Every year billions of pounds are spent on hair loss treatment. If we succeed in curing hair loss with 3D printed hair follicles (毛囊), it will be a huge revolution.
L’Oreal ( 欧莱雅）, the cosmetics firm is partnering with a French bio-printing company called Poietis, which has developed a form of laser printing for cell-based objects. Poietis’ technique begins with the creation of a digital map that determines where living cells and other tissue components should be placed to create the desired biological structure. This involves how the cells are expected to grow over time. The file based on the digital map is then turned into instructions for the printing equipment, so that it can lay down tiny droplets （小滴）made out of the cell-based "bio ink" one layer at a time. The printing process involves bouncing （使反弹）a pulsing laser（脉冲激光器） off a mirror and through a lens, so that when it hits a ribbon (色带) containing the bio ink, a droplet of the matter falls into place. About 10,000 of these micro-droplets are created every second.
It typically takes about 10 minutes to print a piece of skin 1cm wide by 0.5mm thick. However, since hair follicles are complex and consist of 15 different cells in a structure, they may take longer.
Poietis is not the only company working on bio-printing, but most others use another way, which involves pushing a bio-ink through a nozzle (喷嘴), rather than lasers to build their tissue. Poietis suggests its technique puts less stress on the biological matter, meaning there is less risk of causing it damage.
Alopecia UK—a charity that provides support and advice about hair loss—has mixed feelings about the development. “It is encouraging to know that companies such as L’Oreal are investing in technology that may help those with hair loss in the future,” said spokeswoman Amy Johnson.
“However, we would suggest it’s still very early to be getting excited about what this potentially could mean for those with medical hair loss. At this point it is unclear as to whether this technology could benefit those with all types of hair loss.”
“Also, if this new technology does lead to a treatment option, given the high costs of existing hair transplant procedures, how many people will be able to realistically afford any new technological advances that may become available? As with any other research and development into processes that may be able to help those with hair loss, we watch with great interest.”
1.What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us?
A. How the printing process is carried out.
B. Where the living cells should be placed.
C. How long the cells are expected to grow.
D. What the printing equipment is made up of.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A. hair follicle B. biological matter
C. nozzle D. bio-ink
3.The passage implies that the new technology may ______.
A. meet some practical challenges
B. help people with hair loss at present
C. offer solutions to all problems of hair loss
D. cost a large sum of money to transplant hair
4.What is Amy Johnson’s attitude towards the new technology?
A. Disapproving. B. Optimistic.
C. Cautious. D. Negative.
In summer the extreme heat often makes people sweaty and restless. While people are annoyed by it, experts suggest summer is the best season to discharge (排放) your body’s toxins (毒素) and recover your energy.
One popular option is hot-stone massage (按摩). Therapists use smooth and heated stones, usually river rocks, to massage certain parts of the body, or place them on key points of the body. The warmth of the hot stones will improve blood circulation and also help relax muscles, while sweating is also believed to be good for discharging the body’s toxins.
Another popular option is hot-stone baths. The hot-stone bath will help the body discharge toxins and humidity that accumulated during the last winter. Summer is the best season to build a good body. Rather than use water or steam to heat and wash the body, people simply wear a coat or something comfortable, and then lie on heated stone tablets made of hot stones, which are warmed to around 45oC. The body will gradually warm up and blood circulation will also be improved. More sweat will come out quickly. The sweat is smooth and fresh, not smelly like that released after sports activities. Such baths bring a number of health benefits, such as anti-aging, improved blood circulation and stress relief. The slimming effect of dieting can even be promoted.
Using hot stones for healing dates back to ancient times, but the modern renewal of hot-stone massage is generally credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona, America, whose trademark is “LaStone Therapy”.
The therapy is gaining wide popularity with many people, especially those who have jobs in cool air-conditioned rooms. The hot-stone therapy can help cure many diseases, including back pain.
1.What do people use to release toxins in our body according to the text?
A. Washing the body with cold water.
B. Discharging lots of sweat.
C. Relaxing muscles
D. Lying on the warm beds.
2.What can we know from the text?
A. Sports have greater effects on the health than hot-stone massage.
B. There are no toxins and humidity in the body in summer.
C. Using water of about 45oC to wash the body is good for the health.
D. People should take advantage of summer to improve their health.
3.What can be learned about the hot-stone therapy?
A. It was invented by Mary Nelson, an American.
B. It successfully cured many people of cancer.
C. It is popular with people with its excellent effects.
D. It can help people avoid sweating too much in hot summer.
4.Which of the following could be the best title for the text?
A. The origin and development of the hot-stone therapy
B. The amazing functions of the hot-stone therapy
C. A healthy and comfortable lifestyle
D. How to live comfortably in summer
As Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly complicated, there are growing concerns that robots could become a threat. This danger can be avoided, according to computer science professor Stuart Russell, if we figure out how to turn human values into a programmable code.
Russell argues that as robots take on more complicated tasks, it’s necessary to translate our morals into AI language.
For example, if a robot does chores around the house, you wouldn't want it to put the pet cat in the oven to make dinner for the hungry children. "You would want that robot preloaded with a good set of values," said Russell.
Some robots are already programmed with basic human values. For example, mobile robots have been programmed to keep a comfortable distance from humans. Obviously, there are cultural differences, but if you were talking to another person and they came up close in your personal space, you wouldn't think that's the kind of thing a properly brought-up person would do.
It will be possible to create more complex moral machines, if only we can find a way to set out human values as clear rules.
Robots could also learn values from drawing patterns from large sets of data on human behavior. They are dangerous only if programmers are careless.
The biggest concern with robots going against human values is that human beings fail to do enough testing and they've produced a system that will break some kind of taboo（禁忌）.
One simple check would be to program a robot to check the correct course of action with a human when presented with an unusual situation.
If the robot is unsure whether an animal is suitable for the microwave, it has the opportunity to stop, send out beeps, and ask for directions from a human. If we humans aren't quite sure about a decision, we go and ask somebody else.
The most difficult step in programming values will be deciding exactly what we believe in moral, and how to create a set of ethical rules. But if we come up with an answer, robots could be good for humanity.
1.What does the author say about the threat of robots?
A. It may be a challenge to computer programmers.
B. It accompanies all machinery involving high technology.
C. It can be avoided if human values are translated into their language.
D. It has become an inevitable danger as technology gets more sophisticated.
2.How do robots learn human values?
A. By interacting with humans in everyday life situations.
B. By picking up patterns from massive data on human behavior.
C. By following the daily routines of civilized human beings.
D. By imitating the behavior of properly brought-up human beings.
3.What will a well-programmed robot do when facing an unusual situation?
A. Keep a distance from possible dangers.
B. Do enough testing before taking action.
C. Set off its built-in alarm system at once.
D. Stop to seek advice from a human being.
4.What is most difficult to do when we turn human values into a programmable code?
A. Determine what is moral and ethical.
B. Design some large-scale experiments.
C. Set rules for man-machine interaction.
D. Develop a more sophisticated program.
Bus Tours in Washington DC
The Lights Night Tour in Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours $56.33
Highest-rated Night Tour in DC! The ONLY DC Night Tour where the Tour Guides HOP OFF with you at each stop and tell you about each monument and attraction. Hop aboard the The Lights Night Tour! The best time to take a tour of Washington DC is at night.
Best Mount Vernon & Arlington Cemetery Tour from Washington DC
Duration: 6 hours $78.96
See Arlington Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate on this small group bus tour from Washington DC. Your tour guide will accompany you through Mount Vernon, telling you about all of the attractions there and the history of George Washington’s home on the Potomac River.
The Best Minibus Tour in Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours $46.92
See all the key attractions DC has to offer in a 3-hour format. You will learn all about the history and trivia that surrounds Washington and visit the major monuments and attractions DC has to offer.
Please Note: Rates for this tour vary by day of the week. When you choose your specific date on the availability calendar, the rates for that date will be displayed.
The Blossoms Tour in Washington DC
Duration:3 hours $56.99
BEST WAY to Experience the Cherry Blossoms! Each year from mid March to mid April, see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC and get great photos because you’ll be led to all the best spots by the best guides. The annual spring bloom in DC is a magical time and this tour promises to provide the very best tour opportunity for you!
1.Which tour would provide you with a sightseeing boat?
A. The Lights Night Tour
B. Best Mount Vernon & Arlington Cemetery Tour
C. The Best Minibus Tour
D. The Blossoms Tour
2.What is special about The Best Minibus Tour?
A. Its price is not fixed. B. The best time to take it is at night.
C. The tour guide accompanies you. D. You can get great photos of cherry.
3.Which date suits The Blossoms Tour most?
A. July 4 B. August 15
C. March 27 D. October 8
假如你是李华，你的笔友Mike 从媒体上得知前段时间全国多地包括宁波等地出现雾霾，非常担心，写E-mail询问有关情况，请你回复。回复应包括以下要点：
实况描述 2.影响和成因 3.生活启示
注意：1.词数：100-120词。 E-mail的开头与结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
2.生词：雾霾 haze
Dear Mike,
Thank you very much for your concern.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（Λ），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
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注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Dear Sir,
I’m Li Hua from Shenzhen. When I was reading the ad, the aim of this activity impresses me greatly. I think instructive to learn to live together by living together. There is no doubt that it is a good opportunity for the only child as me to learn to share and work together. Therefore I recommend me to you without hesitation.
As a boy of 17, I am outgoing, good at English and have an experience of working well with children aging from 7 to 12. I think it was a kind of win-win activity. For one thing, I can help take care of the children. For another thing, I can improve my English, make more friend, and enrich my life during the summer vacation. To conclude, I am readily to take on the job.
I am looking forwards to your early reply.
Sincerely yours,
Li Hua
