The sensitivity of H alpha profiles to rapid electron beam fluctuations

In order to understand the temporal relationship between H alpha and hard X-ray emission predicted by the nonthermal electron thick target model of impulsive-phase energy transport the time-dependent theoretical H alpha profiles were computed for the dynamic model atmospheres of Fisher, Canfield, and McClymont, which simulate the effects of an impulsively initiated power-law beam of electrons. On the basis of the physical analysis it was expected that a very rapid H alpha response to an instantaneous increase in the flux of a nonthermal deka-keV electron beam, as compared to the timescale associated with the propagation of these electrons over characteristic flare coronal loop spatial scales. It was concluded that observational efforts to test the thick target nonthermal electron model through detection of impulsive H alpha brightenings associated with impulsive hard X-ray or microwave bursts should initially focus attention on the H alpha line center. Additional simultaneous blue-wing measurements will have substantial diagnostic potential

UHE neutrino searches using a Lunar target: First Results from the RESUN search

During the past decade there have been several attempts to detect cosmogenic ultra high energy (UHE) neutrinos by searching for radio Cerenkov bursts resulting from charged impact showers in terrestrial ice or the lunar regolith. So far these radio searches have yielded no detections, but the inferred flux upper limits have started to constrain physical models for UHE neutrino generation. For searches which use the Moon as a target, we summarize the physics of the interaction, properties of the resulting Cerenkov radio pulse, detection statistics, effective aperture scaling laws, and derivation of upper limits for isotropic and point source models. We report on initial results from the RESUN search, which uses the Expanded Very Large Array configured in multiple sub-arrays of four antennas at 1.45 GHz pointing along the lunar limb. We detected no pulses of lunar origin during 45 observing hours. This implies upper limits to the differential neutrino flux E^2 dN/dE < 0.003 EeV km^{-2} s^{-1} sr^{-1} and < 0.0003 EeV km$^{-2} s^{-1} at 90% confidence level for isotropic and sampled point sources respectively, in the neutrino energy range 10^{21.6} < E(eV) < 10^{22.6}. The isotropic flux limit is comparable to the lowest published upper limits for lunar searches. The full RESUN search, with an additional 200 hours observing time and an improved data acquisition scheme, will be be an order of magnitude more sensitive in the energy range 10^{21} < E(eV) < 10^{22} than previous lunar-target searches, and will test Z burst models of neutrino generation.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figure

Controversy over Buddhist Ethical Reform: A Secular Critique of Clerical Authority in the Tibetan Blogosphere

This article explores the online debate in the Tibetan-language blogosphere over a burgeoning ethical reform movement. Annually, whole villages and clans in nomadic areas along the eastern reaches of the Tibetan plateau are committing to a newly formulated set of ten Buddhist virtues that include vows not to sell yaks for slaughter, not to fight with weapons, and not to drink, smoke, or gamble. Spearheaded by Khenpo Tsultrim Lodrö and cleric-scholars at Larung Buddhist Academy concerned with the erosion of social values in the face of state modernization policies, novel vow ceremonies have generated a new level of commitment to Buddhist ethics among Tibetan nomads while spawning controversy over the role of religion in the public sphere. A set of virulent critiques of ethical reform have appeared since 2012 in Tibetan blog posts by well-known intellectuals like Jamyang Kyi and Notreng. This article examines the secular terms through which clerical authority is criticized in the Tibetan blogosphere and several responses that address the polarizing tendency of online debate due to the circulation of misinformation and slander. How is the Tibetan blogosphere creating a new public forum for the secular critique of religion? On what grounds are Tibetan bloggers challenging Buddhist clerical authority online? How do monastics and their supporters advocate, in response, for the role of Buddhism in governing Tibetan social values and practices

Towards a New LGBT Biopic: Politics and Reflexivity in Gus Van Sant’s Milk

Post print (Author accepted) manuscript made available here in accordance with publisher copyright policy

The Naked Community Organizer: Politics and Reflexivity in Gus Van Sant's Milk

Post print (author accepted) manuscript made available in accordance with publisher copyright policy

'Your heart goes out to the Australian Tourist Board': critical uncertainty and the management of censure in Chris Lilley's TV comedies

Chris Lilley’s domestic reputation as a writer and creator of nationally award-winning material has largely not suffered, in contrast to other shows featuring provocative themes. What is distinctive about Lilley’s work that allows him to forestall accusations of ‘racism’ that other shows would face? In order to address these questions, this article investigates key components of Lilley’s comedies in three major contexts. First, I consider the work in the framework of post-2000 Australia. How might the depicted themes of aspiration and disenfranchisement dispose at least ‘middle’ Australian viewers to find favour with Lilley? Second, I look at the material in the context of ‘cringe’ comedy. A key theme that emerges throughout critical appraisals is the uncertainty about the ethical value of the humour. How do Lilley’s shows create a sense of critical ambiguity that plays out in Lilley’s favour? Finally, I examine the framing of Lilley’s non-white characters, contrasting critical responses to them with the reception of another well-known performance of blackface on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. How might the more contained criticism of performance and scripting flaws (that Lilley’s work received) displace more serious charges

‘Mr G is deffinately bringin’ Sexy back': characterizing Chris Lilley's YouTube audience

Post print (author accepted) manuscript made available in accordance with publisher copyright policy.This essay investigates how consuming Australian comedian Chris Lilley's TV material on YouTube allows for different forms of participation than are allowed by the experience of watching Lilley's work on broadcast TV. It examines the themes that emerge in user comments and the nature of the pleasure that fans get from Lilley's shows, particularly involving the popular gender non-conformist and female characters, Mr G and Ja'mie. The essay refers back to an earlier essay by the same author, which noted the relative popularity of some of Lilley's characters with professional critics. While there was some congruence between the critical responses analysed in the earlier essay and YouTube users' assessments, there were also themes and responses specific to the YouTube usership (for instance, a relative dearth of homophobic commentary regarding Mr G's sexuality). In offering an analysis of fan-specific data, the essay accounts for the appeal of Lilley's satirical comedy to fan communities that do not typically feature in critical analyses of satirical media. By suggesting how user comments shape others' experiences of the entertainment, the essay re-positions YouTube fans as creators of culturally valuable material in their own right