Related papers: Fixed block configuration group divisible designs …

In this paper we prove that a set of points $B$ of PG(n,2) is a minimal blocking set if and only if $<B>=PG(d,2)$ with $d$ odd and $B$ is a set of $d+2$ points of $PG(d,2)$ no $d+1$ of them in the same hyperplane. As a corollary to the…

This paper studies intersections of principal blocks of a finite group with respect to different primes. We first define the block graph of a finite group $G$, whose vertices are the prime divisors of $|G|$ and there is an edge between two…

A strong $s$-blocking set in a projective space is a set of points that intersects each codimension-$s$ subspace in a spanning set of the subspace. We present an explicit construction of such sets in a $(k - 1)$-dimensional projective space…

A balanced configuration of points on the sphere $S^2$ is a (finite) set of points which are in equilibrium if they act on each other according any force law dependent only on the distance between two points. The configuration is…

This paper deals with block-transitive $t$-$(v,k,\lambda)$ designs in affine spaces for large $t$, with a focus on the important index $\lambda=1$ case. We prove that there are no non-trivial 5-$(v,k,1)$ designs admitting a block-transitive…

A graph is $n$-existentially closed ($n$-e.c.) if for any disjoint subsets $A$, $B$ of vertices with $|{A \cup B}|=n$, there is a vertex $z \notin A \cup B$ adjacent to every vertex of $A$ and no vertex of $B$. For a block design with block…

We show that the structured singular value of a real matrix with respect to five full complex uncertainty blocks equals its convex upper bound. This is done by formulating the equality conditions as a feasibility SDP and invoking a result…

We develop practical tools for analyzing the configuration set $F(G,k)$ of $k\geq 2$ distinct elements in a group $G$. We apply our results to design homogeneous linear systems in $\mathbb{F}_q$ that admit nontrivial solutions. Furthermore,…

We study point-line incidence structures and their properties in the projective plane. Our motivation is the problem of the existence of $(n_4)$ configurations, still open for few remaining values of $n$. Our approach is based on…

In this article, we study $2$-designs with $\gcd(r, \lambda)=1$ admitting a flag-transitive automorphism group. The automorphism groups of these designs are point-primitive of almost simple or affine type. We determine all pairs…

We establish the existence of simple designs with parameters $2$-$(55,10,4)$, $3$-$(20,5,4)$, $3$-$(21,7,30)$, $4$-$(15,5,2)$, $4$-$(16,8,45)$, $5$-$(16,7,10)$, and $5$-$(17,8,40)$, which have previously been unknown. For the corresponding…

Optimal block designs in small blocks are explored when the treatments have a natural ordering and interest lies in comparing consecutive pairs of treatments. We first develop an approximate theory which leads to a convenient multiplicative…

This paper is an attempt to compute the decomposition numbers of the blocks of the symmetric group which have "small defect"; that is, blocks of weight smaller than the characteristic. We present various methods for computing such…

We consider the problem of embedding a symmetric configuration with block size 3 in an orientable surface in such a way that the blocks of the configuration form triangular faces and there is only one extra large face. We develop a…

Unitary designs are essential tools in several quantum information protocols. Similarly to other design concepts, unitary designs are mainly used to facilitate averaging over a relevant space, in this case, the unitary group…

Given an integer $k\ge3$ and a group $G$ of odd order, if there exists a $2$-$(v,k,1)$-design and if $v$ is sufficiently large, then there is such a design whose automorphism group has a subgroup isomorphic to $G$. A weaker result is proved…

This paper develops an explicit and implementable framework for constructing spherical designs by lifting point sets from tight fusion frames. By combining existing ingredients, we obtain, in every dimension, explicit spherical $5$-designs…

We establish that if $d \geq 2k + 6$ and $q$ is odd and sufficiently large with respect to $\alpha \in (0,1)$, then every set $A\subseteq \mathbf{F}_q^d$ of size $|A| \geq \alpha q^d$ will contain an isometric copy of every spherical…

A (q,k,t)-design matrix is an m x n matrix whose pattern of zeros/non-zeros satisfies the following design-like condition: each row has at most q non-zeros, each column has at least k non-zeros and the supports of every two columns…

Near maximum distance separable (NMDS) codes, where both the code and its dual are almost maximum distance separable, play pivotal roles in combinatorial design theory and cryptographic applications. Despite progress in fixed dimensions…