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We introduce a new algebraic structure called \textit{local biquandles} and show how colorings of oriented classical link diagrams and of broken surface diagrams are related to tribracket colorings. We define a (co)homology theory for local biquandles and show that it is isomorphic to Niebrzydowski's tribracket (co)homology. This implies that Niebrzydowski's (co)homology theory can be interpreted similary as biqandle (co)homology theory. Moreover through the isomorphism between two cohomology groups, we show that Niebrzydowski's cocycle invariants and local biquandle cocycle invariants are the same., 41 pages. Version 2 includes changes suggested by referee. To appear in Topology and Its Applications

Biquandles and multiple conjugation biquandles are algebras which are related to links and handlebody-links in $3$-space. Cocycles of them can be used to construct state-sum type invariants of links and handlebody-links. In this paper we discuss cocycles of a certain class of biquandles and multiple conjugation biquandles, which we call $G$-Alexander biquandles and $G$-Alexander multiple conjugation biquandles, with a relationship with group cocycles. We give a method to obtain a (biquandle or multiple conjugation biquandle) cocycle of them from a group cocycle., Comment: 31 pages

We observe that any knot invariant extends to virtual knots. The isotopy classification problem for virtual knots is reduced to an algebraic problem formulated in terms of an algebra of arrow diagrams. We introduce a new notion of finite type invariant and show that the restriction of any such invariant of degree n to classical knots is an invariant of degree ⩽n in the classical sense. A universal invariant of degree ⩽n is defined via a Gauss diagram formula. This machinery is used to obtain explicit formulas for invariants of low degrees. The same technique is also used to prove that any finite type invariant of classical knots is given by a Gauss diagram formula. We introduce the notion of n-equivalence of Gauss diagrams and announce virtual counter-parts of results concerning classical n-equivalence.

Virtual knot theory is a generalization (discovered by the author in 1996) of knot theory to the study of all oriented Gauss codes. (Classical knot theory is a study of planar Gauss codes.) Graph theory studies non-planar graphs via graphical diagrams with virtual crossings. Virtual knot theory studies non-planar Gauss codes via knot diagrams with virtual crossings. This paper gives basic results and examples (such as non-trivial virtual knots with trivial Jones polynomial), studies fundamental group and quandles of virtual knots, extensions of the bracket and Jones polynomials, quantum link invariants with virtual framings, Vassiliev invariants and applications to knots in thickened surfaces., Comment: LaTeX, 53 pages, 25 figures