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Over the past two decades, family structures have diversified. International migration has led to a rise in the number of families in which at least one parent is foreign-born. Increases have also been observed in both the rate of partnership separation, leading to a greater number of single-parent households and an increase in the number of families where grandparents have assumed caring responsibilities for their grandchildren. Evidence indicates a strong relationship between family structure and children's educational outcomes. Parental involvement is well documented as a key ingredient for the educational success of children. Drawing on Taiwanese multi-wave survey data (Taiwan Assessment of Student Achievement) and a machine-learning-based propensity score algorithm for multiple treatments, this paper aims to determine the various relationships between children from different household structures (two-parent households, skipped generation households, single-parent households, and immigrant households) and their cognitive knowledge (measured by test scores). Key findings reveal that children from skipped generation households achieve the lowest performance scores and that those from immigrant households tend to perform even better than children from traditional two-parent households in certain disciplines. Our results suggest that policy interventions targeted at providing remedial education and/or financial assistance are needed to support children from skipped generation families to redress existing educational disadvantages in Taiwan.

Due to its toxicity causing serious health problems, persistence in the environment and non-biodegradability, lead (Pb) is considered as one of the most harmful metals on earth. In this study, dried aquatic plants as sorbents including Nymphoides peltata (NP), Typha laxmannii (TL), and Eichhornia crassipes (EC) were examined and compared to discover the best biosorption for Pb. The effect of physical and chemical parameters including pH (2.0–5.5), sorbent dosage (1–5 g/l), metal concentration (20–100 mg/l), and contact time (~240 min) were investigated to determine the optimal condition for Pb(II) biosorption. As a result, the optimum pH, sorbent dosage, and contact time were 5.0, 1 g/l, and 120 minutes, respectively. Pb2+ biosorption data were found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model while the kinetic biosorption data followed pseudo-second-order model. The maximum biosorption capacity from Langmuir model was calculated as 63.3, 82.9, and 51.9 mg/g for EC, NP, and TL, respectively. All the results showed that biosorption efficiencies of Pb(II) by different biosorbents were in following order NP>EC>TL.

Interdisciplinary education has become increasingly prominent as a core instrument to prepare the next generation workforce. Yet, little is known about the impacts of long-term degree-oriented interdisciplinary education on post-graduation outcomes. This paper aims to investigate the influence of long-term degree-oriented interdisciplinary education on graduates' post-graduation plan choices and labour market outcomes using unique administrative micro-data and career-tracking data from a comprehensive research university. Our results indicate that higher levels of engagement in interdisciplinary learning increase the probability of pursuing future study and employment in a field that differs from a graduate's college degree, and are also associated with a higher probability to enter the workforce. Yet, this positive association between interdisciplinary learning and the probability of entering the workforce is specific to graduates from traditional disciplinary programmes. Additionally, our findings suggest that the impact of long-term degree-oriented interdisciplinary education on early labour market outcomes is overall beneficial but varies across degree fields. The findings of our study provided partial evidence in support of the influence of long-term degree-oriented interdisciplinary education on post-graduation plan choices and early labour market outcomes. We suggest that given resource constraints, higher education institutions could consider relaxing module choice restrictions in traditional disciplinary programmes to promote interdisciplinary education. However, it is important to note that higher education institutions should carefully consider the potential trade-off between the breadth of interdisciplinary content and the depth of specialist content, in order to strike a balance.

The present study investigated the interrelationships between feeding, food deprivation and swimming performance in juvenile grass carp Ctenopharynodon idellus. Oxygen consumption, as a function of swimming speed, was determined by fitting data to a power function. Speed exponents from oxygen consumption functions were 1.46, 1.23 and 1.91 with time after feeding of 6 h, 2 d and 2 wk, respectively, which indicated that swimming efficiency increased after digestion was complete and decreased with extended food deprivation. Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) increased slightly with time after feeding, and recovery time varied between 1 and 1.5 h after fatigue. The contribution of anaerobic metabolism began at swimming speeds 28.3 to 40.2% of critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and increased with time after feeding. Both optimal swimming speed and critical swimming speed decreased with time after feeding. The metabolic scope of grass carp decreased for at least 6 h after feeding (384 mg O2 kg–1 h–1). It nearly doubled after 2 d (727 mg O2 kg–1 h–1) and then declined after 2 wk throughout the duration of food deprivation (420 mg O2 kg–1 h–1). In conclusion, feeding and food deprivation affected swimming efficiency, metabolism (both aerobic and anaerobic) and swimming capability, with only slight effects on EPOC and recovery time. The results of the present study provide information which will assist in the design of fish ladders and resting pools and thus support fish migration and conservation of biodiversity.

Previous studies have shown that dendritic cells (DCs) and apoptosis play a critical role in the pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma (TC). This study was designed to investigate the expression and distribution of S-100 protein, CD83 and apoptosis-related proteins (Fas, FasL and Bcl-2) in the thyroid tissues of thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) and their role in TPC pathogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining techniques and other methods were used on pathological tissues of 30 patients with Thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) and 30 cases of thyroid follicular adenoma (TFA, as control) to detect the expression and distribution of S-100 protein , CD83, Fas, FasL and Bcl-2. A higher expression of S-100 protein in TPC (4.6±3.2%) vs. TFA (0.95±0.64%) (p

Novel graphite-molybdenum carbide nanocomposites (G-Mo2C) are synthesized by a typical solid state reaction with melamine and MoO3 as precursors under inert atmosphere. The characterization results indicate that G-Mo2C composites are composed of high crystallization and purity of Mo2C and few layers of graphite carbon. Mo2C nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 5 to 50 nm are uniformly supported by surrounding graphite layers. It is believed that Mo atom resulting from the reduction of MoO3 is beneficial to the immobilization of graphite carbon. Moreover, the electrocatalytic performances of G-Mo2C for ORR in alkaline medium are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk electrode (RDE) and chronoamperometry test with 3M methanol. The results show that G-Mo2C has a considerable catalytic activity and superior methanol tolerance performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) benefiting from the chemical interaction between the carbide nanoparticles and graphite carbon.

As campuses become increasingly diverse, it is important that faculties maintain inclusive classrooms. Students of underrepresented ethnic/racial groups are more likely to experience disengagement in an academic setting (Nagasawa & Wong, 1999), which can lead to underperformance (Major et al., 1998). Students with LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or asexual) identities are at higher risk of poor mental health and lower academic performance compared to cisgender and heterosexual students (Aragon et al., 2014). These detrimental experiences can lead to even more harm in a remote learning environment, where students have fewer opportunities to feel a sense of belonging and connect with their peers and/or instructors. This paper will consider strategies of inclusiveness in the online classroom and in-person learning environment within a social psychology framework to better support underprivileged students to improve academic performance and the overall educational experience. The suggestions and discussions provided apply to both in-person learning as well as remote delivery.

Translational science is the cornerstone of biomedicine that transfers laboratory and clinical research to the hospital bedside in various forms of therapeutic interventions. This scientific branch influences public health decisions, the economy, and ongoing research endeavors. The purpose of this study was to develop a youth-friendly Translational Science course that introduced students to translational science concepts, then examine course outcomes and effects on career choices. The seminar course involved 18-contact hours with 20 high-school juniors (n=10 / Summer 2016 & Summer 2017). The curriculum encompassed the fundamentals of the five translational science phases as well as how to understand scientific readings and conduct efficient research database searches. A concluding student-presentation on a topic of the student's choosing ensured each student had a sufficient understanding of translational science, use of PubMed for original research articles, and demonstrated the student's ability to apply the concepts individually. Analysis of end-of-course and follow-up surveys showed that the majority of students understood the material, felt the course met their expectations and influenced long-term professional goals. These data suggest that exposing students earlier in their career (pre-collegiate) to the importance and structure of translational science could have long-term benefits towards influencing career choices in STEM.

COOL NIGHT TEMPERATURES 10 to 16 days before heading cause many rice florets to be sterile. The direct cause of sterility is failure of pollen grains to germinate because they are immature, and contain little if any starch. In two successive years, 12.5 and 12.8% of the florets in rice fields grown for certification were found to be sterile, as determined by random samples of panicles taken from fields. The range in sterility in 59 fields checked in 1972 was from 2.7% to 34.8%. Rice growers have recognized the problem for many years and have correctly associated it with late planting, cold water at the inlet boxes, and heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications.

ImportanceThere are no treatments available to slow or prevent the progression of Parkinson disease, despite its global prevalence and significant health care burden. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson Disease program was established to promote discovery of potential therapies.ObjectiveTo determine whether creatine monohydrate was more effective than placebo in slowing long-term clinical decline in participants with Parkinson disease.Design, setting, and patientsThe Long-term Study 1, a multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 1:1 randomized efficacy trial. Participants were recruited from 45 investigative sites in the United States and Canada and included 1741 men and women with early (within 5 years of diagnosis) and treated (receiving dopaminergic therapy) Parkinson disease. Participants were enrolled from March 2007 to May 2010 and followed up until September 2013.InterventionsParticipants were randomized to placebo or creatine (10 g/d) monohydrate for a minimum of 5 years (maximum follow-up, 8 years).Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome measure was a difference in clinical decline from baseline to 5-year follow-up, compared between the 2 treatment groups using a global statistical test. Clinical status was defined by 5 outcome measures: Modified Rankin Scale, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, PDQ-39 Summary Index, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale, and ambulatory capacity. All outcomes were coded such that higher scores indicated worse outcomes and were analyzed by a global statistical test. Higher summed ranks (range, 5-4775) indicate worse outcomes.ResultsThe trial was terminated early for futility based on results of a planned interim analysis of participants enrolled at least 5 years prior to the date of the analysis (n = 955). The median follow-up time was 4 years. Of the 955 participants, the mean of the summed ranks for placebo was 2360 (95% CI, 2249-2470) and for creatine was 2414 (95% CI, 2304-2524). The global statistical test yielded t1865.8 = -0.75 (2-sided P = .45). There were no detectable differences (P