Inequalities between gamma-polynomials of graph-associahedra

Natalie Aisbett

Published 2012-01-31, updated 2012-05-18Version 2

We prove a conjecture of Postnikov, Reiner and Williams by defining a partial order on the set of tree graphs with $n$ vertices that induces inequalities between the $\gamma$-polynomials of their associated graph-associahedra. The partial order is given by relating trees that can be obtained from one another by operations called tree shifts. We also show that tree shifts lower the $\gamma$-polynomials of graphs that are not trees, as do the flossing moves of Babson and Reiner.