Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform

We implement an empirical test for selection into health insurance using changes in coverage induced by the introduction of mandated health insurance in Massachusetts. Our test examines changes in the cost of the newly insured relative to those who were insured prior to the reform. We find that counties with larger increases in insurance coverage over the reform period face the smallest increase in average hospital costs for the insured population, consistent with adverse selection into insurance before the reform. Additional results, incorporating cross-state variation and data on health measures, provide further evidence for adverse selection.

Health Reform, Health Insurance, and Selection: Estimating Selection into Health Insurance Using the Massachusetts Health Reform

We implement an empirical test for selection into health insurance using changes in coverage induced by the introduction of mandated health insurance in Massachusetts. Our test examines changes in the cost of the newly insured relative to those who were insured prior to the reform. We find that counties with larger increases in insurance coverage over the reform period face the smallest increase in average hospital costs for the insured population, consistent with adverse selection into insurance before the reform. Additional results, incorporating cross-state variation and data on health measures, provide further evidence for adverse selection.Adverse selection, Massachusetts, Health reform

Effect of type of otolith and preparation technique on age estimation of larval and juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Otoliths of larval and juvenile fish provide a record of age, size, growth, and development (Campana and Neilson, 1985; Thorrold and Hare, 2002). However, determining the time of first increment formation in otoliths (Campana, 2001) and assessing the accuracy (deviation from real age) and precision (repeatability of increment counts from the same otolith) of increment counts are prerequisites for using otoliths to study the life history of fish (Campana and Moksness, 1991). For most fish species, first increment deposition occurs either at hatching, a day after hatching, or after first feeding and yolksac absorption (Jones, 1986; Thorrold and Hare, 2002). Increment deposition before hatching also occurs (Barkmann and Beck, 1976; Radtke and Dean, 1982). If first increment deposition does not occur at hatching, the standard procedure is to add a predetermined number to increment counts to estimate fish age (Campana and Neilson, 1985)

A particle astrophysics magnet facility: ASTROMAG

The primary scientific objectives of ASTROMAG are to: examine cosmological models by searching for antimatter and dark matter candidates; study the origin and evolution of matter in the galaxy by direct sampling of galactic matter; and study the origin and acceleration of the relativistic particle plasma in the galaxy and its effects on the dynamics and evolution of the galaxy. These general scientific objectives will be met by ASTROMAG with particle detection instruments designed to make the following observations: search, for anti-nuclei of helium and heavier element; measure the spectra of anti-protons and positrons; measure the isotopic composition of cosmic ray nuclei at energies of several GeV/amu; and measure the energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei to very high energies

OCEANIC FLUXES FROM PROGLACIAL AND DEGLACIAL WATERSHEDS IN WESTERN GREENLAND

Weathering in western Greenland occurs in two distinct environments: proglacial watersheds that extend from the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) and derive water from ice melt, and deglacial watersheds that develop on terrains unconnected to the GIS and derive water from annual precipitation. Proglacial and deglacial watersheds currently provide equal amounts of runoff in western Greenland. These watersheds may contribute different solute fluxes to the oceans depending on exposure age, climate, and weathering environment. We test this hypothesis by comparing chemical compositions of streams in four deglacial watersheds (Sisimiut, Nerumaq, Qorlortoq, Kangerlussuaq) and one proglacial watershed (Watson River Akuliarusiarsuup Kuua River; AKR) along a ~160 km transect from the coast to the GIS. Recent work found that weathering reactions in the deglacial watersheds shift from being dominated by carbonate dissolution inland to sulfide oxidation near the coast. Silicate weathering, based on increased Si, Na and K concentrations, is a minor source of solutes to deglacial streams and is less extensive near the GIS than the coast, where older moraines experience greater precipitation. In general, specific conductivity (SpC: 48-301 μS/cm) and pH (7.0-8.2) increase inland as precipitation decreases and fresh mineral surfaces become more common. The AKR, in contrast, has lower average SpC (11.9 uS/cm) and pH (6.86) than the deglacial streams. Low SpC reflects dilution by ice melt and short residence time of water in the subglacial system. Proglacial flow is enriched in Si compared to deglacial flow particularly near headwaters, indicating higher silicate weathering rates in the pro- and sub-glacial systems. Low pH values indicate: 1) equilibration with atmospheric CO2 in the supraglacial system near headwaters, and 2) acid production generated by sulfide oxidation in the hyporheic zone identified by elevated SO4 concentrations. However, Ca, Mg and HCO3 are the dominant ions over the length of the AKR indicating that dissolution of carbonate is the predominant form of weathering. Our results indicate the two types of watersheds provide distinct fluxes of solutes to the oceans that are likely to change as ice sheets retreat and advance with changing climate