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This study investigates the individual difference antecedents of students' behavioural intention to use VR-based learning systems, especially from an integrated perspective of Big Five personality traits and perceived physiological vulnerability to IT use (PPVITU). Data collected from 149 respondents are tested against the research model using the partial least squares structural equation method (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that extraversion and neuroticism positively affect perceived usefulness, conscientiousness negatively influences usefulness, and agreeableness and neuroticism have positive effects on perceived enjoyment. Furthermore, this study finds that musculoskeletal discomfort: neck and shoulder back pain (one PPVITU component) positively influences perceived ease of use. The findings of this study provide several important theoretical and practical implications for promoting VR-based learning system use behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the effect of academic self-concept on the use of learning strategies conducive to academic achievement. Data from 407 national vocational college students in Taiwan were analyzed by structural equation modeling through the LISREL 8.80 version. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: (a) academic self-concept has a significant positive effect on deep, surface and strategic approaches, as well as academic achievement, (b) of all the learning strategies, strategic approach has a significant positive effect, and surface approach has a significant negative effect on academic achievement, and (c) strategic approach mediated a positive relationship between academic self-concept and academic achievement. Overall, these findings suggest that higher level educators may offer positive encouragement to increase students' learning motivation, efficiency, and self-concept and assist in the development of recognition concerning self-learning and meta-cognitive skills. These findings may help students to select the best learning approaches and improve their academic performance. Implications for the design of educational models and curricula in vocational college education are also discussed.

A nucleus penetrating vehicle is indispensible when seeking to deliver plasmid DNA for gene transfection. In this study, dendrimers with terminal thymine groups were synthesized to meet this objective. Through modifications of the hydrophilic and neutral thymine moieties on hyperbranched peripheries, these dendrimers can achieve biosafety, efficient endosomal escape ability, cytosolic accessibility, and eventually, nuclear entry for the purposes of gene transfection. After optimization of the thymine coverages, better gene expression can only be achieved while replacing ∼50% of the amine groups of a dendrimer with thymine moieties. Presumably, a specific dendrimer comprising thymine and primary amines might possess a synergistic effect to promote pDNA condensation via the cooperation of electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. In comparison, a dendrimer entirely capped by thymine can lose external amines, decreasing pDNA complexity and stability, which would cause poor gene transfection. The utility of specific thymine-capped dendrimers in vivo level was demonstrated to successfully and efficiently deliver plasmid DNA at a low complex ratio into mouse muscle by intramuscular injection. Upon the easy accessibility of intramuscular administration, the capability of thymine-capped dendrimers might be potentially used in immunotherapeutic gene transfection in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]