Ars Combinatoria

ISSN 0381-7032 (print), 2817-5204 (online)

Ars Combinatoria is the oldest Canadian journal of combinatorics, established in 1976, dedicated to advancing combinatorial mathematics through the publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed research papers. Over the decades, it has built a strong international reputation and continues to serve as a leading platform for significant contributions to the field.
Open Access:  The journal follows the Diamond Open Access model—completely free for both authors and readers, with no article processing charges (APCs)
Publication Frequency: From 2024 onward, Ars Combinatoria publishes four issues annually—in March, June, September, and December.
Scope: Publishes research in all areas of combinatorics, including graph theory, design theory, enumeration, algebraic combinatorics, combinatorial optimization and related fields.
Indexing & Abstracting:  Indexed in MathSciNet, Zentralblatt MATH, and EBSCO, ensuring wide visibility and scholarly reach.
Rapid Publication: Submissions are processed efficiently, with accepted papers published promptly in the next available issue.
Print & Online Editions: Issues are available in both print and online formats to serve a broad readership.

Yuan Sun1, Hao Shen1
1Department of Mathematics Shanghai Jiaotong University Shanghoi 200240 China
Abstract:

In this paper, we construct a new infinite family of balanced binary sequences of length \(N = 4p\), \(p \equiv 5 \pmod{8}\) with optimal autocorrelation magnitude \(\{N, 0, \pm 4\}\).

Allan D.Mills1
1MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, TENNESSEE TECH. UNIVERSITY, COOKEVILLE, TN
Abstract:

The cocircuits of a splitting matroid \(M_{i,j}\) are described in terms of the cocircuits of the original matroid \(M\).

Jiansheng Cai1, Guizhen Liu2
1School of Mathematics and Information Sciences Weifang University, Weifang 261061, P.R.China.
2School of Mathematics and System Sciences Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China.
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a graph with vertex set \(V(G)\) and let \(f\) be a nonnegative integer-valued function defined on \(V(G)\). A spanning subgraph \(F\) of \(G\) is called an \(f\)-factor if \(d_F(x) = f(x)\) for every \(x \in V(F)\). In this paper, we present some sufficient conditions for the existence of \(f\)-factors and connected \((f-2, f)\)-factors in \(K_{1,n}\)-free graphs. The conditions involve the minimum degree, the stability number, and the connectivity of graph \(G\).

F. Pambianco1, L. Storme2
1Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica, Universita di Perugia, Via Vanvitelli 1, I-06123 Perugia, Italy
2Ghent University, Department of Pure Mathematics and Computer Algebra, Krijgslaan 281 – 522, $000 Gent, Belgium
Abstract:

We classify the minimal blocking sets of size 15 in \(\mathrm{PG}(2,9)\). We show that the only examples are the projective triangle and the sporadic example arising from the secants to the unique complete 6-arc in \(\mathrm{PG}(2,9)\). This classification was used to solve the open problem of the existence of maximal partial spreads of size 76 in \(\mathrm{PG}(3,9)\). No such maximal partial spreads exist \([13]\). In \([14]\), also the non-existence of maximal partial spreads of size 75 in \(\mathrm{PG}(3,9)\) has been proven. So, the result presented here contributes to the proof that the largest maximal partial spreads in \(\mathrm{PG}(3,q=9)\) have size \(q^2-q+2=74\).

Muhammad Akram1
1 Punjab University College of Information Technology, University of the Punjab, Old Campus, Lahore-54000, PAKISTAN.
Abstract:

Our work in this paper is concerned with a new kind of fuzzy ideal of a \(K\)-algebra called an \((\in, \in \vee_q)\)-fuzzy ideal. We investigate some interesting properties of \((\in, \in \vee_q)\)-fuzzy ideals of \(K\)-algebras. We study fuzzy ideals with thresholds which is a generalization of both fuzzy ideals and \((\in, \in \vee_q)\)-fuzzy ideals. We also present characterization theorems of implication-based fuzzy ideals.

Haiying Wang1, Liang Sun2
1 The School of Information Engineering China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Beijing 100083, P.R.China
2Department of Mathematics, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing 100081, P. R. China
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be a digraph. For two vertices \(u\) and \(v\) in \(G\), the distance \(d(u,v)\) from \(u\) to \(v\) in \(G\) is the length of the shortest directed path from \(u\) to \(v\). The eccentricity \(e(v)\) of \(v\) is the maximum distance of \(v\) to any other vertex of \(G\). A vertex \(u\) is an eccentric vertex of \(v\) if the distance from \(v\) to \(u\) is equal to the eccentricity of \(v\). The eccentric digraph \(ED(G)\) of \(G\) is the digraph that has the same vertex set as \(G\) and the arc set defined by: there is an arc from \(u\) to \(v\) if and only if \(v\) is an eccentric vertex of \(u\). In this paper, we determine the eccentric digraphs of digraphs for various families of digraphs and we get some new results on the eccentric digraphs of the digraphs.

Konstantinos Drakakis1
1UCD CASL University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Abstract:

We present \(3\) open challenges in the field of Costas arrays. They are: a) the determination of the number of dots on the main diagonal of a Welch array, and especially the maximal such number for a Welch array of a given order; b) the conjecture that the fraction of Welch arrays without dots on the main diagonal behaves asymptotically as the fraction of permutations without fixed points and hence approaches \(1/e\) and c) the determination of the parity populations of Golomb arrays generated in fields of characteristic \(2\).

Baoyindureng Wu1, Li Zhang2
1College of Mathematics and System Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, P.R. China
2Department of Applied Mathematics, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be the graph obtained from \(K_{3,3}\) by deleting an edge. We find a list assignment with \(|L(v)| = 2\) for each vertex \(v\) of \(G\), such that \(G\) is uniquely \(L\)-colorable, and show that for any list assignment \(L’\) of \(G\), if \(|Z'(v)| \geq 2\) for all \(v \in V(G)\) and there exists a vertex \(v_0\) with \(|L'(v_0)| > 2\), then \(G\) is not uniquely \(L’\)-colorable. However, \(G\) is not \(2\)-choosable. This disproves a conjecture of Akbari, Mirrokni, and Sadjad (Problem \(404\) in Discrete Math. \(266(2003) 441-451)\).

Michael A.Henning1, Justin Southey1
1School of Mathematical Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
Abstract:

A total dominating set of a graph is a set of vertices such that every vertex is adjacent to a vertex in the set. In this note, we show that the vertex set of every graph with minimum degree at least two and with no component that is a \(5\)-cycle can be partitioned into a dominating set and a total dominating set.

Jingjing Chen1, Elaine Eschen1, Hong-Jian Lai2
1Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506;
2Department of Mathematics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506;
Abstract:

Let \(G\) be an undirected graph, \(A\) be an (additive) Abelian group and \(A^* = A – \{0\}\). A graph \(G\) is \(A\)-connected if \(G\) has an orientation such that for every function \(b: V(G) \longmapsto A\) satisfying \(\sum_{v\in V(G)} b(v) = 0\), there is a function \(f: E(G) \longmapsto A^*\) such that at each vertex \(v\in V(G)\) the net flow out of \(v\) equals \(b(v)\). We investigate the group connectivity number \(\Lambda_g(G) = \min\{n; G \text{ is } A\text{-connected for every Abelian group with } |A| \geq n\}\) for complete bipartite graphs, chordal graphs, and biwheels.