We extend the notion of Zindler curve from the Euclidean plane to normed planes. A characterization of Zindler curves for general normed planes is given, and the relation between Zindler curves and curves of constant area-halving distances in such planes is discussed.

For a locally compact group $G$, let $A(G)$ be its Fourier algebra, let $M_{cb}A(G)$ denote the completely bounded multipliers of $A(G)$, and let $A_{\mathit{Mcb}}(G)$ stand for the closure of $A(G)$ in $M_{cb}A(G)$. We characterize the norm one idempotents in $M_{cb}A(G)$: the indicator function of a set $E \subset G$ is a norm one idempotent in $M_{cb}A(G)$ if and only if $E$ is a coset of an open subgroup of $G$. As applications, we describe the closed ideals of $A_{\mathit{Mcb}}(G)$ with an approximate identity bounded by $1$, and we characterize those $G$ for which $A_{\mathit{Mcb}}(G)$ is $1$-amenable in the sense of B. E. Johnson. (We can even slightly relax the norm bounds.)

We study the complementation of the space $W(X,Y)$ of weakly compact operators, the space $K(X,Y)$ of compact operators, the space $U(X,Y)$ of unconditionally converging operators, and the space $CC(X,Y)$ of completely continuous operators in the space $L(X,Y)$ of bounded linear operators from $X$ to $Y$. Feder proved that if $X$ is infinite-dimensional and $c_0 \hookrightarrow Y$, then $K(X,Y)$ is uncomplemented in $L(X,Y)$. Emmanuele and John showed that if $c_0 \hookrightarrow K(X,Y)$, then $K(X,Y)$ is uncomplemented in $L(X,Y)$. Bator and Lewis showed that if $X$ is not a Grothendieck space and $c_0 \hookrightarrow Y$, then $W(X,Y)$ is uncomplemented in $L(X,Y)$. In this paper, classical results of Kalton and separably determined operator ideals with property $(*)$ are used to obtain complementation results that yield these theorems as corollaries.

The Banach spaces $L(X, Y)$, $K(X, Y)$, $L_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$, and $K_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$ are studied to determine when they contain the classical Banach spaces $c_o$ or $\ell_\infty$. The complementation of the Banach space $K(X, Y)$ in $L(X, Y)$ is discussed as well as what impact this complementation has on the embedding of $c_o$ or $\ell_\infty$ in $K(X, Y)$ or $L(X, Y)$. Results of Kalton, Feder, and Emmanuele concerning the complementation of $K(X, Y)$ in $L(X, Y)$ are generalized. Results concerning the complementation of the Banach space $K_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$ in $L_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$ are also explored as well as how that complementation affects the embedding of $c_o$ or $\ell_\infty$ in $K_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$ or $L_{w^*}(X^*, Y)$. The $\ell_p$ spaces for $1 = p < \infty$ are studied to determine when the space of compact operators from one $\ell_p$ space to another contains $c_o$. The paper contains a new result which classifies these spaces of operators. A new result using vector measures is given to provide more efficient proofs of theorems by Kalton, Feder, Emmanuele, Emmanuele and John, and Bator and Lewis.

It is shown that a separable $C^*$-algebra is inner quasidiagonal if and only if it has a separating family of quasidiagonal irreducible representations. As a consequence, a separable $C^*$-algebra is a strong NF algebra if and only if it is nuclear and has a separating family of quasidiagonal irreducible representations. We also obtain some permanence properties of the class of inner quasidiagonal $C^*$-algebras.

Recently, Beattie, Bulacu ,and Torrecillas proved Radford's formula for the fourth power of the antipode for a co-Frobenius Hopf algebra. In this note, we show that this formula can be proved for any regular multiplier Hopf algebra with integrals (algebraic quantum groups). This, of course, not only includes the case of a finite-dimensional Hopf algebra, but also that of any Hopf algebra with integrals (co-Frobenius Hopf algebras). Moreover, it turns out that the proof in this more general situation, in fact, follows in a few lines from well-known formulas obtained earlier in the theory of regular multiplier Hopf algebras with integrals. We discuss these formulas and their importance in this theory. We also mention their generalizations, in particular to the (in a certain sense) more general theory of locally compact quantum groups. Doing so, and also because the proof of the main result itself is very short, the present note becomes largely of an expository nature.

The notion of a maximally conditional sequence is introduced for sequences in a Banach space. It is then proved using Ramsey theory that every basic sequence in a Banach space has a subsequence which is either an unconditional basic sequence or a maximally conditional sequence. An apparently novel, purely combinatorial lemma in the spirit of Galvin's theorem is used in the proof. An alternative proof of the dichotomy result for sequences in Banach spaces is also sketched, using the Galvin-Prikry theorem.

It is proved that if a positive operator $S: E \rightarrow F$ is AM-compact whenever its adjoint $S': F' \rightarrow E'$ is AM-compact, then either the norm of F is order continuous or $E'$ is discrete. This note corrects an error in the proof of Theorem 2.3 of B. Aqzzouz, R. Nouira, and L. Zraoula, The duality problem for the class of AM-compact operators on Banach lattices. Canad. Math. Bull. 51(2008).

We generalize Löwner's method for proving that matrix monotone functions are operator monotone. The relation $x\leq y$ on bounded operators is our model for a definition of $C^{*}$-relations being residually finite dimensional. Our main result is a meta-theorem about theorems involving relations on bounded operators. If we can show there are residually finite dimensional relations involved and verify a technical condition, then such a theorem will follow from its restriction to matrices. Applications are shown regarding norms of exponentials, the norms of commutators, and "positive" noncommutative $*$-polynomials.

In this paper we present a classification, up to equivariant isomorphism, of $C^*$-dynamical systems $(A,{\mathbb R},\alpha )$ arising as inductive limits of directed systems $\{ (A_n,{\mathbb R},\alpha_n),\varphi_{nm}\}$, where each $A_n$ is a finite direct sum of matrix algebras over the continuous functions on the unit circle, and the $\alpha_n$s are outer actions generated by rotation of the spectrum.

Let $B_Y$ denote the unit ball of a normed linear space $Y$. A symmetric, bounded, closed, convex set $A$ in a finite dimensional normed linear space $X$ is called a sufficient enlargement for $X$ if, for an arbitrary isometric embedding of $X$ into a Banach space $Y$, there exists a linear projection $P\colon Y\to X$ such that $P(B_Y)\subset A$. Each finite dimensional normed space has a minimal-volume sufficient enlargement that is a parallelepiped; some spaces have ``exotic'' minimal-volume sufficient enlargements. The main result of the paper is a characterization of spaces having ``exotic'' minimal-volume sufficient enlargements in terms of Auerbach bases.

We show that every free semigroup algebra has a (strongly) unique Banach space predual. We also provide a new simpler proof that a weak-$*$ closed unital operator algebra containing a weak-$*$ dense subalgebra of compact operators has a unique Banach space predual.

Let $(X,d)$ be a metric space, and let $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X)$ denote the Banach space of all scalar-valued bounded Lipschitz functions $f$ on $X$ endowed with one of the natural norms $ \| f\| =\max \{\| f\| _\infty ,L(f)\}$ or $\|f\| =\| f\| _\infty +L(f), $ where $L(f)$ is the Lipschitz constant of $f.$ It is said that the isometry group of $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X)$ is canonical if every surjective linear isometry of $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X) $ is induced by a surjective isometry of $X$. In this paper we prove that if $X$ is bounded separable and the isometry group of $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X)$ is canonical, then every $2$-local isometry of $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X)$ is a surjective linear isometry. Furthermore, we give a complete description of all $2$-local isometries of $\mathop{\textrm{Lip}}(X)$ when $X$ is bounded.

We will give a characterization of stable real $C^*$-algebras analogous to the one given for complex $C^*$-algebras by Hjelmborg and Rørdam. Using this result, we will prove that any real $C^*$-algebra satisfying the corona factorization property is stable if and only if its complexification is stable. Real $C^*$-algebras satisfying the corona factorization property include AF-algebras and purely infinite $C^*$-algebras. We will also provide an example of a simple unstable $C^*$-algebra, the complexification of which is stable.

We study Szegö's theorem for a uniform algebra. In particular, we do it for the disc algebra or the bidisc algebra.

Let $X$ be a separable non-reflexive Banach space. We show that there is no Borel class which contains the set of norm-attaining functionals for every strictly convex renorming of $X$.

We shall present examples of Schauder bases in the preduals to the hyperfinite factors of types~$\hbox{II}_1$, $\hbox{II}_\infty$, $\hbox{III}_\lambda$, $0 < \lambda \leq 1$. In the semifinite (respectively, purely infinite) setting, these systems form Schauder bases in any associated separable symmetric space of measurable operators (respectively, in any non-commutative $L^p$-space).

For $C^*$-algebras $\mathcal{A}$ of real rank zero, we describe linear maps $\phi$ on $\mathcal{A}$ that are surjective up to ideals $\mathcal{I}$, and $\pi(A)$ is invertible in $\mathcal{A}/\mathcal{I}$ if and only if $\pi(\phi(A))$ is invertible in $\mathcal{A}/\mathcal{I}$, where $A\in\mathcal{A}$ and $\pi:\mathcal{A}\to\mathcal{A}/\mathcal{I}$ is the quotient map. We also consider similar linear maps preserving zero products on the Calkin algebra.

Using Poincar\'e duality, we obtain a formula of Lefschetz type that computes the Lefschetz number of an endomorphism of a separable nuclear $C^*$-algebra satisfying Poincar\'e duality and the Kunneth theorem. (The Lefschetz number of an endomorphism is the graded trace of the induced map on $\textrm{K}$-theory tensored with $\mathbb{C}$, as in the classical case.) We then examine endomorphisms of Cuntz--Krieger algebras $O_A$. An endomorphism has an invariant, which is a permutation of an infinite set, and the contracting and expanding behavior of this permutation describes the Lefschetz number of the endomorphism. Using this description, we derive a closed polynomial formula for the Lefschetz number depending on the matrix $A$ and the presentation of the endomorphism.

A. Bonkat obtained a universal coefficient theorem in the setting of Kirchberg's ideal-related $KK$-theory in the fundamental case of a $C^*$-algebra with one specified ideal. The universal coefficient sequence was shown to split, unnaturally, under certain conditions. Employing certain $K$-theoretical information derivable from the given operator algebras using a method introduced here, we shall demonstrate that Bonkat's UCT does not split in general. Related methods lead to information on the complexity of the $K$-theory which must be used to classify $*$-isomorphisms for purely infinite $C^*$-algebras with one non-trivial ideal.

We investigate the behavior of the quasi-Baer and the right FI-extending right ring hulls under various ring extensions including group ring extensions, full and triangular matrix ring extensions, and infinite matrix ring extensions. As a consequence, we show that for semiprime rings $R$ and $S$, if $R$ and $S$ are Morita equivalent, then so are the quasi-Baer right ring hulls $\widehat{Q}_{\mathfrak{qB}}(R)$ and $\widehat{Q}_{\mathfrak{qB}}(S)$ of $R$ and $S$, respectively. As an application, we prove that if unital $C^*$-algebras $A$ and $B$ are Morita equivalent as rings, then the bounded central closure of $A$ and that of $B$ are strongly Morita equivalent as $C^*$-algebras. Our results show that the quasi-Baer property is always preserved by infinite matrix rings, unlike the Baer property. Moreover, we give an affirmative answer to an open question of Goel and Jain for the commutative group ring $A[G]$ of a torsion-free Abelian group $G$ over a commutative semiprime quasi-continuous ring $A$. Examples that illustrate and delimit the results of this paper are provided.

The classical approach to studying operator ideals using tensor norms mainly focuses on those tensor norms and operator ideals defined by means of $\ell_p$ spaces. In a previous paper, an interpolation space, defined via the real method and using $\ell_p$ spaces, was used to define a tensor norm, and the associated minimal operator ideals were characterized. In this paper, the next natural step is taken, that is, the corresponding maximal operator ideals are characterized. As an application, necessary and sufficient conditions for the coincidence of the maximal and minimal ideals are given. Finally, the previous results are used in order to find some new metric properties of the mentioned tensor norm.

In this paper we propose a new technical tool for analyzing representations of Hilbert $C^*$-product systems. Using this tool, we give a new proof that every doubly commuting representation over $\mathbb{N}^k$ has a regular isometric dilation, and we also prove sufficient conditions for the existence of a regular isometric dilation of representations over more general subsemigroups of $\mathbb R_{+}^k$.

Let $\Gamma$ be a discrete group and let $f \in \ell^{1}(\Gamma)$. We observe that if the natural convolution operator $\rho_f: \ell^{\infty}(\Gamma)\to \ell^{\infty}(\Gamma)$ is injective, then $f$ is invertible in $\ell^{1}(\Gamma)$. Our proof simplifies and generalizes calculations in a preprint of Deninger and Schmidt by appealing to the direct finiteness of the algebra $\ell^{1}(\Gamma)$. We give simple examples to show that in general one cannot replace $\ell^{\infty}$ with $\ell^{p}$, $1\leq p< \infty$, nor with $L^{\infty}(G)$ for nondiscrete $G$. Finally, we consider the problem of extending the main result to the case of weighted convolution operators on $\Gamma$, and give some partial results.

We prove the equivalence of three definitions given by different comparison relations for infiniteness of positive elements in simple $C^*$-algebras.