Effects of population density on the sediment mixing induced by the gallery-diffusor Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor O.F. Müller, 1776

The aim of this work was to quantify the intensity of sediment mixing induced by the gallery-diffusor (functional bioturbation group) Hediste diversicolor as a function of density, using particles tracers (luminophores). In order to assess the impact of density on sediment reworking, a 1-D model was used to obtain sediment reworking coefficients such as Db (biodiffusion-like) and r (biotransport). Densities used in this experiment corresponded to population densities observed in the sampling area (Saint-Antoine Canal, Gulf of Fos, France): 144, 288, 577, 1153 indiv/m2. At first, results showed that neither luminophore maximum burying depth nor the more marked tracer accumulation areas were influenced by density. Thus density did not seem to have any influence on size of galleries or complexity of structure. Then, density-dependent relations with Db (biodiffusion-like mixing) and r (biotransport) were highlighted with an observed process intensity rate twice as high at highest worm density. On the other hand, Db and r per capita coefficients were negatively influenced by density. Db and r per capita at highest density were equal to ∼20% of individual Db and r obtained at the lowest density. Finally, this study showed the importance of density which appears to be a key parameter in the functioning of the sedimentary ecosystem

Analog readout for optical reservoir computers

Reservoir computing is a new, powerful and flexible machine learning technique that is easily implemented in hardware. Recently, by using a time-multiplexed architecture, hardware reservoir computers have reached performance comparable to digital implementations. Operating speeds allowing for real time information operation have been reached using optoelectronic systems. At present the main performance bottleneck is the readout layer which uses slow, digital postprocessing. We have designed an analog readout suitable for time-multiplexed optoelectronic reservoir computers, capable of working in real time. The readout has been built and tested experimentally on a standard benchmark task. Its performance is better than non-reservoir methods, with ample room for further improvement. The present work thereby overcomes one of the major limitations for the future development of hardware reservoir computers.Comment: to appear in NIPS 201

Benthic macrofauna and sediment reworking quantification in contrasted environments in the Thau Lagoon

As part of the Microbent-PNEC Program: ‘‘Biogeochemical processes at the wateresediment interface in eutrophicated environment’’, the aim of this work was to specifically investigate and quantify the relationships between macrobenthos and sediment reworking in the Thau Lagoon in order to provide information on the potential contaminant distribution and movements at the wateresediment interface. In order to achieve this, three cores were sampled at two stations (in the central part of the Thau Lagoon and near the shellfish farming zone) in the Thau Lagoon, in December 2001, April 2002, August 2002, January 2003 and May 2003. On the basis of quantification of macrobenthos and sediment reworking, evidence is provided of: (1) similar sediment mixing intensities for different species composition at the two stations; (2) the major role of functional bioturbation groups (e.g., biodiffusors and gallery-diffusors) modulated by seasonal variability on sediment mixing; (3) an increase of intensity in summer suggesting potentially different patterns of redistribution, bioaccumulation and chemical fate (e.g., speciation) of deposited contaminants

High performance photonic reservoir computer based on a coherently driven passive cavity

Reservoir computing is a recent bio-inspired approach for processing time-dependent signals. It has enabled a breakthrough in analog information processing, with several experiments, both electronic and optical, demonstrating state-of-the-art performances for hard tasks such as speech recognition, time series prediction and nonlinear channel equalization. A proof-of-principle experiment using a linear optical circuit on a photonic chip to process digital signals was recently reported. Here we present a photonic implementation of a reservoir computer based on a coherently driven passive fiber cavity processing analog signals. Our experiment has error rate as low or lower than previous experiments on a wide variety of tasks, and also has lower power consumption. Furthermore, the analytical model describing our experiment is also of interest, as it constitutes a very simple high performance reservoir computer algorithm. The present experiment, given its good performances, low energy consumption and conceptual simplicity, confirms the great potential of photonic reservoir computing for information processing applications ranging from artificial intelligence to telecommunicationsComment: non

Peter L. Duport wrote to General Jackson, September 26, 1794

Peter L. Duport in Boston wrote that General Jackson paid in full to Master Knox, addressed to Hingham. Peter Duport acknowledged the receipt of two pounds sixteen shillings from General Jackson. People included: Master Knox. Places included: Boston, Hingham.https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1790s/1446/thumbnail.jp

Integrated optics for astronomical interferometry. I. Concept and astronomical applications

We propose a new instrumental concept for long-baseline optical single-mode interferometry using integrated optics which were developed for telecommunication. Visible and infrared multi-aperture interferometry requires many optical functions (spatial filtering, beam combination, photometric calibration, polarization control) to detect astronomical signals at very high angular resolution. Since the 80's, integrated optics on planar substrate have become available for telecommunication applications with multiple optical functions like power dividing, coupling, multiplexing, etc. We present the concept of an optical / infrared interferometric instrument based on this new technology. The main advantage is to provide an interferometric combination unit on a single optical chip. Integrated optics are compact, provide stability, low sensitivity to external constrains like temperature, pressure or mechanical stresses, no optical alignment except for coupling, simplicity and intrinsic polarization control. The integrated optics devices are inexpensive compared to devices that have the same functionalities in bulk optics. We think integrated optics will fundamentally change single-mode interferometry. Integrated optics devices are in particular well-suited for interferometric combination of numerous beams to achieve aperture synthesis imaging or for space-based interferometers where stability and a minimum of optical alignments are wished.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accpeted by Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Serie

Effect of the lattice misfit on the equilibrium shape of strained islands in Volmer-Weber growth

We have studied the effect of the misfit on the equilibrium shape of three-dimensional pyramidal islands grown on a foreign substrate in the case of incomplete wetting (Volmer-Weber mode of growth). We have found that tensile islands have smaller aspect ratios compared with compressed islands owing to its better adhesion to the substrate. The average strains of consecutive layers decrease faster with thickness in compressed than in tensile islands. The strains decrease rapidly with thickness, with the consequence that above a certain height, the upper layers of the pyramid become practically unstrained and does not contribute to a further reduction in the upper base. As a result, the truncated pyramids are not expected to transform into full pyramids. Our results are in good agreement with experimental observations in different systems.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures. Accepted version, minor change