The Effect of Weight on the Perception of Political Candidates

Chris Christie recently visited the famous “Wailing Wall” in Jerusalem, Israel, during his first trip abroad as governor of New Jersey. The New York Post reported on his trip with the headline “The Whale at the Wall” (Campanile 2012). Given headlines like this, it is easy to see anecdotal evidence of the stigmatization that surrounds obesity within contemporary American society. What’s more important is that these social stigmas that Americans are faced with every day are not merely surface level jokes bantered about for a cheap laugh. They are often prejudices that permeate every aspect of human life. Whether it comes to finding a date, looking for a job, or trying to be taken serious by one’s peers, weight is always a topic of concern. In an effort to understand how far entrenched these biases are in society, this thesis studies the ramifications of obesity in politics. In this thesis, I attempt to understand to what extent, if any, obesity matters in regard to candidate appearance, voters' choices, and political behavior.

Hardystonite From the Desert View Mine, California

The fluorescent mineral hardystonite is confirmed in a specimen from the Desert View Mine, California. Hardystonite had been known only from Franklin, New Jersey for over 100 years.

Does Mental Illness Affect Consumer Direction of Community-Based Care? Lessons From the Arkansas Cash and Counseling Program

Purpose: Previous research from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) in Arkansas, New Jersey, and Florida suggests that giving consumers control over their personal care greatly increases their satisfaction and improves their outlook on life. Still, some argue that consumerdirected care may not be appropriate for consumers with intellectual disabilities or mental health diagnoses. This study examined how Cash and Counseling— a new option allowing consumers to manage an individualized budget equivalent to what agencies would have spent on their care—changes the way consumers with mental health diagnoses meet their personal care needs and how that affects their wellbeing. Design and Methods: Using the Arkansas CCDE baseline and the 9-month follow-up data for individuals in the treatment and control groups, we compared and contrasted the experience of elderly consumers with and without mental health diagnoses utilizing logit regression. Results: After examining several outcome measures, including satisfaction with care arrangements and the paid caregiver’s reliability and schedule, unmet needs, and satisfaction with the relationship with paid caregivers, this study found evidence that, from the perspective of consumers, the Cash and Counseling program works well for participants with mental health diagnoses. Implications: Considering the growing need for long-term-care services and the limited resources available, a consumer-directed option makes sense, and it can be a valuable alternative for persons with mental health needs.

Periprocedural and late consequences of overlapping Cypher sirolimus-eluting stents: pooled analysis of five clinical trials

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to determine the relative safety and efficacy of multiple (> or =2) overlapping Cypher sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) (Johnson ; Johnson, New Brunswick, New Jersey). BACKGROUND: Overlapping coronary stents are common. The periprocedural and late clinical and angiographic consequences of overlapped coronary stents are not clearly defined, particularly for drug-eluting stents. METHODS: All patients enrolled into five clinical trials of the SES were analyzed. Three of these trials were prospective randomized comparisons of the SES to the bare-metal stent (BMS), and two were prospective non-randomized trials of SES-treated patients with historical controls. All clinical and angiographic outcomes in overlap-stent-treated patients were compared by stent type and with single-stent-treated patients for the same stent device. RESULTS: In all, 575 patients with stent overlap (337 SES, 238 BMS) and 1,162 patients with single stents (697 SES, 465 BMS) were analyzed. Stent overlap was associated with a greater late lumen loss in stent and more frequent angiographic restenosis regardless of stent type. Among overlap-stent-treated patients, the SES provided similar magnitude of restenosis benefit as observed for single-stent-treated patients. Overlapped SES was not associated with an increase in myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of SES overlap, when required, is both safe and efficacious in reducing restenosis with no increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction or major adverse cardiovascular events, when compared with a bare metal coronary stent prosthesis.

Factors determining the use of universal precautions by emergency department nurses

The Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the theoretical framework for examining Universal Precautions (UP) compliance factors by Emergency Department nurses. A random sample of Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) clinical nurses (n = 900) from five states (New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, and Florida), were surveyed to explore the factors related to their decision to comply with UP. Five-hundred-ninety-eight (598) useable questionnaires were analyzed. The responders were primarily female (84.9%), hospital based (94.6%), staff nurses (66.6%) who had a mean 8.5 years of emergency nursing experience. The nurses represented all levels of hospitals from rural (4.5%) to urban trauma centers (23.7%). The mean UP training hours was 3.0 (range 0-38 hours). Linear regression was used to analyze the four hypotheses. The first hypothesis evaluating perceived susceptibility and seriousness with reported UP use was not significant (p = $>$.05). Hypothesis 2 tested perceived benefits with internal and external barriers. Both perceived benefits and internal barriers as well as the overall regression were significant (F = 26.03, p = $<$0.001). Hypothesis 3 which tested modifying factors, cues to action, select demographic variables, and the main effects of the HBM with self reported UP compliance, was also significant (F = 12.39, p = $<$0.001). The additive effects were tested by use of a stepwise regression that assessed the contribution of each of the significant variables. The regression was significant (F = 12.39, p = $<$0.001) and explained 18% of the total variance. In descending order of contribution, the significant variables related to compliance were: internal barriers (t = $-$6.267; p = $<$0.001) such as the perception that because of the nature of the emergency care environment there is sometimes inadequate time to put on UP; cues to action (t = 3.195; p = 0.001) such as posted reminder signs or verbal reminders from peers; the number of Universal Precautions training hours (t = 3.667; p = $<$0.001) meaning that as the number of training hours increase so does compliance; perceived benefits (t = 3.466; p = 0.001) such as believing that UP will provide adequate barrier protection; and perceived susceptibility (t = 2.880; p = 0.004) such as feeling that they are at risk of exposure. ^

The origin of oriented lakes: evidence from the Bolivian Amazon

The presence of hundreds of rectangular and oriented lakes is one of the most striking characteristics of the Llanos de Moxos (LM) landscape in the Bolivian Amazon. Oriented lakes also occur in the Arctic coastal plains of Russia, Alaska and Canada and along the Atlantic Coastal Plain from northeast Florida to southeast New Jersey and along the coast of northeast Brazil. Many different mechanisms have been proposed for their formation. In the LM, Plafker's (1964) tectonic model, in which subsidence results from the propagation of bedrock faults through the foreland sediments, is the most accepted. However, this model has not been verified. Here, we present new results from stratigraphic transects across the borders of three rectangular and oriented lakes in the LM. A paleosol buried under mid-Holocene sediments is used as a stratigraphic marker to assess the vertical displacement of sediments on both sides of the alleged faults. Our results show that there is no vertical displacement and, therefore, that Plafker's model can be ruled out. We suggest that, among all the proposed mechanisms behind lake formation, the combined action of wind and waves is the most likely. The evidence from the LM provides new hints for the formation of oriented lakes worldwide.

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 44 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Marthe Roth (p. I 21, 313-463)

2 Briefe und 1 Lebenslauf von Max Horkheimer an Arthur Rosenberg, 1939, 1941; 2 Briefe zwischen Kurt Rosenfeld und Karl Brandt, 22.04.1937, 27.04.1937; 5 Briefe von Kurt Rosenfeld an Max Horkheimer, 1937-19378; 4 Brief und Beilage an Kurt Rosenfeld, 1937-1943; 11 Briefe zwischen Hans W. Rosenhaupt und Max Horkheimer, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1947; 4 Briefe zwischen Samuel I. Roseman und Max Horkheimer, 1939, 03.01.1940; 2 Briefe zwischen J. Rosenstock und Max Horkheimer, 15.07.1946; 2 Briefe zwischen Joseph Adolphe Rosenthal und Max Horkheimer, 09.04.1941, 08.05.1941, sowie Briefwechsel mit Sophie Ries; 2 Briefe zwischen Sophie Ries und Max Horkheimer, 08.05.1941, 11.05.1941; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Lore Woedthke, 08.05.1941; 2 Briefe zwischen Morris Rosenthal und Max Horkheimer, 01.10.1935, 04.10.1935; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an das Rosenwald Capital Outlay Fund New York, 30.01.1940; 1 Brief B. Lifschitz an Marthe Roth, 21.04.1937; 1 Brief von Chamorel et Simond an Marthe Roth, 11.06.1937; 1 Brief von F.K. Sung an Marthe Roth, 24.06.1937; 12 Briefe zwischen Marthe Roth und Max Horkheimer, Juli 1937-1938, sowie Briefwechsel mit Louis Vogt; 4 Briefe zwischen Louis Vogt und Max Horkheimer, 10.08.1937, 1937; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Dr. Rothen, 31.01.1935; 1 Umzugsmitteilung von Hans Rothmann; 2 Briefe zwischen Richard C. Rothschild und Max Horkheimer, 11.05.1940, 13.05.1940; 4 Briefe zwischen Ludwig Rothschild, Hilde Rothschild und Max Horkheimer, 1936-15.09.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen S. Rothschildt und Max Horkheimer, 23.11.1940, 29.11.1940; 4 Brief zwischen J. S. Roucek und Max Horkheimer, 1941; 1 Brief von Joseph Rovan an Max Horkheimer, 11.05.1948; 2 Brief zwischen Wilmina Rowland und Max Horkheimer, 13.03.1949, 11.04.1949; 2 Briefe zwischen dem Royal Automobile Club und Max Horkheimer, 26.08.1937, 22.09.1937; 2 Briefe zwischen Royal Motors Inc. und Max Horkheimer, 05.02.1940, 06.03.1940; 1 Beitrag von Nina Rubinstein zur Soziologie des Fremden; 1 Brief von Theodor W. Adorno an Rudd, 09.09.1940; 1 Brief von Jay Rumney an Goldstein, 18.06.1936; 20 Briefe und Beilage zwischen Jay Rumney und Max Horkheimer, 1934- 1937, 1949 sowie Briefwechsel mit D. Mitrany; 3 Briefe zwischen D. Mitrany und Max Horkheimer, 01.12.1937, 1937; 3 Briefe von Theodor W. Adorno an Dagobert D. Runes, 1941; 1 Brief und 1 Beilage von N. Waterman an Georg Rusche, 03.05.1939; 12 Briefe und Beilage zwischen Georg Rusche und Max Horkheimer, 1939-1942 sowie Briefwechsel mit N. Waterman; 1 Brief von N. Waterman an Georg Rusche, 03.04.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen N. Waterman und Max Horkheimer, 21.04.1939, 05.05.1939; 1 Brief von Ruth an Max Horkheimer;

Social and economically influenced factors associated with breast cancer treatment among blacks and whites. A qualitative study

Background: Despite the fact breast cancer mortality has declined in recent years, the mortality gap between African-American and white women continues to grow. A part of these disparities may be due to either inadequately following guideline recommended treatment or treatment delays. Although racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer treatment and mortality have been extensively documented, the mechanisms by which these disparities occur remain largely unknown. Social and economically influenced factors such as choice of providers, distance of treatment facility, transportation, health insurance, and job related factors may also contribute to racial differences in breast cancer treatment; however, these have not been explored sufficiently in previous research. ^ Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of social and economically influenced factors that may contribute to racial disparities in the receipt of guideline recommended treatment using the Health Disparities Model. ^ Methods: In this qualitative comparative case study, data from medical records, structured telephone interviews, and in-depth patient interviews explored the relationship between social and economically influenced factors and breast cancer treatment. Transcripts were analyzed using standard iterative process followed by immersion/crystallization approach. Participants were identified through rapid ascertainment from the New Jersey Cancer Registry and this study included 8 African-American and 8 white women aged 20-85 years old diagnosed with early stage breast cancer between 2003-2007, matched on age, race, and physician recommended treatment. ^ Results: We did not identify differences by race in factors that influenced the receipt of breast cancer treatment among the individual matched pairs. Four prominent themes emerged among women from both groups who experienced similar difficulties influenced by socioeconomic factors. Choice of providers, distance of facility, health insurance, and job related factors all contributed to breast cancer treatment experience among these women. Conclusions: We identified common issues influenced by socioeconomic factors and its relation with the receipt of breast cancer treatment, regardless of race. However, more research is needed to study the additional factors conveying racial differences affecting breast cancer treatment. ^

An evaluation of the centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Indicator Reporting program

Objective: This dissertation evaluated three aspects of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Indicator Reporting program (HACPOA program) to produce three journal articles for publication. ^ Methods: All payer admission records from state inpatient databases from Arizona, New Jersey and Washington states were analyzed for the year 2008. However some analyses required a sample of adult only Medicare patients in the first two studies. California's inpatient data (2004 – 2010) was also analyzed in the third study to examine the reporting and non-payment program elements' impact on the incidence of hospital acquired conditions. ^ Results: Majority diagnoses reported in inpatient prospective payment systems hospitals were present on admission. However, some diagnoses are still coded as "not present on admission" and "insufficient documentation to determine whether or not conditions are present on admission or not". This is important because it reveals that hospital complications still occur in hospitals. Hospital fall and trauma injuries were the most common hospital acquired conditions observed in this study. Predictors of hospital fall injuries include age, gender, number of diagnoses, number of procedures, number of chronic conditions while predictors of hospital trauma injuries include number of e-codes, number of diagnoses and the presence of chronic conditions on a patient's admission records. Finally, the implementation of the present on admission reporting requirement increased reports of certain hospital acquired conditions while the non-payment policy element in the Hospital Acquired Conditions program reduced the incidence of hospital fall and trauma injuries in particular. ^ Conclusion: The implementation of the Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Indicator Reporting program has made the state inpatient database a more useful source of data capable of now identifying hospital complications. The reporting and nonpayment program elements in the HACPOA program have also impacted the incidence of hospital acquired conditions. ^