Graphs in the 3--sphere with maximum symmetry

We consider the orientation-preserving actions of finite groups $G$ on pairs $(S^3, \Gamma)$, where $\Gamma$ is a connected graph of genus $g>1$, embedded in $S^3$. For each $g$ we give the maximum order $m_g$ of such $G$ acting on $(S^3, \Gamma)$ for all such $\Gamma\subset S^3$. Indeed we will classify all graphs $\Gamma\subset S^3$ which realize these $m_g$ in different levels: as abstract graphs and as spatial graphs, as well as their group actions. Such maximum orders without the condition "orientation-preserving" are also addressed.Comment: 34 pages, to appear in Discrete Comput. Geo

Global cycle properties in graphs with large minimum clustering coefficient

The clustering coefficient of a vertex in a graph is the proportion of neighbours of the vertex that are adjacent. The minimum clustering coefficient of a graph is the smallest clustering coefficient taken over all vertices. A complete structural characterization of those locally connected graphs, with minimum clustering coefficient 1/2 and maximum degree at most 6, that are fully cycle extendable is given in terms of strongly induced subgraphs with given attachment sets. Moreover, it is shown that all locally connected graphs with minimum clustering coefficient 1/2 and maximum degree at most 6 are weakly pancyclic, thereby proving Ryjacek's conjecture for this class of locally connected graphs.Comment: 16 pages, two figure

Even Orientations and Pfaffian graphs

We give a characterization of Pfaffian graphs in terms of even orientations, extending the characterization of near bipartite non--pfaffian graphs by Fischer and Little \cite{FL}. Our graph theoretical characterization is equivalent to the one proved by Little in \cite{L73} (cf. \cite{LR}) using linear algebra arguments

Self-avoiding walks and connective constants

The connective constant $\mu(G)$ of a quasi-transitive graph $G$ is the asymptotic growth rate of the number of self-avoiding walks (SAWs) on $G$ from a given starting vertex. We survey several aspects of the relationship between the connective constant and the underlying graph $G$. $\bullet$ We present upper and lower bounds for $\mu$ in terms of the vertex-degree and girth of a transitive graph. $\bullet$ We discuss the question of whether $\mu\ge\phi$ for transitive cubic graphs (where $\phi$ denotes the golden mean), and we introduce the Fisher transformation for SAWs (that is, the replacement of vertices by triangles). $\bullet$ We present strict inequalities for the connective constants $\mu(G)$ of transitive graphs $G$, as $G$ varies. $\bullet$ As a consequence of the last, the connective constant of a Cayley graph of a finitely generated group decreases strictly when a new relator is added, and increases strictly when a non-trivial group element is declared to be a further generator. $\bullet$ We describe so-called graph height functions within an account of "bridges" for quasi-transitive graphs, and indicate that the bridge constant equals the connective constant when the graph has a unimodular graph height function. $\bullet$ A partial answer is given to the question of the locality of connective constants, based around the existence of unimodular graph height functions. $\bullet$ Examples are presented of Cayley graphs of finitely presented groups that possess graph height functions (that are, in addition, harmonic and unimodular), and that do not. $\bullet$ The review closes with a brief account of the "speed" of SAW.Comment: Accepted version. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1304.721

Self-avoiding walks and amenability

The connective constant $\mu(G)$ of an infinite transitive graph $G$ is the exponential growth rate of the number of self-avoiding walks from a given origin. The relationship between connective constants and amenability is explored in the current work. Various properties of connective constants depend on the existence of so-called 'graph height functions', namely: (i) whether $\mu(G)$ is a local function on certain graphs derived from $G$, (ii) the equality of $\mu(G)$ and the asymptotic growth rate of bridges, and (iii) whether there exists a terminating algorithm for approximating $\mu(G)$ to a given degree of accuracy. In the context of amenable groups, it is proved that the Cayley graphs of infinite, finitely generated, elementary amenable groups support graph height functions, which are in addition harmonic. In contrast, the Cayley graph of the Grigorchuk group, which is amenable but not elementary amenable, does not have a graph height function. In the context of non-amenable, transitive graphs, a lower bound is presented for the connective constant in terms of the spectral bottom of the graph. This is a strengthening of an earlier result of the same authors. Secondly, using a percolation inequality of Benjamini, Nachmias, and Peres, it is explained that the connective constant of a non-amenable, transitive graph with large girth is close to that of a regular tree. Examples are given of non-amenable groups without graph height functions, of which one is the Higman group.Comment: v2 differs from v1 in the inclusion of further material concerning non-amenable graphs, notably an improved lower bound for the connective constan