Research Summary The present study is an experimental evaluation of day reporting centers (DRCs) as an alternative to incarceration for medium‐ and high‐risk parolees in New Jersey. Male parolees (N = 355) were randomly assigned to a DRC condition or regular parole supervision (the Control condition) for a period of 90 days. Short‐ and long‐term outcomes were examined. The data show that DRC participants were more likely to be arrested and convicted for a new offense in the short term compared to the Control group. DRC participants’ median time to new arrest was 99 days shorter than Control group parolees; however, this difference was not significant. No differences were found between the groups in the long term. Policy Implications Parolees assigned to a DRC fare as well, and in some instances worse, than parolees on regular parole supervision. Given the relative costs associated with each form of supervision, it is not advisable to use the DRC model as an alternative to incarceration for medium‐ and high‐risk parolees.

BackgroundSocial isolation is an important determinant of all-cause mortality, with evidence suggesting an association with cancer-specific mortality as well. In this study, we examined the associations between social isolation and neighborhood poverty (independently and jointly) on cancer mortality in a population-based sample of US adults.MethodsUsing data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III; 1988–1994), NHANES III Linked Mortality File (through 2011) and 1990 Census, we estimated the relationship between social isolation and high neighborhood poverty and time-to-cancer death using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. We examined the associations of each factor independently and explored the multiplicative and additive interaction effects on cancer mortality risk and also analyzed these associations by sex.ResultsAmong 16 044 US adults with 17–23 years of follow-up, there were 1133 cancer deaths. Social isolation (HR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.54) and high neighborhood poverty (HR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08–1.60) were associated with increased risk of cancer mortality adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity; in sex-specific estimates this increase in risk was evident among females only (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.04–1.86). These associations were attenuated upon further adjustment for socioeconomic status. There was no evidence of joint effects of social isolation and high neighborhood poverty on cancer mortality overall or in the sex-stratified models.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that social isolation and higher neighborhood poverty are independently associated with increased risk of cancer mortality, although there is no evidence to support our a priori hypothesis of a joint effect.

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The minimum stimulus duration for criterion accuracy and the minimum interval between presentation of a test and presentation of a masking stimulus for criterion accuracy were determined for mildly and moderately retarded adults and normal controls of the same mental and chronological age. The procedure was replicated three times in three separate sessions. Results indicated that both retarded groups required longer stimulus durations as well as longer masking intervals for criterion accuracy than did both the mental age and the chronological age control groups. Results were interpreted as consistent with deficiencies in both iconic storage and speed of information processing in mental retardation. These deficiencies, furthermore, cannot be accounted for on the basis of low mental age.

The present study examines public knowledge and use of a sexual offender Internet registry in New Jersey. A 20-item random digit dial telephone survey of 1,016 New Jersey residents was completed to determine public awareness and use of the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry (NJSOIR). Approximately 51% of respondents reported knowledge of the NJSOIR, while 17% had accessed the site. Of those who accessed the site, 68% took some preventive measure based on the information they obtained. Logistic regression analyses demonstrate that ethnicity, education, and Internet access were associated with residents' knowledge of the NJSOIR, while sex, race, education, being the parent/caregiver of a child below 18 years of age, and access to the Internet were associated with respondents' likelihood to visit the registry website. These results suggest that an intervention that will increase public awareness of sex offender registries and provide specific preventive measures the public can take is needed.

Social integration is fundamental to health and well-being. However, few studies have explored how neighborhood contexts pattern types and levels of social integration that individuals experience. We examined how neighborhood poverty structures two dimensions of social integration: integration with neighbors and social integration more generally. Using data from the United States Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we linked study participants to percent poverty in their neighborhood of residence (N = 16,040). Social integration was assessed using a modified Social Network Index and neighborhood integration based on yearly visits with neighbors. We fit multivariate logistic regression models that accounted for the complex survey design. Living in high poverty neighborhoods was associated with lower social integration but higher visits with neighbors. Neighborhood poverty distinctly patterns social integration, demonstrating that contexts shape the extent and quality of social relationships.

Background Hypermetabolism is theorized in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We aimed to distinguish key disease-specific determinants of resting energy expenditure that can be used to create a predictive energy equation that more precisely establishes energy needs with the intent of preventing protein-energy wasting. Materials and Methods For this three-year, multi-site, cross-sectional study (N=116), eligible participants were diagnosed with CKD and on MHD for at least three months. Predictors for the model included weight, sex, age, c-reactive protein (CRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C), and serum creatinine (SCr). The outcome variable was measured resting energy expenditure (mREE). Regression modeling was used to generate predictive formulas and Bland-Altman analyses to evaluate accuracy. Results The majority were male (60.3%), black (81.0%), non-Hispanic (76.7%) and 23% were 65 years or older. After screening for multi-collinearity, the best predictive model of mREE (R2=0.67) included weight, age, sex, and CRP. Two alternative models with acceptable predictability (R2=0.66) were derived with A1C or SCr. Using Bland-Altman analyses, the Maintenance Hemodialysis Equation with CRP included had the best precision with the highest proportion of participants’ predicted energy expenditure classified as accurate (61.2%) and the lowest number of individuals with under- or over-estimation. Conclusions This study confirms disease-specific factors as key determinants of mREE in patients on MHD and provides a preliminary predictive energy equation. Further prospective research is necessary in order to test the reliability and validity of this equation across diverse populations of patients on MHD.

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