The West Wing : President as Symbol

This study examines how the character of President Bartlet is constructed on The West Wing. Fifteen episodes from October 2001 to January 2002 were taped and reviewed for this research. Real life presidential settings and presidential roles are used as a starting point for analysis. The application of these characteristics to President Bartlet describes how this character functions as a credible fictional president. Suggestions for future research are also presented

MENTORING MATTERS: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES ON CRITICAL OUTCOMES IN DOCTORAL EDUCATION

Utilizing social support as the theoretical foundation for this research, the study proposes and tests the Mentoring Relational Process Model (MRPM). The influence of support sought, relational maintenance strategies, and support obtained on the critical graduate outcomes of relational satisfaction, research self-efficacy, perceived time-todegree, and relational quality is examined. Data collected from 310 doctoral students through an online survey is used to test the MRPM. Over 50% of the variance in relational satisfaction and relational quality, respectively, is predicted by the MRPM. Research selfefficacy and perceived time-to-degree were not well-predicted by the current data

RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES ON CRITICAL OUTCOMES IN DOCTORAL EDUCATION By

Utilizing social support as the theoretical foundation for this research, the study proposes and tests the Mentoring Relational Process Model (MRPM). The influence of support sought, relational maintenance strategies, and support obtained on the critical graduate outcomes of relational satisfaction, research self-efficacy, perceived time-todegree, and relational quality is examined. Data collected from 310 doctoral students through an online survey is used to test the MRPM. Over 50 % of the variance in relational satisfaction and relational quality, respectively, is predicted by the MRPM. Research selfefficacy and perceived time-to-degree were not well-predicted by the current data

Personal impact of disability in osteoarthritis: patient, professional and public values.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability. Numerous tools are available to assess this, but they fail to place a patient value upon disability. In rheumatoid arthritis, research has shown patients have different importance values for similar disabilities, and these individual values can be used to weight disability levels, creating a measure of personal impact. OBJECTIVES: Firstly, to determine if the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) can be used as the basis for an importance value scale by assessing if it includes activities considered important by OA patients. Secondly, to determine if the weights used for the value scale should be based on population, healthcare professional or patient values. METHOD: Twenty-five OA patients, 25 healthy controls and 25 healthcare professionals rated the importance of the items on the HAQ and shortened Modified HAQ (MHAQ). Prior to completing the HAQ, patients generated a list of activities that were important to them. RESULT: The HAQ contained 69% of items that patients considered important. No items were consistently deemed unimportant by patients. There was low agreement within and between groups about the importance of the items on the HAQ and MHAQ. CONCLUSION: The HAQ is a suitable basis for a value scale for an OA disability impact score. Importance values for function differed for patients, healthcare professionals and the general population; therefore individual patient weightings need to be used. Further work is under way to validate a measure of the personal impact of disability in patients with lower limb OA. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Predictors of Online Information Seeking by International Students when Disaster Strikes Their Countries

This study explores factors influencing international students\u27 likelihood of using the Internet to seek disaster-related information should a disaster affect their countries. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two universities in America between August 1 and September 30, 2005. Two hundred twenty-nine (n = 229) students completed the self-administered questionnaires. ANOVA analyses found that respondents\u27 Internet self-efficacy had no significant impact on their intentions to seek disaster-related information on the Internet. However, respondents\u27 Internet dependency and attitude toward seeking information online were found to have a significant effect on such intentions

Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Status Report, 2004

Executive Summary: The purpose of the Kentucky Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Status Report 2004 is to describe tobacco use and policy patterns in the Commonwealth and local health department service areas from 1996 to 2003. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in Kentucky and the U.S. Kentucky leads the nation in adult cigarette smoking prevalence and spends over $1 billion dollars each year treating sick smokers. Although the Commonwealth of Kentucky is not making progress in reducing the percent of adults and pregnant women who smoke, the state is moving forward in reducing youth tobacco use, reducing youth access to tobacco products, adopting local voluntary smoke-free policies, and providing cessation programs. In just one year, the percent of smoke-free food establishments in the state increased from 39.6The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program supports local health departments in implementing comprehensive community-based programs that address the four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goals to reduce tobacco use and the associated health risks. The CDC goals are to (a) prevent initiation of tobacco use by youth and young adults; (b) promote cessation; (c) reduce exposure to secondhand smoke; and (d) identify and eliminate disparities among population groups that are disproportionately affected by tobacco use. The Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program has developed an Annual Plan that is based on the Healthy Kentuckians 2010 goals to reduce tobacco use. Since FY 2000-2002 the Kentucky General Assembly allocated$5.5 million biannually of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) monies to the Kentucky Department for Public Health for tobacco control (an average of $.60 per capita). For FY 2003,$3.1 million was allocated for tobacco control, and $2.7 million in FY 2004. The CDC recommends that Kentucky spend at least$6.42 per capita for comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco control. Since 2000, all local health departments have received funding to provide tobacco use prevention and cessation services. Prior to state MSA funding, ten local health departments received $60,000 per year from KDPH through a cooperative agreement with the CDC for comprehensive tobacco control. As of fiscal year 2004-2005, eight local health departments received additional CDC funds for tobacco prevention and cessation

The rise of vintage fashion and the vintage consumer

Amongst other factors, the current economic climate appears to have contributed to the trend of acquiring and reusing vintage clothing, accessories, and home-ware products, particularly with young consumers. The popularity of vintage has also been linked to a change in consumer attitudes towards wearing and utilizing second-hand goods. In addition to a change in attitudes, other factors that contribute to the growth of the vintage trend include a change in values, the inclusion of vintage inspirations used in current designs by fashion designers, and in the trends marketed by the forecasting sector, eco-sustainability, the media, and technology. Also vintage consumers and vintage retailers appear to share the viewpoint of the movement towards vintage fashion that has been assisted by a reaction against mass-produced fast fashion, as consumers strive for more individuality in their styling and garments. Eco-fashion and sustainable fashion ideals have emerged as solutions to the environmental issues that are currently inherent in the industry’s manufacturing processes, which have government and pressure group support. This ideal and practice complements the vintage trend phenomenon. This article explores the principal factors and the demographics of vintage consumers in the UK and their consumption habits to better understand the appeal and scope of this growing trend

Secondhand smoke and Smoke-Free Policy

Smoke-free Policy in Kentucky 2006 is designed for policymakers and community advocates who want to know more about the health effects of secondhand smoke and the effects of smoke-free laws on communities. Secondhand smoke is a toxic air contaminant. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Secondhand smoke affects nearly every organ of the body, causing heart disease, lung and other cancers, breathing disorders such as asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome. Most Kentuckians do not smoke, but at least 74% are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in public places. Comprehensive smoke-free laws protect smokers and nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Smoke-free laws significantly reduce air pollution. Workers who experience smoke-free laws have an almost immediate improvement in breathing symptoms. Lexington’s hospitality workers showed a dramatic 56% decline in hair nicotine levels in just three months after the smoke-free law took effect. The majority of workers and the public like smoke- free laws. There is no scientific evidence that smoke-free laws harm business. Currently, only 6.9% of Kentuckians are covered by comprehensive smoke- free laws. An additional 19.1% are covered by partial smoke-free laws. In these communities, some workers are protected from secondhand smoke, and the public is protected some of the time. Some schools and some workplaces have voluntarily adopted policies to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. Less than half (46.6%) of Kentucky public and private middle and high schools prohibit smoking everywhere on their campuses. Similarly, 49% of Kentucky manufacturing facilities voluntarily prohibit indoor smoking. Healthy People 2010 is a nationwide health promotion initiative grounded in science and designed to promote health and prevent illness, disability, and premature death. Is Kentucky making progress toward the Healthy People 2010 Objectives for eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke? There is some progress toward increasing the percentage of smoke-free environments at schools and workplaces; and in reducing the proportion of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke by implementing comprehensive smoke-free policies in public places