The planetary nebula IC 5148 and its ionized halo

Many round or nearly roundish Planetary Nebulae (PNe) show multiple shells and halo structures during their evolutionary stage near the maximum temperature of their central star. Controversial debate is currently ongoing if these structures are recombination halos, as suggested by hydrodynamic modelling efforts, or ionized material. Recently we discovered a halo with even somewhat unusual structures around the sparsely studied PN IC~5148 and present for the first time spectroscopy going out to the halo of such a PN.} resolution spectroscopy is used to derive dust chemistry and mineralogy. We investigate the spatial distribution of material and its ionization state from the center of the nebula up to the very outskirts of the halo. We obtained long-slit low resolution spectroscopy (FORS2@VLT) of the nebula in two position angles, which we used to investigate the nebular structure and its halo in the optical range from 450 to 880\,nm. In addition we used medium resolution spectra taken with X-SHOOTER@VLT ranging from 320 nm to 2.4 mu to derive atmospheric parameters for the central star. We obtained the distance and position in the Galaxy from various methods combined with GAIA DR2 data. We also applied Cloudy models to the nebula in order to derive physical parameters of the various regions. We obtained spatially resolved structures and detailed descriptions of the outrunning shock front and a set of unusual halo structures denoted to further shock. The halo structures appears clearly as hot ionized material. Furthermore we derived a reliable photometric value for the central star at a GAIA distance of D=1.3kpc. Considering the large distance $z=1.0$\,kpc from the galactic plane together to its non-circular motion in the galaxy and, a metallicity only slightly below that of typical disk PNe, most likely IC 5148 originates from a thick disk population star.Comment: 12 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Parametric Instabilities in Resonantly-Driven Bose-Einstein Condensates

Shaking optical lattices in a resonant manner offers an efficient and versatile method to devise artificial gauge fields and topological band structures for ultracold atomic gases. This was recently demonstrated through the experimental realization of the Harper-Hofstadter model, which combined optical superlattices and resonant time-modulations. Adding inter-particle interactions to these engineered band systems is expected to lead to strongly-correlated states with topological features, such as fractional Chern insulators. However, the interplay between interactions and external time-periodic drives typically triggers violent instabilities and uncontrollable heating, hence potentially ruling out the possibility of accessing such intriguing states of matter in experiments. In this work, we study the early-stage parametric instabilities that occur in systems of resonantly-driven Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices. We apply and extend an approach based on Bogoliubov theory [PRX 7, 021015 (2017)] to a variety of resonantly-driven band models, from a simple shaken Wannier-Stark ladder to the more intriguing driven-induced Harper-Hofstadter model. In particular, we provide ab initio numerical and analytical predictions for the stability properties of these topical models. This work sheds light on general features that could guide current experiments to stable regimes of operation.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, one appendi

QED Penguin Contributions To Isospin Splittings of Heavy-Light Quark Systems

Recent experiments show that the isospin-violating mass splitting of the B mesons is very small, but the best fits with a QCD sum rule analysis give a splitting of at least 1.0 MeV. The isospin-violating mass splittings of the charmed mesons, on the other hand, are in agreement with experiment. In this letter we show that the inclusion of 2$^{nd}$ kind QED penguin diagrams can account for this discrepancy within the errors in the QCD sum rule method.Comment: 9 pages, latex, 2 figure

[Review of] Sidner J. Larson. Catch Colt. American Indian Lives

Catch Colt describes Gros Ventre writer Sidner J. Larson\u27s experience as a mixed-blood Native American looking for his heritage, identity, and personal direction. Although minority fiction writers (such as Rudolfo A. Anaya and Leslie Marmon Silko) have addressed this theme, non-fiction discussions of mixed-blood Native American lives are lacking. Larson\u27s autobiography, however, is only moderately successful because he fails to make readers identify with his struggle as a member of “two different worlds at the same time...with a degree of non-acceptance by both

Where should MMS look for electron diffusion regions?

A great possible achievement for the MMS mission would be crossing electron diffusion regions (EDR). EDR are regions in proximity of reconnection sites where electrons decouple from field lines, breaking the frozen in condition. Decades of research on reconnection have produced a widely shared map of where EDRs are. We expect reconnection to take place around a so called x-point formed by the intersection of the separatrices dividing inflowing from outflowing plasma. The EDR forms around this x-point as a small electron scale box nested inside a larger ion diffusion region. But this point of view is based on a 2D mentality. We have recently proposed that once the problem is considered in full 3D, secondary reconnection events can form [Lapenta et al., Nature Physics, 11, 690, 2015] in the outflow regions even far downstream from the primary reconnection site. We revisit here this new idea confirming that even using additional indicators of reconnection and even considering longer periods and wider distances the conclusion remains true: secondary reconnection sites form downstream of a reconnection outflow causing a sort of chain reaction of cascading reconnection sites. If we are right, MMS will have an interesting journey even when not crossing necessarily the primary site. The chances are greatly increased that even if missing a primary site during an orbit, MMS could stumble instead on one of these secondary sites.Comment: submitted to the Astronum 2015 Conference Proceeding

SN1987A - a Testing Ground for the KARMEN Anomaly

We show, that SN1987A can serve as an astrophysical laboratory for testing the viability of the assertion that a new massive neutral fermion is implied by the KARMEN data. We show that a wide range of the parameters characterizing the proposed particle is ruled out by the above constraints making this interpretation very unlikely.Comment: 12 pages, 1 eps figure embedded, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Synchronization of electrically coupled resonate-and-fire neurons

Electrical coupling between neurons is broadly present across brain areas and is typically assumed to synchronize network activity. However, intrinsic properties of the coupled cells can complicate this simple picture. Many cell types with strong electrical coupling have been shown to exhibit resonant properties, and the subthreshold fluctuations arising from resonance are transmitted through electrical synapses in addition to action potentials. Using the theory of weakly coupled oscillators, we explore the effect of both subthreshold and spike-mediated coupling on synchrony in small networks of electrically coupled resonate-and-fire neurons, a hybrid neuron model with linear subthreshold dynamics and discrete post-spike reset. We calculate the phase response curve using an extension of the adjoint method that accounts for the discontinuity in the dynamics. We find that both spikes and resonant subthreshold fluctuations can jointly promote synchronization. The subthreshold contribution is strongest when the voltage exhibits a significant post-spike elevation in voltage, or plateau. Additionally, we show that the geometry of trajectories approaching the spiking threshold causes a "reset-induced shear" effect that can oppose synchrony in the presence of network asymmetry, despite having no effect on the phase-locking of symmetrically coupled pairs

I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church

The goal of this project, “I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church,” is to add a new perspective to the scholarly discourse on Hip Hop and Christianity within classrooms, religious institutions, and popular culture by focusing on Kanye. We chose to focus on Kanye because he has been one of Hip Hop’s most influential artists in the past decade. Furthermore, Kanye is one of the most polarizing celebrities in America and across the globe. His music, fashion, political views, and family (which includes the Kardashians) dominate discourse on social media, blogs, television, and other forms of mass media. With the exception of Julius Bailey’s 2014 edited book, The Cultural Impact of Kanye West, there has been little scholarly work published on Kanye. Bailey’s book contained just one essay, written by Monica R. Miller, dedicated to the theme of Kanye and religion. We intended to produce a nontraditional journal issue, partly because Kanye has never adhered to traditional boundaries. We also chose this method because we wanted to provide a document suitable for both academic and popular audiences. Kanye West identifies as a Christian and primarily uses Christian themes in his music, videos, concerts, and messaging. Dr. Joshua K. Wright, Dr. Adria Y. Goldman and Dr. VaNatta S. For

Topological phases in a two-dimensional lattice: Magnetic field versus spin-orbit coupling

In this work, we explore the rich variety of topological states that arise in two-dimensional systems, by considering the competing effects of spin-orbit couplings and a perpendicular magnetic field on a honeycomb lattice. Unlike earlier approaches, we investigate minimal models in order to clarify the effects of the intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit couplings, and also of the Zeeman splitting, on the quantum Hall states generated by the magnetic field. In this sense, our work provides an interesting path connecting quantum Hall and quantum spin Hall physics. First, we consider the properties of each term individually and we analyze their similarities and differences. Secondly, we investigate the subtle competitions that arise when these effects are combined. We finally explore the various possible experimental realizations of our model.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figure