Can Multimedia Tools Promote Big Data Learning and Knowledge in a Diverse Undergraduate Student Population?

Background and Purpose: Multimedia tools are an integral part of teaching and learning in today’s technology-driven world. The present study explored the role of a newly-developed video introducing the emerging field of big data to a diverse undergraduate student population. Particularly, we investigated whether introduction of a multimedia tool would influence students’ self-perceived knowledge related to various big data concepts and future interest in pursuing the field, and what factors influence these. Methods: Students (n = 331) completed a survey on-line after viewing the video, consisting of Likerttype and quantitative questions about students’ learning experience, future interest in big data, and background. The dataset was analyzed via ANOVA and multiple linear regression methods. Results: Gender, major, and intended degree were significantly associated with students’ learning experience and future interest in big data. Moreover, students who had no prior exposure to big data reported a better learning experience, although they also reported less likelihood to pursue it in the future. Conclusion: Multimedia tools may serve as an effective learning tool in introducing and creating interest in a diverse group of students related to introductory big data science concepts. Both similarities and differences were observed regarding such behaviors among different student sub-groups

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care during the Early Years of Affordable Care Act Implementation in California

Background and Purpose: Following the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance expansions, this study asks: did racial/ethnic group disparities in access to care remain? And specifically, did Latinos experience worse access to care after the ACA expansions compared to other racial/ethnic groups? Methods: Dataset: 2015 California Health Interview Survey (n=21,034; N=29,083,000). Participants: Adults, ages 18 and older, in California. Analyses: Bivariate chi-square tests and logistic multivariate regressions, including stratification by insurance. Results: Bivariate tests showed associations between racial/ethnic group and access to care. Latinos had lowest rates of having a usual source of care among uninsured (49.5%) and job-based coverage (85.2%). One-fifth of uninsured non-Latino whites (21%) report foregoing needed care. In the multivariate models, non-Latino whites had significantly higher odds of having a usual source of care (OR=1.32;

Association between Caffeine Consumption and Depression in NHANES 2009-2010

Background and Purpose: Caffeine is ubiquitous in foods, supplements, and medications and has been hypothesized to be associated with several health-related outcomes, including mental health disorders such as anxiety. We explored a possible relationship between caffeine consumption and depression using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: Data from 1,342 adult NHANES participants were included. Statistical software for complex survey sample designs was used to perform two multivariable logistic regressions with a binary indicator of depression as the dependent variable: one using dietary caffeine consumption and one using the caffeine metabolite AAMU as the independent variable. Both analyses were adjusted for gender, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and use of anti-depressants. Results: We observed a descriptive, albeit non-significant (p = 0.12), pattern of increasing odds of depression with increasing levels of the AAMU caffeine metabolite. Conclusion: Our finding of a possible association between caffeine metabolite level and depression is compelling because it is independent of self-reported caffeine consumption. Prospective studies are warranted to further explore the temporal relationship

Growth of boundary-layer streaks due to free-stream turbulence

The growth of laminar boundary-layer streaks caused by free-stream turbulence encountering a flat plate in zero-pressure-gradient conditions is investigated experimentally in a wind tunnel and numerically by solving the unsteady boundary-region equations. A comparative discussion amongst the most relevant theoretical frameworks, such as the Goldstein theory, the Taylor-Stewartson theory, the optimalgrowth theory and the Orr-Sommerfeld theory, is first presented and parallels and complimentary aspects of the theories are pointed out to justify the use of the Goldstein theory in our study. The statistical properties of the positive and negative fluctuations of the laminar streaks are discussed, showing how the total time average of the boundary-layer fluctuations masks the true character of the disturbance flow and revealing that the maximum values and the root-mean-square of positive and negative fluctuations grow downstream at the same rate. The downstream growth rate of the low-frequency disturbances and the decay rate of the high-frequency disturbances are also computed for the first time. The numerical solutions of the unsteady boundary-region equations are compared successfully with the streak profiles measured in the wind tunnel and with direct numerical simulation results available in the literatur

Maximum Allowable Heat Flux for a Submerged Horizontal Tube Bundle

For application to industrial heating of large pools by immersed heat exchangers, the socalled maximum allowable (or {open_quotes}critical{close_quotes}) heat flux is studied for unconfined tube bundles aligned horizontally in a pool without forced flow. In general, we are considering boiling after the pool reaches its saturation temperature rather than sub-cooled pool boiling which should occur during early stages of transient operation. A combination of literature review and simple approximate analysis has been used. To date our main conclusion is that estimates of q inch chf are highly uncertain for this configuration

Redox Regulation by Intrinsic Species and Extrinsic Nutrients in Normal and Cancer Cells

Cells in multicellular organisms are exposed to both endogenous oxidative stresses generated metabolically and to oxidative stresses that originate from neighboring cells and from other tissues. To protect themselves from oxidative stress, cells are equipped with reducing buffer systems (glutathione/GSH and thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase) and have developed several enzymatic mechanisms against oxidants that include catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Other major extrinsic defenses (from the diet) include ascorbic acid, β-carotene and other carotenoids, and selenium. Recent evidence indicates that in addition to their antioxidant function, several of these redox species and systems are involved in regulation of biological processes, including cellular signaling, transcription factor activity, and apoptosis in normal and cancer cells. The survival and overall well-being of the cell is dependent upon the balance between the activity and the intracellular levels of these antioxidants as well as their interaction with various regulatory factors, including Ref-1, nuclear factor-κB, and activating protein-1

Association between Types of Soda Consumption and Overall Diet Quality: Evidence from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Background and Purpose: Daily soda consumption may lead to high energy intake and poor diet quality. Although diet sodas contain no calories, they lack healthful nutrients. The study examined different types of soda consumption [regular (sugar-sweetened) sodas, diet sodas, and non-sodas] associated with overall diet quality. Methods: Cross sectional, 24-hour dietary recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2012 were utilized for the study. Majority of the participants (n = 4,427) were female (57%), adults aged 19-55 years (51%), and non-Hispanic whites (67%). Nutritional Quality Index (NQI) was calculated as an indicator of diet quality. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the significant association between types of soda consumption and NQI stratified by body mass index. Results: Regular soda drinkers had lower NQI than diet soda drinkers, but only for overweight

Association between Total Folate Intakes and Depression amongst Three Racial/Ethnic Groups

Background and Purpose: Low dietary folate intake has been associated with depression outcomes, but few studies have been reported on the association in diverse populations. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined the relationship between depression and folate intake from diet and supplementation in non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and African Americans. Methods: 3,687 adult respondents from the 2009-2010 NHANES cycle were included. Statistical methods for analyzing data from complex survey sample designs were used to assess differences by race/ethnicity in demographic, behavioral, dietary and depression variables and to assess the relationship between depression and folate, adjusting for confounding variables using multivariable logistic regression. Results: We observed significant (p < 0.01) differences by race/ethnicity for all demographic, behavioral, dietary and depression variables, except for physical activity. The relationship between dietary folate and depression significantly differed by race/ethnicity (p = 0.03), with an inverse and significant association in Hispanics only (OR= 0.25; 95% CI= 0.09 – 0.70.; p for trend = 0.02). Conclusion: These data suggest that a diet high in folate, such as from dark green leafy vegetables, may be associated with a reduced odds for depression, and specifically, Hispanics may benefit from nutrition education to potentially reduce depression in the population

Native Hawaiian Voices: Enhancing the Role of Cultural Values in Community Based Participatory Research

Following the goals of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this paper describes how Native Hawaiian values emerged as a methodology for the conduct of a study with Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California. The equitable placing of community values side by side with scientific values show that community concepts can parallel and extend CBPR premises and are more than a variable to be added in the analysis. The community partners, whose voices guide this paper, introduced the values associated with the concepts of “aloha,” “mālama,” “maihilahila,” “na„auao,” and “ano ano hua.” These concepts were employed and maintained throughout the study that assessed diet, obesity, and psychosocial factors related to food and nutrition as a cancer prevention method. We describe and examine these values in light of persistent challenges in CBPR; ensuring that the topic is a community driven issue, fair representation and data dissemination. We argue that Native Hawaiian values are touchstones that intersect in important ways with the goals of CBPR – equality, respecting each other‟s strengths and the elimination of health disparities for future generations