Entire or rational maps with integer multipliers

Let $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ be the ring of integers of an imaginary quadratic field $K$. Recently, Ji and Xie proved that every rational map $f \colon \widehat{\mathbb{C}} \rightarrow \widehat{\mathbb{C}}$ of degree $d \geq 2$ whose multipliers all lie in $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ is a power map, a Chebyshev map or a Latt\`{e}s map. Their proof relies on a result from non-Archimedean dynamics obtained by Rivera-Letelier. In the present note, we show that one can avoid using this result by considering a differential equation instead. Our proof of Ji and Xie's result also applies to the case of entire maps. Thus, we also show that every nonaffine entire map $f \colon \mathbb{C} \rightarrow \mathbb{C}$ whose multipliers all lie in $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ is a power map or a Chebyshev map.Comment: 8 pages; added the case of entire map

Contacts adhésifs sur surfaces texturées d'élastomères : effet d'échelle

Les contacts adhésifs dont une des surfaces est micro-texturée à l'aide de motifs a soulevé une attention considérable ces deux dernières décennies. La compréhension fondamentale de ces contacts est primordiale car elle permettrait de contrôler les propriétés d’adhésion des matériaux par texturation plutôt que par fonctionnalisation chimique. Néanmoins le rôle précis des paramètres majeurs qui gouvernent ce type de contacts reste à identifier clairement. Nous allons discuter les conditions de formation d’un contact entre des hémisphères élastiques en PDMS et des surfaces micro-texturés avec des piliers hexagonaux souples, également en PDMS. Nous avons mis en œuvre le test « JKR » qui relie l’énergie d’adhésion à l'aire de la surface de contact entre l'hémisphère et l'échantillon plan. Toutefois, ce dispositif expérimental permet, outre une utilisation 'quasi-statique' classique, d'explorer en fréquence le comportement du contact : un mode dynamique a été développé à cet effet qui travaille en chargement cyclique. Ceci permet d'analyser l’effet de la sollicitation fréquentielle en fonction des paramètres des surfaces texturées. Dans un contexte de tests statiques, nous décrivons le rôle structural des piliers et discutons un phénomène d’hystérèse de contact après un chargement et un déchargement, exclusivement due au contact entre les plots et sans influence sur le comportement du contact sur plots. Dans un deuxième temps, nous montrons que la variation du rapport d'aspect des motifs de texturation de surface conduit à un comportement invariant lors de la formation d’un contact entre un hémisphère et un substrat souple élastique : l'homothétie géométrique à l'échelle étudiée conduit à des comportements au contact similaires en mode statique ainsi que dynamique

Monitoring Functional Capability of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputations Using Mobile Phones

To be effective, a prescribed prosthetic device must match the functional requirements and capabilities of each patient. These capabilities are usually assessed by a clinician and reported by the Medicare K-level designation of mobility. However, it is not clear how the K-level designation objectively relates to the use of prostheses outside of a clinical environment. Here, we quantify participant activity using mobile phones and relate activity measured during real world activity to the assigned K-levels. We observe a correlation between K-level and the proportion of moderate to high activity over the course of a week. This relationship suggests that accelerometry-based technologies such as mobile phones can be used to evaluate real world activity for mobility assessment. Quantifying everyday activity promises to improve assessment of real world prosthesis use, leading to a better matching of prostheses to individuals and enabling better evaluations of future prosthetic devices.Max Nader Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcome

Orthotics and taping in the management of vertebral fractures in people with osteoporosis: a systematic review.

To establish the current evidence base for the use of orthotics and taping for people with osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF).This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional Link' above to access the full-text via the publisher's site.Published (Open Access

Reptile remains from Tiga (Tokanod), Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia

Archaeological excavations on Tiga provide the first vouchered herpetological records for this small island between Lifou and Maré in the Loyalty Islands. Eighty-three skeletal elements from four sites yielded material assignable to skinks (Emoia loyaltiensis, Lioscincus nigrofasciolatus), geckos (Bavayia crass i-collis, B. sp., Gehyra georgpotthasti, Nactus pelagicus), and a boid snake (Candoia bihroni) all known from elsewhere in the Loyalties, as well as undetermined material consistent with these and other Loyalties lizards. Diagnostic features of geckos versus skinks for elements commonly recovered from archaeological sites and from owl pellets are discussed. Gehyra georgpotthasti has a limited distribution in the Loyalties and its occurrence on Tiga clarifies its range. The boid snake is the only reptile likely to have been harvested by human inhabitants of Tiga. The presence of gekkonid geckos in pre-European times is confirmed and contrasts with the situation of Grande Terre fossil sites, where only diplodactylid geckos have been recovered. Although it is anticipated that all species recovered from archaeological sites are still present on the island, a modern herpetofaunal survey is needed

Shake a tail feather: the evolution of the theropod tail into a stiff aerodynamic surface

Theropod dinosaurs show striking morphological and functional tail variation; e.g., a long, robust, basal theropod tail used for counterbalance, or a short, modern avian tail used as an aerodynamic surface. We used a quantitative morphological and functional analysis to reconstruct intervertebral joint stiffness in the tail along the theropod lineage to extant birds. This provides new details of the tail's morphological transformation, and for the first time quantitatively evaluates its biomechanical consequences. We observe that both dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness decreased along the non-avian theropod lineage (between nodes Theropoda and Paraves). Our results show how the tail structure of non-avian theropods was mechanically appropriate for holding itself up against gravity and maintaining passive balance. However, as dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness decreased, the tail may have become more effective for dynamically maintaining balance. This supports our hypothesis of a reduction of dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness in shorter tails. Along the avian theropod lineage (Avialae to crown group birds), dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness increased overall, which appears to contradict our null expectation. We infer that this departure in joint stiffness is specific to the tail's aerodynamic role and the functional constraints imposed by it. Increased dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness may have facilitated a gradually improved capacity to lift, depress, and swing the tail. The associated morphological changes should have resulted in a tail capable of producing larger muscular forces to utilise larger lift forces in flight. Improved joint mobility in neornithine birds potentially permitted an increase in the range of lift force vector orientations, which might have improved flight proficiency and manoeuvrability. The tail morphology of modern birds with tail fanning capabilities originated in early ornithuromorph birds. Hence, these capabilities should have been present in the early Cretaceous, with incipient tail-fanning capacity in the earliest pygostylian birds

Des routes et des hommes : la construction des échanges par les itinéraires et les transports

Les circulations humaines façonnent le paysage montagnard, traçant les routes qui permettent de franchir les obstacles, de créer un lien avec la plaine, de développer les activités économiques. Portant sur une diversité de territoires, cet ouvrage nous invite à mieux comprendre comment l’homme a ouvert des passages pour dépasser les frontières naturelles et culturelles des montagnes. La présentation de découvertes archéologiques, l’analyse de sources méconnues, l’étude du rôle de la technique et de la cartographie en dressent un panorama allant de l’Antiquité au xxe siècle. Le Congrès national des sociétés historiques et scientifiques rassemble chaque année universitaires, membres de sociétés savantes et jeunes chercheurs. Ce recueil est issu de travaux présentés lors du 142e Congrès sur le thème « Circulations montagnardes, circulations européennes »

Analysis of protein-coding genetic variation in 60,706 humans

Large-scale reference data sets of human genetic variation are critical for the medical and functional interpretation of DNA sequence changes. We describe the aggregation and analysis of high-quality exome (protein-coding region) sequence data for 60,706 individuals of diverse ethnicities generated as part of the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC). This catalogue of human genetic diversity contains an average of one variant every eight bases of the exome, and provides direct evidence for the presence of widespread mutational recurrence. We have used this catalogue to calculate objective metrics of pathogenicity for sequence variants, and to identify genes subject to strong selection against various classes of mutation; identifying 3,230 genes with near-complete depletion of truncating variants with 72% having no currently established human disease phenotype. Finally, we demonstrate that these data can be used for the efficient filtering of candidate disease-causing variants, and for the discovery of human “knockout” variants in protein-coding genes

Species composition and habitat preferences of the nearshore fish fauna of Bonne Bay, Newfoundland

Determining biodiversity baseline is the first step toward establishing species monitoring and conservation programs. In this study we report on a 10-year survey of the fish fauna of Bonne Bay, a fjord surrounded by the Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The objectives of our study were: 1) to determine the fish fauna of Bonne Bay using standardized sampling methods; 2) to gather information on the habitats of fishes of conservation concern; and 3) to provide baseline information on Bonne Bay as a potential candidate for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Methods A survey of the fish fauna of the inner Bonne Bay was conducted each summer from 2002 to 2011 at multiple sites representing a range of fish habitats within the fjord. Sampling gears included two types of beach seine, gillnets with various mesh sizes and a bottom trawl. Species composition was statistically compared across sites within the fjord. Results We collected and identified 29 fish species from 17 families. Fish assemblages comprised anadromous, estuarine, and marine fish species, including a late-maturing type of winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) that is rarely found in the adjacent waters of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Similarity in species composition across sites reflected salinity, substrate composition, and presence of eelgrass (Zostera marina), but not the geographic distance between sites. Conclusions Bonne Bay’s adjacency to a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, its diverse fish fauna that includes several species of conservation concern, its potential for education and enjoyment, and its stewardship by local people are suggestive of the future candidacy as a NMCA. The data presented here will help managers assess the potential of Bonne Bay as a National Marine Conservation Area