From the Tully-Fisher relation to the Fundamental Plane through Mergers

We set up a series of self-consistent N-body simulations to investigate the fundamental plane of merger remnants of spiral galaxies. These last ones are obtained from a theoretical Tully-Fisher relation at z=1, assuming a constant mass-to-light ratio within the LambdaCDM cosmogony. Using a Sersic growth curve and an orthogonal fitting method, we found that the fundamental plane of our merger remnants is described by the relation Re ~ sigma^{1.48} Ie^{-0.75} which is in good agreement with that reported from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Re ~ sigma^{1.49} Ie^{-0.75}. However, the R^{1/4}-profile leads to a fundamental plane given by Re ~ sigma^{1.79} Ie^{-0.60}. In general, the correlation found in our merger remnants arises from homology breaking (V^2 ~ sigma^nu, Rg ~ Re^eta) in combination with a mass scaling relation between the total and luminous mass, $M ~ ML^gamma. Considering an orthogonal fitting method, it is found that 1.74<nu<1.79, 0.21<eta<0.52 and 0.80<gamma<0.90 depending on the adopted profile (Sersic or R^{1/4}).Comment: 5 pages and 2 figures. Accepted version in MNRAS Letter

The social morality of John Chrysostom : the contribution of Adalbert Hamman (1910-2000)

While reflecting on the enormous contribution of Jacques-Paul Migne (1800-1875) on the centenary of his death, Adalbert Hamman (1910-2000) praises the perennial usefulness of "returning to the Fathers". He affirms that far from being "une excursion archeologique", such a retrieval of patristic texts has led to a far-reaching appreciation of dimensions in early Church life and in early theology which had been neglected for many centuries. Indeed, the patristic era of theology has been described by Henri de Lubac (1896-1991) as one possessing "une vitalite explosive". Despite the controversies which erupted from time to time and the sprouting of heretical movements, it is an age of enormous theological fertility. The "actualite des Peres", de Lubac insists, is indeed "une actualite de fecondation".peer-reviewe

A source of reflection on Christian witness and mission under the action of the Holy Spirit

The article studies the relationship which binds together the sacrament of Confirmation with the other two sacraments of initiation, namely Baptism and Eucharist. By referring to a number of liturgical and other texts, the author highlights the effects of the sacrament of Confirmation on the life and mission of the Christian in contemporary society. All confirmed Christians are called to bear witness and be instruments of evangelization.peer-reviewe

The Ecumenical Commitment of Pope Francis

The Ecumenical Movement was born outside the Roman Catholic Church, just over a century ago. The impetus of this Movement officially came in touch with the Catholic Church during the relatively short, yet eventful Pontificate, of Pope John XXIII. The incipit of each of the five Pontificates since then has been analysed for the ecumenical credentials of each of the men who was elected Bishop of Rome. On the 13th March 2013, we witnessed the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope. In the few months which have passed since the election of Pope Francis, we have been able to focus our attention upon the few, yet highly important, ecumenical pronouncements he has made.peer-reviewe