Relative genus bounds in indefinite four-manifolds

Given a closed four-manifold $X$ with an indefinite intersection form, we consider smoothly embedded surfaces in $X\setminus$int$(B^4)$, with boundary a knot $K\subset S^3$. We give several methods to bound the genus of such surfaces in a fixed homology class. Our tools include adjunction inequalities and the $10\mathrm{/}8+4$ theorem. In particular, we present obstructions to a knot being H-slice (that is, bounding a null-homologous disk) in a four-manifold and show that the set of H-slice knots can detect exotic smooth structures on closed $4$-manifolds.