Trends in the Health of Older Californians: Data From the 2001, 2003 and 2005 California Health Interview Surveys

Analyzes trends in the health status and use of preventive services among Californians age 65 and over by race/ethnicity, insurance type, and region. Reports rises in doctor visits and in cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and other illnesses

Progress on pricing with peering

This paper examines a simple model of how a provider ISP charges customer ISPs by assuming the provider ISP wants to maximize its revenue when customer ISPs have the possibility of setting up peering connections. It is shown that finding the optimal pricing is NP-complete, and APX-complete. Customers can respond to price in many ways, including throttling traffic as well as peering. An algorithm is studied which obtains a 1/4 approximation for a wide range of customer responses

Omniview motionless camera orientation system

A device for omnidirectional image viewing providing pan-and-tilt orientation, rotation, and magnification within a hemispherical field-of-view that utilizes no moving parts. The imaging device is based on the effect that the image from a fisheye lens, which produces a circular image of at entire hemispherical field-of-view, which can be mathematically corrected using high speed electronic circuitry. More specifically, an incoming fisheye image from any image acquisition source is captured in memory of the device, a transformation is performed for the viewing region of interest and viewing direction, and a corrected image is output as a video image signal for viewing, recording, or analysis. As a result, this device can accomplish the functions of pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom throughout a hemispherical field-of-view without the need for any mechanical mechanisms. The preferred embodiment of the image transformation device can provide corrected images at real-time rates, compatible with standard video equipment. The device can be used for any application where a conventional pan-and-tilt or orientation mechanism might be considered including inspection, monitoring, surveillance, and target acquisition

Geotechnical and Geologic Features of U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon, Utah

Provo Canyon, located in north central Utah, is known to have landslide hazards for many years. Construction to widen and straighten a 2.5-mile-long section of U.S. 189 known as the “Narrows” commenced in December 1995. This project consists of twin 300-foot-long two-lane tunnels, 3/4 million cubic yards of soil and rock excavation, 60,000 square feet of cast-in-place concrete soil nailed walls, and 90,790 square feet of mechanically stabilized embankment. During excavation for some of the cuts, landslides occurred that required remediation. Cracks were noticed near the northern portal of the tunnels which necessitated immediate stabilization. Observations during construction are presented. Immediately north of “The Narrows” section of U. S. 189 is an approximate six-mile-long segment called the Upper Provo Canyon project. The project includes a one-mile section of roadway that traverses over some landslides, known as the Hoover Slides, which have been active for at least 60 years. The Hoover Slides are within a thrust fault known as the Deer Creek thrust. From the exploration program, geotechnical and geologic features were identified which permitted the development of probable chronological events of the Hoover Slides and postulated sliding mechanisms responsible for the movements

The Reappearing Judge

This is the published version

Breaking the Boilerplate Habit in Civil Discovery

No more boilerplate in discovery requests or responses. That is the clear message of the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Inspired by that message, some judges have taken a firm stand, warning lawyers to change their ways or face serious sanctions. Will it be enough to root out practices deeply engrained in discovery culture? This Article examines the “anti boilerplate” rule changes and the cases applying them. We endorse the rule changes and applaud the judges who have spoken out. But if real change is to occur, more judges—many more judges—must join them. As judges consider how they might contribute to the cause, we offer three points of guidance. First, while boilerplate objections get the most attention, boilerplate requests are an equal part of the problem. The 2015 amendments target both. Second, we must be careful not to equate “pattern” with boilerplate. As several recent projects have shown, the use of topic-specific discovery protocols—which use carefully-crafted standard requests—can start the parties on the path to tailored, targeted, efficient, and fair discovery. Third, judges should resist using waiver as a standard sanction for boilerplate objections. When the responding party has no viable objections to make, waiver provides no deterrence against boilerplate objections. And when the discovery requests exceed the boundaries of permissible discovery, waiver can lead to the parties getting bogged down in the discovery of irrelevant matters. While judges are often reluctant to go down the path of imposing cost sanctions, in many cases that approach will supply both a more effective deterrent and a more calibrated response. The goal is worth it; reducing boilerplate in discovery is an important step toward achieving proportional discovery