The Kindergarten Rule of Sustainable Growth

The relationship between economic growth and the environment is not well understood: we have only limited understanding of the basic science involved and very limited data. Because of these difficulties it is especially important to develop a series of relatively simple theoretical models that generate stark predictions. This paper presents one such model where societies implement “the Kindergarten rule of sustainable growth.” Following the Kindergarten rule means implementing zero emission technologies in either finite time or asymptotically. The underlying simplicity of the model allows us to provide new predictions linking the path of environmental quality to pollutant characteristics (stocks vs. flows; toxics vs. irritants) and primitives of the economic system. It also provides a novel Environmental Catch-up Hypothesis.economic growth environment kuznets curve kindergarten

Pellicle ultrastructure demonstrates that Moyeria is a fossil euglenid

An earlier proposal of euglenid affinity for the acritarch Moyeria was based primarily on the pattern of bi-helical striate ornamentation as seen in scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Examination of specimens using transmission electron microscopy reveals that the ‘striae’ are actually integral components of the microfossil wall itself, corresponding to the pellicle strips of some euglenid species today. A Silurian specimen from Scotland preserves an articulated wall composed of thickened arches and thinner U-shaped interconnecting segments paralleling that seen in some modern photosynthetic euglenids. A second specimen from the Moyeria holotype section (Silurian of New York State) shows fused articulation, again compatible with some extant euglenids. This evidence is sufficient to transfer Moyeria out of the Incertae sedis group, Acritarcha, and into the Euglenida. This proposal helps establish the morphological basis for the recognition of euglenid microfossils and ultimately provides evidence of a lengthy fossil record of the eukaryotic supergroup Excavata

Wall ultrastructure of the Permian pollen grain Lueckisporites virkkiae Potonié et Klaus 1954 emend. Clarke : Evidence for botanical affinity

Permian spore–pollen assemblages are dominated by striate bisaccate pollen grains. The botanical affinity of many of these is unknown, which limits their value in ecological reconstruction and biostratigraphy. Lueckisporites virkkiae Potonié et Klaus 1954 emend. Clarke 1965 is a bitaeniate bisaccate pollen grain of uncertain botanical affinity that dominates late Permian Euramerican assemblages, but also bridges phytogeographical provinces. It is classified into three “variants,” which capture a spectrum of morphological variability, but further complicates matters by questioning whether it comprises a natural taxon. Here we report on a TEM analysis of the gross structure and wall ultrastructure of L. virkkiae variants from the upper Permian (Lopingian) of Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, UK. The variants have the same gross structure and wall ultrastructure. The exine consists of a three-layered ektexine composed of a thin tectum, an alveolate infratectum and a thin foot layer, subtended by a solid endexine. Alveolae are either small and rounded, columellate-like, or irregularly shaped, depending on whether the exine is viewed in transverse or longitudinal section. Sacci are protosaccate, with narrow and irregular, or large and voluminous, endoreticulations. Similarities in gross structure and wall ultrastructure suggest that the current taxonomic grouping is correct with the variants representing the range of variation within a single species. We suggest that the differences in morphology are subtle and attributable to harmomegarthy. Comparisons with fossil and modern conifer pollen grains suggest an affinity with conifers. Co-occurrence with the Zechstein conifer macrofossil Pseudovoltzia liebeana (Geinitz) Florin 1880 (Majonicaceae) indicates this as a possible source

Causal explanation for observed superluminal behavior of microwave propagation in free space

In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of an experiment by Mugnai and collaborators where superluminal behavior was observed in the propagation of microwaves. We suggest that what was observed can be well approximated by the motion of a superluminal X wave. Furthermore the experimental results are also explained by the so called scissor effect which occurs with the convergence of pairs of signals coming from opposite points of an annular region of the mirror and forming an interference peak on the intersection axis traveling at superluminal speed. We clarify some misunderstandings concerning this kind of electromagnetic wave propagation in vacuum.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

A sharp stability criterion for the Vlasov-Maxwell system

We consider the linear stability problem for a 3D cylindrically symmetric equilibrium of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system that describes a collisionless plasma. For an equilibrium whose distribution function decreases monotonically with the particle energy, we obtained a linear stability criterion in our previous paper. Here we prove that this criterion is sharp; that is, there would otherwise be an exponentially growing solution to the linearized system. Therefore for the class of symmetric Vlasov-Maxwell equilibria, we establish an energy principle for linear stability. We also treat the considerably simpler periodic 1.5D case. The new formulation introduced here is applicable as well to the nonrelativistic case, to other symmetries, and to general equilibria

Tracking the reflexivity of the (dis)engaged citizen: some methodological reflections

The relationship between governments and citizens in many contemporary democracies is haunted by uncertainty and sociologists face the task of listening effectively to citizens’ own reflections on this uncertain relationship. This article reflects on the qualitative methodology of a recently completed UK project which used a combination of diary and multiple interviews/ focus groups to track over a fieldwork period of up to a year citizens’ reflections on their relationship to a public world and the contribution to this of their media consumption. In particular, the article considers how the project’s multiple methods enabled multiple angles on the inevitable artificiality and performative dimension of the diary process, resulting in rich data on people’s complex reflections on the uncertain position of the contemporary citizen