COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT OF INPUT:A MICROANALYSIS OF CLOSE READING

Close Reading (Shen 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) is a four-volume series of intensive-reading textbooks tailored for Chinese college majors of English. In order to build up a state-of-the-art framework for the design of the textbook, we integrated the achievements of cognitive science with the relevant L2 research because we regarded cognitive science as home to L2 research. This vantage stance led to the attempt to enhance the conceptual dimensions in form-meaning relation. Basically, we have targeted at two kinds of input for enhancement in the series of Close Reading: 1) input embodying culture-specific imaginative concepts, and 2) input embodying conventional imaginative concepts that are yet to be activated for further assimilation by the learner. The present microanalysis examines a number of sample tasks drawn from the series of the textbooks to inquire into the cognitive approach.

Clinicians’prescription preferences for treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Shanghai

Background:China has more cases of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)than any other country in the world.As training to recognize and manage dementia is in its early stage,it is important to study clinicians’current prescription preferences for treating patients with AD.Methods:This study surveyed neurologists,psychiatrists,and general physicians(GPs)in Shanghai who had outpatients with AD,using a questionnaire asking about their prescription preferences for these patients.Results:Among the 148 clinicians in the study,26.4%were psychiatrists,44.6%were neurologists,and 29.1%were GPs.The groups did not differ significantly in age,gender,or their monthly cases of new patients with mild or moderate AD(P>0.05).Most clinicians prescribed Cholinesterase inhibitors(ChEIs),including Huperzine A,but there were significant group-differences in prescribing specific ChEIs(P<0.05).The daily dosages of ChEI and Memantine prescribed by all three groups were small(P>0.05),and all three groups prescribed piracetam,ergot,and ginkgo biloba drugs.All three groups also tended to treat AD patients with a combination of antidepressants and anxiolytics,although psychiatrists were significantly more likely than neurologists to combine antipsychotics with other drugs(P<0.05).Conclusion:Clinicians in Shanghai prescribed low doses of ChEIs and Memantine for patients with AD.A relatively high proportion also prescribed cognitive enhancers,which lack evidence-based support of their use,and antipsychotics.There is a need for more training about treating patients with AD and for clinicians to standardize their clinical practice.

Developments and challenges in human performance enhancement technology

As emerging technologies have advanced,some countries have issued reports on human performance enhancement efforts in recent years.Human performance enhancement is a prominent theme in the military field.As a type of potentially disruptive technology,human performance enhancement technology(HPET)is of vital importance in promoting military combat effectiveness,developing national defense science and technology,and transforming military medicine.This paper analyzes the current development status of critical HPETs,examines challenges facing such development,and points out existing problems in the field.Finally,future development directions of HPET are suggested.We hope this review will be of interest to scientists and engineers,who should carefully develop this technology to maximize human potential and focus on our social security.