New statistical method identifes cytokines that distinguish stool microbiomes

Regressing an outcome or dependent variable onto a set of input or independent variables allows the analyst to measure associations between the two so that changes in the outcome can be described by and predicted by changes in the inputs. While there are many ways of doing this in classical statistics, where the dependent variable has certain properties (e.g., a scalar, survival time, count), little progress on regression where the dependent variable are microbiome taxa counts has been made that do not impose extremely strict conditions on the data. In this paper, we propose and apply a new regression model combining the Dirichlet-multinomial distribution with recursive partitioning providing a fully non-parametric regression model. This model, called DM-RPart, is applied to cytokine data and microbiome taxa count data and is applicable to any microbiome taxa count/metadata, is automatically fit, and intuitively interpretable. This is a model which can be applied to any microbiome or other compositional data and software (R package HMP) available through the R CRAN website

No-Cost Flu Clinics

Thousands of people go each year without access to flu vaccinations. In consideration of the current pandemic, there was a need for vaccinations in order to limit the possibility of a double pandemic. The Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), Community services is a non-profit organization that provides services that range from immunization to wellness programs. The community service department strives to connect with the community and construct programs that will assess their needs. The project consists of no-cost flu clinics working with agencies within the Monterey community. Interim is a transitional housing center for adults with mental illnesses. There was a need within this community based on the lack of access to medical support and needs. The project was performed at all three interim houses in Monterey county and open to all clients and staff at no cost. The results from the project were that the majority of the participants that were expected to attend received a flu vaccine at no-cost. These clinics were a success and it is recommended that the no-cost clinics continue to be performed

Durkheim\u27s Anomie Theory on Civic Participation

This research applies Emile Durkheim\u27s Anomie Theory to civic participation based on suicide, marriage, and divorce rates, Kiwanis Club participation, and income. The hypothesis tested is that voting would increase in states where common values and traditions are apparent and voting would decrease where common norms are less apparent. The goal of this research is to find the reasons behind voting rate variations

Raised Eyebrow Test Produces Further Head-Scratching: Punitive Damages in Ondrisek v. Hoffman, The

Ondrisek reveals that although the Eighth Circuit uses the same test as the Supreme Court, it certainly applies it differently. When comparing Ondrisek and other Eighth Circuit cases, one sees a subtle pattern that diverges from the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence. However, these differences are not yet distinct enough for the Supreme Court to have granted certiorari to resolve the inconsistencies

Recent Decisions

This case presented the district and circuit courts with the problem of how to maneuver the forum\u27s conflict of laws rules in order to apply Texas law to an injury caused by a defective product manufactured in Texas when the injury occurred on foreign soil. On a policy basis, the lower courts did make the more equitable decision in applying Texas law. Viewed under one commentator\u27s test, both lower courts were applying the law that would give the most predictable and uniform results, maintain international and interstate order, simplify the judicial task, advance the forum\u27s interest, and apply the better rule of law. These policies, however, were not articulated by the courts in the instant case. Also, the application of Texas law would fulfill the most significant relationship test of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws. The adoption of a federal choice of law rule would further the above-mentioned policies and free the federal courts from the need to apply automatically the law of an uninterested forum, and to follow blindly the Erie-Klaxon line of cases. Indeed, some writers feel that the creation of a national conflict of laws rule would not contradict Erie; to the contrary, those authors believe that Erie, far from doing away with federal common law, may have freed this interstitial body of law to develop naturally in those areas in which national interests predominate. Such national interests are found in Challoner: the injured men were American servicemen engaged in combat for the United States; the product that caused the injury had been manufactured according to government specifications and safety regulations; the injury occurred in a foreign country. As Professor Jessup ably pointed out, the Erie Doctrine should not apply in the field of foreign relations because conducting international affairs is a federal prerogative and the states of the union generally do not participate in international affairs. Neither court discussed the predominance of the federal government over the state in international affairs in their opinions; a federal choice of law rule would establish needed guidelines in this area. It should be noted that a federal conflict of laws rule is not called for by all writers. Some writers feel that the difficulties in the area stem from the very existence of conflicts rules. However, most authors agree that the need for resolution of the federal conflict of laws issue is great in the modem shrinking world. Because of the desire for predictability, uniformity, preservation of expectations of parties, simplicity of the judicial task, and protection of federal interests, a national conflict of laws rule is necessary in a commercial tort case where the injury occurs on foreign soil. Challoner does not solve this problem; however, the decision dramatically illustrates the need for the Supreme Court to adopt a federal conflict of laws rule

A study of the guidance services rendered business education students in the state of Virginia.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Ouachita junior Izzy Baughn wins award at Midwest United Nations conference

Ouachita Baptist University student Izzy Baughn, a junior communications & media/strategic communications and political science double major from Jonesboro, Ark., earned an award for Best Position Paper in the United Nations Environmental Assembly during the Midwest Model United Nations, held Feb. 23–26 in St. Louis, Mo. Ouachita’s team also earned an honorable mention award for Best Delegation. In addition to Baughn, Ouachita’s student delegation to the Model UN included Maddie Bailey, a senior political science major from Bauxite, Ark.; Caroline Derby, a junior communications & media/multimedia journalism and political science double major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; and Anna Roussel, a senior communications & media/strategic communications and political science double major from Searcy, Ark. The team represented the country of Niger

Ouachita\u27s Hickingbotham School of Business extends global AACSB accreditation

The Hickingbotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University has extended its global accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The accreditation was ratified by the AACSB international board of directors in February after a peer-review process that took place during the fall semester. The Hickingbotham School was originally accredited by AACSB in 2002. The program requires accredited universities to undergo a continuous improvement review every five years