Essays on the Diffusion of Budget Stabilization Funds in the United States

This dissertation employs a three-essay format to study the diffusion of budget stabilization funds (BSFs) in the United States. Using an event history analysis approach, the first study examines the diffusion mechanism for BSFs. The second study conducts a text analysis to explore BSFs’ potential reinvention over time. Finally, the third study hypothesizes a federal-level BSF and provides a policy simulation to justify its fiscal feasibility. Overall, the three studies describe the diffusion of BSFs across states over eight decades by exploring their diffusion mechanism and presenting patterns in important BSF policy dimensions. In addition, the dissertation disseminates a robust dataset that can be used to advance future research on BSFs both quantitatively and qualitatively

The mean values of CTDIvol, DLP, SSDE in our study and mean values of 50^th percentile and 75^th percentile of ACR DRLs.

The mean values of CTDIvol, DLP, SSDE in our study and mean values of 50th percentile and 75th percentile of ACR DRLs.</p

Raw data for the study.

(XLS)</p

CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE in our study were all lower than the 50^th and 75^th percentiles of the ACR DRLs among groups.

CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE in our study were all lower than the 50th and 75th percentiles of the ACR DRLs among groups.</p

Comparison of the CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE with the 50^th and 75^th percentiles of ACR DRLs.

Comparison of the CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE with the 50th and 75th percentiles of ACR DRLs.</p

Comparison of CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE among different size groups.

The CTDIvol was smaller than SSDE in each subgroups.</p

Scatter plots of CTDIvol, SSDE and Dw.

The CTDIvol and SSDE increased as function of Dw.</p

Number of CT examination enrolled in this study and divided into subgroups on the basis of water-equivalent diameter(Dw), with exclusion criteria.

Number of CT examination enrolled in this study and divided into subgroups on the basis of water-equivalent diameter(Dw), with exclusion criteria.</p

Scan parameters of subjects in each group.

Scan parameters of subjects in each group.</p

Circ_KCNQ5 participates in the progression of childhood acute myeloid leukemia by enhancing the expression of RAB10 via binding to miR-622

: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is regarded as a haematological malignancy and seriously threatens the public’s health. Circular RNA (circRNA) is gradually confirmed to be involved in the development of AML. The purpose of this study was to disclose the role of circRNA Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 5 (circ_KCNQ5) in AML. : Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blot were used for expression analysis. Colony formation assay, EdU assay and MTT assay were performed to determine cell proliferation. Flow cytometry assay was conducted to determine cell apoptosis. The predicted binding relationship between miR-622 and circ_KCNQ5 or RAS oncogene family member 10 (RAB10) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. : The expression of circ_KCNQ5 was increased in bone marrow samples of childhood AML patients and AML cell lines. The knockdown of circ_KCNQ5 largely suppressed AML cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Circ_KCNQ5 directly bound to miR-622 and inhibited miR-622 expression. The cotransfection of miR-622 inhibitor reversed the effects of circ_KCNQ5 knockdown and thus recovered cell proliferation and depleted cell apoptosis. RAB10 was a target of miR-622, and circ_KCNQ5 bound to miR-622 to increase the expression of RAB10. MiR-622 restoration inhibited AML cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, while RAB10 overexpression abolished these effects. : Circ_KCNQ5 high expression was associated with childhood AML malignant development, and circ_KCNQ5 participated in AML progression by regulating the miR-622/RAB10 pathway.</p