FROM PAPER TO PLASTIC BY 2002: RETAILERS' PERSPECTIVE ON ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER SYSTEMS FOR FOOD STAMPS

The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is working under the deadline of October 1, 2002, to coordinate a change from the current paper disbursement system of paper food stamps to an electronic transfer system of benefits, known as EBT. The Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been studying the effectiveness of differing vehicles for benefit dispersal since the inception of the FSP in the 1960's. The merits of a direct cash payment have been compared to those of the paper system by the USDA and an array of professional groups and research organizations. The adoption of the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system engenders a new set of questions about the effects of EBT on benefit recipients, retailers and the administering government agencies. Issues surrounding the transition from paper to plastic are still problematic for retailers in spite of the rapidly approaching deadline. National interoperability of EBT as well as fees involved with EBT operation are still points of contention for retailers. Anecdotal evidence from retailers also point to kinks in the institutional operation of EBT. Peak-loading problems with the electronic network system generate a host of undesirable consequences for benefit recipients and retailers. These problems impede the electronic system from taking advantage of the positive network effects that could arise from this new technology.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Diversidad en el contenido mineral de diferentes variedades botánicas de melón

El melón (Cucumis melo L.) es una especie con gran variabilidad intraespecífica distribuida entre sus dos subespecies, ssp. melo y ssp. agrestis. Esta diversidad se manifiesta en una enorme variedad de tipologías de fruto, fundamentales para la diversificación de mercados pero también en multitud de respuestas fisiológicas y tipologías vegetales. Además, esta diversidad puede ser utilizada para desarrollar variedades más adaptadas a los retos de la nueva agricultura, ser más eficiente y sostenible. En este sentido, conocer la capacidad de absorción y acumulación de nutrientes en diferentes variedades de melón es necesaria para diseñar programas de mejora dirigidos a incrementar la eficiencia en el aprovechamiento de los fertilizantes. En el presente trabajo se ha evaluado el contenido mineral en hojas de plantas adultas de 16 accesiones de melón representantes de los diferentes grupos botánicos cultivadas en invernadero con macetas y ciclo de verano. Dentro de la ssp. agrestis, la entrada de China ensayada fue la que mostró una mayor concentración de K (3,6%). Las entradas de melón Tendral y Amarillo, de la ssp. melo, destacaron por su baja concentración de Ca (alrededor de 1,5%), Mg (0,8%) y S (0,6%), junto con una alta concentración de K (alrededor de 4%) y P (0,9%), siendo su respuesta diferente a la de los otros tipos inodorus ensayados. Las entradas ameri, cantalupensis y reticulatus mostraron concentraciones de nutrientes similares. Los resultados mostraron que existen diferencias significativas en la concentración de minerales en hojas dentro de la especie, demostrando que existe diversidad genotípica en términos de aprovechamiento de fertilizantes. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir como punto de partida para el desarrollo de variedades adaptadas a una agricultura más sostenible

Essays on Race/Ethnic Variations in the Dynamics of Chronic Diseases Among Middle and Old Aged Americans.

This dissertation is composed of three empirical papers on ethnic disparities in chronic disease morbidity. Data come from Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants aged 51+ from 1995-2006. The first paper analyzes intra- and interpersonal differences in comorbidity burden reported by white, black and Mexican Americans. Hierarchical linear models are employed to analyze ethnic variations in temporal changes of reported comorbidities. On average, participants have nearly two chronic diseases at the baseline, which increased to almost three conditions over 11 years. Mexican Americans demonstrate lower initial levels and slower accumulation of comorbidities relative to whites. In contrast, blacks show an elevated level of comorbidity, although their rate of change decelerated over time relative to whites. The second paper examines ethnic variations in the onset of hypertension diagnosis for white, black and Mexican Americans age 51 and over. Data came from HRS respondents who report being hypertension-free at the baseline. Discrete-time survival models are used to analyze ethnic variations in the probability of developing hypertension. We find the risk of newly diagnosed hypertension increased for all participants. Relative to white and Mexican Americans, black Americans had an elevated risk of incident hypertension throughout the 11-year period of observation. These variations persisted even when differences in demographic, health and socioeconomic status were adjusted. The third paper examines the onset of new diabetes mellitus diagnosis for HRS participants. Discrete-time survival models are used to analyze ethnic variations in the probability of developing diabetes. We find the risk of newly diagnosed diabetes increased for all study participants. Relative to white and black Americans, Mexican Americans have a significantly elevated risk of diabetes. Increases in diabetes incidence for Mexican Americans persist through adjustment of demographic, health and socioeconomic status. In contrast, increases in incident risk for black Americans relative to white Americans operate largely through changes in health status. Our findings of continued racial/ethnic disparities in chronic diseases suggest there are still improvements to be made in prevention efforts aimed at older minorities. These papers highlight the importance of social/structural factors as policy levers for mitigating chronic disease burden for minorities in the U.S.Ph.D.Health Services Organization & PolicyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77913/1/anaq_1.pd

A Profile of Retirement Age Pharmacists in Illinois

Introduction: This manuscript describes the unexpected results from a routine state survey of pharmacist workforce patterns. It describes the background characteristics, practice activities, working conditions, compensation, and fringe benefits among registered Illinois pharmacists of typical retirement age (≥ 65 years old) still active in practice. Methods: A 4-page self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 500 registered pharmacists residing in Illinois in early 2013. A reminder postcard was mailed to the whole sample at two weeks from the initial correspondence. Data collection concluded three months after the initial mailing. Results: Response rate was 44.8%. Half of all respondents reported to be active in practice (n =119, 54.1%); most of these pharmacists reported working part-time (n= 92, 41.8%). Further inspection revealed that all respondents were age 65 or older. The average respondent could be characterized as a married, Caucasian male of typical retirement age. Respondents wanted significantly less time spent in medication dispensing (63.4%) and more time providing patient care services (27.5%). As expected, most work-related characteristics were significantly different between part-time and full-time respondents with one exception: there were no major differences in hourly wages observed. Conclusion: Based on data from this survey, there is a substantial number of retirement age pharmacists in Illinois who continue to practice past the age of 65. A better understanding of pharmacist retirement trends is of importance to the profession as it has potential implications for pharmacy employers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders