Interpolation between bases and the shuffle exchange network (Q1114665)

Let \(u_ 1,...,u_ n\) and \(v_ 1,...,v_ n\) be bases of a vector space (the interesting case, when the underlying field is finite). Then there exist vectors \(w_ 1,...,w_{n-1}\) such that every n consecutive vectors in the sequence \(u_ 1,...,u_ n\), \(w_ 1,...,w_{n-1},v_ 1,...,v_ n\) form a basis. Similar statements hold in structures other then vector spaces. The case of a free Boolean algebra is shown to be equivalent to an open problem in switching network theory.