We study theoretically the combined effect of confinement and randomness on LC phase transitions in orientational (isotropic-nematic) and translational (nematic-smectic A) degrees of ordering. We focus to cases where these transitions are of (very) weakly 1st order. An adequate experimental realisation is, e.g., 8CB liquid crystal confined to a Controlled-Pore Glass matrix. Based on universal responses of "hard" and "soft" continuum fields to distortions we derive how different mechanisms influence qualitative and quantitative characteristics of phase transitions under consideration.
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