The ‘Volatile’ World of Vapor Intrusion: Understanding Vapor Intrusion Regulation and the Potential for Litigation

This article provides a conceptual overview of vapor intrusion, identifies available guidance for assessment of the vapor intrusion pathway, and examines the potential for government enforcement actions, citizen suits, and tort suits involving vapor intrusion

Evaluation of Highway Agency Approaches to Consultant Oversight for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services

Transportation is a dynamic environment with large fluctuations in workloads, reductions in workforce, hiring restrictions, among other constraints. Construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services offer a flexible strategy to reduce workloads, and to add private industry knowledge. It is beneficial for State DOTs to use their field engineering and project management areas to supervise CEI consultants. Thus, program oversight should be a major consideration in the management of CEI consultants. For this reason, the collection of processes, and procedures used to oversee CEI consultants through a literature review and an online survey was essential. The literature review of past reports and present agencies documents (request for proposals, scope of services, scope of works, etc.) uncovered the common activities used under CEI services. In addition, it allowed the organization of this information into a CEI table. This table served as a guide in the preparation of the online survey. The data obtained from the survey revealed the tools most often used and their frequency usage. The results indicate that some tools are highly used among most of the participants. In other instances, the same tools were the most selected but differed by their frequency usage. In few occurrences, the use and the frequency usage of tools was divided between always using it and never using it. The CEI function table and the results will serve as a guide in the oversight of CEI consultants, and as roadmap to implement CEI. Finally, this thesis presents a mapping of the activities of CEI services, the tools being used, the level of use and frequency usage of the tools, the user level of states (including District of Columbia), the number of CEI contracts issued, and that no relationship exists between the CEI user level of participating agencies with the tool frequency usage level. This information will allow readers to review their own procedures, tools, and policies for adequate tools to use in their own oversight programs

Lactoferrin affects the adherence and invasion of Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae in mammary epithelial cells

This research was funded by the Food Institutional Research Measure (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Ireland) Projects 06RDTMFRC437 and 06RDTMFRC445, the Irish Dairy Research Trust and the Teagasc Retooling Program under the National Development Plan. Christine Beecher was in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship.peer-reviewedStreptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae is an important causative agent of bovine mastitis worldwide. Lactoferrin is an innate immune protein that is associated with many functions including immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between lactoferrin and a clinical bovine mastitis isolate, Strep. dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae DPC5345. Initially a deliberate in vivo bovine intramammary challenge was performed with Strep. dysgalactiae DPC5345. Results demonstrated a significant difference in lactoferrin mRNA levels in milk cells between the control and infused quarters 7 h postinfusion. Milk lactoferrin levels in the Strep. dysgalactiae DPC5345 infused quarters were significantly increased compared with control quarters at 48 h postinfusion. In vitro studies demonstrated that lactoferrin had a bacteriostatic effect on the growth of Strep. dysgalactiae DPC5345 and significantly decreased the ability of the bacteria to internalize into HC-11 mammary epithelial cells. Confocal microscopy images of HC-11 cells exposed to Strep. dysgalactiae and lactoferrin further supported this effect by demonstrating reduced invasion of bacteria to HC-11 cells. The combined data suggest that a bovine immune response to Strep. dysgalactiae infection includes a significant increase in lactoferrin expression in vivo, and based on in vitro data, lactoferrin limits mammary cell invasion of this pathogen by binding to the bacteria and preventing its adherence.Irish Dairy Research TrustTeagasc Walsh Fellowship ProgrammeDepartment of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Harvesting A Blessing

The process of collectively writing the Artizein articles in this issue has come to an end. In this video you can see how we harvested the gifts of our writing collaboration. Each of us made a visual artwork that we shaped as a creative digestion of our work together. The group responded to each members’ art through written words and movement. Each member then gave a final message that gathered what emerged and touched her from the group, the blessing

Parchados : a gastronomic experience that highlights the culture of Colombia

A lo largo de los años, la comida típica colombiana ha tenido una disminución en el interés por parte de los habitantes del país, lo que ha generado que la comida no sea lo suficientemente resaltada y atractiva especialmente por los jóvenes colombianos, que se encuentran en un rango entre los 18 a los 28 años de edad (David, Quintero; 2019). La gastronomía colombiana es única y tiene una amplia variedad de platos y bebidas que cuentan una historia detrás acerca de la cultura colombiana, sin embargo no es una alternativa de preferencia para este segmento a la hora de reunirse entre amigos. Por lo que por medio de este proyecto se genera que un “parche”, de jóvenes residentes de Bogotá, se entusiasme por conocer Colombia y su diversidad cultural, por medio de una experiencia gastronómica, típica del país, en la que todos los sentidos participen de manera holística.Over the years, typical Colombian food has had a decrease in interest on the part of the country's inhabitants, which has led to the food not being sufficiently highlighted and attractive, especially by young Colombians, who are in a range between 18 to 28 years of age (David, Quintero; 2019). Colombian gastronomy is unique and has a wide variety of dishes and drinks that tell a story behind about Colombian culture, however it is not a preferred alternative for this segment when it comes to friends social reunions. Therefore, through this project, a “parche” of young residents of Bogotá is generated to be enthusiastic about knowing Colombia and its cultural diversity, through a gastronomic experience, typical of the country, in which all the senses participate. holistically.Diseñador (a) IndustrialPregrad

Desarrollo de herramientas SEO para mejorar el posicionamiento de la empresa FAVISA SAC

Hoy en día, las redes es un mecanismo de comunicación a nivel global que proporciona una gran cantidad de beneficios, como ser un buscador de mecanismos que necesitan ser utilizadas al máximo. Esto permite a todo comercio y empresa lograr y alcanzar una presencia mayor en internet. Para hacer eso, necesitas desarrollar herramientas SEO que organice todo tu contenido de forma estructurada, tareas, acciones y actividades importantes para las redes sociales sean competitivos. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo general mejorar el posicionamiento web mediante el desarrollo de herramientas SEO para la empresa FAVISA SAC, que permitirá a la empresa hacerse más conocida por internet, aumentando las posibilidades de ser encontrados sus productos y ofertas, así como mejorar el tráfico web para lograr aumentar la cantidad de visitas sobre el sitio web y redes sociales, también permitirá acrecentar el volumen de usuarios que demandan información, aumentar la probabilidad de atraer mejor publicidad digital y por último generar una mejor rentabilidad para la empresa. Para desarrollar las herramientas SEO se planteará una arquitectura robusta y se utilizará el lenguaje de programación PHP y JavaScript y la persistencia de datos MySQL. Finalmente, como resultado de la investigación se ha obtenido un incremento en un 104.15%, en el número de pedidos registrado por día, una reducción del 74.10% en el tiempo de publicación en redes sociales, decremento en un 81.68% en el tiempo de extracción de datos, un incremento del 1497.5% en el tráfico orgánico en las redes sociales de la empresa FAVISA SAC y un incremento del 50% del nivel de satisfacción de los consumidores

Open Datasheets: Machine-readable Documentation for Open Datasets and Responsible AI Assessments

This paper introduces a no-code, machine-readable documentation framework for open datasets, with a focus on responsible AI (RAI) considerations. The framework aims to improve comprehensibility, and usability of open datasets, facilitating easier discovery and use, better understanding of content and context, and evaluation of dataset quality and accuracy. The proposed framework is designed to streamline the evaluation of datasets, helping researchers, data scientists, and other open data users quickly identify datasets that meet their needs and organizational policies or regulations. The paper also discusses the implementation of the framework and provides recommendations to maximize its potential. The framework is expected to enhance the quality and reliability of data used in research and decision-making, fostering the development of more responsible and trustworthy AI systems

Testing Modality Affects Performance on the Santa Barbara Solids Test

Spatial ability is associated with performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and has been used to predict the likelihood of success in these fields (Wai, Lubinski, & Benbow, 2009). Classically, spatial ability has been assessed by tests that measure general factors of spatial ability. However, these factors may be limited in that they were not developed with individual differences or cognitive theories in mind (Cohen & Hegarty, 2012). Although traditional measures of spatial ability give insight into a person’s general spatial processing, Cohen and Hegarty (2012) point out the need for theoretically motivated spatial ability tests that specifically relate to STEM performance. There are numerous spatial ability measures in use by researchers, yet there is a need for reliable and valid spatial ability measures that are directly applicable to STEM fields. One new measure of spatial ability developed theoretically with individual differences in mind is the Santa Barbara Solids Test (SBST; Cohen & Hegarty, 2012). In the SBST, participants must imagine what the bisection of three-dimensional forms will be when cut by a two-dimensional plane. This bisection can be horizontal, vertical, or oblique, and the shape can be a simple or complex three-dimensional form. The spatial skills involved in imagining a cross-section of a form have been linked with performance in STEM courses, such as anatomy (Rochford, 1985), biology (Russell-Gebbett, 1985), geology (Kali & Orion, 1996), geometry (Pittalis & Christou, 2010), engineering (Duesbury & O’Neil, 1996), and skills such as reading x-rays and MRIs (Hegarty, Keehner, Cohen, Montello, & Lippa, 2007). The SBST has been validated with undergraduate students with a range of spatial ability scores (Cohen & Hegarty, 2012), but additional studies of the SBST are needed to replicate and expand on the findings of this promising new measure. For example, it is important to determine the effects of testing modality on performance to highlight a potential confound in future spatial ability studies. Although computerized assessments are common and offer many conveniences (e.g., fast scoring, fewer resources) compared to other testing modalities (e.g., paper-based testing), participants may experience higher perceived workload in computer-based assessments (Mayes, Sims, & Koonce, 2001) or perform differently on the same test in another modality (c.f. Noyes & Garland, 2008). The current study (n = 241) compares the SBST with a traditional measure of spatial ability, the Paper Folding Test (PFT; Ekstrom, French, Harman, & Dermen, 1976), in two testing modalities: 1) computer-based, and 2) paper-based. Results showed there was a correlation between the spatial ability measures, indicating both were tapping the same underlying construct. There was not a difference in performance between testing modalities for the PFT. However, there was a difference in performance based on testing modality for the SBST such that participants in the paper-based condition performed better than those in the computerized condition. The implications of these results are that testing modality should be a consideration for future studies involving the SBST

CD14 Works with Toll-Like Receptor 2 to Contribute to Recognition and Control of Listeria monocytogenes Infection

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling has been shown to contribute to resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection, as TLR2-deficient mice have a heightened susceptibility to infection with this organism. Because CD14 may associate with TLR2, we investigated the role of CD14 in Listeria responses. In both CD14-deficient and TLR2- deficient macrophages, nuclear factor κB translocation; CD40 and CD86; and the production of interleukin (IL)- 12, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and nitric oxide are reduced. The absence of CD14 augmented susceptibility to Listeria infection, reduced survival, and diminished bacterial clearance, as observed in TLR2-deficient mice.Compared with C57BL/6 control mice, CD14-deficient mice were observed to have a greater number of hepatic microabscesses containing abundant neutrophils, these abscesses were larger in size, and there was reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Further, mice that are both CD14 deficient and TLR2 deficient display susceptibility to infection that is comparable to that of mice deficient in either CD14 or TLR2 alone. Therefore, the present data demonstrate the role of CD14 and TLR2 in the recognition and control of Listeria infection and host resistanc