The Singularity in Generic Gravitational Collapse Is Spacelike, Local, and Oscillatory

A longstanding conjecture by Belinskii, Khalatnikov, and Lifshitz that the singularity in generic gravitational collapse is spacelike, local, and oscillatory is explored analytically and numerically in spatially inhomogeneous cosmological spacetimes. With a convenient choice of variables, it can be seen analytically how nonlinear terms in Einstein's equations control the approach to the singularity and cause oscillatory behavior. The analytic picture requires the drastic assumption that each spatial point evolves toward the singularity as an independent spatially homogeneous universe. In every case, detailed numerical simulations of the full Einstein evolution equations support this assumption.Comment: 7 pages includes 4 figures. Uses Revtex and psfig. Received "honorable mention" in 1998 Gravity Research Foundation essay contest. Submitted to Mod. Phys. Lett.

Hunting Local Mixmaster Dynamics in Spatially Inhomogeneous Cosmologies

Heuristic arguments and numerical simulations support the Belinskii et al (BKL) claim that the approach to the singularity in generic gravitational collapse is characterized by local Mixmaster dynamics (LMD). Here, one way to identify LMD in collapsing spatially inhomogeneous cosmologies is explored. By writing the metric of one spacetime in the standard variables of another, signatures for LMD may be found. Such signatures for the dynamics of spatially homogeneous Mixmaster models in the variables of U(1)-symmetric cosmologies are reviewed. Similar constructions for U(1)-symmetric spacetimes in terms of the dynamics of generic $T^2$-symmetric spacetime are presented.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures. Contribution to CQG Special Issue "A Spacetime Safari: Essays in Honour of Vincent Moncrief

A Modified Version of the Waxman Algorithm

The iterative algorithm recently proposed by Waxman for solving eigenvalue problems, which relies on the method of moments, has been modified to improve its convergence considerably without sacrificing its benefits or elegance. The suggested modification is based on methods to calculate low-lying eigenpairs of large bounded hermitian operators or matrices

Real-time edge tracking using a tactile sensor

Object recognition through the use of input from multiple sensors is an important aspect of an autonomous manipulation system. In tactile object recognition, it is necessary to determine the location and orientation of object edges and surfaces. A controller is proposed that utilizes a tactile sensor in the feedback loop of a manipulator to track along edges. In the control system, the data from the tactile sensor is first processed to find edges. The parameters of these edges are then used to generate a control signal to a hybrid controller. Theory is presented for tactile edge detection and an edge tracking controller. In addition, experimental verification of the edge tracking controller is presented

Manufacture of Gowdy spacetimes with spikes

In numerical studies of Gowdy spacetimes evidence has been found for the development of localized features (spikes) involving large gradients near the singularity. The rigorous mathematical results available up to now did not cover this kind of situation. In this work we show the existence of large classes of Gowdy spacetimes exhibiting features of the kind discovered numerically. These spacetimes are constructed by applying certain transformations to previously known spacetimes without spikes. It is possible to control the behaviour of the Kretschmann scalar near the singularity in detail. This curvature invariant is found to blow up in a way which is non-uniform near the spike in some cases. When this happens it demonstrates that the spike is a geometrically invariant feature and not an artefact of the choice of variables used to parametrize the metric. We also identify another class of spikes which are artefacts. The spikes produced by our method are compared with the results of numerical and heuristic analyses of the same situation.Comment: 25 page

Simultaneous Multiwavelength Observations of Magnetic Activity in Ultracool Dwarfs. IV. The Active, Young Binary NLTT 33370 AB (=2MASS J13142039+1320011)

We present multi-epoch simultaneous radio, optical, H{\alpha}, UV, and X-ray observations of the active, young, low-mass binary NLTT 33370 AB (blended spectral type M7e). This system is remarkable for its extreme levels of magnetic activity: it is the most radio-luminous ultracool dwarf (UCD) known, and here we show that it is also one of the most X-ray luminous UCDs known. We detect the system in all bands and find a complex phenomenology of both flaring and periodic variability. Analysis of the optical light curve reveals the simultaneous presence of two periodicities, 3.7859 $\pm$ 0.0001 and 3.7130 $\pm$ 0.0002 hr. While these differ by only ~2%, studies of differential rotation in the UCD regime suggest that it cannot be responsible for the two signals. The system's radio emission consists of at least three components: rapid 100% polarized flares, bright emission modulating periodically in phase with the optical emission, and an additional periodic component that appears only in the 2013 observational campaign. We interpret the last of these as a gyrosynchrotron feature associated with large-scale magnetic fields and a cool, equatorial plasma torus. However, the persistent rapid flares at all rotational phases imply that small-scale magnetic loops are also present and reconnect nearly continuously. We present an SED of the blended system spanning more than 9 orders of magnitude in wavelength. The significant magnetism present in NLTT 33370 AB will affect its fundamental parameters, with the components' radii and temperatures potentially altered by ~+20% and ~-10%, respectively. Finally, we suggest spatially resolved observations that could clarify many aspects of this system's nature.Comment: emulateapj, 22 pages, 15 figures, ApJ in press; v2: fixes low-impact error in Figure 15; v3: now in-pres

Psychische Folgen von Patientenübergriffen auf Mitarbeiter: Prospektive und retrospektive Daten

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die psychischen Folgen von Patientenübergriffen auf Mitarbeiter psychiatrischer Einrichtungen sind bisher kaum mit validierten und etablierten Instrumenten aus der Forschung über posttraumatische Belastungsstörungen (PTBS) untersucht worden. Methode: In einer prospektiven Längsschnittstudie sowie in einer retrospektiven Untersuchung wurden 46 bzw. 88 Mitarbeiter aus Einrichtungen der Psychiatrie und des Gesundheitswesens nach einem erlittenen Patientenübergriff hinsichtlich der psychischen Folgen befragt. Es wurden anerkannte Instrumente aus der PTBS-Forschung eingesetzt (PCL-C, IES-R). Ergebnisse: In den ersten Wochen nach dem Übergriff erfüllten 17% der Studienteilnehmer der prospektiven Studiedie Kriterien für die Diagnose einer PTBS nach DSM-IV. Im Verlauf von weiteren 2 und 6Monaten sank der Anteil von Betroffenen mit einer PTBS-Diagnose auf 11%. In der retrospektiven Studiewurde bei 3% der Befragten im Mittel 1,5Jahren nach dem Übergriff noch das Vollbild einer PTBS festgestellt. Schlussfolgerung: Patientenübergriffe können posttraumatische Belastungsstörungen bei Mitarbeitern psychiatrischer Einrichtungen auslösen. Einrichtungen, in denen solche Vorfälle geschehen, müssen eine adäquate Nachsorge für die betroffenen Mitarbeiter organisiere