Mystery and Sacrament of Love: A Theology of Marriage and the Family for the New Evangelization

Book Reiew: Ouellet, Marc Cardinal. Mystery and Sacrament of Love: A Theology of Marriage and the Family for the New Evangelization. Translated by Michelle K. Forras and Adrian J. Walker. Grand Rapids Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015. 332 pages

A Double Joint Bayesian Approach for J-Vector Based Text-dependent Speaker Verification

J-vector has been proved to be very effective in text-dependent speaker verification with short-duration speech. However, the current state-of-the-art back-end classifiers, e.g. joint Bayesian model, cannot make full use of such deep features. In this paper, we generalize the standard joint Bayesian approach to model the multi-faceted information in the j-vector explicitly and jointly. In our generalization, the j-vector was modeled as a result derived by a generative Double Joint Bayesian (DoJoBa) model, which contains several kinds of latent variables. With DoJoBa, we are able to explicitly build a model that can combine multiple heterogeneous information from the j-vectors. In verification step, we calculated the likelihood to describe whether the two j-vectors having consistent labels or not. On the public RSR2015 data corpus, the experimental results showed that our approach can achieve 0.02\% EER and 0.02\% EER for impostor wrong and impostor correct cases respectively

Hommage à Francine Ouellet

As clinical examiners of the subject, what should be our attitude to the contribution of the neurosciences ? The article seeks firstly to clarify the notion of subject as upheld in the field of psychoanalysis, poetry, and the philosophy of Alain Badiou. The subject is envisaged as an act and an exterior aspect recognisable by its traces in the clinical field. Setting out from this conception, a threefold series of questions opens up. Is it possible to recognise the work or the trace of a subject in the organisation of the living being and particularly in the brain ? Do present-day scientific models make possible a formalisation of this dimension of the subject ? Is it possible to deploy listening, or even to intervene setting out from the neurosciences and technological mediations in a singular subject ? The theories of cerebral plasticity and the models of the emergence of intentionality in a network of neurons will be tested in particular (transl. J. Dudley).Comment, en tant que clinicien du sujet, pouvons-nous nous rapporter aux apports des neurosciences ? L’article s’attache d’abord à préciser la notion de sujet telle qu’elle est soutenue dans le champ de la psychanalyse, de la poésie et de la philosophie d’Alain Badiou. Le sujet y est envisagé comme un acte et une tournure reconnaissable par ses traces dans le champ clinique. A partir de cette conception se déploie un triple questionnement. Est-il possible de reconnaître l'œuvre ou la trace d’un sujet au sein de l’organisation du vivant et particulièrement du cerveau ? Les modèles scientifiques actuels permettent-ils une formalisation de cette dimension du sujet ? Est-il possible de déployer une écoute, voire à’ intervenir à partir des neurosciences et des médiations technologiques auprès d’un sujet singulier ? Les théories de la plasticité cérébrale et les modèles d’émergence d’intentionnalité dans un réseau de neurones seront particulièrement mis à l’épreuve.Masson Antoine. Contingence cérébrale et tournure subjective. In: Revue Philosophique de Louvain. Troisième série, tome 111, n°1, 2013. pp. 109-150

Bilateral Diaphyseal Chondrodysplasia and Polymorphic Osteodysplasia of the Tibiofibulas in a Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae)

Much attention has been focused on limb malformations in anurans following the startling discovery of major limb deformities in Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) in Minnesota in 1995. The numerous causes for these malformations can be attributed to a number of natural phenomena, or they can be considered as being manmade. In the present study, we report on a previously undescribed type of limb abnormality in a single individual of the Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) from Arkansas. Histological examination of left tibiofibula revealed a complete disruption of the normal diaphyseal bone structure in this adult frog. The tibiofibula was separated into two poorly ossified and mostly fragmented bony shaft regions on opposite sides of the bone lesion. These peripheral segments of compact bone were surrounded by hypertrophic regions of hyaline cartilage intermingled with complexes of dysplastic bone. We observed three major polymorphic bone aggregates. The overall design of these osteogenic regions can best be described as an arachnoid-like patchwork of numerous pockets, channels, spaces, and nodules separated by trabeculae containing a matrix embedded with subperiosteal bone cells. At present, we are unaware of any environmental conditions that could account for the osteochondrous dysplasia in our specimen. Moreover, the remarkable bilateral placement of the 2 lesions in our specimen suggests the possibly of a genetic factor leading to a pairing of hindlimb developmental anomalies during embryonic bone growth in our specimen

The Trinitarian and Christological perspectives of the theology of marriage

Although the relation between the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the sacrament of marriage was always treated as a minor issue, it has been present in the theology for ages. It is usually situated in the context of the searching for the “traces” of the Holy Trinity in the creation. The crucial moment in the theological approach to the relation between the mystery of the Holy Trinity and marriage was the reversal of the problem in question: marriage is not only a trace of the Holy Trinity in the world – as it is in classical theology – but rather it is expected to become an active reflection of the Trinity in the relations between husband and wife, in their mutual attitudes and it is supposed to express itself in the mission undertaken and fulfilled by husband and wife especially in their uniting and simultaneously fertile love. The Holy Trinity, especially as a mystery of the everlasting and rejoicing love, for a married couple should serve as a point of reference to understand their marital identity and to shape their mutual relations which express this identity. Trinitarian and Christological theology provide a rich material for a deepened understanding and recognition of the teaching of the former Popes who consistently emphasize the need of situating the fundamental questions regarding vocation, nature and mission of marriage in direct reference to the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the mystery of Jesus Christ. Theological perspectives unambiguously abiding by the conclusions of the theology of creation and natural law open an exceptionally broad view on marriage being the fundamental human and Christian reality, and at the same time a great mystery which has its origin in the highest mystery of the God in three Persons and which is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, the incarnated Son of God who died on the cross in kenotic love. Therefore it is primarily a perspective of personalism deeply rooted and directed Christologically. The mutual self-giving of husband and wife in the sacrament of marriage is a remarkable testimony given to Christ, since fidelity expressed in marital attitude reflects radicalism and greatness of love proved once and for all on the Christ’s cross. The fertility of physical union of man and wife reflects not only the immeasurable fertility of Christ’s death for mankind, but also the infinite fertility of Trinitarian communion which pours out on every created reality and becomes its original point of reference.ks. dr hab. JANUSZ KRÓLIKOWSKI, prof. UPJPII – kapłan diecezji tarnowskiej; od 2014 r. dziekan Wydziału Teologicznego Sekcja w Tarnowie (UPJPII). W latach 1991-1996 studiował teologię na uczelniach rzymskich: Papieskim Uniwersytecie Świętego Krzyża (doktorat – 1995), Papieskim Instytucie Wschodnim, Instytucie św. Tomasza przy Uniwersytecie „Angelicum”. W 2003 roku habilitował się w zakresie teologii dogmatycznej na Papieskiej Akademii Teologicznej w Krakowie. W latach 1996–2009 wykładał teologię w Papieskim Uniwersytecie Świętego Krzyża w Rzymie, a od 1997 roku wykłada teologię dogmatyczną na Wydziale Teologicznym Sekcja w Tarnowie. Od 2010 roku wykładowca mariologii w Instytucie Maryjno-Kolbiańskim „Kolbianum” w Niepokalanowie. Członek Polskiego Towarzystwa Mariologicznego, Towarzystwa Teologów Dogmatyków, Polskiego Towarzystwa Teologicznego Oddział w Tarnowie, członek zwyczajny Międzynarodowej Papieskiej Akademii Maryjnej w Rzymie.Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w KrakowieCarlotti P., La famiglia comunione di persone. Alcune considerazioni sulla Lettera alle Famiglie di Giovanni Paolo II, „Salesianum” 56 (1994) s. 717-740.Chapelle A., Sexualité et Sainteté, Bruxelles 1977.Gendron L., Le mystère de la Trinité et la simbolique familiale, Roma 1975.Grygiel S., Errantes revoca! Esej o samoświadomości, Transcendencji i pojednaniu, [w:] Teksty filozoficzne, Kraków 1986, s. 142-160.Hildebrandt D. von, Die Ehe, München 1929.Krajewski K., Moralne zło antykoncepcji, [w:] Dar ciała darem osoby. O przemilczanym wymiarze kryzysu więzi małżeńskiej, P. Ślęczka (red.), Lublin 2005, s. 31-38.Mader J., Filozofia dialogu, [w:] Teksty filozoficzne, Kraków 1985, s. 59-86.Margerie B. de, La Trinité chrétienne dans l’histoire, Paris 1975.Maritain J., Pisma filozoficzne, tł. J. Fenrychowa, Kraków 1988.Maritain J., Maritain R., Matrimonio, amore e amicizia. Per una spiritualità della vita coniugale, Milano 1994.Martini N. de, Sessualità linguaggio d’amore. La maturità sessuale aspetto della maturità globale, Cinisello Balsamo 1994.Od wiary do teologii. Dokumenty Międzynarodowej Komisji Teologicznej 1969-1996, J. Królikowski (red.), Kraków 2000.O’Donneli J. J., Tajemnica Trójcy Świętej, tł. P. Wilczek, Kraków 1993.Ouellet M., Divina somiglianza. Antropologia trinitaria della famiglia, t. 1, Roma 2004.Paradiso M., Nell’intimo di Dio. La teologia trinitaria di Hans Urs von Balthasar, Roma 2009.Scheeben M. J., Tajemnice chrześcijaństwa, tł. J. Rostworowski, I. Bieda, Kraków 1970.Scheeben M. J., Handbuch der katcholischen Dogmatik, Freiburg im Br. 1933.Schökel L. A., I nomi dell’amore. Simboli matrimoniali nella Bibbia, Casale Monferrato 1998.Scola A., Il mistero nuziale. Studi sulla persona e la famiglia, t. 1-2, Milano 1998-2000.Sołowjow W., Sens miłości, tł. H. Paprocki, Kęty 2002.Teilhard de Chardin P., O szczęściu, cierpieniu, miłości, tł. W. Sukiennicka, M. Tazbir, Warszawa 2001.15-2

The k-junction motif in RNA structure

The k-junction is a structural motif in RNA comprising a three-way helical junction based upon kink turn (k-turn) architecture. A computer program written to examine relative helical orientation identified the three-way junction of the Arabidopsis TPP riboswitch as an elaborated k-turn. The Escherichia coli TPP riboswitch contains a related k-junction, and analysis of >11 000 sequences shows that the structure is common to these riboswitches. The k-junction exhibits all the key features of an N1-class k-turn, including the standard cross-strand hydrogen bonds. The third helix of the junction is coaxially aligned with the C (canonical) helix, while the k-turn loop forms the turn into the NC (non-canonical) helix. Analysis of ligand binding by ITC and global folding by gel electrophoresis demonstrates the importance of the k-turn nucleotides. Clearly the basic elements of k-turn structure are structurally well suited to generate a three-way helical junction, retaining all the key features and interactions of the k-turn

Du sens : Prolongements théoriques autour de la perception et de la modalisation

La présente réflexion met en lumière la portée prophétique de Du sens d’A. J. Greimas. L’auteure s’attarde sur les notions-clés d’engendrement du sens discursif et de conditions de la production des récits en circonscrivant une filiation entre ces concepts élaborés dans l’ouvrage de 1970 et leurs prolongements et affinements inaugurés par la sémiotique des passions. On fait état ici de deux sphères principales de théorisation ayant leur ancrage dans l’ouvrage Du sens, à savoir le rôle de la perception dans la mise au jour et le façonnement discursif de la signification ainsi que le corrélat syntaxique de la perception, incarné notamment par les modalités, des procès de modalisation et d’aspectualisation, porteurs de proprioceptivité au plan du discours. Faisant valoir la contribution du texte fondateur de Greimas aux préoccupations contemporaines de la sémiotique, l’article contribue à dédramatiser l’image de rupture qui tend à persister entre les deux visages de la sémiotique européenne, discontinue et continue.The above article establishes the prophetic nature of A. J. Greimas’ seminal work, Du sens. The author examines key concepts of meaning generation with regards to discourse and conditions implied in the production of texts, as developed in the 1970 opus, with the aim to demonstrate how they resurface in a refined and supplemented version within the semiotics of passion. Two principal spheres of theorization anchored in Du sens are the focus of attention, the first being the role played by perception in the apparition and design of meaning, the second pertaining to correlative syntactic components of perception as portrayed by modalities and processes of modalization and aspectualization, which bear the imprint of proprioception on the level of discourse. In highlighting contributions of Greimas’ fundamental work to contemporary questions that preoccupy semiotics, the study seeks to dispel the notion of separation that tends to persist between discontinuous and continuous European semiotics

The Success of Gay–Straight Alliances in Waterloo Region, Ontario: A Confluence of Political and Social Factors

This article outlines how gay–straight alliances (GSAs) work to connect youth with community resources, and outlines the political and social context of GSAs in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Fifteen individuals (youth, teachers, and a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ] youth service provider) participated in interviews about the role of GSAs in creating supportive school environments for LGBTQ youth and their allies. Analyses of the interview data found that, apart from providing direct support to LGBTQ students, GSAs in Waterloo Region decrease isolation by connecting youth with other LGBTQ community members, events, and resources. This article discusses how the confluence of government and school board policy and community agency support facilitates the implementation, maintenance, and success of GSAs

Deep Speaker Feature Learning for Text-independent Speaker Verification

Recently deep neural networks (DNNs) have been used to learn speaker features. However, the quality of the learned features is not sufficiently good, so a complex back-end model, either neural or probabilistic, has to be used to address the residual uncertainty when applied to speaker verification, just as with raw features. This paper presents a convolutional time-delay deep neural network structure (CT-DNN) for speaker feature learning. Our experimental results on the Fisher database demonstrated that this CT-DNN can produce high-quality speaker features: even with a single feature (0.3 seconds including the context), the EER can be as low as 7.68%. This effectively confirmed that the speaker trait is largely a deterministic short-time property rather than a long-time distributional pattern, and therefore can be extracted from just dozens of frames.Comment: deep neural networks, speaker verification, speaker featur