Solar Atmospheric Oscillations and the Chromospheric Magnetic Topology

We investigate the oscillatory properties of the quiet solar chromosphere in relation to the underlying photosphere, with particular regard to the effects of the magnetic topology. We perform a Fourier analysis on a sequence of line-of-sight velocities measured simultaneously in a photospheric (Fe I 709.0 nm) and a chromospheric line (Ca II 854.2 nm). The velocities were obtained from full spectroscopic data acquired at high spatial resolution with the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer (IBIS). The field of view encompasses a full supergranular cell, allowing us to discriminate between areas with different magnetic characteristics. We show that waves with frequencies above the acoustic cut-off propagate from the photosphere to upper layers only in restricted areas of the quiet Sun. A large fraction of the quiet chromosphere is in fact occupied by ``magnetic shadows'', surrounding network regions, that we identify as originating from fibril-like structures observed in the core intensity of the Ca II line. We show that a large fraction of the chromospheric acoustic power at frequencies below the acoustic cut-off, residing in the proximity of the magnetic network elements, directly propagates from the underlying photosphere. This supports recent results arguing that network magnetic elements can channel low-frequency photospheric oscillations into the chromosphere, thus providing a way to input mechanical energy in the upper layers.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure, A&A Letters in pres

Direct UV observations of the circumstellar envelope of alpha Orionis

Observations were made in the IUE LWP camera, low dispersion mode, with alpha Ori being offset various distances from the center of the Long Wavelength Large Aperture along its major axis. Signal was acquired at all offset positions and is comprised of unequal components of background/dark counts, telescope-scattered light, and scattered light emanating from the extended circumstellar shell. The star is known from optical and infrared observations to possess an extended, arc-minute sized, shell of cool material. Attempts to observe this shell with the IUE are described, although the deconvolution of the stellar signal from the telescope scattered light requires further calibration effort

Basal Chromospheric Flux and Maunder Minimum-type Stars: The quiet-Sun Chromosphere as a Universal Phenomenon

Aims: We demonstrate the universal character of the quiet-Sun chromosphere among inactive stars (solar-type and giants). By assessing the main physical processes, we shed new light on some common observational phenomena. Methods: We discuss measurements of the solar Mt. Wilson S-index, obtained by the Hamburg Robotic Telescope around the extreme minimum year 2009, and compare the established chromospheric basal Ca II K line flux to the Mt. Wilson S-index data of inactive ("flat activity") stars, including giants. Results: During the unusually deep and extended activity minimum of 2009, the Sun reached S-index values considerably lower than in any of its previously observed minima. In several brief periods, the Sun coincided exactly with the S-indices of inactive ("flat", presumed Maunder Minimum-type) solar analogues of the Mt. Wilson sample; at the same time, the solar visible surface was also free of any plages or remaining weak activity regions. The corresponding minimum Ca II K flux of the quiet Sun and of the presumed Maunder Minimum-type stars in the Mt. Wilson sample are found to be identical to the corresponding Ca II K chromospheric basal flux limit. Conclusions: We conclude that the quiet-Sun chromosphere is a universal phenomenon among inactive stars. Its mixed-polarity magnetic field, generated by a local, "fast" turbulent dynamo finally provides a natural explanation for the minimal soft X-ray emission observed for inactive stars. Given such a local dynamo also works for giant chromospheres, albeit on larger length scales, i.e., l ~ R/g, with R and g as stellar radius and surface gravity, respectively, the existence of giant spicular phenomena and the guidance of mechanical energy toward the acceleration zone of cool stellar winds along flux-tubes have now become traceable.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; Astronomy & Astrophysics (Research Note), in pres

SUMER Observations Confirm the Dynamic Nature of the Quiet Solar Outer Atmosphere: The Inter-network Chromosphere

On 12 March 1996 we obtained observations of the quiet Sun with the SUMER instrument. The observa- tions were sequences of 15-20 second exposures of ultraviolet emission line profiles and of the neighboring continua. These data contain signatures of the dynamics of the solar chromosphere that are uniquely useful because of wavelength coverage, moderate signal-to-noise ratios, and image stability. The dominant observed phenomenon is an oscillatory behavior that is analogous to the 3 minute oscillations seen in Ca II lines. The oscillations appear to be coherent over 3-8". At any time they occur over approx. 50 % of the area studied, and they appear as large perturbations in the intensities of lines and continua. The oscillations are most clearly seen in intensity variations in the UV (lambda > 912 A) continua, and they are also seen in the intensities and velocities of chromospheric lines of C I, N I and O I. Intensity brightenings are accompanied by blueshifts of typically 5 km s$^{-1}$. Phase differences between continuum and line intensities also indicate the presence of upward propagating waves. Three minute intensity oscillations are occasionally seen in second spectra (C II 1335), but never in third spectra (C III and Si III). Third spectra and He I 584 show oscillations in velocity that are not simply related to the 3 minute oscillations. The continuum intensity variations are consistent with recent simulations of chromospheric dynamics (Carlsson & Stein 1994) while the line observations indicate that important ingredients are missing at higher layers in the simulations. The data show that time variations are crucial for our understanding of the chromosphere itself and for the spectral features formed there.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figs, AASTeX, Accepted for publication in APJ letter

Canonically conjugate pairs and phase operators

For quantum mechanics on a lattice the position (``particle number'') operator and the quasi-momentum (``phase'') operator obey canonical commutation relations (CCR) only on a dense set of the Hilbert space. We compare exact numerical results for a particle in simple potentials on the lattice with the expectations, when the CCR are assumed to be strictly obeyed. Only for sufficiently smooth eigenfunctions this leads to reasonable results. In the long time limit the use of the CCR can lead to a qualitativel wrong dynamics even if the initial state is in the dense set.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. Phys. Rev. A, in pres

Detection of supersonic downflows and associated heating events in the transition region above sunspots

IRIS data allow us to study the solar transition region (TR) with an unprecedented spatial resolution of 0.33 arcsec. On 2013 August 30, we observed bursts of high Doppler shifts suggesting strong supersonic downflows of up to 200 km/s and weaker, slightly slower upflows in the spectral lines Mg II h and k, C II 1336 \AA, Si IV 1394 \AA, and 1403 \AA, that are correlated with brightenings in the slitjaw images (SJIs). The bursty behavior lasts throughout the 2 hr observation, with average burst durations of about 20 s. The locations of these short-lived events appear to be the umbral and penumbral footpoints of EUV loops. Fast apparent downflows are observed along these loops in the SJIs and in AIA, suggesting that the loops are thermally unstable. We interpret the observations as cool material falling from coronal heights, and especially coronal rain produced along the thermally unstable loops, which leads to an increase of intensity at the loop footpoints, probably indicating an increase of density and temperature in the TR. The rain speeds are on the higher end of previously reported speeds for this phenomenon, and possibly higher than the free-fall velocity along the loops. On other observing days, similar bright dots are sometimes aligned into ribbons, resembling small flare ribbons. These observations provide a first insight into small-scale heating events in sunspots in the TR.Comment: accepted by ApJ

Spectral simplicity and asymptotic separation of variables

We describe a method for comparing the real analytic eigenbranches of two families of quadratic forms that degenerate as t tends to zero. One of the families is assumed to be amenable to `separation of variables' and the other one not. With certain additional assumptions, we show that if the families are asymptotic at first order as t tends to 0, then the generic spectral simplicity of the separable family implies that the eigenbranches of the second family are also generically one-dimensional. As an application, we prove that for the generic triangle (simplex) in Euclidean space (constant curvature space form) each eigenspace of the Laplacian is one-dimensional. We also show that for all but countably many t, the geodesic triangle in the hyperbolic plane with interior angles 0, t, and t, has simple spectrum.Comment: 53 pages, 2 figure

The Influence of Arthritis in Other Major Joints and the Spine on the One-Year Outcome of Total Hip Replacement:A Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study (EUROHIP) Measuring the Influence of Musculoskeletal Morbidity

Background Whilst arthritis in other affected joints and back pain is known to lead to worse outcomes following total hip replacement surgery, these risk factors have not previously been operationalized as a musculoskeletal morbidity profile. The aim of this study was to measure the influence of other joints and spine (as grades of musculoskeletal morbidity) on the 1-year outcome of primary total hip replacement. Methods The European Collaborative Database of Cost and Practice Patterns of Total Hip Replacement study consists of 1,327 patients receiving primary THR for osteoarthritis across 20 European orthopedic centers. The primary outcome was the responder rate for THR at 12-months as measured by the relative effect per patient (REPP score), calculated for each patient using the total WOMAC score. The primary predictor of interest was combinations of arthritis of large joints and spine grouped into four musculoskeletal morbidity (MSM) grades: 1 (single-joint), 2 (multi-joints), 3 (single-joint and spine), 4 (multi-joints and spine). Confounders adjusted for were: age, sex, body mass index, living alone, years of hip pain, ASA grade, anxiety/depression, pre-operative WOMAC subscales. Results 845 patients were included for this analysis with complete 12-month follow-up WOMAC scores. The mean age was 65.7 years and 55.2% were female. Increasing MSM grade was associated with worse outcomes of surgery, where the proportion of patients responding to THR were: 254 (92.4%) MSM grade 1, 272 (87.2%) MSM grade 2, 46 (80.7%) MSM grade 3, 142 (74.4%) MSM grade 4. This was confirmed in adjusted logistic regression models: MSM grade 4 vs. 1 relative risk ratio (RRR) 0.82 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.75, 0.90); MSM grade 3 vs. 1 OR 0.87 95%CI (0.77, 0.99); MSM grade 2 vs. 1 OR 0.95 95%CI (0.89, 1.00). Conclusions Other joints and spine measured as musculoskeletal morbidity have a strong influence on the 1-year outcome after THR. The effect size was large in comparison to other risk factors. Even so, the majority of patients in MSM grade 4 can still profit from surgery (>75% response to surgery)

Using Social Media to Promote STEM Education: Matching College Students with Role Models

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields have become increasingly central to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth. The shortage in the STEM workforce has brought promoting STEM education upfront. The rapid growth of social media usage provides a unique opportunity to predict users' real-life identities and interests from online texts and photos. In this paper, we propose an innovative approach by leveraging social media to promote STEM education: matching Twitter college student users with diverse LinkedIn STEM professionals using a ranking algorithm based on the similarities of their demographics and interests. We share the belief that increasing STEM presence in the form of introducing career role models who share similar interests and demographics will inspire students to develop interests in STEM related fields and emulate their models. Our evaluation on 2,000 real college students demonstrated the accuracy of our ranking algorithm. We also design a novel implementation that recommends matched role models to the students.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted by ECML/PKDD 2016, Industrial Trac