# cl-prereductions, i-postexpansions, and related structures

Sarah Poiani  and  Janet Vassilev<EMAIL_ADDRESS><EMAIL_ADDRESS>Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM

###### Abstract.

Expanding on the work of Kemp, Ratliff and Shah [KRS20], for any closure $\rm
cl$ defined on a class of modules over a Noetherian ring, we develop the
theory of $\rm cl$-prereductions of submodules. For any interior $\rm i$ on a
class of $R$-modules, we also develop the theory of $\rm i$-postexpansions.
Using the duality of Epstein, R.G. and Vassilev [ERV23b], we show that if $\rm
i$ is the interior dual to $\rm cl$, then these notions are in fact dual to
each other. We consider the $\rm cl$-precore ($\rm i$-postcore), the
intersection of all $\rm cl$-prereductions ($\rm i$-postexpansions) of a
submodule and the $\rm cl$-prehull ($\rm i$-posthull), the sum of all $\rm
cl$-prereductions ($\rm i$-postexpansions) of a submodule and give comparisons
with the $\rm cl$-core ($\rm i$-hull). We further give a classification of
$\rm cl$-prereductions of $\rm cl$-closed ideals of a Noetherian ring where
$\rm cl$ is a closure with a special part.

##  1\. Introduction

Northcott and Rees were the first to define and study the reductions of an
ideal in [NR54]. A reduction of an ideal $I$ is an ideal $J\subseteq I$ which
shares the same integral closure as $I$. Rees further generalized the notion
of integral closure and reductions to the setting of submodules of a module in
[Ree87]. Generally, a submodule can have a multitude of reductions, even
minimal reductions (minimal among the set of all reductions). The core of a
submodule $N$ of $M$, is the intersection of all reductions of $N$ in $M$ and
is in some sense a measure of the reductions of $N$. If $N$ is basic, i.e. $N$
is its only reduction, then ${\rm core}_{M}(N)=N$. However, when $N$ has more
reductions, the core is never a reduction of $N$. In a recent work of Kemp,
Ratliff and Shah [KRS20], the authors took a different tack by looking for the
ideals contained in an ideal $I$ which does not have the same integral closure
as $I$. The maximal elements of this set, they termed prereductions. As long
as $I$ is not basic, then the core of $I$ will be contained in some
prereduction of $I$. In some sense, this is the starting place of this work.

Moreover, as reductions have been generalized to different closure operations
by Epstein in [Eps05] and [Eps10], we will generalize prereductions to other
closures as well. We can also generalize the notion of $\rm cl$-core discussed
in papers by Fouli and Vassilev and Vraciu [FV10] and [FVV11] and Epstein,
R.G. and Vassilev [ERV23a], [ERV23b] to that of the $\rm cl$-precore of a
submodule, the intersection of all $\rm cl$-prereductions. One might expect
that $\rm cl$-precore of a submodule is contained in its $\rm cl$-core, but
this is not always the case. We will examine some conditions on the submodule
which will ensure the containment to be true as well as exhibit some
counterexamples. As computing the $\rm cl$-core of a submodule can be
difficult and formulas for the $\rm cl$-core are only known in certain
settings (see [HS95], [Moh97], [CPU01], [CPU02], [CPU03], [PU05], [HT05],
[FPU08], [FV10], [FVV11], [ERV23b] and [CFH22]), we hope that in some
instances the $\rm cl$-precore may be a helpful tool to give insight into
computing the $\rm cl$-cores of submodules.

Following in the footsteps of Epstein, R.G. and Vassilev [ERG12] [ERV23a],
[ERV23b] and [ERV23c], we define the dual notion, $\rm i$-postexpansion for an
interior operation $\rm i$ on a class of modules of a Noetherian local ring
$(R,\mathfrak{m})$ and also the $\rm i$-posthull. But we also note that we can
define some other interesting submodules the $\rm cl$-prehull and $\rm
i$-postcore which are sometimes comparable to the $\rm cl$-core and $\rm
i$-hull, respectively.

In certain cases, we can determine exactly the form of all the $\rm
cl$-prereductions of a submodule and the form of all the $\rm
i$-postexpansions of a submodule. In particular, if $N$ is a finitely
generated $\rm cl$-basic submodule of $M$, then every $\rm cl$-prereduction
can be determined in terms of the minimal generating sets of $N$. Similarly if
$N$ is a finite length submodule in an Artinian module $M$ and $N$ is its only
$\rm i$-postexpansion in $M$, then the $\rm i$-postexpansions can be
determined in terms of the minimal cogenerating sets of $M/N$.

The paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, we recall the definitions of
pair operations, closure operations, and interior operations. We also
introduce reductions, expansions, cores, and hulls, including some key
examples of these operations which we will make use of in this paper. In
Section 3, we discuss and prove properties about $\rm cl$-prereductions and in
Section 4 we analyze $\rm i$-postexpansions. Section 5 deals with comparing
$\rm cl$-prereductions for comparable closures and $\rm i$-postexpansions for
comparable interiors. The duality between pair operations and the
correspondence between $\rm cl$-prereductions and $\rm i$-postexpansions is
shown in Section 6. In Section 7, we discuss the notion of a cover of a
submodule with the viewpoint of $\rm cl$-reductions/prereductions and $\rm
i$-expansions/postexpansions and determine the structure of $\rm
cl$-prereductions of a $\rm cl$-basic submodule $N$ in terms of minimal
generating sets of $N$. Similarly we classify the $\rm i$-postexpansions of a
submodule $N$ whose only expansion is itself in terms of cogenerating sets of
$M/N$. Section 8 introduces and explores the concepts of cl-prehull, cl-
precore, i-postcore, and i-posthull. In Section 9, we exhibit that the
structure of $\rm cl$-prereductions for $\rm cl$-closed ideals can also be
determined when $\rm cl$ is a closure with special part and all strongly $\rm
cl$-independent ideals have a special part decomposition.

##  2\. Background

We start by defining pair operations; closure and interior operations are
specific examples of pair operations. The notion of pair operations allows us
to use a common framework for these operations as well as other operations
defined on $R$-modules.

######  Definition 2.1.

[ERV23b, Definition 2.1] Let $R$ be an associative ring, not necessarily
commutative. Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a class of (left) $R$-modules that is closed
under taking submodules and quotient modules. Let $\mathcal{P}$ be the class
of pairs $(N,M)$ of $R$-modules with $N,M\in\mathcal{M}$ and $N\subseteq M$.

######  Definition 2.2.

[ERV23b, Definition 2.2] Let $\mathcal{P}$ be a collection of pairs $(L,M)$
with $L\subseteq M$ such that whenever $\varphi:M\rightarrow M^{\prime}$ is an
isomorphism and $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ then
$(\varphi(L),M^{\prime})\in\mathcal{P}$. A pair operation is a function $p$
that sends each pair $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ to a submodule $p(L,M)$ of $M$, in
such a way that whenever $\varphi:M\rightarrow M^{\prime}$ is an $R$-module
isomorphism and $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$, then
$\varphi(p(L,M))=p(\varphi(L),M^{\prime})$. When $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$, we say
that $p$ is

  * •

idempotent if whenever $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ and $(p(L,M),M)\in\mathcal{P}$,
we always have $p(p(L,M),M)=p(L,M)$.

  * •

order-preserving on submodules if whenever $L\subseteq N\subseteq M$ such that
when $(L,M),(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$, we have $p(L,N)\subseteq p(N,M)$.

  * •

extensive if we always have $L\subseteq p(L,M)$.

  * •

intensive if we always have $p(L,M)\subseteq L$.

  * •

a closure operation if it is extensive, idempotent, and order-preserving on
submodules.

  * •

an interior operation if it is intensive, idempotent, and order-preserving on
submodules.

######  Remark 2.3.

If $p$ is a closure operation, we will denote $p(L,M)=L_{M}^{\rm cl}$ for
$(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ and refer to $p$ as $\rm cl$. If $p$ is an interior
operation, we will denote $p(L,M)=L^{M}_{\rm i}$ for $(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ and
refer to $p$ as $\rm i$. We say $N$ is $\rm cl$-closed  in $M$ if
$N=N_{M}^{\rm cl}$. We say $A$ is $\rm i$-open in $B$ if $A=A_{\rm i}^{B}$

Some common closure operations in commutative algebra are integral closure,
tight closure and basically full closure which we will define now for ideals
of a commutative Noetherian ring to use later when we present examples. All of
these closures are defined on the class of finitely generated modules over
Noetherian rings.

######  Definition 2.4.

Let $R$ be a commutative ring and $I$ an ideal of $R$. The integral closure of
$I$ is:

$I^{-}:=\\{x\in R\mid x^{n}+a_{1}x^{n-1}+\cdots+a_{n-1}x+a_{n}=0\text{ for
some }a_{i}\in I^{i}\\}.$

Note that we use $I^{-}$ instead of $\overline{I}$ or $I_{a}$ since we
represent all closures as superscripts.

In the late 80’s, Hochster and Huneke [HH90] introduced tight closure, a
closure operation in equicharacteristic rings. Here we will stick to the
positive characteristic version.

######  Definition 2.5.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian ring of characteristic $p>0$ and $I\subseteq R$ an
ideal. Set $I^{[p^{e}]}=(x^{p^{e}}\mid x\in I)$ and
$R^{o}=R\setminus\bigcup\\{P\mid P\text{ a minimal prime of }R\\}$. The tight
closure of $I$ is

$I^{*}:=\\{x\in R\mid cx^{p^{e}}\in I^{[p^{e}]}\text{ for some }c\in
R^{o}\text{ and all }e>>0\\}.$

Basically full closure was introduced by Heinzer, Ratliff and Rush in [HRR02]
as a closure operation on $\mathfrak{m}$-primary ideals. However, the
operation is also a closure operation on the set of all ideals of a ring.

######  Definition 2.6.

Let $R$ be a commutative ring and $I$ an ideal of $R$. The basically full
closure of $I$ is $I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}:=(\mathfrak{m}I:\mathfrak{m})$.

Note that $I^{*}\subseteq I^{-}$ by [HH90] and $I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}\subseteq I^{-}$ by [HRR02]; however, tight closure and basically full
closure are not comparable for general Noetherian rings.

######  Example 2.7.

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p>0$. If $R=k[[x,y]]$, $I^{*}=I$ for all
ideals $I\subseteq R$ since $R$ is a regular ring. However,
$(x^{3},y^{3})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(\mathfrak{m}(x^{3},y^{3}):\mathfrak{m})=(x^{3},x^{2}y^{2},y^{3})$. So in
$R$ we have $I^{*}=I\subseteq I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}$ for all ideals $I$.

However, for $S=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$,

$(x^{4})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(\mathfrak{m}(x^{4}):\mathfrak{m})=(x^{6},x^{9}):(x^{2},x^{5})=(x^{4},x^{7})\subsetneq(x^{4},x^{5})=(x^{4})^{*}=(x^{4})^{-}$

where the last equality follows from [HH90, Corollary 5.8]. In particular, in
$S$ we have $I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}\subseteq I^{*}$ for all ideals $I$.

Consider the ring $T=k[[x^{2},x^{5},y,xy]]$. Note that
$(x^{4})^{*}=(x^{4})^{-}=(x^{4},x^{5})$ by [HH90, Corollary 5.8]. However,
similar to the computation in $S$, $(x^{4})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(x^{4},x^{7})$ and

$(x^{4})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}\subseteq(x^{4})^{*}=(x^{4})^{-}.$

We have included Figure 1 to illustrate the monomials in $(x^{4})$ which are
shaded in red, the monomials in $T\setminus(x^{4})$ which are shaded in blue.
The two circled lattice points on the $x$-axis indicate the monomials which
are in $(x^{4})^{*}\setminus(x^{4})$ where the darker blue lattice point is a
monomial in $(x^{4})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}$ not in $(x^{4})$.

Figure 1.  Lattice of monomials in $(x^{4})\subseteq(x^{4})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}\subseteq(x^{4})^{*}\subseteq T$.

Whereas, for the ideal $J=(x^{4},x^{5},y^{2},xy^{2})$: we will see that
$J^{*}=J\subseteq J^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=J+(x^{2}y,x^{3}y)$. The first
equality holds by [HH90, Lemma 4.11], since $T\subseteq k[[x,y]]$ which is a
regular ring and the preimage of $(x^{4},y^{2})$ in $T$ is precisely $J$.
Figure 2, helps us to understand how we obtain the $\mathfrak{m}$-basically
full closure $J$. Note the red lattice points indicate monomials in $J$ and
the blue lattice points indicate the monomials in $T\setminus J$. The lattice
points at $(1,0)$ and $(3,0)$ are not colored because the monomials $x$ and
$x^{3}$ are not in $T$. The circled red lattice points are those in
$\mathfrak{m}J$. Note that every monomial in the maximal ideal multiplies the
two monomials represented by the darker blue lattice points ($x^{2}y$ and
$x^{3}y$) whereas for each of the remaining monomials represented by the light
blue lattice points, there is at least one element of the maximal ideal that
does not multiply the monomial into $\mathfrak{m}J$. Hence
$J^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=J+(x^{2}y,x^{3}y)$.

Figure 2.  Lattice of monomials in $J\subseteq J^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}\subseteq T$.

Since we have obtained two ideals $I$ in $T$ one with $I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}\subseteq I^{*}$ and the other with $I^{*}\subseteq I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}$, we see that tight closure and $\mathfrak{m}$-basically full closure are
not comparable in $T$.∎

Northcott and Rees [NR54] defined an ideal $J\subseteq I$ to be a reduction of
$I$ if there exists some non-negative integer $n$ with $JI^{n}=I^{n+1}$ and
they showed that $J$ is a reduction of $I$ if and only if $J^{-}=I^{-}$. Rees
generalized the notion of reduction for submodules of modules in [Ree87]. Then
Epstein generalized reductions of ideals of a commutative Notherian ring and
submodules of finitely generated modules for closure operations $\rm cl$ in
[Eps05] and [Eps10]. We include the definition below in the language of pair
operations as well as the related notion of $\rm cl\operatorname{-core}$ which
was originally introduced for integral closure by Rees and Sally in [RS88] and
then by Fouli and Vassilev in [FV10] for more general closure operations $\rm
cl$.

######  Definition 2.8.

[ERV23b, Definition 2.10] Let $R$ be a Noetherian ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be a
class of $R$-modules and $\rm cl$ be a closure operation defined on
$\mathcal{P}$ of pairs of modules $(L,M)$ with $L\subseteq M$ in
$\mathcal{M}$. Suppose $(L,M),(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$.

  1. (1)

We say that $L$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$ if $L\subseteq
N\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl}$.

  2. (2)

If $L$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$ and there is no submodule
$K\subseteq L$, with $(K,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ such that $K_{M}^{\rm
cl}=N_{M}^{\rm cl}$ then we say that $L$ is a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of
$N$ in $M$.

  3. (3)

We define ${\rm cl\operatorname{-core}}_{M}(N)=\bigcap\\{L\mid L\subseteq
N\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl}\text{ and }(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}\\}$.

Although we defined minimal $\rm cl$-reductions of a submodule $N$ of $M$
above, we do not in general know that minimal $\rm cl$-reductions exist. If
they do, then

${\rm cl\operatorname{-core}}_{M}(N)=\bigcap\\{L\mid L\text{ a minimal {\rm
cl}-reduction of }N\text{ and }(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}\\}.$

######  Definition 2.9.

[Eps05, Definition 1.2] Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and
$\rm cl$ be a closure operation on the class of pairs $\mathcal{P}$ of
finitely generated $R$-modules. We say that $\rm cl$ is a Nakayama closure if
for $L\subseteq N\subseteq M$ finitely generated $R$-modules, if $L\subseteq
N\subseteq(L+\mathfrak{m}N)^{\rm cl}_{M}$ then $L^{\rm cl}_{M}=N^{\rm
cl}_{M}$.

If $\rm cl$ is a Nakayama closure on the class of finitely generated modules,
then Epstein showed that minimal $\rm cl$-reductions exist first for ideals in
[Eps05, Lemma 2.2] and then noted that they also exist for submodules of
finitely generated modules [Eps10, Section 1].

In a recent paper of Kemp, Ratliff and Shah [KRS20], the authors define an
ideal $J\subseteq I$ to be a prereduction if $J$ is not an (integral)
reduction of $I$ however for all $K$ with $J\subseteq K\subseteq I$, $K$ is an
(integral) reduction of $I$. They also consider the set of ideals ${\bf
I}^{\prime}(I)=\\{J\subseteq I\mid J\text{ is not an (integral) reduction of
}I\\}$. They note that if ${\bf I}^{\prime}(I)$ is non-empty then the maximal
elements of ${\bf I}^{\prime}(I)$ are prereductions of $I$. Minimal reductions
and the analytic spread of an ideal are important to their work. The analytic
spread of an ideal $I$ is the maximal number of algebraically independent
elements in $I$. The following is a generalization of algebraic independence
inspired by Vraciu’s work on special tight closure and $*$-independence in
[Vra02] given by Epstein [Eps05] and [Eps10].

######  Definition 2.10.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian ring and $\rm cl$ be a closure operation defined on
$R$-modules. We say that $f_{1},\ldots,f_{r}\in M$ are $\rm cl$-independent if
$f_{i}\notin(f_{1}R+\cdots+\hat{f}_{i}R+\cdots+f_{r}R)^{\rm cl}$. We say a
submodule $N\subseteq M$ is strongly $\rm cl$-independent if every minimal set
of generators of $N$ is $\rm cl$-independent.

Much of Kemp, Ratliff and Shah’s work is over a Noetherian local ring and
integral closure is a Nakayama closure. Epstein proved that when $\rm cl$ is a
Nakayama closure an ideal $L\subseteq N$ is a reduction of $N$ in $M$, then
$L$ is minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ if and only if $L$ is a strongly $\rm
cl$ independent. He further generalized the notion of analytic spread to
Nakayama closures $\rm cl$.

######  Definition 2.11.

(See [Eps05]) Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a
Nakayama closure defined on $R$-modules. We say $N$ has $\rm cl$-spread if the
cardinality of any minimal generating set for any minimal reduction of $N$ is
the same.

##  3\. $\rm cl$-prereductions

For any Nakayama closure and any submodule $N\subseteq M$ we can clearly
define a set of submodules of $M$ whose closure is properly contained in the
closure of $N$. As Kemp, Ratliff and Shah denoted such a set ${\bf
I}^{\prime}(I)$ for integral closure for ideals $I$ of $R$, we will modify
their notation including the closure operation $\rm cl$ in the subscript and
the pair of modules $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ to define

${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M):=\\{L\subseteq N\mid L\text{ is not a }{\rm
cl}\text{-reduction of }N\\}.$

Note that for any $L\subseteq N$, then $L\notin{\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$
if and only if $L$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. If $M=R$, we will
omit $R$ and denote ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(I,R)={\bf I}^{\prime}_{{\rm
cl}}(I)$.

It may be the case that ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$ is empty. For example
if $N=(0)\subseteq M$, then $(0)$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of itself and
contains no proper submodules so ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}((0),M)=\emptyset$.
In [KRS20, Remark 3.5.1], Kemp, Ratliff and Shah note that ${\bf
I}^{\prime}(I)$ is nonempty if and only if $I$ is not a nilpotent ideal.
However, unlike in the case for integral closure of ideals in a ring, ${\bf
I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(I)$ may not be empty when $I$ is a nilpotent ideal. For
example:

######  Example 3.1.

Let $R=k[[x,y]]/(x^{2}y^{2})$ and $I=(xy)$. Note that $(xy)$ is the nilradical
of $R$ and a nilpotent ideal. Note that $(0)^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=((0):\mathfrak{m})=(0)$ and

$(xy)^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(\mathfrak{m}(xy):\mathfrak{m})=(x^{2}y,xy^{2}):(x,y)=(xy).$

We see that ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}(xy)\neq\emptyset$ even
though it is a nilpotent ideal.

The order operation ord, defined by ${\rm ord}(I)=\mathfrak{m}^{r}$ if
$I\subseteq\mathfrak{m}^{r}$ but $I\nsubseteq\mathfrak{m}^{n}$ for any $n>r$
and ${\rm ord}(I)=\bigcap\limits_{r\in\mathbb{N}}\mathfrak{m}^{r}$ if
$I\subseteq\mathfrak{m}^{r}$ for all $r\in\mathbb{N}$ as discussed in [Vas14b]
is also a Nakayama closure with $(0)\in{\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm ord}(xy)$ in $R$
as in Example 3.1 as ord$(xy)=\mathfrak{m}^{2}$ and $(0)={\rm ord}(0)$.

Although, we have given examples above of Nakayama closure operations where
there are nilpotent ideals $I$ with ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm
cl}(I)\neq\emptyset$, tight closure behaves more like integral closure for
ideals in the sense that ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{*}(I)=\emptyset$ when $I$ is
nilpotent.

######  Proposition 3.2.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring of characteristic $p>0$,
then for any nilpotent ideal $I$, ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{*}(I)=\emptyset$.

###### Proof.

Denote the nilradical by $N$. For any nilpotent ideal $I$ we have
$(0)\subseteq I\subseteq N$. By [HH90, Proposition 4.1(i)], $(0)^{*}=N=I^{*}$.
For any ideal $J\subseteq I$ we have $(0)\subseteq J\subseteq I$; hence it is
clear that $I$ has no ideals $J$ with $J\subseteq I$ and $J^{*}\subsetneq
I^{*}$. ∎

Because multiplication of elements in a module is not defined unless we extend
multiplication through the tensor product; thus, we do not usually discuss
nilpotent submodules of an $R$-module.

Due to the above examples and comment, we see that not all properties that
Kemp, Ratliff and Shah obtained for ${\bf I}^{\prime}(I)$ in [KRS20]
generalize for ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ for a general Nakayama closure
$\rm cl$. In addition to defining the set ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$, we
can also define the notion of cl-prereductions for general Nakayama closure
operations $\rm cl$.

######  Definition 3.3.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring. We say that $L$ is a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $N$ if $L\subseteq N$, $L$ is not a $\rm cl$-reduction of
$N$ and for all $K$ with $L\subseteq K\subseteq N$, $K$ is a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $N$.

If ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$, the maximal elements of
${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$ are $\rm cl$-prereductions. We will denote
the set of $\rm cl$-prereductions by ${\bf P}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$. Note that if
${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$ is the set of all ideals properly contained
in $N$, then $N$ has no $\rm cl$-reductions. We usually call such a submodule
$N$ of $M$ which only has itself as a $\rm cl$-reduction $\rm cl$-basic.

Instead of the non-nilpotence assumption as Kemp, Ratliff and Shah do for
[KRS20, Proposition 3.7], we will require ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$ to
be nonempty for our generalization.

######  Proposition 3.4.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and cl a Nakayama closure on
$\mathcal{P}$, the class of finitely generated $R$-modules. Suppose
$(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ such that ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$
then the following hold

  1. (1)

Suppose $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and $L\subseteq K$ then $L\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

  2. (2)

Let $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. There exists a submodule
$\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ which is maximal in ${\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and $\mathfrak{A}\supseteq L$.

  3. (3)

Suppose that $\mathfrak{A}_{1}$ and $\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ are both maximal
submodules in ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Then
$\mathfrak{A}_{1}+\mathfrak{A}_{2}\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and
$\mathfrak{A}_{1}+\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$.

  4. (4)

If $L,K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ then either $L+K\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ or $L+K$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$.

  5. (5)

If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ then $L+\mathfrak{m}N\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

  6. (6)

If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ then $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

  7. (7)

If $\mathfrak{A}$ is maximal in ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ then
$(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl})_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap
N=\mathfrak{A}$.

###### Proof.

(1) If $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $K$ is not a cl-reduction of
$N$. Since $L\subseteq K$ and $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq K_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subsetneq N_{M}^{\rm cl}$ then $L$ is also not a cl-reduction of $N$ in
$M$.

(2) Since $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and $R$ Noetherian, then there
exists an element $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ which is
maximal in ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and $\mathfrak{A}\supseteq L$.

(3) Since $\mathfrak{A}_{1}$ and $\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ are both maximal in ${\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and
$\mathfrak{A}_{1},\mathfrak{A}_{2}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{1}+\mathfrak{A}_{2}\subseteq
N$, then $\mathfrak{A}_{1}+\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$.

(4) Since $L,K\subseteq N$ then $L+K\subseteq N$. If $L+K\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$, we are done. If $L+K\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$,
then by definition $L+K$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$.

(5) Suppose $L+\mathfrak{m}N\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. So
$L+\mathfrak{m}N$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$. Then $L\subseteq
N\subseteq(L+\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Because cl is a Nakayama closure,
$L_{M}^{\rm cl}=N_{M}^{\rm cl}$ and $L$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$ which
contradicts our assumption. So $L+\mathfrak{m}N\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

(6) Suppose that $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.
So $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N$ is a cl-reduction of $N$ in $M$. Then $L_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl}=(L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N_{M}^{\rm cl})_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subseteq(L_{M}^{\rm cl})_{M}^{\rm cl}=L_{M}^{\rm cl}$ and $L$ is a cl-
reduction of $N$ in $M$ which contradicts $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

(7) Since $(\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N)\subseteq(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm
cl})\subseteq(\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl}$, we have
$(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl})_{M}^{\rm
cl}=(\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl}$. By (5), we know that
$\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Since
$\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ maximal,
then $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N$ and hence
$\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}=(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm
cl})_{M}^{\rm cl}$. By (6), we know that $(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl})_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and by the maximality of $\mathfrak{A}$ we have
$\mathfrak{A}=(\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}+(\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm
cl})_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N$. ∎

The following proposition gives us some nice properties that always hold for
$\rm cl$-prereductions.

######  Proposition 3.5.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on $\mathcal{P}$. Then

  1. (1)

Every submodule $L\subseteq N$ which is not a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$
is contained in a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$.

  2. (2)

If $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$. Then

    1. (a)

$\mathfrak{m}N\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

    2. (b)

$\mathfrak{A}$ is $\rm cl$-closed in $N$ or $\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap
N=\mathfrak{A}$.

###### Proof.

  1. (1)

By Proposition 3.4(2), there is some maximal element $\mathfrak{A}$ of ${\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ which contains $L$. Such an $\mathfrak{A}$ must be
a $\rm cl$-prereduction since any submodule containing it must be a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$.

  2. (2)

    1. (a)

In the proof of Proposition 3.4(7), we saw
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N$. This implies
$\mathfrak{m}N\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

    2. (b)

We also saw in the proof of Proposition 3.4(7) that $\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl}\cap N=(\mathfrak{A}+\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N=\mathfrak{A}$.

∎

In particular, if a submodule is $\rm cl$-closed in $M$ then the $\rm
cl$-prereductions will also be $\rm cl$-closed.

######  Corollary 3.6.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on $\mathcal{P}$. For every $\rm cl$-prereduction $\mathfrak{A}$ of
$N_{M}^{\rm cl}$, $\mathfrak{m}N_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}$.

###### Proof.

Note that $\mathfrak{A}$ is also a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N_{M}^{\rm cl}$
since $\mathfrak{A}\in N_{M}^{\rm cl}$ and every submodule $L$ with
$\mathfrak{A}\subseteq L\subseteq N$, $L$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$
and hence a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N_{M}^{\rm cl}$. By Proposition 3.5(2a),
$\mathfrak{m}N_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and by Proposition 3.5(2b),
$\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N_{M}^{\rm
cl}=\mathfrak{A}$. ∎

######  Proposition 3.7.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on the modules of $R$. Let $K\subseteq N\subseteq M$ be submodules of
$R$ with $K$ a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. Then

  1. (1)

${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)\subseteq{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

  2. (2)

For each $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$, $L\cap K\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$.

  3. (3)

For each maximal element of $\mathfrak{A}$ of ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$
there exists a maximal element $\mathfrak{B}$ of ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ such that $\mathfrak{B}\cap K=\mathfrak{A}$.

###### Proof.

(1) Let $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$. Since $K\subseteq N$, then
$L\subseteq K\subseteq N$ and $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\subsetneq K_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Since $L$ is not a $\rm cl$-reduction of $K$, it
cannot be a $\rm cl$-reduction of the larger module $N$. Thus $L\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

(2) If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $L\subseteq N$ and $L$ is
not a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$. Note that $L\cap K\subseteq K$. To see that
$L\cap K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$, it is enough to see that $L\cap K$
is not a $\rm cl$-reduction of $K$. Suppose that $L\cap K$ is a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $K$. Then $(L\cap K)_{M}^{\rm cl}=K_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Note that
$(L\cap K)_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap K_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Since $K$
is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$, then $N_{M}^{\rm cl}=K_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq
L_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl}$ which gives a contradiction to
$L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Hence, $L\cap K\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$.

(3) Let $\mathfrak{A}$ be a maximal element of ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$. By (1), ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)\subseteq{\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Thus $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ and there must exist a maximal element $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ with $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{B}$. By (2),
$\mathfrak{B}\cap K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$. Since
$\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{B}\cap K$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ is maximal, we
get $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{B}\cap K$.

∎

######  Corollary 3.8.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on $\mathcal{P}$, pairs of finite $R$-modules. Let $L\subseteq N$ be
submodules of $M$ with $L$ a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. If
$\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $L$ then there exists a $\rm
cl$-prereduction $\mathfrak{B}$ of $N$ with $\mathfrak{B}\cap L=\mathfrak{A}$.

###### Proof.

This is a direct consequence of Propostion 3.7(3) and the fact that maximal
elements of ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N,M)$ are $\rm cl$-prereductions of $N$
for any submodule $N\subseteq M$. ∎

######  Proposition 3.9.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on the modules of $R$. If $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of
$N$ in $M$ and $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq K\subseteq N$, then $\mathfrak{A}$ is a
$\rm cl$-prereduction of $K$ in $M$.

###### Proof.

Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ and
$\mathfrak{A}\subseteq K\subseteq N$, then $K$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$
in $M$. Also $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. By Proposition
3.7(2), $\mathfrak{A}\cap K=\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

Suppose that $\mathfrak{A}$ is not a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $K$ in $M$. Then
there exists a maximal $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(K,M)$ with
$\mathfrak{A}\subsetneq\mathfrak{B}$ and $\mathfrak{B}$ is a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $K$ in $M$. Then by Proposition 3.7(3) and since maixmal
elements of ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ are $\rm cl$-prereductions of $N$
in $M$ for any module $N$, there exists a $\rm cl$-prereduction $\mathfrak{C}$
of $N$ such that $\mathfrak{C}\supseteq\mathfrak{C}\cap
K=\mathfrak{B}\supsetneq\mathfrak{A}$. This contradicts the maximality of
$\mathfrak{A}$ in ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Hence, $\mathfrak{A}$ is a
$\rm cl$-prereduction of $K$ in $M$. ∎

For submodules which do not have cyclic $\rm cl$-prereductions, we obtain the
following which is similar to [KRS20, Proposition 3.13] for ideals with no
principal prereductions.

######  Proposition 3.10.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure on the modules of $R$. Let $N\subseteq M$, be a submodule. Then
$N=\cup\\{\mathfrak{a}\mid\mathfrak{a}\text{ a }$cl$\text{-prereduction of
}N\\}$ if and only if $N$ has no cyclic $\rm cl$-reductions in $M$.

###### Proof.

Note that $N=\cup\\{xR\mid x\in N\\}$ as sets. Note that if $N$ has no cyclic
$\rm cl$-reductions then for any $x\in N$, $xR\in{\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(N)$
and there is a maximal element $\mathfrak{a}_{x}$ of ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm
cl}(N)$ containing $xR$. Since

$N=\cup\\{xR\mid x\in N\\}\subseteq\cup\\{\mathfrak{a}_{x}\mid x\in
N\\}=\cup\\{\mathfrak{a}\mid\mathfrak{a}\text{ a }{\rm cl}\text{-prereduction
of }N\\}\subseteq N$

we see that $N=\cup\\{\mathfrak{a}\mid\mathfrak{a}\text{ a }\rm
cl\text{-prereduction of }N\\}$ if $N$ has no cyclic $\rm cl$-reductions in
$M$.

Suppose now that $N$ has a cyclic $\rm cl$-reduction $xR$. Then for any
submodule $L$ of $M$ with $xR\subseteq L\subseteq N$, $L$ is a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $N$. Thus no $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ contains $xR$, thus

$\cup\\{\mathfrak{a}\mid\mathfrak{a}\text{ a }{\rm cl}\text{-prereduction of
}N\\}\subsetneq N.$

∎

Numerical semigroup rings gives a nice source of examples where we can easily
exhibit $\rm cl$-prereductions for various closures.

######  Example 3.11.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$, $\mathfrak{m}=(x^{2},x^{5})$ and $k$ a field of any
characteristic. We can find the $\mathfrak{m}$bf-closures for some of the non-
zero non-unital ideals of $R$.

$(x^{2},x^{5})_{R}^{\mathfrak{m}bf}=(x^{2},x^{5})=\mathfrak{m}$.
For $n\neq 3$,

$(x^{n})_{R}^{\mathfrak{m}bf}=((x^{n+2},x^{n+5}):_{R}(x^{2},x^{5}))=(x^{n},x^{n+3}).$

For $n\geq 4$,

$(x^{n},x^{n+1})_{R}^{\mathfrak{m}bf}=((x^{n+2},x^{n+3)}:_{R}(x^{2},x^{5}))=(x^{n},x^{n+1}).$

For $n=2$ and $n\geq 4$,

$(x^{n},x^{n+3})_{R}^{\mathfrak{m}bf}=((x^{n+2},x^{n+5}):_{R}(x^{2},x^{5}))=(x^{n},x^{n+3}).$

Let $I_{n}=(x^{n},x^{n+1})$ for $n\geq 4$. Then $I_{n}^{-}=(x^{n},x^{n+1})=I$
and $I_{n}^{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{bf}}=I_{n}$. $(x^{n},x^{n+3})$ is a
$\mathfrak{m}\textrm{bf}$-prereduction of $I_{n}$. $(x^{n+1},x^{n+2})$ is both
an integral prereduction of $I_{n}$ and a
$\mathfrak{m}\textrm{bf}$-prereduction of $I_{n}$. ∎

##  4\. $\rm i$-expansions and $\rm i$-postexpansions

The second author along with Epstein and R.G. defined the dual notions to $\rm
cl$-reduction and $\rm cl$-core, $\rm i$-expansion and $\rm i$-hull in
[ERV23b] which we state below.

######  Definition 4.1.

[ERV23b, Definition 2.13] Let $R$ be a Noetherian ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be a
class of $R$-modules and $\rm i$ be an interior operation defined on
$\mathcal{P}$ of pairs of modules $(A,B)$ with $A\subseteq B$ in
$\mathcal{M}$. Suppose $(A,B),(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}$.

  1. (1)

We say that $C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ if $C^{B}_{\rm
i}\subseteq A\subseteq C$.

  2. (2)

We say that a submodule $C\subseteq B$ is $\rm i$-cobasic if $C_{\rm
i}^{B}=C$.

  3. (3)

If $C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ and there is no submodule
$D\subseteq B$ such that $D^{B}_{\rm i}=A^{B}_{\rm i}$ then we say that $C$ is
a maximal $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

  4. (4)

We define the $\rm i$-hull by ${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\sum\\{C\mid C^{B}_{\rm i}\subseteq A\subseteq
C\text{ and }(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}\\}$.

######  Definition 4.2.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a local ring and $\rm i$ an interior operation on
Artinian R-modules. We say that $\rm i$ is a Nakayama interior if for any
Artinian R-modules $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$, if
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})^{B}_{\rm i}\subseteq A$, then $A^{B}_{\rm i}=C^{B}_{\rm
i}$.

It is known that maximal $\rm i$-expansions exist for a submodule $A$ of $B$
in the following cases: if $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ is a complete local ring,
$\mathcal{M}$ is the class of Artinian $R$-modules and $\rm cl$ is a Nakayama
interior [ERV23a, Proposition 6.4] or when $R$ is an associative ring and if
there exists an $\rm i$-expansion $C$ of $A$ such that $B/C$ is Noetherian
[ERV23a, Proposition 6.5]. When maximal $\rm i$-expansions of $A$ exist in
$B$, then

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\sum\\{C\mid C\text{ a
maximal {\rm i}-expansion of }A\text{ and }(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}\\}.$

We will now switch our focus to interior operations $\rm i$. As Kemp, Ratliff
and Shah defined the set of ideals ${\bf I}^{\prime}(I)$ to be the ideals
contained in $I$ which are not (integral) reductions of $I$, we can dually
defined the set

${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)=\\{A\subseteq C\subseteq B\mid C\text{ not an
{\rm i}-expansion of }A\text{ in }B\\}.$

######  Definition 4.3.

We say $C$ is an i-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ if $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$,
$C$ not an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$, and for all submodules $D$ such that
$A\subseteq D\subseteq C\subseteq B$, $D$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

Note that the maximal elements of ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ are cl-
prereductions and the minimal elements of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ are
i-postexpansions. The following properties hold for ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$:

######  Proposition 4.4.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be an Noetherian local ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be
Artinian $R$-modules. Let i a Nakayama interior on $\mathcal{P}$. Let
$A\subseteq B$ be R-modules such that ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)\neq\emptyset$. Then the following hold:

  1. (1)

Suppose $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and $(D,C)\in\mathcal{P}$
submodules of $B$. Then $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

  2. (2)

Let $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then there exists a element
$\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ minimal in ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ with $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq C$.

  3. (3)

Suppose that $\mathfrak{A}_{1}$ and $\mathfrak{A}_{1}$ are both minimal
submodules in ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then
$\mathfrak{A}_{1}\cap\mathfrak{A}_{2}\notin{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and
$\mathfrak{A}_{1}\cap\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

  4. (4)

If $C,D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ then either $C\cap D\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ or $C\cap D$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

  5. (5)

If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ then $(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

  6. (6)

If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ then $C_{\rm i}^{B}+A\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

  7. (7)

If $\mathfrak{A}$ is minimal in ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ then
$(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm i}^{B})_{\rm
i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$ for any $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

###### Proof.

(1) If $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then $D$ is not an i-expansion of
$A$. Since $D\subseteq C$ and $D_{B}^{\rm i}\subseteq C_{B}^{\rm i}\subsetneq
A_{B}^{\rm i}$ then $D$ is also not an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

(2) Since $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and R Artinian, then there
exists an element $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ which is
minimal in ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq C$.

(3) Since $\mathfrak{A}_{1}$ and $\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ are both minimal in ${\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and
$A\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{1}\cap\mathfrak{A}_{2}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{1},\mathfrak{A}_{2}\subseteq
B$, then $\mathfrak{A}_{1}\cap\mathfrak{A}_{2}$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in
$B$.

(4) Since $A\subseteq C,D\subseteq B$ then $A\subseteq C\cap D\subseteq B$. If
$C\cap D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$, we are done. If $C\cap D\notin{\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then by definition $C\cap D$ is an i-expansion of
$A$ in $B$.

(5) Suppose $(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\notin{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. So
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$. Then

$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq A\subseteq(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}).$

Because i is a Nakayama interior, $A_{\rm i}^{B}=C_{\rm i}^{B}$ and $C$ is an
i-expansion of $A$ in $B$ which contradicts our assumption. So
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

(6) Suppose that $C_{\rm i}^{B}+A\notin{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then
$C_{\rm i}^{B}+A$ is an i-expansion of $A$ in $B$ and $({C}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A)_{\rm i}^{B}=A_{\rm i}^{B}$. Then ${C}_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq({C}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A)_{\rm i}^{B}=A_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq{C}_{\rm i}^{B}$. This is the case
because $\rm i$ is intensive and order preserving and ${C}_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq{C}_{\rm i}^{B}+A$ and $A\subseteq C$. Hence, $C$ is an
i-expansion of $A$ in $B$ which contradicts $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

(7) Since $(\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})$, we have

$((\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm i}^{B})_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm
i}^{B})_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq(\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm
i}^{B}.$

So $(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm i}^{B})_{\rm
i}^{B}=(\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm i}^{B}$. By (5),
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and by (4)
$\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Since
$\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and $\mathfrak{A}$
is minimal, $\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})=\mathfrak{A}$ and
$(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap((A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm i}^{B})_{\rm
i}^{B}=(\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm i}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}$. By (6), $(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap((A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm
i}^{B})_{\rm i}^{B}+A\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Hence, by the
minimality of $\mathfrak{A}$,

$\mathfrak{A}=(\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}\cap((A:_{C}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm
i}^{B})_{\rm i}^{B}+A.$

∎

######  Proposition 4.5.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be Artinian
$R$-modules. Let $\rm i$ be a Nakayama interior on $\mathcal{P}$. Then

  1. (1)

Every submodule $C\subseteq B$ which is not an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$
contains an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$.

  2. (2)

If $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ then

    1. (a)

$(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

    2. (b)

$\mathfrak{A}$ is $\rm i$-open in $B$ or $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$.

###### Proof.

(1) By Proposition 4.4(2), there is some minimal element $\mathfrak{A}$ of
${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ with $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq C$. Such an
$\mathfrak{A}$ must be an $\rm i$-postexpansion since any submodule it
contains must be an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$.

  1. (1)

In the proof of Proposition 4.4(7), we saw
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})$. This implies
$(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

  2. (2)

We also saw in the proof of Proposition 4.4(7) that $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A=(\mathfrak{A}\cap(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m}))_{\rm i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$.

∎

######  Corollary 4.6.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be Artinian
$R$-modules and $\rm i$ a Nakayama interior on the submodules of $R$. For
every $\rm i$-postexpansion $\mathfrak{A}$ of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$ of $A$ in
$B$, $(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}$.

###### Proof.

Note that $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$
since $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$ and every submodule $D$ with
$C\subseteq D\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$, $D$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $C$
and hence an $\rm i$-expansion of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$. By Proposition
4.5(2a), $(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and by Proposition
4.5(2b), $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$. ∎

######  Proposition 4.7.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm i$ a Nakayama
interior on the modules of $R$. Let $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$ be submodules of
$R$ with $C$ an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$. Then

  1. (1)

${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

  2. (2)

For each $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$, $D+C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(C,B)$.

  3. (3)

For each minimal element $\mathfrak{A}$ of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$
there exists a minimal element $\mathfrak{B}$ of ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ such that $\mathfrak{A}+C=\mathfrak{B}$.

###### Proof.

(1) Let $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$. Since $A\subseteq C$, then
$A\subseteq C\subseteq D$ and $A_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{B}\subsetneq D_{\rm i}^{B}$. Since $D$ is not an $\rm i$-expansion of $C$,
it cannot be an $\rm i$-expansion of the smaller module $A$. Thus $C\in{\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

(1) If $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then $A\subseteq D$ and $D$ is not
an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$. Note that $D\subseteq D+C$. To see that
$D+C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$, it is enough to see that $D+C$ is not
an $\rm i$-expansion of $C$. Suppose that $D+C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of
$C$. Then $(D+C)_{\rm i}^{B}={\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$. Note that $(D+C)_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq D_{\rm i}^{B}+{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$. Since $C$ is an $\rm
i$-expansion of $A$, $A_{\rm i}^{B}={\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}\subseteq D_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm i}^{B}$ which gives a contradition to $D\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Hence $D+C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$.

(1) Let $\mathfrak{A}$ be a minimal element of ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(C,B)$. By (1), ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Thus $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ and
there must be a minimal element $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$
with $\mathfrak{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$. By (2), $\mathfrak{A}+C\in{\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$. Since $\mathfrak{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}+C$ and
$\mathfrak{B}$ is minimal, we get $\mathfrak{A}+C=\mathfrak{B}$.

∎

######  Proposition 4.8.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm i$ a Nakayama
interior on the modules of $R$. If $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion
of $A$ in $B$ and $A\subseteq C\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$, then $\mathfrak{A}$ is
an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $C$ in $B$.

###### Proof.

Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ and $A\subseteq
C\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$, then $C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$. Also,
$\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. By Proposition 4.7(2),
$\mathfrak{A}+C=\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.
Suppose that $\mathfrak{A}$ is not an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $C$ in $B$.
Then there exists a minimal $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(C,B)$
with $\mathfrak{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}$ and $\mathfrak{B}$ an $\rm
i$-postexpansion of $C$ in $B$. Then by Proposition 4.7(3) and since minimal
elements of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ are $\rm i$-postexpansions of $A$
in $B$, there exists an $\rm i$-postexpansion $\mathfrak{C}$ of $A$ in $B$
such that
$\mathfrak{C}\subseteq\mathfrak{C}+C=\mathfrak{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}$. This
contradicts the minimality of $\mathfrak{A}$ in ${\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Hence, $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $C$ in
$B$. ∎

######  Example 4.9.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$, $\mathfrak{m}=(x^{2},x^{5})$ and $k$ a field of any
characteristic. We can find the $\mathfrak{m}$be-interiors for some of the
non-zero non-unital ideals of $R$.

$(x^{2},x^{5})_{\mathfrak{m}be}^{R}=(x^{2},x^{5})=\mathfrak{m}$
$(x^{n})_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}=(x^{n+2},x^{n+5})$
$(x^{n},x^{n+1})_{\mathfrak{m}be}^{R}=\begin{cases}(x^{4},x^{7})&\textrm{if
}n=4\\\ (x^{6},x^{7})&\textrm{if }n=5\\\ (x^{n},x^{n+1})&\textrm{if }n\geq
6\\\ \end{cases}$
$(x^{n},x^{n+3})_{\mathfrak{m}be}^{R}=\begin{cases}(x^{4},x^{7})&\textrm{if
}n=4\\\ (x^{7},x^{8})&\textrm{if }n=5\\\ (x^{n},x^{n+3})&\textrm{if }n\geq
6\\\ \end{cases}$

Let $I=(x^{4},x^{7})$. Then $(x^{4},x^{5})$ is a
$\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}$-expansion of $I$ since
$(x^{4},x^{5})_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}=I_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}=I$
and $I\subseteq(x^{4},x^{5})$.
Since $(x^{4})_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}=(x^{6},x^{9})\subseteq
I_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}=I$ and
$I_{\mathfrak{m}\textrm{be}}^{R}\not\subseteq(x^{4})$, $I$ is a
$\mathfrak{m}$be-postexpansion of $(x^{4})$. ∎

##  5\. Comparing $\rm cl$-prereductions and $\rm i$-postexpansions for
different closures and interiors

There are many different closure and interior operations so it would be
beneficial to know when closure operations are comparable and when interior
operations are comparable. Knowing when they are comparable allows us to
compare $\rm cl$-reductions, $\rm cl$-prereductions, $\rm i$-expansions, and
$\rm i$-postexpansions.

######  Definition 5.1.

Let $p_{1}$ and $p_{2}$ be pair operations defined on $\mathcal{P}$ a
collection of pairs of modules in $R$. We say $p_{1}\leq p_{2}$ if
$p_{1}(N,M)\subseteq p_{2}(N,M)$ for all $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$. We say $p_{1}$
and $p_{2}$ are comparable if $p_{1}\leq p_{2}$ or $p_{2}\leq p_{1}$.

######  Remark 5.2.

Let $\rm cl_{1}$ and $\rm cl_{2}$ be closure operations defined on the
submodules of $R$. We say $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm cl_{2}$ if $N_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$ for all $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$. So $\rm
cl_{1}$ and $\rm cl_{2}$ are comparable if $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm cl_{2}$ or $\rm
cl_{2}\leq\rm cl_{1}$.

Let $\rm i_{1}$ and $\rm i_{2}$ be interior operations defined on the
submodules of $R$. We say $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ if $A_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ for all $(A,B)\in\mathcal{P}$. So $\rm
i_{1}$ and $\rm i_{2}$ are comparable if $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ or $\rm
i_{2}\leq\rm i_{1}$. ∎

We first explore relationships between ${\rm cl}_{i}$-prereductions for
$i=1,2$, when $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm cl_{2}$.

######  Proposition 5.3.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian ring.

  1. (1)

Let $\mathcal{M}$ be the category of finitely $R$-modules and $\mathcal{P}$
the class of pairs $(N,M)$, with $N\subseteq M$ in $\mathcal{M}$. Suppose $\rm
cl_{1}\leq\rm cl_{2}$ are Nakayama closure operations. Then we have

    1. (a)

$(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=(N_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$, and

    2. (b)

$N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$ is a $\rm cl_{2}$-reduction of $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.

  2. (2)

Let $\mathcal{M}$ be the category of Artinian $R$-modules and $\mathcal{P}$
the class of pairs $(C,B)$, with $C\subseteq B$ in $\mathcal{M}$. Suppose $\rm
i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ are Nakayama interior operations. Then we have

    1. (a)

$(A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}=A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$, and

    2. (b)

$A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ is an $\rm i_{1}$-expansion of $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$.

###### Proof.

(1a) Since $N\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$, we
have

$N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subseteq(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\subseteq(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$

which implies $(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.
Also, note that

$N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subseteq(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}\subseteq(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$

yields $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$.

(1b) By (1a), we have $(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}$ and by definition we get that $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$ is a $\rm
cl_{2}$-reduction of $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.

(2a) Since $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}\subseteq A$, we have

$A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq(A_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$

which implies $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. Also,
note that

$A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq(A_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$

yields $(A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}=A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$.

(2b) By (2a), we have $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$
and by definition we get that $A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ is an $\rm i_{1}$-expansion
of $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$ in $B$. ∎

######  Proposition 5.4.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm
cl_{2}$ be Nakayama closures on $\mathcal{P}$.

  1. (1)

${\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\subseteq{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ for all $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$.

  2. (2)

If ${\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$, then ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$.

  3. (3)

Suppose $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Then $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ if and only if $K$ is not a $\rm cl_{2}$-reduction of
$N$ in $M$.

  4. (4)

If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap
N\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ if and only if $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

  5. (5)

If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $L+\mathfrak{m}N\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ if and only if $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

###### Proof.

(1) Suppose $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Then $L$ is not a $\rm
cl_{2}$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. So $L\subseteq N$ and $L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\subsetneq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. If $L$ were a $\rm cl_{1}$-reduction of
$N$ in $M$, then $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}=L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}$ which implies $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subsetneq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$ which is a
contradiction. Thus $L$ is not a $\rm cl_{1}$-reduction of $N$ in $M$ and so
$L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

(2) Since ${\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$ and ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\subseteq{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then ${\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)\neq\emptyset$.

(3) If $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $K_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}\subsetneq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$. Since $K_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=(K_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subseteq(N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$, then $K\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ if
and only if $K_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\neq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.

(4) Suppose $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then since $L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$ and by Proposition 3.4(6) $L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\cap N\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, we see that by
Proposition 5.4(1), $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap N\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$.
Suppose $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)\backslash{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Then $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\subsetneq N_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}\subseteq N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. Since $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=(L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$, we see $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$ is
a $\rm cl_{2}$-reduction of $N$ in $M$ and $L\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap
N\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. Applying $\rm cl_{2}$ to
this chain, we see that $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subseteq(L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap
N)_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}\subseteq(L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}})_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=L_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}$. Thus $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap N$ is a $\rm cl_{2}$-reduction of $N$
in $M$ and $L_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}\cap N\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$.

(5) If $L\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then $L+\mathfrak{m}N\in{\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ by Proposition 3.4(5). Suppose that
$L\notin{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Then $L+\mathfrak{m}N$ is either
a $\rm cl_{2}$-reduction of $N$ or $N_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}=(L+\mathfrak{m}N)_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. Since $\rm cl_{2}$ is a Nakayama
closure, then $N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}=L_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. Thus $L\notin{\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. ∎

######  Proposition 5.5.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm
cl_{2}$ Nakayama closures defined on $\mathcal{P}$.

  1. (1)

For every $\rm cl_{2}$-prereduction $\mathfrak{A}$ of $N$ in $M$, there exists
a $\rm cl_{1}$-prereduction $\mathfrak{B}$ with
$\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{B}$.

  2. (2)

If $N=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl_{2}$-prereduction of
$N$ in $M$, then $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.

  3. (3)

If $N=N_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ is both a $\rm cl_{1}$\- and $\rm
cl_{2}$\- prereduction of $N$ in $M$, then $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{cl_{2}}\cap N$.

  4. (4)

Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl_{1}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ and
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$. Then $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm
cl_{2}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$.

###### Proof.

(1) Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl_{2}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$, then it
is a maximal element of ${\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. By Proposition
5.4(1), $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. By Proposition
3.4(2) there then exists a maximal element $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ with $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{B}$.

(2) By Corollary 3.6 we know that $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}$. Since $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$, we can conclude that
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl_{1}}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl_{2}}$.

(3) By Corollary 3.6 we know that $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{1}}$. By Proposition 3.5(2b) $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl_{2}}\cap N$. Combining the equalities gives the result.

(4) Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is not a $\rm cl_{2}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$.
Then there exists a $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ with
$\mathfrak{A}\subsetneq\mathfrak{B}$. Since ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\subseteq{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$, then
$\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is a
$\rm cl_{1}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ and
$\mathfrak{A}\subsetneq\mathfrak{B}$, $\mathfrak{B}$ must be a $\rm
cl_{1}$-reduction of $N$ in $M$ which contradicts $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$. Thus $\mathfrak{A}$ must be a $\rm
cl_{2}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$. ∎

Now we move on to comparisons of ${\rm i}_{j}$-postexpansions, when $j=1,2$
and $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$.

######  Proposition 5.6.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be Artinian
$R$-modules and $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ be Nakayama interiors on
$\mathcal{P}$.

  1. (1)

${\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$
for all $(A,B)\in\mathcal{P}$.

  2. (2)

If ${\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\neq\emptyset$, then ${\bf C}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)\neq\emptyset$.

  3. (3)

Suppose $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ if and only if $C$ is not an $\rm i_{1}$-expansion of
$A$ in $B$.

  4. (4)

If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then $C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A\in{\bf
C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ if and only if $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

  5. (5)

If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then $(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf
C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ if and only if $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

###### Proof.

(1) Suppose $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then $C$ is not an $\rm
i_{1}$-expansion of $A$ in $B$. So $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$ and $A_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subsetneq C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. If $C$ was an $\rm i_{2}$-expansion
of $A$ in $B$, then $A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}=C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}\supseteq C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}$ which implies $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\supseteq(C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\supsetneq(C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$ which is a contradiction. Thus
$C$ is not an $\rm i_{2}$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ and so $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

(2) Since ${\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\neq\emptyset$ and ${\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then ${\bf
C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)\neq\emptyset$.

(3) If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then $A_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}\subsetneq C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$. Since $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq(C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}$, then $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ if and only if
$A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\neq C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$.

(4) If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then since $C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ and by Proposition 4.4(6), $C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}+A\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. We see that by Proposition
4.4(1), $C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Suppose
$C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\backslash{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq A_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}\subsetneq C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$. Since $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(C_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$, we see $C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ is
an $\rm i_{1}$-expansions of $A$ in $B$ and $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=C_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}+A\subseteq C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A\subseteq
C$. Applying $\rm i_{1}$ to this chain, we see that $A_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq(C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A)_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. Thus $C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A$ is an $\rm
i_{1}$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ and $C_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}+A\notin{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

(5) If $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ by Proposition
4.4(5). Suppose that $C\notin{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Then
$(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})$ is either an $\rm i_{1}$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ or
$A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=(A:_{C}\mathfrak{m})_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. Since $\rm i_{1}$ is
a Nakayama interior, then $A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=C_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. Thus
$C\notin{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. ∎

######  Proposition 5.7.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be Artinian
$R$-modules and $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ be Nakayama interiors on the
submodules of $R$. Then

  1. (1)

For every $\rm i_{1}$-postexpansion $\mathfrak{A}$ of $A$ in $B$, there exists
an $\rm i_{2}$-postexpansion $\mathfrak{B}$ with
$\mathfrak{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

  2. (2)

If $A=A_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i_{1}$-postexpansion of
$A$ in $B$, then $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}$.

  3. (3)

If $A=A_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$ and $\mathfrak{A}$ is both an $\rm i_{1}$\- and $\rm
i_{2}$\- postexpansion on $A$ in $B$, then $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}+A$.

  4. (4)

Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i_{2}$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ and
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}$. Then $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm
i_{1}$-postexpanion of $A$ in $B$.

###### Proof.

(1) Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i_{1}$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$, then
it is a minimal element of ${\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. By Proposition
5.6(1) $\mathfrak{A}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. By Proposition
4.4(2) there then exists a minimal element $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ with $\mathfrak{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

(2) By Corollary 4.6, we know that $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{B}$. Since $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$, we can conclude that
$\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{1}}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i_{2}}^{B}$.

(3) By Corollary 4.6, we know that $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}$. By Proposition 4.5(2b), $\mathfrak{A}=\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{B}+A$. Combining the equalities gives the result.

(4) Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is not an $\rm i_{1}$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$.
Then there exists a $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ with
$\mathfrak{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}$. Since ${\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$, then
$\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is an
$\rm i_{2}$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ and
$\mathfrak{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}$, $\mathfrak{B}$ must be an $\rm
i_{2}$-expansion of $A$ in $B$ which contradicts $\mathfrak{B}\in{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$. Thus $\mathfrak{A}$ must be an $\rm
i_{1}$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$. ∎

We provide a few examples illustrating the above Propositions. For the first
example we use the fact that the $\mathfrak{m}$-basically full closure of an
ideal is always contained in its integral closure. In the second example we
use the fact that the tight closure of an ideal is always contained in its
integral closure.

######  Example 5.8.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$, $\mathfrak{m}=(x^{2},x^{5})$ and $k$ is a field of
any characteristic. Consider the ideal $I=(x^{6},x^{7})$. Note that
$I^{-}=(x^{6},x^{7})$ and $I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(\mathfrak{m}I:_{R}\mathfrak{m})=(x^{6},x^{7})$. Note that
$(x^{6},x^{9})$ is an integral reduction of $I$ but not a basically full
reduction of $I$ since $(x^{6},x^{9})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=(x^{6},x^{9})$.
Since $I/(x^{6},x^{9})\cong k$, then $I$ is a non basically full cover of
$(x^{6},x^{9})$. Now by Remark 7.6, we see that $(x^{6},x^{9})$ is a
$\mathfrak{m}$ basically full prereduction of $I$ which is not an integral
prereduction of $I$.

However, the ideal $(x^{7},x^{8})$ is neither an integral reduction nor a
basically full reduction of $I$ and $I/(x^{7},x^{8})\cong k$ implies that $I$
is a non-integral cover and a non-basically full cover of $(x^{7},x^{8})$.
Again we use Remark 7.6 to see that $(x^{7},x^{8})$ is both an integral
prereduction of $I$ and a $\mathfrak{m}$ basically full prereduction of $I$.

In fact, since the integrally closed ideals in $R$ have the form
$(x^{n})k[[x]]\cap R$, then $(x^{7},x^{8})$ is the unique integral
prereduction of $I$. Whereas, $I$ has multiple basically full prereductions.

This example also nicely illustrates Proposition 3.10. $I$ has principal
integral reductions $(f)$ where $f=\sum\limits_{n=6}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{n}$ and
$a_{6}\neq 0$, and $I\neq(x^{7},x^{8})$ which is the union of its integral
prereductions. Whereas $(f)$ is not a basically full reduction of $I$ since
$(f)^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=(a_{6}x^{6}+a_{7}x^{7},x^{9})\neq I$. So $I$ has
no principal basically full reductions and $I$ is clearly seen to be the union
of its basically full prereductions. ∎

######  Example 5.9.

Let $R=k[[x,y,z]]/(x^{2}-y^{3}-z^{6})$, $\mathfrak{m}=(x,y,z)$ and $k$ is a
field of characteristic $p>3$. $R$ has test ideal $\mathfrak{m}$. Note that
$\mathfrak{m}^{2}$ is both integrally closed and tightly closed.
$(y^{2},z^{2})$ is a minimal integral reduction of $\mathfrak{m}$ which is not
a minimal $*$-reduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$. This is because $R$ is a
Gorenstein ring and in this case
$(y^{2},z^{2})^{*}=(y^{2},z^{2}):_{R}\mathfrak{m}=(xyz,y^{2},z^{2})$. A
minimal $*$-reduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$ is $(y^{2},yz,z^{2})$. Since

$(y^{2},yz,z^{2})^{*}=((y,z^{2})\cap(y^{2},z))^{*}=(y,z^{2})^{*}\cap(y^{2},z)^{*}=(xz,y,z^{2})\cap(xy,y^{2},z)=\mathfrak{m}^{2}$

by [Vas14a, Proposition 2.4]. So although $(y^{2},z^{2})$ is an integral
reduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$, $(y^{2},z^{2})\in{\bf
I}^{\prime}_{*}(\mathfrak{m}^{2})$. Note that $(y^{2},z^{2})$ is not a
$*$-prereduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$ because
$(y^{2},z^{2})\subsetneq(y^{2},z^{2},xy,xz)^{*}=(y^{2},z^{2},xy,xz)$ by
[Vra06, Theorem 2.2]. In fact, we will see in the next section that
$(y^{2},z^{2},xy,xz)$ is a $*$-prereduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$. An example
of an integral prereduction of $\mathfrak{m}^{2}$ is
$J=(xy,xz,y^{3},yz,z^{2})$; this is the case since $\mathfrak{m}^{2}/J\cong k$
and for all $f\in\mathfrak{m}^{2}\setminus J$, $J+(f)=\mathfrak{m}^{2}$
implying that $J$ is an integral prereduction by Proposition 7.5. ∎

##  6\. Duality

In this section, we extend the work of [ERG12] and [ERV23b] to show duality
between $\rm cl$-prereductions and $\rm i$-postexpansions. This will also help
when discussing precores and posthulls in Section 8.

We will use ∨ to denote the Matlis duality operation,
$\textrm{Hom}_{R}(\\_,E)$. If $\mathcal{P}$ is the class of Matlis-dualizable
$R$-modules, then for all $M\in\mathcal{P}$, $M^{\vee\vee}\cong M$. In this
section, $R$ is a complete local ring with maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}$,
residue field $k$, and $E:=E_{R}(k)$ the injective hull.

######  Definition 6.1.

[ERV23b, Definition 3.1] Let $R$ be a complete local ring. Let $p$ be a pair
operation on a class of pairs of Matlis-dualizable $R$-modules $\mathcal{P}$.
For any pair of $R$-modules $(A,B)\in\mathcal{P}^{\vee}$, set

$\mathcal{P}^{\vee}:=\\{(A,B)\mid((B/A)^{\vee},B^{\vee})\in\mathcal{P}\\},$

and define the dual of $p$ by

$p^{\smallsmile}(A,B):=\left(\frac{B^{\vee}}{p((B/A)^{\vee},B^{\vee})}\right)^{\vee}.$

######  Lemma 6.2.

[ERV23b, Lemma 3.3] Let $R$ be a complete local ring and $p$ a pair operation
on a class of pairs of $R$-modules $\mathcal{P}$. For any
$(A,B)\in\mathcal{P}$,

$\left(\frac{B}{p(A,B)}\right)^{\vee}=p^{\smallsmile}((B/A)^{\vee},B^{\vee}).$

In particular, if $\rm cl$ is a closure operation then $((B/A)^{\vee})_{\rm
cl^{\smallsmile}}^{B^{\vee}}=(B/A_{B}^{\rm cl})^{\vee}$, and if $\rm i$ is an
interior operation, then $((B/A)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm
i^{\smallsmile}}=(B/A_{\rm i}^{B})^{\vee}$.

######  Theorem 6.3.

[ERV23b, Theorem 6.2] Let $R$ be a Noetherian complete local ring. Let $\rm i$
be a relative interior operation on pairs $A\subseteq B$ of $R$-modules that
are Noetherian or Artinian, and let $\rm cl:=\rm i^{\smallsmile}$ be its dual
closure operation. There exists an order reversing one-to-one correspondence
between the poset of $\rm i$-expansions of $A$ in $B$ and the poset of $\rm
cl$-reductions of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$. Under this correspondence, an
$\rm i$-expansion $C$ of $A$ in $B$ maps to $(B/C)^{\vee}$, a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$

######  Theorem 6.4.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian complete local ring. Let $\rm i$ be a relative
interior operation on pairs $A\subseteq B$ of $R$-modules that are Noetherian
or Artinian, and let $\rm cl:=\rm i^{\smallsmile}$ be its dual closure
operation. There exists a one-to-one correspondence between the set of $\rm
i$-postexpansions of $A$ in $B$ and the set of $\rm cl$-prereductions of
$(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$. Under this correspondence, an $\rm
i$-postexpansion $C$ of $A$ in $B$ maps to $(B/C)^{\vee}$, a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$.

###### Proof.

$C$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ if and only if $A\subseteq
C\subseteq B$ and $A_{\rm i}^{B}\subsetneq{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{B}$ and for all
submodules $D$ with $A\subseteq D\subseteq C$ we have $A_{\rm i}^{B}=D_{\rm
i}^{B}$. First, $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$ if and only if
$(B/C)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}\subseteq B^{\vee}$ by properties of Matlis
duality. Next, $A_{\rm i}^{B}\subsetneq C_{\rm i}^{B}$ occurs if and only if

$\left(\frac{B^{\vee}}{((B/A)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm
cl}}\right)^{\vee}\subsetneq\left(\frac{B^{\vee}}{((B/C)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm
cl}}\right)^{\vee}.$

Since the modules in question are Matlis-dualizable and
$(B/C)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$, this happens if and only if

$((B/C)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm cl}\subsetneq((B/A)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm
cl}.$

If for all submodules $D$ with $A\subseteq D\subseteq C$ we have $A_{\rm
i}^{B}=D_{\rm i}^{B}$ then by Theorem 6.3, $D$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$
in $B$ and thus maps to $(B/D)^{\vee}$ a $\rm cl$-reduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$
in $B^{\vee}$ and $(B/C)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/D)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$.
Similarly if for all $(B/D)^{\vee}$ with
$(B/C)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/D)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$ we have
$((B/C)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm cl}=((B/A)^{\vee})_{B^{\vee}}^{\rm cl}$ then
again by Theorem 6.3, we have $A_{\rm i}^{B}=D_{\rm i}^{B}$.

Thus $C$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ if and only if
$(B/C)^{\vee}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$. ∎

######  Example 6.5.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$ and $E=kx\oplus
kx^{3}\oplus\bigoplus_{i=1}^{\infty}kx^{-i}$ where the $R$-action on $E$ is
given on the monomials of $R$ by

$x^{j}x^{-i}=\begin{cases}0&\text{if }j-i=0,2\text{ or }j-i\geq 4\\\
x^{j-i}&\text{if }j-i=1,3\text{ or }j-i\leq-1\\\ \end{cases}$

Let

$\displaystyle M$ $\displaystyle=kx+kx^{3}+\bigoplus_{i=1}^{n}kx^{-i},$
$\displaystyle N$
$\displaystyle=kx+kx^{3}+\bigoplus_{i=1}^{n}kx^{-i}+kx^{-(n+2)},\text{ and}$
$\displaystyle K$
$\displaystyle=kx+kx^{3}+\bigoplus_{i=1}^{n}kx^{-i}+kx^{-(n+2)}+kx^{-(n+4)}.$

Then $\textrm{Ann}_{R}(M)=(x^{n+4},x^{n+5})$,
$\textrm{Ann}_{R}(N)=(x^{n+4},x^{n+7})$, and $\textrm{Ann}_{R}(K)=(x^{n+4})$.
From Example 3.11, we can see that $\textrm{Ann}_{R}(N)$ is a reduction of
$\textrm{Ann}_{R}(M)$ and $\textrm{Ann}_{R}(K)$ a prereduction of
$\textrm{Ann}_{R}(N)$. Then both by duality and by Example 4.9, $N$ is an
expansion of $M$ in $E$ and $K$ is a postexpansion of $N$ in $E$. ∎

######  Theorem 6.6.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian complete local ring. Let $\rm i$ be a relative
interior operation on pairs $A\subseteq B$ of $R$-modules that are Noetherian
or Artinian, and let $\rm cl:=\rm i^{\smallsmile}$ be its dual closure
operation. There exists an order reversing one-to-one correspondence between
between the elements of ${\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}((B/A)^{\vee},B^{\vee})$ and
the elements of ${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$.

###### Proof.

Let $C\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. If $C$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of
$A$ in $B$ then by Theorem 6.4, we are done. If $C$ is not an $\rm
i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ then $A\subseteq C\subseteq B$ and by
Proposition 4.5(1), $C$ contains an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$. Let
that $\rm i$-postexpansion be $D$. Then by the previous theorem, $D$ maps one-
to-one to $(B/D)^{\vee}$ a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in
$B^{\vee}$. Since $(B/C)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/D)^{\vee}$ and $(B/C)^{\vee}$ is
not a $\rm cl$-reduction of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$ (otherwise it would
map to $C$ and $C$ would be an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$), we get that
$(B/C)^{\vee}\in{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}((B/A)^{\vee},B^{\vee})$. The
correspondence is order reversing since

$C\subseteq D\textrm{ if and only if }(B/D)^{\vee}\subseteq(B/C)^{\vee}.$

∎

The following lemma will be useful when proving results that use generating or
cogenerating sets.

######  Lemma 6.7.

[ERV23a, Lemma 6.15] Let $R$ be a complete Noetherian ring. Let $B$ be an
$R$-module such that it and all of its quotient modules are Matlis-dualizable.
Let $\\{C_{i}\\}_{i\in I}$ a collection of submodules of $B$. Then

$\left(\frac{B}{\sum_{i}C_{i}}\right)^{\vee}\cong\bigcap_{i}(B/C_{i})^{\vee}$

and

$\left(\frac{B}{\bigcap_{i}C_{i}}\right)^{\vee}\cong\sum_{i}(B/C_{i})^{\vee}$

where all the dualized modules are considered as submodules of $B^{\vee}$.

##  7\. Covers: $\rm cl$-prereductions and $\rm i$-postexpansions

In this section we discuss the relationship between covers of submodules with
respect to closure operations $\rm cl$ and interior operations $\rm i$.

######  Definition 7.1.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a local Noetherian ring and let $K,N$ be submodules
of $M$ in $R$. We say that $N$ covers $K$ if $K\subsetneq N$ and $N/K\cong
R/\mathfrak{m}$. We also say that $K$ is covered by $N$.

######  Definition 7.2.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a local Noetherian ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be a class of
$R$-modules, and $\mathcal{P}$ a class of pairs of modules in $\mathcal{M}$.

Suppose $\rm cl$ is a closure operation on pairs of modules $(L,M),(N,M)$ in
$\mathcal{P}$. If $L$ is covered by $N$:

  1. (1)

We say that $N$ is a $\rm cl$-cover of $L$ if $N_{M}^{\rm cl}=L_{M}^{\rm cl}$.

  2. (2)

We say that $N$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $L$ if $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\subsetneq
N_{M}^{\rm cl}$.

Let $\rm i$ be an interior operation on pairs of modules $(A,B),(C,B)$ in
$\mathcal{P}$. If $A$ is covered by $C$:

  1. (1)

We say that $C$ is a $\rm i$-cover of $A$ if $A_{\rm i}^{B}={C}_{\rm i}^{B}$.

  2. (2)

We say that $C$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $A$ if $A^{B}_{\rm i}\subsetneq
C^{B}_{\rm i}$.

######  Remark 7.3.

$N$ covers $K$ if and only if $N=K+xR$ for some $x\in N$ and
$\mathfrak{m}x\subseteq K$. Equivalently, $N$ covers $K$ if and only if
$N=K+xR$ and $\mathfrak{m}=(K:_{R}xR)$ for every $x\in N\backslash K$. If $N$
covers $K$ and $L$ is an arbitrary proper submodule then either $N\cap L$
covers $K\cap L$ and $N+L=K+L$ or $N\cap L=K\cap L$ and $N+L$ covers $K+L$.

######  Remark 7.4.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be the
category of finitely generated $R$-modules and $\mathcal{P}$ be the set of
pairs $(L,M)$ with $L\subseteq M$ and $L,M\in\mathcal{M}$. Suppose $L\subseteq
N$ are submodules of $M$ with $(L,M),(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$. The following are
equivalent:

  1. (1)

$L+xR$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $L$ for all $x\in N\setminus L$.

  2. (2)

$\mathfrak{m}N\subseteq L$ and $L_{M}^{\rm cl}\cap N=K$.

###### Proof.

This follows directly from definiton of non-$\rm cl$ cover and Remark 7.3. ∎

The following proposition is a generalization of [KRS20, Theorem 4.5] for
Nakayama closures $\rm cl$.

######  Proposition 7.5.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be the class
of finitely generated $R$-modules, $\mathcal{P}$ be the class of pairs $(L,M)$
with $L\subseteq M$ and $L,M\in\mathcal{M}$ and $\rm cl$ be a Nakayama closure
on $\mathcal{P}$. Let $\mathfrak{A}$ be a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $L$ in $M$.
For every $x\in L\setminus\mathfrak{A}$:

  1. (1)

$\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $\mathfrak{A}$.

  2. (2)

$\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $\mathfrak{A}+xR$.

  3. (3)

$\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $L$.

###### Proof.

(1) It follows from Proposition 3.5(2a) that
$\mathfrak{m}L\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and from Remark 7.3 that
$\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a cover of $\mathfrak{A}$. Also $\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm
cl}\cap L=\mathfrak{A}$ follows from Proposition 3.5(2b), so
$x\notin\mathfrak{A}_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Thus $\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a non-$\rm
cl$-cover of $\mathfrak{A}$.

(2) $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $\mathfrak{A}+xR$ by
Proposition 3.9 since $\mathfrak{A}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}+xR\subseteq L$.

(3) $\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $L$ in $M$ by the definition
of $\rm cl$-prereduction of $L$. ∎

######  Remark 7.6.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring.

  1. (1)

If $L$ is $\rm cl$-basic ($L$ is the only $\rm cl$-reduction inside itself),
then $L$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of each $\rm cl$-prereduction of itself.

  2. (2)

If $K$ and $L$ are submodules of $M$ and $L$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $K$,
then $K$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $L$.

###### Proof.

(1) Since $L$ is $\rm cl$-basic and $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction
of $L$, then Proposition 7.5(3) shows that for all $x\in
L\setminus\mathfrak{A}$, $\mathfrak{A}+xR$ is a reduction of $L$. But this
implies that $\mathfrak{A}+xR=L$ for all $x\in L\setminus\mathfrak{A}$.

(2) If $I$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $J$, then $J$ is not a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $I$. Also by Remark 7.3, $J+(x)=I$ for all $x\in I\setminus
J$. Since $I$ is a reduction of $I$, then $J$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of
$I$. ∎

######  Proposition 7.7.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $N$ be a strongly $\rm
cl$-independent submodule in $M$ with $\rm cl$-spread equal to $k\geq 1$
elements. Then every $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ has the form
$(y_{1},y_{2},...,y_{k-1})+y_{k}\mathfrak{m}$ where $y_{1},...,y_{k}$ are a
minimal generating set for $N$.

###### Proof.

Let $y_{1},...,y_{k}$ be a minimal generating set for $N$ and let
$\mathfrak{A}=(y_{1},...,y_{k-1})+y_{k}\mathfrak{m}$. Then
$\mathfrak{A}+(y_{k})=(y_{1},...,y_{k})=N$ and
$y_{k}\mathfrak{m}\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$, so $N$ is a cover of $\mathfrak{A}$
by Remark 7.3. Also, the $y_{i}$ are strongly $\rm cl$-independent, so $N$ is
$\rm cl$-basic and $N$ is the only $\rm cl$-reduction of itself. Thus $N$ is a
non-$\rm cl$-cover of $\mathfrak{A}$. hence, Remark 7.6(2) implies that
$\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$.

Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is an arbitrary $\rm cl$-prereduction of
$N=(x_{1},...,x_{k})$. Then there exists an $1\leq i\leq k$ such that
$x_{i}\notin\mathfrak{A}$. Let us assume $i=k$, then
$x_{k}\notin\mathfrak{A}$. Note that since $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ then for any $x\in N\backslash\mathfrak{A}$,
$\mathfrak{A}+(x)$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. However, since $N$
is $\rm cl$-basic, this implies that $N=\mathfrak{A}+(x)$ for any $x\in
N\backslash\mathfrak{A}$. In particular, $N=\mathfrak{A}+(x_{k})$. Thus for
$1\leq i\leq k-1$, there exists $a_{i}\in\mathfrak{A}$ and $b_{i}\in R$ such
that $x_{i}=a_{i}+b_{i}x_{k}$ and

$\\{a_{1}+b_{1}x_{k},...,a_{k-1}+b_{k-1}x_{k},x_{k}\\}$

is a minimal generating set of $N$. Thus

$\\{a_{1},...,a_{k-1},x_{k}\\}$

is also a minimal generating set of $N$. Since
$\mathfrak{m}N\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$ by Proposition 3.5(2a), we have

$(a_{1},...,a_{k-1})+x_{k}\mathfrak{m}\subseteq(a_{1},...,a_{k-1})+\mathfrak{m}N\subseteq\mathfrak{A}.$

Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$ and
$a_{1},...,a_{k-1})+x_{k}\mathfrak{m}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in
$M$, we see that $\mathfrak{A}=(a_{1},...,a_{k-1})+x_{k}\mathfrak{m}$. ∎

######  Example 7.8.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$ and $I=(x^{6},x^{7})$. By definition of
$\mathfrak{m}$bf-independent, $x^{6}$ and $x^{7}$ are $\mathfrak{m}$bf-
independent since $x^{6}\notin(x^{7})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=(x^{7},x^{10})$
and $x^{7}\notin(x^{6})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=(x^{6},x^{9})$. Note that
$(x^{6})+\mathfrak{m}(x^{7})=(x^{6},x^{9})$ is an $\mathfrak{m}$bf-
prereduction and $(x^{7})+\mathfrak{m}(x^{6})=(x^{7},x^{8})$ is an
$\mathfrak{m}$bf-prereduction.

######  Definition 7.9.

[ERV23a, Definition 6.6] Let $R$ be a Noetherian local ring, $L$ an
$R$-module, and $g_{1},...,g_{t}\in L^{\vee}$. We say that the quotient of $L$
cogenerated by $g_{1},...g_{t}$ is $L/(\bigcap_{i}\ker(g_{i}))$. We say that
$L$ is cogenerated by $g_{1},...g_{t}$ if $\bigcap_{i}\ker(g_{i})=0$. We say
that a cogenerating set for $L$ is minimal if it is irredundant, i.e., for all
$1\leq j\leq t$, $\bigcap_{i\neq j}\ker(g_{i})\neq 0$.

We can dualize the notion of strongly $\rm cl$-independent generating set to
that of a strongly $\rm i$-independent cogenerating set as follows:

######  Definition 7.10.

Let $R$ be a Noetherian local ring, $L\subseteq M$ $R$-modules,
$\pi:M\rightarrow M/L$ the canonical projection, and $\rm i$ an interior
operation defined on $R$-modules. We say that
$g_{1},\ldots,g_{k}\in(M/L)^{\vee}$ are an $\rm i$-independent cogenerating
set of $M/L$ if $\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{i}))\not\supseteq(\pi^{-1}(\bigcap\limits_{r\neq i}{\rm
ker}(g_{r})))^{M}_{\rm i}$ for any $1\leq i\leq k$. We say that $L$ is
strongly $\rm i$-independent if any minimal set of cogenerators of $M/L$ is
$\rm i$-independent.

######  Example 7.11.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$. Note that $(x^{11},x^{12})=(x^{6})\cap(x^{7})$ and
$(x^{11},x^{14})=(x^{6})\cap(x^{9})$. Define $g_{i}:R\rightarrow E$ to be the
homomorphism defined by $g_{i}(1)=x^{-i}$ for every $i$ in the semigroup
$\langle 2,5\rangle$. Note that $g_{i}$ has

${\rm ker}(g_{i})=(x^{i})\text{ and }{\rm
im}(g_{i})=kx^{3}+kx+\sum\limits_{j=1}^{i-4}x^{-j}+kx^{-i+2}+kx^{-i}$

for $i>4$. Since

$(R/(x^{11},x^{12}))^{\vee}\cong kx^{3}+kx+\sum\limits_{j=1}^{7}x^{-j}\text{
and }(R/(x^{11},x^{14}))^{\vee}\cong
kx^{3}+kx+\sum\limits_{j=1}^{7}x^{-j}+kx^{-9},$

it is easy to see that $R/(x^{11},x^{12})$ is cogenerated by the functions
$g_{6}$ and $g_{7}$ whereas $R/(x^{11},x^{14})$ is cogenerated by $g_{6}$ and
$g_{9}$.

Note that ${\rm ker}(g_{6})\cap{\rm ker}(g_{9})=(x^{11},x^{14})$ and ${\rm
ker}(g_{9})=(x^{9})$ is a $\mathfrak{m}$be expansion of $(x^{11},x^{14})$.
Thus ${\rm ker}(g_{6})\supseteq{\rm ker}(g_{9})_{\mathfrak{m}{\rm be}}$
implying that $g_{6}$ and $g_{9}$ are not strongly $\mathfrak{m}$be-
independent.

However, $g_{6}$ and $g_{7}$ will be strongly $\mathfrak{m}$be-independent
since ${\rm ker}(g_{6})\not\supseteq(x^{9},x^{12})=({\rm
ker}(g_{7}))_{\mathfrak{m}{\rm be}}$. ∎

######  Proposition 7.12.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a complete Noetherian local ring, $\mathcal{M}$ be
the class of Artinian $R$-modules, $\mathcal{P}$ be the class of pairs $(A,B)$
with $A\subseteq B$ and $A,B\in\mathcal{M}$, $\pi:B\rightarrow B/A$ the
canonical surjection and $\rm i$ be a Nakayama interior on $\mathcal{P}$. Let
$\mathfrak{A}$ be an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$. For every
$g\in(B/A)^{\vee}$ such that $\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))\not\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$:

  1. (1)

$\mathfrak{A}$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))$.

  2. (2)

$\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))$.

  3. (3)

$\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$.

###### Proof.

(1) We need to show that $(\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))_{\rm
i}^{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}$. By Proposition 4.5(2b), since
$\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ either $\mathfrak{A}$
is $\rm i$-open in $B$ or $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$. In the
first case, we have $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}=\mathfrak{A}\supsetneq\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))\supseteq(\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))_{\rm i}^{B}$. So
$\mathfrak{A}$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))$. In the other case, we have $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$. Then again we get

$(\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))_{\rm i}^{B}=((\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A)\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))_{\rm i}^{B}=((\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))+(A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))))_{\rm
i}^{B}\subsetneq\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}.$

(2) $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of
$\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ by Proposition 4.8 since
$A\subseteq\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))\subseteq\mathfrak{A}$.

(3) $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in
$B$ by the definition of $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$. ∎

######  Proposition 7.13.

[ERV23a, Proposition 6.14] Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring
and $\rm i$ a Nakayama interior on Artinian $R$-modules. Let $A\subseteq B$
Artinian $R$-modules. Suppose that $C\subseteq D$ are $\rm i$-expansions of
$A$ in $B$, with $D$ a maximal $\rm i$-expansion. Then any minimal
cogenerating set of $B/D$ extends to a minimal cogenerating set for $B/C$.

######  Definition 7.14.

[ERV23a, Definition 7.18] Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring.
Let $\rm i$ be an interior operation defined on a class of Artinian
$R$-modules $\mathcal{M}$. Let $A\subseteq B$ be Artinian $R$-modules. We
define the $\rm i$-cospread $\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(A)$ of $A$ to be the minimal
number of cogenerators of $B/C$ of any maximal $\rm i$-expansion $C$ of $A$,
if this number exists.

######  Proposition 7.15.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\rm cl$ be a Nakayama
closure operation on $R$-modules, and $\rm i$ the interior operation dual to
$\rm cl$ defined on a class of Artinian $R$-modules. Let $N\subseteq M$ and
$L$ a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$. If the $\rm cl$-spread
$\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(L)$ of $L$ in $M$ exists, then the $\rm cl$-spread
$\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(N)$ exists and

$\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(N)=\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(L)+1.$

Let $A\subseteq B$ be Artinian $R$-modules, $C$ an $\rm i$-postexpansion of
$A$ in $B$, $M=B^{\vee}$, $N=(B/A)^{\vee}$, and $L=(B/C)^{\vee}$. Then the
$\rm i$-cospread $\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(A)$ exists, the $\rm i$-cospread $\ell_{\rm
i}^{B}(C)$ exists, and

$\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(C)=\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(A)+1.$

###### Proof.

Suppose the $\rm cl$-spread $\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(L)$ of $L$ in $M$ exists and
$L$ a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$. So for all $K$ such that
$L\subseteq K\subseteq N$, $K$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. Let $J$
be a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $L$ in $M$ and $\tilde{K}$ be a minimal
$\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$. Then $J\subseteq L\subseteq J_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subseteq\tilde{K}\subseteq N\subseteq\tilde{K}_{M}^{\rm cl}$. Since
$\tilde{K}$ is a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ and $J$ is a minimal $\rm
cl$-reduction of a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$, $J_{M}^{\rm
cl}\subsetneq\tilde{K}_{M}^{\rm cl}$ and the minimal number of generators of
$J$ is exactly 1 less than the minimal number of generators of $\tilde{K}$.
Since minimal reductions of $L$ all have the same number of minimal generators
and $\tilde{K}$ was an arbitrary minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$ in $M$,

$\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(N)=\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(L)+1.$

By [ERV23a, Proposition 7.19], we know that since $\rm cl$-spread
$\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(L)$ and $\ell_{M}^{\rm cl}(N)$ exists, then the $\rm
i$-cospreads $\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(A)$ and $\ell_{ri}^{B}(C)$ exists. Because $C$
is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$, we have $\ell_{\rm i}^{B}(C)=\ell_{\rm
i}^{B}(A)+1.$ ∎

######  Proposition 7.16.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a complete Noetherian local ring.

  1. (1)

Suppose $C\subseteq A\subseteq B$ and $\pi:B\rightarrow B/C$ is the canonical
surjection. $(B/C)^{\vee}$ covers $(B/A)^{\vee}$ if and only if
$C=A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ for some $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$ and
$(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)):_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq A$.

  2. (2)

If $C$ is $\rm i$-cobasic then every $\rm i$-postexpansion $\mathfrak{A}$ of
$C$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $C$.

  3. (3)

If $A$ and $C$ are submodules of $B$ and $C$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $A$,
then $C$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$.

###### Proof.

(1) Suppose $(B/C)^{\vee}$ covers $(B/A)^{\vee}$. Then by Remark 7.3,
$(B/C)^{\vee}=(B/A)^{\vee}+(g)$ for some $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$ and
$\mathfrak{m}g\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$. By [ERV23b, Lemma 5.4]
$(g)\cong((B/C)/({\rm ker}(g)))^{\vee}$. By the third isomorphism theorem
$(B/C)/({\rm ker}(g))\cong B/(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$. Then by Lemma 6.7 we
see that

$(B/A)^{\vee}+(B/\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))^{\vee}\cong(B/(A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))))^{\vee}$

or $(B/C)^{\vee}\cong(B/(A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))))^{\vee}$. Thus
$C=A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ for some $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$. Furthermore,
since $\mathfrak{m}g\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$ then

$A=\left(\displaystyle\frac{(B/C)^{\vee}}{(B/A)^{\vee}}\right)^{\vee}\subseteq\left(\displaystyle\frac{(B/C)^{\vee}}{\mathfrak{m}g}\right)^{\vee}=\left(\displaystyle\frac{B^{\vee}}{\mathfrak{m}(g\circ\pi^{\vee})}\right)^{\vee}=(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g)):_{B}\mathfrak{m}).$

Suppose $C=A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ for some $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$ and
$\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}g:_{B/C}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq A$. Then by Lemma 6.7

$(B/C)^{\vee}=\left(\frac{B}{A\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g)}\right)^{\vee}\cong(B/A)^{\vee}+(B/\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))^{\vee}$

and since $(g)\cong((B/C)/({\rm ker}(g)))^{\vee}\cong(B/(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g)))^{\vee}$, we see that $(B/C)^{\vee}=(B/A)^{\vee}+(g)$.

Since $(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)):_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq A$, we have

$(B/A)^{\vee}\supseteq\left(\displaystyle\frac{B}{(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g)):_{B}\mathfrak{m})}\right)=\left(\displaystyle\frac{B/C}{({\rm
ker}(g)):_{B/C}\mathfrak{m})}\right)^{\vee}=\mathfrak{m}g$

or $\mathfrak{m}g\subseteq(B/A)^{\vee}$ and by Remark 7.3 $(B/C)^{\vee}$
covers $(B/A)^{\vee}$.

(2) Let $\mathfrak{A}$ be an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $C$. Since $C$ is $\rm
i$-cobasic, then for all $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$ such that $\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g))\not\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$, $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$
is an $\rm i$-expansion of $C$. But this implies that
$\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))=C$ for all $g\in(B/C)^{\vee}$ such
that $\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))\not\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$. By Proposition
4.5(2a), $(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$ and (1) gives that
$(B/\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g)))^{\vee}$ is a cover of
$(B/\mathfrak{A})^{\vee}$. Also by Proposition 4.5(2b), $\mathfrak{A}_{\rm
i}^{B}+A=\mathfrak{A}$. So ${\rm ker}(g)\notin\mathfrak{A}_{\rm i}^{B}$. Thus
$(B/\mathfrak{A}\cap{\rm ker}(g))^{\vee}$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of
$(B/\mathfrak{A})^{\vee}$.

(3) If $C$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of $A$, then $C$ is not an $\rm i$-expansion
of $A$. By (1), $B/(C\cap(g))=B/A$ there exists a $g\in(B/A)^{\vee}$ with
$A=C\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ and $(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g)):_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq C$. Since $C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of
$C$, then $C$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ by (2). ∎

######  Proposition 7.17.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian complete local ring and $A$ be a
strongly $\rm i$-independent submodule in $B$ with $\rm i$-cospread equal to
$k\geq 1$ elements and $\pi:B\rightarrow B/A$ is the canonical surjection.
Then any $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ has the form

$\bigcap\limits_{r\neq i}\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{r}))\cap(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{i})):_{B}\mathfrak{m}).$

###### Proof.

Let $g_{1},...,g_{k}$ be a minimal cogenerating set for $B/A$ and let

$\mathfrak{A}=\bigcap\limits_{r\neq i}\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{r}))\cap(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{i})):_{(B/A)}\mathfrak{m}).$

Then $\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{k}))=\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k}\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{i}))=A$ and
$(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{k})):_{B/A}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq A$, so
$\mathfrak{A}$ is a cover of $A$ by Proposition 7.16(1). Also, the $g_{i}$ are
strongly $\rm i$-independent, so $A$ is $\rm i$-cobasic and $A$ is the only
$\rm i$-expansion of itself. Thus $\mathfrak{A}$ is a non-$\rm i$-cover of
$A$. Hence, Remark 7.16(2) implies that $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm
i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$.

Suppose $\mathfrak{A}$ is an arbitrary $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ where
$B/A=B/(\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k}\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{i})))$. Then there
exists an $1\leq i\leq k$ such that $\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{i}))\not\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$. Let us assume $i=k$, then
$\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{k}))\not\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$. Note that since
$\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$, then for any
$g\in(B/A)^{\vee}\setminus(B/\mathfrak{A})^{\vee}$,
$\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in
$B$. However, since $A$ is $\rm i$-cobasic, this implies that
$A=\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g))$ for any
$g\in(B/A)^{\vee}\setminus(B/\mathfrak{A})^{\vee}$. In particular,
$A=\mathfrak{A}\cap\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{k}))$.

Thus for $1\leq i\leq k-1$, there exists $h_{i}\in(B/A)^{\vee}$ and $b_{i}\in
R$ such that $g_{i}=h_{i}+b_{i}g_{k}$ and

$\\{h_{1}+b_{1}g_{k},...,h_{k-1}+b_{k-1}g_{k},g_{k}\\}$

is a minimal generating set of $(B/A)^{\vee}$. Thus

$\\{h_{1},...,h_{k-1},g_{k}\\}$

is also a minimal generating set of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ and hence a minimal
cogenerating set for $B/A$. Since $(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}$
by Proposition 4.5(2a), we have

$\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k-1}\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(h_{i}))\cap(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{k})):_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k-1}\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(h_{i}))\cap(A:_{B}\mathfrak{m})\supseteq\mathfrak{A}.$

Since $\mathfrak{A}$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$ and
$\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k-1}{\rm ker}(h_{i})\cap(\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(g_{k})):_{B}\mathfrak{m})$ is an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$, we
see that $\mathfrak{A}=\bigcap\limits_{i=1}^{k-1}\pi^{-1}({\rm
ker}(h_{i}))\cap(\pi^{-1}({\rm ker}(g_{k})):_{B}\mathfrak{m})$. ∎

##  8\. Pre-core and Post-hull

Because minimal reductions are not unique in a Noetherian local ring, Rees and
Sally defined the core of an ideal as $\textrm{core}(I)=\bigcap_{J\subset
I}J$, where $J$ is an integral reduction of $I$ [RS88]. In this section, we
will generalize the notions of $\rm cl$-core and $\rm i$-hull, but instead of
defining them in terms of $\rm cl$-reductions and $\rm i$-expansions, we will
intersect and sum the prereductions or the postexpansions for these new
constructs.

######  Definition 8.1.

[ERV23b, Definition 2.12] If $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$ the $\rm cl$-core of $N$
with respect to $M$ is the intersection of all $\rm cl$-reductions of $N$ in
$M$, or

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}:=\bigcap\\{L\mid
L\subseteq N\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl}\subseteq M\textrm{ and
}(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}\\}$

######  Remark 8.2.

As long as $N$ is not $\rm cl$-basic in $M$, then the $\rm cl$-core of $N$ in
$M$ will be contained in some $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$.

###### Proof.

Let $N$ be a submodule of $M$ that is not $\rm cl$-basic. Then there exists
some $L\neq N$ such that $L$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$. Thus ${\rm
cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\bigcap\\{L\mid L\subseteq
N\subseteq L_{M}^{\rm cl}\text{ and }(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}\\}\neq N$ and ${\rm
cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}\in{\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$. So by Proposition 3.4(2), there exists a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $N$ which contains ${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}$. ∎

######  Definition 8.3.

[ERV23b, Definition 6.1] If $(A,B)\in\mathcal{P}$, the $\rm i$-hull of a
submodule $A$ with respect to $B$ is the sum of all $\rm i$-expansions of $A$
in $B$, or

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}:=\sum\\{C\mid{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq A\subseteq C\subseteq B\textrm{ and }(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}\\}$

######  Remark 8.4.

As long as $A$ is not $\rm i$-cobasic in $B$, then the $\rm i$-hull of $A$ in
$B$ will contain some $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$.

###### Proof.

Let $A$ be a submodule of $B$ that is not $\rm i$-cobasic. Then there exists
some $C\neq A$ such that $C$ is an $\rm i$-expansion of $A$ in $B$. Thus ${\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\sum\\{C\mid{\bf C}_{\rm
i}^{B}\subseteq A\subseteq C\subseteq B\textrm{ and
}(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}\\}\neq A$ and ${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}\in{\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$. So by
Proposition 4.4(2), there exists an $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ containing
${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}$. ∎

######  Theorem 8.5.

[ERV23b, Theorem 6.6] Let $R$ be a complete Noetherian local ring. Let
$A\subseteq B$ be Artinian $R$-modules and let $\rm i$ be a relative Nakayama
interior defined on Artinian $R$-modules. Then the $\rm i$-hull of $A$ in $B$
is dual to the $\rm cl$-core of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$, where $\rm cl$
is the closure operation dual to $\rm i$.

######  Definition 8.6.

The $\rm cl$-prehull of $N$ with respect to $M$ is the sum of the $\rm
cl$-prereductions of $N$ in $M$, or

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}:=\sum\\{L\mid L\textrm{
a }{\rm cl}\textrm{-}prereduction\textrm{ of }N\textrm{ in }M\\}.$

The $\rm i$-postcore of $A$ with respect to $B$ is the intersection of the
$\rm i$-postexpansions of $A$ in $B$, or

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}:=\bigcap\\{C\mid
C\textrm{ a }{\rm i}\textrm{-}postexpansion\textrm{ of }A\textrm{ in }B\\}.$

######  Remark 8.7.

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\sum\\{L\mid L\textrm{
maximal in }{\bf I}_{\rm cl}^{\prime}(N,M)\\}$ ${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\bigcap\\{C\mid C\textrm{ minimal in }{\bf
C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)\\}$

###### Proof.

This follows immediately from the maximal elements of ${\bf I}_{\rm
cl}^{\prime}(N,M)$ being $\rm cl$-prereductions and the minimal elements of
${\bf C}_{\rm i}^{\prime}(A,B)$ being $\rm i$-postexpanions. ∎

######  Definition 8.8.

The $\rm cl$-precore of $N$ with respect to $M$ is the intersection of all
$\rm cl$-prereductions of $N$ in $M$,

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm precore}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\bigcap\\{L\mid
L\textrm{ a $\rm cl$-prereduction of }N\textrm{ in }M\\}.$

The $\rm i$-posthull of $A$ with respect to $B$ is the sum of the $\rm
i$-postexpansions of $A$ in $B$,

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}:=\sum\\{C\mid C\textrm{
an $\rm i$-postexpansion of}A\textrm{ in }B\\}.$

The following proposition gives some upper and lower bounds on the $\rm
cl$-core in terms of the $\rm cl$-precore and the $\rm cl$-prehull.

######  Proposition 8.9.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure, and $N$ a submodule of $M$.

  1. (1)

If $N$ is $\rm cl$-basic or every $\rm cl$-prereduction is contained in some
minimal reduction, then

$\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm precore}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm
cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}.$

  2. (2)

If $N=\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$ or $N$ has a unique
$\rm cl$-prereduction in $M$, then

$\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm
cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}.$

###### Proof.

(1) First, if $N$ is $\rm cl$-basic, then the only $\rm cl$-reduction of $N$
in $M$ is $N$ itself. So ${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=N$. Since by definition, every $\rm
cl$-prereduction is contained in $N$, we have ${\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm
precore}\mathnormal{{}_{N}(M)}}\subseteq N$. Thus ${\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm
precore}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}\subseteq\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$.

Next, suppose every $\rm cl$-prereduction is contained in some minimal $\rm
cl$-reduction. Then minimal $\rm cl$-reductions exist and we know that

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\bigcap\\{L\mid L\text{
a minimal {\rm cl}-reduction of }N\text{ and }(L,M)\in\mathcal{P}\\}.$

Since the intersection of $\rm cl$-prereductions is contained in every $\rm
cl$-prereduction and every $\rm cl$-prereduction is contained in a minimal
$\rm cl$-reduction, we see that $\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm
precore}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$.

(2) If $N={\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\sum\\{L\mid
L\textrm{ a }{\rm cl}\textrm{-prereduction}\textrm{ of }N\textrm{ in }M\\}$.
Since by definition, every $\rm cl$-reduction is contained in $N$, we have
${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{N}(M)}}\subseteq N$. Thus $\rm
cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm
prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$.

If $L$ is the unique $\rm cl$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$, by Remark 8.2 we
know that

${\rm cl\textrm{-}{{\rm core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}\subseteq L={\rm
cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}.$

∎

The following proposition gives some upper and lower bounds on the $\rm
i$-hull in terms of the $\rm i$-postcore and the $\rm i$-posthull.

######  Proposition 8.10.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\rm i$ a Nakayama
interior, and $A$ a submodule of $B$.

  1. (1)

If $A=\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$ or $A$ has a unique
$\rm i$-postexpansion in $B$, then

$\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}.$

  2. (2)

If $A$ is $\rm i$-cobasic or every $\rm i$-postexpansions contains some
maximal expansion, then

$\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}.$

###### Proof.

(1) If $A={\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\bigcap\\{C\mid C\textrm{ a }{\rm
i}\textrm{-postexpansion}\textrm{ of }A\textrm{ in }B\\}.$ Since by
definition, $A$ is contained in every $\rm i$-expansion and the hull is the
sum of all expansions, we have $A\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$. Thus $\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$.

If $C$ is the unique $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$, then by Remark 8.4
we know that

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=C\subseteq{\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}.$

(2) First, if $A$ is $\rm i$-cobasic, then the only $\rm i$-expansion of $A$
in $B$ is $A$ itself. So $A=\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{A}(B)}$.
Since $A$ is contained in every $\rm i$-postexpansion of $A$ in $B$, we have
$A\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$. Thus $\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$.

Next, suppose every $\rm i$-postexpansion contains some maximal $\rm
i$-expansion. Then maximal $\rm i$-expansions exist and we know that

${\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\sum\\{C\mid C\text{ a
maximal {\rm i}-expansion of }A\text{ and }(C,B)\in\mathcal{P}\\}.$

Since every $\rm i$-postexpansion contains a maximal $\rm i$-expansion, the
sum of all maximal $\rm i$-expansions is contained in the sum of all $\rm
i$-postexpansions. Thus

$\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm i\textrm{-}{\rm
posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}.$

∎

We include two examples motivating the bounds given in Proposition 8.9

######  Example 8.11.

Let $R=k[[x^{2},x^{5}]]$. It may be helpful to refer to Example 3.11.

Consider the ideal $(x^{4})$. The only $\mathfrak{m}$bf-prereduction of
$(x^{4})$ is $(x^{6},x^{9})$ by Proposition 7.7. Thus

$(x^{6},x^{9})=\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}precore}_{R}(x^{4})\subsetneq\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}core}_{R}(x^{4})=(x^{4})\not\subseteq\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}prehull}_{R}(x^{4})=(x^{6},x^{9})$

which gives an example that the $\rm cl$-precore of a submodule could be
properly contained in the $\rm cl$-core and the $\rm cl$-core is not contained
in the $\rm cl$-prehull.

Consider the ideal $(x^{4},x^{7})$. For every $a\in k$, the ideal
$(x^{4}+ax^{7})$ is a minimal $\mathfrak{m}$bf-reductions of $(x^{4},x^{7})$.
Hence, $\mathfrak{m}$bf-core$(x^{4},x^{7})=\bigcap\limits_{a\in
k}(x^{4}+ax^{7})=(x^{6},x^{9})$. Since the ideals $I$ of $R$ contained in
$(x^{4},x^{7})$ are of the form $(x^{n}+ax^{n+3})$ or
$(x^{n}+ax^{n+3},x^{n+5})$ for $n=4$ or $n\geq 6$ and $a\in k$ or
$(x^{n}+ax^{n+1}+bx^{n+3})$, $(x^{n}+ax^{n+1},x^{n+3})$ or $(x^{n},x^{n+1})$
for $n\geq 6$ and $a,b\in k$. Note the only ideals $I$ which have
$(x^{4},x^{7})$ as a cover are $(x^{4}+ax^{7})$ or $(x^{6},x^{7})$. Since
$(x^{4}+ax^{7})$ are $\mathfrak{m}$bf-reductions of $(x^{4},x^{7})$, then
$(x^{6},x^{7})$ is the only $\mathfrak{m}$bf-prereduction of $(x^{4},x^{7})$
by Proposition 7.5. Thus

$(x^{6},x^{7})=\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}precore}_{R}(x^{4},x^{7})\not\subseteq\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}core}_{R}(x^{4},x^{7})=(x^{6},x^{9})\subsetneq\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}prehull}_{R}(x^{4},x^{7})=(x^{6},x^{7})$

gives an example where the $\rm cl$-core is properly contained in the $\rm
cl$-prehull of a submodule and the $\rm cl$-precore is incomparable with the
$\rm cl$-core of a submodule.

Consider the ideal $(x^{4},x^{5})$. Note that $(x^{4},x^{5})^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf}}=(x^{4},x^{5})$ and in fact is the only ideal $I$ with
$I^{\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf}}=(x^{4},x^{5})$. Thus, $\mathfrak{m}$bf-
core$(x^{4},x^{5})=(x^{4},x^{5})$. As in Example 3.11, the ideals
$(x^{4}+ax^{5},x^{7})$ and $(x^{5},x^{6})$ are $\mathfrak{m}$bf-prereductions
of $(x^{4},x^{5})$. Since $\bigcap\limits_{a\in
k}(x^{4}+ax^{5},x^{7})\cap(x^{5},x^{6})=(x^{6},x^{7})$ and $\sum\limits_{a\in
k}(x^{4}+ax^{5},x^{7})+(x^{5},x^{6})=(x^{4},x^{5})$, this gives and example
where

$\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf\textrm{-}precore}_{R}(I)\subsetneq\mathfrak{m}{\rm
bf\textrm{-}core}_{R}(I)=\mathfrak{m}{\rm bf\textrm{-}prehull}_{R}(I)=I.$

######  Example 8.12.

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p>0$, $R=k[x,y,z]/(xy,xz)$ and
$\mathfrak{m}=(x,y,z)$. Note that $I=(x+y,x+z)$ is a minimal $*$-reduction of
$\mathfrak{m}$. Thus, by [FVV11, Theorem 3.10],

$*{\rm-
core}_{R}(\mathfrak{m})=((x+y,x+z):\mathfrak{m})\mathfrak{m}=\mathfrak{m}^{2}.$

Now let us consider the $*$-prereductions of $\mathfrak{m}$. By Proposition
9.12, the $*$-prereductions of $\mathfrak{m}$ are of the form
$(a)+\mathfrak{m}^{*{\rm sp}}$ where $(a,b)$ is a minimal $*$-reduction of
$\mathfrak{m}$. Note that $(x,y^{2},yz,z^{2})=I^{*{\rm sp}}$. Since
$(x+cy,x+dz)$ are minimal $*$-reductions for $c,d\in k$, then
$(x+cy)+(x,y^{2},yz,z^{2})=(x,y,z^{2})$ and
$(x+dz)+(x,y^{2},yz,z^{2})=(x,y^{2},z)$ are prereductions of $\mathfrak{m}$.
Since $(x,y,z^{2})+(x,y^{2},z)=\mathfrak{m}\subseteq*{\rm-
prehull}_{R}(\mathfrak{m})$ we see that

$*{\rm-core}_{R}(\mathfrak{m})\subsetneq*{\rm-prehull}_{R}(\mathfrak{m}).$

Note that $x\in I^{*{\rm sp}}$ will be in all $*$-prereductions of
$\mathfrak{m}$, thus $x\in*{\rm-precore}_{R}(\mathfrak{m})\not\subseteq*{\rm-
core}_{R}(\mathfrak{m})$.

$I=(x+y,x+z)$ is a $*$-basic ideal. Hence $*{\rm-core}_{R}(I)=I$. Note that
$(x+y,z^{2})$ and $(x+z,y^{2})$ are $*$-prereductions of $I$ and $*{\rm-
precore}_{R}(I)\subseteq(x+y,z^{2})\cap(x+z,y^{2})=\mathfrak{m}^{2}\subseteq*{\rm-
core}_{R}(I)=I$.

As with the duality of the $\rm cl$-core and $\rm i$-hull when $\rm i=\rm
cl^{\smallsmile}$, we have a duality between the $\rm cl$-precore and the $\rm
i$-posthull and the $\rm cl$-prehull and the $\rm i$-postcore.

######  Theorem 8.13.

Let $R$ be a complete Noetherian local ring. Let $A\subseteq B$ be Artinian
$R$-modules, and let $\rm i$ be a relative Nakayama interior defined on
Artininian $R$-modules. Then the $\rm i$-postcore of $A$ in $B$ is dual to the
$\rm cl$-prehull of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$ and the $\rm i$-posthull of
$A$ in $B$ is dual to the $\rm cl$-precore of $(B/A)^{\vee}$ in $B^{\vee}$,
where $\rm cl$ is the closure operation dual to $\rm i$.

###### Proof.

Let $M=B^{\vee}$ and $N=(B/A)^{\vee}$. We need to show that

$(M/\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)})^{\vee}=\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$

and

$(M/\rm cl\textrm{-}{\rm precore}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)})^{\vee}=\rm
i\textrm{-}{\rm posthull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}.$

These follows from the definitions. ∎

######  Proposition 8.14.

[ERV23a, Proposition 7.3] Let $R$ be a local ring and $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm
cl_{2}$ be closure operations defined on the class of finitely generated
$R$-modules $\mathcal{M}$ with $\rm cl_{2}$ Nakayama. If $N\subseteq M$ are
$R$-modules in $\mathcal{M}$, then $\rm cl_{2}\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm cl_{1}\textrm{-}{{\rm
core}}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$.

######  Proposition 8.15.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl_{1}\leq\rm
cl_{2}$ Nakayama closures defined on $\mathcal{P}$. If $(N,M)\in\mathcal{P}$,
then $\rm cl_{2}\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}\subseteq\rm
cl_{1}\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}$.

###### Proof.

Let $L$ be a $\rm cl_{2}$-prereduction of $N$ in $M$. Then

$L\in{\rm cl_{2}\textrm{-}{\rm prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}}=\sum\\{L\mid
L\textrm{ maximal in }{\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\\}.$

By Proposition 5.4(1), ${\bf I}_{\rm cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\subseteq{\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)$ so

$\sum\\{L\mid L\textrm{ maximal in }{\bf I}_{\rm
cl_{2}}^{\prime}(N,M)\\}\subseteq\sum\\{L\mid L\textrm{ maximal in }{\bf
I}_{\rm cl_{1}}^{\prime}(N,M)\\}\\\ =\rm cl_{1}\textrm{-}{\rm
prehull}\mathnormal{{}_{M}(N)}.$

∎

######  Proposition 8.16.

[ERV23a, Proposition 7.12] Let $R$ be an associative (ie not necessarily
commutative) ring and $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ interior operations on a class
$\mathcal{M}$ of (left) $R$-modules. Let $A\subseteq B$ be $R$-modules such
that $\rm i_{1}$ and $\rm i_{2}$ are defined on all $R$-modules between $A$
and $B$. Then $\rm i_{2}\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm
i_{1}\textrm{-}{\rm hull}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$.

######  Proposition 8.17.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\mathcal{P}$ be
Artinian $R$-modules. Let $\rm i_{1}\leq\rm i_{2}$ be Nakayama interiors on
$\mathcal{P}$. Then $\rm i_{1}\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}\subseteq\rm i_{2}\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}$.

###### Proof.

Let $C\in{\rm i_{1}\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}}=\bigcap\\{C\mid C\textrm{ minimal in }{\bf
C}_{\rm i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\\}$. So $C$ is an $\rm i_{1}$-postexpansion. By
Proposition 5.5(1), we know that ${\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\subseteq{\bf C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)$ so

$\bigcap\\{C\mid C\textrm{ minimal in }{\bf C}_{\rm
i_{1}}^{\prime}(A,B)\\}\subseteq\bigcap\\{C\mid C\textrm{ minimal in }{\bf
C}_{\rm i_{2}}^{\prime}(A,B)\\}=\rm i_{2}\textrm{-}{\rm
postcore}\mathnormal{{}^{B}(A)}.$

∎

##  9\. Closures $\rm cl$ with a special part and $\rm cl$-prereductions

Vraciu first introduced the special part of tight closure in [Vra02] and later
showed with Huneke [HV03] that in excellent normal rings with perfect residue
field that the tight closure of an ideal $I$ has a special part decomposition
in terms of a minimal reduction of $I$ and its special part. (See Remark
9.2(6) below.) We will make use of this decomposition to determine all the
$*$-prereductions of a tightly closed ideal.

######  Definition 9.1.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring of characteristic $p>0$ and
$I$ be an ideal. Let $R^{o}$ be the set of elements that are not in any
minimal prime of $R$. We say $x\in R$ is in the special part of the tight
closure of $I$ ($x\in I^{*{\rm sp}}$) if there exists a $c\in R^{o}$ such that
$cx^{q}\in\mathfrak{m}^{q/q_{0}}I^{[q]}$ for all $q\geq q_{0}$.

We collect a few facts about the special part of the tight closure below:

######  Remark 9.2.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a local ring of characteristic $p>0$ with a weak
test element $c$.

  1. (1)

An alternate description of the elements $x$ in the special part of the tight
closure is: $x\in I^{*{\rm sp}}$ if and only if there exists a $q_{0}$ such
that $x^{q_{0}}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{[q_{0}]})^{*}$.

  2. (2)

For any ideal $I$, $(I^{*})^{*{\rm sp}}=I^{*{\rm sp}}=(I^{*{\rm sp}})^{*}$ and
if $J\subseteq I$ and $J^{*}=I^{*}$ then $J^{*{\rm sp}}=I^{*{\rm sp}}$ [Eps05,
Lemma 3.4].

  3. (3)

If $I\subseteq I^{*{\rm sp}}$ then $I$ is nilpotent. [Eps05, Lemma 3.1].

  4. (4)

$\mathfrak{m}I\subseteq I^{*{\rm sp}}\cap I$ and equality holds if $I$ is a
$*$-basic ideal. [Eps05, Lemma 3.2].

  5. (5)

If $x_{1},\ldots,x_{k}$ are $*$-independent elements in $I$, then they are
also $*$-independent modulo $I^{*{\rm sp}}$. In particular, if
$J=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ is a minimal $*$-reduction of $I$ and $x\in I^{*{\rm
sp}}$, then

$J^{\prime}=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{i-1},x,x_{i+1},\ldots,x_{k})$

is not a minimal $*$-reduction of $I$ for any choice of $i$ [Vra06,
Proposition 1.12].

  6. (6)

If $R$ is further excellent and normal with perfect residue field, then for
every ideal $I$ of an excellent normal ring of positive characteristic,
$I^{*}=I+I^{*{\rm sp}}$ [HV03, Theorem 2.1].

∎

The following is a generalization of [KRS20, Corollary 7.2] for tight closure.

######  Proposition 9.3.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring of characteristic $p>0$
containing a weak test element. Suppose that $I$ is a proper principal ideal
which is not nilpotent, then the unique $*$-prereduction of $I$ is
$\mathfrak{m}I$.

###### Proof.

Let $I=(x)$ where $x$ is not nilpotent. Suppose $x$ is not $*$-independent.
Note that $(x)$ is a cover of $\mathfrak{m}(x)$ since
$(x)/(\mathfrak{m}(x))\cong R/\mathfrak{m}$. Suppose that $(x)$ is a $*$-cover
of $\mathfrak{m}(x)$. Then $I\subseteq
I^{*}=(\mathfrak{m}I)^{*}\subseteq(I^{*{\rm sp}})^{*}=I^{*{\rm sp}}$ by Remark
9.2(2,4). However now we see that $I$ is nilpotent by Remark 9.2(3). Thus $x$
is $*$-independent and the set of $*$-prereductions of $I$ is
$\\{\mathfrak{m}I\\}$ by Proposition 3.2. ∎

As with $*$-independence, Vraicu has noted in [Vra06, Observation 1.5] that if
one set of generators of an ideal $K=(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ are
$*$-independent modulo $J$ then any set of generators of $K$ modulo $J$ are
$*$-independent. Vraciu also defined the following set in [Vra06].

######  Definition 9.4.

Let $J\subseteq I$ be tightly closed ideals. Let $\mathcal{F}(J,I)$ be the set
of all tightly closed ideals $K$ such that $J\subseteq K\subseteq I$ and
$\lambda(I/K)=1$.

######  Theorem 9.5.

[Vra06, Theorem 2.2] Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a local excellent normal ring
of characteristic $p>0$ and $J\subseteq I$ be tightly closed ideals. Then
$\mathcal{F}(J,I)$ is equal to the set

$\\{(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{*{\rm
sp}}\mid(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1},x_{k})\text{ is a minimal }*\text{-reduction
of }I\text{ modulo }J\text{ for some }x_{k}\\}.$

Tight closure is not the only closure which has a special part, in fact both
the Frobenius closure and integral closure have a special part. See [Eps10].

######  Definition 9.6.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ be a closure
operation on the ideals of $R$. Then clsp is a special part of $\rm cl$ if the
following four axioms hold for ideals $I\subseteq R$.

  1. (1)

$I^{\rm clsp}$ is an ideal of $R$.

  2. (2)

$\mathfrak{m}I\subseteq I^{\rm clsp}\subseteq I^{\rm cl}$.

  3. (3)

$(I^{\rm cl})^{\rm clsp}=I^{\rm clsp}=(I^{\rm clsp})^{\rm cl}$.

  4. (4)

If $J\subseteq I\subseteq(J+I^{\rm clsp})^{\rm cl}$, then $I\subseteq J^{\rm
cl}$.

Epstein showed [Eps10, Lemma 2.2] that a closure $\rm cl$ with a special part
is necessarily Nakayama, if $J\subseteq I$ then $J^{\rm clsp}\subseteq I^{\rm
clsp}$, and if $I$ is $\rm cl$-independent then $\mathfrak{m}I=I\cap I^{\rm
clsp}$.

Note that for all the known closures $\rm cl$ with a special part, an element
$z\in I^{\rm clsp}$ if there exists some increasing function
$f:\mathbb{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{N}$ and some $n\in\mathbb{N}$ such that
$z^{f(n)}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{f(n)})^{\rm cl}$ or
$z^{f(n)}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{[f(n)]})^{\rm cl}$. For the special part of
integral closure $f(n)=n$ as $z\in I^{\rm-sp}$ if
$z^{n}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{n})^{-}$. For the special part of tight closure and
the special part of Frobenius closure, $f(n)=p^{n}$ where $p$ is the
characteristic of the ring and $z\in I^{*{\rm sp}}$ if
$z^{p^{n}}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{[p^{n}]})^{*}$ and $z\in I^{F{\rm sp}}$ if
$z^{p^{n}}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{[p^{n}]})^{F}$. Note that in all three cases, the
function $f$ defines a descending chain of ideals $I^{\\{f(n)\\}}\supseteq
I^{\\{f(m)\\}}$ for $m\geq n$, where $I^{\\{f(n)\\}}$ is the appropriate
$f(n)$-th ”power” associated to the closure $\rm cl$. We will say that the
special part of $I$ with respect to the closure $\rm cl$ is defined by the
function $f$, values $n\geq n_{0}\geq 0$ and the ideals
$\\{I^{\\{f(n)\\}}\\}_{n\geq n_{0}}$ if $z\in I^{\rm clsp}$ when
$z^{f(n)}\in(\mathfrak{m}I^{\\{f(n)\\}})^{\rm cl}$. Although, we don’t need
this description for the proofs below, it is an interesting point that may be
useful in the future.

We say that an ideal has a $\rm cl$-special part decomposition on $R$ if
$I^{\rm cl}=I+I^{\rm clsp}$. Note the key ingredient to generalize Theorem 9.5
is that strongly $\rm cl$-independent ideals have a $\rm cl$-special part
decomposition.

######  Remark 9.7.

As in the comment after [HV03, Theorem 2.1], when $I$ is generated by $\rm
cl$-independent elements and $I^{\rm cl}=I+I^{\rm clsp}$, we have

$\displaystyle\frac{I^{\rm
cl}}{\mathfrak{m}I}=\displaystyle\frac{I}{\mathfrak{m}I}\oplus\displaystyle\frac{I^{\rm
clsp}}{\mathfrak{m}I}.$

∎

First we need to generalize the following results of [Vra06].

######  Proposition 9.8.

(See [Vra06, Proposition 1.12]) Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local
ring and $\rm cl$ a closure defined on the ideals of $R$. Suppose that all
strongly $\rm cl$-independent ideals $I\subseteq R$ have a $\rm cl$-special
part decomposition. If $x_{1},\ldots,x_{k}$ are $\rm cl$-independent, then
they are also $\rm cl$-independent modulo $I^{\rm clsp}$. In particular, if
$J=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ is a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $I$ and $x\in
I^{\rm clsp}$, then

$J^{\prime}=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{i-1},x,x_{i+1},\ldots,x_{k})$

is not a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $I$ for any choice of $i$.

###### Proof.

For each $i\in{1,...,k}$, we need to show that $f_{i}\notin(I^{\rm
clsp},f_{1},\ldots,f_{i-1},f_{i+1},\ldots,fl)^{\rm cl}$. Otherwise, one could
extract a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction $J^{\prime}$ generated by some of the
$f_{j}$, $j\neq i$ and some of the elements in $I^{\rm clsp}$. Since
$f_{1},\ldots,f_{i-1},f_{i+1},\ldots,f_{k}$ alone cannot generate a cl-
reduction, it follows that we must have elements in $I^{\rm clsp}$ among the
minimal generators of $J^{\prime}$. But $I^{\rm clsp}\bigcap
J^{\prime}\subseteq\mathfrak{m}I$, and this is a contradiction. ∎

The proof of the following Proposition is similar to the proof of [Vra06,
Corollary 1.14]; thus, we omit the proof.

######  Proposition 9.9.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $J\subseteq I$ be ideals
of $R$ with $I=I^{\rm cl}$ and assume that the $\rm cl$-spread of $I/J$ is
$k$. Let $g_{1},\ldots g_{i}$ be part of a minimal system of generators of
$I/J$ and let $K=(g_{1},\ldots,g_{i})+J$. Then $K$ can be extended to a
minimal $\rm cl$-reducgtion of $I/J$ if and only if $I^{\rm cl{\rm sp}}\cap
K\subseteq\mathfrak{m}I+J$.

The following set is modeled after a set defined by Vraciu in [Vra06] for
tight closure.

######  Definition 9.10.

Let $J\subseteq I$ be a $\rm cl$-closed ideals. Let $\mathcal{F}_{\rm
cl}(J,I)$ be the set of all $\rm cl$-closed ideals $K$ such that $J\subseteq
K\subseteq I$ and $\lambda(I/K)=1$.

The proof of the following Theorem is modelled after Vraciu’s proof of Theorem
9.5.

######  Theorem 9.11.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring and $\rm cl$ a Nakayama
closure operation on $R$. Suppose all strongly $\rm cl$-independent ideals
$I\subseteq R$ have a $\rm cl$-special part decomposition and $J\subseteq I$
be $\rm cl$-closed ideals. $\mathcal{F}_{\rm cl}(J,I)$ is equal to the set

$\\{(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{\rm
clsp}\mid(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1},x_{k})\text{ is a minimal }{\rm
cl}\text{-reduction of }I\text{ modulo }J\text{ for some }x_{k}\\}.$

###### Proof.

First we show that any ideal $K$ of the form $(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{\rm
clsp}$ is in $\mathcal{F}_{\rm cl}(J,I)$. Since
$I=(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})+I^{\rm clsp}$ and $\mathfrak{m}I\subseteq I^{\rm
clsp}$, it follows that $\lambda(I/K)=1$ and in fact, $I/K$ is spanned by the
image of $x_{k}$. In order to see that $K$ is $\rm cl$-closed, note that we
have $x_{k}\notin K^{\rm cl}$ by Proposition 9.8. On the other hand $K^{\rm
cl}\subseteq I^{\rm cl}=I$, and every element in $I\setminus K$ is congruent
modulo $K$ to a unit multiple of $x_{k}$. This shows that $K$ is $\rm
cl$-closed.

Conversely, we need to show that every ideal $K\subseteq\mathcal{F}_{\rm
cl}(J,I)$ has the given form. We need only show that there exist
$x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1}$ such that $(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ is a minimal $\rm
cl$-reduction of $I$ for some choice of $x_{k}$, and
$(Jx_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{\rm clsp}\subseteq K$. With this inclusion, the
equality will follow as

${\rm dim}\left(\displaystyle\frac{K}{\mathfrak{m}I+J}\right)={\rm
dim}\left(\displaystyle\frac{I}{\mathfrak{m}I+J}\right)-1=k-1+\left(\displaystyle\frac{I^{\rm
clsp}+J}{\mathfrak{m}I+J}\right)$

and Proposition 9.9 shows that this is equal to the dimension of

$\displaystyle\frac{(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{\rm clsp}}{\mathfrak{m}I+J}.$

Choose $L=(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ an arbitrary minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of
$I$ modulo $J$. Since $K$ is $\rm cl$-closed, $L\nsubseteq K$. Since
$\lambda(I/K)=1$, it follows that $K+L=I$, and therefor $\lambda(L/(K\cap
L)=\lambda((K+L)/K)=1$. Hence, we can choose generators for $L/J$ such that

$(J,x_{1},\ldots x_{k-1},\mathfrak{m}x_{k})\subseteq K,\quad x_{k}\notin K.$

Hence, the image of $x_{k}$ generates $I/K$.

We must still show that $I^{\rm clsp}\subseteq K$. Let $z\in I^{\rm clsp}$. We
may assume that $z\notin K$ and search for a contradiction. Since $z\notin K$,
then $z\equiv ux_{k}{\rm mod}K$, where $u$ is a unit in $R$. Observe that

$\displaystyle I$ $\displaystyle=(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})^{\rm cl}$
$\displaystyle=(K+(J,x_{1},\ldots,x_{k}))^{\rm cl}\text{ (Since
}(J,x_{1},\ldots x_{k-1},\mathfrak{m}x_{k})\subseteq K\subseteq I\text{),}$
$\displaystyle=(K+(z))^{\rm cl}\text{ (Since }z\equiv ux_{k}{\rm
mod}K\text{),}$ $\displaystyle\subseteq(K+I^{\rm clsp})^{\rm cl}\text{ (Since
}z\in I^{\rm clsp}\text{).}$

Now by Definition 9.6(4), we see that $I\subseteq K^{\rm cl}=K$ which is a
contradiction. ∎

######  Theorem 9.12.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, $\rm cl$ a Nakayama closure
which satisfies the property that all strongly $\rm cl$-independent ideals
have a $\rm cl$-special part decomposition in $R$. Let $I$ be a $\rm
cl$-closed ideal. Suppose that the $\rm cl$-spread of $I$ is $k$. Then the set
of all $\rm cl$-prereductions of $I$ is

${\bf P}_{\rm cl}(I)=\\{(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm
clsp}}\mid(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k})\text{ a minimal }\rm cl\text{-reduction of
}I\\}.$

###### Proof.

First we will show that if $J=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ is a minmal $\rm
cl$-reduction of $I$ and $y_{1},\ldots,y_{k}$ any minimal generating set of
$J$, then $(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction.
Note that

$(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+y_{k}\mathfrak{m}$

is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $J$ by Proposition 3.2. By Defintion 9.6 (2), we
have $y_{k}\mathfrak{m}\subseteq\mathfrak{m}I\subseteq I^{{\rm clsp}}$
implying that

$(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+y_{k}\mathfrak{m}\subseteq(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{*{\rm
sp}}.$

By Theorem 9.11, $(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}}$ is $\rm cl$-closed
with

$\lambda(I/((y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}})=1.$

In otherwords, $I$ is a non-$\rm cl$-cover of $(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm
clsp}}$. Since

$(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}}+(y_{k})=I$

and $I$ is $\rm cl$-closed then by Proposition 7.5 (2),
$(y_{1},\ldots,y_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $I$.

Now suppose that $\mathfrak{a}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $I$. We need to
show that $\mathfrak{a}=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{k-1})+I^{{\rm clsp}}$ where
$(x_{1},\ldots,x_{k})$ is a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $I$. First we show
that a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $\mathfrak{a}$ has $k-1$ generators.
Since $\mathfrak{a}$ is a $\rm cl$-prereduction of $I$, $\mathfrak{a}^{\rm
cl}\subsetneq I^{\rm cl}=I$, but for any $x\in I\setminus\mathfrak{a}$,
$(\mathfrak{a},x)^{\rm cl}=I$. Suppose $J=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{\ell})$ is a
minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $\mathfrak{a}$. Since for any $x\in
I\setminus\mathfrak{a}$,

$I=(\mathfrak{a},x)^{\rm cl}=(J^{\rm cl}+(x))^{\rm cl}=(J+(x))^{\rm
cl}=(x_{1},\ldots,x_{\ell},x)^{\rm cl}$

then $(x_{1},\ldots,x_{\ell},x)$ is a $\rm cl$-reduction of $I$ for any $x\in
I\setminus\mathfrak{a}$. Since the $\rm cl$-spread of $I$ is $k$, then
$\ell\geq k-1$.

Note that $(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell})$ is not a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $\mathfrak{a}$ for any $i$. Suppose that $\ell>k-1$ and

$(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell},x)\text{ is a {\rm cl}-reduction of
}I$

for every $x\in I\setminus\mathfrak{a}$ and some $i$, then
$(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell})^{\rm cl}$ is a $\rm
cl$-prereduction of $I$. However, since
$(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell})^{\rm cl}\subseteq\mathfrak{a}$,
then it must be the case that $(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell})^{\rm
cl}=\mathfrak{a}$ as both $(x_{1},\ldots,\hat{x_{i}},\ldots,x_{\ell})^{\rm
cl}$ and $\mathfrak{a}$ are elements of ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(I)$ and
they both must be maximal in ${\bf I}^{\prime}_{\rm cl}(I)$. This contradicts
$J$ being a minimal $\rm cl$-reduction of $\mathfrak{a}$. Hence $\ell\leq
k-1$.

Now we need to show that $I^{{\rm clsp}}\subseteq\mathfrak{a}$. Suppose $x\in
I^{{\rm clsp}}\setminus\mathfrak{a}$. Since $\mathfrak{a}+(x)$ is a $\rm
cl$-reduction of $I$ by definition of $\rm cl$-prereduction, then for any