We prove that the 2-variable BMW algebra embeds into an algebra constructed from the HOMFLY-PT polynomial. We also prove that the $\mathfrak{so}_{2N}$-BMW algebra embeds in the $q$-Schur algebra of type $A$. We use these results to suggest a schema providing categorifications of the $\mathfrak{so}_{2N}$-BMW algebra.

We consider finite groups acting on quantum (or skew) polynomial rings. Deformations of the semidirect product of the quantum polynomial ring with the acting group extend symplectic reflection algebras and graded Hecke algebras to the quantum setting over a field of arbitrary characteristic. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for such algebras to satisfy a Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt property using the theory of noncommutative Gröbner bases. We include applications to the case of abelian groups and the case of groups acting on coordinate rings of quantum planes. In addition, we classify graded automorphisms of the coordinate ring of quantum 3-space. In characteristic zero, Hochschild cohomology gives an elegant description of the PBW conditions.

We introduce and study a remarkable family of real probability measures $\pi_{st}$ that we call free Bessel laws. These are related to the free Poisson law $\pi$ via the formulae $\pi_{s1}=\pi^{\boxtimes s}$ and ${\pi_{1t}=\pi^{\boxplus t}}$. Our study includes definition and basic properties, analytic aspects (supports, atoms, densities), combinatorial aspects (functional transforms, moments, partitions), and a discussion of the relation with random matrices and quantum groups.

We introduce a natural Hopf algebra structure on the space of noncommutative symmetric functions. The bases for this algebra are indexed by set partitions. We show that there exists a natural inclusion of the Hopf algebra of noncommutative symmetric functions in this larger space. We also consider this algebra as a subspace of noncommutative polynomials and use it to understand the structure of the spaces of harmonics and coinvariants with respect to this collection of noncommutative polynomials and conclude two analogues of Chevalley's theorem in the noncommutative setting.

A commutative local Cohen--Macaulay ring $R$ of finite Cohen--Macaulay type is known to be an isolated singularity; that is, $\Spec(R) \setminus \{ \mathfrak {m} \}$ is smooth. This paper proves a non-commutative analogue. Namely, if $A$ is a (non-commutative) graded Artin--Schelter \CM\ algebra which is fully bounded Noetherian and has finite Cohen--Macaulay type, then the non-commutative projective scheme determined by $A$ is smooth.

A coplactic class in the symmetric group $\Sym_n$ consists of all permutations in $\Sym_n$ with a given Schensted $Q$-symbol, and may be described in terms of local relations introduced by Knuth. Any Lie element in the group algebra of $\Sym_n$ which is constant on coplactic classes is already constant on descent classes. As a consequence, the intersection of the Lie convolution algebra introduced by Patras and Reutenauer and the coplactic algebra introduced by Poirier and Reutenauer is the direct sum of all Solomon descent algebras.

We develop an explicit skein-theoretical algorithm to compute the Alexander polynomial of a 3-manifold from a surgery presentation employing the methods used in the construction of quantum invariants of 3-manifolds. As a prerequisite we establish and prove a rather unexpected equivalence between the topological quantum field theory constructed by Frohman and Nicas using the homology of $U(1)$-representation varieties on the one side and the combinatorially constructed Hennings TQFT based on the quasitriangular Hopf algebra $\mathcal{N} = \mathbb{Z}/2 \ltimes \bigwedge^* \mathbb{R}^2$ on the other side. We find that both TQFT's are $\SL (2,\mathbb{R})$-equivariant functors and, as such, are isomorphic. The $\SL (2,\mathbb{R})$-action in the Hennings construction comes from the natural action on $\mathcal{N}$ and in the case of the Frohman--Nicas theory from the Hard--Lefschetz decomposition of the $U(1)$-moduli spaces given that they are naturally K\"ahler. The irreducible components of this TQFT, corresponding to simple representations of $\SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ and $\Sp(2g,\mathbb{Z})$, thus yield a large family of homological TQFT's by taking sums and products. We give several examples of TQFT's and invariants that appear to fit into this family, such as Milnor and Reidemeister Torsion, Seiberg--Witten theories, Casson type theories for homology circles {\it \`a la} Donaldson, higher rank gauge theories following Frohman and Nicas, and the $\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z}$ reductions of Reshetikhin--Turaev theories over the cyclotomic integers $\mathbb{Z} [\zeta_p]$. We also conjecture that the Hennings TQFT for quantum-$\mathfrak{sl}_2$ is the product of the Reshetikhin--Turaev TQFT and such a homological TQFT.

Let $\mathbb{K}$ be a field of characteristic zero, and $*=t$ the transpose involution for the matrix algebra $M_2 (\mathbb{K})$. Let $\mathfrak{U}$ be a proper subvariety of the variety of algebras with involution generated by $\bigl( M_2 (\mathbb{K}),* \bigr)$. We define two sequences of algebras with involution $\mathcal{R}_p$, $\mathcal{S}_q$, where $p,q \in \mathbb{N}$. Then we show that $T_* (\mathfrak{U})$ and $T_* (\mathcal{R}_p \oplus \mathcal{S}_q)$ are $*$-asymptotically equivalent for suitable $p,q$.

This paper gives a characterization of valuations that follow the singular infinitely near points of plane vector fields, using the notion of L'H\^opital valuation, which generalizes a well known classical condition. With that tool, we give a valuative description of vector fields with infinite solutions, singularities with rational quotient of eigenvalues in its linear part, and polynomial vector fields with transcendental solutions, among other results.

We extend the basic theory of Lie algebras of affine algebraic groups to the case of pro-affine algebraic groups over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic 0. However, some modifications are needed in some extensions. So we introduce the pro-discrete topology on the Lie algebra $\mathcal{L}(G)$ of the pro-affine algebraic group $G$ over $K$, which is discrete in the finite-dimensional case and linearly compact in general. As an example, if $L$ is any sub Lie algebra of $\mathcal{L}(G)$, we show that the closure of $[L,L]$ in $\mathcal{L}(G)$ is algebraic in $\mathcal{L}(G)$. We also discuss the Hopf algebra of representative functions $H(L)$ of a residually finite dimensional Lie algebra $L$. As an example, we show that if $L$ is a sub Lie algebra of $\mathcal{L}(G)$ and $G$ is connected, then the canonical Hopf algebra morphism from $K[G]$ into $H(L)$ is injective if and only if $L$ is algebraically dense in $\mathcal{L}(G)$.

When $H$ is a finite dimensional, semisimple, almost cocommutative Hopf algebra, we examine a table of characters which extends the notion of the character table for a finite group. We obtain a formula for the structure constants of the representation ring in terms of values in the character table, and give the example of the quantum double of a finite group. We give a basis of the centre of $H$ which generalizes the conjugacy class sums of a finite group, and express the class equation of $H$ in terms of this basis. We show that the representation ring and the centre of $H$ are dual character algebras (or signed hypergroups).

This article studies algebras $R$ over a simple artinian ring $A$, presented by a quiver and relations and graded by a semigroup $\Sigma$. Suitable semigroups often arise from a presentation of $R$. Throughout, the algebras need not be finite dimensional. The graded $K_0$, along with the $\Sigma$-graded Cartan endomorphisms and Cartan matrices, is examined. It is used to study homological properties. A test is found for finiteness of the global dimension of a monomial algebra in terms of the invertibility of the Hilbert $\Sigma$-series in the associated path incidence ring. The rationality of the $\Sigma$-Euler characteristic, the Hilbert $\Sigma$-series and the Poincar\'e-Betti $\Sigma$-series is studied when $\Sigma$ is torsion-free commutative and $A$ is a division ring. These results are then applied to the classical series. Finally, we find new finite dimensional algebras for which the strong no loops conjecture holds.