Rigidity for C1C^1 actions on the interval arising from hyperbolicity I: solvable groups

We consider Abelian-by-cyclic groups for which the cyclic factor acts by hyperbolic automorphisms on the Abelian subgroup. We show that if such a group acts faithfully by $C^1$ diffeomorphisms of the closed interval with no global fixed point at the interior, then the action is topologically conjugated to that of an affine group. Moreover, in case of non-Abelian image, we show a rigidity result concerning the multipliers of the homotheties, despite the fact that the conjugacy is not necessarily smooth. Some consequences for non-solvable groups are proposed. In particular, we give new proofs/examples yielding the existence of finitely-generated, locally-indicable groups with no faithful action by $C^1$ diffeomorphisms of the interval.Comment: A more detailed proof of Proposition 4.15 adde

The many faces of disability in evidence for policy and practice: embracing complexity

Background: This special issue examines the relationship between disability, evidence, and policy. Key points: Several themes cut across the included papers. Despite the development of models of disability that recognise its socially constructed nature, dis/ableism impedes the involvement of people with disability in evidence production and use. The resultant incomplete representations of disability are biased towards its deproblematisation. Existing data often homogenise the heterogeneous. Functioning and impairment categories are used for surveys, research recruitment and policy enactments, that exclude many. Existing data may crudely evidence some systematic inequalities, but the successful and appropriate development and enactment of disability policies requires more contextual data. Categories and labels drawn from a deficit model affect social constructions of identity, and have been used socially and politically to justify the disenfranchisement of people with disability. Well rehearsed within welfare systems, this results in disempowered and devalued objects of policy, and, as described in one Brazilian paper, the systematic breakup of indigenous families. Several studies show the dangers of policy developed without evidence and impact assessments from and with the intended beneficiaries. Conclusions and implications: There is a need to mitigate barriers to inclusive participation, to enable people with disability to collaborate as equals with other policy actors. The combined application of different policy models and ontologies, currently in tension, might better harness their respective strengths and encourage greater transparency and deliberation regarding the flaws inherent in each. Learning should be shared across minority groups

Spatial rogue waves in photorefractive SBN crystals

We report on the excitation of large-amplitude waves, with a probability of around 1% of total peaks, on a photorefractive SBN crystal by using a simple experimental setup at room temperature. We excite the system using a narrow Gaussian beam and observe different dynamical regimes tailored by the value and time rate of an applied voltage. We identify two main dynamical regimes: a caustic one for energy spreading and a speckling one for peak emergence. Our observations are well described by a two-dimensional Schr\"odinger model with saturable local nonlinearity.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Influence of methane and carbon monoxide in the volumetric behaviour of the anthropogenic CO2: Experimental data and modelling in the critical region

Density measurements of the systems CO 2 + CH 4 at T = 304.21 K and CO 2 + CO at T = 304.21 and 308.15 K were carried out at pressures and compositions of interest in the process of transport and storage of CO 2 (CCS technology): P = 0.1 to 20 MPa, and xCO 2 ≥0.97. From the experimental P––T –xCO 2 data, we have studied the dependence of the isothermal compressibility, the excess molar volume, and the par- tial molar volume of the solute with composition, pressure and temperature within the critical region. We have modelled the volumetric behaviour of these systems with Peng–Robinson, PC-SAFT and GERG Equations of State, thus validating these equations under the conditions considered. Furthermore, we have confirmed the weakly attractive behaviour of these systems by performing a study of the interac- tions between solvent molecules, CO 2 , and those of the solute, CO or CH 4 , using the Krichevskii Function concept and the Kirkwood–Buff Theory. Finally, we have quantified the influence of small amounts of CH 4 and CO in the transport of anthropogenic CO 2 through several normalized parameters, related to the design and operation of the fluid transport process

The evolution of a gypsum vein network in compressive tectonic settings: the Montsant anticlinorium case (NE Spain)

The Montsant anticlinorium is part of the Pàndols-Cavalls-Montsant tectonic line situated in the southwestern area of the Catalan Coastal Ranges, adjacent to the contact with the Tertiary Ebro Basin. We have interpreted this Alpine structure as a triangular type I zone with two opposite faults. The centre of the anticlinorium is formed by middle Muschelkalk facies with intensively deformed gypsum layers and an intensively deformed zone with an associated framework of satin spar gypsum veins. A field structural analysis reveals that there are two sets of veins: one associated with a pre-folding stage (before the Alpine orogeny), and another one related to the development of the Montsant anticlinorium, and therefore syn-folding (and Alpine in age)

Bose-Einstein condensates in a homogeneous gravitational field

The behavior of a Bose--Einstein condensate in a homogeneous gravitational field is analyzed. We consider two different trapping potentials. Firstly, the gas is inside a finite container. The effects of the finiteness of the height of the container in connection with the presence of a homogeneous gravitational field are mathematically analyzed and the resulting energy eigenvalues are deduced and used to obtain the corresponding partition function and the ensuing thermodynamical properties. Secondly, the trapping potential is an anisotropic harmonic oscillator and the effects of the gravitational field and of the zero--point energy on the condensation temperature are also considered. These results are employed in order to put forward an experiment which could test the so called Einstein Equivalence Principle.Comment: Accepted in Modern Physics Letters

Probing quantum coherence in qubit arrays

We discuss how the observation of population localization effects in periodically driven systems can be used to quantify the presence of quantum coherence in interacting qubit arrays. Essential for our proposal is the fact that these localization effects persist beyond tight-binding Hamiltonian models. This result is of special practical relevance in those situations where direct system probing using tomographic schemes becomes infeasible beyond a very small number of qubits. As a proof of principle, we study analytically a Hamiltonian system consisting of a chain of superconducting flux qubits under the effect of a periodic driving. We provide extensive numerical support of our results in the simple case of a two-qubits chain. For this system we also study the robustness of the scheme against different types of noise and disorder. We show that localization effects underpinned by quantum coherent interactions should be observable within realistic parameter regimes in chains with a larger number o

RNA denaturation: excluded volume, pseudoknots and transition scenarios

A lattice model of RNA denaturation which fully accounts for the excluded volume effects among nucleotides is proposed. A numerical study shows that interactions forming pseudoknots must be included in order to get a sharp continuous transition. Otherwise a smooth crossover occurs from the swollen linear polymer behavior to highly ramified, almost compact conformations with secondary structures. In the latter scenario, which is appropriate when these structures are much more stable than pseudoknot links, probability distributions for the lengths of both loops and main branches obey scaling with nonclassical exponents.Comment: 4 pages 3 figure

High-pressure speed of sound in pure CO2 and in CO2 with SO2 as an impurity using methanol as a doping agent

Reliable speed of sound, c, values in CO2- rich mixtures and pure CO2 are required for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology but are difficult to determine, particularly at relatively high frequencies. We tested the suitability of methanol as doping agent to obtain accurate c values in CCS systems at 5 MHz. We measured c in seven CO2-rich, CO2 + methanol mixtures between 263.15 and 323.15 K and up to 196.30 MPa, and we extrapolated the values to obtain c in pure CO2. Additionally, we measured c from 263.15 to 373.19 K and up to 190.10 MPa in two CO2-rich, CO2 + SO2 mixtures with the same SO2 composition, which is of interest for CCS, with one mixture doped with methanol. We compared our results for pure CO2 with the literature and the Span and Wagner equation of state (EoS). We validated the PC-SAFT EoS and the modeling with the REFPROP 9 software for the mixtures by comparing the predicted values with our experimental data under the studied conditions. We conclude that methanol is a suitable doping agent to measure c in pure CO2 and CO2-rich mixtures. For the CO2 + SO2 mixtures, the effect of methanol on the experimental values is small and negligible for modeling