German family policy at the crossroads: analysing the impact of parental leave reform through simulation

Comparative studies of welfare reforms encounter two problems. First, the counterfactual problem is that in the real world schemes and their reforms do not coexist simultaneously and are hard to compare. Second, the contextual problem derives from the absence of comparable measures for change. Microsimulation helps to overcome these problems. It compares policy options – actual reforms or reform plans – simultaneously and provides a comparable measure: the disposable income of model families. This article uses a type–case approach to investigate recent reforms of the German parental leave benefit. Simulation makes those reforms comparable over time and across countries. Results show that the profile of the German scheme is changing from 'general family' towards 'dual-earner' support. Furthermore, the recent reforms make the German scheme converge towards the Swedish leave scheme. The recent reforms introduce a new concept of fairness and a focus on gender equality to German family policies.     

Child custody issues and co‐occurrence of intimate partner violence and child maltreatment: controversies and points of agreement amongst practitioners

The situation of families undergoing separation in a context of co‐occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment raises certain issues related to child custody. The results presented in this paper were collected and analysed within the framework of a qualitative study aiming to identify the principal points of agreement and the main controversies amongst practitioners in several different types of organizations. Focus groups were held with a total of 43 practitioners from six different settings concerned with child custody in cases of co‐occurrence of IPV and child maltreatment. Although they agreed on the importance of ensuring the safety of victims of violence, their views diverged on three points: (1) the importance of preserving the father–child relationship; (2) collaboration between voluntary organizations and semi‐voluntary or legal agencies; and (3) consideration of cultural differences.     

‘Pains of imprisonment’: narratives of the women partners and children of the incarcerated

This paper focuses on an important line of inquiry in contemporary criminal justice social work research: the collateral consequences of incarceration in the Chinese context. It gives an insight into the impact of incarceration on families from an insider's perspective. An analysis of interviews with 10 partners and 10 children yielded three major themes concerning the impact of imprisonment: the problems associated with the imprisonment of a family member, the coping strategies used and views on the importance of maintaining family ties. It is hoped that this study will give practical guidance regarding what should be done, and how, to reduce the negative consequences brought about by the absence (temporary or permanent) of the imprisoned on their families, including both their partners and vulnerable children.     

中国道路文化的特征及其研究意义

鉴于自古以来中国道路建设都取得了巨大成就,而中国道路文化研究相对滞后,分析了道路文化的含义、特征、研究范围和意义。分析认为,道路是人工建设的工程,它与政治、经济、生态、环境等联系密切,具有丰富的历史文化内涵;道路的与时俱进的时代特征、辐射连通的开放特征、利在社会的公益特征,呈现出文化上的广泛联系和多元价值取向;它是文明的纽带、历史的见证和文化的载体;道路文化研究在中国道路建设和交通事业发展中具有基础性和战略性作用。     

经济冷战研究综述

经济冷战是冷战的重要组成部分.西方学术界,特别是20世纪八、九十年代新档案解密以来,在宏观及微观研究中都取得了丰盛的成果,本文试图从其起源问题及其他问题两方面来分析.中国学术界在这一领域成果相对有限,主要是对经济冷战宏观性地描述及对具体事件的勾画.     

超燃冲压发动机凹腔内补氧的强化点火试验

在超燃冲压发动机扩张型燃烧室中,对凹腔内局部补氧的点火强化方法进行了试验研究。采用高速摄影手段研究了不同的补氧方式对凹腔内火焰分布特征和燃烧强度的影响,并针对并联双凹腔燃烧室构型,研究了在单侧凹腔补氧条件下向异侧凹腔的火焰传播过程。试验结果表明,采用凹腔内补氧的方式能调节凹腔内的燃料浓度分布、改善凹腔内的燃烧过程,控制燃烧放热强度;稳态燃烧情况下,观察到凹腔驻留火焰的两种存在特征,分别表现为:由回流区热量反馈机制作用下的凹腔局部驻留火焰和燃烧室全局压力反馈影响下的凹腔剪切层火焰。只有在单侧凹腔燃烧建立了全局压力反馈的条件下才能实现凹腔火焰的异侧传播。      

聚焦中国英语课堂:影响学生参与讨论的因素—— 一次采用定性分析法进行本土化研究的尝试

通过课堂观察及课后的学生采访,本文采用定性研究法考察了决定英语课堂上中国学生讨论情况的因素。　　本文的主要发现是：（１） 中国文化推崇的谦虚美德明显地妨碍了学生们抒发己见;（２） 学生推理能力和英语表达能力之间的鸿沟是引起表达焦虑的主要原因;（３） 教师的角色左右学生讨论中表现。基于上述发现,本文认为,课堂学习由民族性格、教育体制、口语习得心理以及教师角色所决定。因此建议,今后要注意研究课堂学习和其他影响因素之间的关系     

中学课外科技活动的存在问题及对策

本文较为详细地分析我们在１９９８ 年上半年进行的“广州 市中学生课外科技活动问卷调查”的数据, 指出广州市中学生课外科技 活动存在着师资力量不足、考核制度不完善等问题, 文章最后提出了解 决上述问题的意见和看法     

News

U. S. National Income Series Revised—Congress Votes No on Censuses of Business and Manufactures—Britain Revises Living Cost Index-U. S. and U. K. Surveys Uncover Lacks in Statistical Training-Forthcoming Statistical Conferences     

2008 North American Serials Interest Group Conference: Taking the Sting out of Serials!

Abstract

The twelfth annual MOBIUS Conference was held June 7–9, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. The MOBIUS consortium of Missouri is currently composed of fifty-nine academic libraries, two public libraries, and the Missouri State Library. The conference offered various opportunities, including a keynote address by Meredith Farkas and a networking dessert session on the first night. The second day featured six concurrent sessions, each having six different presentations, along with delicious food, generous door prizes, and the chance to meet with vendors. The third day consisted of four different four-hour post-conference training sessions. Presentations are available for download from the conference Web site.¹