The 186th IAU Symposium came at an exciting and perhaps even historic time for extragalactic astronomy. New spacecraft observations plumbed the depths of the Universe out to redshifts of five, while revealing astounding details of nearby galaxies and AGN at intermediate redshifts. Theoretical ideas on structure formation, together with results from detailed numerical modeling, created a comprehensive framework for modeling the formation of galaxies and the transformation of galaxies by interactions and mergers. All these strands came together at the Symposium, as participants glimpsed a developing synthesis highlighting galactic encounters and their role in the history of the Universe. This volume offers professional astronomers, including PhD students, an overview of the rapidly advancing subject of galaxy interactions at low and high redshifts.

The 186th IAU Symposium came at an exciting and perhaps even historic time for extragalactic astronomy. New spacecraft observations plumbed the depths of the Universe out to redshifts of five, while revealing astounding details of nearby galaxies and AGN at intermediate redshifts. Theoretical ideas on structure formation, together with results from detailed numerical modeling, created a comprehensive framework for modeling the formation of galaxies and the transformation of galaxies by interactions and mergers. All these strands came together at the Symposium, as participants glimpsed a developing synthesis highlighting galactic encounters and their role in the history of the Universe. This volume offers professional astronomers, including PhD students, an overview of the rapidly advancing subject of galaxy interactions at low and high redshifts.

"I am tired of this life of death." So begins the adventure tale The Blood of the Shroud by D.B. Sanders, a page-turner novel from a new voice in the historical fiction genre. War brews in the Byzantine world as Pope Innocent III commands the fourth crusade to start, but this time the highly decorated William Arc, Commander of the Templar forces at Acre, wants no part of this glory and honor campaign. Setting forth from Acre to prevent the Templar's involvement, he undertakes a treacherous journey to Naples to present his case to Philippe de Plessiez, the newest Templar Master. Crossing the stormy Mediterranean will take more than skill for William who is now saddled with the added burden of protecting his nephew, Stephen, following the death of his brother Gregory who was killed in front of the young boy by the Pope's own henchman, AElfric of Abingdom. A skilled and godless warrior, AElfric gives no allegiances, using all within his reach tragically to serve his designs without remorse. But William's revenge against AElfric must wait, as the Venetians take control of the crusaders for their own aims, turning Innocent's forces against the heart of the Christian world, Constantinople, sending William twisting towards a fate that will plunge him into the very heart of the war he wanted to avoid-in an effort to save the Shroud of Christ from destruction. Blood flies across the pages as William and Stephen encounter an enchanting beauty and an unlikely ally in their quest, only to find themselves thwarted at every turn by AElfric who has his own plans for the Shroud. Clever and fast paced, this book blends historical fact with convincing fiction to weave a tale that celebrates faith and determination. Filled with unsavory characters and rapid action, readers will find this book an entertaining romp through the treacherous waters of the medieval times, cheering for the heroes and wishing a violent end to their enemies."