Georgia: Individual State Report - State-level Field Network Study of the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

This report is part of a series of 21 state and regional studies examining the rollout of the ACA. The national network -- with 36 states and 61 researchers -- is led by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the public policy research arm of the State University of New York, the Brookings Institution, and the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.According to the report, much of the reduction in Georgia's uninsured population can be attributed to the extensive education and outreach efforts that were carried out by a variety of nonprofit and community-based organizations. Many media organizations also played a role through various public information activities and their extensive coverage of the eligibility requirements, the process for signing up for coverage through the federal health insurance marketplace, and opportunities for obtaining consumer assistance with the enrollment process.Unlike many other states that embraced a more positive response to health reform, Georgia's state government did not engage in any formal education, public information, or outreach activities to assist eligible low-income households in connecting to the most appropriate health insurance plan for their needs and circumstances through the marketplace. The report concludes that while notable gains were made in extending health care coverage to the uninsured during the first two enrollment periods, given the size of Georgia's "coverage gap," further reductions in the state's uninsured population will likely depend on state officials crafting an alternative to Medicaid expansion acceptable to the state's political leadership

Experimental Consequences of Time Variations of the Fundamental Constants

We discuss the experimental consequences of hypothetical time variations of the fundamental constants. We emphasize that from a purely phenomenological point of view, only dimensionless fundamental constants have significance. Two classes of experiments are identified that give results that are essentially independent of the values of all constants. Finally, we show that experiments that are generally interpreted in terms of time variations of the dimensioned gravitional constant $G$ are better interpreted as giving limits on the variation of the dimensionless constant $\alpha_G=Gm_p^2/\hbar c$.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Finite element analysis of helicopter structures

Application of the finite element analysis is now being expanded to three dimensional analysis of mechanical components. Examples are presented for airframe, mechanical components, and composite structure calculations. Data are detailed on the increase of model size, computer usage, and the effect on reducing stress analysis costs. Future applications for use of finite element analysis for helicopter structures are projected

The Calculation of Chemical and Ionization Equilibrium in a Conventional Shock Tube Scientific Report No. 12

Calculating chemical and ionization equilibrium of plasma in conventional shock tub

Flight service evaluation of composite helicopter components

This first interim report presents the technical background for including environmental effects in the design of helicopter composite structures, and test results after approximately two year field exposure of components and panels. Composite structural components were removed from Sikorsky S-76 helicopters commercially operated in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. Fatigue tests were conducted for a graphite/epoxy tail rotor spar and static test for a graphite/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy stabilizer. Graphite/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy panels are being exposed to the outdoor environment in Stratford, Connecticut and West Palm Beach, Florida. For this reporting period the two year panels were returned, moisture measurements taken, and strength tests conducted. Results are compared with initial type certificate strengths for components and with initial laboratory coupon tests for the exposed panels. Comparisons are also presented with predicted and measured moisture contents

Flight service evaluation of composite helicopter components

An assessment of composite helicopter structures, exposed to environmental effects, after four years of commercial service is presented. This assessment is supported by test results of helicopter components and test panels which have been exposed to environmental effects since late 1979. Full scale static and fatigue tests are being conducted on composite components obtained from S-76 helicopters in commercial operations in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. Small scale tests are being conducted on coupons obtained from panels being exposed to outdoor conditions in Stratford, Connecticut and West Palm Beach, Florida. The panel layups represent S-76 components. Moisture evaluations and strength tests are being conducted, on the S-76 components and panels, over a period of eight years. Results are discussed for components and panels with up to four years of exposure

Vibrational population distributions in nonequilibrium nozzle expansion flows

Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations of the vibrational population distribution in nonequilibrium nozzle expansion flows of gas mixtures are reported. These studies were directed toward determining whether vibrational energy exchange pumping could lead to laser action on the vibrational bands of a diatomic molecule. Three different types of experiments were conducted. These showed (1) that vibrational energy was preferentially transferred from N2 to CO in supersonic nozzle flows containing these gases; (2) that under some conditions this vibrational energy exchange pumping mechanism created population inversions in the vibrational levels of CO; and (3) that at large expansion ratios the magnitude of these population inversions was sufficient to sustain lasing in the nozzle. A theoretical model was developed to calculate vibrational state population distributions in gas dynamic expansions of a mixture of diatomic gases. Although only isothermal calculations have been completed, these data indicate that population inversions are predicted for conditions similar to those obtained in the nozzle expansion flows

Introduction: The Challenge of Risk Communication in a Democratic Society

The symposium editors review key issues concerning the relationship between risk communication and public participation

Beaver Lake Numeric Chlorophyll-a and Secchi Transparency Standards, Phases II and III: Uncertainty and Trend Analysis

The objective of Phases II and III of this study were to 1) assess the variation in chl‐a and ST across multiple spatial and temporal scales in Beaver Lake in order to validate the assessment method, and 2) quantify trends in chl‐a, ST, and nutrient (total phosphorus and total nitrogen) concentrations in Beaver Lake and the major inflowing rivers to verify any potential water quality impairment