【推荐1】If you want to convince the boss you deserve a pay rise or promotion, the solution could be simple --- eat the same food as they do. Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.

During experiments, discussions over wages and work conditions were much more successful if both sides chose to snack on the same treats. And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.

The reason is thought to be the so–called similarity attraction theory --- where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves. But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship. Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.

In a test, participants were told to watch TV --- where someone pretending to be a member of the public praised a certain product. The volunteers were given Kit Kat bars to nibble, while the TV people ate either a Kit Kat or grapes as they talked.

The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too. The researchers added, “Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along, we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do. It means people can immediately begin to feel friendship and develop a bond, leading to smoother transactions from the start.”

Harley Street psychologist Dr. Lucy Atcheson said it was already known that wearing similar clothes could instantly create trust. But this was the first report that food had the same effect. She said, “This is really interesting. It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful.”

【推荐2】Vegetable gardens may not be as visually pleasing as the variety of flowers, but Floridians looking to save some green by growing their own salad fixings can soon do so without fear. Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed a law that bans local governments from carrying orders against homeowners from raising veggies in their yards.

The law, which takes effect July 1, puts an end to that particular power of towns and cities across the state to prohibit vegetable gardens for “aesthetic（审美的）purposes”.

The issue became a cause after a couple living in Miami Shores Village opposed the decision of a $ 50 a day fine for growing vegetables in their front yard, as they’d done for years.

Hermine Ricketts and her husband Tom Carroll fought City Hall in a case that wound its way up the state’s court system, with judges consistently ruling against their money-saving and health-conscious project.

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Miami Shores’ right to control design and landscaping standards, the couple replaced their vegetables with pink flamingos (红鹳花) .

Their cause was not lost, however. State lawmakers proposed and passed a law that effectively voids the court rulings, with Rob Bradley, who sponsored the bill, reportedly calling the village’s action a “vast overreach”.

The lawmaker noted the difficulty that many families experience getting fresh and affordable food, calling bans against vegetable and fruit gardens ridiculous.

About a third of all households in the U. S. grow some of their own food, according to the National Gardening Association. The group says a 600-square-foot garden that costs around $ 70 a year to keep can grow 300 pounds of fresh produce worth about $ 600 annually.

【推荐1】Being able to tell human faces apart is a skill that almost every person has, although some are far better at it than others. But a new study from the journal Scientific Reports says that this is not just a skill that humans possess. Even fish can do it.

Following up on research studying different species’ abilities to recognize human faces (sheep, dogs, cows, horses, and birds have all been tried), the researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Queensland decided to pick an animal that does not have an evolved neocortex (大脑新皮层), the part of the brain that processes sight and sounds, and does not have a close relationship with humans. That way, there would be no reason why these test subjects would have a past history of identifying human faces. So they picked the archerfish, a reef fish variety that shoots water into the air to knock its prey(猎物) out of the sky. They used this adaptation to have the fish spray water at a face on a monitor hanging over their tanks for a reward. Most of the fish were able to pick out their learned face, even when colours were taken away or methods were used to make the face shapes unclear.

This study gives more backing to the hypothesis (假设) that differentiating between faces is not just a skill that big-brained organisms are born with. It is possible that a good portion of recognizing faces is learned over time. The development of the neocortex may contribute only to quickly process a large number of faces in varying situations. But more work needs to be conducted to find a deeper link to this possible learned behaviour. The subject(实验对象) of this study was very small—only eight fish were used altogether. Also, the faces displayed on the monitor were only white, female faces from a German database, shown in a frontal view, with no expressions. Other animal trials have shown that some species, like pigeons, respond more to differing angles and varied expressions.

【推荐2】Have you ever considered the way you spend your money? What do you buy? When do you buy? It is important to use your money wisely. Then, you will have enough for the things you want. You can make smart decisions about your money. All it takes is some careful, smart thinking.

One way to be smart with your money is to shop around before you buy. Visit more than one store, check the prices at each store, and try not to be in a hurry to buy. You don’t have to buy at the first store you visit; another store might have what you want at a lower price. You can even check online and compare prices.

Another way to be smart with your money is to wait for a sale. Many stores offer special discounts. For example, suppose you want to buy a camera. Wait until a store has a sale. You can save 20 percent, 30 percent, or more on the price of the camera by waiting for a sale. Some stores also offer a discount if you buy more than one of an item. So, look for sales offering a lower price per item if you buy two of that item. You could save money.

You can also use your money wisely by buying larger sizes of things. For example, large bags of dog food usually cost less per pound than small bags cost. A large pack of pens usually costs less per pen than a small pack of pens. So, even though you may spend more on a large size, you are really saving money per item.

You can learn to be smart with your money. It takes some practice, and it takes patience. You cannot always have what you want right away. But if you are patient, you will save money. Then, you will have more money to spend on what you want.

【推荐1】Scientists say they have developed a system that uses machine learning to predict when and where lightning will strike. The research was led by engineers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Lightning is a strong burst of electricity in the atmosphere. It can strike between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. Since lightning carries an extremely powerful electrical charge, it can be destructive and deadly. It is difficult to know exactly how many people die of lightning-related causes. European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. The strikes can also cause power failure, destroy property, damage electrical equipment and start forest fires.

For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict and control lightning. The system tested in the experiments uses a combination of data from weather stations and machine learning methods. The researchers developed a prediction model that was trained to recognize weather conditions that were likely to cause lightning. The model was created with data collected over a 12-year period from 12 Swiss weather stations in cities and mountain areas. The data related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity (湿度) and wind speed. The atmospheric data was placed into a machine learning algorithm (计算程序), which compared it to records of lightning strikes. Researchers say the algorithm was then able to learn the conditions under which lightning happens.

“Once trained, the system made predictions that proved correct almost 80 percent of the time,” the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology said in a statement. “It can now be used anywhere.”

Amirhossein Mostajabi, a PhD student at the institute, said current systems for gathering such data are slow and complex and require costly collection equipment like radar or satellites. “Our method uses data that can be obtained from any weather station,” he said. “This will improve data collection in very remote areas not covered by radar and satellite or in places where communication systems have been cut,” he added.

The researchers plan to keep developing the technology in partnership with a European effort that aims to create a lightning protection system. Scientists working on the Paris-based project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity. The idea is that powerful, ground-based lasers can be positioned in the sky to direct energy from lightning.

【推荐2】Recently, as I watched my son Nathan playing basketball game, I felt sorry for myself and for him. He was playing in the other team’s home gym filled with their supporters, and Nathan’s team was falling behind for three quarters of the game. As for me, I was dismissed from my job earlier in the day.

Watching the difficult situation that my son was experiencing, I remembered that during the drive home earlier in the day, I kept telling myself that “just like last time I experienced this, I’ll find work again in a short time—I’m confident in my experience and abilities and believe in myself.” But then, self-doubt hit me.

The basketball game entered the fourth quarter with Nathan’s team still falling behind. I saw the determination on his, as well as his teammates’ faces as they fought back to not only tie with the other team, but then go ahead by three points. Then, the scores were tied again.With a tie game and seconds on the clock, Nathan found himself with the ball, and with skill and confidence, he moved forward to make the basket with a defender hanging all over him. The other player was called for a foul.

As Nathan stood at the foul line preparing for a shot that would put his team up by three points, I saw the focus and determination on his face; there was no room for self-doubt. He made it, helping his team win the game. Later he told me he didn’t know how he did it because he had lost all feelings in his right arm from being thrown to the floor earlier the game.

As my heart burst with pride, I realized something. I had taught my son—perseverance in the face of difficulties, and he had just taught me the same lesson. That brief moment of self-doubt and feeling sorry for myself was swept away by the actions of my son on the basketball court. He’ll play in the finals, but it doesn’t matter if he wins or loses. On that day, we both won.

【推荐3】Innovative Designs for Accessibility

Deadline: 2020-04-30

Award: $7,500 CAD

Open to: University students

The Innovative（创新的）Designs for Accessibility student competition challenges students across Canada to use their creativity to develop innovative, cost-effective and practical solutions to accessibility barriers for people with disabilities.

Clean Tech Competition

Deadline: 2020-04-13

Award: $ 28,000

Open to: Students 13—15 years old

The Clean Tech Competition is a unique, worldwide research and design challenge for pre-college youth. The competition is designed to build a deeper understanding of STEM（science, technology, engineering and math） related concepts, recognize outstanding talent, and prepare the next generation for globally competitive innovators.

Agile Robotics Competition

Deadline: 2020-0S-10

Award: $ 17,500

Open to: Adults

Agile Robotics Competition is a simulation-based（仿真）competition designed to promote agility（灵活）in industrial robot systems by employing the latest advances in artificial intelligence and robot planning. The competition will be held virtually（虚拟的）, so there is no need to travel to compete. The competition will use the Gazebo simulation tool.

Wearable Robotics Innovation Challenge

Deadline: 2020-05-24

Award: $5,000

Open to: Everyone

The Wearable Robotics Association is inviting entries that represent the most innovative new ideas in wearable robotic technology. The review committee will select as many as ten finalists. The one considered to be the most innovative will be announced at the conference and will receive $5,000 to accelerate the new technology.

【推荐2】CAFE Maker Space Policy

Service and Location

The Maker Space is located in the lower level of the Powers Memorial Library towards the north side of the building. The purpose of the area is to provide open access to information and various new technologies to enhance professional, personal and educational goals for all ages. It is a place to gain hands-on experience, knowledge and skills and to make stuff!

Opening Hours

Currently the Maker Space is open every Wednesday afternoon from 4:00—7:00 p. m. These hours may vary during the summertime.

Equipment Available

·A Flash forge Creater Pro Dual Extrusion 3 D Printer

·Two ASUS Laptops

·Inventables Tool Kit

·LECO Mindstorms

·Wood Finishing Kit

·Obstacle Avoiding Robot

Conditions of Use

·Everyone with a valid CAFE library card is welcome to use and visit the Maker Space at no charge. To use the Maker Space, all must read and sign the Maker Space policy, stating that they will obey the rules and regulations of this policy.

·All equipment in the Maker Space are on a first come, first served basis; however, reservation may be made of specific equipment in advance. Use is limited for two hours per day per person, unless advanced approval is arranged with the Library Director. Reservations can be made in person at the library or by calling the Main Circulation Desk(262) 495-4605.

Equipment Safety Use

·In order to use specific equipment/technology or to participate in any project using this equipment, the user must complete the Equipment Use and Safety Certification Class.

·Any use of materials without certification can result in suspension or permanent ban from the Maker Space.

Fees for Equipment

3 D Printer: The current cost for use of the 3 D printer is $0.5 per 30 minutes run time.

【推荐3】Many people have long   dreamed of being able to fly around as simply as riding a bicycle.

Yet the safety and strength of a flying bike was always a big problem. Over the past 10 years’ developments in technology have moved the dream of personal flying vehicle closer to reality. Now, two groups of inventors say such vehicles may be available very soon .

Grant Stapleton from Malloy Aeronautics says the Hoverbike, which is able to get in and out of small spaces very quickly, will be a truly personal flying vehicle. " It can be moved across continents very quickly because it can be folded and packed, " he adds.

Mr. Stapleton says safety was the company's main concern when developing the Hoverbike, He says the designers solved the safety issue by using overlapping rotors （折叠旋翼）to power the vehicle. The company is testing both a one-third size model and a full-size prototype （原型)）of the Hoverbike.

Inventors say their Hovebike will most likely be used first by the police and emergency rescue teams.

In New Zealand, the Martin Aircraft Company is also testing a full-size prototype of its personal flying bike, called Jetpack. It can fly for more than 30 minutes, up to 1,000 meters high and reach a speed of 74 kilometers per hour.

Peter Coker is the CEO of Martin Aircraft Company. He said Jetpack " is built around safety from the start ” In his words, reliability is the most important part of it. We have safety built into the actual structure itself very similar to a Formula One racing car."

Jetpack uses a gasoline-powered engine that produces two powerful jet streams. Mr. Coker says it also has a parachute （降落伞）that can be used should there be an emergency.

"It opens at a very low altitude and actually saves both the aircraft and the pilot in an emergency," he adds.