Facial Asymmetry Analysis Based on 3-D Dynamic Scans

Facial dysfunction is a fundamental symptom which often relates to many neurological illnesses, such as stroke, Bell’s palsy, Parkinson’s disease, etc. The current methods for detecting and assessing facial dysfunctions mainly rely on the trained practitioners which have significant limitations as they are often subjective. This paper presents a computer-based methodology of facial asymmetry analysis which aims for automatically detecting facial dysfunctions. The method is based on dynamic 3-D scans of human faces. The preliminary evaluation results testing on facial sequences from Hi4D-ADSIP database suggest that the proposed method is able to assist in the quantification and diagnosis of facial dysfunctions for neurological patients

A statistical shape model for deformable surface

This short paper presents a deformable surface registration scheme which is based on the statistical shape modelling technique. The method consists of two major processing stages, model building and model fitting. A statistical shape model is first built using a set of training data. Then the model is deformed and matched to the new data by a modified iterative closest point (ICP) registration process. The proposed method is tested on real 3-D facial data from BU-3DFE database. It is shown that proposed method can achieve a reasonable result on surface registration, and can be used for patient position monitoring in radiation therapy and potentially can be used for monitoring of the radiation therapy progress for head and neck patients by analysis of facial articulation

From Shark Finning to Shark Fishing: a Strategy for the U.S. & EU to Combat Shark Finning in China & Hong Kong

Globally, the shark population is under extreme stress, primarily due to the rise of China and a growing middle class with a taste for a cultural dish: shark fin soup. Sharks play an important ecologic role and can be extremely beneficial to the local economy. They can also be an important food source for people if harvested sustainably and not in a manner that challenges the morality of humans’ relationship with the ocean; something the current shark finning practices do. Approaches to sustainable shark fishing at the international and domestic level have met some success. Even so, China and Hong Kong have become major markets for shark fins. Because of economic prowess and experience in shark finning regulatory schemes, the U.S. and EU are in a unique position to induce China to draft a similar set of rules and policies through a series of incentives. These rules would look similar to the ones in the U.S. and EU and would ban shark finning, only allowing the landings of fully intact sharks. This strategy could provide much needed relief to global shark populations. While challenges to implement this may arise from Hong Kong, the WTO and Japan, there are still pathways to successful implementation

Fathom Magazine, v. 8, no. 2, Summer 1996 22pp :Florida sharks

CONTENTS. Protecting the Predators, by Jay Humphrey. Economics Create Responsible Shark Management, by Jay Humphreys. The Healing Power of Sharks, by Kelly Marie Sokol. Shark! by Jay Humphreys. Florida's Sharks. Entering the Sharks' Environment, by Susan Grantham. Regulations Affect the Commercial Shark Fishing Industry, by Susan Grantham. Fishing for Information, by Susan Grantham. Tagging, not Bagging, by Robert Hueter, Mote Marine Laboratory. Shark Sites of Interest on the Internet

How sharks and shark - human interactions are reported in major Australian newspapers

Few phrases evoke more negative emotion, or generate more media coverage, than ‘shark attack’ despite the few deaths that have been attributed to shark bite. Typically, tabloids are considered to provide more sensational coverage than broadsheets. We investigated how sharks and shark–human interactions were portrayed in four major Australian newspapers during a period of a record number of shark attacks in Australian waters. There was strong focus on human risk from sharks, and over-reportage of negative aspects. Thirty incidents were recorded: two fatal, 20 injury, and eight ‘near-miss’. Of 309 ‘shark’ articles surveyed, 24% mentioned fatalities (65% occurred prior to the study, some decades earlier). Injury was reported in 40% of articles, and “near-miss” in 33% (89% related to an incident in South Africa involving an Australian surfing celebrity). The tabloid, Telegraph, published substantially more shark-related articles and photographs than other newspapers. There was otherwise no consistent pattern of difference between genre or newspapers

European Shark Fisheries: A Preliminary Investigation into Fisheries, Conversion Factors, Trade Products, Markets and Management Measures

Recommends new regulations to prevent shark finning -- an illegal practice in which a shark's fins are removed and its carcass dumped at sea -- and stresses the urgent need for effective shark conservation measures

Towards a comprehensive 3D dynamic facial expression database

Human faces play an important role in everyday life, including the expression of person identity, emotion and intentionality, along with a range of biological functions. The human face has also become the subject of considerable research effort, and there has been a shift towards understanding it using stimuli of increasingly more realistic formats. In the current work, we outline progress made in the production of a database of facial expressions in arguably the most realistic format, 3D dynamic. A suitable architecture for capturing such 3D dynamic image sequences is described and then used to record seven expressions (fear, disgust, anger, happiness, surprise, sadness and pain) by 10 actors at 3 levels of intensity (mild, normal and extreme). We also present details of a psychological experiment that was used to formally evaluate the accuracy of the expressions in a 2D dynamic format. The result is an initial, validated database for researchers and practitioners. The goal is to scale up the work with more actors and expression types

Evidence of Decline in Shark Fin Demand: China

Many of the planet's vulnerable shark species face extreme population pressures due to overfishing often driven by demand for their fins. In recent years, with its growing economy, China has emerged as the largest market for shark fin. Consumer awareness campaigns that focus on demand reduction are vital to addressing this urgent crisis. Since 2006, WildAid's culturally sensitive and celebritydriven multimedia campaigns focused on shark fin demand reduction have reached hundreds of millions of consumers throughout China on broadcast and satellite television, LCD screens on trains and in subway and railway stations, airports, airline in-flight entertainment, shopping malls, banks, taxis, universities and hospitals. To enhance their impact these public service announcements and social media campaigns feature celebrity ambassadors, such as Yao Ming, Jackie Chan and David Beckham, promoting the message, "When the buying stops, the killing can too."In 2012, the impact of demand reduction campaigns became more pronounced and was further boosted by the Chinese government's announced ban on shark fin at state banquets, and the resulting extensive media coverage of the issue by Chinese State television (CCTV). In 2013, WildAid's demand reduction campaigns leveraged US$164 million in pro-bono media placement via state and private media partnerships in China. Recent consumer surveys indicated that these demand reduction campaigns have been broadly viewed and reportedly have prompted many people to give up shark fin soup in China. This report compiles recent information on consumer behavior and changes in the prices of shark fin in the markets from a variety of independent sources. As any one survey or study provides only a snapshot and is usually limited in scope, this report aims to provide a more complete picture of current shark fin demand