Differential item functioning analysis of the 2003-04 NHANES physical activity questionnaire

Using differential item functioning (DIF) analyses, this study examined whether there were any DF items in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) physical activity (PA) questionnaire. A subset of adult data from the 2003-04 NHANES study (n = 3,083) was used. PA items related to respondents' occupational, transportation, domestic, leisure-time, strength-related, and sedentary activities were analyzed for DIF using Mantel-Haenszel, SIBTEST, and analysis of variance procedures. Some items were identified as DF items, with the majority of those items favoring advantaged social groups. For example, items about domestic activity and moderate-intensity leisure-time activity were DF items favoring non-Hispanic Whites, and persons with higher levels of education (e.g., some college or more) or income (e.g, annual family income [AFI] > $34,999). The vigorous activity item was a DIF item favoring younger adults (ages 20-59 years) and persons with higher levels of education or income. Occupational PA presented DF favoring Hispanics and persons with lower levels of education (e.g., high school or less), and the transportation-related PA item presented DF favoring persons with lower incomes (e.g., AFI $34,999). These findings highlight the importance of conducting DF analysis in PA survey construction and emphasize the need to introduce DIF concepts and methods to PA researchers.     

Fundamental movement skill performance of preschool children in relation to family context

Evidence suggests the development of fundamental movement skill (FMS) is a key factor in promoting long-term physical activity. Low levels of activity among preschool children and the relationship between physical activity and the development of fundamental movement skills underline the need to determine the factors associated with children's development of such skills. As parents play an important role in the socialization process, the aim of this study was to examine correlates of family and neighbourhood characteristics as well as parental behaviour and beliefs on FMS performance in 4- to 6-year-old preschool children. Relationships between preschool children's FMS performance and family contextual variables were examined within a sample of 846 preschool children. Results identified positive associations of FMS performance with parental education, father's physical activity, transport to school by bicycle, and the high value placed by parents high on sport-specific aspects of children's physical activity. Variables negatively associated with preschool children's FMS performance included father-child interaction in TV-viewing and reading books, the high importance placed by parents on winning and performance in children's physical activity. Furthermore, the ambiguity of associations between FMS performance and parental beliefs underlined its complexity.     

加拿大城市原住民教育所面临的问题

原住民是加拿大人口增长最快的少数民族。而且正经历着大规模由农村移民到城市的过程,这一过程是其他民族都必须经历的。然而加拿大原住民在正规教育和教育机会方面还落后于整个国家的水准。造成这种现实的原因是复杂的,涉及历史关系、政府政策、变化的形势以及社会经济挑战等因素。本文力图阐述存在的问题并分析其对原住民教育机会的限制,同时对克服原住民教育机会不平等的具体措施进行了探讨。     

班级讨论会及其实践

W·格拿塞先生倡导并经多年实践的班级讨论会,已经取得了令人信服的成果,且为越来越多的教师所掌握。实践表明,班级讨论会是一种行之有效的教育措施,不论是对干解决学校普遍存在的纪律问题,还是启迪学生智慧和塑造健康心理与人格,都有积极意义。鉴于此,特将本文推荐给有志于教育改革的朋友们。     

命运

命运黄燕生译命运，你永远是爱情的冷酷敌人。为什么，当我们心心相印你却介入其间，迫使我们离分？想望，魂牵梦系，让我们日复一日地叹息，直至青春和温馨的年华逃逸，直至一切生命的流溢？忙碌，你总是那样拉扯那些无爱情、无幸福的婚约，混淆欢乐与欺骗，将温柔投向粗...     

运动员的水盐丢失和补充策略

国际奥委会运动营养首席专家Pro.Dr.Ron Maughan出汗是机体为了在热的条件下运动保持低温的主要机制,对于加大热量的散发,限制体温的上升是非常有效的。但汗液的丢失,导致循环血量的不断下降,反而影响体温调节功能。在运动过程中,影响汗液丢失量的因素很多,有运动的强度及时间、周围环境的气温和湿度、穿衣的多少、个人健康状况、对热量的适应能力及个体差异。在丢失的汗液中有水及一些溶质。最主要的电解质是钠和氯。实验表明:在各种运动项目训练中肌肉痉挛的发生可能与运动员盐份的丢失有关,给大量出汗的人补充电解质饮料可以减少肌肉痉…     

思想碰撞、吹毛求疵论战“兽王之争”

当战争双方的经验,操作、意识、战术都处于一个层面,达成一个微妙的平衡之后,魔兽争霸又该以何争霸? 2006年第一个世界瞩目的魔兽大赛于1月20日在上海拉开帷幕,这就是Stars Warll国际魔兽巨星邀请赛。在这次大赛中,有着太多精彩的对局,太多为人称道的惊喜。其中,“中国兽王”wNv．xiaOt与“世界兽王”4K．Grubby在Turtle Rock上的这场“兽王之争”,无疑是一场既令人无比惊喜、又令人异常遗憾的精彩对局。两位兽王在这场争斗中,均展示了自己强劲的实力和对魔兽的深刻理解,并相当漂亮地诠释了如何进行战争。而一波三折的局面,和风云色变的大逆转,更决定了这场战役的经典异常。当思想与思想碰撞,形势又会如何?这场经典战役所展示的,绝不仅仅是操作、经验、意识、战术的精彩对抗,它更多的体现出的是一种思想上的碰撞,微妙的深层次的对抗。     

国家在教育中的作用之前景：效率与公平双重挑战观

教育领域中是否惟有国家或者惟有市场才能取得令人满意的结果?应优先投资于教育系统的底部还是高端?课程计划的统一是保证机会均等的手段吗?如何使教育管理中的地方分权趋于更加民主和更具活力?这些问题已有大量的讨论，但在泰德斯科(Tesco，J．C．)的《国家在教育中的作用》一文第三部分中仍然提供了一些有趣的分析与观点。现将这一部分的前三节译出，并将这一部分的标题作为现在的篇名。