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Abstract: We show that Connes'' embedding conjecture on von Neumann algebras is equivalent to the existence of certain algebraic certificates for a polynomial in noncommuting variables to satisfy the following nonnegativity condition: The trace is nonnegative whenever self-adjoint contraction matrices of the same size are substituted for the variables. These algebraic certificates involve sums of hermitian squares and commutators. We prove that they always exist for a similar nonnegativity condition where elements of separable -factors are considered instead of matrices. Under the presence of Connes'' conjecture, we derive degree bounds for the certificates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We give complete descriptions of the tracial states on both the universal and reduced crossed products of a C*-dynamical system consisting of a unital C*-algebra and a discrete group. In particular, we also answer the question of when the tracial states are in canonical bijection with the invariant tracial states on the original C*-algebra. This generalizes the unique trace property for discrete groups. The analysis simplifies greatly in various cases, for example when the conjugacy classes of the original group are all finite, and in other cases gives previously known results, for example when the original C*-algebra is commutative. We also obtain results and examples in the case of abelian groups that contradict existing results in the literature of Bédos and Thomsen. Specifically, we give a finite-dimensional counterexample, and provide a correction to the result of Thomsen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]