The Incredible Edible: Protecting Businesses and Consumers in a Society of Legalized Cannabis

This Article briefly discusses the history and origin of marijuana, or more precisely the cannabis plant, before branching into an examination of its chemical properties, forms, and uses. Including a concise survey of the various effects—including adverse side effects—of cannabis use. Additionally, it provides an introduction to products liability as it relates to drugs, in general, and then more specifically to the production and distribution of edibles. It will discuss some of the dangers that edibles pose to children. The focus will be primarily on issues with the marketing and presentation of edibles that have led to unintended cannabis consumption and, subsequently, symptoms of cannabis overdose. Finally, including a discussion of the current laws and regulations in Nevada, move to the author’s thoughts on their effectiveness and adequacy from a civil liability standpoint, and conclude with a discussion of recommendations to mitigate any perceived inadequacies

Development and Human Factors Evaluation of a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training System

Auditory situation awareness (ASA) is essential for safety and survivability in military operations where many of the hazards are not immediately visible. Unfortunately, the Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) required to operate in these environments can impede auditory localization performance. Promisingly, recent studies have exhibited the plasticity of the human auditory system by demonstrating that training can improve auditory localization ability while wearing HPDs, including military Tactical Communications and Protective Systems (TCAPS). As a result, the U.S. military identified the need for a portable system capable of imparting auditory localization acquisition skills at similar levels to those demonstrated in laboratory environments. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and validate a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training (PALAT) system equipped with an improved training protocol against a proven laboratory grade system referred to as the DRILCOM system and subsequently evaluate the transfer-of-training benefit in a field environment. In Phase I, a systems decision process was used to develop a prototype PALAT system consisting of an expandable frame housing 32-loudspeakers operated by a user-controlled tablet computer capable of reproducing acoustically accurate localization cues similar to the DRILCOM system. Phase II used a within-subjects human factors experiment to validate whether the PALAT system could impart similar auditory localization training benefits as the DRILCOM system. Results showed no significant difference between the two localization training systems at each stage of training or in training rates for the open ear and with two TCAPS devices. The PALAT system also demonstrated the ability to detect differences in localization accuracy between listening conditions in the same manner as the DRILCOM system. Participant ratings indicated no perceived difference in localization training benefit but significantly preferred the PALAT system user interface which was specifically designed to improve usability features to meet requirements of a user operable system. The Phase III investigation evaluated the transfer-of-training benefit imparted by the PALAT system using a broadband stimulus to a field environment using gunshot stimulus. Training under the open ear and in-the-ear TCAPS resulted in significant differences between the trained and untrained groups from in-office pretest to in-field posttest

Development and Human Factors Evaluation of a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training System

Auditory situation awareness (ASA) is essential for safety and survivability in military operations where many of the hazards are not immediately visible. Unfortunately, the Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) required to operate in these environments can impede auditory localization performance. Promisingly, recent studies have exhibited the plasticity of the human auditory system by demonstrating that training can improve auditory localization ability while wearing HPDs, including military Tactical Communications and Protective Systems (TCAPS). As a result, the U.S. military identified the need for a portable system capable of imparting auditory localization acquisition skills at similar levels to those demonstrated in laboratory environments. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and validate a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training (PALAT) system equipped with an improved training protocol against a proven laboratory grade system referred to as the DRILCOM system and subsequently evaluate the transfer-of-training benefit in a field environment. In Phase I, a systems decision process was used to develop a prototype PALAT system consisting of an expandable frame housing 32-loudspeakers operated by a user-controlled tablet computer capable of reproducing acoustically accurate localization cues similar to the DRILCOM system. Phase II used a within-subjects human factors experiment to validate whether the PALAT system could impart similar auditory localization training benefits as the DRILCOM system. Results showed no significant difference between the two localization training systems at each stage of training or in training rates for the open ear and with two TCAPS devices. The PALAT system also demonstrated the ability to detect differences in localization accuracy between listening conditions in the same manner as the DRILCOM system. Participant ratings indicated no perceived difference in localization training benefit but significantly preferred the PALAT system user interface which was specifically designed to improve usability features to meet requirements of a user operable system. The Phase III investigation evaluated the transfer-of-training benefit imparted by the PALAT system using a broadband stimulus to a field environment using gunshot stimulus. Training under the open ear and in-the-ear TCAPS resulted in significant differences between the trained and untrained groups from in-office pretest to in-field posttest

Development and Human Factors Evaluation of a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training System

Auditory situation awareness (ASA) is essential for safety and survivability in military operations where many of the hazards are not immediately visible. Unfortunately, the Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) required to operate in these environments can impede auditory localization performance. Promisingly, recent studies have exhibited the plasticity of the human auditory system by demonstrating that training can improve auditory localization ability while wearing HPDs, including military Tactical Communications and Protective Systems (TCAPS). As a result, the U.S. military identified the need for a portable system capable of imparting auditory localization acquisition skills at similar levels to those demonstrated in laboratory environments. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and validate a Portable Auditory Localization Acclimation Training (PALAT) system equipped with an improved training protocol against a proven laboratory grade system referred to as the DRILCOM system and subsequently evaluate the transfer-of-training benefit in a field environment. In Phase I, a systems decision process was used to develop a prototype PALAT system consisting of an expandable frame housing 32-loudspeakers operated by a user-controlled tablet computer capable of reproducing acoustically accurate localization cues similar to the DRILCOM system. Phase II used a within-subjects human factors experiment to validate whether the PALAT system could impart similar auditory localization training benefits as the DRILCOM system. Results showed no significant difference between the two localization training systems at each stage of training or in training rates for the open ear and with two TCAPS devices. The PALAT system also demonstrated the ability to detect differences in localization accuracy between listening conditions in the same manner as the DRILCOM system. Participant ratings indicated no perceived difference in localization training benefit but significantly preferred the PALAT system user interface which was specifically designed to improve usability features to meet requirements of a user operable system. The Phase III investigation evaluated the transfer-of-training benefit imparted by the PALAT system using a broadband stimulus to a field environment using gunshot stimulus. Training under the open ear and in-the-ear TCAPS resulted in significant differences between the trained and untrained groups from in-office pretest to in-field posttest

Impact of Living Learning Communities on Underserved Minority Students at a Regional Comprehensive University

As access to higher education for underserved minority (USM) students has consistently increased over the past 20 years, college and university campuses across the United States have observed an achievement gap between USM students and their white counterparts (Brown, 2019; Doan, 2015; Flores, Park & Baker, 2017; Pope, 2002; Ramos; 2019). This achievement gap is acute and carries significant consequences if not addressed. As campuses seek to find solutions to close this achievement gap, it is essential to identify strategies that meet the needs of USM students instead of waiting for students to adapt to higher education and campus culture (Aries, 2008; Gross, 2017). Utilizing the theoretical framework Astin’s (1984) Theory of Student Involvement, Astin’s (1993) I-E-O Model and Critical Race Theory, this qualitative study explored the impact of living learning communities (LLCs) on the college success of underserved minority (USM) students at Southern Regional University. Through individual semi-structured interviews, this study provides insight into the lived experiences of five underserved minority USM students who live on campus and are members of an LLC and four USM students who live in campus housing but are not members of an LLC. The findings from this study suggest the benefits of living on campus, regardless of LLC participation and stress the importance of having a sense of belonging, establishing relationships with faculty or staff and self-efficacy

Rethinking the clinical vs. social reform debate: a dialectical approach to defining social work in the 21st century

There is a historical tension in social work between the clinical and social reform perspectives. The original goal for this dissertation was to offer pragmatism as a philosophical orientation that would make sense of these two seemingly disparate perspectives by explaining how they may coexist. A historical analysis of nine key social work scholars and four major social work conferences was conducted in order to better understand this historical debate. The findings were unexpected as they reveal a historical understanding of social work in which pragmatism is already present in nearly all of the conceptions of social work analyzed. Moreover, all of the major social work scholars understand social work to be dual focused, meaning that there is no divide between the clinical and social reform perspectives--social work comprises both. Conclusions and implications for social work practice, research, education and policy are discusse

Results towards a Scalable Multiphase Navier-Stokes Solver for High Reynolds Number Flows

The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations have proven formidable for nearly a century. The present difficulties are mathematical and computational in nature; the computational requirements, in particular, are exponentially exacerbated in the presence of high Reynolds number. The issues are further compounded with the introduction of markers or an immiscible fluid intended to be tracked in an ambient high Reynolds number flow; despite the overwhelming pragmatism of problems in this regime, and increasing computational efficacy, even modest problems remain outside the realm of direct approaches. Herein three approaches are presented which embody direct application to problems of this nature. An LES model based on an entropy-viscosity serves to abet the computational resolution requirements imposed by high Reynolds numbers and a one-stage compressive flux, also utilizing an entropy-viscosity, aids in accurate, efficient, conservative transport, free of low order dispersive error, of an immiscible fluid or tracer. Finally, an integral commutator and the theory of anti-dispersive spaces is introduced as a novel theoretical tool for consistency error analysis; in addition the material engenders the construction of error-correction techniques for mass lumping schemes