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This study investigates beginning EFL teachers' emotional labor from the perspective of the Activity Theory. Emotional labor is defined as the process of controlling one's emotions and emotional expressions in accordance with the occupational standards for proper emotional expression. Two beginning EFL teachers at Korean junior high schools were recruited by means of a qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on Activity Theory. The findings indicate that participants' emotional labor in relation to their students was represented as conflicts in their activity system. Additionally, the resolution of the conflicts could be possible if a teacher can join a new teacher learning community and use new instruments. The results suggest that beginning EFL teachers should be encouraged to be empowered with new instruments such as classroom management skills and teaching practices for handling mixed-level students. These new instruments are expected to prevent students' problem behavior and ease the burden of teachers experiencing emotional labor.

This study examined the characteristics of male high school English learners' motivation and the relations between their motivation and achievement in English learning. A total of 334 Grade 10 students in a boys' high school participated in this study by completing a questionnaire survey on second language (L2) learning motivation and taking an English achievement test. As a result of explanatory factor analysis, five factors were found as underlying constructs for male high school students' English learning motivation: The Ought-to L2 Self, The Ideal L2 Self, The Feared L2 Self, Instrumentality, and Intrinsic Motivation. In terms of the structural relationships between the learners' motivation and achievement in English learning, the ideal L2 self and intrinsic motivation exerted a direct impact on their motivated L2 behavior, and then English achievement mediated by the motivated L2 behavior. The other factors had an indirect influence on motivated L2 learning behavior, mediated by the ideal L2 self and intrinsic motivation. Based on the findings, we suggested motivational activities to realize the creation of the ideal L2 self among male high school English learners.

This exploratory study investigates the structural relationship between second language (L2) learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in South Korea. The research questions are as follows: (1) What are the constructs of resilience and L2 learning motivation among L2 learners? (2) What is the structural relationship between L2 learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency? A five-point Likert-type questionnaire was administered to 152 college-level EFL learners. The findings of factor analysis demonstrated that resilience factors were divided into self-composure, sociability, life satisfaction, communicative efficacy, and realistic optimism. Four factors emerged regarding L2 learning motivation: recognition from others, Ideal L2 self, instrumental motivation, and Ought-to L2 self. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that these factors are independent constructs with conceptual validity. The final structural equation model showed that resilience influenced L2 proficiency through L2 learning motivation and motivated behavior.

Background: Posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation is a common complication of cataract surgery. Dislocated IOLs often require surgical intervention due to the potentially severe risks of leaving this condition untreated. If a patient with extremely low corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) presents with IOL dislocation, the surgeon faces a crucial dilemma of choosing the most optimal surgical treatment option. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of retropupillary iris claw intraocular lens (R-IOL) implantation in patients with IOL dislocation and extremely low (< 1000 cells/mm2) ECD. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine patients (all men) whose pre-operative ECD was < 1000 cells/mm2 and who underwent R-IOL implantation due to intraocular subluxation or total dislocation into the vitreous cavity between 2014 and 2020. We evaluated corneal endothelial function and visual outcomes after surgery. Results: Nine patients were included in this study. The mean age at diagnosis was 64.89 ± 7.15 years (range 57–76 years), and the follow-up duration was 37.93 ± 23.72 months (range 18.07–89.07 months). No patients developed bullous keratopathy during follow-up. Compared to the initial ECD, corneal thickness (CT), coefficient variation of cell area (CV) and percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX), there was no statistically significant decrease in the ECD, CV, and HEX at last follow-up (P = 0.944, 0.778, 0.445, 0.443). There was significant improvement in the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at the last follow-up (average 0.13 logMAR, 20/27 Snellen) compared to the pre-operative mean UDVA (average 1.09 logMAR, 20/250 Snellen) (P < 0.01). Conclusions: R-IOL implantation did not result in a statistically significant decline in corneal endothelial function in patients with preoperatively low ECD, and it significantly improved the mean UDVA postoperatively. R-IOL implantation appears to be a safe and effective treatment modality for intraocular lens dislocation in patients with low ECD (< 1000 cells/mm²); however, long-term follow-up studies are warranted to corroborate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising candidates replacing conventional batteries in wearable devices, owing to their self‐powering properties. Although TENGs can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, excessive mechanical stresses can degrade their performance. Moreover, conformal adhesion to skin is required to improve its performance in wearable devices. Here, a stretchable, adhesive, and self‐healing single‐electrode TENG with a multifunctional hydrogel‐elastomer double layer is developed. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)‐doped hydrogel is used as the electrode. Subsequently, the electrode is covered with an Ecoflex elastomer that acted as a triboelectrification layer. The soft tissue‐like properties of the hydrogel allow conformal adhesion to nonplanar skin, whereas the dynamic polymer network of the hydrogel endows toughness and ability to self‐heal (within 5 min) against external damage. The TENG demonstrates an output voltage and current peak at 180 V and 0.8 µA. Moreover, it can generate a maximum power peak at 37.8 mW m−2, which is sufficient to power small electronics like stopwatches and light‐emitting diodes, with a power management circuit. The proposed TENG devices can function as telecommunication touch panels via Morse code. Thus, this study presents a promising approach for advancing the flexible power supplies and self‐powered sensors that can be applied to wearable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprout ginseng extract (ThinkGIN™) manufactured through a smart farm system has been shown to improve memory in preclinical studies. This study conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ThinkGIN™ for improving memory in subjective memory impairment (SMI). Subjects aged 55 to 75 years with SMI participated in this study. A total of 80 subjects who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were assigned to the ThinkGIN™ group (n = 40, 450 mg ThinkGIN™/day) or a placebo group (n = 40). Efficacy and safety evaluations were conducted before intervention and at 12 weeks after intervention. As a result of 12 weeks of ThinkGIN™ intake, significant differences in SVLT, RCFT, MoCA-K, PSQI-K, and AChE were observed between the two groups. Safety evaluation (AEs, laboratory tests, vital signs, and electrocardiogram) revealed that ThinkGIN™ was safe with no clinically significant changes. Therefore, ThinkGIN™ has the potential to be used as a functional food to improve memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term hepatic damage is associated with human morbidity and mortality owing to numerous pathogenic factors. A variety of studies have focused on improving liver health using natural products and herbal medicines. We aimed to investigate the effect of enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia ethanol extract (ETZL), which increases the content of tricin via enzymatic hydrolysis, for 8 weeks on liver-related outcomes, lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and fatigue compared to a placebo. Healthy Korean adult males aged 19–60 years were randomized into ETZL treatment and placebo groups, and alcohol consumption was 24.96 and 28.64 units/week, respectively. Alanine transaminase, a blood marker associated with liver cell injury, significantly decreased after 8 weeks compared to the baseline in the ETZL treatment group (p = 0.004). After 8 weeks, the treatment group showed significant changes in the levels of high-density lipoprotein and hepatic steatosis index compared to the baseline (p = 0.028 and p = 0.004, respectively). ETZL treatment tended to reduce antioxidant-activity-related factors, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde, but there was no significant difference. In the multidimensional fatigue scale, ETZL treatment showed a significant reduction in general fatigue and total-fatigue-related values after 8 weeks compared to the baseline (p = 0.012 and p = 0.032, respectively). Taken together, the 8-week treatment of enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia ethanol extract demonstrated positive effects on liver-related outcomes, lipid metabolism, and mental fatigue without adverse effects on safety-related parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]