On the Origin of Frictional Adhesion in Geckos: Small Morphological Changes Lead to a Major Biomechanical Transition in the Genus \u3cem\u3eGonatodes\u3c/em\u3e

The evolutionary history of vertebrate locomotion is punctuated by innovations that have permitted expansion into novel ecological niches. Frictional adhesion of geckos is an innovation renowned for enabling locomotion on vertical and inverted smooth surfaces. Much is known about the microstructure and function of the fully-expressed gekkotan adhesive apparatus, although how it originated is poorly understood. Therefore, identifying species that exhibit the earliest stages of expression of frictional adhesion will provide significant insights into the evolution of this trait. Our previous investigation of digital proportions, shape, scalation, skeletal form, and subdigital epidermal micro-ornamentation in the genus Gonatodes led us to hypothesize that Gonatodes humeralisexpresses incipient frictional adhesion. To test this, we first conducted a phylogenetic analysis of Gonatodes and related sphaerodactyl genera to clarify the historical context of the evolution of frictional adhesive capability in the genus. We then measured the ability of G. humeralis and its close relatives to generate frictional adhesive force, examined their locomotor capabilities on low-friction surfaces, and observed animals in their natural habitat. After accounting for body mass and phylogenetic relationships, we found that G. humeralis generates frictional adhesive force essentially equivalent to that of Anolis, and can scale vertical smooth surfaces. Gonatodes vittatus, a species that lacks elaborated epidermal setae, generates negligible frictional adhesive force and can only ascend smooth inclined surfaces with a pitch of ≤ 40°. We conclude that the ostensibly padless G. humeralis, with feet lacking the musculoskeletal, tendinous, and vascular modifications typical of pad-bearing geckos, nevertheless can employ frictional adhesive contact to assist locomotion. As in Anolis, the release of frictional adhesive contact occurs when the foot is plantar flexed after the heel has lifted from the surface. Our findings indicate that the origin of frictional adhesion was likely gradual but that, ultimately, this led to major shifts in ecology and function

Accurate matrix exponential computation to solve coupled differential models in engineering

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Mathematical and Computer Modelling. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Mathematical and Computer Modelling [Volume 54, Issues 7–8, October 2011] DOI: 10.1016/j.mcm.2010.12.049The matrix exponential plays a fundamental role in linear systems arising in engineering, mechanics and control theory. This work presents a new scaling-squaring algorithm for matrix exponential computation. It uses forward and backward error analysis with improved bounds for normal and nonnormal matrices. Applied to the Taylor method, it has presented a lower or similar cost compared to the state-of-the-art Padé algorithms with better accuracy results in the majority of test matrices, avoiding Padé's denominator condition problems. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.This work has been supported by Universidad Politecnica de Valencia grants PAID-05-09-4338, PAID-06-08-3307 and Spanish Ministerio de Educacion grant MTM2009-08587.Sastre, J.; Ibáñez González, JJ.; Defez Candel, E.; Ruiz Martínez, PA. (2011). Accurate matrix exponential computation to solve coupled differential models in engineering. Mathematical and Computer Modelling. 54(7-8):1835-1840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcm.2010.12.049S18351840547-

Real-TIme and Networked Displays: Data Streams in Art Applications

In a world that has become vastly more complicated, multi-layered information systems have an increasingly compelling impact. Access to complex, interactive data is necessary to informed thought and global action. Utilizing computer modeling, aesthetically-driven prototypes for displaying numerical data provide fresh viewpoints, promoting deeper awareness of living institutions and developing trends. Visually compelling information lends clarity to the grand cycles of nature and human creativity, while revealing intimate perspectives on daily life. This versatile project emphasizes artistically sophisticated live data streams. Evolving artworks allow for a multitude of display options; images can be projected onto architectural or sculptural forms, displayed in buildings, terminals, and offices, and accessed via PDA\u27s and the web. Artists, scientists, and other experts will research data to be utilized in the creation of responsive visualizations. The displays seek to provide the technological infrastructure to 1) sustain the ability for creation of evolving information forms as modes of presentation advance 2) allow for live visualization of dynamic data streams relevant on local, regional and global levels, and 3) open up the possibility for imaginative uses of data to experts pursuing different methodologies. A robust, scalable framework for adapting data visualizations to various platforms will be implemented through utilization of open, standards-based software libraries. A central server will aggregate public syndication feeds of data related to pertinent subject areas. Through a web syndication protocol, streaming information will be used as the source of data for display. Server resources open to the public as well as research communities can aid in the study of current issues through artistically and contextually accurate visualization. The project will help detect long-term patterns in the global environment! , enhance sensitivity to the quietly functioning aspects of our surroundings, and open expanded avenues for collaboration between the arts and sciences

Simulated evolution of mating signal diversification in a primate radiation

Divergence in allopatry and subsequent diversification of mating signals on secondary contact (reinforcement) is a major driver of phenotypic diversity. Observing this evolutionary process directly is often impossible, but simulated evolution can pinpoint key drivers of phenotypic variation. We developed evolutionary simulations in which mating signals, modelled as points in phenotype space, evolve across time under varying evolutionary scenarios. We model mate recognition signals in guenons, a primate radiation exhibiting colourful and diverse face patterns hypothesized to maintain reproductive isolation via mate choice. We simulate face pattern evolution across periods of allopatry and sympatry, identifying the role of key parameters in driving evolutionary endpoints. Results show that diversification in allopatry and assortative mate choice on secondary contact can induce rapid phenotypic diversification, resulting in distinctive (between species) and stereotyped (within species) face patterns, similar to extant guenons. Strong selection against hybrids is key to diversification, with even low levels of hybrid fitness often resulting in merged populations on secondary contact. Our results support a key role for reinforcement by assortative mating in the maintenance of species diversity and support the long-proposed prehistorical scenario for how such striking diversity was produced and maintained in perhaps the most colourful of all mammalian clades

Social Knowledge and Signals in Primates

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98165/1/ajp22103.pd

Measuring the coefficient of restitution for all six degrees of freedom

The coefficient of restitution is a cornerstone empirical parameter of any model where energy is dissipated by particle collisions. However, completely determining this parameter experimentally is challenging, as upon collision, a particle’s material properties (such as roughness, sphericity and shape) or minor imperfections, can cause energy to be shifted to other translational or rotational components. When all degrees of freedom are not resolved, these shifts in energy can easily be mistaken for dissipated energy, affecting the derivation of the coefficient of restitution. In the past, these challenges have been highlighted by a large scatter in values of experimental data for the restitution coefficient. In the present study, a novel experimental procedure is presented, determining all six degrees of freedom of a single, spherical, nylon particle, dropped on a glass plate. This study highlights that only by using all six degrees of freedom, can a single reliable and consistent coefficient of restitution be obtained for all cases and between subsequent collisions

High performance computing of the matrix exponential

This work presents a new algorithm for matrix exponential computation that significantly simplifies a Taylor scaling and squaring algorithm presented previously by the authors, preserving accuracy. A Matlab version of the new simplified algorithm has been compared with the original algorithm, providing similar results in terms of accuracy, but reducing processing time. It has also been compared with two state-of-the-art implementations based on Fade approximations, one commercial and the other implemented in Matlab, getting better accuracy and processing time results in the majority of cases. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ruíz Martínez, PA.; Sastre Martinez, J.; Ibáñez González, JJ.; Defez Candel, E. (2016). High performance computing of the matrix exponential. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics. 291:370-379. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2015.04.001S37037929

DIGITAL SOGATA

THE SOLAR AIRSTREAM FAB LAB DIGITAL SOGATA EXPOSITION + DEMONSTRATION ‘Sogata’ is an ancient Japanese clay molding technique that traditionally uses ‘sweeps’ to create ceremonial vessels in cast metal. It is a sustainable molding process that reuses materials. Data Sculptor Pioneer Paul Higham has developed a series of ‘data sweeps’ shaped by emergent forms from Brain Waves and Tsunami data. Sculptor Coral Lambert utilizes the ‘data sweeps’ to create ‘sogata’ clay molds which are then used to produce unique forms in cast iron. The Fab Lab is located in a 1960’s Airstream which has been converted to harness solar energy

Population Genetic Structure and Species Delimitation of a Widespread, Neotropical Dwarf Gecko

Amazonia harbors the greatest biological diversity on Earth. One trend that spans Amazonian taxa is that most taxonomic groups either exhibit broad geographic ranges or small restricted ranges. This is likely because many traits that determine a species range size, such as dispersal ability or body size, are autocorrelated. As such, it is rare to find groups that exhibit both large and small ranges. Once identified, however, these groups provide a powerful system for isolating specific traits that influence species distributions. One group of terrestrial vertebrates, gecko lizards, tends to exhibit small geographic ranges. Despite one exception, this applies to the Neotropical dwarf geckos of the genus Gonatodes. This exception, Gonatodes humeralis, has a geographic distribution almost 1,000,000 km2 larger than the combined ranges of its 30 congeners. As the smallest member of its genus and a gecko lizard more generally, G. humeralis is an unlikely candidate to be a wide-ranged Amazonian taxon. To test whether or not G. humeralis is one or more species, we generated molecular genetic data using restriction-site associated sequencing (RADseq) and traditional Sanger methods for samples from across its range and conducted a phylogeographic study. We conclude that G. humeralis is, in fact, a single species across its contiguous range in South America. Thus, Gonatodes is a unique clade among Neotropical taxa, containing both wide-ranged and range-restricted taxa, which provides empiricists with a powerful model system to correlate complex species traits and distributions. Additionally, we provide evidence to support species-level divergence of the allopatric population from Trinidad and we resurrect the name Gonatodes ferrugineus from synonymy for this population

Radiocarbon dates from the Oxford AMS system: archaeometry datelist 35

This is the 35th list of AMS radiocarbon determinations measured at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU). Amongst some of the sites included here are the latest series of determinations from the key sites of Abydos, El Mirón, Ban Chiang, Grotte de Pigeons (Taforalt), Alepotrypa and Oberkassel, as well as others dating to the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and later periods. Comments on the significance of the results are provided by the submitters of the material