On electromagnetic observables from supermassive black hole accretion flows

Relativistic jets have been observed to originate from the centers of many galaxies. It is likely that the jets are powered by spinning supermassive black holes via a dynamical interaction between magnetic fields close to the hole and the warped spacetime predicted by general relativity. This dissertation describes a series of projects aimed at understanding and identifying signatures of the physical quantities relevant to the black hole–jet connection in both observational and theoretical contexts. I start with a review of astrophysical black hole accretion systems and the radiative physics that governs the generation of electromagnetic signals from hot leptons near the hole. I then describe the numerical tools I use to simulate the accretion and generate synthetic images and spectra, paying particular attention to my contributions and extensions to the code. Next, I discuss my contribution to the theoretical analysis of the first event-horizon-scale black hole accretion flow images, which were produced by the Event Horizon Telescope. The remainder of the dissertation covers projects designed to support a theory-based guide for the next generation of electromagnetic black hole observation in the context of the jet–hole connection. I begin by describing two projects focused on understanding the composition of the jet near the hole. The first project studies mass entrainment through the jet–disk boundary layer as a mechanism to feed the jet at small scales. The second project studies electron–positron drizzle pair creation due to the background radiation field produced by the hot accretion flow. I conclude with a discussion of black hole glimmer, a novel universal signature of black hole spin that can be measured from high-resolution black hole movies and used to determine the orientation and magnitude of a black hole’s angular momentum vector

VE19-30th-Final_Report

Over the last three decades, the Venice Project Center (VPC) has hosted 222 projects, all of which attempted to improve Venice. These teams worked with sponsors to collect data on the city and proposed plans to improve the city\u27s most pressing problems. Unfortunately, the impact these projects have had remains widely unknown by the Venetian populace. The goal of our project is to showcase the impact the Venice project center has had on Venice. To achieve this, we created an exhibit showcasing the impressive achievements of the VPC. Our exhibit was broken down into four main aspects: a timeline, bell tower exhibit, stone presentation, and population graph. When constructing the exhibit we also helped locate and organize lost databases among the VPC’s archives

Attorneys Who Interpret for Their Clients: Communication, Conflict, and Confusion - How Texas Courts Have Placed Attorneys and Their L.E.P. Clients at the Discretion of the Trial Court The Fifth Annual Symposium on Legal Malpractice and Professional Responsibility Recent Development.

Abstract Forthcoming

Attorneys Who Interpret for Their Clients: Communication, Conflict, and Confusion - How Texas Courts Have Placed Attorneys and Their L.E.P. Clients at the Discretion of the Trial Court The Fifth Annual Symposium on Legal Malpractice and Professional Responsibility Recent Development.

Abstract Forthcoming

Melatonin for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease : a randomised controlled trial

Background Melatonin may reduce REM-sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), though robust clinical trials are lacking. Objective To assess the efficacy of prolonged-release (PR) melatonin for RBD in PD. Methods Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with an 8-week intervention and 4-week observation pre- and postintervention (ACTRN12613000648729). Thirty PD patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were randomized to 4 mg of prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin) or matched placebo, ingested orally once-daily before bedtime. Primary outcome was the aggregate of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder incidents averaged over weeks 5 to 8 of treatment captured by a weekly diary. Data were included in a mixed-model analysis of variance (n = 15 per group). Results No differences between groups at the primary endpoint (3.4 events/week melatonin vs. 3.6 placebo; difference, 0.2; 95% confidence interval = -3.2 to 3.6; P = 0.92). Adverse events included mild headaches, fatigue, and morning sleepiness (n = 4 melatonin; n = 5 placebo). Conclusion Prolonged-release melatonin 4 mg did not reduce rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in PD. (c) 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Optical to near-infrared transmission spectrum of the warm sub-Saturn HAT-P-12b

We present the transmission spectrum of HAT-P-12b through a joint analysis of data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and Spitzer, covering the wavelength range 0.3-5.0 $\mu$m. We detect a muted water vapor absorption feature at 1.4 $\mu$m attenuated by clouds, as well as a Rayleigh scattering slope in the optical indicative of small particles. We interpret the transmission spectrum using both the state-of-the-art atmospheric retrieval code SCARLET and the aerosol microphysics model CARMA. These models indicate that the atmosphere of HAT-P-12b is consistent with a broad range of metallicities between several tens to a few hundred times solar, a roughly solar C/O ratio, and moderately efficient vertical mixing. Cloud models that include condensate clouds do not readily generate the sub-micron particles necessary to reproduce the observed Rayleigh scattering slope, while models that incorporate photochemical hazes composed of soot or tholins are able to match the full transmission spectrum. From a complementary analysis of secondary eclipses by Spitzer, we obtain measured depths of $0.042\%\pm0.013\%$ and $0.045\%\pm0.018\%$ at 3.6 and 4.5 $\mu$m, respectively, which are consistent with a blackbody temperature of $890^{+60}_{-70}$ K and indicate efficient day-night heat recirculation. HAT-P-12b joins the growing number of well-characterized warm planets that underscore the importance of clouds and hazes in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.Comment: 25 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in AJ, updated with proof correction

Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however poor success and, in some situations, high costs in Kenya, have been discouraging.  Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy.  A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency.  Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya.  Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant).  Cattle with low P4 were inseminated.  Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%.  Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%).  In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and nine of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion