Optical Polarization of 52 Radio-Loud QSOs and BL Lac Objects

Polarization measurements are presented for 52 radio-loud QSOs and BL Lac objects. For 9 highly polarized (p >3%) AGN, these are the first published polarization measurements. Of these 9, 7 are highly-polarized QSOs (HPQs), one is a BL Lac object and another is a likely BL Lac object. Polarization variability is confirmed for some of these new and previously known highly-polarized AGN. While 6 of the HPQs have flat radio spectra are almost certainly blazars, PKS 1452-217 is probably a new member of the rare class of radio-loud QSOs that show high polarization by scattering, and is therefore important for testing orientation Unified Schemes. In competition for the highest redshift HPQ are the well-observed QSO PKS 0438-43 at z = 2.85, with maximum p = 4.7%, and PKS 0046-315 at z = 2.72, for which we find p = 13%.Comment: 6 pages. Astronomical Journal, in pres

Microtransactions and Gambling in the Video Game Industry

The beginning of the 21st century has had a drastic effect on the video game industry. The advent of almost universal Internet access, the release of inexpensive broadband-enabled consoles, and the availability of mobile gaming have led to game developers and publishers heavily relying on premium in-game currencies, exclusive paid items, and loot boxes to subsidize or even replace profits from traditional video game business models. By 2020, in-game purchases made up a market of $92.6B worldwide and, in the US, experienced growth of over 30%.[1] In this highly lucrative market, the legal and ethical landscape is constantly bubbling with claims of unlicensed gambling, unfair pay-to-win mechanics, and extortion of minors. In the first part of this paper, we will explore the historical context of microtransactions from the first examples to modern ubiquity. In the second half of this paper, we will examine some relevant scandals and legal cases regarding the connection between microtransactions and gambling

Perceptions of Retinal Imaging Technology for Verifying the Identity of 4-H Ruminant Animals

The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the perceptions of 4-H members and volunteers regarding the retinal imaging process as an innovative method to verify the identity of 4-H animals. Participants were surveyed to determine the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the retinal imaging process and to determine whether participants consider retinal imaging to be beneficial to the Indiana 4-H program. Retinal imaging was perceived to be an accurate and efficient method of livestock identification by both 4-H members and adult volunteers. Volunteers determined that their ability to capture a retinal image requires skill and practice

Bovine Gamma Delta T Cells Contribute to Exacerbated IL-17 Production in Response to Co-Infection with Bovine RSV and Mannheimia haemolytica

Citation: McGill, J. L., Rusk, R. A., Guerra-Maupome, M., Briggs, R. E., & Sacco, R. E. (2016). Bovine Gamma Delta T Cells Contribute to Exacerbated IL-17 Production in Response to Co-Infection with Bovine RSV and Mannheimia haemolytica. Plos One, 11(3), 20. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151083Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in children under five years of age. IL-17 and Th17 responses are increased in children infected with HRSV and have been implicated in both protective and pathogenic roles during infection. Bovine RSV (BRSV) is genetically closely related to HRSV and is a leading cause of severe respiratory infections in young cattle. While BRSV infection in the calf parallels many aspects of human infection with HRSV, IL-17 and Th17 responses have not been studied in the bovine. Here we demonstrate that calves infected with BRSV express significant levels of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22; and both CD4 T cells and Upsilon delta T cells contribute to this response. In addition to causing significant morbidity from uncomplicated infections, BRSV infection also contributes to the development of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), a leading cause of morbidity in both beef and dairy cattle. BRDC is caused by a primary viral infection, followed by secondary bacterial pneumonia by pathogens such as Mannheimia haemolytica. Here, we demonstrate that in vivo infection with M. haemolytica results in increased expression of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22. We have also developed an in vitro model of BRDC and show that co-infection of PBMC with BRSV followed by M. haemolytica leads to significantly exacerbated IL-17 production, which is primarily mediated by IL-17-producing Upsilon delta T cells. Together, our results demonstrate that calves, like humans, mount a robust IL-17 response during RSV infection; and suggest a previously unrecognized role for IL-17 and Upsilon delta T cells in the pathogenesis of BRDC

An Evaluation of Retinal Imaging Technology for 4-H Beef and Sheep Identification

The study reported here evaluated retinal imaging technology as a means of permanent identification of 4-H beef and sheep. The OptiReader» Device was used to capture digital images of 491 beef and 220 sheep during 4-H enrollment. A total of 317 beef and 159 sheep were re-imaged. The on-site visual verification rate was 96.2% for beef and 100% for sheep. A visual verification exercise showed that individuals could identify a pair of retinal images as a match 98.6 % of the time for beef. Retinal imaging is a viable method for enrolling beef and sheep

An unusual finding in a 57-year-old woman with new onset hypertension and a diastolic murmur.

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 57-year-old woman presented to our clinic with breathlessness brought on while walking uphill. She had been recently diagnosed with systemic hypertension. There was no known family history of cardiac disease, or prior smoking habit. On examination, pulse was 73 bpm and blood pressure 155/73 mm Hg, which was asymmetrical in her arms. Auscultation revealed a readily audible early diastolic murmur in the aortic area and bilateral subclavian bruits. ECG showed sinus rhythm with no abnormality. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated mild-to-moderate aortic regurgitation, and normal left ventricular size and function. The ascending aorta was mildly dilated (41 mm), with para-aortic thickening noted. Owing to the abnormal appearance of the aortic wall, cardiac MRI, and subsequently 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan was performed (figure 1). QUESTION: Which complication of the underlying disease is evident in figure 1, panel C? Aortic aneurysmAortic dissectionAortic thrombusCoronary artery aneurysmCoronary sinus fistula

Failure of -carnitine to protect mice against ammonia toxicity

Recent reports indicate that intraperitoneal administration of -carnitine protects mice from ammonia toxicity. We found that mice injected with -carnitine and subsequently challenged with ammonium acetate succumb as readily as mice injected with saline and the ammonium acetate. Mice pretreated with -carnitine exhibited higher levels of liver ammonia than the saline-pretreated control mice. The ammonia and urea levels in serum and brains were similar in two groups. Our findings are in contrast to those reported previously and therefore warrants further investigation before -carnitine can be considered as a drug to alleviate hyperammonemia in humans.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27412/1/0000446.pd