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This session opened with a crucial explanation by Michel Cotte of how astronomers first need to understand how to apply UNESCO World Heritage Criteria if they want to motivate their government(s) to make the case to UNESCO for World Heritage recognition. UNESCO World Heritage cannot be obtained just to protect dark skies.Much more detail of this and the other presentations in this session, along with many images, can be found at the session website: http://www.noao.edu/education/IAUGA2015FM21.The next speaker, John Hearnshaw, described the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and the work it carries out . This was followed by a wide-ranging summary (by Dan Duriscoe and Nate Ament) of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) Night Skies Program. The abstract of Cipriano's Marin's paper, “Developing Starlight connections with UNESCO sites through the Biosphere Smart" was shown in his absence. The final presentation (by Arkadiusz Berlicki, S. Kolomanksi and T. Mrozek) discussed the bi-national Izera Dark Sky Park.

The AURA Observatory site in northern Chile, which includes Cerro Tololo and Cerro Pachon, has been operational for over 50 years now, facing a variety of challenges to its long-term future. The site now hosts over 20 operational telescopes, ranging from small projects with 0.4m telescopes to the Blanco 4m, the SOAR 4.1m, and the 8m Gemini-South telescopes. In addition, we have recently begun the construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) on the summit of Cerro Pachon. We summarize our efforts over the past 20-30 years to highlight the importance of site protection through education and public outreach as well as through more recent promotion of IDA certifications in the region and support for the World Heritage initiatives described by others in this conference.

The Narrow Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS) is the first light Adaptive Optics (AO) system for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). A critical component of NFIRAOS is the Real-Time Controller (RTC) subsystem which provides real-time wavefront correction by processing wavefront information to compute Deformable Mirror (DM) and Tip/Tilt Stage (TTS) commands. The National Research Council of Canada - Herzberg (NRC-H), in conjunction with TMT, has developed a preliminary design for the NFIRAOS RTC. The preliminary architecture for the RTC is comprised of several Linux-based servers. These servers are assigned various roles including: the High-Order Processing (HOP) servers, the Wavefront Corrector Controller (WCC) server, the Telemetry Engineering Display (TED) server, the Persistent Telemetry Storage (PTS) server, and additional testing and spare servers. There are up to six HOP servers that accept high-order wavefront pixels, and perform parallelized pixel processing and wavefront reconstruction to produce wavefront corrector error vectors. The WCC server performs low-order mode processing, and synchronizes and aggregates the high-order wavefront corrector error vectors from the HOP servers to generate wavefront corrector commands. The Telemetry Engineering Display (TED) server is the RTC interface to TMT and other subsystems. The TED server receives all external commands and dispatches them to the rest of the RTC servers and is responsible for aggregating several offloading and telemetry values that are reported to other subsystems within NFIRAOS and TMT. The TED server also provides the engineering GUIs and real-time displays. The Persistent Telemetry Storage (PTS) server contains fault tolerant data storage that receives and stores telemetry data, including data for Point-Spread Function Reconstruction (PSFR).

To address light pollution issues, IAU Commissions 41, 46, 50, and 55 are involved in getting the word out to the public and IAU members via cultural, educational, technical; however, efforts can always improve and evolve. To carry out a successful light pollution abatement program supported by the IAU, it takes a diversity of groups, professions, and disciplines with their collective knowledge and experience. In manifesting dark skies awareness effectively, we are stronger together than we are alone; therefore, combining efforts of Commissions 41, 46, 50 and 55 with organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association, Astronomers Without Borders, The World at Night and partnering with events like Earth Hour or GLOBE at Night is a good step forward.

A greater understanding of the Ras-MAP kinase-signaling pathway in pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) has led to the ability to target this pathway with therapeutic intent. The PBTC conducted a multi-institutional phase II study (NCT01089101) evaluating selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), a MEK I/II inhibitor, in children with recurrent/refractory LGG assigned to 6 strata and treated at 25 mg/m2/dose PO BID for up to two years. Here we present the data from three of these strata. Stratum I included children with non-NF-1 and non-optic pathway recurrent/refractory pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) harboring BRAF aberrations (BRAF V600e mutation or the BRAF-KIAA 1549 fusion). Eight of 25 (32%) patients achieved a partial response (PR) with 2-year PFS of 66+11%. Two of 7 (29%) patient tumors with a BRAF V600e mutation and 6/18 (33%) with a BRAF KIAA-1549 fusion had a PR. Stratum 3 enrolled NF-1-associated LGG. Tissue for tumor BRAF evaluation was not required for eligibility. Ten of 25 (40%) achieved PR with a 2-year PFS of 96+4%. Only one patient progressed while on treatment. Stratum 4 included children with non-NF-1 optic pathway/hypothalamic LGG. Tissue for tumor BRAF evaluation was not required for eligibility. Two of 16 (12.5%) had a PR with a 2-year PFS of 65+13%. The BRAF aberration status of the responders in strata 3 and 4 is mostly unknown. All responses were confirmed centrally and seven patients remain on treatment. The most common toxicities were grade 1/2 CPK elevation, diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia, elevated AST and rash. Rare grade 3/4 toxicities included elevated CPK, rash, neutropenia, emesis and paronychia. Selumetinib was effective in treating children with recurrent/refractory LGG, including those with NF-1 associated LGG and PA harboring BRAF V600e mutation or BRAF-KIAA 1549 fusion. Larger prospective studies are necessary to determine the future, specific role of this agent in treating children with various LGG molecular subtypes.

On the basis of measurements of the VV-band sky brightness obtained at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in 2006 December and 2008 December we confirm the functional form of the basic model of Garstang. At high zenith angles we measure an enhancement of a factor of 2 over Garstang’s later model when there is no marine cloud layer over La Serena/Coquimbo. No corresponding enhancement is found in the BB band.

The past President of Division XII, Malcolm Smith, took the chair of the business meeting of C50, in the absence of the past President of C50, Richard Wainscoat. He described the procedure of the election in 2006 of the then-time vice-president of C50, Richard Wainscoat, as President of C50, after the untimely deatch of the then-time C50 President, Hugo Schwarz. He also described the procedure for electing the incoming OC members and officers.

We have conducted an optical and infrared imaging in the neighbourhoods of 4 triplets of quasars. R, z', J and Ks images were obtained with MOSAIC II and ISPI at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory. Accurate relative photometry and astrometry were obtained from these images for subsequent use in deriving photometric redshifts. We analyzed the homogeneity and depth of the photometric catalog by comparing with results coming from the literature. The good agreement shows that our magnitudes are reliable to study large scale structure reaching limiting magnitudes of R = 24.5, z' = 22.5, J = 20.5 and Ks = 19.0. With this catalog we can study the neighbourhoods of the triplets of quasars searching for galaxy overdensities such as groups and galaxy clusters., The paper contains 12 figures and 3 tables

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: TLR4 is a cell-surface signaling receptor involved in the recognition and host response to Helicobacter pylori. The TLR4+896A>G polymorphism linked with impaired reactivity to bacterial lipopolysaccharide may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: We assessed associations with premalignant gastric changes in 149 relatives of gastric cancer patients, including 45 with hypochlorhydria and gastric atrophy. We also genotyped 2 independent Caucasian population-based case-control studies of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer, initially in 312 noncardia gastric carcinoma cases and 419 controls and then in 184 noncardia gastric carcinomas, 123 cardia carcinomas, 159 esophageal cancers, and 211 frequency-matched controls. Odds ratios were computed from logistic models and adjusted for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: TLR4+896G carriers had an 11-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-48) increased odds ratio (OR) for hypochlorhydria; the polymorphism was unassociated with gastric acid output in the absence of H pylori infection. Carriers also had significantly more severe gastric atrophy and inflammation. Seventeen percent of gastric carcinoma patients in the initial study and 15% of the noncardia gastric carcinoma patients in the replication study had 1 or 2 TLR4 variant alleles vs 8% of both control populations (combined OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.6-3.4). In contrast, prevalence of TLR4+896G was not significantly increased in esophageal squamous cell (2%, OR = 0.2) or adenocarcinoma (9%, OR = 1.4) or gastric cardia carcinoma (11%, OR = 1.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the TLR4+896A>G polymorphism is a risk factor for noncardia gastric carcinoma and its precursors. The findings underscore the role of the host innate immune response in outcome of H pylori infection.

Background: Joint, back and muscle pain are common in patients referred to a rheumatology unit. Acute pain due to hemorrhage may be difficult to distinguish from more common causes of pain in these patients. This article describes a small case-series of patients who presented acutely with hemarthroses, spinal hemorrhage or muscle hematomas while receiving anticoagulant treatment. Methods: Case notes of nine patients were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic characteristics, indication for anticoagulation, international normalized ratio, and management were evaluated. Results: The majority of hemorrhages occurred when the INR was within the therapeutic range. Anticoagulation was held in all cases. Joint aspiration was performed in all cases of hemarthrosis. Surgical intervention was required in management of the spinal epidural bleed and also in one case of muscle hematoma. Conclusion: Cases described represent major hemorrhages in anticoagulated patients. There is little literature on specific treatment and prognosis, particularly with respect to hemarthrosis, and further studies are needed.

The BTC40 Survey for high-redshift quasars is a multicolor search using images obtained with the Big Throughput Camera (BTC) on the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) 4 m telescope in V, I, and z filters to search for quasars at redshifts of 4.8 < z < 6. The survey covers 40 deg2 in B, V, and I, and 36 deg2 in z. Limiting magnitudes (3 σ) reach to V = 24.6, I = 22.9, and z = 22.9. We used the V-I versus I-z two-color diagram to select high-redshift quasar candidates from the objects classified as point sources in the imaging data. Follow-up spectroscopy with the Anglo-Australian Telescope and CTIO 4 m telescopes of candidates having I ≤ 21.5 has yielded two quasars with redshifts of z = 4.6 and z = 4.8, as well as four emission-line galaxies with z ≈ 0.6. Fainter candidates have been identified down to I = 22 for future spectroscopy on 8 m class telescopes.

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is an "extreme" adaptive optics coronagraph system that is now on the Gemini South telescope in Chile. This instrument is composed of three different systems that historically have been separate instruments. These systems are the extreme Adaptive Optics system, with deformable mirrors, including a high-order 64x64 element MEMS system; the Science Instrument, which is a near-infrared integral field spectrograph; and the Calibration system, a precision IR wavefront sensor that also holds key coronagraph components. Each system coordinates actions that require precise timing. The observatory is responsible for starting these actions and has typically done this asynchronously across independent systems. Despite this complexity we strived to provide an interface that is as close to a one-button approach as possible. This paper will describe the sequencing of these systems both internally and externally through the observatory., Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9147-190

A basic-level summary is provided of work since late 1993 to control light pollution in Chile. The purpose of this article is to stimulate such work inside Chile and to promote good lighting in developing countries in general. Chile is selected as the case study because of its critical importance to optical and radio astronomy, and the related economic and cultural benefits for Chile and the world. Examples are presented in some detail in order to illustrate adjustments that have been made to accommodate local scientific, cultural and economic realities and to show that it is necessary to anticipate the issues involved in controlling light pollution several decades before it would otherwise become a problem. It is hoped that international organizations such as the IAU, the IDA and the CIE can soon promote programmes in Chile that can serve as pilot programmes for other parts of the developing world.

We present a catalog of extremely red objects (EROs) discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) parallel imaging database and ground-based optical follow-up observations. Within an area of 16 arcmin^2, we detect 15 objects with R-F160W > 5 and F160W 6. Our objects have F110W-F160W colors in the range 1.3–2.1, redder than the cluster elliptical galaxies at z ~ 0.8 and nearly 1 mag redder than the average population selected from the F160W images at the same depth. In addition, among only 22 NICMOS pointings, we detected two groups or clusters in two fields; each contains three or more EROs, suggesting that extremely red galaxies may be strongly clustered. At bright magnitudes with F160W < 19.5, the ERO surface density is similar to what has been measured by other surveys. At the limit of our sample, F160W = 21.5, our measured surface density is 0.94 ± 0.24 arcmin^(-2). Excluding the two possible groups or clusters and the one apparently stellar object reduces the surface density to 0.38 ± 0.15 arcmin^(-2).

Host genetic factors play an important role in modifying the risk of human disease, including cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, with increasing interest in Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and the impact of genetic polymorphisms in these systems. The CD14-159C/T and the TLR9-1237T/C promoter polymorphisms have previously been shown to be associated with various inflammatory conditions including Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in Caucasian populations. In this study, we assessed the association of these two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms with gastric cancer in two independent Caucasian population-based case–control studies of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer, initially in 312 noncardia gastric carcinoma cases and 419 controls and then in 184 noncardia gastric carcinomas, 123 cardia carcinomas, 159 esophageal cancers, and 211 frequency-matched controls. Odds ratios were computed from logistic models and adjusted for potential confounding factors. No significant association was found between the CD14-159C/T and the TLR9-1237T/C promoter polymorphisms and increased risk of gastric cancer. Neither single nucleotide polymorphism has been assessed in a Caucasian gastric cancer case–control study before; although the CD14-159C/T polymorphism has been reported to show no apparent association with H. pylori-related gastric malignancy in a Taiwanese Chinese population. In conclusion, although our earlier preliminary studies suggested that the CD14-159C/T and the TLR9-1237T/C promoter polymorphisms increase the risk of precancerous outcomes, they do not seem to increase the risk of gastric cancer itself. This discrepancy merits further examination.

Background In the spondyloarthropathies, the underlying molecular and cellular pathways driving disease are poorly understood. By undertaking a study in knee synovial biopsies from spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients we aimed to elucidate dysregulated genes and pathways. Methods RNA was extracted from six SpA, two AS, three osteoarthritis (OA) and four normal control knee synovial biopsies. Whole genome expression profiling was undertaken using the Illumina DASL system, which assays 24000 cDNA probes. Differentially expressed candidate genes were then validated using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results Four hundred and sixteen differentially expressed genes were identified that clearly delineated between AS/SpA and control groups. Pathway analysis showed altered gene-expression in oxidoreductase activity, B-cell associated, matrix catabolic, and metabolic pathways. Altered "myogene" profiling was also identified. The inflammatory mediator, MMP3, was strongly upregulated (5-fold) in AS/SpA samples and the Wnt pathway inhibitors DKK3 (2.7-fold) and Kremen1 (1.5-fold) were downregulated. Conclusions Altered expression profiling in SpA and AS samples demonstrates that disease pathogenesis is associated with both systemic inflammation as well as local tissue alterations that may underlie tissue damaging modelling and remodelling outcomes. This supports the hypothesis that initial systemic inflammation in spondyloarthropathies transfers to and persists in the local joint environment, and might subsequently mediate changes in genes directly involved in the destructive tissue remodelling.

Results from a near-infrared study of a complete hard X-ray selected sample of AGN, which are mainly Seyfert 1s, are presented. Here, the method used to deconvolve the radial luminosity profiles into nuclear bulge, and disc components, is described. It is found that, for many Seyferts in this sample, starlight contributes a significant fraction of the light from the nuclear region, even within a small projected aperture. The stellar fraction tends to increase as the intrinsic luminosity decreases. Therefore corrections must be made to remove the stellar light in order to study the properties of the non-stellar continuum

Cities needlessly shine billions of dollars directly into the sky each year and, as a result, a fifth of the world's population cannot see the Milky Way. Malcolm Smith explains why a dark sky has much to offer everyone. Marking the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), Jeff Kanipe takes a look at the prospects of the 'big four' major new telescopes. They have a tough act to follow, as a trawl through 'Hubble's greatest hits' reveals. The 'Dark Skies Awareness' campaign is part of IYA 2009; Malcolm Smith argues the case for a transformation that would not only help astronomers but would also benefit human health and energy conservation. Also part of IYA 2009 is the celebration of 400 years of the telescope; Owen Gingerich tracks the link between technology and our changing world-view. Robert Poole's book Earthrise focuses on the psychological impact of the Apollo 8 image of Earth over the lunar horizon, though our reviewer feels that our attitudes towards our planet have not changed enough. 'Hidden treasures' visits the Paris Observatory and astronaut Alan Bean talks about his moonscape paintings. In Futures, David Blair looks back on 2009 and in a Letter, Alyssa Goodman et al. reveal the importance of self-gravity in star formation. See the Editorial and visit http://www.nature.com/astro09 for more. COVER PICTURE: Hubble Space Telescope/Christian Darkin

Measurements of 11 hard X-ray selected active galaxies at 800 and 1100 μm made with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope are reported and discussed in the context of the continuum energy distribution from radio to X-ray wavelengths. Four other radio-loud AGN were also measured. Radio-loud objects show a spectrum which decreases smoothly in flux to higher frequencies, and supporting evidence strongly suggests a non-thermal origin. For radio-quiet objects, only upper limits are reported, but in all cases the fall from 100 μm to 1 mm is steep, strongly suggesting that thermal emission dominates the far-IR emission.

We present a measure of the hard (2-8 keV) X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of Active Galactic Nuclei up to z~5. At high redshifts, the wide area coverage of the Chandra Multiwavength Project is crucial to detect rare and luminous (Lx > 10^44 erg s^-1) AGN. The inclusion of samples from deeper published surveys, such as the Chandra Deep Fields, allows us to span the lower Lx range of the XLF. Our sample is selected from both the hard (z < 3; f(2-8 keV) > 6.3x10^-16 erg cm^-2 s^-1) and soft (z > 3; f(0.5-2.0 keV) > 1.0x10^-16 erg cm^-2 s^-1) energy band detections. Within our optical magnitude limits (r',i' < 24), we achieve an adequate level of completeness (>50%) regarding X-ray source identification (i.e., redshift). We find that the luminosity function is similar to that found in previous X-ray surveys up to z~3 with an evolution dependent upon both luminosity and redshift. At z > 3, there is a significant decline in the numbers of AGN with an evolution rate similar to that found by studies of optically-selected QSOs. Based on our XLF, we assess the resolved fraction of the Cosmic X-ray Background, the cumulative mass density of Supermassive Black Holes (SMBHs), and the comparison of the mean accretion rate onto SMBHs and the star formation history of galaxies as a function of redshift. A coevolution scenario up to z~2 is plausible though at higher redshifts the accretion rate onto SMBHs drops more rapidly. Finally, we highlight the need for better statistics of high redshift AGN at z > 3, which is achievable with the upcoming Chandra surveys., Accepted for publication in ApJ; 25 pages, 18 figures

Brief report. The Extended Case Study for AURA-O as a “Window to the Universe” (http://www2.astronomicalheritage.net/index.php/show-entity?identity=000059&idsub-entity=005) was prepared in the context of supporting the desire to preserve humanity's scientific/cultural heritage of outstanding, high-mountain, ground-based, observatory sites developed over the period 1870–2000.

Gastric cancer remains a global killer with a shifting burden from the developed to the developing world. The cancer develops along a multistage process that is defined by distinct histological and pathophysiological phases. Several genetic and epigenetic alterations mediate the transition from one stage to another and these include mutations in oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and cell cycle and mismatch repair genes. The most significant advance in the fight against gastric cancer came with the recognition of the role of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) as the most important acquired aetiological agent for this cancer. Recent work has focussed on elucidating the complex host/microbial interactions that underlie the neoplastic process. There is now considerable insight into the pathogenesis of this cancer and the prospect of preventing and eradicating the disease has become a reality. Perhaps more importantly, the study of H pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis offers a paradigm for understanding more complex human cancers. In this review, we examine the molecular and cellular events that underlie H pylori-induced gastric cancer.

We present a survey of serendipitous extended X-ray sources and optical cluster candidates from the Chandra Multi-wavelength Project (ChaMP). Our main goal is to make an unbiased comparison of X-ray and optical cluster detection methods. In 130 archival Chandra pointings covering 13 square degrees, we use a wavelet decomposition technique to detect 55 extended sources, of which 6 are nearby single galaxies. Our X-ray cluster catalog reaches a typical flux limit of about ~10^-14 erg s^-1 cm^-2, with a median cluster core radius of 21 arcsec. For 56 of the 130 X-ray fields, we use the ChaMP's deep NOAO/4m MOSAIC g, r, and i imaging to independently detect cluster candidates using a Voronoi tessellation and percolation (VTP) method. Red-sequence filtering decreases the galaxy fore/background contamination and provides photometric redshifts to z~0.7. From the overlapping 6.1 square degree X-ray/optical imaging, we find 115 optical clusters (of which 11% are in the X-ray catalog) and 28 X-ray clusters (of which 46% are in the optical VTP catalog). The median redshift of the 13 X-ray/optical clusters is 0.41, and their median X-ray luminosity (0.5-2 keV) is L_X=(2.65\pm0.19)x10^43 ergs s^-1. The clusters in our sample that are only detected in our optical data are poorer on average (~4sigma) than the X-ray/optically matched clusters, which may partially explain the difference in the detection fractions., Comment: 64 pages, 20 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

For measurement of the AGN luminosity function and its evolution, X-ray selection samples all types of AGN and provides reduced obscuration bias in comparison with UV-excess or optical surveys. The apparent decline in optically-selected quasars above z~3 may be strongly affected by such a bias. The Chandra Multiwavelength Project (ChaMP) is characterizing serendipitously detected X-ray sources in a large number of fields with archival Chandra imaging. We present a preliminary measure of the co-moving space density using a sample of 311 AGN found in 23 ChaMP fields (~1.8 deg^2) supplemented with 57 X-ray bright AGN from the CDF-N and CDF-S. Within our X-ray flux (f(0.3-8.0 keV) > 4x10^-15 erg cm^-2 s^-1) and optical magnitude (r' < 22.5) limits, our sample includes 14 broad emission line AGN at z > 3. Using this X-ray selected sample, we detect a turnover in the co-moving space density of luminous type 1 AGN (log Lx > 44.5; units erg s^-1; measured in the 0.3-8.0 keV band and corrected for Galactic absorption) at z > 2.5. Our X-ray sample is the first to show a behavior similar to the well established evolution of the optical quasar luminosity function. A larger sample of high redshift AGN and with a greater fraction of identified sources, either spectroscopic or photometric, at faint optical magnitudes (r' > 22.5) are required to remove the remaining uncertainty in our measure of the X-ray luminosity function. We confirm that for z < 1, lower luminosity AGN (log Lx < 44.5) are more prevalent by more than an order of magnitude than those with high luminosity. We have combined the Chandra sample with AGN from the ROSAT surveys to present a measure of the space density of luminous type 1 AGN in the soft X-ray band (0.5-2.0 keV) which confirms the broad band turnover described above., 8 pages, 9 figures, 1 color figure, Expanded version accepted by ApJ

THE accretion of gas from a companion star onto a compact object, such as a neutron star or black hole, can release large amounts of energy. Episodic accretion is generally thought to explain transient X-ray emission, such as that associated with the recently discovered1 Galactic superluminal source GRO J1655 - 40, and to be connected with the ejection of material at relativistic velocities2. The only other known Galactic superluminal source2 is difficult to study because it is obscured by intervening gas and dust. Here we report the discovery of the optical counterpart to GRO J1655 - 40, which we estimate to lie at a distance of only 3 kpc. We have identified the precursor on historical photographic plates; at the time of the X-ray burst in August 19941, it brightened by 3 mag in the V bandpass. Although the 12-day delay between the X-ray burst1 and the main radio outburst which marked the beginning of superluminal motion3 poses a puzzle that remains to be explained, our results show that at optical wavelengths the characteristics of GRO J1655 - 40 are similar to those of other accreting-black-hole candidates4-7.

Helicobacter pyloriinfects half of the world’s population, and is associated with asymptomatic gastritis and also with more serious conditions such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma. The clinical outcome is largely dependent on the severity and distribution of theH pylori-induced gastritis, but the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Bacterial virulence factors and environmental influences contribute to the pathogenesis, but do not explain the divergent outcomes. There is emerging evidence that host genetic factors play a key role in determining the clinical outcome ofH pyloriinfection. In particular, proinflammatory genotypes of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) gene are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer and its precursors. The effects are most likely mediated through the induction of hypochlorhydria and severe corpus gastritis with the subsequent development of gastric atrophy. The roles of IL-1β and other host genetic factors in the pathogenesis ofH pylorirelated cancer are discussed in this article.

This summary gives a status report on the work of the IAU’s Commission 50 Working Group on “Controlling Light Pollution” as of May 2002.

Over the last two decades, La Serena's population has increased by about 70 percent. A site description of the AURA Observatory in Chile as a “Window to the Universe“ is now available on the recently-launched UNESCO-IAU Astronomical Heritage Web Portal, www.astronomicalheritage.net This can serve as an example of possible material for the Chilean authorities, should they wish to propose the dark skies over much of northern Chile for protection as a World Scientific Heritage site. Some of the steps involved are discussed briefly here.

Some benefits of laparoscopic (LC) and minilaparotomy (MC) cholecystectomy may reflect attenuation of the acute phase response. The authors examined components of this response.Patients were randomized to LC (n = 11) or MC (n = 11). C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), retinol-binding protein (RBP), transferrin, and albumin were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 2, 4, and 7. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were measured more frequently perioperatively. Peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced vital capacity were measured daily.The IL-6 increase was more persistent and marked in the MC patients from hour 8 to day 7 postoperatively (P0.05). Alterations in CRP, AAT, and albumin were similar. Postoperative deficits of respiratory function correlated with the magnitude of acute phase protein alteration.Minimal access surgery induces an acute phase response that is less prominent after a laparoscopic technique.

A series of surveys with the Big Throughput Camera (Wittman et al., 1998) is now under way. Most are extragalactic, including studies of clusters of galaxies, gravitational lensing, distant supernovae, quasars and large-scale structure at z ~ 1; the studies nearer to home include investigations into faint dwarf stars and moving objects such as asteroids. Some of these surveys are being specifically co-ordinated with parallel surveys in infrared (JHK) passbands.

PRESIDENT Malcolm G. SmithVICE-PRESIDENT Fran¸coise GenovaPAST PRESIDENT Johannes AndersenBOARD Steven R. Federman, Alan C. Gilmore,Il-Seong Nha, Raymond P. Norris,Ian E. Robson, Magda G. Stavinschi,Virginia L. Trimble, Richard J. Wainscoat,Lars Lindberg ChristensenDIVISION XII COMMISSIONSCommission 5 Documentation and Astronomical DataCommission 6 Astronomical TelegramsCommission 14 Atomic and Molecular DataCommission 41 History of AstronomyCommission 46 Astronomy Education and DevelopmentCommission 50 Protection of Existing and Potential ObservatorySitesCommission 55 Communicating Astronomy with the PublicINTER-DIVISION X-XII WORKING GROUPInter-Division X-XII WG Historic Radio AstronomyTRIENNIAL REPORT 2006-2009

Significant and specific progress has been made in protecting major astronomical sites during the last three years. A brief summary is given, along with references to some of the efforts by members of Commission 50 to control light pollution and radio-frequency interference.

For the purposes of the discussion of IAU follow up on Resolution B5, adopted at the GA in Rio de Janiero in 2009, reference is made here to the resolution itself and the background which led to its proposal and adoption by the IAU.

Brief meetings were held to confirm the elections of the incoming Division President, Francoise Genova and Vice President, Ray Norris along with the Organizing Committee which will consist of the incoming Presidents of the 7 Commissions (5,6,14,41,46,50 and 55) plus additional nominated members. The incoming Organizing Committee will thus consist of

The discovery of a remarkably strong gravitational lens/Einstein ring in the flat-spectrum radio source PKS1830-211 was reported recently by Jauncey et al. (1991). For the past three years this source has been the subject of an intense radio and optical observing campaign, which we review here.

Division XII consists of Commissions that formerly were organized under the Executive Committee, that concern astronomers across a wide range of scientific sub-disciplines and provide interactions with scientists in a wider community, including governmental organizations, outside the IAU.