Making sense of the ‘Word of God’ and ‘fundamental doctrines’: The questions and Formula in Church of Scotland ordination and setting-apart

This article considers references to the ‘Word of God’ and ‘fundamental doctrines’ in the Formula and questions used in ordaining ministers, elders and deacons, and in setting apart readers. History and research suggest that ‘contained in’ has different meanings in two of the questions, and ‘fundamental doctrines’ means some but not all of the Westminster Confession of Faith doctrines, together with some doctrines on which that Confession is silent. A 1935 statement helps clarify what doctrines are ‘fundamental’, as do a 1992 statement, and the first 1926 Article Declaratory. The little-known 1935 statement is included as an Appendix.Note: This paper was not part of the original conference and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Theological Forum

Understanding quantum mechanics: a review and synthesis in precise language

This review, of the understanding of quantum mechanics, is broad in scope, and aims to reflect enough of the literature to be representative of the current state of the subject. To enhance clarity, the main findings are presented in the form of a coherent synthesis of the reviewed sources. The review highlights core characteristics of quantum mechanics. One is statistical balance in the collective response of an ensemble of identically prepared systems, to differing measurement types. Another is that states are mathematical terms prescribing probability aspects of future events, relating to an ensemble of systems, in various situations. These characteristics then yield helpful insights on entanglement, measurement, and widely-discussed experiments and analyses. The review concludes by considering how these insights are supported, illustrated and developed by some specific approaches to understanding quantum mechanics. The review uses non-mathematical language precisely (terms defined) and rigorously (consistent meanings), and uses only such language. A theory more descriptive of independent reality than is quantum mechanics may yet be possible. One step in the pursuit of such a theory is to reach greater consensus on how to understand quantum mechanics. This review aims to contribute to achieving that greater consensus, and so to that pursuit

Novel system for distributed energy generation from a small scale concentrated solar power

The present work describes the realization of a modular 1-3 kWe, 3-9 kWth micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) system based on innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Stirling engine technology. The cogeneration of energy at distributed level is one of leading argument in large part of energy policies related to renewable energy resources and systems. This CSP m-CHP will provide electrical power, heating and cooling for single and multiple domestic dwellings and other small buildings. The developed system integrates small-scale concentrator optics with moving and tracking components, solar absorbers in the form of evacuated tube collectors, a heat transfer fluid, a Stirling engine with generator, and heating and/or cooling systems; it incorporates them into buildings in an architecturally acceptable manner, with low visual impact. Some good results have already been achieved, while developments on several technology subcomponents will be finalized through first part of 2013. Two Cer.Met. have been modelled, realized and tested. The up scaled receiver, in form of Cer.Met. coating based on TiO2 - Nb, has been confirmed an absorptance of 0.94 and emittance of 0.1 (@350°C). A second Cer.Met. coating based on SiO2 - W has demonstrated an absorptance of 0.93 and emittance of 0.09 (@350°C). A full-evacuated solar tube has been designed and realized, with absorber of 12 mm in diameter and length in 2 meters. The system is provided of a concentration ratio 12:1, and a single module is 200 cm long, 40 cm wide and 20-25 cm high. Two or more modules can be combined. The evacuated solar tube, located on the focus, has the selective absorber on a tube of 12 mm in diameter. A very thin glass mirror has been developed (< 1 mm). The overall mirror reflectivity has been measured, the verified value is 0,954. Research has proposed a high energy density, double acting Stirling engine, provided of innovative heat exchangers realized through Selective Laser Melting process. The engine is a low speed (250 RPM), high pressure (130 Bars) and compact solution able to be run at 300°C and generate 3,5 kW nominal power. The solar technology has actually entered the proof-of-concept stage. A solar plant has been installed in Malta, by Arrow Pharm company, supplying the industrial process of generated steam at 180°C and 3.5 absolute pressure. The solar collector's efficiency is close to 47% in presence of 900 W/m2 of direct solar radiation. During 2013, solar evacuated tubes with innovative Cer.Met. coating, together with new thin glass mirrors will upgrade the demonstration site, together with a new and innovative low temperature difference and high energy density Stirling. By end-2013, the system will be demonstrated, with the overall objective to achieve a minimum of 65% in solar collectors' efficiency at 300°C, and 12 - 15% of overall electrical efficiency by the Stirling cycle.peer-reviewe

Violation of Bell Inequalities: Mapping the Conceptual Implications

This short article concentrates on the conceptual aspects of the violation of Bell inequalities, and acts as a map to the 265 cited references. The article outlines (a) relevant characteristics of quantum mechanics, such as statistical balance and entanglement, (b) the thinking that led to the derivation of the original Bell inequality, and (c) the range of claimed implications, including realism, locality and others which attract less attention. The main conclusion is that violation of Bell inequalities appears to have some implications for the nature of physical reality, but that none of these are definite. The violations constrain possible prequantum (underlying) theories, but do not rule out the possibility that such theories might reconcile at least one understanding of locality and realism to quantum mechanical predictions. Violation might reflect, at least partly, failure to acknowledge the contextuality of quantum mechanics, or that data from different probability spaces have been inappropriately combined. Many claims that there are definite implications reflect one or more of (i) imprecise non-mathematical language, (ii) assumptions inappropriate in quantum mechanics, (iii) inadequate treatment of measurement statistics and (iv) underlying philosophical assumptions

Quantum Mechanics: Statistical Balance Prompts Caution in Assessing Conceptual Implications

Throughout quantum mechanics there is statistical balance, in the collective response of an ensemble of systems to differing measurement types. Statistical balance is a core feature of quantum mechanics, underlying quantum mechanical states, and not yet explained. The concept of “statistical balance” is here explored, comparing its meaning since 2019 with its original meaning in 2001. Statistical balance now refers to a feature of contexts in which: (a) there is a prescribed probability other than 0 or 1 for the collective response of an ensemble to one measurement type; and (b) the collective response of the same ensemble to another measurement type demonstrates that no well-defined value can be attributed, for the property relevant to the original measurement type, to individual members of the ensemble. In some unexplained way, the outcomes of single runs of a measurement of the original type “balance” each other to give an overall result in line with the prescribed probability. Unexplained statistical balance prompts caution in assessing the conceptual implications of entanglement, measurement, uncertainty, and two-slit and Bell-type analyses. Physicists have a responsibility to the wider population to be conceptually precise about quantum mechanics, and to make clear that many possible conceptual implications are uncertain

The Homodimeric Kinesin, Kif17, is Essential for Vertebrate Photoreceptor Sensory Outer Segment Development

Sensory cilia and intraflagellar transport (IFT), a pathway essential for ciliogenesis, play important roles in embryonic development and cell differentiation. In vertebrate photoreceptors IFT is required for the early development of ciliated sensory outer segments (OS), an elaborate organelle that sequesters the many proteins comprising the phototransduction machinery. As in other cilia and flagella, heterotrimeric members of the kinesin 2 family have been implicated as the anterograde IFT motor in OS. However, in Caenorhabditis elegans, OSM-3, a homodimeric kinesin 2 motor, plays an essential role in some, but not all sensory cilia. Kif17, a vertebrate OSM-3 homologue, is known for its role in dendritic trafficking in neurons, but a function in ciliogenesis has not been determined. We show that in zebrafish Kif17 is widely expressed in the nervous system and retina. In photoreceptors Kif17 co-localizes with IFT proteins within the OS, and co-immunoprecipitates with IFT proteins. Knockdown of Kif17 has little if any effect in early embryogenesis, including the formation of motile sensory cilia in the pronephros. However, OS formation and targeting of the visual pigment protein is severely disrupted. Our analysis shows that Kif17 is essential for photoreceptor OS development, and suggests that Kif17 plays a cell type specific role in vertebrate ciliogenesis

Impacts of Leisure Activity Noise Levels A Revised Case Study

An article originally published in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics in 1991 discussed the effects of damaging noise levels exposed during the leisure time of industrial workers. With a noise level change preferences, this study was designed to work in collaboration with a 2013 study (Claire Drummond, 2013) which began the groundwork of measuring and examining the consistency of the data collected in 1990. Attributed to an increase in popularity of electronic music and improved digital sound equipment, indoor leisure environment sound levels have increased since the original study. The purpose of this study is to expand the collection of data on exposure levels in current leisure activities reported in the 2012 study to enhance the statistical significance that levels are indeed higher than the noise level preferences and tolerances specified by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and International Standards Organization (ISO) guidelines. With strenuous legal standards, industries have taken substantial steps to follow the OSHA and ISO recommended guidelines; however, places of leisure such as bars, movie theaters, churches, and sporting events are not required to adhere to the same standards. The noise data was collected using a Quest SPL (2800) calibrated dosimeter. This device is a great improvement from the GenRad Sound Level Meter originally used in the 1990 study for the fact that the Quest SPL (2800) gives a complete printout at the end of a data run that takes in account the duration and average dose of noise exposure run as well as average and peak noise levels. The GenRad device was limited to measuring low and high noise level readings. Average leisure noise levels by category were as follows: peak levels in a sample of thirty-nine leisure activities: churches and concerts (118.06 dB (σ = 2.62 dB)), bars (117.48 dB (σ = 9.32 dB)), and sporting events (122.99 dB (σ = 10.97 dB)). Following the OSHA and ISO standards, any exposure noise level over 115.00dB exceeds the recommended allowance. Adult industrial workers exposing themselves to these levels after an eight hour workday in an OSHA-controlled environment are exceeding the allowable exposure. Industrial business are spending large sums of money to make sure they are in compliance with OSHA standards yet their employees are potentially permanently damaging hearing due to their choice of leisure activity. These individuals are thus increasing their risk of a permanent threshold shift. As a side observation to the adult exposures, many parents had their children under the age of 4 in attendance at the high level peak level leisure activities. Hearing is fully developed at birth, but extended exposure times to high peak noise levels can cause an earlier permanent threshold shift in children or permanent hearing loss at a younger age

Distributed m-CHP generation from a small scale concentrated solar power installation

The present work describes the realization of a modular 1-3 kWe, 3-9 kWth micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) system based on innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Stirling engine technology. The cogeneration of energy at distributed level is one of leading argument in large part of energy policies related to renewable energy resources and systems. This CSP m-CHP will provide electrical power, heating and cooling for single and multiple domestic dwellings and other small buildings. The developed system integrates small-scale concentrator optics with moving and tracking components, solar absorbers in the form of evacuated tube collectors, a heat transfer fluid, a Stirling engine with generator, and heating and/or cooling systems; it incorporates them into buildings in an architecturally acceptable manner, with low visual impact. Some good results have already been achieved, while developments on several technology subcomponents will be finalized through first part of 2013. Two Cer.Met. have been modelled, realized and tested. The up scaled receiver, in form of Cer.Met. coating based on TiO2 - Nb, has been confirmed an absorptance of 0.94 and emittance of 0.1 (@350C). A second Cer.Met. coating based on SiO2 - W has demonstrated an absorptance of 0.93 and emittance of 0.09 (@350C). A full-evacuated solar tube has been designed and realized, with absorber of 12 mm in diameter and length in 2 meters. The system is provided of a concentration ratio 12:1, and a single module is 200 cm long, 40 cm wide and 20-25 cm high. Two or more modules can be combined. The evacuated solar tube, located on the focus, has the selective absorber on a tube of 12 mm in diameter. A very thin glass mirror has been developed (< 1 mm). The overall mirror reflectivity has been measured, the verified value is 0,954. Research has proposed a high energy density, double acting Stirling engine, provided of innovative heat exchangers realized through Selective Laser Melting process. The engine is a low speed (250 RPM), high pressure (130 Bars) and compact solution able to be run at 300C and generate 3,5 kW nominal power. The solar technology has been fully proven in a demonstration site. The solar plant has been installed in Malta, by Arrow Pharm company, supplying the industrial process of generated steam at 180C and 3.5 absolute pressure in a first phase and supporting the tests of improved technologies at a second stage. The solar collector's efficiency is around 50% in presence of 900 W/m2 of direct solar radiation and at 300C. During 2013, solar evacuated tubes with innovative Cer.Met. coating, together with new thin glass mirrors has upgraded the demonstration site, together with a new and innovative low temperature difference and high energy density Stirling. By end-2013, the system has been demonstrated. At the beginning of 2014 it will be transferred to Trento for further optimization, with the overall objective to achieve a minimum of 65% in solar collectors efficiency at 300C, and 12-15% of overall electrical efficiency by the Stirling cycle. The actual work is part of a FP7 European Funded project, DIGESPOBajada New Energy, General Membrane, EcoGroup, Econetique, Energy Investment, JMV Vibro Blocks, Solar Engineering, Solar Solutions.peer-reviewe

Optimal search strategies for detecting cost and economic studies in EMBASE

BACKGROUND: Economic evaluations in the medical literature compare competing diagnosis or treatment methods for their use of resources and their expected outcomes. The best evidence currently available from research regarding both cost and economic comparisons will continue to expand as this type of information becomes more important in today's clinical practice. Researchers and clinicians need quick, reliable ways to access this information. A key source of this type of information is large bibliographic databases such as EMBASE. The objective of this study was to develop search strategies that optimize the retrieval of health costs and economics studies from EMBASE. METHODS: We conducted an analytic survey, comparing hand searches of journals with retrievals from EMBASE for candidate search terms and combinations. 6 research assistants read all issues of 55 journals indexed by EMBASE for the publishing year 2000. We rated all articles using purpose and quality indicators and categorized them into clinically relevant original studies, review articles, general papers, or case reports. The original and review articles were then categorized for purpose (i.e., cost and economics and other clinical topics) and depending on the purpose as 'pass' or 'fail' for methodologic rigor. Candidate search strategies were developed for economic and cost studies, then run in the 55 EMBASE journals, the retrievals being compared with the hand search data. The sensitivity, specificity, precision, and accuracy of the search strategies were calculated. RESULTS: Combinations of search terms for detecting both cost and economic studies attained levels of 100% sensitivity with specificity levels of 92.9% and 92.3% respectively. When maximizing for both sensitivity and specificity, the combination of terms for detecting cost studies (sensitivity) increased 2.2% over the single term but at a slight decrease in specificity of 0.9%. The maximized combination of terms for economic studies saw no change in sensitivity from the single term and only a 0.1% increase in specificity. CONCLUSION: Selected terms have excellent performance in the retrieval of studies of health costs and economics from EMBASE

Improving safety for older public transport users (OPTU) - a feasibility study

On the whole, the UK public transport system is generally considered to provide a safe means of mobility. However, each year, around 6,000 people are reported by the UK police to be injured whilst using buses with more than 400 persons killed or seriously injured. Approximately 50% of those injured or killed are aged over 65 years (Department for Transport 2008). However it is thought that there are many more injured older bus-users who are not included in the national statistics and whom may now avoid travelling on public transport because of previous injuries and experiences. Whilst free travel (particularly on buses) has allowed senior citizens the freedom to travel for pleasure and social inclusion, injuries or near-falls that may occur during the journey can impact on future decisions to travel leading in some cases to anxiety/fear of sustaining further injury, loss of personal mobility and ultimately social isolation. This Feasibility Study was funded within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifelong Health and Wellbeing programme in order to examine the general safety (but not security) of older public transport users. It explores injury type and causation and proposes design interventions for injury prevention with an overall objective of exploring how public transport use could possibly be made safer for older transport-users. A mixed methods design was used to collect and collate data from a number of sources. These included published research literature, national accident datasets, bus-operator records, service user consultations and other stakeholder consultations with groups representing the 60+ year’s age group. The ultimate aim was to develop a pilot injury surveillance database that could in principle be used to determine vehicle design requirements, transport operator procedures and transport-user behaviors that could prevent injuries from occurring...(continues)