The Hopf algebra of uniform block permutations. (Q1024807)

A block permutation of \([n]=\{1,2,\dots,n\}\) is a bijection of two set partitions of \([n]\) with the same number of blocks. A block permutation is called uniform if it maps each block in its domain to a block of the same cardinality. The set of block permutations of \([n]\) is a monoid via gluing graphs of them together, with the set \(P_n\) of uniform block partitions of \([n]\) as a submonoid. The symmetric group \(S_n\) is a subgroup of \(P_n\). Let \(P\) be the direct sum of the monoid algebras \(kP_n\) for all non-negative \(n\), \(k\) a commutative ring. \(P\) has the structure of a graded connected Hopf algebra. The product of elements in \(P_p\) and \(P_q\) involves the shuffle products of concatenations. The coproduct involves shuffle products and ``breaking points'' of uniform block permutations. The subspace \(S\) of \(P\) which is the direct sum of the \(kS_n\) is a sub-Hopf algebra isomorphic to the Hopf algebra of permutations of \textit{C. Malvenuto} and \textit{C. Reutenauer} [J. Algebra 177, No. 3, 967-982 (1995; Zbl 0838.05100)]. \(P\) also contains a sub-Hopf algebra isomorphic to the Hopf algebra of symmetric functions in noncommuting variables, as first introduced by \textit{M. C. Wolf} [Duke Math. J. 2, 626-637 (1936; Zbl 0016.00501)]. The authors show that \(P\) is self-dual. This is related to the fact that \(P_n\) has an involution for which it is an inverse monoid, which is factorizable, i.e., every element is a product of an invertible element and an idempotent element. \(P\) is also free as an algebra and cofree as a graded coalgebra.