Face recognition systems face real challenges from various presentation attacks. New, more sophisticated methods of presentation attacks are becoming more difficult to detect using traditional face ...recognition systems. Thermal infrared imaging offers specific physical properties that may boost presentation attack detection capabilities. The aim of this paper is to present outcomes of investigations on the detection of various face presentation attacks in thermal infrared in various conditions including thermal heating of masks and various states of subjects. A thorough analysis of presentation attacks using printed and displayed facial photographs, 3D-printed, custom flexible 3D-latex and silicone masks is provided. The paper presents the intensity analysis of thermal energy distribution for specific facial landmarks during long-lasting experiments. Thermalization impact, as well as varying the subject’s state due to physical effort on presentation attack detection are investigated. A new thermal face spoofing dataset is introduced. Finally, a two-step deep learning-based method for the detection of presentation attacks is presented. Validation results of a set of deep learning methods across various presentation attack instruments are presented.
The purpose of this article is to explore what kind of light apocalyptic eschatology can shed on our understanding of Paul’s argumentation in 2 Cor 10–13. The focus is on 2 Cor 10:3–6, where Paul, ...using the topos of holy war, describes his struggle against the opponents in Corinth. The apostle elaborates on a biblical theme, which also appears in Jewish apocalyptic texts, such as 1QM and T. 12. Patr. Comparing 2 Corinthians with this literature allows us to see certain similarities: the performative nature of 2 Cor and 1QM; the radical division into the servants of light and the servants of darkness; the active participation of Belial/Satan in the present warfare, and the belief in the absolute defeat of the evil spirit at the end of time, combined with the gift of peace and the universal reign of the Messiah. There are also significant differences between Paul on the one hand, and 1QM and T. 12. Patr. on the other: the lack of dualism of the cosmic type and a non-violent nature of Paul’s struggle, resulting from the fact that the apostle imitates the meek and clement Christ. Ultimately, the apocalyptic eschatology sharpens Paul’s rhetoric, strengthens his authority in Corinth and enhances the weight of his appeals to the community, upon the acceptance of which the salvation of believers depends.
The article presents a synthetic analysis of empire criticism in Pauline letters, beginning with the omnipresence and character of imperial cult in Paul’s time. Subsequently, the author highlights ...the places in Pauline letters that are usually associated with anti-imperial rhetoric. The following part of the article critically appraises the arguments for the presence of an anti-imperial script in Paul’s letters. The conclusions critically assess the methodology and premises of empire criticism, which essentially ignores Paul’s argumentative context, refers to the problematic “hidden transcript,” and can be strongly informed by contemporary ideologies. According to the author, Paul does not fight with the Empire, accepting its institutions and social order and trying to change them from within. Although the apostle does not consciously use the anti-imperial script, the Good News he preached and the communities he founded possess an anti-imperial potential. In light of this, the article ultimately advocates a careful application of empire criticism to Paul, which can serve a better understanding of the New Testament background and the message of Paul.
Book Review: Christoph Heilig, The Apostle and the Empire. Paul’s Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 2022). Pp. 192 + xxii. ISBN 978-0-8028-8223-3
The article focuses on the phenomenon of free will in Paul, taking as the starting point Rom. 8:16. At the beginning, a concise exegetical analysis of Rom 8:16 is presented, placed in the rhetorical ...context of Rom 8. Subsequently, a comparison is drawn between Paul’s and Epictetus’s views on divine and human agency. First, the Epictetus’s idea of freedom is presented with a special emphasis on the notion of proairesis, understood as the true self of a person, responsible for free moral choices and actions. Next, the similarities and differences between the Epictetus’s and Pauline vision of free will are discussed. What connects the apostle and the philosopher are convictions that free will can exist in a divinely determined world and that human volition requires continuous education and subordination to God’s will. The elements that clearly distinguish Paul from Epictetus are the natural image of deity to be imitated in the human pursuit of freedom, and a genuinely relational, corporeal and emotive character of free will in the apostle. The psycho-somatic nature of human personality and will in Paul invites a dialogue between the apostle and modern science but it has to be carried out cautiously, bearing in mind the different methodologies, the idea of transcendent deity and Christological foundation upon which the Pauline idea of freedom and free will is built.
The author analyzes the Pauline pronouncement on homosexuality in Rom 1:26-27. He first places it in the context of the apostle’s arguments in Rom 1–4, outlines the structure of Rom 1:18-32, and ...examines the most important terms related to homosexual behavior in Rom 1:22-32. Subsequently, the author presents contemporary interpretations of Rom 1:26-27 which deconstruct or reject the Pauline critique of homosexual acts. They are divided into three basic categories: arguments from the position of modern psychology and ancient homosexual practices, arguments based on Paul’s understanding of nature, and arguments stemming from the rhetorical-literary context of Rom 1:18-32. The author critically examines these arguments, pointing to their anachronisms, limited reading of the apostle’s argumentative context, unsubstantiated overlapping of the concept of nature and cultural norm, and disregard of the universalistic character of the Pauline discourse in Rom 1:18-32.
The author analyzes the foundations of Paul’s argument on homosexuality in Rom 1:26-27. First, he points to the categories of honor and shame functioning in the Hellenistic world, which the apostle ...refers to when he describes male and female homosexual relations moved by “degrading” and “consuming passions,” and consequently leading to “shameless acts” (Rom 1:26-27). Second, Paul relies on the natural law, which he perceives not as a cultural norm but, like some Greco-Roman and Jewish authors, as a creation order permeated with God’s insight. Third, the primary point of reference for the apostle are the Scriptures and the broadly understood Jewish tradition (Lev 18:22; 20:13; Deut 4:16-19; Ps 105:20; Jer 2:11; Wis 12–15), especially Genesis 1–3 (with particular emphasis on Gen 1:27-28). They connect homosexuality with idolatry, transgressing the order of creation and blurring the distinction between the male and the female. Gender differences serve procreation, but also building up the relationship based on mutual understanding and complementarity between a man and a woman. The apostle finds allies in Plato, Plutarch, Dio Chrysostom, Philo, Flavius Joseph, Pseudo-Phocylides and many others who also refer to the categories of honor and shame, natural law and procreation in their critique of homosexual acts.
The author analyses Jesus’ baptism in Jordan, looking for its parallel in the Christian baptism. He begins by acknowledging the historicity of Jesus’ baptism and reflects on the meaning of the ...baptism of John by juxtaposing it with similar rites described in the Old Testament texts, in Second Temple Jewish literature, and in rabbinical sources. Then he analyses the meaning of Jesus’ baptism, criticizing the historical-critical interpretations that separate the scene of baptism from the theophany that follows it. According to the author, such an operation is unfounded due to the nature of ancient texts and the literary and thematic continuity between baptism and theophany in the synoptic Gospels. Further, the author presents arguments demonstrating that Jesus comes to Jordan already aware of his identity and mission, which the Father’s voice announces to others and objectivizes. In the last step, it is argued that Jesus’ baptism in Jordan together with the Lord’s death and resurrection could have been a point of reference for the early Christian understanding of baptism connected with the gift of the Spirit, with the filial dignity and the “Abba” prayer and with the inheritance of heaven. All these elements can be found in Rom 8:14-17,23 which describes the new life of those baptized in Christ.
The paper presents the influence of the temperature of the sintering process on the microstructure and selected properties of boron carbide/TiB2/SiC composites obtained in situ by spark plasma ...sintering (SPS). The homogeneous mixture of boron carbide and 5% vol. Ti5Si3 micropowders were used as the initial material. Spark plasma sintering was conducted at 1700 °C, 1800 °C, and 1900 °C for 10 min after the initial pressing at 35 MPa. The heating and cooling rate was 200 °C/min. The obtained boron carbide composites were subjected to density measurement, an analysis of the chemical and phase composition, microstructure examination, and dry friction-wear tests in ball-on-disc geometry using WC as a counterpart material. The phase compositions of the produced composites differed from the composition of the initial powder mixture. Instead of titanium silicide, two new phases appeared: TiB2 and SiC. The complete disappearance of Ti5Si3 was accompanied by a decrease in the boron carbide content of the stoichiometry formula B13C2 and an increase in the content of TiB2, while the SiC content was almost constant. The relative density of the obtained boron carbide composites, as well as their hardness and resistance to wear, increased with the sintering temperature and TiB2 content. Unfortunately, the reactions occurring during sintering did not allow us to obtain composites with high density and hardness. The relative density was 76–85.2% of the theoretical one, while the Vickers hardness was in the range of 4–12 GPa. The mechanism wear of boron carbide composites tested in friction contact with WC was abrasive. The volumetric wear rate (Wv) of composites decreased with increasing sintering temperature and TiB2 content. The average value of coefficient of friction (CoF) was in the range of 0.54–0.61, i.e., it did not differ significantly from the value for B4C sinters.
Since the release of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB2; Arctic Front AdvanceTM, Medtronic Inc) and its design modifications with improved cooling characteristics, the technique, dosing, and ...complication profile is significantly different from that of the first-generation cryoballoon. A comprehensive report of CB2 procedural recommendations has not been reported.
The purpose of this study was to review the current best practices from a group of experienced centers to create a user’s consensus guide for CB2 ablation.
High-volume operators with a combined experience of more than 3000 CB2 cases were interviewed, and consensus for technical and procedural best practice was established.
Comprehensive review of the CB2 ablation best practice guide will provide a detailed technique for achieving safer and more effective outcomes for CB2 atrial fibrillation ablation.
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