Building a Welfare State: A Case Study of Rural Migrant Medical Insurance in Urban China.

My dissertation explores the expansion of social insurance, specifically medical insurance, for migrants, who are neither urban nor rural residents, in urban China. I investigate the factors that account for the expansion of medical insurance to this group in some localities but not others. Building upon the literature on social welfare and the logic of social welfare provision in authoritarian states, I argue that the recent adoption of urban migrant medical insurance is primarily a state centered story about leaders’ political and fiscal incentives. Migrant medical insurance programs have been adopted as a result of three factors: policy legacy, political structure, and political and fiscal incentives. Using an inductive approach to derive theory from case studies in Shanghai and Guangzhou, I argue that policy legacies matter because past policies of the command economy, the danwei system and the hukou system have created a social welfare system based on employer contributions where there are two options for expanding social welfare to migrant workers, hukou conversion and ad hoc social program expansion. Moreover, the political structure, characterized by bureaucratic negotiation between central and local governments, has created a space for variation in local policy and promoted competition between local governments. However, these first two variables are static across all localities. While they explain the broad context of social insurance expansion in China, they cannot alone explain the variation at the local level. In this regard, I argue that the cadre evaluation system and the fiscal system have created political and fiscal incentives that motivated the expansion of medical insurance to migrants as a development and revenue raising strategy. I hypothesize that local governments have used medical insurance as a way to attract skilled labor to develop their local economies because government officials have been evaluated on their ability to generate economic growth. Additionally, fiscal deficit, not fiscal surplus, has been a key factor in social policy expansion because overstretched local governments can use migrant insurance funds as extrabudgetary revenue to meet current fiscal commitments. These hypotheses are tested in a dataset of 285 prefecture-level and provincial-level cities.PHDPolitical ScienceUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97906/1/htrieu_1.pd

Evidence Gaps in Assessments of the Healthiness of Online Supermarkets Highlight the Need for New Monitoring Tools: a Systematic Review

Purpose of Review: Online grocery shopping is increasingly popular, but the extent to which these food environments encourage healthy or unhealthy purchases is unclear. This review identifies studies assessing the healthiness of real-world online supermarkets and frameworks to support future efforts. Recent Findings: A total of 18 studies were included and 17 assessed aspects of online supermarkets. Pricing and promotional strategies were commonly applied to unhealthy products, while nutrition labelling may not meet regulated requirements or support consumer decision-making. Few studies investigated the different and specific ways online supermarkets can influence consumers. One framework for comprehensively capturing the healthiness of online supermarkets was identified, particularly highlighting the various ways retailers can tailor the environment to target individuals. Summary: Comprehensive assessments of online supermarkets can identify the potential to support or undermine healthy choices and dietary patterns. Common, validated instruments to facilitate consistent analysis and comparison are needed, particularly to investigate the new opportunities the online setting offers to influence consumers

Application of AHP algorithm on power distribution of load shedding in island microgrid

This paper proposes a method of load shedding in a microgrid system operated in an Island Mode, which is disconnected with the main power grid and balanced loss of the electrical power. This proposed method calculates the minimum value of the shed power with reference to renewable energy sources such as wind power generator, solar energy and the ability to control the frequency of the generator to restore the frequency to the allowable range and reduce the amount of load that needs to be shed. Computing the load importance factor (LIF) using AHP algorithm supports to determine the order of which load to be shed. The damaged outcome of load shedding, thus, will be noticeably reduced. The experimental results of this proposed method is demonstrated by simulating on IEEE 16-Bus microgrid system with six power sources

Encouraging Dialogue around Social Issues with Latinx Students Through Literature Discussion and Culturally Relevant Literature

This teacher research study examines literature discussions with fourth and fifth grade Latinx students about books that reflect Latinx experiences. For this study, the following questions are explored (1) What social issues do students discuss in literature groups? (2) How do literary response strategies influence student dialogue? And (3) How does my theoretical frame influence my decision making as a teacher? Theories that informed the construction of the literature discussions and the decision making occurring throughout the study are examined closely. The theories intertwine and bridge education and students’ experiences as a resource in learning more about the educational setting. In this study, the discussions of students and the literature response strategies are explored as the data is analyzed to examine the student discussions around issues of immigration, family separation, borders, and so much more. The findings in this study indicate that the experiences of Latinx students are integral to the educational setting and an education that invites who they are enhances their learning experiences. Latinx students are eager for learning opportunities that invite their voices and stories. It is through the construction and assessment of the educational setting that educators can promote culturally responsive, relevant, and sustaining teaching experiences that go beyond the classroom setting. Latinx students build relationships with each other and their teachers as they engage in discussions that allow them to share and learn with each other. This study is a reminder of the crucial role teachers play in creating such powerful spaces and the value that Latinx students bring into the classroom when invited to discuss, engage, and create powerful learning experiences

Required flows for aquatic ecosystems in Ma River, Vietnam

Ecological flow requirements for the Ma River in dry season were assessed in three reaches of Ma – Buoi, Ma – Len and Ma – Chu. 5 indictor fish species was chosen based on biodiversity survey and roles of those species in aquatic ecosystem as well as local communities. Biological and hydrological data (dry season of 2016- 2017) and 35 year recorded hydrological data were collected and analyzed as input data for a physical habitat model River HYdraulic and HABitat SImulation Model – RHYHABSIM. Model results shown that the optimal flows of the reaches were very much higher compare with the minimum annual low flow - MALF. In this study, MALF7day were applied to calculate the recommended minimum flows of the three reaches. The recommended required minimum flows for Ma – Buoi, Ma – Len and Ma – Chu reaches were 51 m3/s, 49 m3/s and 61 m3/s, respectively. It must be stressed that this study only assessed whether or not there is enough habitat available for the river to sustain a healthy ecosystem

Retrospective Study Comparing Topography-Guided and Wavefront-Optimized LASIK Procedures in a Single Center

Sheri L Rowen,1 Tom Tooma,1 Ngoc Trieu,1 Brad Hall2 1Nvision Eye Centers, Newport Beach, CA, USA; 2Sengi, Penniac, NB, CanadaCorrespondence: Sheri L Rowen, Nvision Eye Centers, 4220 Von Karman &num;100, Newport Beach, CA, 92660, USA, Tel +1-877-455-9942, Email [email protected]: To compare visual outcomes of eyes that had laser refractive surgery with the Contoura Phorcides treatment plan and eyes that had laser refractive surgery with the wavefront-optimized treatment plan using the same laser.Methods: Retrospective chart review of clinical outcomes of eyes that had either Contoura with Phorcides (CP) or wavefront-optimized (WFO) corneal refractive procedures using the Wavelight EX500 (Alcon Vision, LLC). Data were collected and compared for uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refraction, change in postoperative UDVA compared to preoperative CDVA, and change in postoperative CDVA compared to preoperative CDVA.Results: Total eyes included were 348, with 227 in the CP Group and 121 in the WFO Group. Post-operatively, there was a significantly higher percentage of eyes in the CP Group that were 20/16 or better compared to the WFO Group (57%, 129 eyes, and 17%, 21 eyes, respectively; p < 0.001). The percentage of eyes that gained 1 or more Snellen lines of UDVA compared to preoperative CDVA was higher in the CP Group (47%; 107 eyes) compared to the WFO Group (12%; 14 eyes), which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Differences in refraction were statistically significant.Conclusion: Topography-guided and wavefront-optimized treatment profiles both provided excellent refractive results. A higher percentage of eyes that were treated using Contoura with Phorcides achieved 20/16 or better unaided distance vision compared to eyes receiving a wavefront-optimized treatment plan.Plain Language Summary: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a common procedure performed to reshape the cornea (transparent part of the eye) and provide clear, spectacle-free vision. There are many different technologies available for surgeons to choose a treatment plan. One of the most popular is called wavefront-optimized LASIK (WFO), which takes into account the curvature of the cornea. Recently, topography-guided LASIK treatment plans that incorporate a proprietary planning software (Contoura Phorcides) have been available that can factor in the individualized surface elevation characteristics of the cornea. The purpose of this study was to compare visual outcomes in patients that had LASIK with the Contoura Phorcides treatment plan to patients that had LASIK with the WFO treatment plan. The results of this study suggest that both treatment profiles both provided excellent refractive results. In addition, a higher percentage of eyes that were treated using Contoura with Phorcides achieved 20/16 or better unaided distance vision compared to eyes receiving a WFO treatment plan.Keywords: topography-guided LASIK, wavefront-optimized LASIK, Phorcides, Contour

Universality in odd-even harmonic generation and application in terahertz waveform sampling

Odd-even harmonics emitted from a laser-target system imprint rich, subtle information characterizing the system's dynamical asymmetry, which is desirable to decipher. In this Letter, we discover a simple universal relation between the odd-even harmonics and the asymmetry of the THz-assisted laser-atomic system -- atoms in a fundamental mid-IR laser pulse combined with a THz laser. First, we demonstrate numerically and then analytically formulize the harmonic even-to-odd ratio as a function of the THz electric field, the source of the system's asymmetry. Notably, we suggest a scaling that makes the obtained rule universal, independent of the parameters of both the fundamental pulse and atomic target. This universality facilitates us to propose a general pump-probe scheme for THz waveform sampling from the even-to-odd ratio, measurable within a conventional compact setup

Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 M7.6 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake

The 25th April 2015 M7.6 Gorkha earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in both Kathmandu and surrounding areas as well as triggering numerous, large landslides. This resulted in the loss of approximately 8600 lives. In order to learn how the impact of such events can be reduced on communities both in Nepal and elsewhere, the Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) reconnaissance mission was undertaken, aiming to look at damage patterns within the country. Passive, microtremor recordings in severely damaged areas of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as at the main seismic recording station in Kathmandu (USGS station KATNP) are used to determined preliminary shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles for each site. These profiles are converted into spectral acceleration using the input motion of the Gorkha earthquake. The results are limited, but show clear site amplification within the Siddhitol Region. The resulting ground motions exceed the design levels from the Nepalese Building Codes, indicating the need for site-specific hazard analysis and for revision of the building code to address the effect of site amplificatio