Learning Arabic language in China: Investigation on instrumental and integrative motivations of Chinese Arabic learners

There is an increasing demand in recent years for the study of the Arabic language by foreign learners as a second language, especially Chinese students. There are wide ranges of necessity to Arabic languages, such as commercial, industrial, economic, cultural, political, media, and other fields. Many foreign learners are learning this language to increase demands in all areas of life and use it in non-Arabic-speaking countries. China is one of those earliest countries that took this advantage and offered this program for an academic major. It’s almost 37 universities and institutes where the Arabic language is taught in China. The request for learning this language has increased because of the urgent need for exchange programs with Arab-speaking countries. As result, international experts believe motivations are an important factor in teaching Arabic to non-speakers that can be influential reasons for the foreign learners to practice, argue, push and motivate them to benefit more and overcome the difficulties of the Arabic language. This study examines two facial types of motivations, instrumental and integrative motivations. In this study, all participants are Chinese students currently studying in China. The number of participants was 125 students from both genders, including 4 academic directors of the Arabic language department in five public Chinese Universities. The findings show that Chinese students learning Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) are highly instrumental than integrative to studying Arabic. A lack of experience of the Arabic language in their classrooms and society guides their attitude. The findings also revealed that there is a relationship between the language structure and a classroom environment that decreases their motivation and achievements of learning Arabic.

Determination of normative cephalometric parameters according to the Downs method for Ukrainian young men and young women with different face types

Orthodontics is a rapidly evolving branch of dentistry in both theoretical and practical areas. Modern instrumental research methods used in it organically coexist with the already classical ones, perfectly complementing each other. It is such a classic method that is actively used in the practice of orthodontics is cephalometric analysis, which nevertheless requires updates over time and the emergence of new scientific data. The aim of the study was to establish the limits of percentile range and features of cephalometric parameters according to the Downs method in Ukrainian young men and young women with orthognathic occlusion depending on the type of face. 49 young men and 76 young women with orthognathic occlusion underwent a cephalometric study using the Downs method in OnyxCeph³™ software, 3DPro version, Image Instruments GmbH, Germany (license № URSQ-1799). The division into facial types was performed using the Garson index. The licensed statistical package "Statistica 6.0" using non-parametric assessment methods analyzed the second (characteristics of the jaws by the method of Downs) and the third (indicators by the method of Downs that characterize the position of the teeth) groups of indicators. Studies have shown that most of the reliable or tendencies of differences in cephalometric parameters by the method of Downs in both young men and young women (more pronounced) with orthognathic occlusion, between different types of faces belong to the second group of indicators (dental characteristics of which surgical methods you can change the length, width, angles and positions of the upper and lower jaws). Manifestations of sexual dimorphism of cephalometric parameters by the method of Downs between young men and young women with appropriate facial types are insignificant and also, in almost all cases, belong to the second group of indicators. The established limits of percentile scope and features of cephalometric parameters according to the Downs method in Ukrainian young men and young women with orthognathic occlusion depending on the type of face will improve the existing methods of treatment of dental patients.

DETERMINATION OF NORMATIVE CEPHALOMETRIC PARAMETERS ACCORDING TO THE STEINER METHOD FOR UKRAINIAN YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN WITH DIFFERENT FACE TYPES

In Ukrainian young men (n=49) or young women (n=76) with orthognathic occlusion with different face types, numerous reliable and tendencies of differences of cephalometric parameters by the Stainer method were established. Among the indicators belonging to the second group (indicators of the upper and lower jaws according to the Steiner method), significant differences were found only between young women with a very wide face and other types of faces. Among the indicators belonging to the third group (indicators by the Steiner method that characterize the position of each individual tooth relative to each other, cranial structures and soft tissue profile of the face), more pronounced differences are also found between young women with very wide faces and other facial types; among young men – with representatives with a wide face compared to the middle and narrow face types. Among the cephalometric parameters belonging to the second group of indicators, the expressed manifestations of sexual dimorphism of cephalometric parameters are established only for linear indicators; among the parameters belonging to the third group of indicators, the manifestations of sexual dimorphism are established for both linear and angular indicators.

The Relationship between Dentofacial Vertical Pattern and Bite Force Distribution among Children in Late Mixed Dentition

Background: Digital bite measurement systems such as the T-Scan III allow for the computerized measurement of occlusal force distribution. This study aimed to establish the relationship between dentofacial vertical pattern and bite force distribution among children in late mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: In total, 86 children (45 male, 41 female) aged between 9 and 11 years with short (n = 28), medium (n = 28), and long (n = 30) facial heights were included in this study. The height, weight, age, and gender were recorded. Occlusal bite force distribution and time of occlusal cycle were recorded using a T-Scan III device (Tekscan Corp. Boston, MA, USA). The bite force distribution was compared among facial types using a One-Way ANOVA and post hoc test, a linear regression model with time of occlusion as dependent variable was developed. Results: No significant differences were observed in occlusion time between genders. Children with long facial height had a significantly lower anterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) and significantly higher posterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) than those with average or short facial height. Age, gender, height, and weight had no significant association with time of the occlusal cycle. Conclusion: Children with an increased vertical facial height have a more posterior distribution of force than children with average or short facial heights in the late mixed dentition.

Influence of facial type on attractiveness of vertical canine position from the perspective of orthodontists and laypeople

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the attractiveness of changes in vertical position of maxillary canines in frontal smiles of different facial types, and to evaluate the esthetic perceptions of orthodontists and laypeople, and the influence of facial type on these perceptions. Materials and Methods Three adult female volunteers were selected as individuals with normal, vertical, and horizontal growth patterns. Frontal posed smile photographs were digitally altered by adjusting vertical positions of the maxillary canines above, below, or coincident with the incisal line in increments of 0.5 mm within a range of 1 mm of extrusion and intrusion. For assessment, a web-based survey was formed with 18 images (six images for each model). A scale was present underneath each image, graded from 0 to 10 (0: unattractive; 10: the most attractive). Images were rated by 233 participants (105 orthodontists; 128 laypeople). Results Orthodontists scored 0-mm images significantly as the highest in all groups. Laypeople scored significantly higher for −0.5 mm images regardless of facial type. The lowest scored images were −1 mm (except for horizontal pattern) and +1 mm images. Mean values of scores given by men were higher (P &lt; .05). Conclusions Orthodontists favored ideal dental alignment and preferred the incisal edges of central and canine teeth to be at the same level. Laypeople preferred a smoother smile arc than orthodontists and found harmony with the soft tissue more attractive. Facial type affected perceptions of the vertical changes of maxillary canines.

Determination of normative cephalometric parameters according to the Ricketts method for ukrainian young men and young women with different face types

Annotation. Due to the fact that orthodontic treatment is primarily aimed at young people, first of all, cephalometric standards for its proper use should be obtained for this age group by conducting a study taking into account the sex and nationality of the subjects. The aim of the study was to establish the features of cephalometric parameters by the Ricketts method in Ukrainian young men and young women with orthognathic occlusion depending on the type of face and to determine the sex differences of these parameters. 49 young men and 76 young women with orthognathic occlusion in OnyxCeph³™, 3DPro version, Image Instruments GmbH, Germany (license № URSQ-1799) underwent a cephalometric study using the Ricketts method. The division into facial types was performed using the Garson index. As in previous studies, cephalometric parameters were divided into three groups. The analysis of the second (characteristics of jaws by the Ricketts method) and the third (indicators by the Ricketts method that characterize the position of the teeth) groups was performed. Statistical processing of the survey results was performed in the licensed statistical package “Statistica 6.0” using non-parametric evaluation methods. As a result of the conducted researches at young men or young women between different types of face numerous reliable and tendencies of both similar differences, and the corresponding differences of differences of cephalometric parameters according to the Ricketts method concerning the second (higher number) or third groups are established. The pronounced manifestations of sexual dimorphism of cephalometric parameters between young men and young women with the corresponding facial types are established only for the indicators of the second group. The obtained results will improve the existing methods of treatment of dental patients and minimize the likelihood of diagnostic errors and complications.

Face Proportions, and Analysis of Maxillary Anterior Teeth and Facial Proportions in a Thai Population

Background: Esthetics is the primary consideration for patients looking for prosthetic treatment. Determining the facial types of Thai populations is important because most studies conducted in Caucasian populations mention their facial types, and describe the gender comparisons, and GP of the teeth. Objectives: This study compared facial proportions, analyzed the maxillary anterior teeth proportions and determined the relationships between teeth with facial measurements using the Golden Proportion (GP) and Golden Standard (GS) in a Thai population. Methods: A total of 200 students (18-35 years) with well-aligned maxillary anterior teeth participated in this study. Face heights and widths were measured from the face using digital calipers and faces were classified as narrow, average, and broad. Teeth and face proportions were compared with GP and GS. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare maxillary anterior teeth proportions and facial proportions with different face types (α= 0.05). Pearson’s correlation was used (α= 0.05) to determine the correlation between facial proportion and teeth dimension among different facial types. Results: The findings showed 82.50% narrow face, 13.50% average, and 4% broad face among Thai subjects. No GP or GS was found in the face and anterior teeth, but teeth and face proportions other than GP and GS were found. No significant correlation was found between the Width of the Central Incisor (WCI) with interpupillary distance and alar width. Conclusion: In this study, the GP was not found in the facial and teeth proportion. The data obtained from this study may help to provide guidelines for prosthetic and orthodontic management and help to select the proper size and form of the maxillary anterior teeth to achieve proper esthetic outcomes in the Thai population.