The Dynamic Relationship of Brain Networks Across Time Windows During Product-Based Creative Thinking

Consensus of creativity research suggests that the measurement of both originality and valuableness is necessary when designing creativity tasks.However,few studies have emphasized valuableness when exploring underlying neural substrates of creative thinking.The present study employs product-based creativity tasks that measure both originality and valuableness in an exploration of the dynamic relationship between the default mode(DMN),executive control(ECN),and salience(SN)networks through time windows.This methodology highlights relevance,or valuableness,in creativity evaluation as opposed to divergent thinking tasks solely measuring originality.The researchers identified seven brain regions belonging to the ECN,DMN,and SN as regions of interest(ROIs),as well as four representative seeds to analyze functional connectivity in 25 college student participants.Results showed that all of the identified ROIs were involved during the creative task.The insula,precuneus,and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex(vlPFC)remained active across all stages of product-based creative thinking.Moreover,the connectivity analyses revealed varied interaction patterns of DMN,ECN,and SN at different thinking stages.The integrated findings of the whole brain,ROI,and connectivity analyses suggest a trend that the DMN and SN(which relate to bottom-up thinking)attenuate as time proceeds,whereas the vlPFC(which relates to top-down thinking)gets stronger at later stages;these findings reflect the nature of our creativity tasks and decision-making of valuableness in later stages.Based on brain region activation throughout execution of the task,we propose that product-based creative process may include three stages:exploration and association,incubation and insight,and finally,evaluation and decision making.This model provides a thinking frame for further research and classroom instruction.

A method to evaluate the bioactive function of fruit extracts of Chinese wild Citrus with microtubular activity

China is one of the most important centers of origin for Citrus genetic resources. Due to the high content of secondary metabolites, mining wild Chinese Citrus for novel medical applications is promising. In this study, extracts of Chinese wild species from different taxonomical groups were screened for potential effects on microtubules （MTs） in vitro. MT density as a readout for nucleation, and frequency distribution over MT lengths as a readout for elongation and decay were determined by quantitative image analysis via a standardized coverslJp assay using fluorescently labelled neurotubulin. Extract from peels of Citrus ichangensis Swing. strongly increased the density of MTs; whereas, extract from peels of Cfurs limon （L.） Burm.f. exerted the opposite effect. Extract from pulp of Citrus limonia Osbeck promoted MT elongation, and in addition induced a small population of very long MTs. These data suggest that wild Chinese Citrus harbour compounds that act specifically on different aspects of MT nucleation, elongation, and decay.

Using Learning Strategies:A Review in L2 Listening Research

This paper briefly reviews some significant learning strategies in L2 listening research.By pointing out both the feasibil ities and difficulties in implementing those strategies in Chinese EFL classrooms,it attempts to raise English language practitio ners'awareness of reforming the listening instruction and of utilizing strategic teaching approaches so as to enhance students'lis tening proficiency.

任务型教学法与3P教学法的理念依据及模式比较

在我国中小学英语教学中,有些人认为任务型教学法(Task-Based Language Teaching,简称TBLT)应取代3P(Presentation,Practice,Production)教学法,有些人则将任务型教学法视为3P教学法中的运用阶段。通过分析、比较两者的教学模式及理念依据可知,在我国特有的外语教学环境之下,3P教学法可操作性强、学生语法概念明晰等优势使其在中小学英语教学中仍有一定的用武之地。任务型教学法也有其自身的局限性及在我国的适应性问题。因此,我们不应全盘否定任何一种,而应根据教学实际,综合它们的合理内核,发展3P教学法,对任务型教学法进行本土化,使其为教学实践服务。