Capturing sets of ordinals by normal ultrapowers

We investigate the extent to which ultrapowers by normal measures on $\kappa$ can be correct about powersets $\mathcal{P}(\lambda)$ for $\lambda>\kappa$. We consider two versions of this questions, the capturing property $\mathrm{CP}(\kappa,\lambda)$ and the local capturing property $\mathrm{LCP}(\kappa,\lambda)$. $\mathrm{CP}(\kappa,\lambda)$ holds if there is an ultrapower by a normal measure on $\kappa$ which correctly computes $\mathcal{P}(\lambda)$. $\mathrm{LCP}(\kappa,\lambda)$ is a weakening of $\mathrm{CP}(\kappa,\lambda)$ which holds if every subset of $\lambda$ is contained in some ultrapower by a normal measure on $\kappa$. After examining the basic properties of these two notions, we identify the exact consistency strength of $\mathrm{LCP}(\kappa,\kappa^+)$. Building on results of Cummings, who determined the exact consistency strength of $\mathrm{CP}(\kappa,\kappa^+)$, and using a forcing due to Apter and Shelah, we show that $\mathrm{CP}(\kappa,\lambda)$ can hold at the least measurable cardinal.Comment: 20 page

Graph Relations and Constrained Homomorphism Partial Orders

We consider constrained variants of graph homomorphisms such as embeddings, monomorphisms, full homomorphisms, surjective homomorpshims, and locally constrained homomorphisms. We also introduce a new variation on this theme which derives from relations between graphs and is related to multihomomorphisms. This gives a generalization of surjective homomorphisms and naturally leads to notions of R-retractions, R-cores, and R-cocores of graphs. Both R-cores and R-cocores of graphs are unique up to isomorphism and can be computed in polynomial time. The theory of the graph homomorphism order is well developed, and from it we consider analogous notions defined for orders induced by constrained homomorphisms. We identify corresponding cores, prove or disprove universality, characterize gaps and dualities. We give a new and significantly easier proof of the universality of the homomorphism order by showing that even the class of oriented cycles is universal. We provide a systematic approach to simplify the proofs of several earlier results in this area. We explore in greater detail locally injective homomorphisms on connected graphs, characterize gaps and show universality. We also prove that for every $d\geq 3$ the homomorphism order on the class of line graphs of graphs with maximum degree $d$ is universal

(Extra)ordinary equivalences with the ascending/descending sequence principle

We analyze the axiomatic strength of the following theorem due to Rival and Sands in the style of reverse mathematics. "Every infinite partial order $P$ of finite width contains an infinite chain $C$ such that every element of $P$ is either comparable with no element of $C$ or with infinitely many elements of $C$." Our main results are the following. The Rival-Sands theorem for infinite partial orders of arbitrary finite width is equivalent to $\mathsf{I}\Sigma^0_2 + \mathsf{ADS}$ over $\mathsf{RCA}_0$. For each fixed $k \geq 3$, the Rival-Sands theorem for infinite partial orders of width $\leq\! k$ is equivalent to $\mathsf{ADS}$ over $\mathsf{RCA}_0$. The Rival-Sands theorem for infinite partial orders that are decomposable into the union of two chains is equivalent to $\mathsf{SADS}$ over $\mathsf{RCA}_0$. Here $\mathsf{RCA}_0$ denotes the recursive comprehension axiomatic system, $\mathsf{I}\Sigma^0_2$ denotes the $\Sigma^0_2$ induction scheme, $\mathsf{ADS}$ denotes the ascending/descending sequence principle, and $\mathsf{SADS}$ denotes the stable ascending/descending sequence principle. To our knowledge, these versions of the Rival-Sands theorem for partial orders are the first examples of theorems from the general mathematics literature whose strength is exactly characterized by $\mathsf{I}\Sigma^0_2 + \mathsf{ADS}$, by $\mathsf{ADS}$, and by $\mathsf{SADS}$. Furthermore, we give a new purely combinatorial result by extending the Rival-Sands theorem to infinite partial orders that do not have infinite antichains, and we show that this extension is equivalent to arithmetical comprehension over $\mathsf{RCA}_0$

Calibrating the complexity of combinatorics: reverse mathematics and Weihrauch degrees of some principles related to Ramsey’s theorem

In this thesis, we study the proof-theoretical and computational strength of some combinatorial principles related to Ramsey's theorem: this will be accomplished chiefly by analyzing these principles from the points of view of reverse mathematics and Weihrauch complexity. We start by studying a combinatorial principle concerning graphs, introduced by Bill Rival and Ivan Sands as a form of ``inside-outside'' Ramsey's theorem: we will determine its reverse mathematical strength and present the result characterizing its Weihrauch degree. Moreover, we will study a natural restriction of this principle, proving that it is equivalent to Ramsey's theorem. We will then move to a related result, this time concerning countable partial orders, again introduced by Rival and Sands: we will give a thorough reverse mathematical investigation of the strength of this theorem and of its original proof. Moreover, we will be able to generalize it, and this generalization will itself be presented in the reverse mathematical perspective. After this, we will focus on two forms of Ramsey's theorem that can be considered asymmetric. First, we will focus on a restriction of Ramsey's theorem to instances whose solutions have a predetermined color, studying it in reverse mathematics and from the point of view of the complexity of the solutions in a computability theoretic sense. Next, we move to a classical result about partition ordinals, which will undergo the same type of analysis. Finally, we will present some results concerning a recently introduced operator on the Weihrauch degrees, namely the first-order part operator: after presenting an alternative characterization of it, we will embark on the study the result of its applications to jumps of Weak Kőnig's Lemma

Preserving levels of projective determinacy by tree forcings

We prove that various classical tree forcings -- for instance Sacks forcing, Mathias forcing, Laver forcing, Miller forcing and Silver forcing -- preserve the statement that every real has a sharp and hence analytic determinacy. We then lift this result via methods of inner model theory to obtain level-by-level preservation of projective determinacy (PD). Assuming PD, we further prove that projective generic absoluteness holds and no new equivalence classes classes are added to thin projective transitive relations by these forcings.Comment: 3 figure

Maximality in the ⍺-C.A. Degrees

In [4], Downey and Greenberg define the notion of totally ⍺-c.a. for appropriately small ordinals ⍺, and discuss the hierarchy this notion begets on the Turing degrees. The hierarchy is of particular interest because it has already given rise to several natural definability results, and provides a definable antichain in the c.e. degrees. Following on from the work of [4], we solve problems which are left open in the aforementioned relating to this hierarchy. Our proofs are all constructive, using strategy trees to build c.e. sets, usually with some form of permitting. We identify levels of the hierarchy where there is absolutely no collapse above any totally ⍺-c.a. c.e. degree, and construct, for every ⍺ ≼ ε0, both a totally ⍺-c.a. c.e. minimal cover and a chain of totally ⍺-c.a. c.e. degrees cofinal in the totally ⍺-c.a. c.e. degrees in the cone above the chain's least member

Alternative Cichoń Diagrams and Forcing Axioms Compatible with CH

This dissertation surveys several topics in the general areas of iterated forcing, infinite combinatorics and set theory of the reals. There are two parts. In the first half I consider alternative versions of the Cichoń diagram. First I show that for a wide variety of reduction concepts there is a Cichoń diagram for effective cardinal characteristics relativized to that reduction. As an application I investigate in detail the Cichoń diagram for degrees of constructibility relative to a fixed inner model of ZFC. Then I study generalizations of cardinal characteristics to the space of functions from Baire space to Baire space. I prove that these cardinals can be organized into two diagrams analogous to the standard Cichoń diagram show several independence results and investigate their relation to cardinal invariants on omega. In the second half of the thesis I look at forcing axioms compatible with CH. First I consider Jensen\u27s subcomplete and subproper forcing. I generalize these notions to larger classes which are (apparently) much more nicely behaved structurally. I prove iteration and preservation theorems for both classes and use these to produce many new models of the subcomplete forcing axiom. Finally I deal with dee-complete forcing and its associated axiom DCFA. Extending a well-known result of Shelah, I show that if a tree of height omega one with no branch can be embedded into an omega one tree, possibly with uncountable branches, then it can be specialized without adding reals. As a consequence I show that DCFA implies there are no Kurepa trees, even if CH fails