16,822 research outputs found
Spiritual growth through authentic worship
Frequent sharing of the Eucharist guarantees God\u27s grace for us.’ While this slogan which appears at a recent First Holy Communion for children has merit, it calls for deeper reflection. The truth is that years of mechanistic responses at Mass can set in place a spiritual lethargy that drains an enthusiasm to link the Eucharist to life in the real world.
Of particular interest for his paper is the Sign of Peace and Presentation of Gifts. In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI notes the great value of the Sign of Peace especially in a world fraught with fear and conflict. However, he urges restraint in the liturgical exchange of peace lest it becomes a ‘certain distraction.’ To that end he has asked ‘the competent curial offices to study the possibility of moving the sign of peace to another place, such as before the presentation of gifts to the altar.’
The proposal to link the two activities is noteworthy in view of their potential to promote spiritual growth and Jesus\u27 teaching in Matthew 5:23-24, which the Pope cites. This short paper ponders on the reapplication of Amos 5:21-24 by Jesus in Matthew 5:23-24. It closes with a reflection on Karl Rahner\u27s insight on the inseparable bond between our liturgical life and life in the real world
Financial Frictions and Credit Spreads
This paper uses the credit-friction model developed by Curdia and Woodford, in a series of papers, as the basis for attempting to mimic the behavior of credit spreads in moderate as well as crisis times. We are able to generate movements in representative credit spreads that are, at times, both sharp and volatile. We then study the impact of quantitative easing and credit easing. Credit easing is found to reduce spreads, unlike quantitative easing, which has opposite effects. The relative advantage of credit easing becomes even clearer when we allow borrowers to default on their loans. Since increases in default offset the beneficial effects of credit easing on spreads, the policy implication is that, in times of financial stress, the central bank should be aggressive when applying credit easing policies.Credit easing, credit spread, financial friction, quantitative easing.
A Hybrid Quantum Encoding Algorithm of Vector Quantization for Image Compression
Many classical encoding algorithms of Vector Quantization (VQ) of image
compression that can obtain global optimal solution have computational
complexity O(N). A pure quantum VQ encoding algorithm with probability of
success near 100% has been proposed, that performs operations 45sqrt(N) times
approximately. In this paper, a hybrid quantum VQ encoding algorithm between
classical method and quantum algorithm is presented. The number of its
operations is less than sqrt(N) for most images, and it is more efficient than
the pure quantum algorithm.
Key Words: Vector Quantization, Grover's Algorithm, Image Compression,
Quantum AlgorithmComment: Modify on June 21. 10pages, 3 figure
K-essence Explains a Lorentz Violation Experiment
Recently, a state of the art experiment shows evidence for Lorentz violation
in the gravitational sector. To explain this experiment, we investigate a
spontaneous Lorentz violation scenario with a generalized scalar field. We find
that when the scalar field is nonminimally coupled to gravity, the Lorentz
violation induces a deformation in the Newtonian potential along the direction
of Lorentz violation.Comment: 8 pages, the final version, discussion and references adde
Blending and shaking : Chinese students’ perceptions of blended learning in a hospitality and tourism course
Best Refereed Paper Award of the conferenceRefereed conference paper2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperOther VersionPublishe
A framework on exploring primary school English language teachers' perceptions of their continuing professional development in Malaysia
The national concern to improve in-service training (INSET) for English language teachers in Malaysia has led to the need to reshape continuing professional development (CPD). CPD providers in Malaysia tend to conduct training using the cascade model and teachers are hardly consulted about their needs or learning preferences. This is likely to have a significant impact on the quantity and quality of INSET for teachers in a top-down national priority driven system. The research to be reported in this paper focuses on the perceptions of a group of Malaysian primary school English language teachers of their INSET experiences, the CPD models they prefer, and their perceptions of the effect of CPD on their classroom practice. The research also aims to identify their future expectations of INSET in terms of their professional development needs and their pupils’ needs. Qualitative survey research was undertaken using profile questionnaires, focus group interviews and individual interviews, followed by an online survey of all research participants. The researcher followed the CPD journey of three groups of primary school educators, selected using convenience sampling and purposeful sampling. This paper suggests a framework to investigate teachers’ views about their needs. This would shed light on how CPD providers can enhance teachers’ professional development and thus student achievement
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