Researchers have found a chemical from a kind of worm (蠕虫) can break down one of the most common forms of plastic. The finding could open up new ways to deal with pollution.
There have been several studies showing that microorganisms can release enzymes (酶) that cause the plastics to start to break down, but that process may take a long time. The recently-discovered enzymes were found in the saliva (唾液) of the waxworm. They appear to act in only a few hours.
Federica Bertocchini is one of the researchers, who is also a beekeeper and always stores honeycombs, which are built by bees to store honey. One year Bertocchini found her honeycombs full of waxworms. She cleaned the honeycombs and put the worms in a plastic bag. When she returned later, she found that the bag was full of holes. She wondered if the worms were eating the plastic, or if there was a chemical reaction that caused the holes. "We checked and found that the plastics had been broken down," she said.
In her latest research, Bertocchini and her co-workers found two enzymes in the worm's saliva. The enzymes appeared to break down plastics in only a few hours.
Bertocchini's team is still trying to understand how the worms break down the plastics. They know much more research is needed before the findings can be used to process plastic waste. However, Bertocchini said the enzymes could be put into a water mixture and then put "over piles of collected plastics" in a waste center. She said that, in the future, the enzymes could be used in homes, where families could deal with their own plastic waste.
Founder is turning ownership of the company after nearly 50 years into two entities (实体) that will help fight the climate crisis.
Patagonia is a private company based in Ventura, California, which sells outdoor clothing and equipment, and was founded in 1973. Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard, who has previously expressed his unwillingness at gathering wealth, is giving away his company. The outdoor clothing company will now be in the hands of a trust and a nonprofit organization. All future profits will be donated to help fight climate change, the company announced Wednesday.
"It's been a half-century since we began our experiment in responsible business," Chouinard said. "As the business leader In ever wanted to be, I am doing my part" He added, "Instead of taking value from nature and turning it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the resources. We're making Earth our only shareholder. I am dead serious about saving this planet."
Chouinard and his family will be turning over their entire ownership share into two newly created entities. Those entities will ensure that the company's values will continue to be upheld—and that Patagonia's profits are used to combat climate change.
"If we have any hope of a thriving planet 50 years from now it demands that all of us should do all we can with the resources we have. We want to both protect the purpose of the business and immediately and continuously release more funding to fight the environmental crisis. We believe this new structure delivers on both and we hope it will inspire a new way of doing business that puts people and the planet first." Chouinard said in a statement Wednesday.
This nonprofit organization will make sure that the company's annual profits, about $100 million per year, will be used to protect nature and biodiversity, support thriving communities and fight the environmental crisis.
Tours & Admission | Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Explore the former estate (庄园) of F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Guided Manor House Tour
Experience the Manor House through the eyes of a trained tour guide and learn more about what life was like at the estate when the Seiberling family lived here. This tour lasts about 75 minutes.
Non-member Adult 18+: $21Non-member Youth (ages 3-17) : $10
Children 2 & under: FreeStan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Nooks & Crannies Tour
Take this tour to learn more about the domestic staff who worked and lived at the estate. This tour lasts about 90 minutes. It includes several flights of stairs and narrow passageways and is not recommended for guests who are unable to stand or walk for long distances.
Non-member Adult 18+: $30Non-member Youth (ages 3-17) : $15
Children 2 & under: FreeStan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Gardens, Gate Lodge & Corbin Conservatory
Enjoy Stan Hywet's historic gardens and grounds at your own pace on this self-guided grounds tour. Purchase the ticket upon arrival.
Non-member Adult 18+: $15Non-member Youth (ages 3-17) : $7
Children 2 & under: FreeStan Hywet Members: Free
Guided Garden Tour
The Guided Garden Tour takes guests around the estate and focuses on how the Seiberlings worked closely with their landscape architect on the overall design of the property. This tour is offered at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, May through September.
Non-member Adult 18+: $21Non-member Youth (ages 3 - 17) : $10
Children 2 & under: FreeStan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Traditional feedback (反馈), which often involves criticizing past actions and performance, can sometimes be discouraging. However, there's a powerful alternative that has been gaining popularity—feedforward. Feedforward is about sharing constructive and forward-looking comments to help individuals and groups move forward together, building a positive path to collective progress.
Constructive feedback has long been a cornerstone of personal development. It helps individuals identify their weaknesses and areas for improvement, but it can sometimes feel like a constant spotlight on one's shortcomings. Feedforward, on the other hand, shifts the focus from past missteps to future possibilities. It is a tool that fosters (培养) a culture of growth, emphasizing what can be done to enhance one's performance and contribute to the overall betterment of a group or organization.
Instead of focusing on past mistakes or weaknesses, feedforward encourages people to recognize their strengths and potential, highlighting the possibilities of what they can achieve. This approach not only boosts confidence but also motivates individuals to struggle for excellence. In a world where negativity can often overshadow positivity, the power of feedforward lies in its ability to uplift and inspire people.
When applied in group settings, feedforward becomes a powerful tool for building unity and cooperation. Teams and organizations that welcome feedforward form an environment where team members feel valued and supported. By focusing on future improvement, teams can collectively work towards their goals, fostering innovation, and achieving better results.
Feedforward can also be valuable in building personal relationships. It can be used in families, friendships, and romantic partnerships to encourage personal growth and strengthen bonds. Feedforward instead of being judgemental increases confidence. By offering constructive and forward-looking comments, you can support your loved ones in their pursuit of happiness and self-improvement.
To successfully implement feedforward, it is essential to foster open and honest communication. It's about providing advice that is specific, practical, and, most importantly, constructive. The emphasis should always be on helping individuals identify their potential and offering suggestions for growth.
Eating chocolate every day as part of your job sounds unreal, but it is a reality for chocolate tasters across the world. However, the job is full of challenges. Chocolate tasters work under pressure. If you are a chocolate lover and have thought about trying to be a chocolate taster in the future, you may want to think twice before you make the decision.
Chocolate tasting may involve lots of traveling. If you work for a chocolate seller, you will visit factories and attend chocolate tasting events to try new flavors (味道). If you work for a producer, you will visit raw (未经加工的) material suppliers to check on the quality of the raw products and to test different ingredients. Traveling will separate you from your friends and loved ones for long periods of time, which can create an emotional distance. Long trips may leave you feeling empty and lonely, which can affect the quality of your life.
Chocolate tasting requires that you take a lot of sugar and calories into your body, which can do harm to your health. Chocolate is also rich in saturated fats (饱和脂肪) and lacks vital vitamins and minerals that our bodies require daily. A career in chocolate tasting demands that you watch your diet; thus, you may have to limit or give up your intake of other calorie-rich foods. A chocolate taster who doesn't take good care of his personal health can develop diseases such as diabetes, tooth cavities, and so on.
Chocolate tasters must love chocolate and have a broad understanding of various chocolate flavors. While tasting, you are to take a bite and chew it for a few seconds, letting it slowly melt in your mouth and spread to all parts of your tongue to evaluate (评价) its flavors. You must pay attention to details and learn to identify flavors and quality quickly. You also have to taste some kinds of chocolate that you may not like. Besides, understanding customer preferences is very important. You will spend time studying customer-based research findings to try to determine the flavors that will meet their demands.
Simple Steps to Help You Cope With Anxiety
Anxiety involves feelings of worry, fear, and depress. Anxiety is typically experienced on cognitive, emotional, and physical levels. When feeling anxious a person may have negative or disturbing thoughts.
Stop and breathe
When anxiety appears, practice this simple breathing technique: Begin by getting into a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes and breathe slowly through your nose. Follow this inhalation(吸入)with a deep exhalation. , in and out of your nose. Allow your breath to be a guide to the present.
Figure out what's bothering you
In order to get to the root of your anxiety、you need to figure out what's bothering you. Writing in a journal can be a great way to get in touch with your sources of anxiety. If anxious feelings seem to be keeping you up at night, try keeping a journal or notepad next to your bed.
Replace your fears by changing your attitude about them. For example, stop fearing to lose your job and instead focus on how grateful you are to have a job. Come to work determined to do your best. Instead of fearing your loved one's safety, spend time with them, or express your appreciation of them.
Focus on something less anxiety- provoking
At times, it may be most helpful to simply redirect yourself to focus on something other than your anxiety. Do some chores or organizing around the house. such as drawing, painting, or writing. Go for a walk or engage in some other form of physical exercise.
A. Read some jokes
B. Take part in a creative activity
C. Focus on what you can change
D. Continue to breathe deeply and fully
E. Write down all of the things that are bothering you
F. Therefore, there are some useful steps you can. take to be happy
G. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to manage your anxiety
When attending holiday parties, we are eager to help our hosts in the kitchen, with food and drink service, and with post-party cleanup, which sometimes causes more trouble and stress for a host. Here's what professional event planners recommend.
Be sure to respond in a timely manner. If the invitation asks you to respond, do so well before the host has to reach out to confirm your attendance. Hosts who don't want their guests to help out during the party can hint that all has been taken care of right on the invitation.
Asking a host if you can assist on the event date can be overwhelming, but extending that offer while the host is still planning the party and putting the details together may prove more useful. If you are someone who loves to help, contact the host in advance and offer your assistance.
Don't show up early. Respect the event's start time and arrive on time or 5 minutes later than the time on the invitation. If the invitation says 7:15 pm, guests should arrive between 7:15 and 7:20.
When the party is over, don't stay. At the end of the evening, you can make one last offer to help the host tidy up the space. But if they refuse, don't insist, So it's the guest's responsibility to leave at an appropriate hour.
A. Consider offering help to the host ahead of time.
B. So what can you do to really help holiday hosts?
C. Contact the host to know the details about the party.
D. Many hosts are too polite to tell people it's time to go.
E. Being a good guest begins long before the party begins.
F. This way, the host can know an extra pair of hands is available as needed.
G. The invitation phase serves as a prime opportunity to clarify the event's tone.
Amazing Benefits of Listening to Music during Meditation (冥想)
There are many benefits of listening to music during meditation. If you haven't tried it yet, you should! It is not only relaxing but also beneficial for your mental health.
Reduce Stress
One of its benefits is a reduction in the levels of stress and anxiety. If your workload is very demanding, it is very natural for you to feel stressed-out often. When you listen to pleasant and soft music during meditation, you will feel calmer and remove stress from your life.
Balance Your Emotions
Listening to music while meditating can help you balance your emotions. People who meditate while regularly listening to music can balance their lives. They are better in dealing with emotions. In fact, they can improve their relationships and heal wounds quicker than those who don't take this beautiful practice.
Inspire You
When you listen to music while meditating, you feel inspired. This brings about a good feeling, and you can relax and enjoy yourself. You will also feel great about yourself. This is a great inspiration to someone who has lost hope in life.
Wonderful, wasn't it? The journey through music and meditation is something we should all try. Your body, mind, and soul will connect with each other.Right from the moment you start meditating with the help of music, you will notice changes.
A. Your health will be harmed.
B. Here are some of the benefits.
C. Not only that, your quality of life will improve too.
D. Meditation can help you live a life free of anxiety.
E. Stress is one of the most common issues in today's world.
F. Maintaining an emotional balance is very important.
G. You can recommend it to someone who is struggling with hopelessness.
In 1968, many precious relics were unearthed in the tombs of the Western Han Dynasty including the Changxin Palace Lamp, which is acknowledged "the first lamp of China".
The bronze lamp bears the shape of a girl on her knees (hold) a lamp. The lamp plate is on her left hand while her right hand, is covered by a loose sleeve(袖子), carries the lampshade. The brightness of the lamp and the direction of the light can be adjusted with a handle and it controls two movable shades. (remarkable), the girl's right sleeve traps smoke from the burning lamp oil. channels it into the hollow body where water is stored, thus preventing the lamp from polluting the indoor air. Apart from that, the six component parts of the lamp can all be taken apart, and (be) easy to clean.
The delicate Changxin Palace Lamp provides a glimpse into China's glorious past, showing wisdom of ancient Chinese people as well as ancient China's achievements in science and technology. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic flame lantern (inspire) by the Changxin Palace Lamp. Being a perfect (marry) of green initiative and the Olympic Spirit, it uses double glass and a hidden division channel (reduce) the smoke and carbon deposition (沉积).
Aiming to inspire the people of various countries to learn Chinese, the video series The Imagination of Art was released Oct. 24, 2022.
The project, (joint) produced by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and Central Academy of Fine Arts, selects multiple art pieces created by four artists: Wu Jian'an, Kang Lei, Lu Zhengyuan and Zhang Fan.
Under the theme of "Chinese language plus arts", the series (comprise) of two parts, the first part of which contains four episodes, each (feature) one artist. The second part will see education experts guide Chinese learning according to above (work).
In the first episode, Wu, one professor of School of Experimental and Sci-Tech Arts at the academy, (share) his creation procedure of The Heaven of Nine Levels, hand-carved piece inspired by Shan Hai Jing. The second introduces The Garden of Forking Paths, artist Kang's painting, title is inspired from Jorge Borges' novel. The work demonstrates Kang's reflection on time, as she paints different objects in different places and at different times worldwide (record) her feelings and experiences.
The other two episodes are respectively about Lu's work Solid Liquid and Zhang's work Tianxin, both of which have a (power) effect on people learning Chinese.
For travelers who used to think that Chinese farmers live in poor conditions, the rural tours can be quite an eye opener. (travel) to Jiangsu's rural villages, many of which look like beautiful postcard scenes, might be totally different from you have imagined. A rural tour to the province might allow travelers to have a glance at their daily lives as well as the (develop) of China's rural areas in recent years.
Longshang village, which has 140 people from 51 households, is (locate) at the foot of Youzi Mountain in Nanjing's Gaochun district. It used to have ruined houses, (mud) roads and annoying flies everywhere. In 2017, experts (invite) to design the village's landscape and help restore its ancient buildings. Now it has become "internet celebrity" and attracted many visitors (draw) by its tea houses, cafes and book stores.
Also in Nanjing, Bulao village in Pukou district, known as Never Aging village, has attracted many who are interested in finding the secret of staying young. clean water and refreshing air, the village impresses many by its stone streets, ancient-style farm houses and various sports venues people can go hiking, play baseball and go fishing.
注意：1. 写作词数应为 80个左右;2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Enhancing Social Skills in Students
注意：1. 词数 80 左右；2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯3. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Tom,
……
Yours,
Li Hua
When I was walking back home at around 12: 15 p. m. during my lunch break one day, an apple core (果核) came flying towards me. It landed just before my feet. Surprised, I thought myself 1 not to get hit by it.
The apple was 2 over the wall by a school student. I live opposite a school. A wall 3 my apartment building from the school.
Thinking it was a one-off 4 , I told my friend Lucy, and we laughed about it.
Then the week after, I was walking along exactly the same place at the same time and bam! Another apple 5 the wall. This time it 6 on the roof of a shed (棚屋). I thought to myself: "Is it my destiny (命运) to get hit by an apple?"
Last week I was walking back home. I 7 my phone. It was 12:15 p.m.. My 8 wandered to those two times before when I'd seen an apple thrown over the wall. But 9 , my thoughts were interrupted (打断) by another flying apple! This one was a big one. Only one bite had been taken out of it, and it was thrown with speed.
Enough was enough. Someone could be really 10 by these apples. Did the 11 not realize that people live across the wall? Or do they not care?
I told my friend about it. "You should just throw the apple 12 over the wall. That will teach them," my friend Sam 13 . But I don't want to play that "game". As they say, "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."14 , I might end up hurting someone when I throw it back.
Maybe I'll call the school and let them know. The students responsible need to know that they might end up hurting someone if they keep throwing their waste. What's more, waste 15 to the bin, not anywhere else.
