Generalized plus-constructions and fundamental groups (Q1295619)

Given a homology theory \(h\) and a space \(X\), there is a universal map \(\eta_h:X\to X^{+h}\), with \(h\)-acyclically reduced target; i.e. \(\text{map}_*(A,X^{+h})\simeq \text{pt}\), for every \(h\)-acyclic space \(A\). This is the plus-construction on \(X\) with respect to \(h\). Choosing \(h=H(-;\mathbb Z)\) yields Quillen's plus-construction. The author studies \(\text{ker}(\pi_1\eta_h)\). Its description depends upon whether \(h\) is connective or not, the primes at which \(h_*(\text{pt})\) has torsion and Bousfield's transitional dimension of \(h\). If \(h\) is topological \(K\)-theory, then \(\eta_h\) has the same effect on \(\pi_1\) as Quillen's plus.