Differentiable spaces that are subcartesian

We show that the differential structure of the orbit space of a proper action of a Lie group on a smooth manifold is weakly reflexive. This implies that the orbit space is a differentiable space in the sense of Smith, which ensures that the orbit space has an exterior algebra of differential forms, that satisfies Smith’s version of de Rham’s theorem. Because the orbit space is a locally closed subcartesian space, it has vector fields and their flows.     

Strain effects on multiferroic BiFeO3 films

The field of multiferroics has experienced a rapid progress resulting in the discovery of many new physical phenomena. BiFeO₃ (BFO) compound, which is one of the few room-temperature single-phase multiferroics, has contributed subsequently to this progress. As a result, significant review articles have been devoted specifically to this famous system. This chapter is dedicated to the strain effects on the structure stability and property changes of BFO thin films. It is a short and non-exhaustive topical overview that may be seen as an invitation for interested readers to go beyond. There is a very active and prolific research in this field and we apologize to the authors whose relevant work is not cited here. After a short introduction, we will thus review the effect of strain on BFO films by describing the consequences on the structure and the phase transitions as well as on polar, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties.     

Pattern universes

In this essay we explore analogies between macroscopic patterns, which result from a sequence of phase transitions/instabilities starting from a homogeneous state, and similar phenomena in cosmology, where a sequence of phase transitions in the early universe is believed to have separated the fundamental forces from each other, and also shaped the structure and distribution of matter in the universe. We discuss three distinct aspects of this analogy: (i) Defects and topological charges in macroscopic patterns are analogous to spins and charges of quarks and leptons; (ii) Defects in generic 3+1 stripe patterns carry an energy density that accounts for phenomena that are currently attributed to dark matter; (iii) Space-time patterns of interacting nonlinear waves display behaviors reminiscent of quantum phenomena including inflation, entanglement and dark energy.     

A short historical account of period doublings in the pre-renormalization era

I will shortly review the history of experimental and theoretical findings on period doubling until the discovery of the quantitative universal properties of the infinite period-doubling cascade.     

Fractions continues de matrices,convergence et applications

The aim of this article is to give some property of continued fraction with matrices arguments, about their convergence and others applications. At the end of this work, we present a resolution of the Algebraic Riccati Equation by giving an explicit continued fraction development of its solution. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dérivée des petites valeurs propres des surfaces de Riemann

On estime la dérivée des petites valeurs propres du Laplacien sur une famille de surfaces de Riemann. Ces valeurs propres sont considérées comme des fonctions sur l'espace de Teichmüller, et l'estimation des dérivées peut s'exprimer dans ce contexte. Received: December 21, 1995     

On the uniform decay for the Korteweg–de Vries equation with weak damping

The aim of this work is to consider the Korteweg–de Vries equation in a finite interval with a very weak localized dissipation namely the H^?1‐norm. Our main result says that the total energy decays locally uniform at an exponential rate. Our analysis improves earlier works on the subject (Q. Appl. Math. 2002; LX (1):111–129; ESAIM Control Optim. Calculus Variations 2005; 11 (3):473–486) and gives a satisfactory answer to a problem suggested in (Q. Appl. Math. 2002; LX (1):111–129). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Residual currents and corridor of flow in the Rio de la Plata

The Rio de la Plata is a large and shallow water body that discharges onto the Atlantic Ocean. The main driving forces for the river flow are the bathymetry, tides, the outflow from the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the winds. A numerical model covering the entire river was set up with the objective of increasing our understanding of the hydrographical features and morphological dynamics in the Estuary. The simulations revealed a counter-clockwise residual circulation in the Samborombón Bay and an eastward net flow near the Uruguayan coast. The residual flow is forced by both the tides and the bathymetry. The residence time for the entire river ranges from 40 to 80 days. However, residence times above 120 days was found in the Samborombón Bay. Three corridors of flow have been identified.     

Classes polaires associées aux distributions holomorphes de sous-espaces tangents*

Résumé. Nous définissons des classes polaires associées à une distribution holomorphe singulière de sous-espaces tangents d’une variété projective lisse. Nous prouvons que ces classes polaires peuvent être calculées en fonction des classes de Chern-Mather du faisceau tangent de la distribution et réciproquement. Nous utilisons leurs degrés pour borner les degrés de certaines classes polaires associés à une variété invariante. *Ce travail a été soutenu par l’Accord de Coopération France-Brésil (CNRS/CNPq) et par la Fondation CAPES-Brésil.