Codimension-one foliations and oriented graphs (Q1306674)

Let \((M,F)\) be a transversely oriented codimension-one foliation \(F\) of a closed oriented manifold \(M\), \(\dim M\geq 3\). Starting with an idea of Novikov, the author studies the relationship between codimension-one foliations and graphs. Let \(G\) be a finite one-dimensional cellular complex and \(E(G)=\{\text{all 1-cells of }G\}\). The author gives the construction of an oriented graph associated to \((M,F)\). Theorem: Let \((M,F)\) be as above. For each \((M,F)\) there exist an oriented graph \(G(M,F)\) and a nice transverse embedding \(\Phi:G(M,F)\to(M,F)\). Furthermore, for each edge \(e\in E(G)\), \(\Phi(\text{Int}(e))\) intersect each compact leaf of \(F\) at most once. If \(G\) is an oriented graph, there is a foliated manifold \((M,F)\) so that \(G=G(M,F)\). In addition, the author gives a topological relation between \((M,F)\) and \((G,F)\). Finally, admissible functions are studied, too.