Fermi Large Area Telescope Constraints on the Gamma-ray Opacity of the Universe

The Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) includes photons with wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, which are effective at attenuating gamma rays with energy above ~10 GeV during propagation from sources at cosmological distances. This results in a redshift- and energy-dependent attenuation of the gamma-ray flux of extragalactic sources such as blazars and Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). The Large Area Telescope onboard Fermi detects a sample of gamma-ray blazars with redshift up to z~3, and GRBs with redshift up to z~4.3. Using photons above 10 GeV collected by Fermi over more than one year of observations for these sources, we investigate the effect of gamma-ray flux attenuation by the EBL. We place upper limits on the gamma-ray opacity of the Universe at various energies and redshifts, and compare this with predictions from well-known EBL models. We find that an EBL intensity in the optical-ultraviolet wavelengths as great as predicted by the "baseline" model of Stecker et al. (2006) can be ruled out with high confidence.Comment: 42 pages, 12 figures, accepted version (24 Aug.2010) for publication in ApJ; Contact authors: A. Bouvier, A. Chen, S. Raino, S. Razzaque, A. Reimer, L.C. Reye

Rapid response to the M_w 4.9 earthquake of November 11, 2019 in Le Teil, Lower Rhône Valley, France

On November 11, 2019, a Mw 4.9 earthquake hit the region close to Montelimar (lower Rhône Valley, France), on the eastern margin of the Massif Central close to the external part of the Alps. Occuring in a moderate seismicity area, this earthquake is remarkable for its very shallow focal depth (between 1 and 3 km), its magnitude, and the moderate to large damages it produced in several villages. InSAR interferograms indicated a shallow rupture about 4 km long reaching the surface and the reactivation of the ancient NE-SW La Rouviere normal fault in reverse faulting in agreement with the present-day E-W compressional tectonics. The peculiarity of this earthquake together with a poor coverage of the epicentral region by permanent seismological and geodetic stations triggered the mobilisation of the French post-seismic unit and the broad French scientific community from various institutions, with the deployment of geophysical instruments (seismological and geodesic stations), geological field surveys, and field evaluation of the intensity of the earthquake. Within 7 days after the mainshock, 47 seismological stations were deployed in the epicentral area to improve the Le Teil aftershocks locations relative to the French permanent seismological network (RESIF), monitor the temporal and spatial evolution of microearthquakes close to the fault plane and temporal evolution of the seismic response of 3 damaged historical buildings, and to study suspected site effects and their influence in the distribution of seismic damage. This seismological dataset, completed by data owned by different institutions, was integrated in a homogeneous archive and distributed through FDSN web services by the RESIF data center. This dataset, together with observations of surface rupture evidences, geologic, geodetic and satellite data, will help to unravel the causes and rupture mechanism of this earthquake, and contribute to account in seismic hazard assessment for earthquakes along the major regional Cévenne fault system in a context of present-day compressional tectonics

Management of Cleft Palate in Puppies Using A Temporary Prosthesis: A Report of Three Cases

Cleft palate in dogs is a congenital defect that mostly leads to euthanasia of the affected puppy. If an attempt is made to raise the puppy, it is generally fed via an orogastric tube. Here, we describe the management of cleft palate in three puppies (two Boxers, one Collie) using a customised temporary prosthesis, which allowed the puppies to be bottle-fed and successfully raised by their owners (Cases 2 and 3) and the author (Case 1). The temporary palatal prosthesis was manufactured from a mouthguard intended for human children, which is made of thermoplastic silicone. The preparation procedure was simple and cost-effective. All puppies underwent corrective surgery at 5–6 months of age. After surgery, one of the Boxer puppies showed mandibular mesioclusion, while the other two showed no aberrations. All puppies gained the same amount of weight as their littermates, although the weight gain of the two Boxers was slower than that of their littermates. In summary, this case report describes an easy and effective way to raise puppies with cleft palate until corrective surgery can be performe

Influence of extraversion and neuroticism on the weekly dynamics of jobseekers' self-regulation

International audienceThe present study examined extraversion and neuroticism as moderators of weekly relationships between job-search efforts, proximity to the goal of obtaining employment, emotional wellbeing, and job-search self-efficacy. To this end, a short-term longitudinal study, consisting of weekly assessments over a 4-week period, was conducted among 80 French jobseekers. The main results suggested that the more extraverted or neurotic jobseekers are, the more motivated they are to make job-search efforts after positive experiences (i.e., high emotional wellbeing and/or high job-search self-efficacy), and the more demotivated they are to make efforts after negative experiences. Conversely, the more introverted and emotionally stable jobseekers are, the more motivated they are to make efforts after negative rather than positive experiences. In short, extraverted and/or neurotic individuals exhibited the self-regulation dynamics predicted by social cognitive theories, while introverted and/or emotionally-stable individuals exhibited the self-regulation dynamics predicted by control/cybernetic theories. Results are discussed in the light of current knowledge about self-regulation and job-search dynamics

Effect of equilibrated hydration changes on total body water estimates by bioelectrical impedance analysis

International audienc