Posted on 23rd June 2008 by Judy Breck in about learn nodes
This image includes a synapse drawing from the Sanger Institute. I have inverted the colors in the drawing because they are striking, and have added a learn node drawing for comparison. The Sanger team studying “Genes to Cognition” observes on the page where the drawing is placed:
The synapse the junction between nerve cells is the most important component of the nervous system. It not only transmits electrical information between neurons, but also is responsible for converting the electrical signals into biochemical changes of long term memory.
Without being “spooky” about assuming what is true for the brain is true for the Net – it is fair to say that it is worth a careful look to see what can be done with Net nodes to improved the quality of learning online. In this blog, I will continue to attempt to create learn nodes that apply network laws, search engine optimization techniques, and a few things we learn from synapses. Educators and experts who use what they know about a subject to create and strengthen Net nodes are doing something very important.
More in early July, when I return from talking about this subject at Microlearning2008.
Posted on 5th June 2008 by Judy Breck in biology | general science | molecules, cells
nanomechanics lipid biolayers micro
Looking at the little tiny world – at things like bilayer formation of cells, veins, and neurons in biological membranes – is becoming more an more sophisticated and productive. The image with this post from page 7of Lecture 6: AFM imaging II: Artifacts and Applications from the MIT lecture notes for a course on Nanomechanics of Materials and Biomaterials. The image originates in the LadyofHats collection of public domain images, which is a source of superb drawings of dinosaurs, biology, and other subjects.
A general article describing micro and nanomechanics is available on the IMES Institute of Mechanical Systems website. This is its introductory overview:
Micro- and nanomechanics are concerned with the modelling, design, fabrication and application of three-dimensional structures and systems with dimensions in the range of micrometers and below. These systems incorporate a number of interesting features: The classical fabrication methods of micromachining are extended by those developed in the semiconductor industry during the passed decades. Different quantities scale differently when moving from large to small structures demanding new models to describe the physical behaviour observed on a small scale.Devices used to perform a certain function and found to be optimal for the macroscopic scale are replaced by others exploiting various physical effects suited to the microscopic world.
Last but not least, the limits of classical continuum mechanics have to be explored and extended. New methods need to be developed in order to quantify bonding properties between different layers, residual stresses which are caused by manufacturing processes as well as the elastic constants itself, just to mention a few examples.
Posted on 3rd June 2008 by Judy Breck in biology | ecology | geography | sciences
biodiversity, forest, forests, papua_new_guinea, rain, remote_sensing
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The New York Times report on the biodiversity topic “Forest Disappearing in Papua New Guinea” is a learn node connecting to interrelated topics of significance and urgency. The full rain forest report can be downloaded from the PGN Remote Sensing Center whose homepage is shown in the image with this post. For background on the Papua New Guinea location of this specific biodiversity challenge, the New York Times has a detailed PNG country section. Enriching this learn node from the sciences side are Connexions learning objects on the definition of biodiversity and an introduction to biodiversity.
