Effects of Tearing on the Perception of Facial Expressions of Emotion.

What is the function of emotional tearing? Previous work has found a tear effect, which resolves ambiguity in neutral expressions and increases perceptions of sadness in sad expressions. Tearing, however, is associated with a variety of emotional states, and it remains unclear how the tear effect generalizes to other emotion expressions. Here we expand upon previous works by examining ratings of video clips depicting posed facial expressions presented with and without tears. We replicate Provine et al.'s (2009) findings that tearing increases perceptions of sadness in sad expressions. Furthermore, we find that tearing has specific effects on ratings of emotion (happiness, sadness, anger, and fear) and ratings of intensity and valence in neutral, positive, and negative expressions. These results suggest that tearing may serve a specific and independent communicative function, interacting with those of various expressions.

Evolution of an innovative approach to the delivery of in-person training in the responsible conduct of research.

The responsible conduct of research (RCR) Center is an innovative, workshop-based approach to research ethics education at the University of Pittsburgh. A flexibly scheduled program of workshops combines the benefits of traditional case-based discussion and in-person instruction with greater accessibility and a broader disciplinary reach. Essential features of the program include a rotating schedule of independent workshops with separate registration, expert speakers, and a dedicated program director position. At an institutional level, this novel response to National Institutes of Health-mandated training requirements increases access to a wide range of interactive RCR training programs and promotes interdisciplinary conversations on research ethics that involves investigators, trainees, and the research community at large.

A New Measure of Research Participant Burden: Brief Report.

Effective conceptualizations of research burden should address indirect burdens related to research duration, intensity, and invasiveness. Introducing the concept of perceived research burden, we developed, tested, and validated a new instrument, the Perceived Research Burden Assessment (PeRBA). Initial psychometric evaluation of PeRBA reveals good internal consistency, evidence of face validity, and acceptable convergent and discriminant validity.

Nasolabial fold discontinuity during speech as a possible extended cleft phenotype.

Objective : This exploratory research sought to extend the cleft phenotype by identifying movement-related soft tissue appearance changes in the midfacial region in individuals with cleft lip/palate or those with genetic susceptibility to cleft lip/palate (unaffected relatives). The cleft phenotype (clinically identified orofacial cleft or subclinical orbicularis oris defect) was hypothesized to be associated with movement related appearance changes in the midfacial region, e.g., with furrowing and dimpling during speech. Design : Changes in the appearance of skin in the midfacial region, including a newly identified phenotypic feature, nasolabial fold (NLF) discontinuity, were described and compared across groups. Participants : Individuals with cleft lip (n  =  42), unaffected relatives of persons with a cleft (n  =  57) and healthy controls (n  =  41) were compared. Results : Frequencies of NLF discontinuity differed across cleft, relative, and control groups. NLF discontinuities were observed more frequently in individuals with a cleft phenotype (overt cleft or previously identified orbicularis oris muscle defect) than in those with no underlying muscular defect (Fisher exact test, P  =  .014). Conclusion : Results suggest that the appearance of facial soft tissue during movement of the midface is moderated at least in part by underlying cleft risk factors, indicating certain facial movements as candidate physical markers for extension of the cleft phenotype.

Demonstration of facial communication of emotion through telehospice videophone contact.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the range of emotional expressions that can be displayed by nurse and family caregiver during a telehospice videophone consultation. We hypothesized that a nurse providing telehospice care via videophone would gain access to rich nonverbal emotional signals from the caregiver and communicate her own social presence to the caregiver, to potentially enhance the building of empathy between nurse and caregiver. METHODOLOGY: Videorecording of a case exemplar of videophone contact was obtained using the Beamer, a commercially available product that allows display of both caller and receiver on an available television through standard telephone lines. Nonverbal communication through facial expressions of emotion was quantified using detailed coding of facial movement and expression (facial action coding system). RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated the presence of visual nonverbal information in the form of facial expressions of emotion during a videophone interaction between nurse and family caregiver. Over the course of a typical after-hours telehospice call, a variety of facial expressions of emotion were displayed by both nurse and family caregiver. Expression of positive and negative emotions, as well as mixed emotions, was apparent. Through detailed analysis of this case of videophone interaction, we have demonstrated the potential value of videophone contact for providing access to visual nonverbal emotional communication.

Verbal communication among Alzheimer's disease patients, their caregivers, and primary care physicians during primary care office visits.

OBJECTIVE: Primary care visits of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) often involve communication among patients, family caregivers, and primary care physicians (PCPs). The objective of this study was to understand the nature of each individual's verbal participation in these triadic interactions. METHODS: To define the verbal communication dynamics of AD care triads, we compared verbal participation (percent of total visit speech) by each participant in patient/caregiver/PCP triads. Twenty-three triads were audio taped during a routine primary care visit. Rates of verbal participation were described and effects of patient cognitive status (MMSE score, verbal fluency) on verbal participation were assessed. RESULTS: PCP verbal participation was highest at 53% of total visit speech, followed by caregivers (31%) and patients (16%). Patient cognitive measures were related to patient and caregiver verbal participation, but not to PCP participation. Caregiver satisfaction with interpersonal treatment by PCP was positively related to caregiver's own verbal participation. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of AD patients and PCPs maintain active, coordinated verbal participation in primary care visits while patients participate less. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Encouraging verbal participation by AD patients and their caregivers may increase the AD patient's active role and caregiver satisfaction with primary care visits.

Comparison of Deliberate and Spontaneous Facial Movement in Smiles and Eyebrow Raises.

We investigated movement differences between deliberately posed and spontaneously occurring smiles and eyebrow raises during a videotaped interview that included a facial movement assessment. Using automated facial image analysis, we quantified lip corner and eyebrow movement during periods of visible smiles and eyebrow raises and compared facial movement within participants. As in an earlier study, maximum speed of movement onset was greater in deliberate smiles. Maximum speed and amplitude were greater and duration shorter in deliberate compared to spontaneous eyebrow raises. Asymmetry of movement did not differ within participants. Similar patterns contrasting deliberate and spontaneous movement in both smiles and eyebrow raises suggest a common pattern of signaling for spontaneous facial displays.

Puckering and blowing facial expressions in people with facial movement disorders.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: People with facial movement disorders are instructed to perform various facial movements as part of their physical therapy rehabilitation. A difference in the movement of the orbicularis oris muscle has been demonstrated among people without facial nerve impairments when instructed to "pucker your lips" and to "blow, as if blowing out a candle." The objective of this study was to determine whether the within-subject difference between "pucker your lips" and "blow, as if blowing out a candle" found in people without facial nerve impairments is present in people with facial movement disorders. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: People (N=68) with unilateral facial movement disorders were observed as they produced puckering and blowing movements. Automated facial image analysis of both puckering and blowing was used to determine the difference between facial actions for the following movement variables: maximum speed, amplitude, duration, and corresponding asymmetry. RESULTS: There was a difference between the amplitudes of movement for puckering and blowing. "Blow, as if blowing out a candle" produced a larger amplitude of movement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that puckering and blowing movements in people with facial movement disorders differ in a manner that is consistent with differences found in people who are healthy. This information may be useful in the assessment of and intervention for facial movement disorders affecting the lower face.

Peer-mentored research development meeting: a model for successful peer mentoring among junior level researchers.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes a model for the development, process, and tracking methods of a Peer-mentored Research Development Meeting (PRDM), an interdisciplinary peer mentoring program. The program was initiated in 2004 by a group of postdoctoral scholars and junior faculty from the Schools of the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. METHOD: From February 2004 through February 2006, PRDM's first five members tracked and documented their research activity (e.g., manuscripts, grants) every 4 months. The defining features of PRDM are adherence to a structured frequency and format for meetings, systematic tracking and evaluation of research development activities, and maintenance of ongoing relationships with senior mentors. RESULTS: During the 24-month data collection period, members were involved in 91 research development projects including grant applications, journal article manuscripts, book chapters, and conference abstracts. Members' productivity increased during the 24-month period, as did the efficiency and focus of the completed projects. CONCLUSION: Members increased the efficiency and focus of their research development activities during the study period. Structured peer-mentoring groups have the potential to enhance research productivity among junior investigators in research intensive environments.

Positive affect predicts improved lip movement in facial movement disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Positive affect in individuals with a facial movement disorder may promote lip corner movement (zygomaticus major) during smiling. We investigated whether a positive affect marker (orbicularis oculi activity) observed in an initial clinic visit of individuals with facial movement disorder (N = 28) predicted increased lip corner movement at a subsequent visit. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In this clinical outcomes study, lip corner movement was assessed with the use of automated facial analysis. Asymmetry of movement was compared in individuals who smiled with or without the positive affect marker at an initial clinic visit. RESULTS: The positive affect marker at the initial visit was associated with a reduction in the asymmetry of the lip corner movement at the second visit. CONCLUSION: Positive affect predicts improved facial movement outcomes in patients with facial movement disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: Positive emotion in facial movement patients may be an important factor in recovery of facial movement during therapy.

Automated facial image analysis: detecting improvement in abnormal facial movement after treatment with botulinum toxin A.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of Automated Facial Image Analysis (AFA) to detect changes in facial motion after Botox injections in patients with facial nerve disorders accompanied by abnormal muscle activity. Eight subjects received Botox for oral to ocular synkinesis (n = 6), ocular to oral synkinesis (n = 1), and/or depressor anguli oris overactivity (n = 3). Subjects were video-recorded during 2 directed facial action tasks before and after Botox treatment. AFA measurement and Facial Grading System (FGS) scores were used to evaluate the effects of Botox. After Botox, AFA detected a decrease in abnormal movements of the eyelids in all patients with oral to ocular synkinesis, a decrease in oral commissure movement for the patients with ocular to oral synkinesis, and an increase in oral commissure movement in all patients with depressor overactivity. The FGS scores failed to demonstrate any change in facial movement for the case of ocular to oral synkinesis and for 2 cases of depressor overactivity. AFA enables recognition of subtle changes in facial movement that may not be adequately measured by observer based ratings of facial function.

The role of structural facial asymmetry in asymmetry of peak facial expressions.

Asymmetric facial expression is generally attributed to asymmetry in movement, but structural asymmetry in the face may also affect asymmetry of expression. Asymmetry in posed expressions was measured using image-based approaches in digitised sequences of facial expression in 55 individuals, N=16 men, N=39 women. Structural asymmetry (at neutral expression) was higher in men than women and accounted for .54, .62, and .66 of the variance in asymmetry at peak expression for joy, anger, and disgust expressions, respectively. Movement asymmetry (measured by change in pixel values over time) was found, but was unrelated to peak asymmetry in joy or anger expressions over the whole face and in facial subregions relevant to the expression. Movement asymmetry was negatively related to peak asymmetry in disgust expressions. Sidedness of movement asymmetry (defined as the ratio of summed movement on the left to movement on the right) was consistent across emotions within individuals. Sidedness was found only for joy expressions, which had significantly more movement on the left. The significant role of structural asymmetry in asymmetry of emotion expression and the exploration of facial expression asymmetry have important implications for evolutionary interpretations of facial signalling and facial expressions in general.

MOVEMENT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DELIBERATE AND SPONTANEOUS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS: ZYGOMATICUS MAJOR ACTION IN SMILING.

Previous research suggests differences in lip movement between deliberate and spontaneous facial expressions. We investigated within participant differences between deliberately posed and spontaneously occurring smiles during a directed facial action task. Using automated facial image analysis, we quantified lip corner movement during periods of visible Zygomaticus major activity. Onset and offset speed, amplitude of movement, and offset duration were greater in deliberate smiles. In contrast to previous results, however, lip corner movement asymmetry was not greater in deliberate smiles. Observed characteristics of deliberate and spontaneous smiling may be related to differences in the typical context and purpose of the facial signal.

Muscle activity in the partially paralyzed face after placement of a fascial sling: a preliminary report.

Neuromuscular re-education (ie, physical therapy) is often the first treatment given to patients with a partial facial paralysis. The purpose of this paper was to examine whether by repositioning and supporting partially paretic muscles with a fascial sling, one could improve facial movement in patients for whom the benefits of physical therapy had plateaued. Six patients with a history of unilateral, partial facial paralysis were assessed using the Facial Grading System (FGS) and surface electromyography (EMG) recordings of facial muscle activity. Automated facial analysis (AFA) was used to measure the facial excursions of the most recent patient. The FGS composite scores indicated improvement following static sling placement in all patients. The FGS subscale scores for voluntary movement indicated that the excursion of facial movement increased in 4 of the 6 patients. Surface EMG data demonstrated increased muscle activity in the zygomaticus major muscle in all patients. AFA demonstrated that following sling placement, the excursion of the lip commissure nearly doubled. The sling procedure, traditionally considered an intervention for improving static symmetry of the face, may also be useful for enhancing movement in some patients with a partial facial paralysis. Additional data, such as measurements provided by AFA, are needed to correlate facial displacement with EMG muscle activity.

Speed, amplitude, and asymmetry of lip movement in voluntary puckering and blowing expressions: implications for facial assessment.

The context of voluntary movement during facial assessment has significant effects on the activity of facial muscles. Using automated facial analysis, we found that healthy subjects instructed to blow produced lip movements that were longer in duration and larger in amplitude than when subjects were instructed to pucker. We also determined that lip movement for puckering expressions was more asymmetric than lip movement in blowing. Differences in characteristics of lip movement were noted using facial movement analysis and were associated with the context of the movement. The impact of the instructions given for voluntary movement on the characteristics of facial movement might have important implications for assessing the capabilities and deficits of movement control in individuals with facial movement disorders. If results generalize to the clinical context, assessment of generally focused voluntary facial expressions might inadequately demonstrate the full range of facial movement capability of an individual patient.

Signal characteristics of spontaneous facial expressions: automatic movement in solitary and social smiles.

The assumption that the smile is an evolved facial display suggests that there may be universal features of smiling in addition to the basic facial configuration. We show that smiles include not only a stable configuration of features, but also temporally consistent movement patterns. In spontaneous smiles from two social contexts, duration of lip corner movement during the onset phase was independent of social context and the presence of other facial movements, including dampening. These additional movements produced variation in both peak and offset duration. Both onsets and offsets had dynamic properties similar to automatically controlled movements, with a consistent relation between maximum velocity and amplitude of lip corner movement in smiles from two distinct contexts. Despite the effects of individual and social factors on facial expression timing overall, consistency in onset and offset phases suggests that portions of the smile display are relatively stereotyped and may be automatically produced.

Gender variation in the identification of Mexican children's psychiatric symptoms.

We test empirically how caregiver reports of DSM-IV symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) vary by child's gender in a sample of 206 middle-class Mexican children, ages 6-12 years. Objective measures of children's hyperactive and inattentive behavior, derived from ethological observation and activity monitoring, are used as a control in regression analyses. When these objective measures of behavioral differences are taken into account, teachers ascribe more inattention symptoms to boys than girls. Parents, by contrast, do not display a significant gender difference in identification of children's ADHD symptoms. This study provides an empirical demonstration that children's ADHD symptoms can be, but need not always be, reported differently based on cultural models expecting behavioral differences. In this case, child's gender influences the way psychiatric symptoms are ascribed to them by some, but not all, groups of involved social actors.