The connection between shear and star formation in spiral galaxies

We present a sample of 33 galaxies for which we have calculated (i) the average rate of shear from publish rotation curves, (ii) the far-infrared luminosity from IRAS fluxes and (iii) The K-band luminosity from 2MASS. We show that a correlation exists between the shear rate and the ratio of the far-infrared to K-band luminosity. This ratio is essentially a measure of the star formation rate per unit mass, or the specific star formation rate. From this correlation we show that a critical shear rate exists, above which star formation would turn off in the disks of spiral galaxies. Using the correlation between shear rate and spiral arm pitch angle, this shear rate corresponds to the lowest pitch angles typically measured in near-infrared images of spiral galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS letters. 5 figures, 1 tabl

The dark matter halo density profile, spiral arm morphology and black hole mass of M33

In this paper, we investigate the dark matter halo density profile of M33. We find that the HI rotation curve of M33 is best described by a NFW dark matter halo density profile model, with a halo concentration of cvir = 4.0\pm1.0 and a virial mass of Mvir = (2.2\pm0.1)\times10^11 Msun. We go on to use the NFW concentration (cvir)of M33, along with the values derived for other galaxies (as found in the literature), to show that cvir correlates with both spiral arm pitch angle and supermassive black hole mass.Comment: 18 pages, accepted for publicatio

The Myers-Steenrod theorem for Finsler manifolds of low regularity

We prove a version of Myers-Steenrod's theorem for Finsler manifolds under minimal regularity hypothesis. In particular we show that an isometry between $C^{k,\alpha}$-smooth (or partially smooth) Finsler metrics, with $k+\alpha>0$, $k\in \mathbb{N} \cup \{0\}$, and $0 \leq \alpha \leq 1$ is necessary a diffeomorphism of class $C^{k+1,\alpha}$. A generalisation of this result to the case of Finsler 1-quasiconformal mapping is given. The proofs are based on the reduction of the Finlserian problems to Riemannian ones with the help of the the Binet-Legendre metric.Comment: 14 page

The development of apologies in the Japanese L2 of adult English native speakers

The present paper focuses on the use of seven apologies strategies in the Japanese of 20 adult, high-intermediate English learners/users of Japanese. Nine of these learners had spent a minimum of two years in Japan. The proportions of apology strategies produced by the two groups of learners in response to 8 situations presented to them in a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) were compared with data obtained from a control group of 14 Japanese L1 participants and a control group of 12 British English L1 participants. In total, 1999 tokens of apology strategies were collected. Statistical analyses and an analysis of lexical items allowed us to describe the learners‟ development and the effect of the stay in Japan

Uniform saddlepoint approximations for ratios of quadratic forms

Ratios of quadratic forms in correlated normal variables which introduce noncentrality into the quadratic forms are considered. The denominator is assumed to be positive (with probability 1). Various serial correlation estimates such as least-squares, Yule--Walker and Burg, as well as Durbin--Watson statistics, provide important examples of such ratios. The cumulative distribution function (c.d.f.) and density for such ratios admit saddlepoint approximations. These approximations are shown to preserve uniformity of relative error over the entire range of support. Furthermore, explicit values for the limiting relative errors at the extreme edges of support are derived.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.3150/07-BEJ6169 the Bernoulli (http://isi.cbs.nl/bernoulli/) by the International Statistical Institute/Bernoulli Society (http://isi.cbs.nl/BS/bshome.htm

Uneven Justice: State Rates of Incarceration by Race and Ethnicity

Examines racial and ethnic disparities by state, and finds substantial variation in the degree of black-to-white incarceration. The report finds that African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites and Latinos at nearly double the rate. Five states, located in the Northeast and Midwest, incarcerate blacks at more than ten times the rate of whites. Recommended reforms include: addressing disparities through changes in drug policy, mandatory sentencing laws, reconsideration of "race neutral" policies, and changes in resource allocation

Completeness and incompleteness of the Binet-Legendre Metric

The goal of this short paper is to give condition for the completeness of the Binet-Legendre metric in Finsler geometry. The case of the Funk and Hilbert metrics in a convex domain are discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure

Illinois River 2001 Pollutant Loads At Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge

Automatic water samplers and a U. S. Geological Survey gauging station were established in 1995 on the main stem of the Illinois River at the Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge. Since that time, continuous stage and discharge measurements and water quality sampling have been used to determine pollutant concentrations and loads in the Arkansas portion of the Illinois River. This report represents the results from the measurement and sampling for January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001

Illinois River 1998 Nutrient and Suspended Sediment Loads at Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge

Automatic water samplers and a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauging station were established in 1995 on the main stem of the Illinois River at the Arkansas Highway 59 Bridge. Since that time, continuous stage and discharge measurements and water quality sampling have been used to determine pollutant concentrations and loads in the Arkansas portion of the Illinois River. This report represents the results from the measurement and sampling for January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998