Positivity in $\ast$-algebras can be defined either algebraically, by
quadratic modules, or analytically, by $\ast$-representations. By the induction
procedure for $\ast$-representations we can lift the analytical notion of
positivity from a $\ast$-subalgebra to the entire $\ast$-algebra. The aim of
this paper is to define and study the induction procedure for quadratic
modules. The main question is when a given quadratic module on the
$\ast$-algebra is induced from its intersection with the $\ast$-subalgebra.
This question is very hard even for the smallest quadratic module (i.e.
The paper is concerned with various types of noncommutative
Positivstellens\"atze for the matrix algebra $M_n(\cA)$, where $\cA$ is an
algebra of operators acting on a unitary space, a path algebra, a cyclic
algebra or a formally real field. Some new types of Positivstellens\"atze are
proposed and proved, it is shown by examples that they occur. There are a
number of results stating that a type of Positivstellensatz is valid for
$M_n(\cA)$ provided that it holds for $\cA$.
Let $\cX$ be the unital *-algebra generated by the unilateral shift operator.
It is shown that for any nonnegative operator $X\in \cX$ there is an element
$Y\in \cX$ such that $X=Y^*Y$.
Let $\cX$ be the unital *-algebra generated by the unilateral shift operator.
It is shown that for any nonnegative operator $X\in \cX$ there is an element
$Y\in \cX$ such that $X=Y^*Y$.