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Given a real symmetric n × n matrix, the sepr-sequence t 1 ⋯ t n records information about the existence of principal minors of each order that are positive, negative, or zero. This paper extends the notion of the sepr-sequence to matrices whose entries are of prescribed signs, that is, to sign patterns. A sufficient condition is given for a sign pattern to have a unique sepr-sequence, and it is conjectured to be necessary. The sepr-sequences of sign semi-stable patterns are shown to be well-structured; in some special circumstances, the sepr-sequence is enough to guarantee that the sign pattern is sign semi-stable. In alignment with previous work on symmetric matrices, the sepr-sequences for sign patterns realized by symmetric nonnegative matrices of orders two and three are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maximum nullity M ( G ) and the Colin de Verdière type parameter ξ ( G ) both consider the largest possible nullity over matrices in S ( G ) , which is the family of real symmetric matrices whose i , j -entry, i ≠ j , is nonzero if i is adjacent to j , and zero otherwise; however, ξ ( G ) restricts to those matrices A in S ( G ) with the Strong Arnold Property, which means X = O is the only symmetric matrix that satisfies A ∘ X = O , I ∘ X = O , and A X = O . This paper introduces zero forcing parameters Z SAP ( G ) and Z vc ( G ) , and proves that Z SAP ( G ) = 0 implies every matrix A ∈ S ( G ) has the Strong Arnold Property and that the inequality M ( G ) − Z vc ( G ) ≤ ξ ( G ) holds for every graph G . Finally, the values of ξ ( G ) are computed for all graphs up to 7 vertices, establishing ξ ( G ) = ⌊ Z ⌋ ( G ) for these graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]