Water levels in artesian and nonartesian aquifers of Florida in 1960

The purpose of this report is to summarize the trends and fluctuations of water levels in the principal artesian and nonartesian (water-table) ground-water reservoirs or aquifers of Florida during 1960. (Document has 24 pages.

Implications of Atmospheric Differential Refraction for Adaptive Optics Observations

Many adaptive optics systems operate by measuring the distortion of the wavefront in one wavelength range and performing the scientific observations in a second, different wavelength range. One common technique is to measure wavefront distortions at wavelengths <~1 micron while operating the science instrument at wavelengths >~1 micron. The index of refraction of air decreases sharply from shorter visible wavelengths to near-infrared wavelengths. Therefore, because the adaptive optics system is measuring the wavefront distortion in one wavelength range and the science observations are performed at a different wavelength range, residual image motion occurs and the maximum exposure time before smearing of the image can be significantly limited. We demonstrate the importance of atmospheric differential refraction, present calculations to predict the effect of atmospheric differential refraction, and finally discuss the implications of atmospheric differential refraction for several current and proposed observatories.Comment: PASP, accepted 15 January 200

Prigogine and Pannenberg: Theological and Scientific Perspectives on Contingency and Irreversibility

The author demonstrates how Nobel Laureate Ilya Prigogine\'s pioneering work on dissipative structures and non-equilibrium thermodynamics might be used to answer theological questions about contingency and irreversibility that theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg posed to scientists twenty years ago. Prigogine \'s reformulation of classical dynamics and his mathematical model of irreversibility seem to corroborate Pannenberg \'s claim that natural phenomena must be both contingent and irreversible, if the Christian worldview is correct. The writings of Prigogine and Pannenberg provide an interesting example of the methodological difficulties encountered when comparing scientific and theological worldviews

A Conversation on Divine Infinity and Cantorian Set Theory

This essay is written as a drama that opens with Aristotle, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Nicholas of Cusa debating the nature and reality of infinity, introducing historical concepts such as potential, actual, and divine infinity. Georg Cantor, founder of set theory, then gives a lecture on set theory and transfinite numbers. The lecture concludes with a discussion of the theological motivations and implications of set theory and Cantor\'s absolute infinity. The paradoxes inherent in analyzing absolute infinity seem to provide a useful analogy for understanding God\'s unknowable nature and the divine relation to creation

Cash Tender Offers for Shares—A Reply to Chairman Cohen

In the past few years, the corporate takeover device of the cash tender offer has grown in frequency, and thus in importance. Concomitantly, legislation designed to sweep this relatively unregulated method of acquiring corporate control into the ambit of the SEC has been proffered. In response to the reasons which have been propounded in favor of such regulation, the author analyzes the pending legislation, appraises its likely consequences, and evaluates its objectives

LSE centre for economic performance: urban renewal and regional growth: muddled objectives and mixed progress

A new series of Election Analyses is now available from the LSE’s Centre for Economic Performance (CEP). The series will discuss the research evidence on some of the key policy battlegrounds of the 2010 General Election, including macroeconomic policy, immigration, health, education, crime, poverty and inequality, labour market policy, regional policy, energy and the environment, financial regulation and bankers’ bonuses, and foreign aid. Since 1997, the Labour government has spent considerable sums trying to narrow the gap between poor areas – neighbourhoods, cities and regions – and the rest. The latest CEP Election Analysis from the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) considers the evidence on the effects of some of these policy initiatives, with a focus on the role of ‘area-based initiatives’, which try to improve outcomes in particular areas. According to author Professor Henry Overman, the evidence suggests that progress against objectives has been mixed. This is unsurprising: the economic processes that drive differences across cities and regions of the UK are poorly understood and what evidence we do have has played little part in the formulation of policy. As a result, there is confusion about what urban and regional policy could and should try to achieve – and the parties’ positions tend to be based on belief rather than evidence

The Calgary Tanks at Dieppe

Since 1942 the Dieppe Raid has been the subject of much controversy and debate concerning its political and military background, aims, plans, execution and supposed “lessons learned.” Although historians have documented their arguments well, they have not examined accurately or in any detail the operations of The Calgary Regiment (Tank), 14 Canadian Army Tank Regiment (14 CATR), Canadian Armoured Corps. Some misunderstandings and myths concerning the tanks and men, their performance and conditions affecting their actions, must be dispelled. At this point it is worth noting that not only was 14 CATR the first Canadian armoured unit ever to go into action, it was the first time in history tanks were used in an amphibious landing, as well as the baptism of fire for the latest British equipment, such as the Tank Landing Craft (TLC), the new Churchill tank and its 6-pounder gun

Cash Tender Offers for Shares—A Reply to Chairman Cohen

In the past few years, the corporate takeover device of the cash tender offer has grown in frequency, and thus in importance. Concomitantly, legislation designed to sweep this relatively unregulated method of acquiring corporate control into the ambit of the SEC has been proffered. In response to the reasons which have been propounded in favor of such regulation, the author analyzes the pending legislation, appraises its likely consequences, and evaluates its objectives

Prigogine and Pannenberg: Theological and Scientific Perspectives on Contingency and Irreversibility

The author demonstrates how Nobel Laureate Ilya Prigogine\'s pioneering work on dissipative structures and non-equilibrium thermodynamics might be used to answer theological questions about contingency and irreversibility that theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg posed to scientists twenty years ago. Prigogine \'s reformulation of classical dynamics and his mathematical model of irreversibility seem to corroborate Pannenberg \'s claim that natural phenomena must be both contingent and irreversible, if the Christian worldview is correct. The writings of Prigogine and Pannenberg provide an interesting example of the methodological difficulties encountered when comparing scientific and theological worldviews

NHS competition: bad science or bad blogging?

Following yesterday’s post criticising the LSE research that is underpinning the drive towards competition and choice in the NHS, Henry Overman provides a defence of the research findings and questions the extent to which public understanding of the evidence has been enhanced by this exchange