An Ultraviolet-Selected Galaxy Redshift Survey - II: The Physical Nature of Star Formation in an Enlarged Sample

We present further spectroscopic observations for a sample of galaxies selected in the vacuum ultraviolet (UV) at 2000 \AA from the FOCA balloon-borne imaging camera of Milliard et al. (1992). This work represents an extension of the initial study of Treyer et al. (1998). Our enlarged catalogue contains 433 sources; 273 of these are galaxies, nearly all with redshifts z=0-0.4. Nebular emission line measurements are available for 216 galaxies, allowing us to address issues of reddening and metallicity. The UV and Halpha luminosity functions strengthen our earlier assertions that the local volume-averaged star formation rate is higher than indicated from earlier surveys. Moreover, internally within our sample, we do not find a steep rise in the UV luminosity density with redshift over 0<z<0.4. Our data is more consistent with a modest evolutionary trend as suggested by recent redshift survey results. We find no evidence for a significant number of AGN in our sample. We find the UV flux indicates a consistently higher mean star formation rate than that implied by the Halpha luminosity for typical constant or declining star formation histories. Following Glazebrook et al. (1999), we interpret this discrepancy in terms of a starburst model for our UV-luminous sources. Whilst we can explain most of our observations in this way, there remains a small population with extreme UV-optical colours which cannot be understood.Comment: 27 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Regions lobbying the European Union: Organizational Forms, Policy Portfolios and Venue Selection

The politics and administration of institutional chang

Periskop-, Kamin- und Sandwichtechnik sowie VORTEC zur Vereinfachung der Behandlung von Aneurysmen der Aorta abdominalis und thoracoabdominalis

Zusammenfassung: VORTEC (Viabahn Open Revascularisation TEChnique) und die Kaminprothesentechnik sind Verfahren zur Erhaltung oder Wiederherstellung des Blutflusses von Aortenästen, die geplant oder als Notlösung bei offener Operation oder endovaskulärem Vorgehen eingesetzt werden können. VORTEC ist eine stentbasierte vaskuläre Verbindungstechnik zur Herstellung einer End-zu-End-Anastomose, die insbesondere geeignet ist, wenn die herkömmliche Nahttechnik schwierig ist (sein könnte). Es handelt sich um ein schnelles Verfahren, das praktisch ohne Blutflussunterbrechung und ohne Anastomosenblutung ist, die Durchgängigkeitsraten sind ähnlich gut wie bei Nahtanastomosen. Die Kamin-Periskop-Sandwich-Prothesentechnik ("chimney/periscope and sandwich graft technique”, CHIMPES) ist ein endovaskuläres Verfahren, bei dem parallele Endoprothesen zur Erhaltung oder Wiederherstellung des Blutflusses von Aortenästen verwendet werden, während ein herkömmlicher Aortenstent oberhalb ihres Ursprungs platziert wird. Es ist ein relativ schnelles Verfahren mit der Möglichkeit, selbst in Notfällen handelsübliche Produkte zu verwenden. Bei der Sandwichtechnik verlaufen parallele Prothesen zwischen 2Aortenstents. Publizierten Erfahrungen zufolge scheinen diese beiden Techniken besonders für die Behandlung von Aneurysmen der Aortenäste und der Aorta thoracoabdominalis geeignet zu sein, vor allem in Hochrisiko- oder Akutfällen. Die englische Volltextversion dieses Beitrags ist über SpringerLink (unter "Supplemental") verfügba

The GALEX UV luminosity function of the cluster of galaxies Abell 1367

We present the GALEX NUV (2310 A) and FUV (1530 A) galaxy luminosity functions of the nearby cluster of galaxies A1367 in the magnitude range -20.3< M_AB < -13.3. The luminosity functions are consistent with previous (~ 2 mag shallower) estimates based on the FOCA and FAUST experiments, but display a steeper faint-end slope than the GALEX luminosity function for local field galaxies. Using spectro-photometric optical data we select out star-forming systems from quiescent galaxies and study their separate contributions to the cluster luminosity function. We find that the UV luminosity function of cluster star-forming galaxies is consistent with the field. The difference between the cluster and field LF is entirely due to the contribution at low luminosities (M_AB >-16 mag) of non star-forming, early-type galaxies that are significantly over dense in clusters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter

It's not all about the money: Explaining varying policy portfolios of regional representations in Brussels

The literature on territorial lobbying in the European Union (EU) has paid much attention to the interaction between regional representations in Brussels and the member-state central governments, and the relations of these representations with the European institutions. Surprisingly, far less systematic research has been conducted on the policies that regional representations prioritize when they lobby in Brussels. In this article, we focus on the policy portfolios of these organizations and analyze variation concerning the domains and issues these regional representations prioritize. Empirically, we demonstrate that the size and the nature of a policy portfolio is not primarily affected by the capabilities of a regional representation, but rather results from structural ties of regional lobbyists with other public and private interests. This claim is corroborated by data collected through a telephone survey with 127 officials from regional offices and trans-regional associations.The politics and administration of institutional chang

The Expanding Core and Varying Degrees of Insiderness: Institutionalised Interest Group Access to Advisory Councils

The interaction between organised interests and policy makers is an important ingredient of contemporary political systems. In earlier work, interest group scholars have distinguished groups that enjoy access to consultation arrangements from those that are bound to stand on the sideline. Frequently, these insiders are considered to be equally connected to public authorities. Yet their degree of ‘insiderness’ differs significantly. By unpacking the set of organised interests that have gained access, this article distinguishes core insiders from groups that occupy a more peripheral position in an interest intermediation system. Empirically, we demonstrate and explain varying degrees of insiderness in the community of insider groups in Belgium, using the extensiveness of representation in advisory bodies as a proxy for access. Our findings show that, although nowadays a diverse set of organised interests gets involved in policy-making processes, the inner circle is dominated by traditional economic interests.The politics and administration of institutional chang

Chandra View of the Dynamically Young Cluster of Galaxies A1367 I. Small-Scale Structures

The 40 ks \emph{Chandra} ACIS-S observation of A1367 provides new insights into small-scale structures and point sources in this dynamically young cluster. Here we concentrate on small-scale extended structures. A ridge-like structure around the center (``the ridge'') is significant in the \chandra\ image. The ridge, with a projected length of $\sim$ 8 arcmin (or 300 h$_{0.5}^{-1}$ kpc), is elongated from northwest (NW) to southeast (SE), as is the X-ray surface brightness distribution on much larger scales ($\sim$ 2 h$_{0.5}^{-1}$ Mpc). The ridge is cooler than its western and southern surroundings while the differences from its eastern and northern surroundings are small. We also searched for small-scale structures with sizes $\sim$ arcmin. Nine extended features, with sizes from $\sim$ 0.5$'$ to 1.5$'$, were detected at significance levels above 4 $\sigma$. Five of the nine features are located in the ridge and form local crests. The nine extended features can be divided into two types. Those associated with galaxies (NGC 3860B, NGC 3860 and UGC 6697) are significantly cooler than their surroundings (0.3 - 0.9 keV vs. 3 - 4.5 keV). The masses of their host galaxies are sufficient to bind the extended gas. These extended features are probably related to thermal halos or galactic superwinds of their host galaxies. The existence of these relatively cold halos imply that galaxy coronae can survive in cluster environment (e.g., Vikhlinin et al. 2001). Features of the second type are not apparently associated with galaxies. Their temperatures may not be significantly different from those of their surroundings. This class of extended features may be related to the ridge. We consider several possibilities for the ridge and the second type of extended features. The merging scenario is preferred.Comment: To appear in ApJ, Vol 576, 2002, Sep., a high-resolution version is in http://cfa160.harvard.edu/~sunm/a1367_a.ps.g

The Clustering of Extragalactic Extremely Red Objects

We have measured the angular and spatial clustering of 671 K5 Extremely Red Objects (EROs) from a 0.98 square degree sub-region of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey (NDWFS). Our study covers nearly 5 times the area and has twice the sample size of any previous ERO clustering study. The wide field of view and BwRIK passbands of the NDWFS allow us to place improved constraints on the clustering of z=1 EROs. We find the angular clustering of EROs is slightly weaker than in previous measurements, and w(1')=0.25+/-0.05 for K<18.40 EROs. We find no significant correlation of ERO spatial clustering with redshift, apparent color or absolute magnitude, although given the uncertainties, such correlations remain plausible. We find the spatial clustering of K5 EROs is well approximated by a power-law, with r_0=9.7+/-1.1 Mpc/h in comoving coordinates. This is comparable to the clustering of 4L* early-type galaxies at z<1, and is consistent with the brightest EROs being the progenitors of the most massive ellipticals. There is evidence of the angular clustering of EROs decreasing with increasing apparent magnitude, when NDWFS measurements of ERO clustering are combined with those from the literature. Unless the redshift distribution of K>20 EROs is very broad, the spatial clustering of EROs decreases from r_0=9.7+/-1.1 Mpc/h for K20 EROs.Comment: Accepted for publication in the ApJ. 29 pages with 10 figures. The NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey Bootes data release is available online at http://www.noao.edu/noao/noaodeep

Insights and Clinical Implications from the pELVIS Registry for the Treatment of Aneurysms Involving the Iliac Bifurcation

The pErformance of iLiac branch deVIces for aneurysmS (pELVIS) Registry is the largest retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on the use of iliac branch devices (IBD) for the treatment of iliac and aortoiliac aneurysms. It shows the feasibility of the technique with good short- and mid-term results. The most common anatomical challenge for IBD use is the presence of aneurysmal deterioration of the internal iliac arteries (IIA). Experience acquired in the registry treating concomitant aneurysmal lesions of the IIA provides significant information on the performance of IBDs for this specific clinical presentation. Treatment of isolated aneurysms in the common iliac artery without extension to the infrarenal aorta showed favourable results with lower costs, and lower use of irradiation and contrast media. Overall, the relatively low procedure-related complications and repeat interventions show broad applicability of the technique. Further analysis is required to evaluate the longstanding performance of IBD