A test of arm-induced star formation in spiral galaxies from near-IR and Hα\alpha imaging

We have imaged a sample of 20 spiral galaxies in H$\alpha$ and in the near-infrared K band (2.2 um), in order to determine the location and strength of star formation in these objects with respect to perturbations in the old stellar population. We have found that star formation rates are significantly enhanced in the vicinity of K band arms. We have also found that this enhancement in star formation rate in arm regions correlates well with a quantity that measures the relative strengths of shocks in arms. Assuming that the K band light is dominated by emission from the old stellar population, this shows that density waves trigger star formation in the vicinity of spiral arms.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, accpeted for publication in MNRA

Outsourcing transitions and the employment relationship implications

Drawing on three longitudinal case studies involving the outsourcing of public leisure services, this paper explores the work transitions of staff as they transfer from one organisation to another using a three-phase analytical framework. The obtained findings confirm the idea that outsourcing can be a difficult transition to go through, with losses occurring in relation to terms and conditions of employment. However, they also show how such changes can occur alongside the development of seemingly positive employment relationships with the new employer that challenge the view that the employment effects of public service outsourcing are invariably perceived in a negative light by employees. In doing so, the study’s findings are seen to point towards the value of exploring outsourcing related work transitions longitudinally and through the lens of the adopted analytical framework. They are also seen to have implications for how such transitions are theorised and managed, including how we might understand the nature of the employment relationship and the role of line managers

Outsourcing transitions and the employment relationship implications

Drawing on three longitudinal case studies involving the outsourcing of public leisure services, this paper explores the work transitions of staff as they transfer from one organisation to another using a three-phase analytical framework. The obtained findings confirm the idea that outsourcing can be a difficult transition to go through, with losses occurring in relation to terms and conditions of employment. However, they also show how such changes can occur alongside the development of seemingly positive employment relationships with the new employer that challenge the view that the employment effects of public service outsourcing are invariably perceived in a negative light by employees. In doing so, the study’s findings are seen to point towards the value of exploring outsourcing related work transitions longitudinally and through the lens of the adopted analytical framework. They are also seen to have implications for how such transitions are theorised and managed, including how we might understand the nature of the employment relationship and the role of line managers

Hidden information transfer in an autonomous swinging robot

This paper describes a hitherto overlooked aspect of the information dynamics of embodied agents, which can be thought of as hidden information transfer. This phenomenon is demonstrated in a minimal model of an autonomous agent. While it is well known that information transfer is generally low between closely synchronised systems, here we show how it is possible that such close synchronisation may serve to “carry” signals between physically separated endpoints. This creates seemingly paradoxical situations where transmitted information is not visible at some intermediate point in a network, yet can be seen later after further processing. We discuss how this relates to existing theories relating information transfer to agent behaviour, and the possible explanation by analogy to communication systems

INTRODUCTION

The Montana Academy of Sciences (MAS) was incorporated on the 20th day of March, 1961, as a non-profit, educational organization. The objectives of the Montana Academy of Sciences are to encourage interest and participation in the sciences and to promote public understanding of science and its contribution to society.  The Academy accomplishes its objectives by conducting meetings of those interested in sciences and the education of scientists, by publishing contributions to scientific knowledge, by supporting research, by making awards to recognize accomplishments in science, by administering gifts and contributions to accomplish these aims, by assigning and cooperating with affiliated and other organizations with similar objectives, and by engaging in such other activities as deemed necessary to accomplish its objectives.We held our 2015 Annual Meeting at Montana Tech in Butte, MT. on April 10 and 11.  Over 100 registrants participated, viewing 29 contributed oral presentations and 20 poster presentations over the day and a half meeting.  The abstracts from this meeting are included in this issue of the Intermountain Journal of Sciences for archival and reference purposes.  The Board of Directors of MAS would like to thank the sponsors of our 2015 Annual Meeting:Dr. Bob Wilmouth, President, Rocky Mountain CollegeDr. Doug Coe, Dean, College of Letters, Sciences and Professional Studies, Montana TechDr. Beverly Hartline, Vice Chancellor for Research, Montana TechDr. Renee Reijo Pera, VP for Research, Montana State UniversityDr. Beth Weatherby, Chancellor, University of Montana-WesternDepartment of Biological and Physical Sciences, Montana State University Billing

The Local Environments of Core-Collapse SNe within Host Galaxies

We present constraints on core-collapse supernova progenitors through observations of their environments within host galaxies. This is achieved through 2 routes. Firstly, we investigate the spatial correlation of supernovae with host galaxy star formation using pixel statistics. We find that the main supernova types form a sequence of increasing association to star formation. The most logical interpretation is that this implies an increasing progenitor mass sequence going from the supernova type Ia arising from the lowest mass, through the type II, type Ib, and the supernova type Ic arising from the highest mass progenitors. We find the surprising result that the supernova type IIn show a lower association to star formation than type IIPs, implying lower mass progenitors. Secondly, we use host HII region spectroscopy to investigate differences in environment metallicity between different core-collapse types. We find that supernovae of types Ibc arise in slightly higher metallicity environments than type II events. However, this difference is not significant, implying that progenitor metallicity does not play a dominant role in deciding supernova type.Comment: to appear in Proceedings of IAU 279 "Death of Massive Stars: Supernovae and Gamma-ray Bursts