On the Role of Minor Galaxy Mergers in the Formation of Active Galactic Nuclei

The large scale (~ 100 kpc) environments of Seyfert galaxies are not significantly different from those of non-Seyfert galaxies. In the context of the interaction model of the formation of active galactic nuclei (AGN), it has been proposed that AGN form via "minor mergers" of large disk galaxies with smaller companions. We test this hypothesis by comparing the nuclear spectra of 105 bright nearby galaxies with measurements of their R or r band morphological asymmetries at three successive radii. We find no significant differences in these asymmetries between the 13 Seyfert galaxies in the sample and galaxies having other nuclear spectral types (absorption, H II-region like, LINER), nor is there strong qualitative evidence that such mergers have occured among any of the Seyferts or LINERs. Thus either any minor mergers began > 1 Gyr ago and are essentially complete, or they did not occur at all, and AGN form independently of any type of interaction. Support for the latter interpretation is provided by the growing evidence that supermassive black holes exist in the cores of most elliptical and early-type spiral galaxies, which in turn suggests that nuclear activity represents a normal phase in the evolution of the bulges of massive galaxies. Galaxy mergers may increase the luminosity of Seyfert nuclei to the level of QSOs, which could explain why the latter objects appear to be found in rich environments and in interacting systems.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Astrophysical Journal Letter

Iron Abundance Diagnostics in High-Redshift QSOs

The abundance of alpha-process elements such as magnesium and carbon relative to iron measured from the broad emission lines of QSOs can serve as a diagnostic of the star formation and chemical enrichment histories of their host galaxies. We investigate the relationship between Fe/Mg and Fe/C abundance ratios and the resulting Fe II / Mg II 2800A and Fe II / 1900A-blend flux ratios, both of which have been measured in QSOs out to redshifts of approximately six. Using a galactic chemical evolution model based on a starburst in a giant elliptical galaxy, we find that these flux ratios are good tracers of the chemical enrichment of the nuclei. However, the values of these ratios measured in objects at redshifts of approximately six suggest that iron enrichment has occurred more rapidly in these objects than predicted by the assumed elliptical starburst model, under currently favored cosmologies.Comment: 2 pages, to appear in proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 222, The Interplay Among Black Holes, Stars and ISM in Galacti Nucle

Packaged Little Lives

This document attempts to capture the main ideas and evolution of my art making process during the three years of graduate studies at the University of New Orleans. My art making practice is an ever-evolving exploration of materials and ideas. Through art processes and experimentations I am able to overcome negative feelings about my role in society. I get lost in my process making things, thinking about things, and trying to come up with new ideas for the world. I am attempting to heighten mundane materials like cardboard, crayons, foams and concrete with intuitive abstract shape making. I am trying to present materials to the viewers in a way that is unusual and engaging. It is my hope that in doing so they might think about similar things that I think about while making the objects

The Prisoners\u27 Property Dilemma: The Proper Approach to Determine Prisoners\u27 Protected Property Interests After Sandin and Castle Rock

The Proper approach to determine when prisoners haveproperty interests protected by the Due Process Clause iscurrently uncertain. The Supreme Court addressedprisoners\u27 liberty interests in Sandin v. Conner, but lowercourts have split over whether to apply the Sandin test toprisoners\u27 property interests. Further complicatingmatters, the Supreme Court recently addressed propertyinterests generally in Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales.There, the Court seemed to add additional hurdles to thefinding of protected property interests: A statute mustclearly indicate that it gives rise to an entitlement; theentitlement must have an ascertainable monetary value;and, the entitlement must not arise incidentally from a routine government function. As with Sandin, whetherCastle Rock applies to prisoners\u27 property interests isunsettled.This Note examines the current uncertainty in the lawand argues that courts should apply the Castle Rockapproach to determinations of prisoners\u27 propertyinterests. Doing so would recognize the fundamentaldifference between liberty and property interests andappropriately align the test for prisoners\u27 propertyinterests with the test for property interests generally.Additionally, applying the Castle Rock approach wouldsufficiently address prison-specific concerns the SupremeCourt articled in Sandin

THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND EXTRACTION TECHNIQUE ON THE BINDING INTERACTIONS AND HYDROLYSIS OF β-LACTOGLOBULIN WITH MILK FAT GLOBULE MEMBRANE (MFGM)

Whey protein, containing predominately b-Lactoglobulin (b-LG), is a popular choice among consumers looking for an excellent protein source. Likewise, fat is a natural component in milk and dairy products. Lipids are packaged within a membrane called the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM). The MGFM contains a variety of lipids and proteins. Although b-LG has been extensively characterized, the function of the protein is largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to assess the enzymatics of b-LG in an isolated system, evaluate the propensity of b-LG to bind to MFGM, determine the effects of temperature and fat extraction method on the conformation of b-LG, assess the antigenicity of b-LG in an isolated system, and determine the effects of temperature and fat extraction method on the antigenicity of b-LG peptides. Time course hydrolysis of b-LG reveled only slight differences in cleavage rate. A Mass Spectrometry method was developed to detect b-LG peptides. Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) digests in an isolated system yielded on average 8.67 ± 0.33 unique peptides and a protein sequence coverage of 43.67 % ± 1.33. When WPI was a component in a complex system of washed cream, it was found that there was an interaction between temperature and fat extraction method (P=0.001) in the individual peptide release. However, it was found that the total number of peptides released was dependent on the extraction method (P2resulted in a decrease in antigenicity. Investigating the binding complex of b-LG and MFGM, utilizing a sensitive analytical instrument and technique, illustrates how b-LG peptides can be accurately detected, quantified, and how conformational changes within the structure protein can be used to infer information regarding the function of the protein

Impact-induced acceleration by obstacles

We explore a surprising phenomenon in which an obstruction accelerates, rather than decelerates, a moving flexible object. It has been claimed that the right kind of discrete chain falling onto a table falls \emph{faster} than a free-falling body. We confirm and quantify this effect, reveal its complicated dependence on angle of incidence, and identify multiple operative mechanisms. Prior theories for direct impact onto flat surfaces, which involve a single constitutive parameter, match our data well if we account for a characteristic delay length that must impinge before the onset of excess acceleration. Our measurements provide a robust determination of this parameter. This supports the possibility of modeling such discrete structures as continuous bodies with a complicated constitutive law of impact that includes angle of incidence as an input.Comment: small changes and corrections, added reference

Federal Antiturst, Economic Freedom, and the Uncertain Conduct Requirement in Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act: Toward a More Objective Approach

Following the Civil War in the United States, American industry embarked upon a period of truly remarkable economic growth.” In several respects economic expansion was beneficial to the general population, as commerce spread to new frontiers through development of canal and railroad systems. Concurrently, however, rapid economic growth by the late 1880\u27s brought popular objection to large business enterprises and their ability to devour local businesses and manipulate merger schemes. Trusts had become anathema well before Congress considered any legislative remedy. The Sherman Antitrust Act was one response to public opinion\u27 that was increasingly adverse to large business conglomerates. With little debate and by almost unanimous consent of Congress, the Act became law in July, 1890. Section Two deems it illegal for any person to monopolize any part of the “trade or commerce among the states or with foreign nations.” That section does not, however, either define “monopolize” or delineate what types of conduct are indicative of monopolistic behavior. Those tasks have been left to the courts. With certain specific and rather narrow exceptions, there exists little definite statement as to what constitutes unlawful or monopolistic conduct under Section Two. Professor Sullivan has articulated three concerns which he believes should be addressed when forming any test of unlawful conduct: First, [the test] should discriminate between conduct which is harmful in some economic sense, and conduct which is not; second, it ought to discriminate between alternative courses of action in the market in a manner which would be meaningful to an actor there …; third, it should not ban conduct which is no more than the rational response of a business manager seeking to maximize profits, sales, or revenues. Professor Sullivan emphasizes, therefore, criteria which focus on the requirements and goals of any actor within the market. Also, the criteria outlined above gives rise to a more objective (“reasonable business manager”) test for analyzing a particular firm\u27s response to the practical demands of the market. Inherent in such an analysis is a necessity to distinguish between normal aggressive conduct that does not violate Section Two from that sort of conduct which does. This comment will examine judicial decisions wherein conduct violations of Section Two have been alleged. This examination and analysis will necessarily be at least as economic as it will be legal. Next, the comment will outline what may be perceived as a subtle shift towards a more objective approach by the courts in certain antitrust actions. Finally, the comment will present a test that addresses the concerns outlined by Professor Sullivan

Semi-classical limit and minimum decoherence in the Conditional Probability Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

The Conditional Probability Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics replaces the abstract notion of time used in standard Quantum Mechanics by the time that can be read off from a physical clock. The use of physical clocks leads to apparent non-unitary and decoherence. Here we show that a close approximation to standard Quantum Mechanics can be recovered from conditional Quantum Mechanics for semi-classical clocks, and we use these clocks to compute the minimum decoherence predicted by the Conditional Probability Interpretation.Comment: 8 pages, references adde

NASA/RAE collaboration on nonlinear control using the F-8C digital fly-by-wire aircraft

Design procedures are reviewed for variable integral control to optimize response (VICTOR) algorithms and results of preliminary flight tests are presented. The F-8C aircraft is operated in the remotely augmented vehicle (RAV) mode, with the control laws implemented as FORTRAN programs on a ground-based computer. Pilot commands and sensor information are telemetered to the ground, where the data are processed to form surface commands which are then telemetered back to the aircraft. The RAV mode represents a singlestring (simplex) system and is therefore vulnerable to a hardover since comparison monitoring is not possible. Hence, extensive error checking is conducted on both the ground and airborne computers to prevent the development of potentially hazardous situations. Experience with the RAV monitoring and validation procedures is described