Simple homotopy theory and nerve theorem for categories

Abstract

We study a combinatorial homotopy theory for small categories without a loop (loopfree categories) which is closely related to Whitehead's simple homotopy theory for regular CW-complexes with triangular cells. Quillen's theorem A and the nerve theorem for loopfree categories are considered from the viewpoint of the simple homotopy theory. Moreover, we extend the classical nerve theorem and discuss an application to the topological data analysis for data-sets lying in a non-convex field.