The model of span programs is a linear algebraic model of
computation. Lower bounds for span programs imply lower bounds for
contact schemes, symmetric branching programs and for formula size.
Monotone span programs correspond also to linear secret-sharing schemes.
We present a new technique for proving lower bounds for ... more >>>

We show that the class of monotone $2^{O(\sqrt{\log n})}$-term DNF
formulae can be PAC learned in polynomial time under the uniform
distribution. This is an exponential improvement over previous
algorithms in this model, which could learn monotone
$o(\log^2 n)$-term DNF, and is the first efficient algorithm
for ... more >>>