Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets in $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$

We study Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets in the affine geometry, so sets of $k$-spaces in $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$. This generalizes research on Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets in the projective geometry $\mathrm{PG}(n,q)$. Note that in algebraic combinatorics, Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets of $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$ correspond to certain equitable bipartitions of the association scheme of $k$-spaces in $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$, while in the analysis of Boolean functions, they correspond to Boolean degree $1$ functions of $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$. We define Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets in $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$ by intersection properties with $k$-spreads and show the equivalence of several definitions. In particular, we investigate the relationship between Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets in $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$ and $\mathrm{PG}(n,q)$. As a by-product, we calculate the character table of the association scheme of affine lines. Furthermore, we characterize the smallest examples of Cameron-Liebler $k$-sets. This paper focuses on $\mathrm{AG}(n,q)$ for $n > 3$, while the case for Cameron-Liebler line classes in $\mathrm{AG}(3,q)$ was already treated separately.

FourierSAT: A Fourier Expansion-Based Algebraic Framework for Solving Hybrid Boolean Constraints

The Boolean SATisfiability problem (SAT) is of central importance in computer science. Although SAT is known to be NP-complete, progress on the engineering side—especially that of Conflict-Driven Clause Learning (CDCL) and Local Search SAT solvers—has been remarkable. Yet, while SAT solvers, aimed at solving industrial-scale benchmarks in Conjunctive Normal Form (CNF), have become quite mature, SAT solvers that are effective on other types of constraints (e.g., cardinality constraints and XORs) are less well-studied; a general approach to handling non-CNF constraints is still lacking. In addition, previous work indicated that for specific classes of benchmarks, the running time of extant SAT solvers depends heavily on properties of the formula and details of encoding, instead of the scale of the benchmarks, which adds uncertainty to expectations of running time.To address the issues above, we design FourierSAT, an incomplete SAT solver based on Fourier analysis of Boolean functions, a technique to represent Boolean functions by multilinear polynomials. By such a reduction to continuous optimization, we propose an algebraic framework for solving systems consisting of different types of constraints. The idea is to leverage gradient information to guide the search process in the direction of local improvements. Empirical results demonstrate that FourierSAT is more robust than other solvers on certain classes of benchmarks.

An Orthogonal Basis for Functions over a Slice of the Boolean Hypercube

We present a simple, explicit orthogonal basis of eigenvectors for the Johnson and Kneser graphs, based on Young's orthogonal representation of the symmetric group. Our basis can also be viewed as an orthogonal basis for the vector space of all functions over a slice of the Boolean hypercube (a set of the form $\{(x_1,\ldots,x_n) \in \{0,1\}^n : \sum_i x_i = k\}$), which refines the eigenspaces of the Johnson association scheme; our basis is orthogonal with respect to any exchangeable measure. More concretely, our basis is an orthogonal basis for all multilinear polynomials $\mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ which are annihilated by the differential operator $\sum_i \partial/\partial x_i$. As an application of the last point of view, we show how to lift low-degree functions from a slice to the entire Boolean hypercube while maintaining properties such as expectation, variance and $L^2$-norm.As an application of our basis, we streamline Wimmer's proof of Friedgut's theorem for the slice. Friedgut's theorem, a fundamental result in the analysis of Boolean functions, states that a Boolean function on the Boolean hypercube with low total influence can be approximated by a Boolean junta (a function depending on a small number of coordinates). Wimmer generalized this result to slices of the Boolean hypercube, working mostly over the symmetric group, and utilizing properties of Young's orthogonal representation. Using our basis, we show how the entire argument can be carried out directly on the slice.