The classifying space of smooth foliations (Q1084711)

The paper extends results of \textit{J. L. Heitsch} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 108, 421-460 (1978; Zbl 0398.57007)], \textit{D. Baker} [Comment. Math. Helv. 53, 334-363 (1978; Zbl 0388.57014)], \textit{F. W. Kamber} and \textit{P. Tondeur} [Studies in Algebraic Topology, Adv. Math., Suppl. Stud. 5, 213- 263 (1979; Zbl 0472.57016)], and of the author [Topology 20, 365-387 (1981; Zbl 0466.57014)] about non-vanishing secondary characteristic classes of smooth foliations and homotopy groups of the classifying spaces of smooth foliations. An interesting consequence of his result is the following answer to a question of H. B. Lawson: Corollary 4.8. Let \(q\geq 10\) be even and let n be large. If \(S^ n\) admits a rank q subbundle \(Q\subset TS^ n\), then there exists an infinite set \(\{\) \({\mathcal F}_{\alpha}\}\) of codimension q foliations on \(S^ n\) which are distinct up to homotopy and concordance, but whose tangent bundles are all homotopic as embedded subbundles of \(TS^ n\).