Extended household transitions, race/ethnicity, and early childhood cognitive outcomes

Beyond mothers’ union status transitions, other adults’ transitions into and out of the household contribute to family instability, particularly in early childhood. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (N ≅ 8550), this study examines associations between extended household transitions and age 2 cognitive development. A substantial minority of toddlers experiences these transitions, and their consequences vary by household member type, entry versus exit, and race/ethnicity. Extended household transitions predict lower cognitive scores for white children, but the selection of low-socioeconomic status families into extended households explains these disparities. Grandparent transitions predict significantly higher cognitive scores for African American and Latino children than whites, and some “other adult” transitions predict higher scores for Latinos than African Americans and whites. Extended household transitions’ consequences are independent of co-occurring residential moves and partner transitions. Findings suggest that studying extended household transitions is useful for understanding children’s early development, and their consequences vary by race/ethnicity.     

Characterization of the municipal solid waste stream in Kabul,Afghanistan

The goal of this study was to assess the existing solid waste management stream in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a basis for developing a sustainable solid waste management system. Achieving the goal of this study necessitated (1) assessment of the major factors affecting the solid waste stream and it collection; (2) estimation of the solid waste generation rate; and (3) characterization of the solid waste composition. The solid waste characterization data demonstrated that the solid waste stream in the city of Kabul, although similar to low income countries in Asia, especially to South Asian countries, is unique in composition and solid waste generation rate. The solid waste stream was characterized with large organic fraction of approximately 70% and specific weight of 413 ± 52 kg/m³. The estimated solid waste generation rate ranged between 0.31 and 0.43 kg/capita/day. It is expected, however, that the solid waste stream characteristics for the city of Kabul will change over time to be similar to waste streams of cities in the region with similar socio-economic, cultural and religious background.     

Androgen status in non-diabetic elderly men with heart failure

Purpose: We aimed at evaluating androgen status (serum testosterone [TT] and estimated free testosterone [eFT]) and its determinants in non-diabetic elderly men with heart failure (HF). Additionally, we investigated its associations with body composition and long-term survival.

Methods: Seventy three non-diabetic men with HF and 20 healthy men aged over 55?years were studied. Echocardiography, 6-min walk test, grip strength, body composition measurement by DEXA method were performed. TT, sex hormone binding globulin, NT-proBNP, and adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were measured. All-cause mortality was evaluated at six years of follow-up.

Results: Androgen status (TT, eFT) was similar in elderly men with HF compared to healthy controls (4.79?±?1.65 vs. 4.45?±?1.68?ng/ml and 0.409?±?0.277 vs. 0.350?±?0.204?nmol/l, respectively). In HF patients, TT was positively associated with NT-proBNP (r=?0.371, p?=?0.001) and adiponectin levels (r?=?0.349, p?=?0.002), while inverse association was noted with fat mass (r?=??0.413, p?<?0.001). TT and eFT were independently determined by age, total fat mass and adiponectin levels in elderly men with HF (p?<?0.05 for all). Androgen status was not predictor for all-cause mortality at six years of follow-up.

Conclusions: In non-diabetic men with HF, androgen status is not altered and is not predictive of long-term outcome.     

Family composition and marital dissolution in rural Nepal, 1945–2008

The presence, number, sex, and age composition of children within families can have important influences on couples’ marital outcomes. Children are valued across settings, but their value in settings where there is an absence of formalized social security is distinctive. This paper explores the influences of childlessness, and different number, age, and sex compositions of children, on the odds of marital dissolution among couples in rural Nepal. Results reveal that childless couples face significantly higher odds of dissolution than couples with at least one child, and each additional child—up to three children—reduces couples’ odds of dissolution. Furthermore, having a child aged under two reduces couples’ odds of marital dissolution, but interactions reveal that this age effect only holds at parity one. Surprisingly, despite a history of son preference in this setting, there is no evidence that children’s within-parity sex composition is associated with the odds of marital dissolution.     

文学鉴赏力及其构成探析

文学鉴赏力就是鉴赏文学作品的能力,是语文素养的重要组成部分。文学鉴赏力包括审美感受力、审美想象力、审美理解力和审美评价力等,他们互为渗透,共同规定着文学鉴赏的深度、高度和广度。     

水彩颜料工艺学

水彩颜料是水彩创作的重要媒介，它的质量与特性不仅会影响作者水平的发挥，甚至还会影响水彩作品的收藏，了解其性能特征，选择优秀的水彩颜料，对于每一个水彩画家都具有极其重大的意义。     

高校思想政治教育内容的构建原则探析

高校思想政治教育内容是高校思想政治教育的基本要素之一,对内容的构建应遵循一定的客观原则,以实现内容的科学化、系统化、规范化。遵循的原则有:方向性、科学性、系统性、稳定性、针对性原则。     

青海省优化出口商品结构的战略构想

出口商品结构是指一个国家或地区在一定时期内的对外贸易总额中各类商品的构成及其相互关系,它表明各类商品在对外贸易中所处的地位。文章认为,要彻底改变长期以来青海出口商品结构落后状况,就必须以优势产业为基础,以集约经营、技贸结合为手段,提高出口商品质量、档次,努力打造名牌产品,逐步实现出口商品结构的优化。     

萃取剂、预浸时间和浸提时间对竹叶提取物中营养成分的影响

通过研究萃取剂、预浸时间、浸提时间 3因数对竹叶提取物中营养成分氨基酸、还原糖影响的分析 ,找出了从竹叶中提取天然防腐保鲜剂的最佳条件     

城市森林的布局模式与“绿色南京”营建

综述了城市森林的概念,城市森林的布局模式放射状、圈层式、跳跃式、依地貌和人文景观布局型及综合型.每一类型列举了典型的例子,并与南京城市森林的布局模式做了比较.提出了几点关于营造"绿色南京"的建议.