Generalized qq-Stirling numbers and normal ordering

The normal ordering coefficients of strings consisting of $V,U$ which satisfy $UV=qVU+hV^s$ ($s\in\mathbb N$) are considered. These coefficients are studied in two contexts: first, as a multiple of a sequence satisfying a generalized recurrence, and second, as $q$-analogues of rook numbers under the row creation rule introduced by Goldman and Haglund. A number of properties are derived, including recurrences, expressions involving other $q$-analogues and explicit formulas. We also give a Dobinsky-type formula for the associated Bell numbers and the corresponding extension of Spivey's Bell number formula. The coefficients, viewed as rook numbers, are extended to the case $s\in\mathbb R$ via a modified rook model.Comment: New section on q-Bell numbers added, extended to case $s\in\mathbb R

Rook theoretic proofs of some identities related to Spivey's Bell number formula

We use rook placements to prove Spivey's Bell number formula and other identities related to it, in particular, some convolution identities involving Stirling numbers and relations involving Bell numbers. To cover as many special cases as possible, we work on the generalized Stirling numbers that arise from the rook model of Goldman and Haglund. An alternative combinatorial interpretation for the Type II generalized $q$-Stirling numbers of Remmel and Wachs is also introduced in which the method used to obtain the earlier identities can be adapted easily.Comment: 9 page

Total positivity of a class of combinatorial matrices

In this paper, we consider matrices whose entries are combinatorial sequences which can be expressed in terms of a convolution of elementary and complete homogeneous symmetric functions. We establish the total positivity of these matrices using the Lindstr\"om-Gessel-Viennot Lemma.Comment: 1 figure, 7 pages; corrected some typos; the proof is false; this paper is withdraw