Test elements in pro-\(p\) groups with applications in discrete groups (Q2627995)

\textit{V. Shpilrain} [Arch. Math. 62, No. 5, 385--392 (1994; Zbl 0802.20024)] introduced the notion of a test element in the 1990s. An element $g$ of a group $G$ is called a test element of $G$ if for every endomorphism $\Phi: G \rightarrow G$, $\Phi(g) = g$ implies $\Phi$ is an automorphism of $G$. In this article, the authors investigate test elements in profinite and pro-$p$ groups. \par A retract of a group $G$ is a subgroup $H$ of $G$ for which there exists an epimorphism $r: G \rightarrow H$ that restricts to the identity homomorphism on $H$. A group $G$ satisfies the retract theorem if an element $g$ of $G$ is a test element if and only if it is not contained in any proper retract of $G$. The authors call a group that satisfies the retract theorem a Turner group. They prove that a finitely generated profinite group is a Turner group, it follows that every element of infinite order in a finitely generated just infinite profinite group is a test element. \par As well as giving explicit examples of test elements in free pro-$p$ groups and Demushkin groups, the authors link the discrete and profinite worlds as follows. They prove that if $G$ is a finitely generated, residually finite-$p$ Turner group then, if an element $g \in G$ is a test element in the pro-$p$ completion of $G$, then it is a test element in $G$. Applying this result, the authors provide new examples of test elements in free discrete groups and surface groups.