Lifting homotopy T-algebra maps to strict maps

The settings for homotopical algebra---categories such as simplicial groups, simplicial rings, $A_\infty$ spaces, $E_\infty$ ring spectra, etc.---are often equivalent to categories of algebras over some monad or triple $T$. In such cases, $T$ is acting on a nice simplicial model category in such a way that $T$ descends to a monad on the homotopy category and defines a category of homotopy $T$-algebras. In this setting there is a forgetful functor from the homotopy category of $T$-algebras to the category of homotopy $T$-algebras. Under suitable hypotheses we provide an obstruction theory, in the form of a Bousfield-Kan spectral sequence, for lifting a homotopy $T$-algebra map to a strict map of $T$-algebras. Once we have a map of $T$-algebras to serve as a basepoint, the spectral sequence computes the homotopy groups of the space of $T$-algebra maps and the edge homomorphism on $\pi_0$ is the aforementioned forgetful functor. We discuss a variety of settings in which the required hypotheses are satisfied, including monads arising from algebraic theories and operads. We also give sufficient conditions for the $E_2$-term to be calculable in terms of Quillen cohomology groups. We provide worked examples in $G$-spaces, $G$-spectra, rational $E_\infty$ algebras, and $A_\infty$ algebras. Explicit calculations, connected to rational unstable homotopy theory, show that the forgetful functor from the homotopy category of $E_\infty$ ring spectra to the category of $H_\infty$ ring spectra is generally neither full nor faithful. We also apply a result of the second named author and Nick Kuhn to compute the homotopy type of the space $E_\infty(\Sigma^\infty_+ \mathrm{Coker}\, J, L_{K(2)} R)$.Comment: 45 pages. Substantial revision. To appear in Advances in Mathematic

Pigeon-Holing Monodromy Groups

A simple tiling on a sphere can be used to construct a tiling on a d-fold branched cover of the sphere. By lifting a so-called equatorial tiling on the sphere, the lifted tiling is locally kaleidoscopic, yielding an attractive tiling on the surface. This construction is via a correspondence between loops around vertices on the sphere and paths across tiles on the cover. The branched cover and lifted tiling give rise to an associated monodromy group in the symmetric group on d symbols. This monodromy group provides a beautiful connection between the cover and its base space. Our investigation of will focus on consideration of all possible low genus branched covers for a sphere, and therefore all locally kaleidoscopic tilings of low genus surfaces. It will be carried out through the classification of their associated monodromy groups. To this end, the relationship between classifications of branched covers and classifications of monodromy groups will be stressed

Multifunctorial Inverse KK-Theory

We show that Mandell's inverse $K$-theory functor is a categorically-enriched non-symmetric multifunctor. In particular, it preserves algebraic structures parametrized by non-symmetric operads. As applications, we describe how ring categories arise as the images of inverse $K$-theory.Comment: 36 pages. Final version. To appear in Annals of K-Theor

The symmetric monoidal 2-category of permutative categories

We define a tensor product for permutative categories and prove a number of key properties. We show that this product makes the 2-category of permutative categories closed symmetric monoidal as a bicategory.Comment: 83 page