Seifert circles, braid index and the algebraic crossing number (Q2577121)

In this paper the authors consider the conjecture that link diagrams with minimum number of Seifert circles determine the writhe uniquely. They investigate some class of diagrams for which the operation introduced in [\textit{K. Murasugi} and \textit{J. H. Przytycki}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 508 (1993; Zbl 0792.05047)] and [\textit{D. A. Chalcraft}, Math. Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 111 (2), 273--281 (1992; Zbl 0753.57004)] may reduce Seifert circles effectively. The possibility of arriving at diagrams with the same number of Seifer circles but different writhes is discussed. The authors introduce other reducing operations and finally translate the problem into one of graph theory.