This thesis is divided into three parts, the first and second ones focused on combinatorics and classification problems on discrete and geometrical objects in the context of descriptive set theory, and the third one on generalized descriptive set theory at singular cardinals of countable cofinality.

Descriptive Set Theory (briefly: DST) is the study of definable subsets of Polish spaces, i.e., separable completely metrizable spaces. One of the major branches of DST is Borel reducibility, successfully used in the last 30 years to solve and compare many classification problems. One of our goals is the classification of knots, very familiar and tangible objects in everyday life, which also play an important role in modern mathematics. The study of knots and their properties is known as knot theory. Our plan is to gain insight into knots using discrete objects, such as linear and circular orders. This approach was already exploited in [6]. The first part of this work is therefore devoted to countable linear orders and the study of the quasi-order of convex embeddability and its induced equivalence relation. We obtain both combinatorial and descriptive set-theoretic results. We also expand our research to the case of circular orders.

Another objective of this first part is to extend the notion of convex embeddability on countable linear orders. We provide a family of quasi-orders of which embeddability is a particular case as well. We study these quasi-orders from a combinatorial point of view and analyse their complexity with respect to Borel reducibility. Furthermore, we extend the analysis of these quasi-orders to the set of uncountable linear orders.

The second part of the project deals with classification problems on knots and $3$-manifolds. The goal here is to apply the results obtained in the first part to the study of proper arcs and knots, establishing lower bounds for the complexity of some natural relations between these geometrical objects. We also obtain some combinatorial results which are particularly interesting when we restrict to the set of wild proper arcs and wild knots, classes which haven’t received much attention so far. These parts are included in the two preprints [4, 5] in collaboration with my supervisor Alberto Marcone, Luca Motto Ros (University of Torino), and Vadim Weinstein (University of Oulu).

The second part of this work also includes the classification of non-compact $3$-manifolds up to homeomorphism (the case of compact $3$-manifolds has already been solved: indeed, there are only countably many $3$-manifolds up to homeomorphism; see [7]), and that of Cantor sets of $\mathbb {R}^3$ up to conjugation (answering to Question 5.5 of [3]). Here we resort to algebraic tools. Stone duality gives a neat way to go back-and-forth between totally disconnected Polish spaces and countable Boolean algebras (see [1]). The main ingredient is the Stone space of all ultrafilters on a Boolean algebra. In this work we introduce a weaker concept which we call “blurry filter”. Using blurry filters instead of ultrafilters enables one to extend the class of spaces under consideration beyond totally disconnected. As an application of this method, we show that both homeomorphism on non-compact $3$-manifolds and conjugation of Cantor sets in $\mathbb {R}^3$ are completely classifiable by countable structures. These results are part of an upcoming paper in collaboration with Vadim Weinstein.

The last part of this thesis concerns the natural generalization of descriptive set theory that occurs when countable is replaced by uncountable, called Generalized Descriptive Set Theory (briefly: GDST). In particular, we focus on the case of GDST for a singular cardinal $\kappa $ of countable cofinality. The goal here is to study the generalizations of the Perfect Set Property and the Baire Property to subsets of spaces of higher cardinalities, like the power set $\mathcal {P}(\kappa )$. We consider the question under which large cardinal hypotheses classes of definable subsets of these spaces possess such regularity properties, focusing on rank-into-rank axioms, like I2, and classes of sets definable by $\Sigma _1$-formulas with parameters from various collections of sets. The obtained results are included in [2], a joint work with my co-supervisor Vincenzo Dimonte and Philipp Lücke (University of Hamburg).

Abstract prepared by Martina Iannella

E-mail: [email protected].

URL: https://air.uniud.it/handle/11390/1262824.

We investigate the statement “all automorphisms of ${\mathcal {P}}(\lambda )/[\lambda ]^{<\lambda }$ are trivial.” We show that MA implies the statement for regular uncountable $\lambda <2^{\aleph _0}$, that the statement is false for measurable $\lambda $ if $2^\lambda =\lambda ^+$, and that for “densely trivial” it can be forced (together with $2^\lambda =\lambda ^{++}$) for inaccessible $\lambda $.

The axiom of dependent choice ($\mathsf {DC}$) and the axiom of countable choice (${\mathsf {AC}}_\omega $) are two weak forms of the axiom of choice that can be stated for a specific set: $\mathsf {DC} ( X )$ asserts that any total binary relation on X has an infinite chain, while ${\mathsf {AC}}_\omega ( X )$ asserts that any countable collection of nonempty subsets of X has a choice function. It is well-known that $\mathsf {DC} \Rightarrow {\mathsf {AC}}_\omega $. We study for which sets and under which hypotheses $\mathsf {DC} ( X ) \Rightarrow {\mathsf {AC}}_\omega ( X )$, and then we show it is consistent with $\mathsf {ZF}$ that there is a set $A \subseteq \mathbb {R}$ for which $\mathsf {DC} ( A )$ holds, but ${\mathsf {AC}}_\omega ( A )$ fails.

Assume that M is a transitive model of $ZFC+CH$ containing a simplified $(\omega _1,2)$-morass, $P\in M$ is the poset adding $\aleph _3$ generic reals and G is P-generic over M. In M we construct a function between sets of terms in the forcing language, that interpreted in $M[G]$ is an $\mathbb R$-linear order-preserving monomorphism from the finite elements of an ultrapower of the reals, over a non-principal ultrafilter on $\omega $, into the Esterle algebra of formal power series. Therefore it is consistent that $2^{\aleph _0}>\aleph _2$ and, for any infinite compact Hausdorff space X, there exists a discontinuous homomorphism of $C(X)$, the algebra of continuous real-valued functions on X.

A partition is finitary if all its members are finite. For a set A, $\mathscr {B}(A)$ denotes the set of all finitary partitions of A. It is shown consistent with $\mathsf {ZF}$ (without the axiom of choice) that there exist an infinite set A and a surjection from A onto $\mathscr {B}(A)$. On the other hand, we prove in $\mathsf {ZF}$ some theorems concerning $\mathscr {B}(A)$ for infinite sets A, among which are the following:

1. (1) If there is a finitary partition of A without singleton blocks, then there are no surjections from A onto $\mathscr {B}(A)$ and no finite-to-one functions from $\mathscr {B}(A)$ to A.

2. (2) For all $n\in \omega $, $|A^n|<|\mathscr {B}(A)|$.

3. (3) $|\mathscr {B}(A)|\neq |\mathrm {seq}(A)|$, where $\mathrm {seq}(A)$ is the set of all finite sequences of elements of A.

For many years, there have been conducting research (e.g., by Bergelson, Furstenberg, Kojman, Kubiś, Shelah, Szeptycki, Weiss) into sequentially compact spaces that are, in a sense, topological counterparts of some combinatorial theorems, for instance, Ramsey’s theorem for coloring graphs, Hindman’s finite sums theorem, and van der Waerden’s arithmetical progressions theorem. These spaces are defined with the aid of different kinds of convergences: IP-convergence, R-convergence, and ordinary convergence.

The first aim of this paper is to present a unified approach to these various types of convergences and spaces. Then, using this unified approach, we prove some general theorems about existence of the considered spaces and show that all results obtained so far in this subject can be derived from our theorems.

The second aim of this paper is to obtain new results about the specific types of these spaces. For instance, we construct a Hausdorff Hindman space that is not an $\mathcal {I}_{1/n}$-space and a Hausdorff differentially compact space that is not Hindman. Moreover, we compare Ramsey spaces with other types of spaces. For instance, we construct a Ramsey space that is not Hindman and a Hindman space that is not Ramsey.

The last aim of this paper is to provide a characterization that shows when there exists a space of one considered type that is not of the other kind. This characterization is expressed in purely combinatorial manner with the aid of the so-called Katětov order that has been extensively examined for many years so far.

This paper may interest the general audience of mathematicians as the results we obtain are on the intersection of topology, combinatorics, set theory, and number theory.

Cummings, Foreman, and Magidor proved that Jensen’s square principle is non-compact at $\aleph _\omega $, meaning that it is consistent that $\square _{\aleph _n}$ holds for all $n<\omega $ while $\square _{\aleph _\omega }$ fails. We investigate the natural question of whether this phenomenon generalizes to singulars of uncountable cofinality. Surprisingly, we show that under some mild ${{\mathsf {PCF}}}$-theoretic hypotheses, the weak square principle $\square _\kappa ^*$ is in fact compact at singulars of uncountable cofinality.

We investigate the notion of strong measure zero sets in the context of the higher Cantor space $2^\kappa $ for $\kappa $ at least inaccessible. Using an iteration of perfect tree forcings, we give two proofs of the relative consistency of

$$\begin{align*}|2^\kappa| = \kappa^{++} + \forall X \subseteq 2^\kappa:\ X \textrm{ is strong measure zero if and only if } |X| \leq \kappa^+. \end{align*}$$

We propose a reformulation of the ideal $\mathcal {N}$ of Lebesgue measure zero sets of reals modulo an ideal J on $\omega $, which we denote by $\mathcal {N}_J$. In the same way, we reformulate the ideal $\mathcal {E}$ generated by $F_\sigma $ measure zero sets of reals modulo J, which we denote by $\mathcal {N}^*_J$. We show that these are $\sigma $-ideals and that $\mathcal {N}_J=\mathcal {N}$ iff J has the Baire property, which in turn is equivalent to $\mathcal {N}^*_J=\mathcal {E}$. Moreover, we prove that $\mathcal {N}_J$ does not contain co-meager sets and $\mathcal {N}^*_J$ contains non-meager sets when J does not have the Baire property. We also prove a deep connection between these ideals modulo J and the notion of nearly coherence of filters (or ideals).

We also study the cardinal characteristics associated with $\mathcal {N}_J$ and $\mathcal {N}^*_J$. We show their position with respect to Cichoń’s diagram and prove consistency results in connection with other very classical cardinal characteristics of the continuum, leaving just very few open questions. To achieve this, we discovered a new characterization of $\mathrm {add}(\mathcal {N})$ and $\mathrm {cof}(\mathcal {N})$. We also show that, in Cohen model, we can obtain many different values to the cardinal characteristics associated with our new ideals.

There is a balance between the amount of (weak) indestructibility one can have and the amount of strong cardinals. It’s consistent relative to large cardinals to have lots of strong cardinals and all of their degrees of strength are weakly indestructible. But this necessitates the destructibility of the partially strong cardinals. Guaranteeing the indestructibility of the partially strong cardinals is shown to be harder. In particular, this work establishes an equiconsistency between:

1. 1. a proper class of cardinals that are strong reflecting strongs; and

2. 2. weak indestructibility for (κ+2)-strength for all cardinals κ in the presence of a proper class of strong cardinals.

1. 3. weak indestructibility for all degrees of strength for a proper class of strong cardinals.

One direction of the equiconsistency of (1) and (2) is proven using forcing and the other using core model techniques from inner model theory. Additionally, connections between weak indestructibility and the reflection properties associated with Woodin cardinals are discussed, and similar results are derived for supercompacts and supercompacts reflecting supercompacts.

Abstract prepared by James Holland.

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://sites.math.rutgers.edu/~jch258/assets/dis.pdf

Given an uncountable cardinal $\kappa $, we consider the question of whether subsets of the power set of $\kappa $ that are usually constructed with the help of the axiom of choice are definable by $\Sigma _1$-formulas that only use the cardinal $\kappa $ and sets of hereditary cardinality less than $\kappa $ as parameters. For limits of measurable cardinals, we prove a perfect set theorem for sets definable in this way and use it to generalize two classical nondefinability results to higher cardinals. First, we show that a classical result of Mathias on the complexity of maximal almost disjoint families of sets of natural numbers can be generalized to measurable limits of measurables. Second, we prove that for a limit of countably many measurable cardinals, the existence of a simply definable well-ordering of subsets of $\kappa $ of length at least $\kappa ^+$ implies the existence of a projective well-ordering of the reals. In addition, we determine the exact consistency strength of the nonexistence of $\Sigma _1$-definitions of certain objects at singular strong limit cardinals. Finally, we show that both large cardinal assumptions and forcing axioms cause analogs of these statements to hold at the first uncountable cardinal $\omega _1$.

In this paper we prove that from large cardinals it is consistent that there is a singular strong limit cardinal $\nu $ such that the singular cardinal hypothesis fails at $\nu $ and every collection of fewer than $\operatorname {\mathrm {cf}}(\nu )$ stationary subsets of $\nu ^{+}$ reflects simultaneously. For $\operatorname {\mathrm {cf}}(\nu )> \omega $, this situation was not previously known to be consistent. Using different methods, we reduce the upper bound on the consistency strength of this situation for $\operatorname {\mathrm {cf}}(\nu ) = \omega $ to below a single partially supercompact cardinal. The previous upper bound of infinitely many supercompact cardinals was due to Sharon.

We consider of constructing normal ultrafilters in extensions are here Easton support iterations of Prikry-type forcing notions. New ways presented. It turns out that, in contrast with other supports, seemingly unrelated measures or extenders can be involved here.

We establish an equiconsistency between (1) weak indestructibility for all $\kappa +2$-degrees of strength for cardinals $\kappa $ in the presence of a proper class of strong cardinals, and (2) a proper class of cardinals that are strong reflecting strongs. We in fact get weak indestructibility for degrees of strength far beyond $\kappa +2$, well beyond the next inaccessible limit of measurables (of the ground model). One direction is proven using forcing and the other using core model techniques from inner model theory. Additionally, connections between weak indestructibility and the reflection properties associated with Woodin cardinals are discussed. This work is a part of my upcoming thesis [7].

It is consistent relative to an inaccessible cardinal that ZF+DC holds, and the hypergraph of isosceles triangles on $\mathbb {R}^2$ has countable chromatic number while the hypergraph of isosceles triangles on $\mathbb {R}^3$ has uncountable chromatic number.

1. (1) We show that it is possible to add $\kappa ^+$-Cohen subsets to $\kappa $ with a Prikry forcing over $\kappa $. This answers a question from [9].

2. (2) A strengthening of non-Galvin property is introduced. It is shown to be consistent using a single measurable cardinal which improves a previous result by S. Garti, S. Shelah, and the first author [5].

3. (3) A situation with Extender-based Prikry forcings is examined. This relates to a question of H. Woodin.

We investigate a variety of cut and choose games, their relationship with (generic) large cardinals, and show that they can be used to characterize a number of properties of ideals and of partial orders: certain notions of distributivity, strategic closure, and precipitousness.

We investigate the effect of adding $\omega _2$ Cohen reals on graphs on $\omega _2$, in particular we show that $\omega _2 \to (\omega _2, \omega : \omega )^2$ holds after forcing with $\mathsf {Add}(\omega , \omega _2)$ in a model of $\mathsf {CH}$. We also prove that this result is in a certain sense optimal as $\mathsf {Add}(\omega , \omega _2)$ forces that $\omega _2 \not \to (\omega _2, \omega : \omega _1)^2$.

We show that under $\mathsf {BMM}$ and “there exists a Woodin cardinal,$"$ the nonstationary ideal on $\omega _1$ cannot be defined by a $\Pi _1$ formula with parameter $A \subset \omega _1$. We show that the same conclusion holds under the assumption of Woodin’s $(\ast )$-axiom. We further show that there are universes where $\mathsf {BPFA}$ holds and $\text {NS}_{\omega _1}$ is $\Pi _1(\{\omega _1\})$-definable. Lastly we show that if the canonical inner model with one Woodin cardinal $M_1$ exists, there is a generic extension of $M_1$ in which $\text {NS}_{\omega _1}$ is saturated and $\Pi _1(\{ \omega _1\} )$-definable, and $\mathsf {MA_{\omega _1}}$ holds.

The main purpose of this dissertation is to apply and develop new forcing techniques to obtain models where several cardinal characteristics are pairwise different as well as force many (even more, continuum many) different values of cardinal characteristics that are parametrized by reals. In particular, we look at cardinal characteristics associated with strong measure zero, Yorioka ideals, and localization and anti-localization cardinals.

In this thesis we introduce the property “F-linked” of subsets of posets for a given free filter F on the natural numbers, and define the properties “$\mu $-F-linked” and “$\theta $-F-Knaster” for posets in a natural way. We show that $\theta $-F-Knaster posets preserve strong types of unbounded families and of maximal almost disjoint families. These kinds of posets led to the development of a general technique to construct $\theta $-$\textrm {Fr}$-Knaster posets (where $\textrm {Fr}$ is the Frechet ideal) via matrix iterations of ${<}\theta $-ultrafilter-linked posets (restricted to some level of the matrix). The latter technique allows proving consistency results about Cichoń’s diagram (without using large cardinals) and to prove the consistency of the fact that, for each Yorioka ideal, the four cardinal characteristics associated with it are pairwise different. Another important application is to show that three strongly compact cardinals are enough to force that Cichoń’s diagram can be separated into 10 different values. Later on, it was shown by Goldstern, Kellner, Mejía, and Shelah that no large cardinals are needed for Cichoń’s maximum (J. Eur. Math. Soc. 24 (2022), no. 11, p. 3951–3967).

On the other hand, we deal with certain types of tree forcings including Sacks forcing, and show that these increase the covering of the strong measure zero ideal $\mathcal {SN}$. As a consequence, in Sacks model, such covering number is equal to the size of the continuum, which indicates that this covering number is consistently larger than any other classical cardinal characteristics of the continuum. Even more, Sacks forcing can be used to force that $\operatorname {\mathrm{non}}(\mathcal {SN})<\operatorname {\mathrm{cov}}(\mathcal {SN})<\operatorname {\mathrm{cof}}(\mathcal {SN})$, which is the first consistency result where more than two cardinal characteristics associated with $\mathcal {SN}$ are pairwise different. To obtain another result in this direction, we provide bounds for $\operatorname {\mathrm{cof}}(\mathcal {SN})$, which generalizes Yorioka’s characterization of $\mathcal {SN}$ (J. Symbolic Logic 67.4 (2002), p. 1373–1384). As a consequence, we get the consistency of $\operatorname {\mathrm{add}}(\mathcal {SN})=\operatorname {\mathrm{cov}}(\mathcal {SN})<\operatorname {\mathrm{non}}(\mathcal {SN})<\operatorname {\mathrm{cof}}(\mathcal {SN})$ with ZFC (via a matrix iteration forcing construction).

We conclude this thesis by combining creature forcing approaches by Kellner and Shelah (Arch. Math. Logic 51.1–2 (2012), p. 49–70) and by Fischer, Goldstern, Kellner, and Shelah (Arch. Math. Logic 56.7–8 (2017), p. 1045–1103) to show that, under CH, there is a proper $\omega ^\omega $-bounding poset with $\aleph _2$-cc that forces continuum many pairwise different cardinal characteristics, parametrized by reals, for each one of the following six types: uniformity and covering numbers of Yorioka ideals as well as both kinds of localization and anti-localization cardinals, respectively. This answers several open questions from Klausner and Mejía (Arch. Math. Logic 61 (2022), pp. 653–683).

Abstract prepared by Miguel Antonio Cardona-Montoya

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://repositum.tuwien.at/handle/20.500.12708/19629