A group-theoretical finiteness theorem (Q956695)

The authors prove the following theorem: Let \(M^n\) be a closed \(PL\) \(n\)-manifold, represented by a polyhedral \(n\)-ball \(\Delta\) modulo the orbits of a fixed point-free involution on its \((n-1)\)-simplices, let \(T\) be the tree of fundamental domains \(\bigsqcup_{x \in A} x\Delta\) of the free monoid \(A\) generated by the \((n-1)\)-simplices, and let \(wide\tilde M^n\) be the universal covering space of \(M^n\). Then there exists a sequence of maps \(T @>{\pi_\alpha}>> T_\alpha @>{F_\alpha}>> {\widetilde M}^n\) such that the following hold: (1) The map \(\pi_\alpha\) is obtained by an \(\omega\)-modeled succession of foldings. (2) For any \(x \in T_\alpha\) the cardinality of the set \(\pi_\alpha^{-1}(x)\) is finite. (3) There exists a continuous cross-section for the map \(F_\alpha\).