Soliton dynamics in damped and forced Boussinesq equations

We investigate the dynamics of a lattice soliton on a monatomic chain in the presence of damping and external forces. We consider Stokes and hydrodynamical damping. In the quasi-continuum limit the discrete system leads to a damped and forced Boussinesq equation. By using a multiple-scale perturbation expansion up to second order in the framework of the quasi-continuum approach we derive a general expression for the first-order velocity correction which improves previous results. We compare the soliton position and shape predicted by the theory with simulations carried out on the level of the monatomic chain system as well as on the level of the quasi-continuum limit system. For this purpose we restrict ourselves to specific examples, namely potentials with cubic and quartic anharmonicities as well as the truncated Morse potential, without taking into account external forces. For both types of damping we find a good agreement with the numerical simulations both for the soliton position and for the tail which appears at the rear of the soliton. Moreover we clarify why the quasi-continuum approximation is better in the hydrodynamical damping case than in the Stokes damping case

Deconvolving the Wedge: Maximum-Likelihood Power Spectra via Spherical-Wave Visibility Modeling

Direct detection of the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) via the red-shifted 21-cm line will have unprecedented implications on the study of structure formation in the infant Universe. To fulfill this promise, current and future 21-cm experiments need to detect this weak EoR signal in the presence of foregrounds that are several orders of magnitude larger. This requires extreme noise control and improved wide-field high dynamic-range imaging techniques. We propose a new imaging method based on a maximum likelihood framework which solves for the interferometric equation directly on the sphere, or equivalently in the $uvw$-domain. The method uses the one-to-one relation between spherical waves and spherical harmonics (SpH). It consistently handles signals from the entire sky, and does not require a $w$-term correction. The spherical-harmonics coefficients represent the sky-brightness distribution and the visibilities in the $uvw$-domain, and provide a direct estimate of the spatial power spectrum. Using these spectrally-smooth SpH coefficients, bright foregrounds can be removed from the signal, including their side-lobe noise, which is one of the limiting factors in high dynamics range wide-field imaging. Chromatic effects causing the so-called "wedge" are effectively eliminated (i.e. deconvolved) in the cylindrical ($k_{\perp}, k_{\parallel}$) power spectrum, compared to a power spectrum computed directly from the images of the foreground visibilities where the wedge is clearly present. We illustrate our method using simulated LOFAR observations, finding an excellent reconstruction of the input EoR signal with minimal bias.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. Replaced to match accepted MNRAS version; few typos corrected & textual clarification added (no changes to results

Robust Foregrounds Removal for 21-cm Experiments

Direct detection of the Epoch of Reionization via the redshifted 21-cm line will have unprecedented implications on the study of structure formation in the early Universe. To fulfill this promise current and future 21-cm experiments will need to detect the weak 21-cm signal over foregrounds several order of magnitude greater. This requires accurate modeling of the galactic and extragalactic emission and of its contaminants due to instrument chromaticity, ionosphere and imperfect calibration. To solve for this complex modeling, we propose a new method based on Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) which is able to cleanly separate the cosmological signal from most of the foregrounds contaminants. We also propose a new imaging method based on a maximum likelihood framework which solves for the interferometric equation directly on the sphere. Using this method, chromatic effects causing the so-called "wedge" are effectively eliminated (i.e. deconvolved) in the cylindrical ($k_{\perp}, k_{\parallel}$) power spectrum.Comment: Subbmited to the Proceedings of the IAUS333, Peering Towards Cosmic Dawn, 4 pages, 2 figure

Where Have All the Robins Gone? Power, Discourse, and the Closing of Robbinsdale High School

This descriptive historical case study, presented as a sort of means of coming to terms with the past, details a 1980 to 1982 declining-enrollment decision-making process which led to the closure of one of three high schools in the suburban, midwestern Robbinsdale Area Schools. Following the district’s expansion from a first-ring suburbia with small-town roots to include further westward second-ring additions, this school-closing dilemma provided fertile ground for a conflict pitting the old middle and blue collar classes on the district’s east side against the new middle and professional classes on its west side. History, tradition, community identity, and community bonds locked horns with modernity, as educational, cultural, and class issues, as well as administrative missteps, including participative democracy run amok, all intertwined during the year-long battle over which high school to close. Although all sides placed great faith in scientific, factual, and objective outlooks, it seemed impossible for these to calm the underlying forces. The concluding triumph of the new middle class over the old middle class through the unexpected, last-minute 1982 closure of the district’s flagship school, Robbinsdale High, brought with it a sense that an injustice had occurred, one based on power and privilege, leaving lasting scars on a community. An expansive literature review offers an historical overview of school consolidation, including rural consolidation, over the past 100 years, with specific attention to the management of declining enrollment in the late 20th century. The study incorporates this previous research on school consolidation, the views of 41 interview participants, as well as the critical theoretical perspectives of Habermas (1975), Foucault (1980), Apple (1990), Eagleton (1991), and Brookfield (2005), to inform and analyze this school-closure process. The story is portrayed as a social and critical history of struggle within a community, with particular focus on class interests, power, and the control of discourse. The study concludes that within school-consolidation decisions, leaders should reconsider the value of smallness, respect the limitations of technical rationality, balance business and efficiency models with social and human considerations of fairness and equity, and honor the sacredness of place, local culture, values, history, and tradition

Trajectory Correction of the LHC Injection Transfer Lines TI 2 and TI 8

The LHC injection transfer lines TI 2 and TI 8 will transport very intense high-energy small-emittance proton beams over considerable distances. The relatively tight aperture requires a precise control of the trajectory. A detailed analysis of the trajectory excursions to be expected in the presence of various imperfections has been carried out. To stay within the given aperture a correction scheme is proposed in which two adjacent short straight sections out of every four are equipped with correctors. For both lines together this scheme requires 110 corrector elements. The maximum deflection per corrector remains below 65Ýmrad. Corrector magnets and power supplies will be recuperated from LEP and adapted to their new function. The beam position monitors will use button-type electrodes which can also be recovered from LEP

Observations of the Structure and Dynamics of the Inner M87 Jet

M87 is the best source in which to study a jet at high resolution in gravitational units because it has a very high mass black hole and is nearby. The angular size of the black hole is second only to Sgr A*, which does not have a strong jet. The jet structure is edge brightened with a wide opening angle base and a weak counterjet. We have roughly annual observations for 17 years plus intensive monitoring at three week intervals for a year and five day intervals for 2.5 months made with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 43 GHz. The inner jet shows very complex dynamics, with apparent motions both along and across the jet. Speeds from zero to over 2c are seen, with acceleration observed over the first 3 milli-arcseconds. The counterjet decreases in brightness much more rapidly than the main jet, as is expected from relativistic beaming in an accelerating jet oriented near the line-of-sight. Details of the structure and dynamics are discussed. The roughly annual observations show side-to-side motion of the whole jet with a characteristic time scale of about 9 years.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. Published in a special issue of Galaxies which is the proceedings of "Blazars through Sharp Multi-Wavelength Eyes" edited by J. L. Gomez, A. P. Marscher, and S. G. Jorsta