Challenges and principled responses to privacy protection from biometric technology in China

Biometric technology has transformed human biological characteristics into a new form of privacy, and the misuse of this technology poses challenges to protecting this new privacy. This article initially defines biometric technology and biometric characteristics, further demonstrating why biometric characteristics belong to personal privacy and how biometric technology poses challenges to its protection. Through analysis, this article argues that the essence of these challenges is the conflicts between the ethical principle of privacy protection and the ethical principle of maximizing social benefits. In order to address these challenges, it is necessary first to weigh the fundamental ethical principles. The two basic principles of privacy protection and maximizing social benefits are not mutual antagonism but hierarchy, and this hierarchy should be based on the principle of practical feasibility. That is, applying biometric technology should first meet the principle of practical feasibility and, on this premise, realize the principle of maximizing social benefits based on not infringing on the principle of privacy protection.

La tecnología biométrica ha transformado las características biológicas humanas en una nueva forma de privacidad, y el uso indebido de esta tecnología plantea desafíos a su protección. En este artículo se define inicialmente la tecnología biométrica y las características biométricas; se demuestra además por qué las características biométricas pertenecen a la privacidad personal y cómo la tecnología biométrica plantea retos para su protección. Este artículo argumenta que la esencia de estos retos es el conflicto entre el principio ético de protección de la privacidad y el de maximización de los beneficios sociales. Para abordar estos retos es necesario sopesar primero los principios éticos fundamentales. Los dos principios básicos de protección de la privacidad y maximización de los beneficios sociales no son antagónicos, sino jerárquicos, y esta jerarquía debe basarse en el principio de viabilidad práctica. Es decir, la aplicación de la tecnología biométrica debe cumplir primero el principio de viabilidad práctica y, a partir de esta premisa, realizar el principio de maximización de los beneficios sociales sobre la base de no infringir el principio de protección de la intimidad.

A tecnologia biométrica transformou as características biológicas humanas em uma nova forma de privacidade, e o mal uso dessa tecnologia apresenta desafios para proteger essa nova privacidade. Esse artigo inicialmente define tecnologia biométrica e características biométricas, demonstrando posteriormente por que características biométricas pertencem à privacidade pessoal e como tecnologia biométrica coloca desafios à sua proteção. Através de análise, esse artigo discute que a essência desses desafios é o conflito entre o princípio ético da proteção da privacidade e o princípio ético de maximizar benefícios sociais. De forma a visar esses desafios é necessário primeiro ponderar os princípios éticos fundamentais. Os dois princípios básicos de proteção da privacidade e de maximizar benefícios sociais não são mutuamente antagônicos mas hierárquicos, e essa hierarquia deve ser baseada no princípio da viabilidade prática. Isso é, aplicar tecnologia biométrica deve primeiro atender ao princípio da viabilidade prática e, nessa premissa, compreender o princípio de maximizar benefícios sociais com base em não infringir o princípio de proteção da privacidade.

Life Cycle and Biometric Study of Hydrotaea capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae), a Species of Forensic Interest.

One of the most important and perhaps most used applications of forensic entomology concerns the estimation of the minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI), defined as the time interval between death and the actual finding of a corpse. Some Diptera species are critical in these studies because they are the first ones capable of detecting and finding a corpse and are selectively attracted by its decomposing status. Thus, the knowledge of the micromorphology of their preimaginal stages and of their life cycles within a time frame constitutes solid indicators for estimating the minPMI. Hydrotaea capensis is a Muscidae of forensic interest usually considered as a late colonizer of corpses. It is widely distributed, living mainly in warm regions, and present in a wide variety of habitats. In this study, the H. capensis life cycle was studied at four constant temperatures, 18°, 20°, 25° and 30 °C, by recording the duration of its different developmental stages, including the length reached in each larval stage, as well as some biometric characteristics of the emerged adults. Significant differences were observed in the average time of development of most larval stages, with a longer duration at low temperatures, and in the length of each larval stage depending on the temperature, but, in this case, without a clear pattern. Moreover, significant differences were found in some alar features, pointing to them as a relevant indicator to be considered. The data provided will assist forensic entomologists to make more accurate minPMI estimations in cases where H. capensis is present.

The ocular biometry characteristics of young patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Although primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) mainly occurs in elderly people, diagnosis of PACG in young patients is not uncommon. So far, there is no article specialized on the ocular anatomical characteristics in these patients.In this study, ocular anatomical characteristics in young PACG patients are analyzed. METHODS: In this retrospective, comparative study, patients diagnosed with PACG and received ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) examination in our department were included. Patients were divided into two groups: a young group composed of patients ≤ 45 years and an old group composed of patients > 45 years. A-scan ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) were used to measure ocular biometric parameters of patients in the two groups including axial length (AL), lens thickness (LT), central anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), angle opening distance 500 (AOD500), anterior chamber angle 500 (ACA500), iris thickness 1000 µm from the iris root (IT1000), iris thickness 500 µm from the iris root (IT500), trabecular-ciliary process angle (TCPA), trabecular-ciliary process distance (TCPD), scleral- ciliary process angle (SCPA), lens vault (LV), and pupil diameter (PD). Plateau iris (PI) and basal iris insertion were determined from UBM images, and the prevalence of PI and basal iris insertion were compared between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative malignant glaucoma (MG) was also determined in both groups and ocular anatomical predictors for the development of MG were evaluated in young PACG patients. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen patients were included into young group and 480 patients were included into old group. The young group had shorter TCPD, shorter AL, narrower TCPA, narrower SCPA thinner Lens compared to the old group. There were no significant differences in ACD, AOD 500, ACA500, LV, IT500, IT1000, PD or ACW between the two groups. The prevalence of PI was 22.6% in old group and 66.1% in young group (P < 0.001). More young PACG patients displayed basal iris insertion compared to old PACG patients (P < 0.001). 87 patients in the young group and 201 patients in the old group underwent trabeculectomy in our study. Among these patients, 21 young patients and 11 old patients developed MG after trabeculectomy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Shorter AL, more anteriorly positioned ciliary body, higher prevalence of PI may be responsible for the etiology of young PACG patients. Our results suggest that shorter AL, shorter TCPD and narrower TCPA may be predictors for development of MG in young PACG patients after trabeculectomy.

Discriminant Canonical Tool for Differential Biometric Characterization of Multivariety Endangered Hen Breeds.

This study aimed to develop a tool to perform the morphological characterization of Sureña and Utrerana breeds, two endangered autochthonous breeds ascribed to the Mediterranean trunk of Spanish autochthonous hens and their varieties (n = 608; 473 females and 135 males). Kruskal-Wallis H test reported sex dimorphism pieces of evidence (p < 0.05 at least). Multicollinearity analysis reported (variance inflation factor (VIF) >5 variables were discarded) white nails, ocular ratio, and back length (Wilks' lambda values of 0.191, 0.357, and 0.429, respectively) to have the highest discriminant power in female morphological characterization. For males, ocular ratio and black/corneous and white beak colors (Wilks' lambda values of 0.180, 0.210, and 0.349, respectively) displayed the greatest discriminant potential. The first two functions explained around 90% intergroup variability. A stepwise discriminant canonical analysis (DCA) was used to determine genotype clustering patterns. Interbreed and varieties proximity was evaluated through Mahalanobis distances. Despite the adaptability capacity to alternative production systems ascribed to both avian breeds, Sureña and Utrerana morphologically differ. Breed dimorphism may evidence differential adaptability mechanisms linked to their aptitude (dual purpose/egg production). The present tool may serve as a model for the first stages of breed protection to be applicable in other endangered avian breeds worldwide.

Biometric Characterization of the Portuguese Autochthonous Hens Breeds.

Promotion of the conservation and preservation of local breed's biodiversity combined with the concept of sustainable agriculture and development of economically marginal areas are important policies to implement in modern society. The biometric characterization, contributing to maintain phenotypic traits, is a significant tool in breeding programs, which revaluate local breeds, allow the preservation of animal biodiversity and support consumer demands. This paper approaches the biometric characterization of the Portuguese poultry breeds through the study of sexual dimorphism and breed differentiation using six zoometric measures as differentiation criteria. A total of 429 fowl (66 males and 426 females) were studied and the parameters recorded were body weight, body length, chest circumference, shank length, shank diameter and wingspan. A highly sexual dimorphism was evident, in all breeds, with the "Branca" breed being the most zoometrically distant. Concerning Principal Component Analysis, the highly correlations observed between body length, wingspan and shank length, determined the generalized animal form and could be used as selection criteria for improving body size. Breeding programs aiming to preserve these local genetic resources should consider the dual purpose of these breeds: sustainability and cultural legacy, and the offer to urban consumers a source of differentiated high-quality products.

[The quality of the voice as the integrated estimate of the work of the speech apparatus individualizing]. / Tembr golosa kak integral'naia otsenka raboty rechevogo apparata, individualiziruiushchaia lichnost' govoriashchego.

This article presents the analysis of the problems arising in the investigations of the quality of human voice as the integrated estimate of the work of the speech apparatus to enable the identification of the speaker's personality for the purpose of expert expertise. The notion of the voice pitch and the peculiarities of the use of its specific characteristics in the identification studies making use of voice and speech information are considered. The main prerequisites for the instrumental evaluation of the objective features of the voice quality and speech-associated signals are discussed. It is concluded that the analysis of the quality of the voice and speech with the use of the instrumental techniques can greatly contribute to the objective evaluation of the quality of both the voice and the speech by the instrumental methods.

Critical review of the use and scientific basis of forensic gait analysis.

This review summarizes the scientific basis of forensic gait analysis and evaluates its use in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Denmark, following recent critique on the admission of gait evidence in Canada. A useful forensic feature is (1) measurable, (2) consistent within and (3) different between individuals. Reviewing the academic literature, this article found that (1) forensic gait features can be quantified or observed from surveillance video, but research into accuracy, validity and reliability of these methods is needed; (2) gait is variable within individuals under differing and constant circumstances, with speed having major influence; (3) the discriminative strength of gait features needs more research, although clearly variation exists between individuals. Nevertheless, forensic gait analysis has contributed to several criminal trials in Europe in the past 15 years. The admission of gait evidence differs between courts. The methods are mainly observer-based: multiple gait analysts (independently) assess gait features on video footage of a perpetrator and suspect. Using gait feature databases, likelihood ratios of the hypotheses that the observed individuals have the same or another identity can be calculated. Automated gait recognition algorithms calculate a difference measure between video clips, which is compared with a threshold value derived from a video gait recognition database to indicate likelihood. However, only partly automated algorithms have been used in practice. We argue that the scientific basis of forensic gait analysis is limited. However, gait feature databases enable its use in court for supportive evidence with relatively low evidential value. The recommendations made in this review are (1) to expand knowledge on inter- and intra-subject gait variabilities, discriminative strength and interdependency of gait features, method accuracies, gait feature databases and likelihood ratio estimations; (2) to compare automated and observer-based gait recognition methods; to design (3) an international standard method with known validity, reliability and proficiency tests for analysts; (4) an international standard gait feature data collection method resulting in database(s); (5) (inter)national guidelines for the admission of gait evidence in court; and (6) to decrease the risk for cognitive and contextual bias in forensic gait analysis. This is expected to improve admission of gait evidence in court and judgment of its evidential value. Several ongoing research projects focus on parts of these recommendations.

Effect of biometric characteristics on biomechanical properties of the cornea in cataract patient.

AIM: To determine the impact of biometric characteristics on the biomechanical properties of the human cornea using the ocular response analyzer (ORA) and standard comprehensive ophthalmic examinations before and after standard phacoemulsification. METHODS: This study comprised 54 eyes with cataract with significant lens opacification in stages I or II that underwent phacoemulsification (2.8 mm incision). Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were measured by ORA preoperatively and at 1mo postoperatively. Biometric characteristics were derived from corneal topography [TMS-5, anterior equivalent (EQTMS) and cylindric (CYLTMS) power], corneal tomography [Casia, anterior and posterior equivalent (EQaCASIC, EQpCASIA) and cylindric (CYLaCASIA, CYLpCASIA) power], keratometry [IOLMaster, anterior equivalent (EQIOL) and cylindric (CYLIOL) power] and autorefractor [anterior equivalent (EQAR)]. Results from ORA were analyzed and correlated with those from all other examinations taken at the same time point. RESULTS: Preoperatively, CH correlated with EQpCASIA and CYLpCASIA only (P=0.001, P=0.002). Postoperatively, IOPg and IOPcc correlated with all equivalent powers (EQTMS, EQIOL, EQAR, EQaCASIA and EQpCASIA) (P=0.001, P=0.007, P=0.001, P=0.015, P=0.03 for IOPg and P<0.001, P=0.003, P<0.001, P=0.009, P=0.014 for IOPcc). CH correlated postoperatively with EQaCASIA and EQpCASIC only (P=0.021, P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Biometric characteristics may significantly affect biomechanical properties of the cornea in terms of CH, IOPcc and IOPg before, but even more after cataract surgery.