Companion forms and weight one forms

In this paper we prove the following theorem. Let L/\Q_p be a finite extension with ring of integers O_L and maximal ideal lambda. Theorem 1. Suppose that p >= 5. Suppose also that \rho:G_\Q -> GL_2(O_L) is a continuous representation satisfying the following conditions. 1. \rho ramifies at only finitely many primes. 2. \rho mod \lambda is modular and absolutely irreducible. 3. \rho is unramified at p and \rho(Frob_p) has eigenvalues \alpha and \beta with distinct reductions modulo \lambda. Then there exists a classical weight one eigenform f = \sum_{n=1}^\infty a_m(f) q^m and an embedding of \Q(a_m(f)) into L such that for almost all primes q, a_q(f)=tr(\rho(\Frob_q)). In particular \rho has finite image and for any embedding i of L in \C, the Artin L-function L(i o \rho, s) is entire.Comment: 15 pages, published version, abstract added in migratio

Digital Genesis: Computers, Evolution and Artificial Life

The application of evolution in the digital realm, with the goal of creating artificial intelligence and artificial life, has a history as long as that of the digital computer itself. We illustrate the intertwined history of these ideas, starting with the early theoretical work of John von Neumann and the pioneering experimental work of Nils Aall Barricelli. We argue that evolutionary thinking and artificial life will continue to play an integral role in the future development of the digital world.Comment: Extended abstract of talk presented at the 7th Munich-Sydney-Tilburg Philosophy of Science Conference: Evolutionary Thinking, University of Sydney, 20-22 March 2014. Presentation slides from talk available at http://www.tim-taylor.com/papers/digital-genesis-presentation.pd

03-08 "International Trade and Air Pollution: The Economic Costs of Air Emissions from Waterborne Commerce Vessels in the United States"

Although there is a burgeoning literature on the effects of international trade on the environment, relatively little work has been done on where trade most directly effects the environment: the transportation sector. This article shows how international trade is affecting criteria air pollution emissions in the United States’ shipping sector. Recent work has shown that cargo ships have been long overlooked regarding their contribution to air pollution. Indeed, ship emissions have recently been deemed “the last unregulated source of traditional air pollutants.” Air pollution from ships has a number of significant local, national, and global environmental effects. Building on past studies, we examine the economic costs of this increasing and unregulated form of environmental damage. We find that total emissions from ships are largely increasing due to the increase in foreign commerce (or international trade):

Democracy and Protectionism

Does democracy encourage free trade? It depends. Broadening the franchise involves transferring power from non-elected elites to the wider population, most of whom will be workers. The Hecksher-Ohlin-Stolper-Samuelson logic says that democratization should lead to more liberal trade policies in countries where workers stand to gain from free trade; and to more protectionist policies in countries where workers will benefit from the imposition of tariffs and quotas. We test and confirm these political economy implications of trade theory hypothesis using data on democracy, factor endowments, and protection in the late nineteenth century.

SCAVMA Teaching Award Winners

This spring at the annual awards meeting, SCAVMA presented the first annual SCAVMA Teaching Awards. Two awards were presented, one for basic sciences and one for clinical sciences. Nominees were taken from the student body and a committee from SCAVMA Executive Council narrowed the nominees down to five for each award. This year the Basic Science Award Nominees were: Dr. Donald Adams (Veterinary Anatomy), Gary Althouse (Physiology/Pharmacology), Dr. John Greve (Veterinary Pathology), Dr. Jim Roth (Veterinary Microbiology and Preventitive Medicine), and Dr. Thomas Sanderson (Diagnostic Laboratory). The Clinical Science Award Nominees were: Val Hinz, Dr. Albert Jergens, Dr. Karl Kersting, Dr. Dean Riedesel, and Dr. James Noxon. The students voted on the five nominees with juniors and seniors voting for the Clinical Science Award and all students voting for the Basic Sciences Award