Purpose: When the prevalence of physical teen dating violence (TDV) victimization is examined at the state level, significant variation exists; the prevalence ranges from 7.4% in Oklahoma and Vermont to 17.8% in Louisiana. Using U.S. states as the unit of analysis, this study sought to determine whether gender inequality is a societal level risk factor for TDV victimization. Method: Data measuring physical TDV victimization were obtained from the 2009 YRBS. To measure the level of gender inequality in each state, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) was calculated using the procedure described in the United Nations’ Human Development Report. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the association between TDV victimization, the GII, and the indicators of the GII. Results: Of the 40 states included in analyses, the GII was significantly associated with the state prevalence of both total TDV victimization (r=.323, p=.042) and female TDV victimization (r=.353, p=.026). Subsequent to removal of the outlying case of Oklahoma, the GII was also significantly associated with male TDV victimization (r=.366, p=.022). Several individual GII indicators were significantly associated with TDV victimization after removing the outlying case. Ordinary least squares regression was used to create a model for TDV victimization and gender inequality. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine societal level gender inequality as a risk factor for state level TDV victimization using nationally representative data on school youth. As policy-makers implement TDV prevention policy at the state level, further research understanding potential macro-level risk factors is particularly important.

It is suggested that people’s perceptions that they are inevitably tied to the social systems within which they operate motivate them to justify these systems. Evidence is obtained across four experimental studies using a variety of different methods. All studies test the basic proposition that increasing inevitability – that is, making a system seem either more difficult to escape or more unlikely to change – increases motivated rationalization. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate this basic phenomenon, using a known measure of system justification. Studies 3 and 4, in addition to conceptually replicating this phenomenon via different paradigms, provide support for a motivational (as opposed to purely cognitive-inferential) account, and mediational and moderational evidence for my proposed mechanism, respectively. The implications of these results – for the refinement of system justification theory – are discussed.

The thesis consists of three essays on urban economies. The first essay investigates the relationship between proximity to larger markets and wage distribution within local labor markets. In this essay I derive a theoretical spatial skill demand equation that positively links skill premiums to market access. Using data from U.S. metropolitan areas, I provide evidence that while average wages are higher in metropolitan areas with higher market access, as suggested in the existing literature, the wage differential is unequally distributed across the metropolitan workers. That is, greater access to markets is linked to relatively weaker outcomes for those at the bottom of the wage distribution.<p> The second essay examines the extent of urban sprawl with respect to the volatility of local economies. Specifically, it investigates how uncertainty over future land rents explains changes in the extent of urban sprawl. To theoretically study this relationship, I develop a theoretical model that links sprawl to shocks to changes in land development rent, among other factors. The econometric analysis draws upon panel data from U.S. metropolitan areas over the 1980-2000 censuses. To measure urban sprawl, I construct a distinctive measure that better captures the distribution of population density within metropolitan areas. Using suitable proxy that accounts for uncertainty over future land rents, I provide robust evidence confirming the theoretical prediction. That is, metropolitan areas with higher levels of uncertainty have a lower level of sprawl.<p> Finally, the third essay uses theories from urban production economics to empirically investigate the relationship between the economic performance of U.S. metropolitan areas and their respective amounts of sprawl. Specifically, this essay provides a comprehensive empirical analysis on the impact of urban sprawl on labor productivity. The main finding suggests that higher levels of urban sprawl are negatively associated with average labor productivity. Interestingly, this negative association is even stronger in smaller metropolitan areas. Still, there is evidence that the significance of the negative impact of sprawl is not homogenous across major industries.

In many mathematical problems, we are expected to compare the interesting quantities. Thus, the use of well-known inequalities will be required. Techniques of using these inequalities to solve inequality problems vary from problem to problem. In this paper, we will introduce commonly used well-known inequalities in high school mathematical contests and discuss the solving strategies for inequality problems.

In this paper we adopt a new technique combined with operator theorem to analysis linear time-varying system. This make us solve the robust control problems of linear time-varying system more easily. Also, we can apply this method to the problems of linear time-invarying system. First, we construct the operator we want to use, then apply it to the linear time-varying system. Moreover, we can apply this method to the structure singular value problem of robust control, and the result is similar with the linear time-invarying system. Then , we construct the standard control problem , and adopt linear matrix in- equality to get suboptimal controller to satisfy the robust performance we need. Finally,we use numerical method to discuss it.

For foreign spouses faced with cultural differences, low autonomy, and low local language proficiency, the internet provides them with means to breaking insulation. Via the internet, foreign spouses can obtain help and increase autonomy. This research aims to discuss 4 perspectives: (1) foreign spouses¡¦ Chinese proficiency, (2) digital divide, (3) digital inequality, and (4) the processes of their digital empowerment. The research points out that many foreign spouses cannot write Chinese characters well. Neither can they understand Chinese phonetic symbols. Therefore, foreign spouses have difficulty keying in long Chinese paragraphs; they mostly read Chinese articles on the Internet. Besides, foreign spouses sacrifice their time, place, and functions of internet use because they put priority on becoming a ¡§good wife, good mother, and good daughter-in-law.¡¨ Due to that awareness, they sacrifice digital access for their family. Most important of all, the digital divide and inequality leads to digital downward spiral. Because they lack computer and internet equipment, they cannot develop the skills needed to use computer. Because digital inequality, their skills deteriorated so that they think they have no need to buy related equipment. Foreign spouses, however, know that if they can use computer and the internet, their autonomy can be increased so that they do not have to count on their husbands for everything. Besides, the importance of the internet for the foreign spouses also influences the decision whether they buy and use the internet. If they think the internet cannot benefit them in their daily life, they would not purchase the Internet.

Besinnen sich die Historiker zurück auf eine klar konturierte Wirklichkeit oder sollten sie das zumindest tun? Das Leitwort der 47. Versammlung scheint darauf hinzudeuten. Immerhin, der Plural mildert die Härte noch etwas ab. Zuletzt war von Wirklichkeit im Rahmenthema des Frankfurter Historikertages die Rede gewesen, auch da schon in der Mehrzahl und gepaart mit dem schönen Gegenbegriff „Intentionen“. Das fiel zeitlich zusammen mit der Ablösung von Bundeskanzler KOHL durch Rot-Grün, und während die Intentionen der neuen Regierung damals ohnehin nicht allzu hoch gespannt waren, traten die Wirklichkeiten in Gestalt von Auslandseinsätzen und Globalisierungsfolgen bald umso vehementer auf den Plan.

Human enhancements will dramatically alter individuals' capabilities and lead to serious harm if unregulated. However, it is unclear how states should act to mitigate this harm. I argue that the capabilities approach provides a useful metric to determine what action states should take regarding each enhancement technology. According to the capabilities approach, states are responsible for ensuring their citizens are able to function in certain ways that are essential to human life. I consider the impact of a range of enhancements on individuals' capabilities in order to determine what actions states should take regarding each technology. I find that in order to be just and prevent harmful inequality, states will need to ensure many enhancements are available to their citizens. I also explore a range of other regulations aimed at harm prevention. Considering the impact of enhancement technologies on human capabilities, and the appropriate regulatory options for states, under the guide of the capabilities approach allows me to demonstrate that the capabilities approach can provide valuable, realistic, advice to guide public policy in response to enhancement technologies.

Like many other cities Memphis has been hit hard by the economic downturn, but unlike other cities there are several other factors which cause the existing conditions in Memphis to be even more devastating. Memphis is one of the largest majority minority cities in the country with high rates of unemployment and, extremely high rates of crime. Foreclosures have ravaged the housing stock, graduation rates are far below the state goal, there are huge disparities in income and HIV/AIDS is on the rise at alarming rates. In Memphis, these factors combine to exacerbate the existing desert of opportunity that reproduces patterns of desolation, segregation, and social and economic disparities. This report aims to investigate the socio-economic dynamics of those areas most affected by inequality in an effort to understand the correlation between various factors, identify trends within those areas and assess how the interaction of various components could have potentially detrimental effects on the overall community. / text

I investigate how women in Germany balance their professional and familial commitments given the generous welfare state support for work-family reconciliation. Drawing on interviews with 21 German mothers in white-collar occupations, I examine the cultural perceptions of working mothers, the impact of “family-friendly” policies, and women’s workplace experiences with their supervisors and colleagues. I argue that working mothers struggle to balance their work and home lives because gender inequality is still widespread in Germany, despite – and in some cases because of – this welfare state support. Women are frequently denigrated and stigmatized for being employed outside the home while raising children, and for their family status at work. Their identities as both mother and worker violate traditional understandings of femininity in Germany. Consequently, the women I interviewed feel like inadequate mothers and incompetent workers as a result of the gendered messages they receive from the state, businesses, and dominant culture. Until the responsibility for raising children and earning a living are shared equally between women and men, and the government and society support them in this endeavor, gender inequality will continue to be a central feature of our social world. / text