Breaking the law: the M_{bh}-M_{spheroid} mass relations for core-Sersic and Sersic galaxies

The popular log-linear relation between supermassive black hole mass, M_bh, and the dynamical mass of the host spheroid, M_sph, is shown to require a significant correction. Core galaxies, typically with M_bh > 2x10^8 M_Sun and thought to be formed in dry merger events, are shown to be well described by a linear relation for which the median black hole mass is 0.36% - roughly double the old value of constancy. Of greater significance is that M_bh ~ (M_sph)^2 among the (non-pseudobulge) lower-mass systems: specifically, log[M_bh/M_Sun] = (1.92+/-0.38)log[M_sph/7x10^{10}M_Sun] + (8.38+/-0.17). `Classical' spheroids hosting a 10^6 M_Sun black hole will have M_bh/M_sph ~ 0.025%. These new relations (i) bring consistency to the relation M_bh ~ sigma^5 and the fact that L ~ sigma^x with exponent x equal to 5 and 2 for bright (M_B < -20.5 mag) and faint spheroids, respectively, (ii) mimic the non-(log-linear) behavior in the M_bh-(Sersic n) diagram, (iii) necessitate the existence of a previously over-looked M_bh ~ L^{2.5} relation for Sersic (i.e.\ not core-Sersic) galaxies, and (iv) resolve past conflicts (in mass prediction) with the M_bh-sigma relation at the low-mass end. Furthermore, the bent nature of the M_bh-M_sph relation for `classical' spheroids will have a host of important implications that relate to (i) galaxy/black hole formation theories, (ii) searches for the fundamental black hole scaling relation, (iii) black hole mass predictions in other galaxies, (iv) alleged pseudobulge detections, (v) estimates of the black hole mass function and mass density based on luminosity functions, (vi) predictions for space-based gravitational wave detections, (vii) connections with nuclear star cluster scaling relations, (viii) evolutionary studies over different cosmic epochs, (ix) comparisons and calibrations matching inactive black hole masses with low-mass AGN data, and more.Comment: 4.5 pages plus reference

Library impact data: investigating library use and student attainment

Analytics are increasingly being used to uncover new narratives and demonstrate new types of value and impact for libraries and their institutions. This section will explore some of the current opportunities that institutions are exploiting with the use of analytics and the innovative services and tools they are developing

On complete embedded translating solitons of the mean curvature flow that are of finite genus

We desingularise the union of $3$ Grim paraboloids along Costa-Hoffman-Meeks surfaces in order to obtain what we believe to be the first examples in $\Bbb{R}^3$ of complete embedded translating solitons of the mean curvature flow of arbitrary non-trivial genus. This solves a problem posed by Mart\'in, Savas-Halilaj and Smoczyk.Comment: The presentation has been moderately redrafted and numerous typos have been corrected. Hopefully the paper is now considerably more accessible. Notation, terminology and conventions are described in detail in Appendix

An Enquiry Concerning Humean Understanding: A Criticism of Hume’s Conception of Causal Events

This paper won a second place writing flag award in the critical/persuasive category. Joshua Graham, writing for Jeffrey C. Leon’s PHL 321K class, “Theory of Knowledge”.Leon, Jeffrey C.Undergraduate Studie

Publications from projects

Developing graduate attributes in students and linking research to teaching are key areas for teaching and learning programmes and the honours project for a third year practical on a forensic science course is a prime area for integrating these into degree studies. This poster covers the background and conducts of a student project developing an alternative to a liquid etch to recover identification marks. It then outlines further research undertaken to allow the work to be published

Multi-agency working

This chapter, therefore, examines the case for a strategic approach to joined-up services by reviewing the development and operation of multi-agency working in Scottish education, and considers the professional imperatives for collaboration between agencies, and the barriers which present significant challenges to action. The chapter begins by outlining the policy context in relation to making Scotland a fairer society through improving educational experience generally, and then discusses more particularly the emerging practice issues for multi-agency working by considering the case study of one significantly disadvantaged group: children and young people who are 'looked after' by local authorities

How non-linear scaling relations unify dwarf and giant elliptical galaxies

Dwarf elliptical galaxies are frequently excluded from bright galaxy samples because they do not follow the same linear relations in diagrams involving effective half light radii R_e or mean effective surface brightnesses _e. However, using two linear relations which unite dwarf and bright elliptical galaxies we explain how these lead to curved relations when one introduces either the half light radius or the associated surface brightness. In particular, the curved _e - R_e relation is derived here. This and other previously misunderstood curved relations, once heralded as evidence for a discontinuity between faint and bright elliptical galaxies at M_B ~ -18 mag, actually support the unification of such galaxies as a single population whose structure (i.e. stellar concentration) varies continuously with stellar luminosity and mass.Comment: 4 pages including 2 figures, to appear in "A Universe of dwarf galaxies", Conf. Proc. (Lyon, June 14-18, 2010