Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system（PNS）.By establishing lipid-rich myelin sheaths around large-caliber axons,they ensure that electrical signal transmission is accelerated...Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system（PNS）.By establishing lipid-rich myelin sheaths around large-caliber axons,they ensure that electrical signal transmission is accelerated-a process referred to as saltatory signal propagation.Apart from this prominent physiological function,these cells also exert important pathophysiological roles in PNS injuries or dis- eases. In contrast to the central nervous system （CNS）, the adult PNS retains a remarkably high degree of intrinsic re- generation. As a consequence, transected axons and dam- aged myelin sheaths can be repaired and nerve functional- ity can be restored. This spontaneous regenerative capacity depends on （inter） actions of macrophages, neurons, and Schwann cells.展开更多
Both being two developing countries with a vast territory, dense population, and centuries-old ancient civilization, China and India have many in common in natural resources, population size, historical condition, cur...Both being two developing countries with a vast territory, dense population, and centuries-old ancient civilization, China and India have many in common in natural resources, population size, historical condition, current economic issues, etc. except for regime. The competition between China and India is a typical one between economic institutions. This paper, by making a diachronic analysis on their courses of development, tries to justify the importance of adopting an economic institution suitable to the situation of a country.展开更多
The Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） in October 2003 put forward a scientific approach of people-centered, all-round, coordinated and sustainable development ...The Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） in October 2003 put forward a scientific approach of people-centered, all-round, coordinated and sustainable development and made it a strategy for governing the country, putting it in command of all economic and social development. Since reform and opening up in 1978, China has persisted in the central task of economic development and put development in the first place. The evolution of the concept ＂development is the hard truth＂ to ＂development is a task of first importance in governing the country and invigorating the Chinese nation＂ and to the establishment of the scientific development approach reflects the deepening and growing command of the laws governing China＇s economic and social development.展开更多
In the late 1970s,China firmly resolved upon a path of re- form and opening up to the outside world under a heightened sense of crisis stemming from the tremendous gap between China and developed countries in terms of...In the late 1970s,China firmly resolved upon a path of re- form and opening up to the outside world under a heightened sense of crisis stemming from the tremendous gap between China and developed countries in terms of economic development.China chose to accelerate industrialization in order to narrow this gap, but the cost of doing so is reflected primarily in the展开更多
At present,China is the world’s largest consumer of iron ore, nickel,copper,steel,coal and cement,and the world’s second largest consumer of oil,alumina,electricity and energy.Currently, China is creating 4～5% of t...At present,China is the world’s largest consumer of iron ore, nickel,copper,steel,coal and cement,and the world’s second largest consumer of oil,alumina,electricity and energy.Currently, China is creating 4～5% of the world’s GDP by consuming 8.92% of the world’s oil,32.1% of raw coal,30.7% of iron ore,28% of steel.20% of alumina and 50% of cement.展开更多
Jin 1 fault block is structurally a monoclinic structure in the north and west which are respectively blocked by faults, with an oil-bearing area of 0.9 square kilometers and an oil geological reserve of 3 million ton...Jin 1 fault block is structurally a monoclinic structure in the north and west which are respectively blocked by faults, with an oil-bearing area of 0.9 square kilometers and an oil geological reserve of 3 million tons. The reservoir has good physical properties and is an edge water reservoir controlled by lithology. Crude oil belongs to ordinary heavy oil. In the initial stage of exploitation, natural energy is extracted. Oil wells are all high-yielding, degasification is serious, formation pressure drops and water cut rises rapidly. In order to keep the stable production of the block, water flooding, conventional huff and puff, steam flooding tests and carbon dioxide huff and puff have been carried out one after the other and achieved certain results. The three stages of high production, rapid decline and low-speed decline have been experienced. Through continuous updating of knowledge and numerical simulation of remaining oil, the stable production of the block has been maintained, the development effect has been improved and the ultimate recovery rate has been increased.展开更多
China is a large country with a vast territory and is also a big agricultural country. The agricultural economy is an important part of China's national economy. The development of the rural economy can help the p...China is a large country with a vast territory and is also a big agricultural country. The agricultural economy is an important part of China's national economy. The development of the rural economy can help the peasants to become rich and realize the prosperity of the countryside. In our country, the problem of agricultural and rural farmers is still an important issue affecting the national economy and the people's livelihood. It is an important task for the country to solve the "three rural" problems. Under the guidance of the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the Implementation of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, implementing the rural revitalization strategy, promoting the adjustment of the agricultural production structure and promoting the all-round progress of the rural areas and farmers can effectively solve the existing contradictions, promote the stable and healthy development of the rural economy, lay the foundation for the rural revitalization and the development of the national economy.展开更多
BACKGROUND The standard management of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)is based on corticosteroids,alone or in combination with azathioprine.Second-line treatments are needed for patients who have refractory disease.However,h...BACKGROUND The standard management of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)is based on corticosteroids,alone or in combination with azathioprine.Second-line treatments are needed for patients who have refractory disease.However,high-quality data on the alternative management of AIH are scarce.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and the quality of evidence by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation approach(GRADE).METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data were performed.We calculated pooled event rates for three outcome measures:Biochemical remission,adverse events,and mortality,with their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS The pooled biochemical remission rate was 68.9%(95%CI:60.4-76.2)for tacrolimus,and 59.6%(95%CI:54.8-64.2)for MMF,and rates of adverse events were 25.5%(95%CI:12.4-45.3)for tacrolimus and 24.1%(95%CI:15.4-35.7)for MMF.The pooled mortality rate was estimated at 11.5%(95%CI:7.1-18.1)for tacrolimus and 9.01%(95%CI:6.2-12.8)for MMF.Pooled biochemical remission rates for tacrolimus and MMF in patients with intolerance to standard therapy were 56.6%(CI:43.4-56.6)vs 73.5%(CI:58.1-84.7),and among non-responders were 59.1%(CI:48.7-68.8)vs 40.8%(CI:32.3-50.0),respectively.Moreover,the overall quality assessments using GRADE proved to be very low for all our outcomes in both treatment groups.CONCLUSION Tacrolimus and MMF are in practice considered effective for patients with AIH who are non-responders or intolerant to first-line treatment,but we found no high-quality evidence to support this statement.展开更多
As the name reflects, integrative plant biology is the core topic of JIPB. In the past few years JIPB has been pursuing the development of this area, to assist the scientific community to bring together all possible r...As the name reflects, integrative plant biology is the core topic of JIPB. In the past few years JIPB has been pursuing the development of this area, to assist the scientific community to bring together all possible research tools to understand plant growth, development and stress responses in micro- and macro-scales. As part of these efforts, JIPB and Yantai University organized the 1st International Symposium on Integrative Plant Biology in the seaside town of Yantai during August 10-12, 2009 （Figure 1） The symposium was co-sponsored by Botanical Society of China, Chinese Society for Cell Biology, Genetics Society of China, and Chinese Society for Plant Physiology.展开更多
Dimensions in breadth （to be or not to be）： presence or absence. Dimensions of being （to be and to have）： essential sens of existence. Dimensions of prospective （inspiration and reason）： needs and wishes.Dime...Dimensions in breadth （to be or not to be）： presence or absence. Dimensions of being （to be and to have）： essential sens of existence. Dimensions of prospective （inspiration and reason）： needs and wishes.Dimensions offacts （minute and, or, assembled）： irrefutable reasoning and logic. Dimensions of deeds （track record and recognition）： proof and ease. Dimensions of values （precise and or wide）： religious convictions and truths.Multicultural appreciation： life experience, knowledge, and awareness. Single or Multiple： individual freedom, or multiplied treasons. Monovoiced and scope （melody and harmony）.Vertical, lateral, and open-ended （toward the future）： for work afield, in spirit and Time. Broad market returns [hedge-funds （markets are slower than finances, hence manageable）]. Today＇s philosophy [Paul Ricoeur （1913-2005） （Theologean and Philosopher）]： might primarily be adapted and worked to a Western civilization!展开更多
At the beginning, this paper briefly introduces the evolution of information system development approach (ISDA), which can be divided into five categories: life cycle approach (LCA), structured approach (SA),prototypi...At the beginning, this paper briefly introduces the evolution of information system development approach (ISDA), which can be divided into five categories: life cycle approach (LCA), structured approach (SA),prototyping approach (PA), object oriented approach (OOA) and soft system methodology (SSM). After we make a comparative analysis of them,the main factors resulting in failure of information system development (ISD) in China are explained in detail. Consequently, such an assertion that false selection of unsuitable ISDA is the most important reason leading to unsuccessful ISD is reached. In order to avoid it, based on the fuzzy decision making theory, this article demonstrates a method of evaluating alternative ISDAes to select relatively satisfactory one out of them, for which a fuzzy synthetic discrimination model is created. In particular, a typical summarized evaluation index system is established, too. Finally, the application of the above method to a practical information system (IS) is illustrated.展开更多
A domain knowledge driven user interface development approach is described.As a conceptual de- sign of the user interface,the domain knowledge defines the user interface in terms of objects,actions and their relations...A domain knowledge driven user interface development approach is described.As a conceptual de- sign of the user interface,the domain knowledge defines the user interface in terms of objects,actions and their relationships that the user would use to interact with the application system.It also serves as input to a user interface management system(UIMS)and is the kernel of the target user interface. The principal ideas and the implementation techniques of the approach is discussed.The user interface model,user interface designer oriented high-level specification notation,and the transformation algorithms on domain knowledge are presented.展开更多
A paradigm of program development using type theories is given after analyzing some typical exam- ples.In order to carry this approach forward,a language ALT is designed.It is a linguistic description of a generalized...A paradigm of program development using type theories is given after analyzing some typical exam- ples.In order to carry this approach forward,a language ALT is designed.It is a linguistic description of a generalized higher order typed lambda calculus with Π,∑ types and Π,∑ kinds (supertypes). Four examples are given to show how ALT can be used to implement many concepts of software engi- neering and artificial intelligence.They are intuitionistic logic,Peano arithmetic,approximate reasoning and program transformations.ALT is described formally,using a structural operational approach.展开更多
Developing approaches for precise engineering of the optical response of plasmonic nanocavities at the postfabrication stage is important for achieving enhanced and tunable light-matter interactions.In this work,we de...Developing approaches for precise engineering of the optical response of plasmonic nanocavities at the postfabrication stage is important for achieving enhanced and tunable light-matter interactions.In this work,we demonstrate selective enhancement/suppression of specific plasmonic modes by embedding nanocube-on-mirror plasmonic nanocavities into a poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)layer with a controllable thickness.With the increase of the PMMA thickness from 0 to approximately 100 nm,the dominating out-of-plane plasmonic modes are significantly suppressed in the scattering spectra,while the in-plane plasmonic modes are greatly enhanced with a factor reaching 102±20.This enhancement is related to the variation of momentum matching between the plasmonic modes and the radiative fields,affecting both mode excitation and emission properties.In addition,the spectral positions of the in-plane and out-of-plane plasmonic modes shift up to 52±5 and 81±2 nm,respectively.These properties are important for matching and enhancing plasmonic and molecular resonances in a variety of applications.展开更多
The production-oriented approach （POA） has been developed over a decade. It is driven by the need to improve English classroom instruction for university students in China （Wen, 2016）. It is also motivated by the ...The production-oriented approach （POA） has been developed over a decade. It is driven by the need to improve English classroom instruction for university students in China （Wen, 2016）. It is also motivated by the aspiration to enhance the quality of foreign language education in other similar pedagogical contexts outside China. A volume of research has been done by Wen Qiufang and her research team, to formulate the theory of POA and to test its effectiveness in classroom pedagogy （e.g. Wen, 2016, 2015; Yang, 2015; Zhang, 2015）. At the moment, the POA is still at an early stage of theory building and almost all empirical research is done in the Chinese context. In order to improve the quality of this theory and to make it intelligible to the international academic community, a one-day symposium was held in Beijing Foreign Studies University on May 15, 2017. The symposium was entitled ＇The first international forum on innovative foreign language education in China： Appraisal of the POA＇. In the forum, leading experts in applied linguistics were invited to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the POA and the directions for its future development. The symposium was the first attempt for the POA research team to discuss its latest work with international scholars. This Viewpoint section collects the responses of four experts who participated in the symposium, listed in alphabetical order. The collection of articles covers three topics related to the POA： its pedagogical application, its use for teacher training, and its research. Alister Cumming is Professor Emeritus and the former Head of the Centre for Educational Research on Languages and Literacies, University of Toronto, Canada. His article focuses primarily on POA research as an exemplary case of design-based research. Rod Ellis is Research Professor in the School of Education at Curtin University, Australia. He discusses POA in terms of pedagogy, teacher training and research, with both critiques and constructive suggestions. Paul Kei Matsuda is Professor of English and Director of Second Language Writing at Arizona State University, the writed states. He responds to POA from the perspective of an expert researcher and teacher of L2 writing. Charlene Polio is Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Linguistics ＆ Germanic, Slavic, Asian ＆ African Languages atMichigan State University, the writed states. She conceptualises POA as a useful method to address some issues in pre-service teacher development. Overall, the articles in this section are insightful and reader-friendly. They are not only useful for the development of POA in particular, but may also be valuable to a broad range of researchers as they touch upon pertaining issues, as well as emerging topics, in the field of applied linguistics. We therefore find it necessary to make them accessible to a wide readership.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the DFG(German Research Council)Novartis Pharma Gmb H(Nürnberg+2 种基金Germany)Baxter Innovations Gmb H(ViennaGermany)
文摘Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system（PNS）.By establishing lipid-rich myelin sheaths around large-caliber axons,they ensure that electrical signal transmission is accelerated-a process referred to as saltatory signal propagation.Apart from this prominent physiological function,these cells also exert important pathophysiological roles in PNS injuries or dis- eases. In contrast to the central nervous system （CNS）, the adult PNS retains a remarkably high degree of intrinsic re- generation. As a consequence, transected axons and dam- aged myelin sheaths can be repaired and nerve functional- ity can be restored. This spontaneous regenerative capacity depends on （inter） actions of macrophages, neurons, and Schwann cells.
文摘Both being two developing countries with a vast territory, dense population, and centuries-old ancient civilization, China and India have many in common in natural resources, population size, historical condition, current economic issues, etc. except for regime. The competition between China and India is a typical one between economic institutions. This paper, by making a diachronic analysis on their courses of development, tries to justify the importance of adopting an economic institution suitable to the situation of a country.
文摘The Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） in October 2003 put forward a scientific approach of people-centered, all-round, coordinated and sustainable development and made it a strategy for governing the country, putting it in command of all economic and social development. Since reform and opening up in 1978, China has persisted in the central task of economic development and put development in the first place. The evolution of the concept ＂development is the hard truth＂ to ＂development is a task of first importance in governing the country and invigorating the Chinese nation＂ and to the establishment of the scientific development approach reflects the deepening and growing command of the laws governing China＇s economic and social development.
文摘In the late 1970s,China firmly resolved upon a path of re- form and opening up to the outside world under a heightened sense of crisis stemming from the tremendous gap between China and developed countries in terms of economic development.China chose to accelerate industrialization in order to narrow this gap, but the cost of doing so is reflected primarily in the
文摘At present,China is the world’s largest consumer of iron ore, nickel,copper,steel,coal and cement,and the world’s second largest consumer of oil,alumina,electricity and energy.Currently, China is creating 4～5% of the world’s GDP by consuming 8.92% of the world’s oil,32.1% of raw coal,30.7% of iron ore,28% of steel.20% of alumina and 50% of cement.
文摘Jin 1 fault block is structurally a monoclinic structure in the north and west which are respectively blocked by faults, with an oil-bearing area of 0.9 square kilometers and an oil geological reserve of 3 million tons. The reservoir has good physical properties and is an edge water reservoir controlled by lithology. Crude oil belongs to ordinary heavy oil. In the initial stage of exploitation, natural energy is extracted. Oil wells are all high-yielding, degasification is serious, formation pressure drops and water cut rises rapidly. In order to keep the stable production of the block, water flooding, conventional huff and puff, steam flooding tests and carbon dioxide huff and puff have been carried out one after the other and achieved certain results. The three stages of high production, rapid decline and low-speed decline have been experienced. Through continuous updating of knowledge and numerical simulation of remaining oil, the stable production of the block has been maintained, the development effect has been improved and the ultimate recovery rate has been increased.
文摘China is a large country with a vast territory and is also a big agricultural country. The agricultural economy is an important part of China's national economy. The development of the rural economy can help the peasants to become rich and realize the prosperity of the countryside. In our country, the problem of agricultural and rural farmers is still an important issue affecting the national economy and the people's livelihood. It is an important task for the country to solve the "three rural" problems. Under the guidance of the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the Implementation of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, implementing the rural revitalization strategy, promoting the adjustment of the agricultural production structure and promoting the all-round progress of the rural areas and farmers can effectively solve the existing contradictions, promote the stable and healthy development of the rural economy, lay the foundation for the rural revitalization and the development of the national economy.
文摘BACKGROUND The standard management of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)is based on corticosteroids,alone or in combination with azathioprine.Second-line treatments are needed for patients who have refractory disease.However,high-quality data on the alternative management of AIH are scarce.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and the quality of evidence by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation approach(GRADE).METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data were performed.We calculated pooled event rates for three outcome measures:Biochemical remission,adverse events,and mortality,with their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS The pooled biochemical remission rate was 68.9%(95%CI:60.4-76.2)for tacrolimus,and 59.6%(95%CI:54.8-64.2)for MMF,and rates of adverse events were 25.5%(95%CI:12.4-45.3)for tacrolimus and 24.1%(95%CI:15.4-35.7)for MMF.The pooled mortality rate was estimated at 11.5%(95%CI:7.1-18.1)for tacrolimus and 9.01%(95%CI:6.2-12.8)for MMF.Pooled biochemical remission rates for tacrolimus and MMF in patients with intolerance to standard therapy were 56.6%(CI:43.4-56.6)vs 73.5%(CI:58.1-84.7),and among non-responders were 59.1%(CI:48.7-68.8)vs 40.8%(CI:32.3-50.0),respectively.Moreover,the overall quality assessments using GRADE proved to be very low for all our outcomes in both treatment groups.CONCLUSION Tacrolimus and MMF are in practice considered effective for patients with AIH who are non-responders or intolerant to first-line treatment,but we found no high-quality evidence to support this statement.
文摘As the name reflects, integrative plant biology is the core topic of JIPB. In the past few years JIPB has been pursuing the development of this area, to assist the scientific community to bring together all possible research tools to understand plant growth, development and stress responses in micro- and macro-scales. As part of these efforts, JIPB and Yantai University organized the 1st International Symposium on Integrative Plant Biology in the seaside town of Yantai during August 10-12, 2009 （Figure 1） The symposium was co-sponsored by Botanical Society of China, Chinese Society for Cell Biology, Genetics Society of China, and Chinese Society for Plant Physiology.
文摘Dimensions in breadth （to be or not to be）： presence or absence. Dimensions of being （to be and to have）： essential sens of existence. Dimensions of prospective （inspiration and reason）： needs and wishes.Dimensions offacts （minute and, or, assembled）： irrefutable reasoning and logic. Dimensions of deeds （track record and recognition）： proof and ease. Dimensions of values （precise and or wide）： religious convictions and truths.Multicultural appreciation： life experience, knowledge, and awareness. Single or Multiple： individual freedom, or multiplied treasons. Monovoiced and scope （melody and harmony）.Vertical, lateral, and open-ended （toward the future）： for work afield, in spirit and Time. Broad market returns [hedge-funds （markets are slower than finances, hence manageable）]. Today＇s philosophy [Paul Ricoeur （1913-2005） （Theologean and Philosopher）]： might primarily be adapted and worked to a Western civilization!
文摘At the beginning, this paper briefly introduces the evolution of information system development approach (ISDA), which can be divided into five categories: life cycle approach (LCA), structured approach (SA),prototyping approach (PA), object oriented approach (OOA) and soft system methodology (SSM). After we make a comparative analysis of them,the main factors resulting in failure of information system development (ISD) in China are explained in detail. Consequently, such an assertion that false selection of unsuitable ISDA is the most important reason leading to unsuccessful ISD is reached. In order to avoid it, based on the fuzzy decision making theory, this article demonstrates a method of evaluating alternative ISDAes to select relatively satisfactory one out of them, for which a fuzzy synthetic discrimination model is created. In particular, a typical summarized evaluation index system is established, too. Finally, the application of the above method to a practical information system (IS) is illustrated.
基金The project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘A domain knowledge driven user interface development approach is described.As a conceptual de- sign of the user interface,the domain knowledge defines the user interface in terms of objects,actions and their relationships that the user would use to interact with the application system.It also serves as input to a user interface management system(UIMS)and is the kernel of the target user interface. The principal ideas and the implementation techniques of the approach is discussed.The user interface model,user interface designer oriented high-level specification notation,and the transformation algorithms on domain knowledge are presented.
文摘A paradigm of program development using type theories is given after analyzing some typical exam- ples.In order to carry this approach forward,a language ALT is designed.It is a linguistic description of a generalized higher order typed lambda calculus with Π,∑ types and Π,∑ kinds (supertypes). Four examples are given to show how ALT can be used to implement many concepts of software engi- neering and artificial intelligence.They are intuitionistic logic,Peano arithmetic,approximate reasoning and program transformations.ALT is described formally,using a structural operational approach.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFB2806701)National Natural Science Foundation of China(92250305,62305293)+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(LR25F050001,LDT23F04015F05)Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EP/W017075/1)New Cornerstone Science Foundation(NCI202216)。
文摘Developing approaches for precise engineering of the optical response of plasmonic nanocavities at the postfabrication stage is important for achieving enhanced and tunable light-matter interactions.In this work,we demonstrate selective enhancement/suppression of specific plasmonic modes by embedding nanocube-on-mirror plasmonic nanocavities into a poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)layer with a controllable thickness.With the increase of the PMMA thickness from 0 to approximately 100 nm,the dominating out-of-plane plasmonic modes are significantly suppressed in the scattering spectra,while the in-plane plasmonic modes are greatly enhanced with a factor reaching 102±20.This enhancement is related to the variation of momentum matching between the plasmonic modes and the radiative fields,affecting both mode excitation and emission properties.In addition,the spectral positions of the in-plane and out-of-plane plasmonic modes shift up to 52±5 and 81±2 nm,respectively.These properties are important for matching and enhancing plasmonic and molecular resonances in a variety of applications.
文摘The production-oriented approach （POA） has been developed over a decade. It is driven by the need to improve English classroom instruction for university students in China （Wen, 2016）. It is also motivated by the aspiration to enhance the quality of foreign language education in other similar pedagogical contexts outside China. A volume of research has been done by Wen Qiufang and her research team, to formulate the theory of POA and to test its effectiveness in classroom pedagogy （e.g. Wen, 2016, 2015; Yang, 2015; Zhang, 2015）. At the moment, the POA is still at an early stage of theory building and almost all empirical research is done in the Chinese context. In order to improve the quality of this theory and to make it intelligible to the international academic community, a one-day symposium was held in Beijing Foreign Studies University on May 15, 2017. The symposium was entitled ＇The first international forum on innovative foreign language education in China： Appraisal of the POA＇. In the forum, leading experts in applied linguistics were invited to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the POA and the directions for its future development. The symposium was the first attempt for the POA research team to discuss its latest work with international scholars. This Viewpoint section collects the responses of four experts who participated in the symposium, listed in alphabetical order. The collection of articles covers three topics related to the POA： its pedagogical application, its use for teacher training, and its research. Alister Cumming is Professor Emeritus and the former Head of the Centre for Educational Research on Languages and Literacies, University of Toronto, Canada. His article focuses primarily on POA research as an exemplary case of design-based research. Rod Ellis is Research Professor in the School of Education at Curtin University, Australia. He discusses POA in terms of pedagogy, teacher training and research, with both critiques and constructive suggestions. Paul Kei Matsuda is Professor of English and Director of Second Language Writing at Arizona State University, the writed states. He responds to POA from the perspective of an expert researcher and teacher of L2 writing. Charlene Polio is Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Linguistics ＆ Germanic, Slavic, Asian ＆ African Languages atMichigan State University, the writed states. She conceptualises POA as a useful method to address some issues in pre-service teacher development. Overall, the articles in this section are insightful and reader-friendly. They are not only useful for the development of POA in particular, but may also be valuable to a broad range of researchers as they touch upon pertaining issues, as well as emerging topics, in the field of applied linguistics. We therefore find it necessary to make them accessible to a wide readership.
