While discussing about mineral crystallization and surface dissolution, my co-worker R came up with this analogy:
One particle is flying around wildly looking for another particle to bump into. When they are roaming around in solution, they're not probably not going to meet each other. But if one sits down at a park bench (a surface), there's a good chance another one is going to come by.
This is why you need a seed crystal to grow rock candy or why Kurt Vonnegut's ice-nine is genius. Devouring an entire loaf of bread from Angela's Oven while wrapping up extra-things at work- mmmm.
Today at 6:40AM, I hopped out of bed and zipped over to Oyster Creek (45F means a perfect morning on out the water). Since we didn't race today, I was spared that traumatizing experience.
Our quad warmed up first with isolated movements- moving only the arms then arms with the back- which I found extremely difficult. I felt like a sloppy turtle; I couldn't just do just one thing. Once we started actually rowing (using the entire legs-arms-back sequence of motion) I was fine, but it was either all or nothing for me. I had to activate the entire sequence of fluid motions... just like a FAP (I couldn't think of this term for an agonizing five minutes!).
Fixed Action Pattern(FAP) is a sequence of coordinated movements that are performed together as a "unit" without interruption. Each FAP is triggered by a unique stimulus variously known as a sign stimulus, a key stimulus, or a releaser. A praying mantis striking at prey is a typical example... Once initiated, the mantis cannot change direction in mid-strike or abort the mission if the prey escapes. (ENT 425 site from NCSU)
Or just watch this video:
I am extremely proud of myself because:
1) I didn't catch any crabs.
2) I hardly have blisters= I was using "monkey fingers" like I'm supposed to instead of gripping the oars too tight.
3) I decided to train for the Olympics.
Good morning, you!
Okay, the third one is a joke. One of the coaches told me, "Hey, keep coming out to practice and you will compete in the Olympics... in 2100." I don't think that would be such a "S.M.A.R.T. goal", but I did sign up for my first 5k for March. It will be a fun 5k with a bunch of friends, but at least now I have a goal + a deadline to train to, plus a way to quantify my achievements (number of blisters, Olympic trial offers, mile split time).
In certain regions of West Africa, onchocerciasis is a more important cause of blindness than trachoma. In some villages it is common to see young children leading blind adults; in highly endemic areas the blindness rate in men over 40 years may be 40% or higher.
Transcribed from the Atlas of Tropical and Extraordinary Diseases, p. 373. Photo contributed by WHO. Selected by Kathleen
Our group is studying Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacteria that live in nematodes that cause these diseases. Current developments involve studying the nematodes' dependence on Wolbachia to target Wolbachia for more effective drugs that kill adult worms.
It's no secret that I like food. But the ones I love, I will never get sick of: bagels and pretzels.
This morning I found a box of cupcakes at the bottom of my stairs. After eating one for breakfast, I told myself that was my one sweet indulgence for the day. Then at work I went downstairs to our kitchen and found a beautiful chocolate cake from the best bakery ever: Ruggles.
You make me an irresponsible woman.
After this literally-sweetest day, I had to burst out laughing while reading this textbook about a clinical research study on the bacterial structure pili and its role in human diseases. I believe it is time to switch our textbook out for this one with more humor:
Alcamo's Fundamentals of Microbiology
I really hope they weren't just being witty about the local supermarkets' emergency sales. Oh, what people would do for $300. It reminds me of that time in high school when a friend didn't read the package and ate one too many cough drops.
.jpg)
