Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in the human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated (刺激), ”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study, the robotic dogs, called AIBO, are placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO being placed. Then, the researchers will study the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to it all the time, and it responds (回应) to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady. “When I’m watching TV, it’ll stay in my arms until it wants to go down. It has a mind of its own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog because it is metal and not furry,” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels, or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”

   If you're the kind of person who loves travel but finds it difficult to break down language barriers，you may want to check out ICONSPEAK，a T-shirt covered in basic pictographs（图画文字）ranging from clocks to bathrooms. Simply point to the symbol associated with your need，and hopefully，the person you're talking to will understand you soon. I can tell you that it's better than having to make gestures to strangers.

ICONSPEAK is the brainchild of friends George and Florian. They were traveling through Asia in 2013 and found themselves in a remote（偏远的）village with no vehicle，no tourism，and just some locals. The problems they had while trying to express their needs to the locals inspired them to start working on a simple yet effective solution to the language gap. Two years later，they came up with the ICONSPEAK T-shirt.“In the furthest and deepest corners of our world we were repeatedly left with no words，either in breathtaking awe（赞叹）due to the scenery or in empty silence due to our lacking linguistic talents，”its website states.“Such situations got us thinking about how to bridge language barriers with simplicity on a global level. The answer came to us after a remarkable experience in Vietnam: ICONs. Because with ICONs, you can SPEAK, and you can SPEAK to the world.”

The ICONSPEAK collection consists of three types of T-shirts — long, short, sleeveless — as well as large bags and hats that feature fewer icons. The products are available internationally through the website, with the founders attesting that they work anywhere in the world.“I have used it in Norway,”said George.“It works beautifully — the people you ask are surprisingly quick in getting what you want or mean since they are anyway thinking in a certain context. If you point to the bus and the clock on the shirt and you do this at a bus stop, anybody will know that you want to know when the next bus leaves.”

ICONSPEAK is a clear example that the answer to complex problems can be very simple. I have yet to try the shirt, but somehow I have no doubt that it actually works. It might not always help, but for common problems, like finding a telephone, the nearest hotel or an ATM, ICONSPEAK seems like a good solution.

How to Create a Mind Map

Most of us think visually but write textually. 【小题1】It also makes the information we list more difficult to process，remember，and share.

【小题2】It combines the brain's visual nature with our tendency to write down words. We end up with a diagram that combines logic and order in a less structured manner. This promotes clearer thinking and better comprehension. 【小题3】

So，how do you create a mind map？The most basic method is to just use a pen and paper，or a marker and whiteboard. It begins with a central topic or idea，then flows outward. 【小题4】 The next level of topics is represented by branches extending from it.

There aren't really any rules for creating mind maps. While most flow outwardly from the central topic，some users prefer to build mind maps in one direction. 【小题5】This can make groups of ideas easier to identify（识别）and remember. It also makes a mind map more enjoyable to create and use.

Mind maps are extremely effective for taking notes, planning a project, brainstorming an idea, presenting information to others, and many other uses. Take out your pen and have a try.

   It seems that there is never enough time in the day. But, since we all get the same 24 hours, why is it that some people achieve much more than others? 【小题1】

Keep 0a to-do list.

You should have a reminder system to tell you when you need to do what. 【小题2】 Carry a pen and paper wherever you go and write down the things you need to do, including dates and deadlines (最后期限).

Set goals.

Set yourself exact goals, and make sure that they are realistic. To do this, you first need to examine your present situation and assess (判断) which goals are important to you. Have a secondary route to your goals in case you have to change your plans.

Break down tasks.

Break goals down into different parts so that you can complete them one step at a time. 【小题3】 Try to complete one task before you go on to the next.

Organize your time.

【小题4】 A good way to do this is to record everything you do for a week in detail and then examine your record to see how you use or waste your time.

【小题5】

Keep your work space tidy so that you can work efficiently — it’s hard to work if things you need to find are buried under a pile of paper! Work to plan things so that you can meet deadlines in good time — don’t leave everything until the last minute.

I am a senior one student. I have known that the playground of our school will be rebuilt recently._________

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua