Kindergarten oral language skill: A key variable in the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status

In this paper we test whether oral language development during the preschool years helps explain the positive relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and children's elementary school performance. In particular, we test for the portion of the SES effect on 2nd to 4th grade reading, 3rd to 4th grade mathematics, and overall teacher-rated performance that is explained by oral language ability measured when kindergarten begins. We analyze a unique data set containing unusually comprehensive measures of kindergarten oral language ability. The data are for white Midwestern children and their families. Estimation via structural equation modeling shows that oral language skill at kindergarten entry explains most of the effect of SES on elementary school performance. Since other studies have shown that elementary school performance strongly determines later educational attainment, much of the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status occurs when the child is very young.     

Looking back moving forward: The history of midwifery in Western Australia

ProblemTo date there is has been very little research into midwifery in Western Australia (WA), therefore this paper addresses a significant gap in the literature. The aim of this paper was to gain insight into the history of midwifery in WA.BackgroundSince the beginning of recorded history midwives have assisted women in childbirth. Midwifery is recognised as one of the oldest professions; midwives are mentioned in ancient Hindu texts, featured on Egyptian papyrus and in The Bible. Up until the seventeenth century childbirth was the responsibility of midwives, but the gradual emergence of barber-surgeons, then man-midwives and obstetricians heralded a shift from women-led and community-supported birth to a patriarchal and medical model. Throughout the twentieth century childbirth practices in the Western World have continued to change, leading to a move from midwifery-led care at home to doctor-led care in the hospital.DiscussionThe first non-Indigenous Australian midwives were not formally trained; they came on ships bringing convicts to Australia and are described as ‘accidental’ midwives, as assistance in childbirth came from whoever was available at the time. This period was followed by what was called the ‘Aunt Rubina’ period where older married women helped younger women in childbirth. Throughout the early 1800s untrained or ‘lay’ midwifery care continued alongside the more formally trained midwives who had arrived with the colonists.From the early 20th century, when birth moved into the hospital, midwives in WA have been incorporated into the hierarchy of the professions with obstetrics as the lead profession and midwifery considered a speciality of nursing. The role of the midwife has been subordinated, initially controlled by medicine and then incorporated into the institutions and nursing. The increase in legislative and training requirements for midwives throughout Australia and the move from home to the hospital, gradually led to the decrease in autonomous midwives working within the community, impacting women’s choice of birth attendant and place of birth.ConclusionThe historical suppression of midwifery in Australia has impacted the understanding of the role of the midwife in the contemporary setting. Understanding the development and evolution of the midwifery profession in Australia can help future directions of the profession.     

藏族口承语言民俗综述

藏族口承语言民俗是广大藏族人民以口头语言或行为方式传承的文化遗产,是民众精神文化的重要组成部分。本文旨在通过对丰富多彩的藏族民间口头文化遗产的搜集、阐述,欲对其进行比较明晰的分类整理。     

论药品专利许可与公共健康权

禽流感在全球的蔓延给人类的生命健康亮起红灯,同时也再次引起学术界对公共健康与药品专利强制许可问题的热烈讨论。面对作为私权的药品专利和作为人权的公共健康,究竟应该怎样处理两者的关系,这不仅关系到法律制度层面的问题,而且更会涉及社会历史、政治经济、文化传统等许多层面。如果缺乏对这种复杂关系的深刻理解和正确把握,则不能确立科学合理地解决这种矛盾的原则和方式。本文在考察国际社会实践和各国立法经验的基础上,从社会历史、政治经济、哲学思想以及法律制度等多重角度对公共健康与药品专利强制许可的关系进行广泛深入的探讨,由此揭示这种关系的本质和决定因素,并在此基础之上,提出解决问题的基本原则和法律途径。     

Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: A search for holistic wellbeing

BackgroundA number of studies have found increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during pregnancy and birth. However, little is known about women's motivation in seeking CAM during pregnancy or their experiences of use in relation to their pregnancy and childbirth journey.MethodsA narrative study sought to explore the meaning and significance of CAM use in pregnancy from the perspective of CAM users. Narrative style interviews were conducted with 14 women who had used a range of CAMs during pregnancy and birth. Data analysis focussed on the meaning and significance of CAM use in pregnancy and a number of core themes emerged.FindingsThis paper focusses on the theme which illustrates the meaning behind women's use of CAM in pregnancy and childbirth as one of seeking holistic wellbeing.ConclusionParticipants engaged with CAM as a way of fulfilling their physical, emotional and spiritual needs during pregnancy. Use of CAM signified women's desire to be proactive in health seeking behaviours.     

从中医原创思维模式视角看中西医哲学思维的殊异

中西医分别孕生于各自的文化背景、哲学基础和科技观念,拥有合于自身特色的哲学思维范式,建构着各自的理论体系及历经了不同的发展路向。中医在长期的生命感悟和临床实践过程中形成了“取象运数,形神一体,气一元论”的中医原创思维模式,内含以整观体证、时间性、功能关系为主要特色的致思路向。西医在还原分析方法指导下注重“实体”实验结构性的逻辑思维,形成了以客观分析、空间性、实体结构为主要特征的思维路径。中西医哲学思维的差异性分别以“心境”与“物境”来滋养和承载各自医学的发展,虽对立却互补,而成为未来医学发展的强有力的哲学思维指导。     

2005:辩证逻辑正在向深度和广度拓进--国内若干流派重要观点解读

全国辩证逻辑2005年学术研讨会于11月6日～8日在桂林召开。综观本次学术研讨会的研讨情况可以看出,我国辩证逻辑的新进展,主要从以下几方面展开:辩证逻辑与悖论研究的关系,辩证逻辑与科学方法论,辩证逻辑与中医理论,辩证逻辑形式化。辩证逻辑学界的思想火花闪烁不断,这标志着在2005年,辩证逻辑研究正在向深度和广度拓进。     

中药企业规模与技术创新的关系研究

技术创新不足已经成为阻碍中药产业进一步发展的主要障碍。对163个样本中药企业进行回归分析,结果表明,中药企业规模与技术创新的关系呈倒 U 型,并且我国中药企业的规模多处于倒 U 的左侧。中药产业处于规模驱动发展期,因此突破规模约束有利于促进中药企业技术创新。通过企业兼并提高中药企业规模,增强中药企业的内涵建设,加大政府对中小中药企业的支持力度,注重建立地区中药产业生态集群是突破中药企业规模约束的重要途径。     

提高临床实习质量的多种途径

临床实习的质量直接影响临床医学人才培养的质量。但是,随着我国医疗体制改革的不断深入,出现了很多影响临床实习质量的因素。为了提高临床实习质量,可以从改革高等医学教育模式、建立临床技能训练中心、建立标准化病人教学体系、加强管理、加强临床师资队伍建设、改善医患关系等方面入手。     

中国传统文化的圣人观

圣人是中国文化追求的作为人的最高目标,做人做到圣人,也就达到了人生的极致。各家各派都对圣人有一个基本的认识,那就是圣人是具有最高道德水平和最高智慧的人。另一方面,在圣人具备哪些素质、圣人概念的具体内涵等方面又有不同的理解。儒学在人伦日用上为圣人命名,认为圣人具有最高的道德,可以向天学习,制定人间的礼乐制度,得天理,行教化。先秦道家的圣人观与汉代以后的道教成仙的目标相结合,演化为唐以后内丹而仙、救世救民的圣人观。中国医学则认为圣人和于阴阳,淳德全道,恬愉虚无,治病救人,仁心仁术。