An approximation theorem in shape theory

In this paper it is shown that if X is a compactum in the interior of a PL manifold M and if U is a neighborhood of X in M, then there is a compactum X′ in U such that X and X′ have the same relative shape in U and the embedding dimension of X′ equals the fundamental dimension of X. Whenever the dimension of M is not equal to three, the relative shape equivalence from X′ to X can be realized by an infinite isotopy of M.     

Splitting manifolds as M × R where M has a k-fold end structure

Let X be a locally finite simplicial complex of dimension n, n? 5, equipped with a k-fold end structure [4] and consider a piecewise linear (n + 1)-dimensional manifold M that is proper homotopy equivalent to X × R by F:M → X × R, where R is the set of real numbers. The question arises as to whether or not the manifold M can be split, i.e., written as M = N × R where N is a n-manifold and where there is a proper homotopy between F and (p₁ ° F₀) × id:N × R → X × R, preserving the natural (k+1)-fold end structure, where F₀ is F|_N and p₁ is the projection X × R → X. Of particular significance is the fact that X is noncompact. When the construction of such splittings is attempted, algebraic obstructions arise, which vanish if and only if the construction can be completed. This paper develops such an obstruction theory by utilizing methods of L.C. Siebenmann and the k-fold end structures of F. Waldhausen.     

Topological invariance of intersection homology without sheaves

In (1) Goresky and MacPherson defined intersection homology groups for triangulable pseudomanifolds and showed they were PL invariants. Then in [2] they generalized these groups to any pseudomanifold and showed they were topological invariants. These groups have generated a great deal of interest. However, [2] is difficult for many mathematicians (including this author) because it requires a familiarity with a great deal of hefty sheaf-theoretic machinery. This is too bad, because the basic ideas behind intersection homology (elucidated in [1]) are very geometric.In this paper we give a sheafless definition of intersection homology groups for an arbitrary stratified set and we give an elementary sheafless proof that they are topological invariants, i.e. independent of the stratification.In doing so, we find some new perversities whose intersection homology groups are topological invariants. Unfortunately, these new perverse intersection homology classes do not seem to intersect with anything (which is probably why they were ignored by Goresky and MacPherson). But in any case these groups are invariants of singular spaces which might be of some interest.     

Convergence to equilibrium of critical branching particle systems and superprocesses,and related nonlinear partial differential equations

We consider a class of multitype particle systems in ^d undergoing spatial diffusion and critical stable multitype branching, and their limits known as critical stable multitype Dawson-Watanabe processes, or superprocesses. We show that for large classes of initial states, the particle process and the superprocess converge in distribution towards known equilibrium states as time tends to infinity. As an application we obtain the asymptotic behavior of a system of nonlinear partial differential equations whose solution is related to the distribution of both the particle process and the superprocess.Research partially supported by CONACyT (Mexico), CNRS (France) and BMfWuF (Austria).     

The ws-singular cohomology of orbifolds

We define a cohomology with integral coefficients of an orbifold M, which we call the ws-singular cohomology ws-Hq(M) of M.     

The t-singular homology of orbifolds

For an orbifold M we define a new homology group, called t-singular homology group t-Hq(M) by using singular simplicies intersecting ‘transversely’ with ΣM. The rightness of this homology group is ensured by the facts that the 1-dimensional homology group t-H₁(M) is isomorphic to the abelianization of the orbifold fundamental group π₁(M,x₀). If M is a manifold, t-Hq(M) coincides with the usual singular homology group. We prove that it is a ‘b-homotopy’ invariant of orbifolds and develop many algebraic tools for the calculations. Consequently we calculate the t-singular homology groups of several orbifolds.     

The duality theorem between the t-singular homology and the ws-singular cohomology of orbifolds

In the present paper, we prove that for an n-dimensional compact orbifold with an s-homological orientation, the duality of the ws-singular cohomology group and the t-singular homology group holds. The key tools are “the t-modification of the cap product” for giving the duality homomorphism and “the Convex Suborbifold Theorem” for extending the local duality isomorphism to the global one. The duality theorem proved in the present paper is a naturally required consequence of the preceding works of the authors.     

Topological hochschild homology of extensions of ?/p? by polynomials, and of ?[x]/(xn) and ?[x]/(xn?1)

Topological Hochschild homology is calculated for the rings /p[x]/(f(x)) (where p is prime and f(x) /p[x] any polynomial), [x]/(x ⁿ) and [x]/(x ⁿ–1). A spectral sequence argument is used for calculating the homology of the topological Hochschild homology spectrum, from which its stable homotopy structure can be read off since the spectrum is known for a priori reasons to be a restricted product of Eilenberg-MacLane spectra.     

On fixed points of stratified maps

Nielsen fixed point theory deals with the fixed point sets of self maps on compact polyhedra. In this note, we shall extend it to stratified maps, to consider fixed points on (noncompact) strata. The extension was motivated by our recent work on the braid forcing problem in which the deleted symmetric products are indispensable. The stratified viewpoint is theoretically as natural as the equivariant Nielsen fixed point theory, while it can be more tractable computationally and more flexible in applications. This work was partially supported by an NSFC grant and a BMEC grant.     

Euler homology

We geometrically construct a homology theory that generalizes the Euler characteristic mod 2 to objects in the unoriented cobordism ring of a topological space X. This homology theory Eh _* has coefficients in every nonnegative dimension. There exists a natural transformation that for X = pt assigns to each smooth manifold its Euler characteristic mod 2. The homology theory is constructed using cobordism of stratifolds, which are singular objects defined below. An isomorphism of graded -modules is shown for any CW-complex X. For discrete groups G, we also define an equivariant version of the homology theory Eh _*, generalizing the equivariant Euler characteristic.     

Waldhausen's theory of k-fold end structures: a survey

Let R⁺ be the space of nonnegative real numbers. F. Waldhausen defines a k-fold end structure on a space X as an ordered k-tuple of continuous maps x_f:X → R⁺, 1 ? j ? k, yielding a proper map x:X → (R⁺)^k. The pairs (X,x) are made into the category E^k of spaces with k-fold end structure. Attachments and expansions in E^k are defined by induction on k, where elementary attachments and expansions in E⁰ have their usual meaning. The category E^k/Z consists of objects (X, i) where i: Z → X is an inclusion in E^k with an attachment of i(Z) to X, and the category E^k6Z consists of pairs (X,i) of E^k/Z that admit retractions X → Z. An infinite complex over Z is a sequence X = {X₁ ? X₂ ? … ? X_n …} of inclusions in E^k6Z. The abelian grou p S₀(Z) is then defined as the set of equivalence classes of infinite complexes dominated by finite ones, where the equivalence relation is generated by homotopy equivalence and finite attachment; and the abelian group S₁(Z) is defined as the set of equivalence classes of X₁, where X ∈ E^k/Z deformation retracts to Z. The group operations are gluing over Z. This paper presents the Waldhausen theory with some additions and in particular the proof of Waldhausen's proposition that there exists a natural exact sequence 0 → S₁(Z × R)→^πS₀(Z) by utilizing methods of L.C. Siebenmann. Waldhausen developed this theory while seeking to prove the topological invariance of Whitehead torsion; however, the end structures also have application in studying the splitting of a noncompact manifold as a product with R[1].     

A super-Brownian motion with a locally infinite catalytic mass

Summary. A super-Brownian motion in with “hyperbolic” branching rate , is constructed, which symbolically could be described by the formal stochastic equation (with a space-time white noise ). Starting at this superprocess will never hit the catalytic center: There is an increasing sequence of Brownian stopping times strictly smaller than the hitting time of such that with probability one Dynkin's stopped measures vanish except for finitely many Received: 27 November 1995 / In revised form: 24 July 1996     

Group-like structures and the whitehead product in pro-homotopy and shape

The notion of ‘H-space’ is of considerable importance in the homotopy theory of CW-complexes. This paper studies a similar notion in the framework of pro-homotopy and shape theories. This is achieved by following the general plan set forth by Eckmann and Hilton. Examples of shape H-space are also given; it is observed that every compact connected topological monoid is a shape H-space. The Whitehead product is defined and studied in the pro-homotopy and shape categories; and, it is shown that this Whitehead product vanishes on an H-object in pro-homotopy. These results are the natural extension of some well-known classical results in the homotopy theory of CW-complexes.     

Products of cell-like decompositions

This paper represents a survey concerning cell-like decompositions of manifolds. Primarily it summarizes the status of results and problems describing when the product of E¹ with such a decomposition space is again a manifold, and more generally it discusses conditions under which the product of two such decomposition spaces is also a manifold.     

Characterizing Hilbert cube manifolds by their homological structure

A hierarchy of disjoint ?ech carriers properties is introduced; and each is shown to be characteristic of ANR's whose products with 2-cells are Hilbert cube manifolds.