Neuronal plasticity in memory and learning abilities: Theoretical position and selective review

Neural plasticity of modality-nonspecific and modality-specific memory and learning abilities pertains to fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence, respectively. The limbic system with the novelty neurons of the hippocampus interacts with the prefrontal cortex optimization of the orienting reflex and voluntary attention. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor produced by novelty neurons of the hippocampus contributes to long-term memory formation and improves learning abilities in a wide range of disciplines. Synergistic combination of stimulation with “analytical-specific visual perceptual patterns” and “optimally high” physiological activation of the bilateral electrodermal system optimizes the limbic system and prefrontal cortex activity as demonstrated by enhanced prefrontal N450 ERPs to a memory workload paradigm. This is accompanied by improvements in auditory retention tasks, word memorization, higher school achievement and marks, and an amelioration of “analytical-specific perceptual skills” as measured by the Mangina-Test. Intracerebral ERPs to a memory workload paradigm contributed to the elucidation of limbic structures and neocortical sites involved in memory workload processes. The progressive degeneration of these same structures causes the gradual decline of memory functions observed in early Alzheimer's disease. Research findings indicate that ERPs elicited by a memory workload paradigm are sensitive markers for diagnosis, treatment and clinical follow-up of early Alzheimer's patients. In addition, ERPs provide objective measurement of cholinergic medication effects on cerebral functions involved in memory processes through neuropsychophysiological parameters.     

Assessment of functional vision and its rehabilitation

This article, based on a report prepared for the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), explores the assessment of various aspects of visual functioning as needed to document the outcomes of vision rehabilitation. Documenting patient abilities and functional vision (how the person functions) is distinct from the measurement of visual functions (how the eye functions) and also from the assessment of quality of life. All three areas are important, but their assessment should not be mixed. Observation of task performance offers the most objective measure of functional vision, but it is time‐consuming and not feasible for many tasks. Where possible, timing and error rates provide an easy score. Patient response questionnaires provide an alternative. They may save time and can cover a wider area, but the responses are subjective and proper scoring presents problems. Simple Likert scoring still predominates but Rasch analysis, needed to provide better result scales, is gaining ground. Selection of questions is another problem. If the range of difficulties does not match the range of patient abilities, and if the difficulties are not distributed evenly, the results are not optimal. This may be an argument to use different outcome questions for different conditions. Generic questionnaires are appropriate for the assessment of generic quality of life, but not for specific rehabilitation outcomes. Different questionnaires are also needed for screening, intake and outcomes. Intake questions must be relevant to actual needs to allow prioritization of rehabilitation goals; the activity inventory presents a prototype. Outcome questions should be targeted at predefined rehabilitation goals. The Appendix cites some promising examples. The Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) is an example of a properly designed randomized control study, and has demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of vision rehabilitation. It is hoped that further similar studies will follow.     

Mothers' discrimination of their neonates' cry in relation to cry acoustics: The first week of life

This study investigated the temporal evolution in the discrimination of the newborn's crying by the mother, from the first to the eighth day after birth. The sample included twenty human mothers who had had an uneventful pregnancy, labour and delivery. They were asked to identify the spontaneous cries of their newborn babies from tape-recorded cries containing cries from their own newborn and from three other newborns. On the first day, the percentage of correct answers was 48#pc, then 81 #pc on the eighth day. Two acoustic features that may underlie this discrimination were analyzed: the maximum Fo values and the average number of cry bursts per second. On the seventh day, these two acoustic variables and the discrimination abilities significantly correlate.     

妇幼保健院医疗设备配置的思考和探讨

妇幼保健院运营的模式,服务的对象都有别于综合性医院。通过对设备使用效益的调查、分析,提出妇幼保健院医疗设备的配置,应符合本院的特点。配置应遵循:适用性、特色性、经济性、先进性,不可盲目求新、求全,避免设备使用的低效益。     

我国医疗保障制度改革中医院配套改革措施探讨

论述了医疗保障制度改革给医院带来的机遇与挑战,认为医院应采取调整结构,转换运行机制;完善补偿机制;加大宏观调控力度,制订和实施区域卫生规划等配套措施,来适应医疗保障制度的改革。     

Alternative common factor models for multivariate biometric analyses

In prior research we have shown how linear structural equation models and computer programs (e.g., LISREL) may be simply and directly used to provide alternatives for the traditional biometric twin design. We use structural equations and path models to define biometric group differences, we write traditional common-factor models in the same way, and then we take a detailed look at some alternative multivariate and biometric models. We contrast the biometricfactors covariance structure approach used by Loehlin and Vandenberg (1968), Martin and Eaves (1977), and others with the psychometric-factors approach used by McArdle et al. (1980) and others. We use the multivariate primary mental abilities data on monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins from Loehlin and Vandenberg (1968) to detail fundamental differences in model specification and results. We extend both multivariate biometric approaches using exploratory and confirmatory multiple-factor models. These comparisons show that each alternative multivariate methodology has useful features for empirical applications.This research has been supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging (AG02695, AG04704, and AG07137) to McArdle, and a Research Career Development Award (HD00694) to Goldsmith.     

Synergistic convergence of microbiota-specific systemic IgG and secretory IgA

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“读”系列课型教学之间的相互渗透性

在大学公共外语教学过程中,“读”课型分为精读,泛读及快速阅读,这三之间不是孤立的,而是相辅相成。精读通过语言点学习,课程内容表层学习及评价性理解三个环节,使学生不仅掌握章中的语言信息知识,而且培养了学生的赏析能力。泛读则培养学生归纳,逻辑推理,记忆的能力,并克服阅读过程中的主观主义。快速阅读则是对所学阅读技巧的具体运用和检验。     

省直医院运营效率及其提升策略分析——以河南省为例

目的 分析省直医院运营效率及其影响因素,为提高省直医院运营效率提供参考依据。方法 采用随机抽样的方法,选取河南省10家省直医院,综合使用Malmquist指数和Tobit模型,对“十三五”期间省直医院运营效率的变化趋势和主要影响因素进行回顾性分析,并提出“十四五”期间的提升策略。结果 样本医院床医比由2015年的1[DK]∶0.86降低至2019年的1[DK]∶1.13;样本医院总诊疗人次数与年出院人次数的比值由2015年的13.0下降至2019年的10.92;2015—2018年样本医院运营效率呈良好态势,2018—2019年运营效率下滑（M=0.993）;技术效率降低是样本医院运营效率下滑的主要因素;2018—2019年专科医院运营效率下降（M=0.937）;卫生技术人员占比对样本医院运营效率的影响最为显著（β=3.80,P＜0.05）。结论 省直医院应从重点提高卫生技术人员占比方面提升运营效率,尤其是专科医院应加快引进高学历、高水平医疗人才,改善技术效率,从而实现运营效率的提升。