University of Bordeaux

About: University of Bordeaux is a education organization based out in Bordeaux, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Laser. The organization has 28811 authors who have published 55536 publications receiving 1619635 citations. The organization is also known as: UB.

Construction of a pattern-generating circuit with neurons of different networks.

Abstract: RHYTHMIC motor behaviours are generated within the central nervous system by neuronal circuits called central pattern generators (CPG)1. Although a CPG can produce several forms of the same behaviour2–5 and several circuits may interact to generate different behaviours6, it is generally assumed that a given CPG consists of a predefined assemblage of neurons that is functionally distinguishable from other circuits. However, recent studies on the stomatogastric nervous system of Crustacea have suggested that CPGs may not be immutable functional entities7–10. We now report that under an identified neuromodulatory stimulus, the CPG that produces swallowing-like behaviour of the foregut in lobsters is constructed de novo from neurons belonging to other CPGs. Consequently neurons operating independently as members of different circuits may be reconfigured into a new pattern-generating circuit that operates differently from the original circuits. This not only challenges the concept of the CPG being a discrete functional entity, but also demonstrates that a modulatory input can specify an appropriate CPG from a pool of individual neurons of diverse origins.

Fermi observations of cassiopeia and cepheus: Diffuse gamma-ray emission in the outer galaxy

Abstract: We present the analysis of the interstellar gamma-ray emission measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope toward a region in the second Galactic quadrant at 100 deg < l < 145 deg and -15 deg < b < +30 deg. This region encompasses the prominent Gould-Belt clouds of Cassiopeia, Cepheus and the Polaris flare, as well as atomic and molecular complexes at larger distances, like that associated with NGC 7538 in the Perseus arm. The good kinematic separation in velocity between the local, Perseus, and outer arms, and the presence of massive complexes in each of them make this region well suited to probe cosmic rays and the interstellar medium beyond the solar circle. The gamma-ray emissivity spectrum of the gas in the Gould Belt is consistent with expectations based on the locally measured cosmic-ray spectra. The gamma-ray emissivity decreases from the Gould Belt to the Perseus arm, but the measured gradient is flatter than expectations for cosmic-ray sources peaking in the inner Galaxy as suggested by pulsars. The Xco=N(H2)/W(CO) conversion factor is found to increase from (0.87 +- 0.05) 10^20 cm^-2 (K km s^-1)^-1 in the Gould Belt to (1.9 +- 0.2) 10^20 cm^-2 (K km s^-1)^-1 in the Perseus arm. We derive masses for the molecular clouds under study. Dark gas, not properly traced by radio and microwave surveys, is detected in the Gould Belt through a correlated excess of dust and gamma-ray emission: its mass amounts to ~50% of the CO-traced mass.

Extreme wave activity during 2013/2014 winter and morphological impacts along the Atlantic coast of Europe

Abstract: Studies of coastal vulnerability due to climate change tend to focus on the consequences of sea level rise, rather than the complex coastal responses resulting from changes to the extreme wave climate. Here we investigate the 2013/2014 winter wave conditions that severely impacted the Atlantic coast of Europe and demonstrate that this winter was the most energetic along most of the Atlantic coast of Europe since at least 1948. Along exposed open-coast sites, extensive beach and dune erosion occurred due to offshore sediment transport. More sheltered sites experienced less erosion and one of the sites even experienced accretion due to beach rotation induced by alongshore sediment transport. Storm wave conditions such as were encountered during the 2013/2014 winter have the potential to dramatically change the equilibrium state (beach gradient, coastal alignment, and nearshore bar position) of beaches along the Atlantic coast of Europe.