A Study of Active Galactic Nuclei in Low Surface Brightness Galaxies with Sloan Digital Sky Survey Spectroscopy

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) in low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs) have received little attention in previous studies. In this paper, we present detailed spectral analysis of 194 LSBGs from the Impey et al. (1996) APM LSBG sample which have been observed spectroscopically by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 5 (SDSS DR5). Our elaborate spectral analysis enables us to carry out, for the first time, reliable spectral classification of nuclear activities in LSBGs based on the standard emission line diagnostic diagrams in a rigorous way. Star-forming galaxies are common, as found in about 52% LSBGs. We find, contrary to some of the previous claims, that the fraction of galaxies containing an AGN is significantly lower than that found in nearby normal galaxies of high surface brightness. This is qualitatively in line with the finding of Impey et al. (2001). This result holds true even within each morphological type from Sa to Sc. LSBGs having larger central stellar velocity dispersions, or larger physical sizes, tend to have a higher chance to harbor an AGN. For three AGNs with broad emission lines, the black hole masses estimated from the emission lines are broadly consistent with the well known M-$\sigma_\ast$ relation established for normal galaxies and AGNs.Comment: 5 tables and 14 figure

U.S. Consumption Function: An Empirical Test of the Life-Cycle Hypothesis

Since the outbreak of the financial crisis in 2008, high household consumption that was previously boosted by debt-financing has shrunk significantly. The validity of conventional models of consumption that are mainly based on the life-cycle hypothesis has thus been called into question. This thesis utilizes empirical analysis to test the explanatory power of a modified Keynesian consumption function that captures household balance sheet movements. In addition to a short run OLS model, a VEC model and a DOLS model are constructed to examine the long run cointegrating relationship between consumption and other macroeconomic variables. Neither the regression results of the short run model nor those of the long run models are compatible with the life-cycle hypothesis. Theories based on relative consumption perform more satisfactorily in explaining the estimating results

A Review of the Current and Emerging Trends of Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries

Higher education in developing countries is experiencing and embracing changes due to globalization and market development and advancement. In this regard, a review of existing works related to the current status and emerging trends of higher education institutions is useful to provide insight on the current researches. The paper is divided into several sections of the review. A general understanding of the context of higher education, the impact of globalization and higher education in developing countries are highlighted in this review. The paper provides a discussion, and a review of the challenges higher education institutions face in the Malaysian context as a developing country. Literature on the challenges related to student mobility, the academic profession, and information and communication technologies are presented. The fundamental challenges have made it possible to understand the state of higher education and stimulate further research, growth and development for the nation

The Status of Music Teaching and Learning in Taiwan

In this article, the author approaches the status of music teaching and learning in Taiwan by discussing music education in the four levels of education: elementary, junior and senior high school, professional training, and teacher training. In addition, music offerings for gifted and talented students and the role of private music education are addressed. The author notes that Taiwan is experiencing a growing interest in music education and in the preservation of native Taiwanese musical forms