Utilization of a Learning Assistant System to Support the Acquisition of Nursing Skills

本学では教育環境をより充実させるため，2017 年度よりラーニング・アシスタント(以下，LA)制度を導入した。著者らは看護技術を習得する科目において，LA 制度を活用している。本稿では，その実践について報告する。看護学部2 年生の必修科目「基礎看護技術論Ⅰ」にて, 12 名のLA が登録し，演習時の教育補助活動および自己学習支援活動を行った。自己学習支援活動は，のべ35 回(平均3.5 時間)実施された。活動を評価するため,履修者を対象に，2017 年5 月にWEB アンケートを行った。履修者85 名中79 名(92.9%)の回答を得た。うち, 77 名(97%)がLA 制度は「よい」と回答した。LA 制度は履修者から高評価を得ており，学習支援制度として有効であると示唆された。一方で，LA に聞きづらいという意見があり，LA の対応についてのオリエンテーション内容を改善する必要が明らかになった。The Learning Assistant (LA) system was introduced to our college in 2017. Here we report on the utilization of the LA system in subjects in order to learn nursing skills. An online questionnaire was administered to 85 students taking a Basic Nursing Skills class in May 2017. We received responses from 79 students (92.9%), of whom 77 (97%) reported that the LA support they received was positive. The LA system was highly praised by students and effective as a learning support system. However, the participants expressed the opinion that it was difficult to ask the learning assistants for help. This indicates a need to improve the LA system

Deposition of boehmite on carbon nanofibers using aluminum alkoxide and its thermal transformation

We attempted to prepare carbon nanofibers (CNFs) bonded chemically with alumina particles using acid-treated CNFs and aluminum secbutoxide. The structure and morphology of the boehmite deposited on the CNFs, the boundary between the CNFs and the deposited boehmite, and the thermal transformation of the deposited boehmite were investigated using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The boehmite deposited not only particulately on the CNFs but also in a film-like manner on parts of the CNFs. In addition, the boehmite could deposit not only on the disordered inner walls of the CNFs but also on the ordered inner walls. By heating at 1200 degrees C, the boehmite on the CNFs was transformed into alpha-alumina and theta-alumina. At this time, some alumina particles, particularly those formed on the ordered inner walls of CNFs, fell out of the CNFs, and only those alumina particles which might chemically bond with CNFs remained on the CNFs. Finally, CNFs dotted with alumina particles with a size of <50 nm were obtained. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.ArticleCERAMICS INTERNATIONAL. 41(10):13171-13178 (2015)journal articl

Fatigue crack growth simulation of two non-coplanar embedded cracks using s-version finite element method

In this paper, the fatigue crack growth simulation of two non-coplanar embedded cracks using the s-version finite element method is presented, and the validity and reliability of the alignment rule for two non-coplanar cracks are evaluated. According to the previous numerical and experimental studies on two non-coplanar surface cracks, the simulated fatigue crack growth behavior is categorized into five patterns to discuss the criteria for the application of the alignment rule. The results suggest that the strength of interaction between the non-coplanar embedded cracks is similar to that between non-coplanar surface cracks. Finally, the interaction of the cracks is evaluated by the stress intensity factor, and the categorization of the fatigue crack growth behavior is discussed by the stress intensity factor. It can be found that the boundary corresponding to the criteria of the application of the alignment rule can be determined as the ratio of the stress intensity factor is 4%. Thus, instead of making a decision of the fatigue crack growth pattern based on the visual inspection, the ratio of the stress intensity factor can be used, and should give more quantitative evaluation of the interaction of two non-coplanar embedded cracks

Does Pramipexole Treatment Improve Headache in Patients with Concomitant Migraine and Restless Legs Syndrome?

Background: Recent studies have suggested a strong link between migraines and restless legs syndrome (RLS). It is possible that these disorders share a dopaminergic dysfunction in the hypothalamic A11 nucleus that contributes to this association. However, there have been no clinical studies to evaluate the effect of dopaminergic treatment on migraine symptoms in patients with concomitant migraines and RLS. Methods: We present an illustrative patient with concomitant RLS and migraine who showed improvement in her headache frequency and RLS symptoms following immediate‐release pramipexole (P‐IR) treatment and provide review results from the medical records of patients who experienced both migraines and RLS in our previous cross‐sectional study. Results: Ten patients (nine patients from the previously completed single‐center study) received P‐IR treatment were included in the study. RLS symptoms improved markedly in all of the subjects. Five out of the 10 patients (50%) reported improvement in migraine headaches. Of these five patients, four (80%) had reported morning headaches before P‐IR treatment. Discussion: Our results indicate that the identification of RLS in migraine patients is clinically significant and that dopaminergic treatment may improve both migraines, particularly morning headache (80% improvement in this study), and RLS symptoms. However, further clinical studies are warranted to verify our results