arXiv subjects

Heping Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Heping Zhang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The resonance graphs of nanotubes and toroidal polyhexes

Coronoid systems, nanotubes and toroidal polyhexes (or fullerenes) can all be regarded as carbon networks composed of carbon atoms linked in hexagonal shapes. The resonance graphs of coronoid systems and nanotubes are not necessarily connected. For coronoid systems and elementary nanotubes, by using flow across cuts the present authors gave criteria for two perfect matchings lying in the same connected component of the resonance graph (Discrete Appl. Math. 395 (2026) 443-455). However, the sufficiency of such criterion does not hold for general nanotubes and toroidal polyhexes. In this paper we strengthen this requirement to obtain valid criteria for two perfect matchings of a nanotube (resp. toroidal polyhex) to lie in the same connected component of its resonance graph: they have the same flows across cuts along the $x$-axis (resp. longitude and latitude) and the same ladders. For toroidal polyhexes, our method uses homotopic classes of simple loops on the torus, and the above criterion can be simplified by using only simple flows, for the case in which two perfect matchings have alternating hexagons.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

The matching extendability of optimal 2-planar graphs

A graph is 2-planar if it can be drawn in the plane such that each edge is crossed by at most two other edges. It is known that for a 2-planar graph $G$, $|E(G)| \le 5|V(G)| - 10$. When the equality holds, we call $G$ an optimal 2-planar graph. This paper investigates the matching extendability of optimal 2-planar graphs. By local optimality, we prove that every 4-connected optimal 2-planar graph $G$ of even order is 1-extendable, and give a criterion for $G$ to be 2-extendable. We also prove that no optimal 2-planar graph is 5-extendable and construct a 4-extendable optimal 2-planar graph based on the dodecahedron. Finally, we show that every 6-connected optimal 2-planar graph of even order with at least $2m+2$ vertices is distance 3 $m$-extendable for any $m \ge 0$.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

The resonance graphs of coronoid systems and nanotubes

The resonance graph of a hexagonal system is connected, which shows that a perfect matching can be transformed into any other perfect matchings by a series of flips along hexagons. However, the resonance graph of a coronoid system (with holes) is not necessarily connected. Saldanha et al. (Discrete Comput. Geom. 14 (1995) 207-233) used homology and cohomology theory to obtain three versions of criteria for two tilings of a quadriculated region in the plane to be in the same connected component of the flip graph. Inspiblack by the combinatorial version, in this paper we use a purely graph-theoretical approach to give a criterion in terms of simple invariant\textcolor{black}{---flow} across cuts between holes/exterior face for two perfect matchings of a coronoid system $G$ to be in the same connected component of its resonance graph. As a corollary we obtain a criterion for the resonance graph of a coronoid system to be connected. We also discuss whether such \textcolor{black}{criteria} are applicable to nanotubes, and construct a nanotube whose resonance graph is connected, which disproves a conjecture proposed by Tratnik et al. (MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 74 (2015) 175-186).

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Excluded conformal minors of Birkhoff-von Neumann graphs with equal global forcing number and maximum anti-forcing number

Global forcing number and maximum anti-forcing number of matchable graphs (graphs with a perfect matching) were proposed in completely different situations with applications in theoretical chemistry. Surprisingly for bipartite graphs and some nonbipartite graphs as solid bricks (or Birkhoff-von Neumann graphs) G, the global forcing number gf(G) is at least the maximum anti-forcing number Af(G). It is natural to consider when gf(G) = Af(G) holds. For convenience, we call a matchable graph G strongly uniform if each conformal matchable subgraph G' always satisfies gf(G') = Af(G'). In this article, by applying the ear decomposition theorem and discussing the existence of a Hamilton cycle with positions of chords, we give "excluded conformal minors" and "structural" characterizations of matchable bipartite graphs and Birkhoff-von Neumann graphs that are strongly uniform respectively.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Minimum forcing numbers of perfect matchings of circular and prismatic graphs

Let $G$ be a graph with a perfect matching. Denote by $f(G)$ the minimum size of a matching in $G$ that is uniquely extendable to a perfect matching in $G$. Diwan (2019) used linear algebra to prove that for the $d$-hypercube $Q_d$ ($d\geq 2)$, $f(Q_d)=2^{d-2}$, thus settling a conjecture of Pachter and Kim (1998). Recently, Mohammadian generalized this method to prove a general result: for a bipartite graph $G$ on $n$ vertices, if $G$ admits an involutory weighted adjacency matrix $A$ over a field $F$, then $f(G\Box K_2)=\frac{n}{2}$, where $\square$ denotes the Cartesian product of two graphs. In this paper we obtain $f(G\Box C_{2k})=n$ when a bipartite graph $G$ on $n$ vertices admits an involutory weighted adjacency matrix $A$ over a field $F$ of characteristic not 2, for all integers $k\ge2$. Moreover, we demonstrate that this method can also be applied to some nonbalanced bipartite graphs $G$ when graphs $G$ admit a weighted bi-adjacency matrix with orthogonal rows.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Adjacent vertices of small degree in minimal matching covered graphs

A connected graph $G$ with at least two vertices is matching covered if each of its edges lies in a perfect matching. A matching covered graph is minimal if the removal of any edge results in a graph that is no longer matching covered. An edge is called a $k$-line if both of its end vertices are of degree $k$. Lovász and Plummer [J. Combin. Theory, Ser. B 23 (1977) 127--138] proved that a minimal matching covered bipartite graph different from $K_2$ has minimum degree 2 and contains at least $[(|V(G)|+15)/6]$ 2-lines by ear decompositions. He et al. [J. Graph Theory 111 (2026) 5--16] showed that the minimum degree of a minimal matching covered graph different from $K_2$ is either 2 or 3. In this paper, we prove that every minimal matching covered graph with at least 4 vertices contains at least two nonadjacent edges, each of which is either a 2-line or a 3-line. Consequently, we show that every minimal matching covered graph with at least 4 vertices and minimum degree 3 contains at least 4 vertices of degree 3. Furthermore, the lower bounds for both the number of 3-lines and the number of cubic vertices are sharp.

math.CO↗

arXiv2026

Identifying Genetic Variants for Obesity: A Knowledge Integration Quantile Regression (KIQR) Approach for Ultra-High-Dimensional Data

Obesity is widely recognized as a serious and pervasive health concern. We study obesity through body mass index (BMI), which is known to be highly heritable, and identify important genetic risk factors for BMI from hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Framingham Study data. Several challenges arise when using traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS): (1) They suffer from a low power due to a combination of a limited number of participants and the stringent genome-wide significance threshold; (2) existing prior knowledge from large meta-analyses may provide valuable guidance but is often underutilized; (3) the one-at-a-time univariate marginal regression framework ignores the joint and conditional nature of genetic effects; (4) GWAS focus solely on mean outcomes, whereas obesity inherently concerns abnormally high BMI levels. To address these challenges, we conduct the analysis by proposing and applying a novel Knowledge Integration Quantile Regression (KIQR) approach via simultaneous variable selection and estimation, focusing on the conditional high quantiles of BMI, which are most relevant to obesity risk, while integrating prior information from large-scale studies such as the GIANT consortium and UK Biobank. Notably, we identified promising novel associations: rs3798696 in \textit{TFAP2A}, rs7070523 in \textit{ITIH5}, and rs178260 in \textit{AIFM3}, which have not previously been reported in the GWAS literature. These findings provide new insights into the genetic architecture of obesity and demonstrate that quantile-based modeling with integrated prior knowledge can potentially uncover novel genes missed by traditional GWAS approaches. An R implementation and simulation scripts are available at: https://github.com/KIQR-submission/KIQR

stat.AP↗

arXiv2026

Dependable Exploitation of High-Dimensional Unlabeled Data in an Assumption-Lean Framework

Semi-supervised learning has attracted significant attention due to the proliferation of applications featuring limited labeled data but abundant unlabeled data. In this paper, we examine the statistical inference problem in an assumption-lean framework which involves a high-dimensional regression parameter, defined by minimizing the least squares, within the context of semi-supervised learning. We investigate when and how unlabeled data can enhance the estimation efficiency of a regression parameter functional. First, we demonstrate that a straightforward debiased estimator can only be more efficient than its supervised counterpart if the unknown conditional mean function can be consistently estimated at an appropriate rate. Otherwise, incorporating unlabeled data can actually be counterproductive. To address this vulnerability, we propose a novel estimator guaranteed to be at least as efficient as the supervised baseline, even when the conditional mean function is misspecified. This ensures the dependable use of unlabeled data for statistical inference. Finally, we extend our approach to the general M-estimation framework, and demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology through comprehensive simulation studies and a real data application.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2026

On the $d$-transversal number of cylindrical and toroidal grids

For a positive integer $d$, a $d$-transversal set of a graph $G$ is an edge subset $T\subseteq E(G)$ such that $|T\cap M|\geq d$ for every maximum matching $M$ of $G$. The $d$-transversal number of $G$, denoted by $τ_d(G)$, is the minimum cardinality of a $d$-transversal set in $G$. It is NP-complete to determine the $d$-transversal number of a bipartite graph for any fixed $d\geq 1$. Ries et al. (Discrete Math. 310 (2010) 132-146) established the $d$-transversal number of rectangular grids $P_m\square P_n$. In this paper, we consider cylindrical grids $P_m\square C_n$ and toroidal grids $C_m\square C_n$. We derive explicit expressions for the $d$-transversal numbers of $P_m\square C_n$ for $m\geq 1$ and even $n\geq 4$, or even $m\geq 2$ and $n=3$, and of $C_m\square C_n$ with even order, for $1\leq d\leq \frac{mn}{2}$. For the other cases we obtain explicit expressions or bounds for their $d$-transversal numbers.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

Graphs with large maximum forcing number

For a graph $G$ with order $2n$ and a perfect matching, let $f(G)$ and $F(G)$ denote the minimum and maximum forcing number of $G$ respectively. Then $0\leq f(G)\leq F(G)\leq n-1$. Liu and Zhang [10] ever proposed a conjecture: $e(G)\geq \frac{n^2}{n-F(G)}$, where $e(G)$ denotes the number of edges of $G$. In this paper we confirm this conjecture and obtain $F(G)\leq n-\frac{n^2}{e(G)}$. If $F(G)=n-1$, Liu and Zhang [9] proved that any two perfect matchings of $G$ can be obtained from each other by a series of matching switches along 4-cycles. If $G$ is bipartite and $F(G)\geq n-k$, $1\leq k\leq n-1$, we show that any two perfect matchings of $G$ can be obtained from each other by a series of matching switches along even cycles of length at most $2(k+1)$. Finally, we ask whether $f(G)\geq \lceil\frac{n}{k}\rceil-1$ holds for such bipartite graphs $G$, and give positive answers for the cases $k=1,2$. Further we show all minimum forcing numbers of the bipartite graphs $G$ of order $2n$ and with $F(G)=n-2$ form an integer interval $[\lfloor\frac{n}{2}\rfloor, n-2]$.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

On minimal k-factor-critical planar graphs

A graph of order $n$ is said to be \emph{$k$-factor-critical} ($0\leq k <n$) if the removal of any $k$ vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. A $k$-factor-critical graph $G$ is \emph{minimal} if $G-e$ is not $k$-factor-critical for any edge $e$ in $G$. Favaron and Shi posed the conjecture that every minimal $k$-factor-critical graph is of minimum degree $k+1$ in 1998. In this paper, we confirm the conjecture for planar graphs.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

Spatiotemporal Calibration for Laser Vision Sensor in Hand-eye System Based on Straight-line Constraint

Laser vision sensors (LVS) are critical perception modules for industrial robots, facilitating real-time acquisition of workpiece geometric data in welding applications. However, the camera communication delay will lead to a temporal desynchronization between captured images and the robot motions. Additionally, hand-eye extrinsic parameters may vary during prolonged measurement. To address these issues, we introduce a measurement model of LVS considering the effect of the camera's time-offset and propose a teaching-free spatiotemporal calibration method utilizing line constraints. This method involves a robot equipped with an LVS repeatedly scanning straight-line fillet welds using S-shaped trajectories. Regardless of the robot's orientation changes, all measured welding positions are constrained to a straight-line, represented by Plucker coordinates. Moreover, a nonlinear optimization model based on straight-line constraints is established. Subsequently, the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA) is employed to optimize parameters, including time-offset, hand-eye extrinsic parameters, and straight-line parameters. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed approach are quantitatively validated through experiments on curved weld scanning. We open-sourced the code, dataset, and simulation report at https://anonymous.4open.science/r/LVS_ST_CALIB-015F/README.md.

cs.RO↗

arXiv2025

Reconstruct Ising Model with Global Optimality via SLIDE

The reconstruction of interaction networks between random events is a critical problem arising from statistical physics and politics, sociology, biology, psychology, and beyond. The Ising model lays the foundation for this reconstruction process, but finding the underlying Ising model from the least amount of observed samples in a computationally efficient manner has been historically challenging for half a century. Using sparsity learning, we present an approach named SLIDE whose sample complexity is globally optimal. Furthermore, an algorithm is developed to give a statistically consistent solution of SLIDE in polynomial time with high probability. On extensive benchmarked cases, the SLIDE approach demonstrates dominant performance in reconstructing underlying Ising models, confirming its superior statistical properties. The application on the U.S. senators voting in the six congresses reveals that both the Republicans and Democrats noticeably assemble in each congress; interestingly, the assembling of Democrats is particularly pronounced in the latest congress.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2025

The minimum degree of minimal 2-extendable claw-free graphs

A connected graph $G$ with a perfect matching is said to be $k$-extendable for integers $k$, $1 \leq k\leq \frac{|V(G)|}{2}-1$, if any matching in $G$ of size $k$ is contained in a perfect matching of $G$. A $k$-extendable graph is minimal if the deletion of any edge results in a graph that is not $k$-extendable. In 1994, Plummer proved that every $k$-extendable claw-free graph has minimum degree at least $2k$. Recently, He et al. showed that every minimal 1-extendable graph has minimum degree 2 or 3. In this paper, we prove that the minimum degree of a minimal 2-extendable claw-free graph is either $4$ or $5$.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

Nice vertices in cubic graphs

A subgraph $G'$ of a graph $G$ is nice if $G-V(G')$ has a perfect matching. Nice subgraphs play a vital role in the theory of ear decomposition and matching minors of matching covered graphs. A vertex $u$ of a cubic graph is nice if $u$ and its neighbors induce a nice subgraph. D. Král et al. (2010) [9] showed that each vertex of a cubic brick is nice. It is natural to ask how many nice vertices a matching covered cubic graph has. In this paper, using some basic results of matching covered graphs, we prove that if a non-bipartite cubic graph $G$ is 2-connected, then $G$ has at least 4 nice vertices; if $G$ is 3-connected and $G\neq K_4$, then $G$ has at least 6 nice vertices. We also determine all the corresponding extremal graphs. For a cubic bipartite graph $G$ with bipartition $(A,B)$, a pair of vertices $a\in A$ and $b\in B$ is called a nice pair if $a$ and $b$ together with their neighbors induce a nice subgraph. We show that a connected cubic bipartite graph $G$ is a brace if and only if each pair of vertices in distinct color classes is a nice pair. In general, we prove that $G$ has at least 9 nice pairs of vertices and $K_{3,3}$ is the only extremal graph.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

A Consistent and Scalable Algorithm for Best Subset Selection in Single Index Models

Analysis of high-dimensional data has led to increased interest in both single index models (SIMs) and the best-subset selection. SIMs provide an interpretable and flexible modeling framework for high-dimensional data, while the best-subset selection aims to find a sparse model from a large set of predictors. However, the best-subset selection in high-dimensional models is known to be computationally intractable. Existing proxy algorithms are appealing but do not yield the bestsubset solution. In this paper, we directly tackle the intractability by proposing a provably scalable algorithm for the best-subset selection in high-dimensional SIMs. We directly proved the subset selection consistency and oracle property for our algorithmic solution, distinguishing it from other state-of-the-art support recovery methods in SIMs. The algorithm comprises a generalized information criterion to determine the support size of the regression coefficients, eliminating the model selection tuning. Moreover, our method does not assume an error distribution or a specific link function and hence is flexible to apply. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our method is not only computationally efficient but also able to exactly recover the best subset in various settings (e.g., linear regression, Poisson regression, heteroscedastic models).

stat.ML↗

arXiv2025

2-extendability of (4,5,6)-fullerenes

A (4,5,6)-fullerene is a plane cubic graph whose faces are only quadrilaterals, pentagons and hexagons, which includes all (4,6)- and (5,6)-fullerenes. A connected graph $G$ with at least $2k+2$ vertices is $k$-extendable if $G$ has perfect matchings and any matching of size $k$ is contained in a perfect matching of $G$. We know that each (4,5,6)-fullerene graph is 1-extendable and at most 2-extendable. It is natural to wonder which (4,5,6)-fullerene graphs are 2-extendable. In this paper, we completely solve this problem (see Theorem 3.3): All non-2-extendable (4,5,6)-fullerenes consist of four sporadic (4,5,6)-fullerenes ($F_{12},F_{14},F_{18}$ and $F_{20}$) and five classes of (4,5,6)-fullerenes. As a surprising consequence, we find that all (4,5,6)-fullerenes with the anti-Kekulé number 3 are non-2-extendable. Further, there also always exists a non-2-extendable (4,5,6)-fullerene with arbitrarily even $n\geqslant10$ vertices.

math.CO↗

arXiv2024

The minimum degree of minimal $k$-factor-critical claw-free graphs*

A graph $G$ of order $n$ is said to be $k$-factor-critical for integers $1\leq k< n$, if the removal of any $k$ vertices results in a graph with a perfect matching. A $k$-factor-critical graph is minimal if for every edge, the deletion of it results in a graph that is not $k$-factor-critical. In 1998, O. Favaron and M. Shi conjectured that every minimal $k$-factor-critical graph has minimum degree $k+1$. In this paper, we confirm the conjecture for minimal $k$-factor-critical claw-free graphs. Moreover, we show that every minimal $k$-factor-critical claw-free graph $G$ has at least $\frac{k-1}{2k}|V(G)|$ vertices of degree $k+1$ in the case of $(k+1)$-connected, yielding further evidence for S. Norine and R. Thomas' conjecture on the minimum degree of minimal bricks when $k=2$.

math.CO↗