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This study investigates caregivers' perceptions of the benefits of library visits in relation to preschool children's learning and development. Reasons and benefits for attending libraries and storytimes, which were reported in previous research, are synthesized. Caregivers in Taiwan who visited public libraries in August 2019 (before COVID-19) with their newborn to 8-year-old children were asked one open-ended question in the context of a library user satisfaction survey. In total, 405 responses were gathered and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three main benefits were identified related to education, socialization, and enjoyment, in line with prior studies; however, participants expressed their reasons with depth and clarity. The findings show that caregivers have positive perceptions toward public libraries and value public libraries for supporting preschool children's learning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, social media (SM) has gained much credibility among students, and educational institutions are leveraging it in their systems. From the educational standpoint, SM influences students to learn course information, contact peers and develop new skills. The study aims to identify the students' use of SM to access information related to the Library and Information Science (LIS) programmes in Kuwait and Taiwan, including time spent, tools used, reasons and patterns of use, and to indicate the challenges faced in providing means of LIS learning and collaboration. In total, 288 valid questionnaires were received from students in both countries. Descriptive analysis from the respondents revealed data on the participants' demography. The thematic analysis showed the results of the SM platforms' usage, hours spent, and messaging frequency. The ordinal scale provided further data on SM use in LIS education. Results from those who responded show frequent use, high GPAs, and social and entertainment purposes. Both countries respondents show similar usage and attitudes towards SM in LIS education, exchanging collaborative learning and integrating creativity and innovation. Taiwan respondents have a higher female student population, while Kuwait has a balanced gender distribution. Taiwanese students spend less time on social media (SM) daily for LIS information and prefer different platforms. Kuwaiti student respondents dedicate more time to SM and positively perceive its potential to improve grades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equity of information access regardless of age, gender, origin or background is a guiding principle in library-related policies. It is generally considered that public libraries were founded in order to alleviate social injustice. Their use has enabled individual free access to information, stimulating an informed citizenship and aiding social inclusion. A lack of access to information in rural areas has been recognised as an urgent need which should be tackled globally. The purpose of this study is to examine whether children's mobile libraries in remote rural areas of Taiwan enhance social impact as an exemplar for similar regions globally. The design of the study adopted a qualitative strategy with generalised findings in order to capitalise on the exploratory, open-ended nature of social inclusion-related issues. It sought to understand how participants perceived the social impact of mobile libraries on children in rural areas, based on their lived experiences. Purposive sampling identified 23 participants from six public library authorities using the criteria of places visited, frequency and longevity of that service. Qualitative interviews with participants were audio recorded, transcribed and in some cases translated. Coding emerged from the analysis of sample interviews and qualitative content analysis was used. Four areas of social impact were identified: Reading development, community connection, social space, equality of opportunity. It was found that mobile libraries have a social impact on children in rural areas, enabling equity of information access and enhancing reading motivations. The children felt valued allowing them to contribute as members of society. No previous research has examined the lived experience of children in rural Taiwan. Different cultural expectations means that assumptions made from research conducted in the UK or America may not apply. This research has filled the gap of validated information about children's library services, rural mobile libraries and their social impact in non-western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore caregivers' perceptions of the public library's role in supporting early literacy and family engagement in the digital age in Asia. Family engagement is important from birth through young adulthood, and public libraries matter for family engagement. However, this topic has been little explored in Asian countries. Structured interviews were conducted with librarians, followed by a survey approach to understand what caregivers of five- to 12-year-old children think about the scope of family engagement practices in public libraries in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In total, 454 valid questionnaires were collected. Findings show that caregivers value the importance of public libraries' role in promoting family engagement in the digital age in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In order to reap the rewards of family engagement practices, public libraries are suggested to build relationships with families through proactively understanding families' interests and needs, involving families in the library decision-making process, and engaging families in both print-based and digital literacy programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of mammalian species worldwide have adapted to urban environments following the alteration and fragmentation of natural habitats. In recent years, the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) has increased in several highly populated cities in Taiwan. Twelve‐years (2010–2021) of civet records in Taichung (the largest city in central Taiwan) from the rescue center of Taichung Wildlife Conservation Group report the population of civets has grown steadily since 2017, with the number of records in 2020 (n = 58) and 2021 (n = 55) approximately 5 times of that in 2010–2014 (mean ± SD = 5.0 ± 2.6). Our objective was to use the records from the rescue center to evaluate the potential sexual dimorphism of urban civets, explore temporal variation of civet activity and age structure, identify major threats to civets inhabiting urban areas, and investigate the environmental characteristics surrounding civet nesting sites in urban environments. The civet breeding season lasts from spring to autumn, with primary mating season in spring. The main cause of mortality in adults was dog attack followed by car accident, while the main rescue reason for young civets was because they were considered orphans following human interferences. Many civets in urban areas inhabit locations where >90% of the land cover is covered by buildings and man‐made structures, and even nest inside buildings. Our results demonstrated the need for new civet conservation and management policies to minimize dog attacks on civets to enhance co‐existence between wildlife and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amblyomma helvolum Koch is an Asiatic reptile-associated tick that usually inhabits tropical forests and is primarily parasitic on varanids, skinks, and snakes. In Taiwan, A. helvolum has been reported on Elaphe carinata (Taiwan stink snake) and Ptyas mucosa (Oriental rat snake). Herein, we report new host records of A. helvolum in Taiwan from the following squamate species: Diploderma swinhonis (Swinhoe's japalure), Eutropis longicaudata (Long-tailed sun skink), Oligodon formosanus (Taiwan kukri), Sphenomorphus incognitus (Brown forest skink), and Trimeresurus stejnegeri (Chinese green tree viper). In addition, we present an overview of the distribution of A. helvolum across its range and its association with reptilian microbial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alien species may pose substantial impacts on biodiversity around the globe through international trade and travel. A niche shift hypothesis was proposed to explain the adaptive change of alien or invasive species in new habitats. However, whether niche shifts occur in alien species likely depends on both characteristics inherent to the species itself and its original distribution. Here we identified a newly exotic trapjaw ant (Odontomachus troglodytes) in Taiwan by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The possible distribution range and the niche shift pattern were evaluated using ecological niche modelling. The results indicated that exotic O. troglodytes in the newly distributed area displayed a significant niche shift with low niche overlap and high niche expansion. This study reveals a long-distance invasive event from central Africa to Southeast Asia (more than 10,000 km) and predicts the potential distribution range of this new alien species in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) has become one of the main aquatic products of Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hot water extract of tilapia (HWET) in relieving fatigue and enhancing exercise performance in mice in a swimming endurance test. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) and treated with either a vehicle (control group) or different doses of HWET, which were designated as HWET-L (800 mg/kg/day), HWET-M (1600 mg/kg/day), and HWET-H (4000 mg/kg/day). The results of the swimming endurance test showed that HWET treatment significantly improved exercise-induced fatigue as the swimming time of the mice increased (p < 0.05). One hour after the test, blood samples were collected from each mouse and serum biochemical parameters were measured. The serum levels of lactate, creatine kinase (CK), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were lower in mice treated with HWET compared to the control group. Moreover, HWET treatment increased serum glucose levels and glycogen content in the liver. Enhanced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver and muscle was also found in the HWET-M and HWET-H groups. Western blot results showed that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the liver tissue was downregulated by HWET treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HWET supplementation could enhance exercise performance and alleviate fatigue via biochemical profile improvements. This suggests that HWET has the potential for future development into functional foods or nutritional supplements to relieve fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a range of responses from countries across the globe in managing and containing infections. Considerable research has highlighted the importance of trust in ethically and effectively managing infectious diseases in the population; however, considerations of reciprocal trust remain limited in debates on pandemic response. This paper aims to broaden the perspective of good ethical practices in managing an infectious disease outbreak by including the role of reciprocal trust. A synthesis of the approaches drawn from South Korea and Taiwan reveals reciprocal trust as an important ethical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reciprocal trust offers the opportunity to reconcile the difficulties arising from restrictive measures for protecting population health and individual rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual signals in animals are often shaped by sexual selection. For aposematic species, advantages may result from advertising unpalatability to decrease predation and attracting mates to increase reproductive success. On Green Island, Taiwan, most Eupyrgops waltonianus weevils have metallic blue spots on the body; however, some weevils have no conspicuous coloration. The role of coloration in sexual selection and any disadvantages encountered by dull individuals are unknown. To understand whether morphological traits affect mating success in E. waltonianus , we compared different traits between mating and nonmating individuals in the field. A manipulation experiment was also used to test whether coloration affects mating choice and behaviour. The function of colour as an aposematic signal was tested. Results showed that body size and coloration were important indicators of female mating success in field and laboratory experiments, respectively. In the field, males preferred to mate with larger, more conspicuous females, and females preferred to mate with conspicuous males; however, no such preference was shown in the laboratory. Intrasexual competition was stronger in males than in females. Predators avoided colourful weevils. Thus, conspicuous coloration in both sexes is a multifunctional trait and could be an attractive or aposematic signal for different receivers. • The spots on weevils play an important role in survival and reproduction. • Higher spot area ratio was related to a higher mating probability in the field. • Weevils displayed higher levels of male-male than female-female competition. • Weevils' coloration could be attractive or aposematic depending on receiver type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correct discrimination between courtship signals could help to maintain genetic integrity between closely related species. However, asymmetric usage of signals might cause asymmetric gene flow across the contact zone. Buergeria choui and B. otai are sibling-species with a parapatric distribution pattern in Taiwan, having two narrow contact zones on the east and west sides of the island. Combining behavioural experiments with genome-wide RAD-seq analyses, we test whether the ability of signal recognition influences genetic introgression across their species boundary. The playback experiments show that all B. choui populations respond strongest to their own 'cricket' trills, while the western population of B. otai have evolved a strong level of reproductive character displacement by showing the inclusive usage of the unique 'chicken' signals. In contrast, the eastern B. otai population uses both 'chicken' and 'cricket' trills, and has a stronger preference for the latter. The weak reproductive character displacement in the eastern population has led to asymmetry genetic introgression from B. choui toward B. otai. Our results support the prediction that a more specialized signal-user, compared to its sibling, generalized signal-user, might have a higher probability of maintaining their genetic integrity in the secondary contact region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buergeria japonica is a widely distributed treefrog occurring from Ryukyu Archipelago to Taiwan. Across this wide distributional range, we combined molecular, acoustic, morphological, and behavioral characters to clarify the taxonomic status among these insular populations. Genetic differentiation in mitochondrial sequences indicated an over 16% divergence among two deeply divergent clades: Japanese clade distributes in Ryukyu Archipelago and northwestern drainages of Taiwan, while Taiwanese clade distributes in the remaining drainages on Taiwan. The Taiwanese clade can be distinguished from the nominative species not only by molecular and morphological differences, but also distinguishable by considerable acoustic differentiation, which is extraordinarily noticeable for an additional type of long call that never recorded from Japanese clade. The two clades form a parapatric distribution pattern with narrow contact zones both in western and eastern Taiwan. Playback experiments indicated that male frogs show significantly stronger defensiveness against conspecific calls rather than heterospecific calls, indicating that these signals play a crucial role in species recognition. Here we describe the Taiwanese clade as a new species; the behavioral response and the magnitude of gene flow across their contact zones are especially worth for detailed studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents findings from an action research pilot project, Involve Me, aiming to support family learning and interaction through information and communications technology in public libraries. Five workshops were developed and delivered between August and November 2013 in three public libraries in Taiwan. Technological resources used included computers and handheld devices. Four research methods: questionnaires, participant observation, recording, and social networking, were used to gather data. Evaluation of the workshops reflected a changing role of the researcher from a teacher to children to a facilitator of adult-child interaction through information and communications technology. The pilot project established that supporting family learning and interaction through information and communications technology in public libraries worked, but that further work was required. Building on the evidence collected in this project, academic-practice partnership for supporting adult-child dialogue through information and communications technology is considered an important area to go forward, which requires genuine institutional engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which represents metabolic abnormality and reflects extra visceral fat deposition, has been shown to be a threat to public health and associated with cardiovascular risks. However, data regarding the differences in clinical presentation and related metabolic abnormalities in the aging group population remained scarce in the Taiwanese population. Methods: We subsequently examined 8,658 subjects participating general health evaluation in Mackay Memorial hospital from 2003 to 2007. Baseline characteristics, anthropometrics, medical history, and biochemical markers were all collected. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in all subjects. Two estimated cardiovascular risk scores were calculated according to criteria of the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III as metabolic score and Framingham risk score. Univariate logistic regression model was used to examine whether the baseline characteristics, anthropometrics, histories, and biochemical markers were independently associated with NAFLD from various age groups (young vs. aging groups) classified by 60 years of age. Respective receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) with area under the curve were generated to test the capability of both cardiovascular risk scores in NAFLD discrimination from different age groups. Results: Totally 7,204 subjects (mean age: 44.5±11 years, 36% female) were finally enrolled in our study. Subjects with NAFLD were observed to have high body weight, body mass index, and circumferential waist and significantly abnormal biochemical markers accompanying worsening lipid profiles when compared with those without NAFLD in both the young and aging group populations (all p <0.001) although alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein did not show significant differences with and without NAFLD in the aging group population. Diabetes history remained a strong independent predictor of NAFLD in both young and aging groups (odds ratio: 3.3, p <0.001 vs. 2.51, p =0.014). The prediction model by using different cardiovascular risk scores yielded a meaningful ROC value of 0.82 (young group) and 0.71 (aging group) (both p <0.001) for metabolic score with ROC value of 0.67 (young group) and 0.52 (aging group) for Framingham risk score (p <0.001 vs. 0.408, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of NAFLD demonstrated a bimodal distribution with age in different genders. Although baseline characters and biochemical markers were demonstrated to be potential screening tools in detecting such clinical abnormality, they actually exerted diverse capabilities in the prediction of NAFLD in the different age groups. Traditional cardiovascular risk scores were less effective in predicting NAFLD in the aging group population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the method of technology transfer in Taiwan. Factors affecting the effectiveness of technology transfer; Suggestions to increase effectiveness.

Background: Retinoblastoma is a potentially fatal disease, and its incidence and mortality varies among different countries and periods., Methods: This is a nationwide population-based retrospective study from January 1980 to December 2019 in Taiwan. Patients diagnosed as retinoblastoma were identified from the Taiwan National Cancer Registry. To update the literature on retinoblastoma incidence, mortality and trends in Taiwan, we analysed changes in incidence and survival rates over time according to sex, diagnostic age, laterality and treatment., Results: During 1980-2019, the incidence of retinoblastoma in Taiwan was 1 per 16 489 live births (95% CI: 13 415-19 564). The diagnostic age decreased from 2.21 ± 0.26 during 1980-1984 to 1.24 ± 0.26 during 1985-2019. Compared with that observed during 1980-1989, the incidence rate observed after 1990 increased significantly in children aged <10 years (RR: 1.62-2.40, P = 0.0049 to < 0.0001). From 1980 to 2019, the incidence rate for the 0-4-year age group increased and that for the 5-9-year age group remained constant. The mean diagnostic age for bilateral retinoblastoma (0.36 ± 0.47 years) was significantly less than that for unilateral retinoblastoma (1.37 ± 0.35 years) during 2007-2019 (P < 0.0001). The 10-year survival rate was highest in the enucleation group (89.8%) compared with radiotherapy (52.2%) and others (70.0%; P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: During 1980-2019 in Taiwan, the incidence of retinoblastoma increased significantly, and the diagnostic age decreased, which are similar to the ones from other developed countries. However, the survival rate was still lower than that of most developed countries., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.)

Alien species may pose substantial impacts on biodiversity around the globe through international trade and travel. A niche shift hypothesis was proposed to explain the adaptive change of alien or invasive species in new habitats. However, whether niche shifts occur in alien species likely depends on both characteristics inherent to the species itself and its original distribution. Here we identified a newly exotic trap-jaw ant ( Odontomachus troglodytes ) in Taiwan by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The possible distribution range and the niche shift pattern were evaluated using ecological niche modelling. The results indicated that exotic O. troglodytes in the newly distributed area displayed a significant niche shift with low niche overlap and high niche expansion. This study reveals a long-distance invasive event from central Africa to Southeast Asia (more than 10,000 km) and predicts the potential distribution range of this new alien species in Taiwan., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2023 Lin et al.)

Background: Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important mediators of airway inflammation, whereas 8-isoprostane is a biomarker of oxidative stress. This study evaluated the distributions of cysteinyl leukotriene and 8-isoprostane concentrations in exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) of children. The relationship between cysteinyl leukotriene and 8-isoprostane concentrations in the EBCs was also evaluated., Methods: The EBCs were collected from 34 children with allergic respiratory diseases and 24 healthy children. All recruited children underwent pulmonary function testing every season. The severity of allergic respiratory diseases and medication status were assessed every month in children with allergic respiratory diseases., Results: The EBC cysteinyl leukotriene and 8-isoprostane levels were higher in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis than in those with asthma only and healthy children. In asthmatic children, cysteinyl leukotriene and 8-isoprostane levels peaked in the summer. All children showed a clear association between EBC cysteinyl leukotriene and EBC 8-isoprostane levels., Conclusion: The cysteinyl leukotriene and 8-isoprostane concentrations in the EBCs of children significantly varied by season. Oxidative stress correlated with airway inflammation in children.