Non-negative cd-coefficients of Gorenstein posets

We give a convolution formula for cd-index coefficients. The convolution formula, together with the proof by Davis and Okun of the Charney-Davis Conjecture in dimension 3, imply that certain cd-coefficients are non-negative for all Gorenstein* posets. Additional coefficients are shown to be non-negative by interpreting them in terms of the top homology of certain Cohen-Macaulay complexes. In particular we verify, up to rank 6, Stanley's conjecture that the coefficients in the cd-index of a Gorenstein* ranked poset are non-negative. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.