We give a definition of the scanning map for configuration spaces that is equivariant under the action of the diffeomorphism group of the underlying manifold. We use this to extend the Bödigheimer-Madsen result for the stable splittings of the Borel constructions of certain mapping spaces from compact Lie group actions to all smooth actions. Moreover, we construct a stable splitting of configuration spaces which is equivariant under smooth group actions, completing a zig-zag of equivariant stable homotopy equivalences between mapping spaces and certain wedge sums of spaces. Finally we generalise these results to configuration spaces with twisted labels (labels in a fibre bundle subject to certain conditions) and extend the Bödigheimer-Madsen result to more mapping spaces.

The Chow/Van der Waerden approach to algebraic cycles via resultants is elaborated and used to give a purely algebraic proof for the algebraicity of the complex suspension over arbitrary fields. The algebraicity of the join pairing on Chow varieties then follows over the complex numbers. The approach implies a more algebraic proof of Lawson´s complex suspension theorem in characteristic 0. The continuity of the action of the linear isometries operad on the group completion of the stable Chow variety is a consequence. Further Hoyt´s proof of the independence of the algebraic-continuous homeomorphism type of Chow varieties on embeddings is rectified and worked out over arbitrary fields.