Dual equivalence graphs II: Transformations on locally Schur positive graphs

Abstract: Dual equivalence graphs are a powerful tool in symmetric function theory that provide a general framework for proving that a given quasisymmetric function is symmetric and Schur positive. In this paper, we study a larger family of graphs that includes dual equivalence graphs and define maps that, in certain cases, transform graphs in this larger family into dual equivalence graphs. This allows us to broaden the applications of dual equivalence graphs and points the way toward a broader theory that could solve many important, long-standing Schur positivity problems.