The impact of online learning and preparation for face-to-face learning.

The impact of online learning and preparation for face-to-face learning.</p

Learning satisfaction according to the characteristics of participants.

Learning satisfaction according to the characteristics of participants.</p

Anxiety according to the characteristics of participants.

Anxiety according to the characteristics of participants.</p

Nursing students’ expectations and concerns for face-to-face learning (N = 14).

Nursing students’ expectations and concerns for face-to-face learning (N = 14).</p

Characteristics of the participants.

Owing to the coronavirus disease pandemic, nursing education materials were developed for online use. However, as nursing involves working with human beings, the experience of face-to-face learning is important. This study investigated the learning satisfaction and anxiety experienced by nursing students based on their learning methods, expectations, and concerns about transitioning entirely to face-to-face learning. Using a mixed-methods design, 120 and 14 third- and fourth-year nursing students in Korea completed an online survey and individual interviews, respectively. Data were collected from July to August 2022 to assess nursing students’ learning satisfaction, anxiety, expectations, and concerns based on their learning method. Learning satisfaction was 3.96±0.68 out of 5; the students who experienced “online lectures only” had significantly higher overall satisfaction (F = 3.22, p = .002), nursing lectures satisfaction (F = 2.01, p = .046), and nursing practicum satisfaction (F = 2.19, p = .031). Anxiety was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 tool and was evaluated at the “minimal level,” with an average score of 3.46 ± 4.80 out of 21. From the qualitative results obtained through interviews, we derived three categories and nine subcategories. These categories include: the burden of unfamiliar learning situations that are difficult to predict, considerations about face-to-face learning needed to improve learning satisfaction, and the turning point that offsets the sense of deprivation during college life. The qualitative results provided evidence for determining specific goals for face-to-face learning that reflected the opinions of nursing students. To successfully transition to face-to-face learning, it is essential to consider a combination of student efforts, professors’ attention, and university-level support to develop a learning approach that combines the strengths of both online and face-to-face learning. Maximizing the benefits of online learning, such as integrating face-to-face and online learning through repetitive reviews of recorded videos of face-to-face sessions at their own time, can effectively reduce students’ burdens and anxiety and increase their learning satisfaction.</div

High-Speed Actuation and Mechanical Properties of Graphene-Incorporated Shape Memory Polyurethane Nanofibers

We prepared poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based shape memory polyurethane (PU) nanofibers incorporating three kinds of graphene, that is, graphene oxide (GO), PCL-functionalized graphene with PCL (f-GO), and reduced graphene (r-GO) to investigate their mechanical and shape memory properties. Incorporation of graphene into the PU nanofibers increased the modulus and breaking stress compared to that of pure PU nanofibers. In particular, the f-GO nanofibers showed the largest enhancement in mechanical properties because of increased interaction between graphene and the polymer matrix. In the shape memory test, f-GO or r-GO-incorporated PU nanofibers showed actuation speed that was much faster than that of pure PU nanofibers. The shape recovery time of 1 wt % f-GO or r-GO nanofibers was 8 s, whereas that of the PU nanofibers and GO-incorporated nanofibers were 27 and 13 s, respectively. This study demonstrates that incorporation of f-GO into shape memory PU nanofibers can be used effectively to achieve both high-speed shape recovery and high mechanical strength

Correlation between changes (∆) in Lp-PLA₂ and systolic BP and between changes in oxidized LDL and systolic BP in normal-weight (○) and overweight (*) groups according to the <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F genotype.

<p>(a) Correlation between changes in Lp-PLA₂ and systolic BP in individuals with the VV genotype. (b) Correlation between changes in oxidized LDL and systolic BP in individuals with the VV genotype. (c) Correlation between changes in Lp-PLA₂ and systolic BP in individuals with the VF+FF genotype. (d) Correlation between changes in oxidized LDL and systolic BP in individuals with the VF+FF genotype.</p

Association of <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F genotypes with clinical and biochemical characteristics at baseline and at the end of the three-year follow-up according to BMI.

<p>Association of <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F genotypes with clinical and biochemical characteristics at baseline and at the end of the three-year follow-up according to BMI.</p

Genotype effect of <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F on changes in Lp-PLA₂ activity, systolic BP, and oxidized LDL in the normal-weight and overweight groups at the end of the three-year follow-up compared with the baseline.

<p>Mean ± SE. ^<i>∮</i>tested by logarithmic transformation. ^<i>a</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F allele in the normal-weight group at baseline. ^<i>b</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F alleles in the normal-weight group at the end of the three-year follow-up. ^<i>c</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F allele in the overweight group at baseline. ^<i>d</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F allele in the overweight group at the end of the three-year follow-up. ^<i>e</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison of the VV genotype between the normal-weight and overweight groups at baseline. ^<i>f</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison of the VV allele between the normal-weight and overweight groups at the end of the three-year follow-up. ^<i>g</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison of the F allele between the normal-weight and overweight groups at baseline. ^<i>h</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison of the F allele between the normal-weight and overweight groups at the end of the three-year follow-up. ^<i>i</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F allele in the normal-weight group at change values. ^<i>j</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison between the VV genotype and F allele in the overweight group at change values. ^<i>k</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison in the VV genotype between the normal-weight and overweight groups at change values. ^<i>l</i><i>P</i><0.05, comparison of the F allele between the normal-weight and overweight groups at change values. ^<i>*</i><i>P</i><0.05, ^<i>**</i><i>P</i><0.01, and ^<i>***</i><i>P</i><0.001 compared with the levels at baseline in each group, as determined through a paired t-test.</p

Effects of overweight and the <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F polymorphism on the association of age with systolic blood pressure

<div><p>This prospective study aimed to determine the effects of the persistence of overweight for three years and the <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F polymorphism, as well as the interaction between these factors, on the association of age with blood pressure (BP). Healthy middle-aged subjects with normotensive BP were divided into the normal-weight and overweight groups. The <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F genotype, BP, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) activity, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were determined. Lp-PLA₂ activity was lower in the F allele subjects (<i>n</i> = 111) than in those with the VV genotype (<i>n</i> = 389). The overweight individuals with the F allele had lower Lp-PLA₂ activity and ox-LDL at both baseline and after three years and lower systolic and diastolic BP and LDL cholesterol after three years compared with those with the VV phenotype. After three years, the overweight subjects with the VV phenotype exhibited greater increases in Lp-PLA₂ activity, systolic BP, and ox-LDL than those with the F allele and normal-weight subjects with the VV phenotype. A multivariate analysis revealed that the <i>PLA2G7</i> V279F genotype, baseline BMI, changes in Lp-PLA₂ activity and ox-LDL remained independently and positively associated with changes in systolic BP. The simultaneous presence of the <i>PLA2G7</i> 279VV genotype and persistence of overweight synergistically increases the risk for hypertension, whereas lower Lp-PLA₂ activity in <i>PLA2G7</i> 279F allele carriers might offer certain protection against hypertension, even in individuals who have been overweight for over three years.</p></div