Shadows Alter Facial Expressions of Noh Masks

Background

A Noh mask, worn by expert actors during performance on the Japanese traditional Noh drama, conveys various emotional expressions despite its fixed physical properties. How does the mask change its expressions? Shadows change subtly during the actual Noh drama, which plays a key role in creating elusive artistic enchantment. We here describe evidence from two experiments regarding how attached shadows of the Noh masks influence the observers’ recognition of the emotional expressions.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In Experiment 1, neutral-faced Noh masks having the attached shadows of the happy/sad masks were recognized as bearing happy/sad expressions, respectively. This was true for all four types of masks each of which represented a character differing in sex and age, even though the original characteristics of the masks also greatly influenced the evaluation of emotions. Experiment 2 further revealed that frontal Noh mask images having shadows of upward/downward tilted masks were evaluated as sad/happy, respectively. This was consistent with outcomes from preceding studies using actually tilted Noh mask images.

Conclusions/Significance

Results from the two experiments concur that purely manipulating attached shadows of the different types of Noh masks significantly alters the emotion recognition. These findings go in line with the mysterious facial expressions observed in Western paintings, such as the elusive qualities of Mona Lisa’s smile. They also agree with the aesthetic principle of Japanese traditional art “yugen (profound grace and subtlety)”, which highly appreciates subtle emotional expressions in the darkness.     

Perspective Distortion from Interpersonal Distance Is an Implicit Visual Cue for Social Judgments of Faces

The basis on which people make social judgments from the image of a face remains an important open problem in fields ranging from psychology to neuroscience and economics. Multiple cues from facial appearance influence the judgments that viewers make. Here we investigate the contribution of a novel cue: the change in appearance due to the perspective distortion that results from viewing distance. We found that photographs of faces taken from within personal space elicit lower investments in an economic trust game, and lower ratings of social traits (such as trustworthiness, competence, and attractiveness), compared to photographs taken from a greater distance. The effect was replicated across multiple studies that controlled for facial image size, facial expression and lighting, and was not explained by face width-to-height ratio, explicit knowledge of the camera distance, or whether the faces are perceived as typical. These results demonstrate a novel facial cue influencing a range of social judgments as a function of interpersonal distance, an effect that may be processed implicitly.     

Evaluation of the EMG-force relationship of trunk muscles during whole body tilt

The study was aimed at the identification of the electromyography (EMG)-force relationship of five different trunk muscles. EMG-force relationships differ depending on changes in firing rate and the concurrent recruitment of motor units, which are linear and S-shaped, respectively. Trunk muscles are viewed as belonging to either the local or global muscle systems. Based on such assumptions, it would be expected that these functionally assigned muscles use different activation strategies. Thirty-one healthy volunteers (16 women, 15 men) were investigated. Forces on the trunk were applied with the use of a device that gradually tilts the body to horizontal position. Rotation capability enabled investigation of forward and backward as well as right and left sideward tilt directions. Surface EMG (SEMG) of five trunk muscles was taken. Root mean square (rms) values were computed and relative amplitudes, according to the measured maximum amplitudes, were calculated individually. Back muscles were characterized by a linear SEMG-force relationship during forward tilt. Abdominal muscles showed an S-shaped polynomial SEMG-force relationship for backward tilt direction. Sideward tilt directions evoked lesser SEMG levels with polynomial curve characteristics for all investigated muscles. Therefore, the SEMG-force relationship possibly is also subject to force vector in relation to fiber direction.     

A comparative study of facial growth in Homo and Macaca

Sections were prepared throughout all areas of the various facial bones in young, growing Rhesus monkeys. The detailed distribution of resorptive and depository surfaces and the distribution of endosteal and periosteal bone tissue types were determined. From this information, the sequence of remodeling changes associated with the growth of the facial skeleton was then interpreted. This study is a sequal to previous reports in which growth and remodeling processes in the human face were described using similar procedures. In the present report, growth changes in the monkey and human facial skeleton are compared and contrasted. The general plan of facial growth is similar in both species, but major differences exist in the area of the muzzle. The maxillary arch in the monkey is entirely depository in nature, and it grows in a forward and downward direction as the maxillary tuberosity simultaneously grows backward. In the human, the forward part of the maxillary arch is resorptive in character. This contrasting growth factor results in a downward but not forward movement of this area. The result is decreased prognathism. Other differences in growth pattern exist in the forehead, malar, chin, and orbit. The developmental and phylogenetic basis for the upright human face is discussed and evaluated.     

Scanning Strategies Do Not Modulate Face Identification: Eye-Tracking and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Background

During face identification in humans, facial information is sampled (seeing) and handled (processing) in ways that are influenced by the kind of facial image type, such as a self-image or an image of another face. However, the relationship between seeing and information processing is seldom considered. In this study, we aimed to reveal this relationship using simultaneous eye-tracking measurements and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in face identification tasks.

Methodology/Principal Findings

22 healthy adult subjects (8 males and 14 females) were shown facial morphing movies in which an initial facial image gradually changed into another facial image (that is, the subject''s own face was changed to a familiar face). The fixation patterns on facial features were recorded, along with changes in oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) levels in the frontal lobe, while the subjects identified several faces. In the self-face condition (self-face as the initial image), hemodynamic activity around the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was significantly greater than in the familiar-face condition. On the other hand, the scanning strategy was similar in almost all conditions with more fixations on the eyes and nose than on other areas. Fixation time on the eye area did not correlate with changes in oxyHb levels, and none of the scanning strategy indices could estimate the hemodynamic changes.

Conclusions/Significance

We conclude that hemodynamic activity, i.e., the means of processing facial information, is not always modulated by the face-scanning strategy, i.e., the way of seeing, and that the right IFG plays important roles in both self-other facial discrimination and self-evaluation.     

Experimental analyses of body image in the chimpanzee

It is difficult to study body image in animals. In this study, it is assumed that the perception of the body of others reflects body image. The perception of the human face was examined in a series of six experiments with a chimpanzee. Delayed-matching-to-sample tasks were employed. Although the chimpanzee mastered the tasks and showed transfer of performance to new faces, subtle changes in the matching face resulted in the deterioration of performance. Responses of the chimpanzee were often controlled by factors other than the facial stimuli. Thus, although the chimpanzee has a body image as humans do, it may not be as clear and as segmented.     

The Effects of Maxillary Protraction with or without Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Age Factors in Treating Class III Malocclusion: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 12 studies to examine whether maxillary protraction face mask associated with rapid maxillary expansion (FM/RME) could be an effective treatment for Class III malocclusion and to evaluate the effect of timing on treatment response. Patients with a maxillary deficiency who were treated with FM with or without RME were compared with those who had an untreated Class III malocclusion. In both treatment groups, forward displacement of the maxilla and skeletal changes were found to be statistically significant. In addition, posterior rotation of the mandible and increased facial height were more evident in the FM group compared with the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the early treatment groups and late treatment groups. The results indicated that both FM/RME and FM therapy produced favorable skeletal changes for correcting anterior crossbite, and the curative time was not affected by the presence of deciduous teeth, early mixed dentition or late mixed dentition in the patient.     

Facial skeletal expansion: treatment strategies and rationale.

Forty-three nonconsecutive patients presenting with dentofacial deformity underwent surgical procedures designed intentionally to create skeletal disproportion in the sagittal and/or vertical dimensions. This was accomplished through expansion (enlargement) of the facial skeleton beyond normative standards. At the time of follow-up, which ranged from 14 to 36 months (mean 18.4 months), soft-tissue cephalometric analyses documented facial disproportion to exist in 37 of the 43 patients treated. Thirty-two patients had excessive anterior divergence (facial protrusion) at pogonion, and 17 patients had excessive lower face height as measured from subnasale to menton. All patients were judged to have had a favorable aesthetic outcome. This philosophy of facial skeletal expansion is predicated on two concepts: The first of these is that facial proportions and dimensions beyond those which are considered normal may be extremely attractive in a given individual. Second, the soft-tissue response to skeletal expansion is more favorable and predictable than it is to skeletal contraction in providing for well-supported soft tissues. This treatment planning approach is based on the dynamic interrelationship between the skeletal foundation and the soft-tissue facial mask. It relies on physical examination as the major determinant of aesthetic surgical options.     

Recognizing Age-Separated Face Images: Humans and Machines

Humans utilize facial appearance, gender, expression, aging pattern, and other ancillary information to recognize individuals. It is interesting to observe how humans perceive facial age. Analyzing these properties can help in understanding the phenomenon of facial aging and incorporating the findings can help in designing effective algorithms. Such a study has two components - facial age estimation and age-separated face recognition. Age estimation involves predicting the age of an individual given his/her facial image. On the other hand, age-separated face recognition consists of recognizing an individual given his/her age-separated images. In this research, we investigate which facial cues are utilized by humans for estimating the age of people belonging to various age groups along with analyzing the effect of one''s gender, age, and ethnicity on age estimation skills. We also analyze how various facial regions such as binocular and mouth regions influence age estimation and recognition capabilities. Finally, we propose an age-invariant face recognition algorithm that incorporates the knowledge learned from these observations. Key observations of our research are: (1) the age group of newborns and toddlers is easiest to estimate, (2) gender and ethnicity do not affect the judgment of age group estimation, (3) face as a global feature, is essential to achieve good performance in age-separated face recognition, and (4) the proposed algorithm yields improved recognition performance compared to existing algorithms and also outperforms a commercial system in the young image as probe scenario.     

Developmental changes in the facial morphology of the Borneo orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus): possible signals in visual communication

Orangutans display remarkable developmental changes and sexual differences in facial morphology, such as the flanges or cheek-pads that develop only on the face of dominant adult males. These changes suggest that facial morphology is an important factor in visual communication. However, developmental changes in facial morphology have not been examined in detail. We studied developmental changes in the facial morphology of the Borneo orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) by observing 79 individuals of various ages living in the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC) in Malaysia and in Japanese zoos. We also analyzed photographs of one captive male that were taken over a period of more than 16 years. There were clear morphological changes that occurred with growth, and we identified previously unreported sexual and developmental differences in facial morphology. Light-colored skin around the eyes and mouth is most prominent in animals younger than 3 years, and rapidly decreases in area through the age of approximately 7 years. At the same time, the scattered, erect hairs on the head (infant hair) become thick, dense hairs lying on the head (adult hair) in both sexes. The results suggest that these features are infant signals, and that adult signals may include darkened face color, adult hair, whiskers, and a beard, which begin to develop after the age of approximately 7 years in both sexes. In females, the eyelids remain white even after 10 years, and turn black at around the age of 20; in males, the eyelids turn black before the age of 10. The whiskers and beards of adults are thicker in males than in females, and are fully developed before the age of 10 in males, while they begin to develop in females only after approximately 20 years. White eyelids and undeveloped whiskers and beards may be visual signals that are indicative of young adult females. Our results also show that the facial morphology of the unflanged male is similar to that of the adult female, although it has also been pointed out that unflanged males resemble younger individuals.     

Effects of damping head movement and facial expression in dyadic conversation using real–time facial expression tracking and synthesized avatars

When people speak with one another, they tend to adapt their head movements and facial expressions in response to each others'' head movements and facial expressions. We present an experiment in which confederates'' head movements and facial expressions were motion tracked during videoconference conversations, an avatar face was reconstructed in real time, and naive participants spoke with the avatar face. No naive participant guessed that the computer generated face was not video. Confederates'' facial expressions, vocal inflections and head movements were attenuated at 1 min intervals in a fully crossed experimental design. Attenuated head movements led to increased head nods and lateral head turns, and attenuated facial expressions led to increased head nodding in both naive participants and confederates. Together, these results are consistent with a hypothesis that the dynamics of head movements in dyadicconversation include a shared equilibrium. Although both conversational partners were blind to the manipulation, when apparent head movement of one conversant was attenuated, both partners responded by increasing the velocity of their head movements.     

Cephalometric study of elderly with nearly intact dental arches

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the craniofacial morphology of elderly people with many remaining teeth using cephalometric analysis. Subjects and methods: The subjects were 30 Japanese elderly who participated in the ‘8020 campaign 2001’ in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, organised by The Dental Association of Tokyo, as well as 30 Japanese young adults with normal occlusion. Lateral cephalograms of all subjects were analysed using the Coben method. Results: In the female elderly group, the lower face depth was smaller than in the younger adults. In the male elderly group, the height and depth of both the total face and the lower face were longer than in the younger group. In comparing the 8020 achievers with the younger group, the proportion of the lower facial height was greater than the upper facial height, and this finding was more pronounced in women than in men. Conclusion: For the lateral facial pattern of the elderly, a reduction of lower facial height because of tooth occlusal reduction was not apparent. It was clear that there are age differences for males and females; in addition, differences in the total face and lower face area of the elderly group were due to their having many remaining teeth over a long time period. Also, these changes were more apparent in women than in men, and it is clear that there is a male–female difference in ageing.     

中国14个特殊旁系族群的头面部特征比较

头面部特征是人类学各人种进行分类的重要依据,在人类学的研究中被用作亲缘关系的证据.2006-2016年在四川、云南、西藏、贵州、海南、新疆、内蒙古共调查14个族群成人2989人(男性1434人,女性1555人)的16项头面部指标,比较这些族群头面部特征差异.研究结果如下:1)在男性族群中木雅人、尔苏人、临高人、白马人的...     

Force-dependent stepping kinetics of myosin-V

Myosin-V is a processive two-headed actin-based motor protein involved in many intracellular transport processes. A key question for understanding myosin-V function and the communication between its two heads is its behavior under load. Since in vivo myosin-V colocalizes with other much stronger motors like kinesins, its behavior under superstall forces is especially relevant. We used optical tweezers with a long-range force feedback to study myosin-V motion under controlled external forward and backward loads over its full run length. We find the mean step size remains constant at approximately 36 nm over a wide range of forces from 5 pN forward to 1.5 pN backward load. We also find two force-dependent transitions in the chemomechanical cycle. The slower ADP-release is rate limiting at low loads and depends only weakly on force. The faster rate depends more strongly on force. The stronger force dependence suggests this rate represents the diffusive search of the leading head for its binding site. In contrast to kinesin motors, myosin-V's run length is essentially independent of force between 5 pN of forward to 1.5 pN of backward load. At superstall forces of 5 pN, we observe continuous backward stepping of myosin-V, indicating that a force-driven reversal of the power stroke is possible.     

Dephosphorylation of inner arm 1 is associated with ciliary reversals in Tetrahymena thermophila

In many organisms, depolarizing stimuli cause an increase in intraciliary Ca2+, which results in reversal of ciliary beat direction and backward swimming. The mechanism by which an increase in intraciliary Ca2+ causes ciliary reversal is not known. Here we show that Tetrahymena cells treated with okadaic acid or cantharidin to inhibit protein phosphatases do not swim backwards in response to depolarizing stimuli. We also show that both okadaic acid and cantharidin inhibit backward swimming in reactivated, extracted cell models treated with Ca2+. In contrast, treatment of whole cells or extracted cell models with protein kinase inhibitors has no effect on backward swimming. These results suggest that a component of the axonemal machinery is dephosphorylated during ciliary reversal. The phosphorylation state of inner arm dynein 1 (I1) was determined before and after cells were exposed to depolarizing conditions that induce ciliary reversal. An I1 intermediate chain is phosphorylated in forward swimming cells but is dephosphorylated in cells treated with a depolarizing stimulus. Our results suggest that dephosphorylation of Tetrahymena inner arm dynein 1 may be an essential part of the mechanism of ciliary reversal in response to increased intraciliary Ca2+.     

Stimulus detection after interruption of the feedforward response in a backward masking paradigm

In backward masking, a target stimulus is rendered invisible by the presentation of a second stimulus, the mask. When the mask is effective, neural responses to the target are suppressed. Nevertheless, weak target responses sometimes may produce a behavioural response. It remains unclear whether the reduced target response is a purely feedforward response or that it includes recurrent activity. Using a feedforward neural network of biological plausible spiking neurons, we tested whether a transient spike burst is sufficient for face categorization. After training the network, the system achieved face/non-face categorization for sets of grayscale images. In a backward masking paradigm, the transient burst response was cut off thereby reducing the feedforward target response. Despite the suppressed feedforward responses stimulus classification remained robust. Thus according to our model data stimulus detection is possible with purely, suppressed feedforward responses.     

Results of the study of selected head measurements of Jena children]

Secular changes of head measurements (frontal breadth, bizygomatic breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height, morphological facial height, lower face height) are analysed. The data are based on the Jena anthropological investigations of school children from 1975 and 1985. The inclusion of the data of the Jena longitudinal study carried out since 1985 allows an analysis of the further secular trend. Noticeable changes are proved in most of the analysed traits (frontal breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height, morphological facial height, lower face height) between 1975 and 1985. The vertical measurements show greater percentage differences than the horizontal measurements, which, among other things, results in a relative narrowing of the face. In some head measurements (frontal breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height) the trends continue after 1985. The secular trends show no obvious connection with the temporal acceleration of the dentition in the probands of the longitudinal study. However, a connection seems to be possible between the accelerated puberal growth spurt of the body height and the puberal growth spurt in some head dimensions.     

Novel Vitamin and Gold-Loaded Nanofiber Facial Mask for Topical Delivery

l-ascorbic acid has been widely used in cosmetic and dermatological products because of its ability to scavenge free radicals and destroy oxidizing agents. However, it is chemically unstable and can easily be oxidized. The current cosmetic facial masks available in the market are pre-moistened, which means that the aqueous fluid content of the mask may oxidize some of the unstable active ingredients such as ascorbic acid. This work presents an anti-wrinkle nanofiber face mask containing ascorbic acid, retinoic acid, gold nanoparticles, and collagen. This novel face mask will only be wetted when applied to the skin, thus enhancing product stability. Once moistened, the content of the mask will gradually dissolve and release the active ingredients and ensure maximum skin penetration. The high surface area-to-volume ratio of the nanofiber mask will ensure maximum contact with the skin surface and help to enhance the skin permeation to restore its healthy appearance. Electrospun fiber mats may provide an attractive alternative to the commercial facial cotton masks.     

The role of the notochard in forward and reverse swimming and burrowing in the amphioxus Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Analyses of high speed cinefilm have shown that amphioxus swims either forward or backward with undulatory movement generated at the leading end, the wave of displacement passing along the body with increasing amplitude. The leading end, whether this is "head" or tail, is evidently more rigid than the trailing end, flexibility at each end changing with reversal in direction of swimming. It is suggested that control of the amplitude of the waves of displacement in different regions of the body in swimming is a function of the notochord, contraction of the muscular notochordal plates increasing its stiffness. Connections between the central nervous system and the notochordal plates via the notochordal pits are already known to exist.
As exposure to light invariably induces swimming in dark–adapted animals, it seems probable that the eyes function in initiating movement. The rate of increase in number and size of the eye cups during larval and adult growth and their pattern of distribution in the nerve cord are given. In the adult the eye cups occur predominantly in the anterior and posterior regions of the body. This may be of significance in providing the stimulus for changes in flexibility of these regions in swimming.
High speed cinefilm has also shown that amphioxus can burrow "head" or tail-first and move through sand in a forward or a reverse direction. It is suggested that rapid reversal of direction is of greater importance in movement through sand than in swimming.