On smooth curves endowed with a large automorphism pp-group in characteristic p>0p>0

Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p>0$ and $C$ a connected nonsingular projective curve over $k$ with genus $g \geq 2$. This paper continues the work begun by Lehr and Matignon, namely the study of "big actions", i.e. the pairs $(C,G)$ where $G$ is a $p$-subgroup of the $k$-automorphism group of $C$ such that$\frac{|G|}{g} >\frac{2 p}{p-1}$. If $G_2$ denotes the second ramification group of $G$ at the unique ramification point of the cover $C \to C/G$, we display necessary conditions on $G_2$ for $(C,G)$ to be a big action, which allows us to pursue the classification of big actions. Our main source of examples comes from the construction of curves with many rational points using ray class field theory for global function fields, as initiated by J-P. Serre and followed by Lauter and Auer. In particular, we obtain explicit examples of big actions with $G_2$ abelian of large exponent.Comment: The section 3, concerning base change and big actions, is ne

Influence of nontrophic interactions between benthic invertebrates on river sediment processes: a microcosm study

The main objective of this study was to measure the impact of benthic invertebrate diversity on river sediment processes. We quantified the effects of interactions between three taxa (asellids, chironomid larvae, and tubificid worms). The impacts of different taxa richness treatments were measured on sediment reworking, O2 concentrations, bacterial abundances, and numbers of active bacteria in slow filtration sand–gravel columns. The coefficients of sediment reworking measured in multitaxa treatments were lower than those predicted from one-taxon treatments. The interactions among invertebrates also significantly reduced O2 concentrations in sediments. These results were probably due to interactions between the different sediment structures produced by each taxon (tubes, macropores, and fecal pellets) that modified water flow and associated microbial activities in the interstitial habitat. The stimulation of aerobic microbial processes with two- and three-taxa treatments, whereas one-taxon treatments could increase or decrease O2 consumption in columns, indicates that interactions among invertebrates limited the variability of the system functioning. We suggest that, beyond a small number of detritivorous taxa, a threshold effect on bioturbation process and microbial activities was produced by animals in the experimental system. Finally, the interactions between taxa played a significant role in microbial processes in the system studied

The deep-sea macrobenthos on the continental slope of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea: a quantitative approach

As part of the ECOMARGE operation (J.G.O.F.S. France), macrobenthic assemblages in the Toulon Canyon were described and quantified on the basis of sampling carried out between 250 and 2000 m depth on the Mediterranean continental slope. Results show that Mediterranean bathyal assemblages are made up mainly of continental shelf eurybathic species. The qualitative and quantitative composition of populations varies with depth on the slope and also varies with station position at equivalent depth, whether on the flanks or in the canyon channel. Various analyses have provided evidence on the factors responsible for this population distribution pattern. No single factor emerges as predominant, but rather a group of factors, which are related to the nature and origin of sediments and more particularly their grain size distribution, geochemical composition and mode of transportation and sedimentation (benthic nepheloid or originating from the water column), act in conjunction to determine the pattern. Comparison with ocean continental slopes shows that in the Mediterranean Sea the absence of tidal current modifies the trophic structure of the macrobenthic assemblages, which are characterized by a dominance of surface and subsurface deposit feeders as compared to a dominance of suspension feeders and carnivores in the upper and median part of the slope in the ocean. Surface dumping of dredge spoil at the canyon head and channelling of waste induces an increase of organic matter and pollutant concentrations in sediment from the upper part of the canyon channel but does not give rise to any marked population degradation

Une règle de décision pour les combinaisons d’attributs dans les modèles de préférence des consommateurs

Les décideurs sont à l’affût de méthodes capables de reproduire le plus fidèlement possible des situations virtuelles de marché pour anticiper les comportements économiques. Après un rappel critique des différentes méthodes (directes et indirectes) habituellement utilisées, nous présentons une forme étendue du modèle de prix hédonique qui allie information certaine et combinaisons d’attributs. Ces combinaisons sont alors l’expression de « nouveaux » produits, virtuels, mais pour lesquels l’information est certaine. Nous produisons ensuite une règle de décision, simple d’utilisation, permettant d’associer directement ces résultats d’estimation à des types de comportement économique.

The genome sequence of Brucella pinnipedialis B2/94 sheds light on the evolutionary history of the genus Brucella

International audienceBackground: Since the discovery of the Malta fever agent, Brucella melitensis, in the 19th century, six terrestrial mammal-associated Brucella species were recognized over the next century. More recently the number of novel Brucella species has increased and among them, isolation of species B. pinnipedialis and B. ceti from marine mammals raised many questions about their origin as well as on the evolutionary history of the whole genus. Results: We report here on the first complete genome sequence of a Brucella strain isolated from marine mammals, Brucella pinnipedialis strain B2/94. A whole gene-based phylogenetic analysis shows that five main groups of host-associated Brucella species rapidly diverged from a likely free-living ancestor close to the recently isolated B. microti. However, this tree lacks the resolution required to resolve the order of divergence of those groups. Comparative analyses focusing on a) genome segments unshared between B. microti and B. pinnipedialis, b) gene deletion/fusion events and c) positions and numbers of Brucella specific IS711 elements in the available Brucella genomes provided enough information to propose a branching order for those five groups. Conclusions: In this study, it appears that the closest relatives of marine mammal Brucella sp. are B. ovis and Brucella sp. NVSL 07-0026 isolated from a baboon, followed by B. melitensis and B. abortus strains, and finally the group consisting of B. suis strains, including B. canis and the group consisting of the single B. neotomae species. We were not able, however, to resolve the order of divergence of the two latter groups

Lean Normalization and Organizational Stress Test: a New Approach for Quality Management System

International audienceIn this paper, the concept of " Lean Normalization " is proposed. This concept is a new way of tackling the implementation of the ISO Standard in a company. The " Lean Normalization " is composed of 6 steps inspired by the " Lean Management ". We explain every single step in this paper. We also open new horizons for this method with a new approach of the audit called the organizational stress test.Dans cet article, le concept de « Lean Normalization » est présenté. Ce concept propose une nouvelle façon d'aborder la mise en oeuvre des normes ISO dans une entreprise, avec 6 étapes inspirées du "Lean Management". Nous développerons chaque étape dans cet article. Nous ouvrons également de nouveaux horizons en proposant une approche différente de l'audit basée sur le stress test organisationnel

Space optical instruments optimisation thanks to CMOS image sensor technology

Today, both CCD and CMOS sensors can be envisaged for nearly all visible sensors and instruments designed for space needs. Indeed, detectors built with both technologies allow excellent electro-optics performances to be reached, the selection of the most adequate device being driven by their functional and technological features and limits. The first part of the paper presents electro-optics characterisation results of CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) built with an optimised CMOS process, demonstrating the large improvements of CIS electro-optics performances. The second part reviews the advantages of CMOS technology for space applications, illustrated by examples of CIS developments performed by EADS Astrium and Supaéro/CIMI for current and short term coming space programs

Discussions on "Riemann manifold Langevin and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo methods"

This is a collection of discussions of `Riemann manifold Langevin and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo methods" by Girolami and Calderhead, to appear in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B.Comment: 6 pages, one figur

Research-grade CMOS image sensors for remote sensing applications

Imaging detectors are key elements for optical instruments and sensors on board space missions dedicated to Earth observation (high resolution imaging, atmosphere spectroscopy...), Solar System exploration (micro cameras, guidance for autonomous vehicle...) and Universe observation (space telescope focal planes, guiding sensors...). This market has been dominated by CCD technology for long. Since the mid-90s, CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) have been competing with CCDs for consumer domains (webcams, cell phones, digital cameras...). Featuring significant advantages over CCD sensors for space applications (lower power consumption, smaller system size, better radiations behaviour...), CMOS technology is also expanding in this field, justifying specific R&D and development programs funded by national and European space agencies (mainly CNES, DGA and ESA). All along the 90s and thanks to their increasingly improving performances, CIS have started to be successfully used for more and more demanding space applications, from vision and control functions requiring low-level performances to guidance applications requiring medium-level performances. Recent technology improvements have made possible the manufacturing of research-grade CIS that are able to compete with CCDs in the high-performances arena. After an introduction outlining the growing interest of optical instruments designers for CMOS image sensors, this paper will present the existing and foreseen ways to reach high-level electro-optics performances for CIS. The developments and performances of CIS prototypes built using an imaging CMOS process will be presented in the corresponding section