Multivariable connected sums and multiple polylogarithms (Q2065739)

Motivated by some remarkable series representation formulas for the first several Riemann zeta values, the authors define the so-called multiple connected sum (MCS). This is a generalization of the Seki-Yamamoto connected sum, and thus of the multiple zeta values (MZVs). A number of identities are proved for these sums. In particular, it is proven that the MCSs are, under some conditions, expressible in terms of the multiple polylogarithms. In turn, multivariable connected sums give a family of functional relations among multiple polylogarithms. Some results for MCSs are strengthened or generalized versions of known ones regarding polylogarithms and MZVs.