Can Adam Smith Answer the Normative Question?

In The Sources of Normativity, Christine Korsgaard argues that in order to avoid the threat of moral skepticism, our moral theories must show how the claims they make about the nature of our actions obligate us to act morally. A theory that can justify the normativity of morality in this way answers what Korsgaard calls “the normative question.” Although Korsgaard claims that only Kantian theories of morality, such as her own, can answer the normative question, I argue that Adam Smith’s sentimentalist moral theory, as presented in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, can answer the normative question as well. As a result, it is possible to respond to the moral skeptic in the way Korsgaard outlines without accepting some of the theoretical drawbacks of Korsgaard’s own moral theory

I\u27m A Wand\u27rin\u27! : Old Slave Song

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/1577/thumbnail.jp

Advancements in multi-object integral-field spectroscopy

The motivation of this thesis is not only to unravel the development of multi-object integral-field spectroscopy in optical astronomy, but also to address its observational impact on current and pervading theories of galaxy evolution: in particular, star formation in the local Universe. Classically, spectroscopic observations for galaxy evolution studies in the context of optical astronomy had two modes: (1) multi-object spectroscopy: observe N galaxies with a single aperture on each galaxy, or (2) integral-field spectroscopy: observe a single galaxy with a monolithic 2D array of spatially distributed apertures. Although the first mode is quick to build statistically large samples of galaxies (millions), having a single aperture measurement of fixed size introduces biases when observing galaxies that overfill the aperture (either too close or too large). To reduce the effect of these biases pervading through galaxy evolution models, elaborate schemes have been developed to predict the galaxy properties outside of the aperture using other observational data (so called "aperture corrections"). However, inherent observational biases mean that understanding the errors on the assumptions that go into these aperture corrections is essential to the fidelity of galaxy evolution theory. The second mode of observation is designed to eliminate / minimise these biases by obtaining spatially resolved spectroscopy over the entire galaxy. However, the time and cost taken to build up statistically significant samples of galaxies with current instrumentation limits this mode to observing a few hundred in a survey lifetime. Enter the third mode of observation: multi-object integral-field spectroscopy. This mode takes the N available apertures, and divides them into multiple smaller 2D arrays to obtain integral-field spectroscopy of tens of galaxies at once. A prime instrument of this observational mode is the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field spectrograph (SAMI), developed at the University of Sydney and the Australian Astronomical Observatory with first light on the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) in July 2011. The SAMI Galaxy Survey started in 2013, and now provides the largest integral-field spectroscopic sample of nearby galaxies across a broad range in stellar mass and environment. These data have for the first time been used to vigorously test the two most popular aperture corrections for calculating a galaxy’s star formation rate. The results of this quantitative and qualitative analysis reveal significant biases that arise in different populations of galaxies. It is then imperative for astronomers to carefully investigate any possible bias due to their target selections. A clear example of where a single aperture misses important information is shown in the SAMI observation of GAMA J141103.98-003242.3, where an intense off-centred star forming region was discovered. This dwarf-galaxy is remarkably similar to the Large Magellanic Cloud and the 30 Doradus system, differing only in its isolation. The detection of a substantial H I reservoir, a stable velocity field, and the H II complex being 0.2 dex lower in metallicity than the rest of the galaxy, strengthens the case of stochastic star formation. This type of process is analogous to more massive galaxies at higher redshifts that are undergoing a phase of extreme star formation activity ("clump-clusters"). Understanding the role of these dwarf galaxies, and tying them together with their higher redshift counterparts helps constrain the low-mass end of galaxy evolution models. The invaluable data from SAMI hasn’t been possible without innovation in astronomical instrumentation. In order to relax constraints on the survey target selection and observational strategy, a new guiding system was developed, utilising new imaging bundles made from polymer. These bundles are 1.5 mm in diameter with 7095 cores, and have the ability to translate a spatially coherent image. Although polymer has a much higher attenuation than silica, manufacturing constraints on the filling factor of silica imaging bundles results in polymer based imaging bundles being more efficient over short lengths (< 4 m). To validate their functionality as field acquisition and guide probes in SAMI, laboratory characterisation was undertaken that revealed their possible use in other multi-object astronomical applications such as: wavefront sensing, narrow-band imaging, aperture masking, and speckle imaging. Further advancement in the field of multi-object integral-field spectroscopy is already underway with other world leading telescopes taking up the charge, but also with sights to SAMI’s successor on the AAT. Improved data quality and two orders of magnitude more galaxies will open up the path of galaxy evolution by studying the effects of large scale environmental structure and accretion histories of individual galaxies within statistically significant populations

Inhibitors of diacylglycerol metabolism suppress CCR2 receptor signalling in human monocytes

Background and purpose CCL2 is an inflammatory chemokine that stimulates the recruitment of monocytes into tissue via activation of the GPCR CCR2. Experimental approach Freshly isolated human monocytes and THP‐1 cells are used; Fura‐2 loaded cells used to measure intracellular Ca2+ responses; transwell migration; siRNA‐mediated gene knockdown. Key results We observed that CCL2 evokes intracellular Ca2+ signals and stimulates migration in THP‐1 monocytic cells and human CD14+ monocytes in a CCR2‐dependent fashion. Attenuation of diacylglycerol (DAG) catabolism in monocytes by inhibiting DAG kinase (R59949) or DAG lipase (RHC80267) activity suppresses CCL2‐evoked Ca2+ signalling and transwell migration in monocytes. These effects were not due to a reduction in the number of cell surface CCR2 receptors. The effect of DAG kinase or DAG lipase inhibition could be mimicked by the addition of the DAG analogue 1‐oleoyl‐2‐acetyl‐glycerol (OAG) but was not rescued by application of exogenous phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate. Suppressive effects of R59949, RHC80267 and OAG could be partially or fully reversed by the Gö6983 (pan PKC isoenzyme inhibitor) but not by Gö6976 (PKCα and PKCβ inhibitor). RNAi‐mediated knock‐down of DAG kinase α isoenzyme modulated CCL2‐evoked Ca2+ responses in THP‐1 cells. Conclusions & Implications Taken together, these data suggest that DAG production resulting from CCR2 activation is metabolised by both DAG kinase and DAG lipase pathways in monocytes, and that pharmacological inhibition of DAG catabolism or application suppresses signalling on the CCL2‐CCR2 axis via a mechanism dependent upon a PKC isoenzymes(s) that are sensitive to Gö6983 but not Gö6976

The Glow Within Our Steps.

The Glow Within Our Steps is a multimedia interactive gallery installation in conjunction with a 45-minute aural, video, and choreographic performance designed to take place within an installation space. The performances documented in the dissertation took place on May 1st and 2nd, 2013 in The Gallery in the Duderstadt Center on the campus of the University of Michigan. The audio component, crafted to permeate the space, was a combination of slowly developing synthesized ambiences, sampled orchestral strings, quick tempo electronic dance music, vocal incantations, and live acoustic performance of a contrabass and violin duo. The space was outfitted with a custom-designed octophonic speaker system, creating an immersive aural environment. The doors, windows, and walls were covered in thick black fabric, and lighting was tightly controlled so as to create an ambiance independent of time of day or external disturbance. The room was also populated with ten free-standing, wheeled, battery- powered lamps of varying heights resembling glowing white rectangular columns. Gallery visitors were encouraged to move these lamps around the room, to photograph their interactions with them, and to post images online. In the center of the space, a ten by ten foot area was surrounded by semi-transparent sheer white fabric panels stretching from the ground to the ceiling. Within this square a white shag rug served as an irregular screen surface for video projection of slowly moving sea-foam visually processed to the point of abstraction. The installation and performance make use of a minimalist geometric aesthetic to highlight the evocative power of contrast between fundamental experienced parameters: light/dark, sound/silence, flux/stasis. By highlighting the site-specific nature of the installation and performance, as opposed to creating a self-contained musical work which could, with relative ease, be mounted and performed elsewhere, the conscious decision was made to emphasize performance over text. Thus, the primary dissertation document is a video of a live performance, a decision which captures the dynamic and highly experiential nature of the project, along with the numerous sensory elements which are difficult, if not impossible, to instantiate into traditional music notation or even meticulous and descriptive prose.AMUMusic: CompositionUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100008/1/samlrich_1.pd

Canonical Generations and the British Left: The Narrative Construction of the Miners’ Strike 1984–85

‘Generations’ have been invoked to describe a variety of social and cultural relationships, and to understand the development of self-conscious group identity. Equally, the term can be an applied label and politically useful construct; generations can be retrospectively produced. Drawing on the concept of ‘canonical generations’ – those whose experiences come to epitomise an event of historic and symbolic importance – this article examines the narrative creation and functions of ‘generations’ as collective memory shapes and re-shapes the desire for social change. Building a case study of the canonical role of the miners’ strike of 1984–85 in the narrative history of the British left, it examines the selective appropriation and transmission of the past in the development of political consciousness. It foregrounds the autobiographical narratives of activists who, in examining and legitimising their own actions and prospects, (re)produce a ‘generation’ in order to create a relatable and useful historical understanding

Research in the Restricted Problems of Three and Four Bodies Final Scientific Report

Seven studies have been conducted on research in the existence and nature of solutions of the restricted problems of three and four bodies. The details and results of five of these research investigations have already been published, and the latest two studies will be published shortly. A complete bibliography of publications is included in this report. This research has been primarily qualitative and has yielded new information on the behavior of trajectories near the libration points in the Earth-Moon-Sun and Sun-Jupiter-Saturn systems, and on the existence of periodic trajectories about the libration points of the circular and elliptical restricted four-body models. We have also implemented Birkhoff's normalization process for conservative and nonconservative Hamiltonian systems with equilibrium points. This makes available a technique for analyzing stability properties of certain nonlinear dynamical systems, and we have applied this technique to the circular and elliptical restricted three-body models. A related study was also conducted to determine the feasibility of using cislunar periodic trajectories for various space missions. Preliminary results suggest that this concept is attractive for space flight safety operations in cislunar space. Results of this research will be of interest to mathematicians, particularly those working in ordinary differential equations, dynamical systems and celestial mechanics; to astronomers; and to space guidance and mission analysts