Proof Complexity Research Articles

Witnessing matrix identities and proof complexity

We use results from the theory of algebras with polynomial identities (PI-algebras) to study the witness complexity of matrix identities. A matrix identity of [Formula: see text] matrices over a field [Formula: see text]is a non-commutative polynomial (f(x1, …, xn)) over [Formula: see text], such that [Formula: see text] vanishes on every [Formula: see text] matrix assignment to its variables. For every field [Formula: see text]of characteristic 0, every [Formula: see text] and every finite basis of [Formula: see text] matrix identities over [Formula: see text], we show there exists a family of matrix identities [Formula: see text], such that each [Formula: see text] has [Formula: see text] variables and requires at least [Formula: see text] many generators to generate, where the generators are substitution instances of elements from the basis. The lower bound argument uses fundamental results from PI-algebras together with a generalization of the arguments in [P. Hrubeš, How much commutativity is needed to prove polynomial identities? Electronic colloquium on computational complexity, ECCC, Report No.: TR11-088, June 2011].We apply this result in algebraic proof complexity, focusing on proof systems for polynomial identities (PI proofs) which operate with algebraic circuits and whose axioms are the polynomial-ring axioms [P. Hrubeš and I. Tzameret, The proof complexity of polynomial identities, in Proc. 24th Annual IEEE Conf. Computational Complexity, CCC 2009, 15–18 July 2009, Paris, France (2009), pp. 41–51; Short proofs for the determinant identities, SIAM J. Comput. 44(2) (2015) 340–383], and their subsystems. We identify a decrease in strength hierarchy of subsystems of PI proofs, in which the [Formula: see text]th level is a sound and complete proof system for proving [Formula: see text] matrix identities (over a given field). For each level [Formula: see text] in the hierarchy, we establish an [Formula: see text] lower bound on the number of proof-steps needed to prove certain identities.Finally, we present several concrete open problems about non-commutative algebraic circuits and speed-ups in proof complexity, whose solution would establish stronger size lower bounds on PI proofs of matrix identities, and beyond.

Finding read-once resolution refutations in systems of 2CNF clauses

In this paper, we analyze 2CNF formulas from the perspectives of Read-Once resolution (ROR) refutation schemes. We focus on two types of ROR refutations, viz., variable-once refutation and clause-once refutation. In the former, each variable may be used at most once in the derivation of a refutation, while in the latter, each clause may be used at most once. We show that the problem of checking whether a given 2CNF formula has an ROR refutation is NP-complete, under both schemes. This is surprising, in light of the fact that there exist polynomial time refutation schemes (tree-resolution and DAG-resolution) for 2CNF formulas. On the positive side, we show that 2CNF formulas have copy-complexity 2, which means that any unsatisfiable 2CNF formula has a refutation, in which any clause needs to be used at most twice. The study of resolution refutation schemes is a sub-field of proof complexity, which has received a lot of attention in the literature.

Reachability for airline networks: fast algorithm for shortest path problem with time windows

Airline network, including airports as network nodes and flight routes as directed network edges, has a lot of special features such as departure and arrival times, air ticket budget, flight capacity, transportation cost, etc. Thus, analyzing network behavior and service performance for such a network is much more difficult than that for many other networks. In this paper, taking China domestic airline network as a representative, we try to discuss the reachability issue for each airport respectively, which could reflect its regional connectivity level and service quality of civil aviation. More specifically, we evaluate reachability through many features including node degree, betweenness, closeness, etc. To get the values of some features, we design a fast Dijkstra-based all-pair shortest path algorithm with both time and budget requirements, then use Fenwick Tree to further improve the time efficiency. Actually, it is a shortest path problem with time windows and other constraints. Furthermore, we propose a faster solution by reducing the edges in the duplicated graph as a simplification and then provide the time complexity proof. Finally, we implement Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to convert the reachability feature into numerical values for all airports to measure their service qualities precisely. Our results for China domestic airline network with 210 airports and 69,160 flight routes will definitely become a guide to airline companies and civil aviation administration for their further development and management.

Some Properties of Several Proof Systems for Intuitionistic, Johanssons and Monotone Propositional Logics

In this paper we investigate two properties of some propositional systems of Intuitionistic, Johansson’s and Monotone logics: 1) the relations between the proofs complexities of strongly equal tautologies (valid sequents) and 2) the relations between the proofs complexities of minimal tautologies (valid sequents) and of results of substitutions in them. We show that 1) strongly equal tautologies (valid sequents) can have essential different proof complexities in the same system and 2) the result of substitution can be proved easier, than corresponding minimal tautology (valid sequents), therefore the systems, which are considered in this paper, are no monotonous neither by lines nor by size.

Communication Lower Bounds via Critical Block Sensitivity

We use critical block sensitivity, a new complexity measure introduced by Huynh and Nordström [STOC 2012, ACM, NY, 2012, pp. 233--248], to study the communication complexity of search problems. To begin, we give a simple new proof of the following central result of Huynh and Nordström: if $S$ is a search problem with critical block sensitivity $b$, then every randomized two-party protocol solving a certain two-party lift of $S$ requires $\Omega(b)$ bits of communication. Besides simplicity, our proof has the advantage of generalizing to the number-on-forehead multiparty setting. We combine these results with new critical block sensitivity lower bounds for Tseitin and pebbling search problems to obtain the following applications: Monotone circuit depth: We exhibit a monotone $n$-variable function in NP} whose monotone circuits require depth $\Omega(n/\log n)$; previously, a bound of $\Omega(\sqrt{n})$ was known [Raz and Wigderson, J. ACM, 39 (1992), pp. 736--744]. Moreover, we prove a $\Theta(\sqrt{n})$ monotone depth bound for a function in monotone P. Proof complexity: We prove new rank lower bounds as well as obtain the first length-space lower bound for semialgebraic proof systems, including Lovász--Schrijver and Lasserre (sum over subsets systems. In particular, these results extend and simplify the works of Beame, Pitassi, and Segerlind [SIAM J. Comput., 37 (2007), pp. 845--869] and Huynh and Nordström [STOC 2012, ACM, NY, 2012, pp. 233--248].

INCOMPLETENESS IN THE FINITE DOMAIN

AbstractMotivated by the problem of finding finite versions of classical incompleteness theorems, we present some conjectures that go beyondNP≠coNP. These conjectures formally connect computational complexity with the difficulty of proving some sentences, which means that high computational complexity of a problem associated with a sentence implies that the sentence is not provable in a weak theory, or requires a long proof. Another reason for putting forward these conjectures is that some results in proof complexity seem to be special cases of such general statements and we want to formalize and fully understand these statements. Roughly speaking, we are trying to connect syntactic complexity, by which we mean the complexity of sentences and strengths of the theories in which they are provable, with the semantic concept of complexity of the computational problems represented by these sentences.We have introduced the most fundamental conjectures in our earlier works [27, 33–35]. Our aim in this article is to present them in a more systematic way, along with several new conjectures, and prove new connections between them and some other statements studied before.

Proof Complexity Modulo the Polynomial Hierarchy

We present and study a framework in which one can present alternation-based lower bounds on proof length in proof systems for quantified Boolean formulas. A key notion in this framework is that of proof system ensemble , which is (essentially) a sequence of proof systems where, for each, proof checking can be performed in the polynomial hierarchy. We introduce a proof system ensemble called relaxing QU-res that is based on the established proof system QU-resolution . Our main results include an exponential separation of the treelike and general versions of relaxing QU-res and an exponential lower bound for relaxing QU-res; these are analogs of classical results in propositional proof complexity.

On the compressibility of finite languages and formal proofs

We consider the minimal number of productions needed for a grammar to cover a finite language L as the grammatical complexity of L. We study this measure for several types of word and tree grammars and show that it is closely connected to well-known measures for the complexity of formal proofs in first-order predicate logic.We construct an incompressible sequence of finite word languages and transfer this and several other results about the complexity of word and tree languages to formal proofs.

An extended characterization of a class of optimal three-weight cyclic codes over any finite field

A characterization of a class of optimal three-weight cyclic codes of dimension 3 over any finite field was recently presented in [10]. Almost immediately thereafter, several classes of cyclic codes with either optimal three weights or a few weights, were given in [3], showing at the same time that one of these classes can be constructed as a generalization of the sufficient numerical conditions of the characterization given in [10]. The main purpose of this work is to show that these numerical conditions that were found in [3], are also necessary. That is, the main contribution in this work is to present an extended characterization of a class of optimal three-weight cyclic codes, in terms of a weight distribution table. Now, note that the kind of characterizations that are given in terms of a weight distribution table are, in general, very difficult to establish. On the other hand, an interesting feature of the present work, in clear contrast with these two preceding works, is that we use some new and non-conventional methods in order to achieve our goals. In fact, through these non-conventional methods, we not only were able to extend the characterization in [10], but also present a less complex proof of such extended characterization, which avoids the use of some of the sophisticated – but at the same time complex – theorems, that are the key arguments of the proofs given in [10] and [3]. Furthermore, we also find the parameters for the dual code of any cyclic code in our extended characterization class. In fact, after the analysis of some examples, it seems that such dual codes always have the same parameters as the best known linear codes.

Bounds of Proof Complexities in Some Systems for Many Valued Logics

Bounds of Proof Complexities in Some Systems for Many Valued Logics

CO2 Monitoring System Prototype using Wireless Sensor Network

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Competitive two-agent scheduling problems to minimize the weighted combination of makespans in a two-machine open shop

ABSTRACTIn this article, a competitive two-agent scheduling problem in a two-machine open shop is studied. The objective is to minimize the weighted sum of the makespans of two competitive agents. A complexity proof is presented for minimizing the weighted combination of the makespan of each agent if the weight α belonging to agent B is arbitrary. Furthermore, two pseudo-polynomial-time algorithms using the largest alternate processing time (LAPT) rule are presented. Finally, two approximation algorithms are presented if the weight is equal to one. Additionally, another approximation algorithm is presented if the weight is larger than one.

Space proof complexity for random 3-CNFs

We investigate the space complexity of refuting 3-CNFs in Resolution and algebraic systems. We prove that every Polynomial Calculus with Resolution refutation of a random 3-CNF φ in n variables requires, with high probability, Ω(n)distinct monomials to be kept simultaneously in memory. The same construction also proves that every Resolution refutation of φ requires, with high probability, Ω(n) clauses each of width Ω(n) to be kept at the same time in memory. This gives a Ω(n2) lower bound for the total space needed in Resolution to refute φ. These results are best possible (up to a constant factor) and answer questions about space complexity of 3-CNFs.The main technical innovation is a variant of Hall's Lemma. We show that in bipartite graphs with bipartition (L,R) and left-degree at most 3, L can be covered by certain families of disjoint paths, called VW-matchings, provided that L expands in R by a factor of (2−ϵ), for ϵ<15.

Having no mathematical model may not secure PUFs

Although numerous attacks revealed the vulnerability of different PUF families to noninvasive machine learning (ML) attacks, the question is still open whether all PUFs might be learnable. Until now, virtually all ML attacks rely on the assumption that a mathematical model of the PUF functionality is known a priori. However, this is not always the case, and attention should be paid to this important aspect of ML attacks. This paper aims to address this issue by providing a provable framework for ML attacks against a PUF family, whose underlying mathematical model is unknown. We prove that this PUF family is inherently vulnerable to our novel probably approximately correct learning framework. We apply our ML algorithm on the Bistable Ring PUF (BR-PUF) family, which is one of the most interesting and prime examples of a PUF with an unknown mathematical model. We practically evaluate our ML algorithm through extensive experiments on BR-PUFs implemented on field-programmable gate arrays. In line with our theoretical findings, our experimental results strongly confirm the effectiveness and applicability of our attack. This is also interesting since our complex proof heavily relies on the spectral properties of Boolean functions, which are known to hold only asymptotically. Along with this proof, we further provide the theorem that all PUFs must have some challenge bit positions, which have larger influences on the responses than other challenge bits.

The Study of Group Scheduling Problems with General Dual-Position-Based Job Processing Times

Scheduling with group technology has been a vivid research area in the past decades. However, group technology with general dual-effect variable processing times needs to be further explored although this kind of group technology plays an important role in some actual manufacturing scenarios. Accordingly, this paper considers group scheduling problems with a kind of general group variable processing times model, where the actual processing time of each job in group is variable due to the dual effect of both the job position and the group position. The objectives of two types of considered problems are to minimize the makespan and the total completion time, respectively. Based on the decomposition analysis, the mathematical logic analysis and the computational complexity proof, it is obtained that the makespan minimization problem and the total completion time minimization problem are both polynomially solvable under the condition that the group number is constant. For three special cases of considered problems, polynomial solving algorithms with lower computational complexity are proposed.

Understanding and maintaining tactics graphically OR how we are learning that a diagram can be worth more than 10K LoC

The use of a functional language to implement proof strategies as proof tactics in interactive theorem provers, often provides short, concise and elegant implementations. Whilst being elegant, the use of higher order features and combinator languages often results in a very procedural view of a strategy, which may deviate significantly from the high-level ideas behind it. This can make a tactic hard to understand and hence difficult to to debug and maintain for experts and non-experts alike: one often has to tear apart complex combinations of lower level tactics manually in order to analyse a failure in the overall strategy. In an industrial technology transfer project, we have been working on porting a very large and complex proof tactic into PSGraph, a graphical language for representing proof strategies. The goal of this work is to improve understandability and maintainability of tactics. Motivated by some initial successes with this, we here extend PSGraph with additional features for development and debugging. Through the re-implementation and refactoring of several existing tactics, we demonstrates the advantages of PSGraph compared with a typical sentential tactic language with respect to debugging, readability and maintenance. In order to act as guidance for others, we give a fairly detailed comparison of the user experience with the two approaches. The paper is supported by a web page providing further details about the implementation as well as interactive illustrations of the examples.

Fully Automated Targeted Confocal and Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy.

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) enables imaging of biological structures in the nanometre range. Long measurement times are the consequence of this kind of microscopy due to the need of acquiring thousands of images. We built a setup that automatically detects target structures using confocal microscopy and images them with SMLM. Utilizing the Konstanz Information Miner (KNIME), we were able to connect a confocal microscope with an SMLM unit for targeted screening. In this process, we developed KNIME plugins to communicate with the microscope components and combined them to a workflow. Thus, measuring biological nanometre-sized structures in a sufficient number to get statistical significance becomes feasible. For proof of principle HIV-1 assembly complexes in HeLa cells derived from transfection of replication deficient viral construct were imaged by a fully automated screen.

Order picking along a crane-supplied pick face: The SKU switching problem

This paper treats an order picking system where a crane continuously relocates stock keeping units (SKUs) in a high-bay rack subdivided into the bottommost picking level and the upper reserve area. The capacity of the pick face is not large enough to store all SKUs, so that the crane has to ensure that all SKUs demanded by a current picking order are timely provided and picker idle time is avoided. We aim at a processing sequence of picking orders and a SKU switching plan, i.e., an instruction when to exchange which SKUs in the picking level, such that an unobstructed order picking is enabled. Our problem is closely related to the tool switching problem of flexible manufacturing. Here, each job requires a subset of tools to be loaded into the tool magazine (with limited capacity) of a single flexible machine. We, however, show that an alternative objective function, i.e., minimizing the maximum number of switches between any successive job pair, is better suited in the warehouse context and even better results can be obtained by a multi-objective approach. Elementary complexity proofs as well as suited solution procedures are provided and we also address managerial aspects, such as the sizing of the pick face.

Analyzing Program Termination and Complexity Automatically with AProVE

In this system description, we present the tool AProVE for automatic termination and complexity proofs of Java, C, Haskell, Prolog, and rewrite systems. In addition to classical term rewrite systems (TRSs), AProVE also supports rewrite systems containing built-in integers (int-TRSs). To analyze programs in high-level languages, AProVE automatically converts them to (int-)TRSs. Then, a wide range of techniques is employed to prove termination and to infer complexity bounds for the resulting rewrite systems. The generated proofs can be exported to check their correctness using automatic certifiers. To use AProVE in software construction, we present a corresponding plug-in for the popular Eclipse software development environment.

Herbrand's theorem revisited

AbstractWe present recent results on the deepening connection between proof theory and formal language theory. To each first‐order proof with prenex cuts of complexity at most Πn/Σn, we associate a typed (non‐deterministic) tree grammar of order n (equivalently, an order n recursion scheme) that abstracts the computation of Herbrand sets obtained through Gentzen‐style cut elimination. Apart from offering a means to compute Herbrand expansions directly from proofs with cuts, these grammars provide a structural counterpart to Herbrand's theorem that opens the door to tackling a number of questions in proof theory such as proof equivalence, proof compression and proof complexity. (© 2016 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)