An algebraic representation of globular sets

Abstract

We describe a fully faithful embedding of the category of (reflexive) globular sets into the category of counital cosymmetric $R$-coalgebras when $R$ is an integral domain. This embedding is a lift of the usual functor of $R$-chains and the extra structure consists of a derived form of cup coproduct. Additionally, we construct a functor from group-like counital cosymmetric \mbox{$R$-coalgebras} to $\omega$-categories and use it to connect two fundamental constructions associated to oriented simplices: Steenrod's cup-$i$ coproducts and Street's orientals. The first defines the square operations in the cohomology of spaces, the second, the nerve of higher-dimensional categories.