Derivations on the line and flows along orbits (Q1066421)

The closure of the derivation \(\lambda\) \(D: C^ 1_ c({\mathbb{R}})\to C_ 0({\mathbb{R}})\) defined by \((\lambda D)(f)=\lambda f'\), where \(\lambda\) : \({\mathbb{R}}\to {\mathbb{R}}\) is continuous, generates a \(C_ 0\)-group on \(C_ 0({\mathbb{R}})\) (corresponding to a flow on \({\mathbb{R}})\) if and only if 1/\(\lambda\) is not locally integrable on either side of any zero of \(\lambda\) or at \(\pm \infty\). This clarifies some results of \textit{R. de Laubenfels} [Pac. J. Math. 115, 73-80 (1984)]. If S is a flow on a locally compact, Hausdorff, space X with fixed point set \(X^ 0_ S\), \(\delta_ S\) is the generator of the induced action on \(C_ 0(X)\), \(\lambda\) : \(X\setminus X^ 0_ S\to {\mathbb{R}}\) is continuous, and bounded on sets of low frequency under S, and \(t\to \lambda (S_ t\omega)^{-1}\) is not locally integrable on either side of any zero or at \(\pm \infty\), then the flows along the orbits of S form a flow on X whose generator acts as \(\lambda \delta_ S\). This improves some results of \textit{D. W. Robinson} [''Smooth derivations on abelian \(C^*\)-dynamical systems'', to appear].