Galaxy Aggregates in the Coma Cluster

We present evidence for a new morphologically defined form of small-scale substructure in the Coma Cluster, which we call galaxy aggregates. These aggregates are dominated by a central galaxy, which is on average three magnitudes brighter than the smaller aggregate members nearly all of which lie to one side of the central galaxy. We have found three such galaxy aggregates dominated by the S0 galaxies RB 55, RB 60, and the star-bursting SBb, NGC 4858. RB 55 and RB 60 are both equi-distant between the two dominate D galaxies NGC 4874 and NGC 4889, while NGC 4858 is located next to the larger E0 galaxy NGC 4860. All three central galaxies have redshifts consistant with Coma Cluster membership. We describe the spatial structures of these unique objects and suggest several possible mechanisms to explain their origin. These include: chance superpositions from background galaxies, interactions between other galaxies and with the cluster gravitational potential, and ram pressure. We conclude that the most probable scenario of creation is an interaction with the cluster through its potential.Comment: Ten Pages with six figures; submitted to MNRAS letter

Traditional building materials and the sustainability of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College design

This thesis is about the ecological and cultural sustainability of a proposed design for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College (CATC) in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The culture of the tribes combined with sustainable building systems are used as a basis for decision-making regarding the method of design. Upon the completion of the design process, the proposed materials and systems selected were analyzed based on their embodied energy and contribution to the facility\u27s ability to operate off-the-grid. In choosing concrete, steel, glass and bamboo, which contribute to proper functioning of the systems, the academic building will be able to operate completely free of fossil fuels - a savings of over 4.5 trillion BTUs of energy or the equivalent of 785,000 barrels of oil over its lifetime. The contribution of both the campus itself and the students who graduate from CATC will assist the Tribe with future economic development and security

Citizens of the empire: A molding of Victorian childhood identity

The Victorian Era in Great Britain was a time period of dramatic change. The Industrial Revolution was altering the social and economic fabric of society. Socially, Victorians were confronted with new theories that challenged their religious beliefs. The British Isles were progressing steadily in creating a national identity. Finally, the existence of the British Empire made imperialism a factor that cannot be ignored. Yet, many historians have pointed out that the history of the British metropole itself is often disconnected from the political and cultural history of the Empire. It is within this conversation that this project seeks to find a place. This project advocates for the ideological existence of what made an ideal British citizen in an imperial context. The term “Citizen of the Empire” is being used deliberately in this context to describe this ideal British citizen, which existed in conjunction with imperial culture. This ideal identity was one that stemmed from middle class Victorian beliefs about morality, physicality, gender, national identity, and race. This paper attempts to utilize all of these thematic concepts in light of current trends in the fields of world history, British imperial history, and postcolonial discourses. The Citizen of the Empire ideal can be found in numerous cultural sources. However, this paper will investigate two types of primary sources that deal with children. Victorian children were not isolated from these cultural treads. Rather this ideal was so strong that it was inherently embedded in the discourse surrounding various Victorian youth organizations. Furthermore, the Citizen of the Empire ideal can be found in countless examples of children’s literature. This imperial ideal stemmed from a proper combination of middle class Victorian beliefs surrounding morality and physicality. Additionally, being a Citizen of the Empire meant conforming to middle class Victorian gender roles. All of these middle class expectations helped to create an ideal, proper, and thereby superior, model of a British citizen within the metropole. Finally, this superior model was used as a justification for the creation of a hierarchical relationship between the British and other cultures. Thus, the fusion of national identity and race produced a sense of cultural superiority which encouraged the civilizing mission and outright racism

Modulation of endothelial cell KCa3.1 Channels during endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor signaling in mesenteric resistance arteries

Arterial hyperpolarization to acetylcholine (ACh) reflects coactivation of KCa3.1 (IKCa) channels and KCa2.3 (SKCa) channels in the endothelium that transfers through myoendothelial gap junctions and diffusible factor(s) to affect smooth muscle relaxation (endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor [EDHF] response). However, ACh can differentially activate KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels, and we investigated the mechanisms responsible in rat mesenteric arteries. KCa3.1 channel input to EDHF hyperpolarization was enhanced by reducing external [Ca2+]o but blocked either with forskolin to activate protein kinase A or by limiting smooth muscle [Ca2+]i increases stimulated by phenylephrine depolarization. Imaging [Ca2+]i within the endothelial cell projections forming myoendothelial gap junctions revealed increases in cytoplasmic [Ca2+]i during endothelial stimulation with ACh that were unaffected by simultaneous increases in muscle [Ca2+]i evoked by phenylephrine. If gap junctions were uncoupled, KCa3.1 channels became the predominant input to EDHF hyperpolarization, and relaxation was inhibited with ouabain, implicating a crucial link through Na+/K+-ATPase. There was no evidence for an equivalent link through KCa2.3 channels nor between these channels and the putative EDHF pathway involving natriuretic peptide receptor-C. Reconstruction of confocal z-stack images from pressurized arteries revealed KCa2.3 immunostain at endothelial cell borders, including endothelial cell projections, whereas KCa3.1 channels and Na+/K+-ATPase {alpha}2/{alpha}3 subunits were highly concentrated in endothelial cell projections and adjacent to myoendothelial gap junctions. Thus, extracellular [Ca2+]o appears to modify KCa3.1 channel activity through a protein kinase A-dependent mechanism independent of changes in endothelial [Ca2+]i. The resulting hyperpolarization links to arterial relaxation largely through Na+/K+-ATPase, possibly reflecting K+ acting as an EDHF. In contrast, KCa2.3 hyperpolarization appears mainly to affect relaxation through myoendothelial gap junctions. Overall, these data suggest that K+ and myoendothelial coupling evoke EDHF-mediated relaxation through distinct, definable pathways

North of the Red Sea

With immense pride, I present a collection of ten songs woven from the threads of my musical influences, personal wisdom, and artistic explorations, guided by the invaluable mentorship of Franz Nicolay. This journey began long before the formal recording during my senior year at Bard. A visceral vision resonated within me, the melodies echoing in the depths of my mind. However, the path wasn\u27t devoid of hurdles. Intense imposter syndrome, and self-doubt in its various forms, forced me to re-evaluate my direction. In many ways, separating myself from the work became the key to uncovering the most authentic approaches. Through introspection, I realized the crucial role of meticulous lyricism and phrasing. Each word became a brushstroke, painting vivid imagery and conveying emotions with the utmost care. This dedication unlocked a deeper understanding of the songs, paving the way for their true potential to unfold. The decisions woven into the album\u27s fabric reflect a deliberate desire to share my artistic vision with the world. While the music flowed effortlessly from my imagination, the lyrics demanded careful consideration and refinement. Bringing these songs to life led me to discover a profound connection between my inner world and the unfolding melodies. Composing became an organic expression, a natural translation of the sounds that had simmered within my creative consciousness for a long. Crafting the lyrics and carefully considering how to express them played a pivotal role. As I immersed myself in the musical process, a seamless connection emerged between my creative endeavors and the melodic landscapes residing within me. This entire journey demanded my dedication and propelled me towards unforeseen paths of exploration. I recorded North of the Red Sea entirely on a digital 8-track. I wanted to capture a specific immediacy in these songs. I wanted to make it feel as if I were right there singing and exploring these stories right in front of you. Throughout the intricate process, I discovered an innate harmony between my thoughts and the unfolding melodies. The act of composing became an organic expression of the sounds that had long lingered within my imagination. The challenges encountered along the way only heightened the authenticity of the musical narrative, pushing me to explore uncharted artistic territories. North of the Red Sea feels like a foundation for future ventures. They are the tangible manifestation of my artistic journey, a testament to the transformative power of dedicated work and materialized ideas. This realization instills a sense of continuity and forward momentum on my artistic path. This experience has yielded invaluable insights into the symbiotic relationship between intention, expression, and the transformative power of creative exploration. It has become abundantly clear that when these elements are thoughtfully interwoven, they transcend the boundaries of mere musical composition, culminating in something profoundly meaningful. I invite you to embark on a journey, to navigate the musical landscapes of North of the Red Sea Let the melodies wash over you, and allow the lyrics to resonate with your inner world. May this album serve as a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression, a reminder that even the most personal journeys can resonate with the universal human experience

CHA Residents and the Plan for Transformation

This series of policy briefs presents findings from more than a decade of research on the people who lived in Chicago Housing Authority properties when the agencylaunched its Plan for Transformation in October 1999. The ongoing, multiyear effort sought to improve resident well-being by renovating or demolishing decaying public housing properties and replacing them with new, mixed-income development