M) of a matroid is shellable. In fact, we show that every linear extension of Las Vergnas's external/internal order <ext/int on M provides a shelling of Act<(M). We also show that every linear extension of Las Vergnas's internal order <int on M provides a shelling of the independence complex IN(M). As a corollary, Act<(M) and M have the same h-vector. We prove that, after removing its cone points, the external activity complex is contractible if M contains U3,1 as a minor, and a sphere otherwise

A Tutte polynomial for toric arrangements

We introduce a multiplicity Tutte polynomial M(x,y), with applications to zonotopes and toric arrangements. We prove that M(x,y) satisfies a deletion-restriction recurrence and has positive coefficients. The characteristic polynomial and the Poincare' polynomial of a toric arrangement are shown to be specializations of the associated polynomial M(x,y), likewise the corresponding polynomials for a hyperplane arrangement are specializations of the ordinary Tutte polynomial. Furthermore, M(1,y) is the Hilbert series of the related discrete Dahmen-Micchelli space, while M(x,1) computes the volume and the number of integral points of the associated zonotope.Comment: Final version, to appear on Transactions AMS. 28 pages, 4 picture

Semi-inverted linear spaces and an analogue of the broken circuit complex

The image of a linear space under inversion of some coordinates is an affine variety whose structure is governed by an underlying hyperplane arrangement. In this paper, we generalize work by Proudfoot and Speyer to show that circuit polynomials form a universal Groebner basis for the ideal of polynomials vanishing on this variety. The proof relies on degenerations to the Stanley-Reisner ideal of a simplicial complex determined by the underlying matroid. If the linear space is real, then the semi-inverted linear space is also an example of a hyperbolic variety, meaning that all of its intersection points with a large family of linear spaces are real.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure, minor revisions and added connections to the external activity complex of a matroi

Valuations for matroid polytope subdivisions

We prove that the ranks of the subsets and the activities of the bases of a matroid define valuations for the subdivisions of a matroid polytope into smaller matroid polytopes.Comment: 19 pages. 2 figures; added section 6 + other correction

Rigidity and flexibility of biological networks

The network approach became a widely used tool to understand the behaviour of complex systems in the last decade. We start from a short description of structural rigidity theory. A detailed account on the combinatorial rigidity analysis of protein structures, as well as local flexibility measures of proteins and their applications in explaining allostery and thermostability is given. We also briefly discuss the network aspects of cytoskeletal tensegrity. Finally, we show the importance of the balance between functional flexibility and rigidity in protein-protein interaction, metabolic, gene regulatory and neuronal networks. Our summary raises the possibility that the concepts of flexibility and rigidity can be generalized to all networks.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl