We consider the definition and regularity properties of convex functions in Carnot groups. We show that various notions of convexity in the subelliptic setting that have appeared in the literature are equivalent. Our point of view is based on thinking of convex functions as subsolutions of homogeneous elliptic equations.

Starting from a master equation in a quantum Hamilton form we study analytically a nonequilibrium system which is coupled locally to two heat bathes at different temperatures. Based on a lattice gas description an evolution equation for the averaged density in the presence of a temperature gradient is derived. Firstly, the case is analysed where a particle is removed from a heat bath at a fixed...

We study work extraction processes mediated by finite-time interactions with an ambient bath---partial thermalizations---as continuous-time Markov for two-level systems. Such a stochastic process results in fluctuations the amount of that can be extracted and is characterized rate at which system parameters are driven addition to thermalization bath. analyze distribution case energy gap constan...

We prove a quantitative bi-Lipschitz nonembedding theorem for the Heisenberg group with its Carnot-Carathéodory metric and apply it to give a lower bound on the integrality gap of the Goemans-Linial semidefinite relaxation of the Sparsest Cut problem.