The Role of Eye Contact in a Classroom Setting—From an Intercultural Perspective

The field of education is increasingly catching people’s eyes as more and more people become aware of its influence and significance on the young generation.Nevertheless,when it comes to the teaching and learning process,the role of nonverbal behavior is often neglected.Indeed,nonverbal behavior constitutes more than 90%of our daily communication,and it is also one vi⁃tal aspect in a classroom setting,which has the power of maintaining classroom order and the teacher-student relationships.Eye contact,one crucial part of nonverbal behavior,is a topic worth researching.The research focuses on the controversial topic that is based on a contrastive analysis of how eye contact functions differently in the western and non-western cultures.Theories of both western and non-western scholars are presented to rationalize why the use of direct and constant eye contact in a classroom context differs in the two cultures.More theories and practices are also cited to explain an apparent inconsistency,which is“teachers in both western and non-western cultures are encouraged to use direct and constant eye contacts in classes,while people in Asian countries tend to avoid direct eye contact”.

Comparison of the effects of first and second generation silicone hydrogel contact lens wear on tear film osmolarity

AIM:To compare the effects of first and second generation silicone hydrogel(SiH) contact lens wear on tear film osmolarity.METHODS:The healthy subjects who have never used contact lenses before were enrolled in the study.Tear film osmolarity values of 16 eyes(group 1) who wore first generation SiH contact lenses were compared with those of 18 eyes(group 2) who wore second generation SiH contact lenses after three months follow-up.RESULTS:Beforecontactlenswear,tearfilmosmolarity of groups 1 and 2 were 305.02±49.08 milliosmole(mOsm) and 284.66±30.18mOsm,respectively.After three months of contact lens wear,osmolarity values were found 317.74±60.23mOsm in group 1 and 298.40±37.77mOsm in group 2.Although osmolarity values for both groups of SiH contact lens wear after three months periods were slightly higher than before the contact lens wear,the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:Contact lens wear may cause evaporation from the tear film and can increase tear film osmolarity leading to symptoms of dry eye disease.In the current study,there is a tendency to increase tear film osmolarity for both groups of SiH contact lens wear,but the difference is not statistically significant.

Does the Type of Dive Mask Matter to a Shark?

Eye contact with a shark is a crucial element during an interaction with a diver. Different mask frames change the size of a diver’s available field of vision, and so make a person’s eyes unequally visible from different angles, particularly when comparing mirrored to regular glass. This study examined whether it matters to a shark if it can see a diver’s eyes when getting closer. The test-subjects changed masks in a random, timed routine, while the relative distance, the absolute distance between a shark and diver expressed in a fraction of the shark’s body length, between approaching shark and human was tallied. Sharks came significantly closer (p = 0.0139) when a diver’s eyes could not be detected, showing that they orient themselves and approach based on the human’s eyes. Given that human comprehension of sharks is rudimentary, every possible benefit, even a minimal one like choosing the most optimal mask, is recommended whenever approaching sharks are likely to be encountered.

Changes in Breastfeeding and of Breasts before and after Babies’ Surgeries for Ankyloglossia with Deviation of the Epiglottis and Larynx (ADEL) —Healthy Breastfeedin

Background: Historically frenotomy was performed at newborn babies’ baptism for healthy breast-feeding over many centuries. Although it was necessary for nursing babies, its application was denied subjectively without clinical observation since the early 20th century. As a result solutions for breastfeeding and breast problems are confused now. Methods: We studied changes in breastfeeding and mothers’ breasts before and one month after the surgeries for ADEL by standards for healthy breastfeeding and breasts. Results: With regard to suckling, before the surgeries 24% of babies opened their eyes during breastfeeding, while after surgeries 76% opened eyes while nursing. 30% of the babies latched onto the mother’s breast with a wide-open mouth. After surgeries, 84% properly latched on. 73% of the babies had calluses on the upper lip before surgeries, and no calluses were observed after surgeries. 27% of babies before surgeries moved the jaws during breast-feeding, but after surgeries 88% moved the jaws while nursing. White debris was on the dorsum tongue in 70% of babies prior to surgeries. After surgeries, 22% were with debris. 67% of mothers experienced nipple pain before their babies’ surgeries while 6% had pain after the surgeries. Flattened nipples were observed in 55% of mothers before the infants’ surgeries, 7% after surgeries. 23% of mothers had breast pain before the surgeries, and 4% had breast pain after the surgeries. Mastitis was also reduced from 9% to 1% after surgeries. 73% of women had palpable breast masses, and after the surgeries 25% had palpable masses. Summary: Remarkable improvements in breastfeeding and in women’s breasts were achieved after their infants underwent operations for ADEL. These results indicate the necessity of surgical interventions in babies with ADEL for healthy breastfeeding and breasts (279).