Dynamics of meromorphic maps with small topological degree III: geometric currents and ergodic theory

We continue our study of the dynamics of mappings with small topological degree on (projective) complex surfaces. Previously, under mild hypotheses, we have constructed an ergodic ``equilibrium'' measure for each such mapping. Here we study the dynamical properties of this measure in detail: we give optimal bounds for its Lyapunov exponents, prove that it has maximal entropy, and show that it has product structure in the natural extension. Under a natural further assumption, we show that saddle points are equidistributed towards this measure. This generalize results that were known in the invertible case and is, to our knowledge, one among not very many instances in which a natural invariant measure for a non-invertible dynamical system is well-understood.Comment: v3. Exposition improved. Final version, to appear in Ann. Scient. de l'EN

Dynamics of meromorphic maps with small topological degree I: from cohomology to currents

We consider the dynamics of a meromorphic map on a compact kahler surface whose topological degree is smaller than its first dynamical degree. The latter quantity is the exponential rate at which its iterates expand the cohomology class of a kahler form. Our goal in this article and its sequels is to carry out a conjectural program for constructing and analyzing a natural measure of maximal entropy for each such map. Here we take the first step, converting information about the linear action of the map on cohomology to invariant currents with special geometric structure. We also give some examples and identify some additional properties of maps on irrational surfaces and of maps whose invariant cohomology classes have vanishing self-intersection.Comment: Final version, to appear in Indiana University Mathematics Journal. Among other changes, discussion of polynomial maps is improve

Esperanza Window Traps for the collection of anthropophilic blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Uganda and Tanzania.

There is an increasing need to evaluate the impact of chemotherapeutic and vector-based interventions as onchocerciasis affected countries work towards eliminating the disease. The Esperanza Window Trap (EWT) provides a possible alternative to human landing collections (HLCs) for the collection of anthropophilic blackflies, yet it is not known whether current designs will prove effective for onchocerciasis vectors throughout sub-Saharan Africa. EWTs were deployed for 41 days in northern Uganda and south eastern Tanzania where different Simulium damnosum sibling species are responsible for disease transmission. The relative efficacy of EWTs and HLCs was compared, and responses of host-seeking blackflies to odour baits, colours, and yeast-produced CO2 were investigated. Blue EWTs baited with CO2 and worn socks collected 42.3% (2,393) of the total S. damnosum s.l. catch in northern Uganda. Numbers were comparable with those collected by HLCs (32.1%, 1,817), and higher than those collected on traps baited with CO2 and BG-Lure (25.6%, 1,446), a synthetic human attractant. Traps performed less well for the collection of S. damnosum s.l. in Tanzania where HLCs (72.5%, 2,432) consistently outperformed both blue (16.8%, 563) and black (10.7%, 360) traps baited with CO2 and worn socks. HLCs (72.3%, 361) also outperformed sock-baited (6.4%, 32) and BG-Lure-baited (21.2%, 106) traps for the collection of anthropophilic Simulium bovis in northern Uganda. Contrasting blackfly distributions were observed on traps in Uganda and Tanzania, indicating differences in behaviour in each area. The success of EWT collections of S. damnosum s.l. in northern Uganda was not replicated in Tanzania, or for the collection of anthropophilic S. bovis. Further research to improve the understanding of behavioural responses of vector sibling species to traps and their attractants should be encouraged

Wettability of partially suspended graphene

The dependence of the wettability of graphene on the nature of the underlying substrate remains only partially understood. Here, we systematically investigate the role of liquid-substrate interactions on the wettability of graphene by varying the area fraction of suspended graphene from 0 to 95% by means of nanotextured substrates. We find that completely suspended graphene exhibits the highest water contact angle (85° ± 5°) compared to partially suspended or supported graphene, regardless of the hydrophobicity (hydrophilicity) of the substrate. Further, 80% of the long-range water-substrate interactions are screened by the graphene monolayer, the wettability of which is primarily determined by short-range graphene-liquid interactions. By its well-defined chemical and geometrical properties, supported graphene therefore provides a model system to elucidate the relative contribution of short and long range interactions to the macroscopic contact angle

New iron tetrazolate frameworks : synthesis temperature effect, thermal behaviour, Mössbauer and magnetic studies

The exploration of the FeF3/FeF2-Hamtetraz-HF system in dimethylformamide by solvothermal synthesis evidences two isostructural 3D hybrid fluoroferrates. They are prepared from the same starting mixture at two different synthesis temperatures: 120 °C for [Hdma]·(Fe4IIFeIIIF8(H2O)2(amtetraz)4) (1) and 140 °C for [Hdma]1.5·(Fe4.5IIFe0.5IIIF7(H2O)(HCOO)(amtetraz)4) (2). Both compounds are characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray thermodiffraction, TGA analysis, Mössbauer spectrometry and SQUID magnetometry. They crystallize in the monoclinic system and are built from two distinct chains connected by aminotetrazolate anions. The first chain ∞(FeIIFN4) is common to 1 and 2 and can be found in numerous fluorides. In the second chain ∞(Fe3X12) (X = F, N, O), iron cations adopt both valence states Fe(II)/Fe(III). The hydrolysis of DMF implies the formation of a [Hdma]+ cation and a (HCOO)− anion. The presence of Fe3+ in both phases is evidenced by 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry. The magnetic properties are studied and two transitions from a paramagnetic regime to a long range ordered state below 30 K and 5 K are identified.PostprintPeer reviewe

La carrière Saingt à Fleury-sur-Orne

Depuis 2014, la carrière Saingt, l’une des nombreuses carrières-refuges utilisées par les civils pris sous les bombes lors de la Bataille de Caen (juin-juillet 1944), offre l’opportunité de mettre en place une opération archéologique à caractère expérimental permettant de confronter différents types d’analyses, au croisement de l’archéologie, de l’histoire et de la sociologie. Ce programme de recherche, débuté en 2015, associe des chercheurs de l’Inrap, du CNRS, de l’INSA-Strasbourg et des sp..

Fleury-sur-Orne – Carrière Saingt

La redécouverte par les archéologues en 2014 de l’une des nombreuses carrières-refuges utilisées par les civils pris sous les bombes lors de la Bataille de Caen (juin-juillet 1944), a offert l’opportunité de mettre en place une opération archéologique à caractère expérimental permettant de confronter différents types d’analyses, au croisement de l’archéologie, de l’histoire et de la sociologie. L’année 2015 a été consacrée à la mise en place du protocole d’étude et aux premiers tests dans plu..