An almost completely decomposable abelian (acd) group is an extension of a finite direct sum of subgroups of the additive group of rational numbers by a finite abelian group. Examples are easy to write and are frequently used but have been notoriously difficult to study and classify because of their computational nature. However, a general theory of acd groups has been developed and a suitable weakening of isomorphism, Lady's near-isomorphism, has been established as the rightconcept for studying acd groups. A number of important classes of acd groups has been successfully classified. Direct sum decompositions of acd groups are preserved under near-isomorphism and the well-known pathological decompositions can actually be surveyed in special cases.

The theme of this book is an exposition of connections between representations of finite partially ordered sets and abelian groups. Emphasis is placed throughout on classification, a description of the objects up to isomorphism, and computation of representation type, a measure of when classification is feasible. David M. Arnold is the Ralph and Jean Storm Professor of Mathematics at Baylor University. He is the author of "Finite Rank Torsion Free Abelian Groups and Rings" published in the Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Mathematics series, a co-editor for two volumes of conference proceedings, and the author of numerous articles in mathematical research journals.

On the 26th of November 1992 the organizing committee gathered together, at Luigi Salce's invitation, for the first time. The tradition of abelian groups and modules Italian conferences (Rome 77, Udine 85, Bressanone 90) needed to be kept up by one more meeting. Since that first time it was clear to us that our goal was not so easy. In fact the main intended topics of abelian groups, modules over commutative rings and non commutative rings have become so specialized in the last years that it looked really ambitious to fit them into only one meeting. Anyway, since everyone of us shared the same mathematical roots, we did want to emphasize a common link. So we elaborated the long symposium schedule: three days of abelian groups and three days of modules over non commutative rings with a two days' bridge of commutative algebra in between. Many of the most famous names in these fields took part to the meeting. Over 140 participants, both attending and contributing the 18 Main Lectures and 64 Communications (see list on page xv) provided a really wide audience for an Algebra meeting. Now that the meeting is over, we can say that our initial feeling was right.

An almost completely decomposable abelian (acd) group is an extension of a finite direct sum of subgroups of the additive group of rational numbers by a finite abelian group. Examples are easy to write and are frequently used but have been notoriously difficult to study and classify because of their computational nature. However, a general theory o

A 30-article volume, introducing an active and attractive part of algebra that has gained much from its position at the crossroads of mathematics over the years. The papers stimulate the reader to consider and actively investigate the topics and problems they contain.

This volume contains the proceedings of a conference on abelian groups held in August 1993 at Oberwolfach. The conference brought together forty-seven participants from all over the world and from a range of mathematical areas. Experts from model theory, set theory, noncommutative groups, module theory, and computer science discussed problems in their fields that relate to abelian group theory. This book provides a window on the frontier of this active area of research.

This volume contains information offered at the international conference held in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. It presents the latest developments in the most active areas of abelian groups, particularly in torsion-free abelian groups.;For both researchers and graduate students, it reflects the current status of abelian group theory.;Abelian Groups discusses: finite rank Butler groups; almost completely decomposable groups; Butler groups of infinite rank; equivalence theorems for torsion-free groups; cotorsion groups; endomorphism algebras; and interactions of set theory and abelian groups.;This volume contains contributions from international experts. It is aimed at algebraists and logicians, research mathematicians, and advanced graduate students in these disciplines.