The sensitivity of income polarization

This study looks at polarization and its components’ sensitivity to assumptions about equivalence scales, income definition, ethical income distribution parameters, and the income accounting period. A representative sample of Danish individual incomes from 1984 to 2002 is utilised. Results show that polarization has increased over time, regardless of the applied measure, when the last part of the period is compared to the first part of the period; primary causes being increased inequality (alienation) and faster income growth among high incomes relative to those in the middle of the distribution. Increasing the accounting period confirms the reduction in inequality found for shorter periods, but polarization is virtually unchanged, because income group identification increases. Applying different equivalence scales does not change polarization ranking for different years, but identification ranks are affected. The welfare state considerably reduces income polarization and inequality, but at the expense of some more identification.      

Translation and factor analysis of structural models of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in Serbian pregnant and postpartum women – Web-based study

BackgroundThe Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is well accepted for detecting symptoms of postnatal depression. The aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties and to evaluate structural models of the Serbian translation of EPDS in pregnant and postpartum women.MethodsThe original English version of the EPDS was translated into Serbian, and checked by means of back-translation. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire posted on a Serbian website devoted to pregnancy topics. The study sample included 201 women (76 pregnant, 125 postpartum). The internal consistency of the scale was measured by Cronbach's α coefficient. Principal component analysis was used to determine scale dimensions while confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate model fit.FindingsCronbach α coefficient was 0.84 and 0.83 in pregnant and postpartum women, respectively, which indicated good internal consistency of the Serbian EPDS. Three dimensions of the scale were revealed in both groups of women. Goodness of fit indices described good and excellent model in pregnant and postpartum women, respectively. High level of depression symptoms (score ≥13) was recorded in 27.6% and 24.8% (p > 0.05) of pregnant and postpartum women, respectively. Moderate level of depression symptoms (score 10–12) was recorded in 21.1% and 16.8% (p > 0.05) of pregnant and postpartum women, respectively.ConclusionThe Serbian translation of the EPDS showed good consistency and good model characteristics in pregnant and postpartum women. However, cut-off values, sensitivity and specificity of the scale should be determined in the further studies with more representative samples of women.     

Who does not cut down? Comparing characteristics and drinking motives of drinkers and abstainers during the exam periods

Objective: Drinking alcohol during the exams can affect academic performance and future career options, but is rarely investigated. Drinking motives, sociodemographics and personality characteristics are investigated in nonabstainers and weekly drinkers during the exams. Participants: 7,181 Belgian university students who anonymously responded to an email invitation to an online survey. Methods: Logistic regressions and mixed design analysis of variance on cross-sectional data. Results: One-third of the students continued drinking during the exams, with 40% drinking weekly. Nonabstainers were mainly men, elder, internally motivated when drinking, and housed with parents or independently. Weekly drinkers were similar, except mainly housed in student apartments or independently. Personality characteristics were nonsignificant. All drinking motives were less pronounced during the exams, with smaller differences for internal motives. Conclusions: Mainly linked to internal drinking motives, drinking during the exams in higher education is underestimated. The characteristics and motives of students doing so can be used in future interventions.     

Ice pack induced perineal analgesia after spontaneous vaginal birth: Randomized controlled trial

Background

Ice-pack is widely used for alleviating postpartum perineal pain sustained after birth related perineal trauma. However, it lacks robust evidence on timing and frequency of applications, to ensure the effective and safe use of this therapy.

Relationship between duration of second stage of labour and postpartum anaemia

Aim

To assess the relationship between the duration of the second stage of labour and postpartum anaemia during vaginal birth.

Women’s experiences of,and attitudes to,maternity education across the perinatal period in Victoria,Australia: A mixed-methods approach

Background

While the provision of maternity education across the perinatal period can increase the confidence and self-efficacy in childbearing women, there is still thought to be a lack of effective educational resources for parenthood. This study, conducted in Victoria, Australia, investigated women’s experiences of, and attitudes to education communicated in maternity service provision.

加强党的执政能力建设努力化解新时期人民内部矛盾

加强党的执政能力建设和正确处理新时期人民内部矛盾这两大重要课题之间有着相辅相成、相互促进的关系。因此,通过提高党驾驭市场经济的能力、发展社会主义民主政治的能力,建设社会主义先进文化和构建社会主义和谐社会的能力等具体途径,才能去化解新时期的人民内部矛盾。     

转轨时期国有经济退出路径的变迁--由体制内主动退出到体制外被动退出

国有经济的退出路径有两条体制内的主动退出和体制外的被动退出.在转轨时期,国有经济体制内的主动退出面临着重重的壁垒,相对于体制内的主动退出而言,体制外的被动退出是一条最优的路径.体制外被动退出是由国有经济目标函数变化内生决定的,是渐进式改革的必然结果.     

近代北京公园开放与公共空间的拓展

古城北京在规划与建设中,为后人留下了灿烂的文化遗产。然而,即便在最辉煌的时代,帝都从来没有设计并提供过面向普通平民的城市公共空间。1914年,随着北京中央公园的开放,其它前清的皇家园林、坛庙相继对公众开放。皇家禁地成为公众休闲空间,完成了从御花园到大众公园的角色转换。近代公园的出现改变了北京传统的城市空间结构,是北京城市生活走向近代化的重要标识之一。     

延迟决策对一类产出系统演化的影响研究

企业作为有限理性的经济主体,在做下阶段的生产决策时可能不仅考虑本期而是要综合考虑以往连续多期的边际利润情况。研究表明,加入时滞以后,系统纳什平衡点的稳定域明显扩大,从而为在混沌经济系统中实现倍周期分岔控制提供了现实途径,同时,还会使系统在纳什平衡点出现hopf分岔等新的动力学演化行为。而且,以累积利润为指标的系统表现可以得到改善。首先引入延迟决策的企业将获得更大的相对竞争优势。而在两家企业都引入延迟决策的情况下,伴随第二家企业产量调整速度的增加,它们将交替获得竞争优势。