Laver's results and low-dimensional topology

In connection with his interest in selfdistributive algebra, Richard Laver established two deep results with potential applications in low-dimensional topology, namely the existence of what is now known as the Laver tables and the well-foundedness of the standard ordering of positive braids. Here we present these results and discuss the way they could be used in topological applications

Rational Dyck Paths in the Non Relatively Prime Case

We study the relationship between rational slope Dyck paths and invariant subsets of $\mathbb Z,$ extending the work of the first two authors in the relatively prime case. We also find a bijection between $(dn,dm)$--Dyck paths and $d$-tuples of $(n,m)$-Dyck paths endowed with certain gluing data. These are the first steps towards understanding the relationship between rational slope Catalan combinatorics and the geometry of affine Springer fibers and knot invariants in the non relatively prime case.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figure