Hopf algebras and the Penrose polynomial (Q5952159)

Let \(G\) be a plane 2-4-graph, that is, all degrees are \(2\) or \(4\). A Eulerian decomposition of \(G\) is a partition of the edge set of \(G\) into circuits. A transition system of \(G\) is a system of coupling the edges in each star of \(G\). The main result of the paper interprets the Penrose polynomial of \(G\) on negative integers in terms of so-called admissible valuations, i.e.\ in terms of edge-colourings that correspond to a transition system of a certain Eulerian decomposition.