Geochemistry, petrogenesis and tectonic setting of ophiolites and mafic-ultramafic complexes in the Northeastern Aegean Region

In this study two ophiolites and a mafic-ultramafic complexes of the northeastern Aegean Sea, Greece, have been investigated to re-evaluate their petrogenetic evolution and tectonic setting. These complexes are: the mafic-ultramafic complex of Lesvos Island and the ophiolites of Samothraki Island and the Evros area. In order to examine these complexes in detail whole-rock major- and trace-elements as well as Sr and Nd isotopes, and minerals were analysed and U-Pb SHRIMP ages on zircons were determined. The mafic-ultramafic complex of Lesvos Island consists of mantle peridotite thrusted over a tectonic mélange containing metasediments, metabasalts and a few metagabbros. This succession had previously been interpreted as an ophiolite of Late Jurassic age. The new field and geochemical data allow a reinterpretation of this complex as representing an incipient continental rift setting that led to the subsequent formation of the Meliata-Maliac-Vardar branches of Neotethys in Upper Permian times (253 ± 6 Ma) and the term “Lesvos ophiolite” should be abandoned. With proceeding subduction and closure of the Maliac Ocean in Late Jurassic times (155 Ma) the Lesvos mafic-ultramafic complex was obducted. Zircon ages of 777, 539 and 338 Ma from a gabbro strongly suggest inheritance from the intruded basement and correspond to ages of distinct terranes recently recognized in the Hellenides (e.g. Florina terrane). Geochemical similar complexes which contain rift associations with Permo-Triassic ages can be found elsewhere in Greece and Turkey, namely the Teke Dere Thrust Sheet below the Lycian Nappes (SW Turkey), the Pindos subophiolitic mélange (W Greece), the Volcanosedimentary Complex on Central Evia Island (Greece) and the Karakaya Complex (NW Turkey). This infers that the rift-related rocks from Lesvos belong to an important Permo-Triassic rifting episode in the eastern Mediterranean. The ‘in-situ’ ophiolite of Samothraki Island comprises gabbros, sparse dykes and basalt flows as well as pillows cut by late dolerite dykes and had conventionally been interpreted as having formed in an ensialic back-arc basin. The results of this study revealed that none of the basalts and dolerites resemble mid-ocean ridge or back-arc basin basalts thus suggesting that the Samothraki ophiolite cannot represent mature back-arc basin crust. The age of the complex is regarded to be 160 ± 5 Ma (i.e. Oxfordian; early Upper Jurassic), which precludes any correlation with the Lesvos mafic-ultramafic complex further south (253 ± 6 Ma; Upper Permian). Restoration of the block configuration in NE Greece, before extensional collapse of the Hellenic hinterland and exhumation of the Rhodope Metamorphic Core Complex (mid-Eocene to mid-Miocene), results in a continuous ophiolite belt from Guevgueli in the NW to Samothraki in the SE, thus assigning the latter to the Innermost Hellenic Ophiolite Belt. In view of the data of this study, the Samothraki ophiolite represents a rift propagation of the Sithonia ophiolite spreading ridge into the Chortiatis calc-alkaline arc. The ophiolite of the Evros area consists of a plutonic sequence comprising cumulate and non-cumulate gabbros with plagiogranite veins, and an extrusive sequence of basalt dykes, massive and pillow lavas as well as pyroclastic rocks. Furthermore, in the Rhodope Massif tectonic lenses of harzburgites and dunites can be found. All rocks are spatially separated. The analytical results of this study revealed an intra-oceanic island arc setting for the Evros ophiolitic rocks. During late Middle Jurassic times (169 ± 2 Ma) an intra-oceanic arc has developed above a northwards directed intra-oceanic subduction zone of the Vardar Ocean in front of the Rhodope Massif. The boninitic, island arc tholeiitic and calc-alkaline rocks reflect the evolution of the Evros island arc. The obduction of the ophiolitic rocks onto the Rhodope basement margin took place during closure of the Vardar ocean basins. The harzburgites and dunites of the Rhodope Massif are strongly depleted and resemble harzburgites from recent oceanic island arcs. After melt extraction they underwent enrichment processes by percolating melts and fluids from the subducted slab. The relationship of the peridotites and the Evros ophiolite is still ambiguous, but the stratigraphic positions of the peridotites and the ophiolitic rocks indicate separated origin. The harzburgites and dunites most probably represent remnants of the mantle wedge of the island arc of the Rhodope terrane formed above subducted slab of the Nestos Ocean in late Middle Jurassic times. During collision of the Thracia terrane with the Rhodope terrane thrusting of the Rhodope terrane onto the Thracia terrane took place, whereas the harzburgites and dunites were pushed between the two terranes now cropping out on top of the Thracia terrane of the Rhodope Massif.

Carbonate conical mounds of the eastern Anti-Atlas(Morocco) and their relationship with potential analogues on Mars

Longstanding debates concerning the origin of the Kess Kess Emsian carbonate mounds exposed at Hamar Laghdad Ridge (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco) centre around the processes that induced precipitation of carbonate mud and the preservation of steep morphologies. Although in the last years an origin related to hydrothermalism seemed to be more likely, to date the Kess Kess are still considered controversial vent deposits. This study combines in updated research review information from previous work and new detailed field observations coupled with new analytical results to define a consistent framework and some new insight of current knowledge about the origin of these mounds. We obtain a complete minero-petrographic and palaeobiological data set and a detailed geochemical characterization of the different lithologies and facies of the Hamar Laghdad stratigraphic succession, including mounds, and we compared the results with the data from Maïder Basin mounds (Anti-Atlas, Morocco). Our data support the hydrothermal model proposed for the genesis and development of the Kess Kess mounds. The mechanisms linked to the mounds formation and growth are discussed in the light of the new finding of fluid-sediment interaction within a scenario driven by late magmatic fluids circulation. Conical mounds and other fluids related morphologies were also reported from Crommelin crater area (Arabia Terra, Mars). These mounds consist in meter-sized conical buildups hosted in the Equatorial Layered Deposits (ELDs) deposed during a regional groundwater fluid upwelling. Geometries and geological conditions that might have controlled the development of such morphologies were discussed. According to our data the morphological and stratigraphical characteristics of Crommelin area mounds are most consistent with a formation by fluids advection. Then we compare terrestrial and Martian data and examine the geological settings of hydrothermal mound occurrences on Earth in order to describe potential target areas for hydrothermal structures on Mars.

Epidemiology and population genetics of Podosphaera fusca and Golovinomyces orontii, causal agents of cucurbit powdery mildew

In 2010, 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, the occurrence of the ascomycetes Podosphaera fusca and Golovinomyces orontii, causal agents of powdery mildew disease, was monitored on cultivated cucurbits located in Bologna and Mantua provinces to determine the epidemiology of the species. To identify the pathogens, both morphological and molecular identifications were performed on infected leaf samples and a Multiplex-PCR was performed to identify the mating type genes of P. fusca isolates. The investigations indicated a temporal succession of the two species with the earlier infections caused by G. orontii, that seems to be the predominant species till the middle of July when it progressively disappears and P. fusca becomes the main species infecting cucurbits till the end of October. The temporal variation is likely due to the different overwintering strategies of the two species instead of climatic conditions. Only chasmothecia of P. fusca were recorded and mating type alleles ratio tended to be 1:1. Considering that only chasmothecia of P. fusca were found, molecular-genetic analysis were carried out to find some evidence of recombination within this species by MLST and AFLP methods. Surprisingly, no variations were observed within isolates for the 8 MLST markers used. According to this result, AFLP analysis showed a high similarity within isolates, with SM similarity coefficient ranging between 0.91-1.00 and also, sequencing of 12 polymorphic bands revealed identity to some gene involved in mutation and selection. The results suggest that populations of P. fusca are likely to be a clonal population with some differences among isolates probably due to agricultural practices such as fungicides treatments and cultivated hosts. Therefore, asexual reproduction, producing a lot of fungal biomass that can be easily transported by wind, is the most common and useful way to the spread and colonization of the pathogen.

Understanding of stuck fermentations : investigations on the relationship between the microbial diversity and chemical composition of must

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, mehr Informationen über unkonventionelle Gründe für Gärstockungen zu gewinnen und neue Wege zu finden, diese zu überwinden. Mikrobielle Sukzession und die chemische Zusammensetzung bei der Gärung wurden in zwei aufeinander folgenden Jahren in einem Weingut von der oberen Mosel in Deutschland studiert. Es gab keinen Hinweis darauf, dass die isolierten Bakterienspezies oder chemischen Komponenten von Most und Jungwein an schleppenden oder stockenden Gärungen beteiligt waren. Ferner konnte während dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass Saccharomyces bayanus die dominierende Weinhefe in diesem Weingut war statt der klassischen und bekannten Weinhefe Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Während der Gärstockung konnte ein Dreifach-Hybrid Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces kudriavzevii x Saccharomyces bayanus wachsen, Saccharomyces bayanus ersetzen und die Gärung beenden. Beide isolierten Hefestämme Saccharomyces bayanus Stamm HL 77 und der Dreifach-Hybrid Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces kudriavzevii x Saccharomyces bayanus Stamm HL 78 konnten Glucose und Fructose von Anfang an verwerten und konnten bei niedrigen Temperaturen von 15 °C und in der Abwesenheit von Hefe-verwertbarem Stickstoff in Form von Ammonium wachsen, solange Aminosäuren im Medium vorhanden waren, im Gegensatz zu einer kommerziellen Saccharomyces cerevisiae-Starterkultur. Chemische Untersuchungen ergaben, dass Hefe-verwertbarer Stickstoff in dem kooperierenden Weingut mit einem Maximum von 160 mg/l zu Beginn der Gärung vorhanden war und auf 40 mg/L verringert war nach zwei Wochen. Aus diesem Grund sind beide isolierten Hefestämme interessant als Starterkulturen in diesem Weingut und dies kann neben der niedrigen Temperatur im Keller auch ein Grund sein, warum Saccharomyces cerevisiae nicht die dominierende Weinhefe in diesem Fall ist. Der Dreifach-Hybrid Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces kudriavzevii x Saccharomyces bayanus Stamm HL 78 ist in der Lage, Fructose noch effizienter zu nutzen als Saccharomyces bayanus Stamm HL 77 und ist weniger abhängig von der Aminosäurekonzentration. Dieser Stamm wurde bereits erfolgreich bei diesem Projekt eingesetzt, um eine Gärstockung in dem kooperierenden Weingut zu beheben. Es ist bekannt, dass Saccharomyces-Hybride in der Weinherstellung vorkommen aber ihre Rolle bei der Überwindung von Gärstockungen wurde bisher noch nicht beschrieben. Diese Ergebnisse sind nützlich, um Gärstockungen zu vermeiden oder zu überwinden mit der selektiven Verwendung dieser Hefestämme in verschiedenen Stadien der Gärung. Das kooperierende Weingut, welches im oberen Qualitätssegment platziert ist, hatte jedes Jahr Probleme mit Gärstockungen. Daher ist die Anwendung der Dreifach-Hybriden Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces kudriavzevii x Saccharomyces bayanus Stamm HL 78 eine große Chance, Gärstockungen und finanzielle Verluste ohne kommerzielle Starterkulturen oder andere übliche Praktiken, die zu einer Veränderung des Aromaprofils führen können, zu vermeiden. Die beschriebenen Untersuchungen stellen ein Modell dar, um Gärstockungen auch in anderen Weingütern, die Spontangärungen anwenden, zu überwinden.

Active Translation into English and Italian of Hosseini's adaptation of the Persian epic,"Shahname"

This thesis proposes a translation from Persian into Italian and English of an ancient Persian epic called Shahname, or literally “The Book of Kings,” by Ferdosi, first published in the 11th century CE. The translation proposed, however, is not based on the original book by Ferdosi, which is written all in verse, but rather, an edited, shorter, and simplified version written in prose, by Mohamad Hosseini, first published in 2013. Nonetheless, in his version, Hosseini included some of the verses from the original poems in order to show the value and the beauty of Ferdosi’s writing. Many translations of Ferdosi’s book have been made into English, but only one translation has been made into Italian, by one Italo Pizzi, in 8 volumes, all in verse, in 1886. This thesis analyses and discusses the choices made for the two translations presented into English and Italian. My project is not only to propose translations of Hosseini’s version, but to also introduce the reader to the Persian culture, and to the life of the most famous Iranian epic writer, Ferdosi, and his masterpiece, Shahname.

Millennial and sub-millennial scale climatic variations recorded in polar ice cores over the last glacial period

Since its discovery in Greenland ice cores, the millennial scale climatic variability of the last glacial period has been increasingly documented at all latitudes with studies focusing mainly on Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3; 28–60 thousand of years before present, hereafter ka) and characterized by short Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events. Recent and new results obtained on the EPICA and NorthGRIP ice cores now precisely describe the rapid variations of Antarctic and Greenland temperature during MIS 5 (73.5–123 ka), a time period corresponding to relatively high sea level. The results display a succession of abrupt events associated with long Greenland InterStadial phases (GIS) enabling us to highlight a sub-millennial scale climatic variability depicted by (i) short-lived and abrupt warming events preceding some GIS (precursor-type events) and (ii) abrupt warming events at the end of some GIS (rebound-type events). The occurrence of these sub-millennial scale events is suggested to be driven by the insolation at high northern latitudes together with the internal forcing of ice sheets. Thanks to a recent NorthGRIP-EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML) common timescale over MIS 5, the bipolar sequence of climatic events can be established at millennial to sub-millennial timescale. This shows that for extraordinary long stadial durations the accompanying Antarctic warming amplitude cannot be described by a simple linear relationship between the two as expected from the bipolar seesaw concept. We also show that when ice sheets are extensive, Antarctica does not necessarily warm during the whole GS as the thermal bipolar seesaw model would predict, questioning the Greenland ice core temperature records as a proxy for AMOC changes throughout the glacial period.

Detrital Zircon Evidence for Non-Laurentian Provenance, Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1490-1450 Ma) Deposition and Orogenesis in a Reconstructed Orogenic Belt, Northern New Mexico, USA: Defining the Picuris Orogeny

Detrital zircon and igneous zircon U-Pb ages are reported from Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in northern New Mexico. These data give new insight into the provenance and depositional age of a >3-km-thick metasedimentary succession and help resolve the timing of orogenesis within an area of overlapping accretionary orogens and thermal events related to the Proterozoic tectonic evolution of southwest Laurentia. Three samples from the Paleoproterozoic Vadito Group yield narrow, unimodal detrital zircon age spectra with peak ages near 1710 Ma. Igneous rocks that intrude the Vadito Group include the Cerro Alto metadacite, the Picuris Pueblo granite, and the Penasco quartz monzonite and yield crystallization ages of 1710 +/- 10 Ma, 1699 +/- 3 Ma, and 1450 +/- 10 Ma, respectively. Within the overlying Hondo Group, a metamorphosed tuff layer from the Pilar Formation yields an age of 1488 +/- 6 Ma and represents the first direct depositional age constraint on any part of the Proterozoic metasedimentary succession in northern New Mexico. Detrital zircon from the overlying Piedra Lumbre Formation yield a minimum age peak of 1475 Ma, and similar to 60 grains (similar to 25%) yield ages between 1500 Ma and 1600 Ma, possibly representing non-Laurentian detritus originating from Australia and/or Antarctica. Detrital zircons from the basal metaconglomerate and the middle quartzite member of the Marquenas Formation yield minimum age peaks of 1472 Ma and 1471 Ma, consistent with earlier results. We interpret the onset of ca. 1490-1450 Ma deposition followed by tectonic burial, regional Al2SiO5 triple-point metamorphism, and ductile deformation at depths of 12-18 km to reflect a Mesoproterozoic contractional orogenic event, possibly related to the final suturing of the Mazatzal crustal province to the southern margin of Laurentia. We propose to call this event the Picuris orogeny.

ARISTOTLE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VIRTUE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE POLITICS AND THE NICOMACHEAN ETHICS AND ITS RELATION TO TODAY

While much of Aristotle's works are preserved in various volumes, two of his famous works are the Nichmachean Ethics and the Politics, both of which contain a rich compilation of ethical and political thought. In the Ethics, Aristotle describes a thorough understanding of ethical and intellectual virtue. By pursuing these virtues, Aristotle argues that a person can achieve a life of fulfilling happiness. The ideal polis as described in the Politics serves as a place where the virtuous life is attained in the best manner.Citizens who pursue virtue make the polis better, and the rulers that guide the polis ensure that the citizens have every opportunity to pursue the virtuous life. In this thesis, I see how relevant Aristotle's theory is by laying out the basic principles of the Ethics and the Politics and the connections between the two works. Indoing so, I found that Aristotle's ideal theory points out a significant flaw in our political system: the fact that we do not share a common moral conception such as the one concerned with the virtuous life as Aristotle proposes. This does not suggest thatAristotle's view was actualized during his time period, but that Aristotle conceives of an ideal life and an ideal polis that could be realized. Certainly there are issues with Aristotle's thesis concerning the inferiority of slaves and women. But what is morepoignant is the impracticality of instituting a shared common conception when today's political system permits various ideas about ethics and morality.

Public Monuments and the Development of Siamese Nationalism, 1908-1945

A careful study of Siam's public monuments is the key to understanding the development of the Siamese nation in its formative period, from 1908 to 1945. As Siam's elites attempted to modernize the state in order to compete with the more developed powers of the West, they recognized that nationalism could potentially be used as a force to increase popular unity, consolidate modernization programs, legitimize their own authority, and protect the country from foreign conquest. The problem they faced, however, was how best to communicate nationalism to the people. Different factions throughout this era had their own idea of what it meant to be Siamese, and all of them wanted to control the national image. But literacy in Siam was extremely low, and art too expensive for most individuals to possess. Public political monuments, the focus of this thesis, therefore became the primary means of manifesting and propagating the underlying tenets of the new Siamese nation. Public monuments express the changing imaginings of the Siamese nation in this period of enormous transformations and turbulence, through the motives behind their commissioning, the political messages they convey, and popular reactions to the monuments. Three primary strains of Siamese nationalism emerged during this period: royalist nationalism, republican nationalism, and military nationalism. These three imaginings of the nation continually developed and interacted with each other, but each was particularly dominant at a given time in Siamese history. Monuments of the royalist period (1908-1925) embody the desire of Siam's kings to not only promote national pride amongst the Siamese people, but also advocate an image of nation and king as one. Monuments of the republican period (1925-1939) express the changing and sometimes contradictory events of their times, as they demonstrate new national values based on the sovereignty of the people, the value of the constitution, and the growing power of the military. And monuments of the military period (1939-1945) espouse an assertive and militaristic national image of warfare, patriotism, authority, and vigor. This thesis explores the nationalistic themes expressed in these monuments, and how these themes played out in the course of Siam's wider history.

Classification of suppressor additives based on synergistic and antagonistic ensemble effects

Three fundamental types of suppressor additives for copper electroplating could be identified by means of potential Transient measurements. These suppressor additives differ in their synergistic and antagonistic interplay with anions that are chemisorbed on the metallic copper surface during electrodeposition. In addition these suppressor chemistries reveal different barrier properties with respect to cupric ions and plating additives (Cl, SPS). While the type-I suppressor selectively forms efficient barriers for copper inter-diffusion on chloride-terminated electrode surfaces we identified a type-II suppressor that interacts non-selectively with any kind of anions chemisorbed on copper (chloride, sulfate, sulfonate). Type-I suppressors are vital for the superconformal copper growth mode in Damascene processing and show an antagonistic interaction with SPS (Bis-Sodium-Sulfopropyl-Disulfide) which involves the deactivation of this suppressor chemistry. This suppressor deactivation is rationalized in terms of compositional changes in the layer of the chemisorbed anions due to the competition of chloride and MPS (Mercaptopropane Sulfonic Acid) for adsorption sites on the metallic copper surface. MPS is the product of the dissociative SPS adsorption within the preexisting chloride matrix on the copper surface. The non-selectivity in the adsorption behavior of the type-II suppressor is rationalized in terms of anion/cation pairing effects of the poly-cationic suppressor and the anion-modified copper substrate. Atomic-scale insights into the competitive Cl/MPS adsorption are gained from in situ STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy) using single crystalline copper surfaces as model substrates. Type-III suppressors are a third class of suppressors. In case of type-land type-II suppressor chemistries the resulting steady-state deposition conditions are completely independent on the particular succession of additive adsorption. In contrast to that a strong dependence of the suppressing capabilities on the sequence of additive adsorption ("first comes, first serves" principle) is observed for the type-IIIsuppressor. This behavior:is explained by a suppressor barrier that impedes not only the copper inter-diffusion but also the transport of other additives (e.g. SPS) to the copper surface. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full Cups, Full Coffers: Tax Strategies and Consumer Culture in the Early Modern German Cities

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the excise taxes (Ungeld) paid by town residents on the consumption of beer, wine, mead and brandy represented the single most important source of civic revenue for many German cities. In a crisis, these taxes could spike to 70-80% of civic income. This paper examines civic budgets and 'behind-the-scenes' deliberations in a sample of towns in southern Germany in order to illuminate how decisions affecting consumer taxes were made. Even during the sobriety movements of the Reformation and post-Reformation period, tax income from drinkers remained attractive to city leaders because the bulk of the excise tax burden could easily be shifted away from privileged members of society and placed on the population at large. At the same time, governments had to maintain a careful balance between what they needed in order to govern and what the consumer market could bear, for high taxes on drinks were also targeted in many popular revolts. This led to nimble politicking by those responsible for tax decisions. Drink taxes were introduced, raised, lowered and otherwise manipulated based not only on shifting fashions and tastes but also on the degree of economic stress faced by the community. Where civic rulers were successful in striking the right balance, the rewards were considerable. The income from drink sales was a major factor in how the cities of the Empire survived the wars and other crises of the early modern period without going into so much debt that they lost their independence.

Full Cups, Full Coffers: Tax Strategies and Consumer Culture in the Early Modern German Cities

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the excise taxes (Ungeld) paid by town residents on the consumption of beer, wine, mead and brandy represented the single most important source of civic revenue for many German cities. In a crisis, these taxes could spike to 70–80% of civic income. This paper examines civic budgets and ‘behind-the-scenes’ deliberations in a sample of towns in southern Germany in order to illuminate how decisions affecting consumer taxes were made. Even during the sobriety movements of the Reformation and post-Reformation period, tax income from drinkers remained attractive to city leaders because the bulk of the excise tax burden could easily be shifted away from privileged members of society and placed on the population at large. At the same time, governments had to maintain a careful balance between what they needed in order to govern and what the consumer market could bear, for high taxes on drinks were also targeted in many popular revolts. This led to nimble politicking by those responsible for tax decisions. Drink taxes were introduced, raised, lowered and otherwise manipulated based not only on shifting fashions and tastes but also on the degree of economic stress faced by the community. Where civic rulers were successful in striking the right balance, the rewards were considerable. The income from drink sales was a major factor in how the cities of the Empire survived the wars and other crises of the early modern period without going into so much debt that they lost their independence.

Mayflower, Renova Basin, and South Boulder Creek Areas

In Montana at the turn of the century a great many men sought the riches buried in the earth's crust. Prospectors fanning out from Butte and other early Montana mining areas located veins at the Mayflower, Renova, and Gold Hill areas.

Education and Ideologies of the Knowledge Economy: Europe and the Politics of Emulation

The Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein famously proposed a style of philosophy that was directed against certain pictures [bild] that tacitly direct our language and forms of life. His aim was to show the fly the way out of the fly bottle and to fight against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language: “A picture held us captive. And we could not get outside it, for it lay in our language and language seemed to repeat it to us inexorably” (Wittgenstein 1953, 115). In this context Wittgenstein is talking of philosophical pictures, deep metaphors that have structured our language but he does also use the term picture in other contexts (see Owen 2003, 83). I want to appeal to Wittgenstein in my use of the term ideology to refer to the way in which powerful underlying metaphors in neoclassical economics have a strong rhetorical and constitutive force at the level of public policy. Indeed, I am specifically speaking of the notion of ‘the performative’ in Wittgenstein and Austin. The notion of the knowledge economy has a prehistory in Hayek (1937; 1945) who founded the economics of knowledge in the 1930s, in Machlup (1962; 1970), who mapped the emerging employment shift to the US service economy in the early 1960s, and to sociologists Bell (1973) and Touraine (1974) who began to tease out the consequences of these changes for social structure in the post-industrial society in the early 1970s. The term has been taken up since by economists, sociologists, futurists and policy experts recently to explain the transition to the so-called ‘new economy’. It is not just a matter of noting these discursive strands in the genealogy of the ‘knowledge economy’ and related or cognate terms. We can also make a number of observations on the basis of this brief analysis. First, there has been a succession of terms like ‘postindustrial economy’, ‘information economy’, ‘knowledge economy’, ‘learning economy’, each with a set of related concepts emphasising its social, political, management or educational aspects. Often these literatures are not cross-threading and tend to focus on only one aspect of phenomena leading to classic dichotomies such as that between economy and society, knowledge and information. Second, these terms and their family concepts are discursive, historical and ideological products in the sense that they create their own meanings and often lead to constitutive effects at the level of policy. Third, while there is some empirical evidence to support claims concerning these terms, at the level of public policy these claims are empirically underdetermined and contain an integrating, visionary or futures component, which necessarily remains untested and is, perhaps, in principle untestable.