The formation of galaxy disks in a hierarchical universe

The formation of galactic discs and the efficiency of star formation within them are issues central to our understanding of galaxy formation. We have developed a detailed and versatile model of disc formation which combines the strengths of previous studies of isolated discs with those of hierarchical galaxy formation models. Disc structure is inferred from the distribution of angular momentum in hot halo gas and the hierarchical build-up of dark matter, leading to theoretically generated systems where the evolution of surface density, rotation, velocity dispersion, stability and metallicity is predicted for annular regions of width 20-100 pc. The model will be used to establish whether the accepted theory of large-scale structure formation in the universe is consistent with observed trends in the properties of disc galaxies. This first paper explicitly examines the importance of embedding such calculations within a merging hierarchy of dark matter haloes, finding that this leads to dramatically different formation histories compared to models in which discs grow in isolation. Different models of star formation are explored, and are found to have only a secondary influence on the properties of the resulting galaxy discs, the main governing factor being the infalling gas supply from the hot halo.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted by MNRA

Australian Consumers' Concerns and Preferences for Food Policy Alternatives

Results from a 2007 Australian consumer survey conducted at a large farmers market are used to explore the hypothesis that consumers who are more concerned about certain types of food labeling information, particularly information related to food production attributes, are more likely to support policies which help develop farmers markets and support mandatory labeling policies. Product information and attributes such as Country-of-Origin, No Growth Hormones Used, Free Range and Animals Treated Humanely and Environmentally-friendly appear to be very important to consumers. It appears that respondents want increased government involvement in developing consistent food labelling standards for these attributes and support mandatory food labelling policies, however, respondents are split between whether third-parties or the Australian government should oversee regulation of the program. Some respondents appear to view a mandatory labelling policy as a method to improve competitiveness and sustainability of small food producers who want to use labelling to differentiate themselves. Respondents also tended to support the government subsidizing the development of farmers markets. Respondents viewed FM as an opportunity to gain additional information or purchase foods that have credence attributes such as pesticide-free. Thus, policies supporting FM may help alleviate market failures related to asymmetric information and lack of choice.market failure, consumers, farmers markets, labelling, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Galaxy size trends as a consequence of cosmology

We show that recently documented trends in galaxy sizes with mass and redshift can be understood in terms of the influence of underlying cosmic evolution; a holistic view which is complimentary to interpretations involving the accumulation of discreet evolutionary processes acting on individual objects. Using standard cosmology theory, supported with results from the Millennium simulations, we derive expected size trends for collapsed cosmic structures, emphasising the important distinction between these trends and the assembly paths of individual regions. We then argue that the observed variation in the stellar mass content of these structures can be understood to first order in terms of natural limitations of cooling and feedback. But whilst these relative masses vary by orders of magnitude, galaxy and host radii have been found to correlate linearly. We explain how these two aspects will lead to galaxy sizes that closely follow observed trends and their evolution, comparing directly with the COSMOS and SDSS surveys. Thus we conclude that the observed minimum radius for galaxies, the evolving trend in size as a function of mass for intermediate systems, and the observed increase in the sizes of massive galaxies, may all be considered an emergent consequence of the cosmic expansion.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures. Accepted by MNRA

Country curing hams

"Many people like the flavor of ham that has been cured country style. Its characteristic flavor is quite different from mild-cured commercial hams."--First page.M.A. Alexander (Department of Animal Science), William C. Stringer (Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture)Revised 7/85/5

Safety for meat packers and processors : a manual for the meat packing and meat processing industries of Mimssouri incorportating pertinent material from the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

"2/75/1.5M""Prepared Under Special Contract To: The Task Force On Occupational Safety & Health Labor and Industrial Relations Commission Department of Labor and Industrial Relations State of Missouri "This manual is designed to assist management of meat packing establishments to develop a program of voluntary compliance with the standards set forth under the authority of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1970. This material covers the major specific standards under the Act that concern the meat packing industry. Our purpose is to point out situations in the work environment that are possible violations of the Act, and to refer the reader's attention to the section of the Federal Register that sets forth standards covering the possible violations. Management personnel of the meat packing industry are urged to keep informed of periodic changes in the standards of the Act. Information on these revisions may be obtained from UMC 1s Industrial and Technical Referral Center or from any of the industrial extension specialists located throughout Missouri.--Prefac