Discussion of: Brownian distance covariance

Discussion on "Brownian distance covariance" by G\'{a}bor J. Sz\'{e}kely, Maria L. Rizzo [arXiv:1010.0297]Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/00-AOAS312C the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Exploring intraspecific life history patterns in sharks

Marine ecosystems compose the major source (85%) of world fisheries production (Garcia and Newton, 1997). Although only a few fish species tend to dominate fishery catches (Jennings et al., 2001), a large diversity of fishes representing varied taxonomic levels, ecological guilds, and life histories is commonly taken. Recently, 66% of global marine resources were determined to be either fully, heavily, or over-exploited (Botsford et al., 1997). Considering the current state of many fisheries, the large diversity of species taken globally, and the general lack of resources to adequately assess many stocks, it has become important to develop shortcuts that may provide methods fisheries scientists can use to determine which stocks are in danger of overexploitation and which recovery plans are appropriate when biological data are limited (Stobutzki et al., 2001)

Whispering in the Leaves

Whispering in the Leaves – An Interview with Chris Watson Dir. Nick Cope, Video/DVD Documentary on the work of Sound Recordist and Artist Chris Watson, 2008, 29’41”

In Girum (version/round 1.3, 2008) – Dir. Nick Cope: Video/DVD in collaboration with Composer Tim Howle, 6’05”. Awards: Abstracta International Abstract Cinema Exhibition, Rome, August 2009 – Honourable Mention of the Jury.

Short film/video exploring the encounter of electroacoustic music composition and moving image practice

Health Savings Accounts and High-Deductible Health Insurance Plans: Implications for Those With High Medical Costs, Low Incomes, and the Uninsured

Considers the advantages and disadvantages of health savings accounts and high-deductible health plans, including implications for people with high medical needs and for efforts to contain healthcare costs. Lists alternative cost-containment strategies

The breeding ecology and mating system of the bellbird (Athornis melanura) on Tiritiri Matangi Island : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University

A large population of Bellbirds were individually banded and monitored on Tiritiri Matangi Island in 2005 and 2006. The main aim of this research was to provide baseline breeding data from a large, stable population of Bellbirds reminiscent of pre-colonisation New Zealand. Nesting observations indicated that Bellbirds preferentially nest in Cabbage Trees on the island. Nest success was similar to recent values detected for other open nesting passerines found on the island, and has not changed since the study by Anderson & Craig (2003) undertaken in 1979. This is interesting considering that predation pressures would have been significantly alleviated since the eradication of Kiore in 1993. Breeding was found to be highly asynchronous within neighbouring territories in both 2005 and 2006. The majority of social bonds were recorded as monogamous, similar to past findings; however this research reported one case of polygynandry. In addition, regular extra pair male visits to other nests were recorded, as well as the occurrence of extra pair copulations. Parental care was undertaken by both sexes; however was largely unequal in that the female invested more in nest attendance than the male. The inequality in parental care, as well as the observed extra pair social behaviours, led to doubts over the current certainty of monogamy as the mating system in this species. The genetic analysis of paternity revealed that both males and females engage in mixed mating strategies, with 81% of offspring a result of extra pair paternity. This represents one of the highest levels of promiscuity recorded in passerines to date. The high level of sexual dimorphism coupled with the high level of promiscuity indicates the importance of genetic evidence for conclusions regarding mating systems; especially in the honeyeater species that show sexual dimorphism and hence intense sexual selection

Health Care Spending Under Reform: Less Uncompensated Care and Lower Costs to Small Employers

Estimates the implications of the House reform bill passed in 2009 for coverage distribution, cost of uncompensated care for the uninsured, and employers' net costs by firm size, and individual and family spending by income. Considers budgetary benefits

Changes to the Tax Exclusion of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums: A Potential Source of Financing for Health Reform

Examines eight options for limiting the tax exclusion of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums. Compares, by income level, estimated effects of various caps and indices on tax revenues and after-tax incomes in the first year and over ten years

Limiting the Tax Exclusion of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums: Revenue Potential and Distributional Consequences

Serious efforts to forge a budget agreement in 2013 will increase the likelihood that lawmakers will seek changes to tax provisions in order to raise revenue. The exclusion of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums and medical benefits from taxable income could be a target, since this exclusion reduced federal tax revenues by $268 billion in 2011 alone -- by far the largest federal tax expenditure. Moreover, the exclusion disproportionately subsidizes those with higher incomes. Yet proposals to change the tax exclusion of employer-sponsored insurance have provoked intense debate. This brief provides estimates of the revenue potential and distributional consequences of a new policy option. The policy analyzed here would impose a cap, or dollar limit, on the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored health coverage excluded from income and payroll taxes. The cap would be set at the 75th percentile of the sum of premiums and other medical benefits, and would be indexed, or allowed to grow over time, by a five-year average of the rate of GDP growth. The goal in choosing the level and indexing for the cap was to select a policy that would make a significant contribution to debt reduction, but would be distributionally equitable. This brief answers four critical questions related to the 75th percentile cap on the exclusion of premium and medical benefits:What are the estimated new tax revenues related to this policy in 2014 and 2014 -- 2023?How many people would pay higher taxes in each quintile of income?How much would taxes increase for those paying higher taxes?What are the characteristics of employers whose employees are likely to pay higher taxes?The evidence shows that the 75th percentile tax cap would produce$264.0 billion in new income and payroll tax revenues over the coming decade while still preserving 93 percent of the tax subsidies available under the current policy. Across all tax units, 15.7 percent would pay higher taxes under the 75th percentile cap on the exclusion of premium and medical benefits in 2014, with this share increasing to 20.0 percent by 2023. Although tax units across the entire income distribution would experience some tax increases, these increases are considerably smaller and less prevalent at lower income levels. The policy change would affect public-sector employees to a greater extent than private-sector employees. In addition, among private-sector employees, those in the financial services/real estate or professional services industries would be affected to a greater extent, while employees in other industries such as the retail industry, would be affected to a lesser extent. Establishments with a union presence have only a modestly higher share of employees with premiums above the 75th percentile premium, compared to the average across all establishments