Sheared algebra maps and operation bialgebras for mod 2 homology and cohomology

The mod 2 Steenrod algebra and Dyer-Lashof algebra have both striking similarities and differences arising from their common origins in ``lower-indexed' algebraic operations. These algebraic operations and their relations generate a bigraded bialgebra , whose module actions are equivalent to, but quite different from, those of and . The exact relationships emerge as ``sheared algebra bijections', which also illuminate the role of the cohomology of . As a bialgebra, has a particularly attractive and potentially useful structure, providing a bridge between those of and , and suggesting possible applications to the Miller spectral sequence and the structure of Dickson algebras.