The 2-category theory of quasi-categories

In this paper we re-develop the foundations of the category theory of quasi-categories (also called ∞-categories) using 2-category theory. We show that Joyal's strict 2-category of quasi-categories admits certain weak 2-limits, among them weak comma objects. We use these comma quasi-categories to encode universal properties relevant to limits, colimits, and adjunctions and prove the expected theorems relating these notions. These universal properties have an alternate form as absolute lifting diagrams in the 2-category, which we show are determined pointwise by the existence of certain initial or terminal vertices, allowing for the easy production of examples.     

Homotopy algebras and the inverse of the normalization functor

In this paper, we investigate multiplicative properties of the classical Dold-Kan correspondence. The inverse of the normalization functor maps commutative differential graded algebras to E_∞-algebras. We prove that it in fact sends algebras over arbitrary differential graded E_∞-operads to E_∞-algebras in simplicial modules and is part of a Quillen adjunction. More generally, this inverse maps homotopy algebras to weak homotopy algebras. We prove the corresponding dual results for algebras under the conormalization, and for coalgebra structures under the normalization resp. the inverse of the conormalization.     

Three models for the homotopy theory of homotopy theories

Given any model category, or more generally any category with weak equivalences, its simplicial localization is a simplicial category which can rightfully be called the “homotopy theory” of the model category. There is a model category structure on the category of simplicial categories, so taking its simplicial localization yields a “homotopy theory of homotopy theories”. In this paper we show that there are two different categories of diagrams of simplicial sets, each equipped with an appropriate definition of weak equivalence, such that the resulting homotopy theories are each equivalent to the homotopy theory arising from the model category structure on simplicial categories. Thus, any of these three categories with the respective weak equivalences could be considered a model for the homotopy theory of homotopy theories. One of them in particular, Rezk’s complete Segal space model category structure on the category of simplicial spaces, is much more convenient from the perspective of making calculations and therefore obtaining information about a given homotopy theory.     

The Boardman-Vogt resolution of operads in monoidal model categories

We extend the -construction of Boardman and Vogt to operads of an arbitrary monoidal model category with suitable interval, and show that it provides a cofibrant resolution for well-pointed Σ-cofibrant operads. The standard simplicial resolution of Godement as well as the cobar-bar chain resolution are shown to be particular instances of this generalised -construction.     

On the universal coefficients formula for shape homology

In this paper it is investigated whether various shape homology theories satisfy the Universal Coefficients Formula (UCF). It is proved that pro-homology and strong homology satisfy UCF in the class FAB of finitely generated abelian groups, while they do not satisfy UCF in the class AB of all abelian groups. Two new shape homology theories (called UCF-balanced) are constructed. It is proved that balanced pro-homology satisfies UCF in the class AB, while balanced strong homology satisfies UCF only in the class FAB.     

On the hierarchy of cohomological dimensions of groups

Using Auslander’s G-dimension, we assign a numerical invariant to any group Γ. It provides a refinement of the cohomological dimension and fits well into the well-known hierarchy of dimensions assigned already to Γ. We study this dimension and show its power in reflecting the properties of the underlying group. We also discuss its connections to relative and Tate cohomology of groups.     

Weighted limits in simplicial homotopy theory

By combining ideas of homotopical algebra and of enriched category theory, we explain how two classical formulas for homotopy colimits, one arising from the work of Quillen and one arising from the work of Bousfield and Kan, are instances of general formulas for the derived functor of the weighted colimit functor.     

A generalization of Quillen's small object argument

We generalize the small object argument in order to allow for its application to proper classes of maps (as opposed to sets of maps in Quillen's small object argument). The necessity of such a generalization arose with appearance of several important examples of model categories which were proven to be non-cofibrantly generated [J. Adámek, H. Herrlich, J. Rosický, W. Tholen, Weak factorization systems and topological functors, Appl. Categ. Structures 10 (3) (2002) 237-249 [2]; Papers in honour of the seventieth birthday of Professor Heinrich Kleisli (Fribourg, 2000); B. Chorny, The model category of maps of spaces is not cofibrantly generated, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 131 (2003) 2255-2259; J.D. Christensen, M. Hovey, Quillen model structures for relative homological algebra, Math. Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 133 (2) (2002) 261-293; D.C. Isaksen, A model structure on the category of pro-simplicial sets, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 353 (2001) 2805-2841]. Our current approach allows for construction of functorial factorizations and localizations in the equivariant model structures on diagrams of spaces [E.D. Farjoun, Homotopy theories for diagrams of spaces, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 101 (1987) 181-189] and diagrams of chain complexes. We also formulate a non-functorial version of the argument, which applies in two different model structures on the category of pro-spaces [D.A. Edwards, H.M. Hastings, ?ech and Steenrod homotopy theories with applications to geometric topology, Lecture Notes in Mathematics, vol. 542, Springer, Berlin, 1976; D.C. Isaksen, A model structure on the category of pro-simplicial sets, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 353 (2001) 2805-2841].The examples above suggest a natural extension of the framework of cofibrantly generated model categories. We introduce the concept of a class-cofibrantly generated model category, which is a model category generated by classes of cofibrations and trivial cofibrations satisfying some reasonable assumptions.     

On Singerman symmetries of a class of Belyi Riemann surfaces

By virtue of the Belyi Theorem an algebraic curve can be defined over the algebraic numbers if and only if the corresponding Riemann surface can be uniformized by a subgroup of a Fuchsian triangle group. Such surfaces are known as Belyi surfaces and an important class of them consists of Riemann surfaces having the so-called large group of automorphisms. Necessary and sufficient algebraic conditions for these surfaces to be symmetric were found by Singerman in the middle of the seventies and, by a recent result of Köck and Singerman, the algebraic numbers above can be chosen to be real if and only if the respective surface is symmetric. The aim of this paper is to give, in similar terms, the formulas for the number of ovals of the corresponding symmetries, which we refer to as the Singerman symmetries.     

CoHochschild homology of chain coalgebras

Generalizing the work of Doi and of Idrissi, we define a coHochschild homology theory for chain coalgebras over any commutative ring and prove its naturality with respect to morphisms of chain coalgebras up to strong homotopy. As a consequence we obtain that if the comultiplication of a chain coalgebra C is itself a morphism of chain coalgebras up to strong homotopy, then the coHochschild complex admits a natural comultiplicative structure. In particular, if K is a reduced simplicial set and C_∗K is its normalized chain complex, then is naturally a homotopy-coassociative chain coalgebra. We provide a simple, explicit formula for the comultiplication on when K is a simplicial suspension.The coHochschild complex construction is topologically relevant. Given two simplicial maps g,h:K→L, where K and L are reduced, the homology of the coHochschild complex of C_∗L with coefficients in C_∗K is isomorphic to the homology of the homotopy coincidence space of the geometric realizations of g and h, and this isomorphism respects comultiplicative structure. In particular, there is an isomorphism, respecting comultiplicative structure, from the homology of to H_∗L|K|, the homology of the free loops on the geometric realization of K.     

On the subdivision of small categories

We present an intrinsic and concrete development of the subdivision of small categories, give some simple examples and derive its fundamental properties. As an application, we deduce an alternative way to compare the homotopy categories of spaces and small categories, by using partially ordered sets. This yields a new conceptual proof to the well-known fact that these two homotopy categories are equivalent.     

Purity and homotopy theory of coalgebras

We construct a combinatorical monoidal model category on simplicial flat cocommutative coalgebras over a Prüfer domain. The cofibrations are the morphisms which are pure as module maps.     

Dold-Kan correspondence for dendroidal abelian groups

We prove a Dold-Kan type correspondence between the category of planar dendroidal abelian groups and a suitably constructed category of planar dendroidal chain complexes. Our result naturally extends the classical Dold-Kan correspondence between the category of simplicial abelian groups and the category of non-negatively graded chain complexes.     

On exact categories and applications to triangulated adjoints and model structures

We show that Quillen?s small object argument works for exact categories under very mild conditions. This has immediate applications to cotorsion pairs and their relation to the existence of certain triangulated adjoint functors and model structures. In particular, the interplay of different exact structures on the category of complexes of quasi-coherent sheaves leads to a streamlined and generalized version of recent results obtained by Estrada, Gillespie, Guil Asensio, Hovey, Jørgensen, Neeman, Murfet, Prest, Trlifaj and possibly others.     

Obstruction theory in model categories

Many examples of obstruction theory can be formulated as the study of when a lift exists in a commutative square. Typically, one of the maps is a cofibration of some sort and the opposite map is a fibration, and there is a functorial obstruction class that determines whether a lift exists. Working in an arbitrary pointed proper model category, we classify the cofibrations that have such an obstruction theory with respect to all fibrations. Up to weak equivalence, retract, and cobase change, they are the cofibrations with weakly contractible target. Equivalently, they are the retracts of principal cofibrations. Without properness, the same classification holds for cofibrations with cofibrant source. Our results dualize to give a classification of fibrations that have an obstruction theory.     

Axiomatic homotopy theory for operads

We give sufficient conditions for the existence of a model structure on operads in an arbitrary symmetric monoidal model category. General invariance properties for homotopy algebras over operads are deduced.