On the existence of (v,7,1)-perfect Mendelsohn designs (Q2277270)

A set of v points together with a collection of k-cycles (called blocks) described on the points is a (v,k,\(\lambda\))-Mendelsohn design if any two points are consecutive in exactly \(\lambda\) blocks. If any two points are at a distance t in exactly \(\lambda\) blocks for \(t=1,2,...,k-1\) then the design is said to be perfect. An obvious necessary condition for the existence of a perfect (v,7,1)-Mendelsohn design is that v be congruent to 0 or 1(mod 7). Here the authors show that this condition is also sufficient provided \(v\geq 2136\). The proof is based on establishing the following result about pairwise balanced designs (with variable block sizes): a pairwise balanced design on v points with \(\lambda =1\) and every block size a prime power congruent to 0 or 1(mod 7) exists for all \(v\geq 2136\) with v congruent to 0 or 1(mod 7).