Towards formative interpretation: a theological hermeneutical proposal

How can we read the Bible to be formed as readers? This question opens a number of possible avenues of academic inquiry, but the one taken in this paper is mainly concerned with hermeneutical questions of how we read the Bible and whether we can formulate a hermeneutical framework for formative interpretation. To that end we analyse interpretative approaches of the modern era and ask whether these are hospitable or hostile to Christian formation. Our findings show the negative effects of pluralism and secularisation that dominate in the field of hermeneutics. Our work then focuses on the development of a theological hermeneutics, within which formative interpretation receives stable goals and criteria. This we achieve in three steps; one, we propose three basic hermeneutical decisions that constitute theological hermeneutics; two, we define and describe formation from a Christian perspective and use those insights as guidelines for formative interpretation; three, we describe two formal characteristics of formative interpretation. In essence, this paper sees formative interpretation as an ecclesial task that focuses on discernment of God’s being and presence in the world, which Scripture witnesses of and explains. Formative interpretation is a holistic task of the reader to bring one’s whole self before God in the reading of Scripture, and in that posture and practice we expect God to speak through the entirety of Scripture to use today

Prospects of higher-order Laguerre Gauss modes in future gravitational wave detectors

The application of higher-order Laguerre Gauss (LG) modes in large-scale gravitational wave detectors has recently been proposed. In comparison to the fundamental mode, some higher-order Laguerre Gauss modes can significantly reduce the contribution of coating Brownian noise. Using frequency domain simulations we give a detailed analysis of the longitudinal and angular control signals derived with a LG33 mode in comparison to the fundamental TEM00 mode. The performance regarding interferometric sensing and control of the LG33 mode is found to be similar, if not even better in all aspects of interest. In addition, we evaluate the sensitivity gain of the implementation of LG33 modes into the Advanced Virgo instrument. Our analysis shows that the application of the LG33 mode results in a broadband improvement of the Advanced Virgo sensitivity, increasing the potential detection rate of binary neutron star inspirals by a factor 2.1.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

The Growth Mindset School Community

Traditional school models perpetuate limited notions of ability. Established in systems designed to label and sort, educators must examine their beliefs about ability and the ways culture and power structures impact expectations and student achievement. By adopting a growth mindset lens and applying distributed leadership to systems within a school, educational leaders can enhance opportunities for all children. The Growth Mindset School Community describes an organization committed to growth and reflective processes intended to monitor thinking and procedures impacting learning and growth. Teacher expectations, feedback, assessment, and grading practices, behavior management, special education, teacher evaluation, and leadership models are all systems that can encourage or limit. This text examines each component through a growth mindset frame and makes recommendations to current or aspiring educators

DC-readout of a signal-recycled gravitational wave detector

All first-generation large-scale gravitational wave detectors are operated at the dark fringe and use a heterodyne readout employing radio frequency (RF) modulation-demodulation techniques. However, the experience in the currently running interferometers reveals several problems connected with a heterodyne readout, of which phase noise of the RF modulation is the most serious one. A homodyne detection scheme (DC-readout), using the highly stabilized and filtered carrier light as local oscillator for the readout, is considered to be a favourable alternative. Recently a DC-readout scheme was implemented on the GEO 600 detector. We describe the results of first measurements and give a comparison of the performance achieved with homodyne and heterodyne readout. The implications of the combined use of DC-readout and signal-recycling are considered.Comment: 11 page

Review of the Laguerre-Gauss mode technology research program at Birmingham

Gravitational wave detectors from the advanced generation onwards are expected to be limited in sensitivity by thermal noise of the optics, making the reduction of this noise a key factor in the success of such detectors. A proposed method for reducing the impact of this noise is to use higher-order Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes for the readout beam, as opposed to the currently used fundamental mode. We present here a synopsis of the research program undertaken by the University of Birmingham into the suitability of LG mode technology for future gravitational wave detectors. This will cover our previous and current work on this topic, from initial simulations and table-top LG mode experiments up to implementation in a prototype scale suspended cavity and high-power laser bench

Triple Michelson Interferometer for a Third-Generation Gravitational Wave Detector

The upcoming European design study `Einstein gravitational-wave Telescope' represents the first step towards a substantial, international effort for the design of a third-generation interferometric gravitational wave detector. It is generally believed that third-generation instruments might not be installed into existing infrastructures but will provoke a new search for optimal detector sites. Consequently, the detector design could be subject to fewer constraints than the on-going design of the second generation instruments. In particular, it will be prudent to investigate alternatives to the traditional L-shaped Michelson interferometer. In this article, we review an old proposal to use three Michelson interferometers in a triangular configuration. We use this example of a triple Michelson interferometer to clarify the terminology and will put this idea into the context of more recent research on interferometer technologies. Furthermore the benefits of a triangular detector will be used to motivate this design as a good starting point for a more detailed research effort towards a third-generation gravitational wave detector.Comment: Minor corrections to the main text and two additional appendices. 14 pages, 6 figure

The upgrade of GEO600

The German / British gravitational wave detector GEO 600 is in the process of being upgraded. The upgrading process of GEO 600, called GEO-HF, will concentrate on the improvement of the sensitivity for high frequency signals and the demonstration of advanced technologies. In the years 2009 to 2011 the detector will undergo a series of upgrade steps, which are described in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, Amaldi 8 conference contributio