The effect of processing partial information in dynamic face perception.

Face perception is a major topic in vision research. Most previous research has concentrated on (holistic) spatial representations of faces, often with static faces as stimuli. However, faces are highly dynamic stimuli containing important temporal information. How sensitive humans are regarding temporal information in dynamic faces is not well understood. Studies investigating temporal information in dynamic faces usually focus on the processing of emotional expressions. However, faces also contain relevant temporal information without any strong emotional expression. To investigate cues that modulate human sensitivity to temporal order, we utilized muted dynamic neutral face videos in two experiments. We varied the orientation of the faces (upright and inverted) and the presence/absence of eye blinks as partial dynamic cues. Participants viewed short, muted, monochromic videos of models vocalizing a widely known text (National Anthem). Videos were played either forward (in the correct temporal order) or backward. Participants were asked to determine the direction of the temporal order for each video, and (at the end of the experiment) whether they had understood the speech. We found that face orientation, and the presence/absence of an eye blink affected sensitivity, criterion (bias) and reaction time: Overall, sensitivity was higher for upright compared to inverted faces, and in the condition where an eye blink was present compared to the condition without an eye blink. Reaction times were mostly faster in the conditions with higher sensitivity. A bias to report inverted faces as 'backward' observed in Experiment I, where upright and inverted faces were presented randomly interleaved within each block, was absent when presenting upright and inverted faces in different blocks in Experiment II. Language comprehension results revealed that there was higher sensitivity when understanding the speech compared to not understanding the speech in both experiments. Taken together, our results showed higher sensitivity with upright compared to inverted faces, suggesting that the perception of dynamic, task-relevant information was superior with the canonical orientation of the faces. Furthermore, partial information coming from eye blinks, in addition to mouth movements, seemed to play a significant role in dynamic face perception, both when faces were presented upright and inverted. We suggest that studying the perception of facial dynamics beyond emotional expressions will help us to better understand the mechanisms underlying the temporal integration of facial information from different -partial and holistic- sources, and that our results show how different strategies, depending on the available information, are employed by human observers when judging the temporal order of faces.

Impact of fully online flipped classroom on academic achievement in undergraduate dental education: An experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: The last two decades have seen a shift towards blended learning in education due to technological advancements. This study focuses on dental education, comparing two blended learning models -enriched virtual and fully online flipped classroom - in terms of academic achievement, aligning with the Association for Dental Education in Europe's competencies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was modelled in a quantitative design with a pre-post-test control group experimental design. The study was conducted at Ege University Faculty of Dentistry in Turkey for 4 weeks with the experimental (n = 44) and control (n = 39) groups divided into two groups by impartial assignment. To the experimental group, the theoretical part of the course was tried to be conveyed before each lesson with video lessons prepared with EdPuzzle containing reinforcement questions and a question set consisting of case questions. The practical learning objectives of the course were tried to be gained through the discussion of the previously presented case questions in the online synchronous course. As tools for collecting data, a unique academic achievement test, a course evaluation form and a semi-structured qualitative data collection form were used. RESULTS: It was seen that the flipped classroom model had a more positive effect on students' academic achievement than the enriched virtual classroom model. The general satisfaction levels of the participants regarding these two models are also higher in favour of the flipped classroom model. CONCLUSION: This study provides significant findings for educational institutions, policymakers and educators about the impact of fully online teaching methods on academic achievement. In this context, the flipped classroom method can be preferred both in cases where education is blocked and in dental education institutions that want to ensure digital transformation efficiently and partially remotely.

¿Afecta la infección asintomática, leve y moderada por Covid-19 en el primer y segundo trimestre los resultados del embarazo?

Objetivo : Determinar los efectos de la infección Covid-19 asintomática, leve y moderada en el primer y segundo trimestres en los resultados del embarazo. Métodos : El estudio se realizó en las gestantes que acudieron al Departamento de Perinatología de la Universidad de Ciencias de la Salud de Izmir entre octubre de 2021 y julio de 2022. Se registraron las mujeres embarazadas que presentaban infección asintomática, leve y moderada por Covid-19 en el 1º y 2º trimestre y se siguió el desarrollo de la gestación. Resultados : Un total de 437 pacientes participaron en el estudio. El número de pacientes asintomáticos, leves y moderados de Covid-19 fue de 142, 157 y 138, respectivamente. Cada grupo se analizó como subgrupo del 1º y 2º trimestre según el momento de la infección por Covid-19. La edad media de las pacientes con Covid-19 moderado era superior a la de las pacientes con Covid-19 leve/asintomático (p=0,021). Se observó que el índice de masa corporal era mayor en las pacientes con Covid-19 moderado que en las pacientes con infección leve/asintomática (p=0,048). El parto pretérmino (entre las semanas 34 y 37) fue significativamente mayor en los casos con infección moderada por Covid-19 (p=0,041). Este aumento ocurrió principalmente en pacientes con infección por Covid-19 en el 2º trimestre. No hubo modificaciones significativas en las tasas de cesárea, trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, pérdida fetal, retraso del crecimiento intrauterino, colestasis del embarazo y diabetes gestacional. Conclusiones : Los efectos de la infección por Covid-19 al inicio del embarazo (1º y 2º trimestres) siguen siendo objeto de investigación. La infección moderada por Covid-19, especialmente en el 2º trimestre, puede provocar un aumento de la tasa de partos prematuros.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 infection in the 1st and 2nd trimesters on pregnancy outcomes. Material and methods: The study was performed among patients who applied to the Perinatology Department of Izmir University of Health Sciences, between October 2021 and July 2022. Pregnant women who had asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 infection in the 1st and 2nd trimesters were registered and their pregnancy processes were followed. Results: A total of 437 patients participated in the study. The numbers of asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 patients were 142, 157 and 138, respectively. Each group was analyzed as 1st and 2nd trimester subgroups according to the time of Covid-19 infection. The mean age of patients with moderate Covid-19 was higher than with mild/asymptomatic Covid-19 (p=0.021). Body mass index was found to be higher in patients with moderate Covid-19 compared to patients with mild/asymptomatic infection (p=0.048). Preterm labor (between 34th and 37th weeks) was significantly higher with moderate Covid-19 infection (p=0.041). This significant increase was mainly due to the preterm birth rate in patients with previous Covid-19 infection in the 2nd trimester. There was no significant change in the rates of cesarean section, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction, cholestasis of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Conclusions: The effects of Covid-19 infection in early pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimester) are still the subject of research. Moderate Covid-19 infection, especially in the 2nd trimester, may lead to an increase in the rate of preterm birth.

Postoperative pain and neuropathy after caesarean operation featuring blunt or sharp opening of the fascia: a randomised, parallel group, double-blind study.

The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative pain and neuropathy after primary caesarean sections with either blunt or sharp fascial expansions. A total of 123 women undergoing primary caesarean sections were included in the study. The sharp group had 61 patients, and the blunt group had 62. In the sharp group, the fascia was incised sharply and extended using scissors. In blunt group, the fascia was bluntly opened by lateral finger-pulling. The primary outcome was postoperative pain. The long-term chronic pain scores were significantly lower in the blunt group during mobilisation (p = .012 and p = .022). Neuropathy was significantly more prevalent in the sharp group at both 1 and 3 months postoperatively (p = .043 and p = .016, respectively). The odds ratio (OR) and 95%CI for postoperative neuropathy at 1 and 3 months were as follows; OR 3.71, 95%CI 0.97-14.24 and OR 5.67, 95%CI 1.18-27.08, respectively. The OR for postoperative pain after 3 months was 3.26 (95%CI 1.09-9.73). The prevelance of postsurgical neuropathy and chronic pain at 3 months were significantly lower in the blunt group. Blunt fascial opening reduces the complication rate of postoperative pain and neuropathy after caesarean sections. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The anatomic relationship of the abdominal fascia and the anterior abdominal wall nerves is a known fact. The fascia during caesarean sections can be opened by either a sharp or blunt extension. Data on the isolated impact of different fascial incisions on postoperative pain is limited. What do the results of this study add? The postoperative pain scores on the incision area are lower in the bluntly opened group compared to the sharp fascial incision group. By extending the fascia bluntly, a decrease in trauma and damage to nerves was observed. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or future research? The lateral extension of the fascia during caesarean sections must be done cautiously to prevent temporary damage to nerves and vessels. The blunt opening of the fascia by lateral finger pulling might be a preferred method over the sharp approach that uses scissors. We included only primary caesarean cases, however, comparisons of blunt and sharp fascial incisions in patients with more than one abdominal surgery should be explored in future studies.