Atomic Hydrogen-Bearing Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies: A Look Into AGC 749290

This research examines properties of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in order to discover more about why and how these galaxies exist. UDGs are galaxies that have very little star content for their given radius, so they appear very dim optically but can be observed in radio wavelengths. We worked with data taken from the Very Large Array, which observed radio emission from gas within the galaxies. To analyze the data, we first used CASA, a specific radio astronomy software, to remove interference from the data, calibrate the data, and create images that show the gas distribution in the galaxies. From CASA, we were able to obtain spectra and velocity maps of the galaxies, which we then used to measure the galaxies\u27 gas mass and motions using code in IDL. Through this process, we determined that the galaxies are rotating, their gas content extends past what we can see optically, and in one instance, the gas distribution is misaligned from what we see in the optical image, which is not a typical characteristic. Future work involves analyzing these galaxies deeper and comparing multiple properties such as color, rotation rate, gas mass ratios, and dark matter content to that of typical galaxies and find where there are differences. By measuring and comparing each of these properties in these atypical galaxies, we will have better constraints on galaxy models which will allow us to more fully understand galaxy formation and evolution

Social impacts of the development of science, technology and innovation indicators

This paper examines the social impacts of the development of science, technology and innovation indicators. The approach deals separately with the development process and with the use of the indicators that result. Underlying the discussion is an assumption that indicators are a technology, a product, which governs behaviour, is modified by users (outside of the producer community), and develops in response to user needs. Science and technology indicators are considered separately from innovation indicators, and the importance of language based on codified and tacit knowledge is emphasized. The knowledge is codified in manuals, and the tacit knowledge is held in overlapping communities of practice that develop the manuals, gather the data, produce the indicators and use them. Finally, there is a discussion of how this process changes and renews itself.Economic impacts, social impacts, innovation indicators, science and technology indicators, indicators, social constructs, knowledge

User innovation and the market

This paper proposes a way of including in official statistics consumers as user innovators who modify or develop products for their own use. The issue addressed is the role of the market in the definition of innovation in the OECD/Eurostat Oslo Manual and the exclusion by the definition of consumers who modify or develop products and then freely reveal the knowledge gained to others. A modest proposal is made for a change to the definition which also has implications for the measurement of innovation in the public sector. The policy implications of user innovation by consumers and by firms are considered along with the importance of including consumer user innovation in official statistics. The paper ends with a programme for future work.User innovation, consumer innovation, public sector innovation, official statistics

Paid Sick Days Access in the United States: Differences by Race/Ethnicity, Occupation, Earnings, and Work Schedule

Paid sick days bring substantial benefits to employers, workers, families, and communities. The economic and public health benefits of paid sick leave coverage include safer work environments; improved work life balance, reduced spread of contagion; and reduced health care costs. Access to this important benefit, however, is still too rare, and is unequally distributed across the U.S. population, with differences by race and ethnicity, occupation, earnings levels, and work schedules. Utilizing data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), IWPR finds that in 2012, approximately 61 percent of private-sector workers age 18 and older in the U.S. had access to paid sick days (Figure 1); up from 57 percent in 2009. More than 41 million workers lack access

Continuous internal channels formed in aluminum fusion welds

Process produces continuous internal channel systems on a repeatable basis in 2014-T6 aluminum. Standard machining forms the initial channel, which is filled with tungsten carbide powder. TIG machine fusion welding completes formation of the channel. Chem-mill techniques enlarge it to the desired size

Payment for Environmental Services: First Global Inventory of Schemes Provisioning Water for Cities

In the perspective of the World Water Day 2011 - "Water for Cities" (March 22, 2011), the Natural Resources Land and Water Division (NRL) of FAO has launched an inventory of environmental schemes provisioning water to cities. Up to date there have been several studies addressing the payment for watershed services around the world, conducted by various UN agencies, NGOs, etc. None of these studies so far has focused on the PES schemes providing the water supply for cities and industries, i.e. urban areas. In that sense this inventory is unique. The report offers a very useful inventory of identified PES - "water for cities" schemes around the world. The report can be used as basis for further pursuit of information and analysis of the most relevant cases at least, and possible replication of these cases, primarily in East Africa that has become an area of interest lately for the potential development of this market based scheme in order to address the water issues of the region

Optical cements for interferometric applications

The wave front distortion introduced by optical cements is important in interferometric applications. We describe here tests performed to characterize two common cements, Epo-Tek 301 and Norland Optical Adhesive 61

Less is more: rarity trumps quality in luxury markets

The international market for luxury goods has almost doubled since 1990, with a worldwide increase of 10% annually. This trade is fuelled by a great deal of legally and illegally exploited wildlife species, putting enormous pressure on many of them, with potentially irreversible consequences. The dramatic decline of sturgeon populations exploited for their caviar, is a good example: all 27 species are threatened and the most coveted are on the verge of extinction. We aim to identify the mechanism responsible for the continued overexploitation of sturgeon species, despite caviar's ever-increasing price and the imminent loss of these species. Here, we demonstrate consumer preference for rarity over intrinsic quality: customers tasting two caviar samples more often chose the one they thought was rare, although both were identical. In a game theory model, we demonstrate that the most rational behaviour is to rush to consume rare species, even though this precipitates their extinction. We conclude that the human predisposition to place exaggerated value on rarity probably drives the entire market for luxury goods from reptile skins to exotic woods. Our findings suggest that allowing low levels of legal trade will exacerbate the arbitrary value of rare species and thereby stimulate demand. Only a total ban on trade from the wild (with very strict controls) combined with strong support for farmed equivalents will protect rare species

Experimental evidence for non-proportional growth of large craters

Evidence from laboratory impact experiments is indicating that increasing crater aspect ratios (diameter:depth) can result from increasing both velocity and projectile size without invoking unusual impactor conditions. An extensive data base of experimental impact cratering was analyzed for a variety of impactors and impact velocities for low strength targets. These data indicate a change in cratering efficiency that appears to be related to the onset of projectile deformation or rupture. When all projectile types and sizes are considered, one finds two contrasting relationships between crater aspect ratio and impactor parameter. These relationships are briefly considered