The Second Galex Ultraviolet Variability (GUVV-2) Catalog

We present the second Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) Ultraviolet Variability (GUVV-2) Catalog that contains information on 410 newly discovered time-variable sources gained through simultaneous near (NUV 1750-2750A) and far (FUV 1350-1750A) ultraviolet photometric observations. Source variability was determined by comparing the NUV and/or FUV fluxes derived from orbital exposures recorded during a series of multiple observational visits to 169 GALEX fields on the sky. These sources, which were contained within a sky-area of 161 square deg, varied on average by amplitudes of NUV = 0.6 mag and FUV = 0.9 mag during these observations. Of the 114 variable sources in the catalog with previously known identifications, 67 can be categorized as being active galaxies (QSO's, Seyfert 1 or BL Lac objects). The next largest groups of UV variables are RR Lyrae stars, X-ray sources and novae. By using a combination of UV and visible color-color plots we have been able to tentatively identify 36 possible RR Lyrae and/or Delta Scuti type stars, as well as 35 probable AGN's, many of which may be previously unidentified QSO's or blazars. Finally, we show data for 3 particular variable objects: the contact binary system of SDSS J141818.97+525006.7, the eclipsing dwarf nova system of IY UMa and the highly variable unidentified source SDSS J104325.06+563258.1.Comment: Astronomical Journal accepte

A search for the Perseus flasher and the limits on optical burst rates

We conducted a study of the error box of the possible optical burster, reported by Katz et al. (1986). This “Perseus Flasher” was subsequently identified with satellite glints by Maley (1987), a conclusion with which we fully concur. Our study, completed before Maley’s report, involved a search for highly-variable objects on archival and newly-taken plates, with a total integration time of about 260 hours, a proper-motion survey of the area, deep optical imaging with a CCD, and a single-dish radio monitoring. We found no optical or radio bursts or any other unusual objects in this area. Our upper limit to the optical flash rate from the error box of the flash photographed by Katz et al. is at least 20 times lower than the flash rate reported by those authors. Similar negative results were achieved independently by other groups; like them, we conclude that the photographed flash was most likely caused by an Earth-orbiting artifact and that most of the remaining, visually-detected flashes were spurious. From our data, we derive limits on the optical flash rates from astrophysically-interesting sources

Search-based procedural content generation

Recently, a small number of papers have appeared in which the authors implement stochastic search algorithms, such as evolutionary computation, to generate game content, such as levels, rules and weapons. We propose a taxonomy of such approaches, centring on what sort of content is generated, how the content is represented, and how the quality of the content is evaluated. The relation between search-based and other types of procedural content generation is described, as are some of the main research challenges in this new field. The paper ends with some successful examples of this approach.peer-reviewe

Helical CT angiography of fenestrated stent grafting of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Fenestrated stent grafts have been developed to treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) associated with complicated aneurysm necks, such as short necks, severe angulated or poor quality necks (presence of calcification or thrombus). The technique is performed by creating an opening in the graft material so that the stent graft can be placed above the renal and other visceral branches without compromising blood perfusion to these vessels. In most situations, a supporting stent is inserted into the fenestrated vessel to provide fixation of the fenestrated vessel against stent grafts, as well as to preserve patency of the vessel. Helical CT angiography (CTA) is the preferred imaging modality in both pre-operative planning and post-procedural follow-up of fenestrated repair of AAA. The main concerns of fenestrated stent grafting lie in the following two aspects: patency of the fenestrated vessels and position of the fenestrated stents in relation to the artery branches. In this article, the author presents the clinical applications of 2D and 3D visualizations in the follow-up of patients with AAA treated with fenestrated stent grafts, with the aim of providing useful information to readers and increasing their knowledge of an increasingly used technique, fenestrated stent grafting in the treatment of AAA

The orbits of the quadruple star system 88 Tau A from PHASES differential astrometry and radial velocity

We have used high precision differential astrometry from the Palomar High-precision Astrometric Search for Exoplanet Systems (PHASES) project and radial velocity measurements covering a time-span of 20 years to determine the orbital parameters of the 88 Tau A system. 88 Tau is a complex hierarchical multiple system comprising a total of six stars; we have studied the brightest 4, consisting of two short-period pairs orbiting each other with an 18-year period. We present the first orbital solution for one of the short-period pairs, and determine the masses of the components and distance to the system to the level of a few percent. In addition, our astrometric measurements allow us to make the first determination of the mutual inclinations of the orbits. We find that the sub-systems are not coplanar.Comment: Corrected Author Ordering; 12 Pages, Accepted for publication in Ap

Multislice CT Angiography of Fenestrated Endovascular Stent Grafting for Treating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: a Pictorial Review of the 2D/3D Visualizations

Fenestrated endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm has been developed to treat patients with a short or complicated aneurysm neck. Fenestration involves creating an opening in the graft fabric to accommodate the orifice of the vessel that is targeted for preservation. Fixation of the fenestration to the renal arteries and the other visceral arteries can be done by implanting bare or covered stents across the graft-artery ostia interfaces so that a portion of the stent protrudes into the aortic lumen. Accurate alignment of the targeted vessels in a longitudinal aspect is hard to achieve during stent deployment because rotation of the stent graft may take place during delivery from the sheath. Understanding the 3D relationship of the aortic branches and the fenestrated vessel stents following fenestration will aid endovascular specialists to evaluate how the stent graft is situated within the aorta after placement of fenestrations. The aim of this article is to provide the 2D and 3D imaging appearances of the fenestrated endovascular grafts that were implanted in a group of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, based on the multislice CT angiography. The potential applications of each visualization technique were explored and compared with the 2D axial images

Fenestrated Stent Graft Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Hemodynamic Analysis of the Effect of Fenestrated Stents on the Renal Arteries

Objective: We wanted to investigate the hemodynamic effect of fenestrated stents on the renal arteries with using a fluid structure interaction method. Materials and Methods: Two representative patients who each had abdominal aortic aneurysm that was treated with fenestrated stent grafts were selected for the study. 3D realistic aorta models for the main artery branches and aneurysm were generated based on the multislice CT scans from two patients with different aortic geometries. The simulated fenestrated stents were designed and modelled based on the 3D intraluminal appearance, and these were placed inside the renal artery with an intra-aortic protrusion of 5.0-7.0 mm to reflect the actual patients' treatment. The stent wire thickness was simulated with a diameter of 0.4 mm and hemodynamic analysis was performed at different cardiac cycles. Results: Our results showed that the effect of the fenestrated stent wires on the renal blood flow was minimal because the flow velocity was not significantly affected when compared to that calculated at pre-stent graft implantation, and this was despite the presence of recirculation patterns at the proximal part of the renal arteries. The wall pressure was found to be significantly decreased after fenestration, yet no significant change of the wall shear stress was noticed at post-fenestration, although the wall shear stress was shown to decrease slightly at the proximal aneurysm necks. Conclusion: Our analysis demonstrates that the hemodynamic effect of fenestrated renal stents on the renal arteries is insignificant. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of different lengths of stent protrusion with variable stent thicknesses on the renal blood flow, and this is valuable for understanding the long-term outcomes of fenestrated repair

Portfolio Vol. I N 3

Sweitzer, Harry J. Portfolio Goes to Press . Prose. 1. Browne, Phil. William Howard Doane Library . Picture. 2. Overhuls, James. Out of Himself . Prose. 3. MacNeill, Annie Marie. To President and Mrs. Shaw . Poem. 6. Baker, George. Saint in a Silo . Prose 7. Beckham, Adela. In Moods . Poem. 8. Vincent, Charles. Incident of August 7, 1930. Prose. 9. Flory, Doris. Opinions . Poem. 10. Flory, Doris. Thoughts in Spring . Poem. 10. Flory, Doris. Breakfast Scene . Poem. 10. Shaw, Robert B. A Date for the Dances . Prose. 11. Cronberger, Barbara. And the Years Go On . Prose. 13. Hanna, Stanley. Reola, Reola . Poem. 14. Hanna, Stanley. The Dance of the Kobolds . Poem. 14. Nadel, Norman. I died Last Night . Prose. 15. Bethune, Don S. Adolescence . Poem 16. Vodev, Eugene. The Black Day of Bulgaria . Prose. 17. Dick, Pewilla. To a White Violet . Poem. 18. Dick, Pewilla. As With Your Shadow . Poem. 18. Dwelly, Thorndike. Of Mice and Men . Prose. 19. Clements, Helen. Our Town . Prose. 19. Schlle, Alice. Marion is an Old Costume . Picture. 20. Chadeayne, Robert. Factory . Picture. 20. Nadel, Norman. Dmitri Shostakovitch . Prose. 21. Stewart, John. Duke Ellington\u27s Records . Prose. 21. Beck, Virginia. The Dance as an Art . Prose. 22. Dick, Pewilla. Death . Poem. 23. Flory, Doris. On Reforms . Poem. 24. Beckham, Adela. The Lie . Poem. 24. Bethune, Don. Futility . Poem. 24

Towards transnational feminist queer methodologies

This article introduces the possibilities of transnational feminist queer research as seeking to conceptualise the transnational as a methodology composed of a series of flows that can augment feminist and queer research. Transnational feminist queer methodologies can contest long-standing configurations of power between researcher and researched, subject and object, academics and activists across places, typically those which are embedded in the hierarchies of the Global North/Global South. Beginning with charting our roots in, and routes through, the diverse arenas of transnational, feminist, participatory and queer methodologies, the article uses a transcribed and edited conversation between members of the Liveable Lives research team in Kolkata and Brighton, to start an exploration of transnational feminist queer methodologies. Understanding the difficult, yet constructive moments of collaborative work and dialogue, we argue for engagements with the multiplicities of ‘many-many' lives that recognise local specificities, and the complexities of lives within transnational research, avoiding creating a currency of comparison between places. We seek to work toward methodologies that take seriously the politics of place, namely by creating research that answers the same question in different places, using methods that are created in context and may not be ‘comparable'. Using a dialogue across the boundaries of activism/academia, as well as across geographical locations, the article contends that there are potentials, as well as challenges, in thinking ourselves through transnational research praxis. This seeks complexities and spatial nuances within as well as between places