Quasiclassical Dynamics in a Closed Quantum System

We consider Gell-Mann and Hartle's consistent histories formulation of quantum cosmology in the interpretation in which one history, chosen randomly according to the decoherence functional probabilities, is realised from each consistent set. We show that in this interpretation, if one assumes that an observed quasiclassical structure will continue to be quasiclassical, one cannot infer that it will obey the predictions of classical or Copenhagen quantum mechanics.Comment: Published version, to appear in Phys. Rev. A. Clarificatory remarks added on interpretations outside the scope of the paper. (TeX with harvmac, 13 pages.

Selective Laser Sintering as a Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Technique

With accelerating growth and competition in today's global marketplace, manufacturers face the daunting tasks of meeting changing market needs, maintaining market share, and reasserting a technological edge. Now, more than ever, adopting new technologies is a key component in ensuring the successful outcome of new projects--and in producing longterm market success.Mechanical Engineerin

Comment on "Spacetime Information"

A recent paper by Hartle [Phys. Rev. D 51, 1800 (1995)] proposes a definition of "spacetime information" - the information available about a quantum system's boundary conditions in the various sets of decohering histories it may display - and investigates its properties. We note here that Hartle's analysis contains errors which invalidate several of the conclusions. In particular, the proof that the proposed definition agrees with the standard definition for ordinary quantum mechanics is invalid, the evaluations of the spacetime information for time-neutral generalized quantum theories and for generalized quantum theories with non-unitary evolution are incorrect, and the argument that spacetime information is conserved on spacelike surfaces in these last theories is erroneous. We show however that the proposed definition does, in fact, agree with the standard definition for ordinary quantum mechanics. Hartle's definition relies on choosing, case by case, a class of fine-grained consistent sets of histories. We supply a general definition of the relevant class of sets that agrees with Hartle's definition in the cases explicitly considered and that generalizes to other cases.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX with ReVTeX. References update

Jewish Education (Chapter 26 of The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts)

The nature of Jewish education in the first century has clear relevance for a number of issues in NT interpretation. How did Jesus learn Torah—at home, at school? Could he even read and write? Were his disciples illiterates? Could Peter or John have written letters? What sort of rabbinic training did Paul have, and did he study Greek rhetoric and use it in his letters

The WTO Law on Subsidies and Climate Change: Overcoming the Dissonance?

The worrisome rise in the number of trade disputes relating to climate change policies leaves no doubt as to the relevance of WTO law to climate change policies. Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the relationship between trade law and climate change policies is the issue of subsidies — while many climate change policies rely heavily on the use of subsidies, WTO law considers subsidies a distortive force and aspires to limit the use of such measures. This article evaluates the compatibility of several climate change programs in light of the WTO law on subsidies. It argues that the current legal framework is unsuitable for the promotion of climate change abatement objectives. This is because relevant considerations such as the urgency of the climate change problem, the many market failures embedded in climate-friendly goods and services, and the political reality currently abundant in many states, are entirely disregarded by the WTO law on subsidies. The recent Canada FIT Panel and Appellate Body Reports seem to accept this critique, and consequently present a modified approach to the interaction between the WTO law on subsidies and the climate change challenge. Another promising route of action can be found in the model reflected in an agreement recently concluded between the EU and China, in which, prima facie, the parties decided to include non-commercial considerations as relevant for their own trading relations. These two recent developments may signify a change in the approach towards the interaction between trade law and climate change, as well as a realisation that the current legal framework should be re-evaluate

Catch Shares in Action: British Columbia Integrated Groundfish Program

The British Columbia Integrated Groundfish Program (Integrated Program) is one of the most comprehensive catch share programs in the world. The multi-species program includes over 70 species, 30 of which are managed via quota, and includes all commercial fishermen targeting groundfish, regardless of gear type. The program includes a number of innovative design features such as quota set-asides, which are meant to encourage community development and incentivize positive treatment of crew. Additionally, the program requires 100% individual accountability of all catch and uses an innovative monitoring and catch accounting system to support accountability