Zero-sum flows for Steiner systems (Q2198394)

Given a \(t\)-\((v, k, \lambda)\) design, \({\mathcal D} = (X, {\mathcal B})\), a zero-sum \(n\)-flow of \({\mathcal D}\) is a map \(f : {\mathcal B} \rightarrow\{\pm 1,\ldots ,\pm (n - 1)\}\) such that for any point \(x \in X\), the sum of \(f\) over all blocks incident with \(x\) is zero. In this paper, for a positive integer \(k\), the authors construct a zero-sum \(k\)-flow for a Steiner triple system STS(\(uw\)) and for an STS(\(2v + 7\)) for \(v \equiv 1 \pmod 4\), if there are STS(\(u\)), STS(\(w\)) and STS(\(v\)) such that the STS(\(u\)) and STS(\(v\)) both have a zero-sum \(k\)-flow. \textit{S. Akbari} et al. [J. Comb. Des. 19, No. 5, 355--364 (2011; Zbl 1235.05021)] proposed the following conjecture: Every STS(\(v\)), with \(v > 7\), admits a zero-sum 3-flow. Here, it is shown that many cyclic STS(\(v\)) have a zero-sum 3-flow and the existence of zero-sum flows for some Steiner quadruple systems (SQS) was investigated. Thus, for \(k \geq 3\) it was proved that if we have a zero-sum \(k\)-flow for two SQS(\(v\)), then we can find a zero-sum \(k\)-flow for an SQS(2\(v\)) and if there are an SQS(\(u\)) and an SQS(\(v\)) both with a zero-sum \(k\)-flow, then we can find a zero-sum \(k\)-flow for an SQS(\(uv\)).