Understanding the Structural Scaling Relations of Early-Type Galaxies

We use a large suite of hydrodynamical simulations of binary galaxy mergers to construct and calibrate a physical prescription for computing the effective radii and velocity dispersions of spheroids. We implement this prescription within a semi-analytic model embedded in merger trees extracted from the Bolshoi Lambda-CDM N-body simulation, accounting for spheroid growth via major and minor mergers as well as disk instabilities. We find that without disk instabilities, our model does not predict sufficient numbers of intermediate mass early-type galaxies in the local universe. Spheroids also form earlier in models with spheroid growth via disk instabilities. Our model correctly predicts the normalization, slope, and scatter of the low-redshift size-mass and Fundamental Plane relations for early type galaxies. It predicts a degree of curvature in the Faber-Jackson relation that is not seen in local observations, but this could be alleviated if higher mass spheroids have more bottom-heavy initial mass functions. The model also correctly predicts the observed strong evolution of the size-mass relation for spheroids out to higher redshifts, as well as the slower evolution in the normalization of the Faber-Jackson relation. We emphasize that these are genuine predictions of the model since it was tuned to match hydrodynamical simulations and not these observations.Comment: Submitted to MNRA

New Approaches By the FPC / Scope of Judicial Review

New Approaches By the FPC to the Regulation of Natural Gas Producers: an Evaluation Since 1954 the independent producers of natural gas have been regulated by the Federal Power Commission, operating under the Natural Gas Act\u27 as construed by the Supreme Court in the Phillips case. The results of this regulatory activity have been frustration and delay. Recently the Commission has taken steps to relieve some of its miseries. It has instituted a new approach to producer regulation, area pricing,and it has by regulation outlawed the use of certain contract provisions, indefinite price adjustment clauses, deemed especially harmful to the public interest. The probable practicality and legality of the area pricing plan have been discussed elsewhere. However, little attention has been given in legal literature to the important question of whether this approach is appropriate to the underlying economic problems involved in the nation\u27s utilization of its natural gas resources. It is the purpose of this note to examine the economic consequences of both area pricing and the abolition of indefinite price adjustment clauses, drawing on the results of recent scholarship in the field of economics. Charles E. McCallum ============================ The problem of urban decay and blight has become increasingly recognized as a widespread national problem.\u27 The initial federal legislation aimed at eliminating urban decay authorized capital grants to local public agencies for the acquisition and clearance of slum areas which were breeding places for crime and disease and the construction thereon of low rent public housing. The Housing Act of 19493 authorized federal aid to local projects for the acquisition and clearance of blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas and the redevelopment of such areas by private enterprise to as large a degree as possible. State enabling acts were passed which authorized the establishment of local agencies to administer projects and the contribution of matching funds by municipalities. The courts unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the state slum clearance enabling statutes as a valid exercise of the police power pursuant to which public funds might be expended and the power of eminent domain used. Joel Porte

PCB desorption kinetics under realistic shear and turbulence [progress report]

We hypothesize that the impact of PCB desorption from resuspended sediments depends upon the intensity of the resuspension (which scales to bottom stress in the absence of organisms), the rate at which each congener desorbs (which depends on the size and hydrophobicity of the chemical, the relative amount of 'labile' and 'resistant' forms, and the size distribution of the suspended particles), and the residence time of the particles in the water column (which depends on the time-variable water column turbulence regime and the particle settling velocities). In order to accurately quantify the impact of PCB desorption from Hudson River sediments, we are conducting experiments that realistically mimic bottom shear stress and water column turbulence and rapidly measure PCB congener release. The objectives of this study are to measure the kinetics of PCB congener desorption from Hudson River sediments under realistic bottom shear and water column turbulence conditions and to quantify the impact of shear stress and contaminant aging on PCB desorption kinetics

Agriculture and the Disruption of Plant-Microbial Symbiosis.

Domestication has transformed hundreds of wild plant species into productive cultivars for human utility. However, cultivation practices and intense artificial selection for yield may entail a hidden cost: the disruption of interactions between plants and beneficial microbiota. Here, we synthesize theory predicting that evolutionary trade-offs, genetic costs, and relaxed selection disrupt plant-microbial symbiosis under domestication, and review the wealth of new data interrogating these predictions in crops. We describe the agronomic practices, ecological scenarios, and genomic attributes that can result in the disruption of symbiosis, and highlight new work probing its molecular basis. To improve agricultural output and sustainability, research should develop breeding methods to optimize symbiotic outcomes in crop species

The perception and fears of sharing personal digital data in digital public space

This thesis provides a critical and practice based investigation of personal fears of sharing personal digital data. In it, I explore the fears and growing tensions between the requirements to share personal information while maintaining the need to control and protect personal privacy. The emphasis of this study was to develop research through a series of multi-disciplinary, practice-based projects alongside external industry partners. I begin by exploring the rise in surveillance methods, from the Panopticon to the rise of social network sites and examine the consequences of sharing personal information online. Data sharing has been made easier through the proliferation of internet connected, mobile devices and wearable technologies that has led to a growing reciprocal trade in personal information in return for online services. In a world of ‘digital narcissism’ and perpetual life-logging brought about by the volume of shared data, modern surveillance is an increasingly manifestation of consumer activity. However, since the Snowden revelations in 2013 which revealed the National Security Agency (NSA) was spying on US citizens, the consequence of sharing personal information has led to a proliferation of leaks, thefts, and growing anxieties amongst the public, resulting in a greater awareness of privacy concerns and wariness about divulging personal information. My research focused upon those that obstruct, withhold information, and avoid contributing to sharing personal data. Therefore, my research was designed to identify the strategies available to designers working with shared data to combat fears of data surveillance and exploitation. The outcome of my research has shown, through a series of case studies, how individuals perceive the physical environment and the proximity to their data, and how data will be shared. My research was part of the innovative Creative Exchange programme, one of four Doctoral Training Centre knowledge exchange hubs funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The aim was to develop research using multidisciplinary, practice based research projects alongside external industry partners, utilising a variety of research methods and co-design approaches to investigate concepts around the emergent subject of digital public space

Direct observation of the intermediate in an ultrafast isomerization.

Using a combination of two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) and variable temperature Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies the rapid structural isomerization of a five-coordinate ruthenium complex is investigated. In methylene chloride, three exchanging isomers were observed: (1) square pyramidal equatorial, (1); (2) trigonal bipyramidal, (0); and (3) square pyramidal apical, (2). Exchange between 1 and 0 was found to be an endergonic process (ΔH = 0.84 (0.08) kcal mol-1, ΔS = 0.6 (0.4) eu) with an isomerization time constant of 4.3 (1.5) picoseconds (ps, 10-12 s). Exchange between 0 and 2 however was found to be exergonic (ΔH = -2.18 (0.06) kcal mol-1, ΔS = -5.3 (0.3) eu) and rate limiting with an isomerization time constant of 6.3 (1.6) ps. The trigonal bipyramidal complex was found to be an intermediate, with an activation barrier of 2.2 (0.2) kcal mol-1 and 2.4 (0.2) kcal mol-1 relative to the equatorial and apical square pyramidal isomers respectively. This study provides direct validation of the mechanism of Berry pseudorotation - the pairwise exchange of ligands in a five-coordinate complex - a process that was first described over fifty years ago. This study also clearly demonstrates that the rate of pseudorotation approaches the frequency of molecular vibrations

Physical playlist:bringing back the mix-tape

To those of a certain age the concept of the mix-tape holds fond memories, and generally not of the musical content they contained, but rather the emotional and physical connection they represented with either its creator or recipient. They provided an embodiment of the time and effort it its creation and thus presented the same qualities of other handmade gifts. The advent of digital content, and particularly the mp3, for storage and streaming meant that audio content could be shared more quickly and easily than ever before. However, the creation of a digital playlist does not embody the same qualities present in a mix-tape and thus has not gained the same cultural significance. This research re-imagines the mix-tape for digital content as physical customizable jewellery that can once again embody values not generally attributed to digital content. Through a discussion of the design process and the results of preliminary evaluation, the potential benefits on the user experience of sharing digital content through physical objects have been highlighted

Meyouandus: Interactive in-venue displays. Research and Development Report

Arts practice MeYouAndUs will produce TILO, a hybrid display system for cultural venues. It uses digital screens situated in the public spaces of a venue, combined with live feeds and sensors to display engaging, interactive and personalised content. TILO aims to create a dialogue between the arts organisation, the building and its visitors, and will allow artists to carry out their own interventions. The system will be piloted at FACT, the popular cross-arts venue in Liverpool