Retrocausal Quantum Mechanics: Maudlin's Challenge Revisited

In 1994, Maudlin proposed an objection to retrocausal approaches to quantum mechanics in general, and to the transactional interpretation (TI) in particular, involving an absorber that changes location depending on the trajectory of the particle. Maudlin considered this objection fatal. However, the TI did not die; rather, a number of responses were developed, some attempting to accommodate Maudlin's example within the existing TI, and others modifying the TI. I argue that none of these responses is fully adequate. The reason, I submit, is that there are two aspects to Maudlin's objection; the more readily soluble aspect has received all the attention, but the more problematic aspect has gone unnoticed. I consider the prospects for developing a successful retrocausal quantum theory in light of this second aspect of the objection

Is it time to reframe how we care for people with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain?

The current approach to musculoskeletal pain is failing The majority of persistent non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain disorders do not have a pathoanatomical diagnosis that adequately explains the individual’s pain experience and disability. We contend this has resulted in two concerning developments in the management of people with such disorders. First, structural changes observed on imaging that are highly prevalent in pain free populations, such as rotator cuff tears, intervertebral disc degeneration, labral tears and cartilage changes, are ascribed to individuals as a diagnosis for their condition. In this context, this information may result in the individual believing that their body is damaged, fragile and in need of protection, resulting in a cascade of movement and activity avoidance behaviours and seeking interventions to correct the structural deficits. This trend has led to exponential increases in elective surgery rates and associated costs, while the efficacy of repairing (eg, rotator cuff and medical meniscal tears), reshaping (eg, subacromial decompression) or replacing (eg, lumbar intervertebral discs) the structures considered to be at fault has been substantially challenged. Second, it is arguable that musculoskeletal clinicians have invented treatments for conditions that may not exist or be readily detected (such as trigger points, sacral torsions), and they have developed and perpetuated treatment paradigms (such as ‘correcting’ upper body posture and muscle imbalances) that do not conform to current research evidence. These two trends have created an expectation that interventions (frequently ‘passive’) will provide a ’cure’, and typically quickly, with minimal self-contribution. This expectation may have been derived from a conversation with a friend or family member, from the Internet or from an advertising campaign, but almost certainly originated from health professionals.Peer reviewe

On the job rotation problem

The job rotation problem (JRP) is the following: Given an $n \times n$ matrix $A$ over \Re \cup \{\ -\infty\ \}\ and $k \leq n$, find a $k \times k$ principal submatrix of $A$ whose optimal assignment problem value is maximum. No polynomial algorithm is known for solving this problem if $k$ is an input variable. We analyse JRP and present polynomial solution methods for a number of special cases

A Culture of Conflict

While some conflict in organisations may be a healthy incentive for action and competition, conflict that becomes the dominant feature of the organisation's culture is damaging. In non-profits it cripples the organisation's ability to function because the organisation is unable to set goals or to present a coherent, united front when applying for government grants. Research theory in management and non-profits discusses the need for consonance, but our research demonstrates that some community organisations do not fit the model presented in the literature. The paper presents the results of a consultancy engaged in by the authors between December 1994 and August 1995 with a small, church-based, non-profit organisation. The organisation works in an environment where there is a need for unity, but our research found conflict between the volunteers and the paid workers, and among the volunteers themselves. Conflict, which had become the over-riding consideration in all decisions, was paralysing the organisation. The paper gives some background to the organisation and the context in which it operates, describes the nature of the consultancy and the findings, and explains the recommendations we made to the organisation

A Critique of Wolak’s Evaluation of the NZ Electricity Market: Introduction and Overview

This paper is the first in a symposium of papers that examine the 2009 report by Frank Wolak into the New Zealand electricity market. The Wolak report concluded that there had been a cumulative total of $4.3b (NZD) of overcharging in the New Zealand wholesale market over a period of seven years. In this paper, we introduce the Wolak findings in the context of the salient features of the New Zealand market, and explain that this headline figure is highly sensitive to some (quite unrealistic) assumptions about the structure of this market. The papers that follow this introduction (Hogan and Jackson, 2011, and Evans and Guthrie, 2011) examine Wolak’s methodology and its empirical application.Wolak Report; electricity markets; market power

Hemicellulase activity of fungi in wood decay

Imperial Users onl