Derivations into duals of ideals of Banach algebras

We introduce two notions of amenability for a Banach algebra A. LetI be a closed two-sided ideal inA, we sayA is I-weakly amenable if the first cohomology group ofA with coefficients in the dual space I* is zero; i.e.,H ¹(A, I*) = {0}, and,A is ideally amenable ifA isI-weakly amenable for every closed two-sided idealI inA. We relate these concepts to weak amenability of Banach algebras. We also show that ideal amenability is different from amenability and weak amenability. We study theI-weak amenability of a Banach algebraA for some special closed two-sided idealI.     

Character Connes amenability of dual Banach algebras

We study the notion of character Connes amenability of dual Banach algebras and show that if A is an Arens regular Banach algebra, then A^** is character Connes amenable if and only if A is character amenable, which will resolve positively Runde’s problem for this concept of amenability. We then characterize character Connes amenability of various dual Banach algebras related to locally compact groups. We also investigate character Connes amenability of Lau product and module extension of Banach algebras. These help us to give examples of dual Banach algebras which are not Connes amenable.     

On the generalized Lie structure of associative algebras

We study the structure of Lie algebras in the category ^H MA ofH-comodules for a cotriangular bialgebra (H, 〈|〉) and in particular theH-Lie structure of an algebraA in ^H MA. We show that ifA is a sum of twoH-commutative subrings, then theH-commutator ideal ofA is nilpotent; thus ifA is also semiprime,A isH-commutative. We show an analogous result for arbitraryH-Lie algebras whenH is cocommutative. We next discuss theH-Lie ideal structure ofA. We show that ifA isH-simple andH is cocommutative, then any non-commutativeH-Lie idealU ofA must contain [A, A]. IfU is commutative andH is a group algebra, we show thatU is in the graded center ifA is a graded domain. Dedicated to the memory of S. A. Amitsur Supported by a Fulbright grant. Supported by NSF grant DMS-9203375.     

Approximate and pseudo-amenability of various classes of Banach algebras

We continue the investigation of notions of approximate amenability that were introduced in work of the second and third authors together with R.J. Loy. It is shown that every boundedly approximately contractible Banach algebra has a bounded approximate identity, and that the Fourier algebra of the free group on two generators is not operator approximately amenable. Further examples are obtained of ?¹-semigroup algebras which are approximately amenable but not amenable; using these, we show that bounded approximate contractibility need not imply sequential approximate amenability. Results are also given for Segal algebras on locally compact groups, and algebras of p-pseudo-functions on discrete groups.     

(Super) module amenability, module topological centre and semigroup algebras

For a Banach algebra $\mathcal{A}For a Banach algebra A\mathcal{A} which is also an \mathfrakA\mathfrak{A}-bimodule, we study relations between module amenability of closed subalgebras of A"\mathcal{A}', which contains A\mathcal{A}, and module Arens regularity of A\mathcal{A} and the role of the module topological centre in module amenability of A"\mathcal{A}'. Then we apply these results to A=l¹(S)\mathcal{A}=l^{1}(S) and \mathfrakA=l¹(E)\mathfrak{A}=l^{1}(E) for an inverse semigroup S with subsemigroup E of idempotents. We also show that l ¹(S) is module amenable (equivalently, S is amenable) if and only if an appropriate group homomorphic image of S, the discrete group \fracS ? \frac{S}{\approx}, is amenable. Moreover, we define super module amenability and show that l ¹(S) is super module amenable if and only if \fracS ? \frac{S}{\approx} is finite.     

Banach space properties forcing a reflexive, amenable Banach algebra to be trivial

It is an open problem whether an infinite-dimensional amenable Banach algebra exists whose underlying Banach space is reflexive. We give sufficient conditions for a reflexive, amenable Banach algebra to be finite-dimensional (and thus a finite direct sum of full matrix algebras). If \frak A {\frak A} is a reflexive, amenable Banach algebra such that for each maximal left ideal L of \frak A {\frak A} (i) the quotient \frak A/L {\frak A}/L has the approximation property and (ii) the canonical map from \frak A \check? L^{^} {\frak A} \check{\otimes} L^\perp to (\frak A / L) \check? L^{^} ({\frak A} / L) \check{\otimes} L^\perp is open, then \frak A {\frak A} is finite-dimensional. As an application, we show that, if \frak A {\frak A} is an amenable Banach algebra whose underlying Banach space is an \scr L^p {\scr L}^p -space with p ? (1,￥) p\in (1,\infty) such that for each maximal left ideal L the quotient \frak A/L {\frak A}/L has the approximation property, then \frak A {\frak A} is finite-dimensional.     

Dynamical Systems Associated with Crossed Products

In this paper, we consider both algebraic crossed products of commutative complex algebras A with the integers under an automorphism of A, and Banach algebra crossed products of commutative C ^*-algebras A with the integers under an automorphism of A. We investigate, in particular, connections between algebraic properties of these crossed products and topological properties of naturally associated dynamical systems. For example, we draw conclusions about the ideal structure of the crossed product by investigating the dynamics of such a system. To begin with, we recall results in this direction in the context of an algebraic crossed product and give simplified proofs of generalizations of some of these results. We also investigate new questions, for example about ideal intersection properties of algebras properly between the coefficient algebra A and its commutant A′. Furthermore, we introduce a Banach algebra crossed product and study the relation between the structure of this algebra and the topological dynamics of a naturally associated system.     

Duality and operator algebras: automatic weak* continuity and applications

We investigate some subtle and interesting phenomena in the duality theory of operator spaces and operator algebras, and give several applications of the surprising fact that certain maps are always weak^*-continuous on dual spaces. In particular, if X is a subspace of a C^*-algebra A, and if a∈A satisfies aX⊂X, then we show that the function x?ax on X is automatically weak^* continuous if either (a) X is a dual operator space, or (b) a^*X⊂X and X is a dual Banach space. These results hinge on a generalization to Banach modules of Tomiyama's famous theorem on contractive projections onto a C^*-subalgebra. Applications include a new characterization of the σ-weakly closed (possibly nonunital and nonselfadjoint) operator algebras, and a generalization of the theory of W^*-modules to the framework of modules over such algebras. We also give a Banach module characterization of σ-weakly closed spaces of operators which are invariant under the action of a von Neumann algebra.     

New associative and nonassociative Gelfand-Naimark theorems

We prove that, ifA is a complex Banach algebra with a unit 1 and a conjugate-linear vector space involution^* such that 1^*=1 and‖a ^*a‖=‖a^*‖ ‖a‖ for alla inA, and ifdim(A)≥3, thenA is a C^*-algebra. The two-dimensional case is also considered and described.     

On character amenability of semigroup algebras

We study the character amenability of semigroup algebras. We work on general semigroups and certain semigroups such as inverse semigroups with a finite number of idempotents, inverse semigroups with uniformly locally finite idempotent set, Brandt and Rees semigroup and study the character amenability of the semigroup algebra l¹(S) in relation to the structures of the semigroup S. In particular, we show that for any semigroup S, if ?¹(S) is character amenable, then S is amenable and regular. We also show that the left character amenability of the semigroup algebra ?¹(S) on a Brandt semigroup S over a group G with index set J is equivalent to the amenability of G and J being finite. Finally, we show that for a Rees semigroup S with a zero over the group G, the left character amenability of ?¹(S) is equivalent to its amenability, this is in turn equivalent to G being amenable.     

Weak Module Amenability for Semigroup Algebras

We study the weak module amenability of Banach algebras which are Banach module over another Banach algebra with compatible actions. As an example we show that the semigroup algebra of a commutative inverse semigroup is always weakly amenable as a module over the semigroup algebra of its subsemigroup of idempotents.     

Ideal amenability of module Lau Banach algebra

Given Banach algebras $A$ and $B$, where $A$ be a Banach $B$-bimodule. In this paper we study the ideal amenability, approximate ideal and cyclic ideal amenability of module Lau Banach algebra $A{\times }_{\alpha }B$.     

Nilpotent n-Lie Algebras

We find examples of nilpotent n-Lie algebras and prove n-Lie analogs of classical group theory and Lie algebra results. As an example we show that a nilpotent ideal I of class c in a n-Lie algebra A with A/I ² nilpotent of class d is nilpotent and find a bound on the class of A. We also find that some classical group theory and Lie algebra results do not hold in n-Lie algebras. In particular, non-nilpotent n-Lie algebras can admit a regular automorphism of order p, and the sum of nilpotent ideals need not be nilpotent.     

Approximate amenability is not bounded approximate amenability

We obtain a new criterion sufficient for approximate amenability of Banach algebras, and an associated criterion sufficient for approximate amenability of _c0$c_0$-direct sums of approximately amenable Banach algebras. We use these criteria to give examples of Banach algebras which are approximately amenable, but not boundedly approximately amenable. Thus we answer a question which was open since the year 2004. This is, so to speak, the complementary result to one of our earlier ones in the paper [F. Ghahramani, C.J. Read, Approximate identities in approximate amenability, J. Funct. Anal. 262 (9) (2012) 3929–3945], where we gave examples of boundedly approximately amenable Banach algebras that are not boundedly approximately contractible.     

Amenability constants for semilattice algebras

For any finite commutative idempotent semigroup S, a semilattice, we show how to compute the amenability constant of its semigroup algebra ℓ ¹(S). This amenability constant is always of the form 4n+1. We then show that these give lower bounds to amenability constants of certain Banach algebras graded over semilattices. We also give example of a commutative Clifford semigroups G _n whose semigroup algebras ℓ ¹(G _n ) admit amenability constants of the form 41+4(n−1)/n. We also show there is no commutative semigroup whose semigroup algebra has an amenability constant between 5 and 9. N. Spronk’s research was supported by NSERC Grant 312515-05.     

Simple algebras of Weyl type

Over a fieldF of arbitrary characteristic, we define the associative and the Lie algebras of Weyl type on the same vector spaceA[D] =A⊗F[D] from any pair of a commutative associative algebra,A with an identity element and the polynomial algebraF[D] of a commutative derivation subalgebraD ofA We prove thatA[D], as a Lie algebra (modulo its center) or as an associative algebra, is simple if and only ifA isD-simple andA[D] acts faithfully onA. Thus we obtain a lot of simple algebras. Su, Y., Zhao, K., Second cohornology group of generalized Witt type Lie algebras and certain representations, submitted to publication     

Inverse closedness ofC *-algebras in Banach algebras

LetA denote a unital Banach algebra, and letB denote aC ^*-algebra which is contained as a unital subalgebra inA. We prove thatB is inverse closed inA if the norms ofA andB coincide. This generalizes well known result about inverse closedness ofC ^*-subalgebras inC ^*-algebras.     

Algebraic properties of isometries between groups of invertible elements in Banach algebras

We prove that an isometry T between open subgroups of the invertible groups of unital Banach algebras A and B is extended to a real-linear isometry up to translation between these Banach algebras. While a unital isometry between unital semisimple commutative Banach algebras need not be multiplicative, we prove in this paper that if A is commutative and A or B are semisimple, then (T(eA))⁻¹T is extended to an isometric real algebra isomorphism from A onto B. In particular, A−1 is isometric as a metric space to B−1 if and only if they are isometrically isomorphic to each other as metrizable groups if and only if A is isometrically isomorphic to B as a real Banach algebra; it is compared by the example of ?elazko concerning on non-isomorphic Banach algebras with the homeomorphically isomorphic invertible groups. Isometries between open subgroups of the invertible groups of unital closed standard operator algebras on Banach spaces are investigated and their general forms are given.     

π-Complemented Algebras Through Pseudocomplemented Lattices

For an ideal I of a nonassociative algebra A, the ??-closure of I is defined by $\overline{I} = {\rm Ann}({\rm Ann} (I))$ , where Ann(I) denotes the annihilator of I, i.e., the largest ideal J of A such that IJ?=?JI?=?0. An algebra A is said to be ??-complemented if for every ??-closed ideal U of A there exists a ??-closed ideal V of A such that A?=?U????V. For instance, the centrally closed semiprime ring, and the AW ^?-algebras (or more generally, boundedly centrally closed C ^?-algebras) are ??-complemented algebras. In this paper we develop a structure theory for ??-complemented algebras by using and revisiting some results of the structure theory for pseudocomplemented lattices.