8,474 research outputs found
The Formation of Galaxy Disks
We present a new set of multi-million particle SPH simulations of the
formation of disk dominated galaxies in a cosmological context. Some of these
galaxies are higher resolution versions of the models already described in
Governato et al (2007). To correctly compare simulations with observations we
create artificial images of our simulations and from them measure photometric
Bulge to Disk (B/D) ratios and disk scale lengths. We show how feedback and
high force and mass resolution are necessary ingredients to form galaxies that
have flatter rotation curves, larger I band disk scale lengths and smaller B/D
ratios. A new simulated disk galaxy has an I-band disk scale length of 9.2 kpc
and a B/D flux ratio of 0.64 (face on, dust reddened).Comment: To appear in proceedings of "Formation and Evolution of Galaxy
Disks", Rome, October 2007, Eds. J.G. Funes, S.J. and E.M. Corsini. Bigger
figures than in printed versio
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Evaluation of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Peripatetic Assessment Model
The Health Visitor Implementation Plan 2011-15: a call to action, called for an additional 4200 health visitors to be trained by 2015. To accommodate larger numbers of students, specialist community public health nursing (SCPHN) programmes across the UK have undergone significant transformation in terms of practice supervision. Somerset Partnership NHS Trust introduced a peripatetic assessment model involving practice teachers and practice mentors. This differed from traditional one-to-one approaches of supervision to one-to-three. Practice teachers mostly supervised students through close collaboration with mentors who worked directly with students on a daily basis. Using a mixed methods approach, the evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness of the new model from the perspective of SCPHN students, mentors, practice teachers (PTs) and managers. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey and individual interviews or focus groups. Overall, participants were positive about the peripatetic model’s impact on student learning and practice experience, in addition to the general up-skilling of the wider health visiting workforce and possible implications of continuation into the future. Any concerns raised focused on adequate preparation and support for mentors and the need for clear communication and role differentiation between practice teachers and mentors
Simulating a White Dwarf-dominated Galactic Halo
Observational evidence has suggested the possibility of a Galactic halo which
is dominated by white dwarfs (WDs). While debate continues concerning the
interpretation of this evidence, it is clear that an initial mass function
(IMF) biased heavily toward WD precursors (1 < m/Msol < 8), at least in the
early Universe, would be necessary in generating such a halo. Within the
framework of homogeneous, closed-box models of Galaxy formation, such biased
IMFs lead to an unavoidable overproduction of carbon and nitrogen relative to
oxygen (as measured against the abundance patterns in the oldest stars of the
Milky Way). Using a three-dimensional Tree N-body smoothed particle
hydrodynamics code, we study the dynamics and chemical evolution of a galaxy
with different IMFs. Both invariant and metallicity-dependent IMFs are
considered. Our variable IMF model invokes a WD-precursor-dominated IMF for
metallicities less than 5% solar (primarily the Galactic halo), and the
canonical Salpeter IMF otherwise (primarily the disk). Halo WD density
distributions and C,N/O abundance patterns are presented. While Galactic haloes
comprised of ~5% (by mass) of WDs are not supported by our simulations, mass
fractions of ~1-2% cannot be ruled out. This conclusion is consistent with the
present-day observational constraints.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRA
Constraining sub-grid physics with high-redshift spatially-resolved metallicity distributions
Aims. We examine the role of energy feedback in shaping the distribution of metals within cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of L* disc galaxies. While negative abundance gradients today provide a boundary condition for galaxy evolution models, in support of inside-out disc growth, empirical evidence as to whether abundance gradients steepen or flatten with time remains highly contradictory.
Methods. We made use of a suite of L* discs, realised with and without "enhanced" feedback. All the simulations were produced using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics code Gasoline, and their in situ gas-phase metallicity gradients traced from redshift z similar to 2 to the present-day. Present-day age-metallicity relations and metallicity distribution functions were derived for each system.
Results. The "enhanced" feedback models, which have been shown to be in agreement with a broad range of empirical scaling relations, distribute energy and re-cycled ISM material over large scales and predict the existence of relatively "flat" and temporally invariant abundance gradients. Enhanced feedback schemes reduce significantly the scatter in the local stellar age-metallicity relation and, especially, the [O/Fe]-[Fe/H] relation. The local [O/Fe] distribution functions for our L* discs show clear bimodality, with peaks at [O/Fe] = -0.05 and +0.05 (for stars with [Fe/H] > -1), consistent with our earlier work on dwarf discs.
Conclusions. Our results with "enhanced" feedback are inconsistent with our earlier generation of simulations realised with "conservative" feedback. We conclude that spatially-resolved metallicity distributions, particularly at high-redshift, offer a unique and under-utilised constraint on the uncertain nature of stellar feedback processes
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