Fiat categorification of the symmetric inverse semigroup IS_n and the semigroup F^*_n

Starting from the symmetric group $S_n$, we construct two fiat $2$-categories. One of them can be viewed as the fiat "extension" of the natural $2$-category associated with the symmetric inverse semigroup (considered as an ordered semigroup with respect to the natural order). This $2$-category provides a fiat categorification for the integral semigroup algebra of the symmetric inverse semigroup. The other $2$-category can be viewed as the fiat "extension" of the $2$-category associated with the maximal factorizable subsemigroup of the dual symmetric inverse semigroup (again, considered as an ordered semigroup with respect to the natural order). This $2$-category provides a fiat categorification for the integral semigroup algebra of the maximal factorizable subsemigroup of the dual symmetric inverse semigroup.Comment: v2: minor revisio

Stacky Lie groups

Presentations of smooth symmetry groups of differentiable stacks are studied within the framework of the weak 2-category of Lie groupoids, smooth principal bibundles, and smooth biequivariant maps. It is shown that principality of bibundles is a categorical property which is sufficient and necessary for the existence of products. Stacky Lie groups are defined as group objects in this weak 2-category. Introducing a graphic notation, it is shown that for every stacky Lie monoid there is a natural morphism, called the preinverse, which is a Morita equivalence if and only if the monoid is a stacky Lie group. As example we describe explicitly the stacky Lie group structure of the irrational Kronecker foliation of the torus.Comment: 40 pages; definition of group objects in higher categories added; coherence relations for groups in 2-categories given (section 4

A new model for pro-categories

In this paper we present a new way to construct the pro-category of a category. This new model is very convenient to work with in certain situations. We present a few applications of this new model, the most important of which solves an open problem of Isaksen [Isa] concerning the existence of functorial factorizations in what is known as the strict model structure on a pro-category. Additionally we explain and correct an error in one of the standard references on pro-categories.Comment: Substantial overlap with arXiv:1305.4607. Accepted for publication in the Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra, reference: JPAA-504