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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.

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]

Ensuring stable integration of diverse soft electronic components for reliable operation under dynamic conditions is crucial. However, integrating soft electronics, comprising various materials like polymers, metals, and hydrogels, poses challenges due to their different mechanical and chemical properties. This study introduces a dried-hydrogel adhesive made of poly(vinyl alcohol) and tannic acid multilayers (d-HAPT), which integrates soft electronic materials through moisture-derived chain entanglement. d-HAPT is a thin (~1 µm) and highly transparent (over 85% transmittance in the visible light region) adhesive, showing robust bonding (up to 3.6 MPa) within a short time (<1 min). d-HAPT demonstrates practical application in wearable devices, including a hydrogel touch panel and strain sensors. Additionally, the potential of d-HAPT for use in implantable electronics is demonstrated through in vivo neuromodulation and electrocardiographic recording experiments while confirming its biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. It is expected that d-HAPT will provide a reliable platform for integrating soft electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]