On realizing diagrams of Pi-algebras

Given a diagram of Pi-algebras (graded groups equipped with an action of the primary homotopy operations), we ask whether it can be realized as the homotopy groups of a diagram of spaces. The answer given here is in the form of an obstruction theory, of somewhat wider application, formulated in terms of generalized Pi-algebras. This extends a program begun in [J. Pure Appl. Alg. 103 (1995) 167-188] and [Topology 43 (2004) 857-892] to study the realization of a single Pi-algebra. In particular, we explicitly analyze the simple case of a single map, and provide a detailed example, illustrating the connections to higher homotopy operations.Comment: This is the version published by Algebraic & Geometric Topology on 21 June 200

Moduli spaces of 2-stage Postnikov systems

Using the obstruction theory of Blanc-Dwyer-Goerss, we compute the moduli space of realizations of 2-stage Pi-algebras concentrated in dimensions 1 and n or in dimensions n and n+1. The main technical tools are Postnikov truncation and connected covers of Pi-algebras, and their effect on Quillen cohomology.Comment: Version 3: Added conventions in section 1.3. Minor change

The number of conjugacy classes of elements of the Cremona group of some given finite order

This note presents the study of the conjugacy classes of elements of some given finite order n in the Cremona group of the plane. In particular, it is shown that the number of conjugacy classes is infinite if n is even, n=3 or n=5, and that it is equal to 3 (respectively 9) if n=9 (respectively 15), and is exactly 1 for all remaining odd orders. Some precise representative elements of the classes are given.Comment: 14 page

On the inertia group of elliptic curves in the Cremona group of the plane

We study the group of birational transformations of the plane that fix (each point of) a curve of geometric genus 1. A precise description of the finite elements is given; it is shown in particular that the order is at most 6, and that if the group contains a non-trivial torsion, the fixed curve is the image of a smooth cubic by a birational transformation of the plane. We show that for a smooth cubic, the group is generated by its elements of degree 3, and prove that it contains a free product of Z/2Z, indexed by the points of the curve.Comment: 14 pages, no figur

CW simplicial resolutions of spaces, with an application to loop spaces

We show how a certain type of CW simplicial resolutions of space by wedges of spheres may be constructed for any topological space, and how such resolutions yield an obstruction theory for a given space X to be a loop space.Comment: AMSLATEX, 20 page

Simple relations in the Cremona group

We give a simple set of generators and relations for the Cremona group of the plane. Namely, we show that the Cremona group is the amalgamated product of the de Jonqui\`eres group with the group of automorphisms of the plane, divided by one relation which is $\sigma\tau=\tau\sigma$, where $\tau=(x:y:z)\mapsto (y:x:z)$ and \sigma=(x:y:z)\dasharrow (yz:xz:xy)