\(E(R)\)-algebras that are sharply transitive modules. (Q877711)

The main aim of the present paper is to give a common answer to two classical problems: (I) Find large \(E(R)\)-algebras, over a PID \(R\), with special properties (in particular that these algebras are PIDs), and (II) construct UT-algebras over a PID. Recall here that if \(R\) is a PID, an \(R\)-algebra \(A\) is an \(E(R)\)-algebra if the canonical homomorphism \(\delta\colon\text{End}_R(A)\to A\), \(\delta(\varphi)=\varphi(1)\), is a ring isomorphism. This is a generalization of the notion ``\(E\)-ring'', introduced by \textit{P. Schultz} [in J. Aust. Math. Soc. 15, 60-69 (1973; Zbl 0257.20037)]. The second problem comes from the theory of (sharply, fully) transitive Abelian groups. If \(M\) is an \(R\)-module, an element \(y\in M\) is pure if from \(y=rx\) with \(r\in R\) and \(x\in M\) the conclusion \(r\in R^*\) follows (here \(R^*\) denotes the group of units of \(R\)). The module \(M\) is a UT-module if for every pair \((x,y)\) of pure elements of \(M\) there exists exactly one automorphism \(\varphi\) of \(M\) such that \(\varphi(x)=y\). A commutative \(R\)-algebra \(A\) is called pure-invertible if it is \(\aleph_1\)-free and every pure element of \(A\) (as an \(R\)-module) is invertible in \(A\). Every pure-invertible algebra is UT, and the authors use this notion to give a common answer to problems (I) and (II). The main result of the paper is Theorem 2.4 which states that, under the special continuum hypothesis \(\Phi(k)\), for every PID \(R\) of transcendence degree at least 2 with \(\aleph_0\leq|R|<k\) (for a successor cardinal \(k\)), there exists a PID \(A\) of cardinality \(k\), which is an \(E(R)\)-algebra and also an \(\aleph_1\)-free UT-module.