About e

Above graph shows that e is the unique number with the property that the area of the region bounded by the hyperbola, the x axis, and the vertical lines x=1 and x=e is 1.



e = 2.718 - The natural log is the inverse of e (e means opposite). The Latin name is logarithmus naturali, hence, ln. In brief e is the constant proportional to the growth rate of the curve.



see graph y=ex at:

http://economics.hertford.ox.ac.uk/Micro1/maths_formula_sheet.pdf


source: mathworld.wolfram.com/NaturalLogarithm.html









Oxford University scientists hope to uncover the secret life of an important British seabird using technology developed with Microsoft Research Cambridge.

The species travels thousands of kilometres over the sea in search of food and only returns to land at night, making traditional field observation difficult. Yet monitoring wild seabird populations is increasingly important as they are particularly sensitive to environmental change and give an indication of the health of our oceans.


Big brother bird watching boosts ecology
A wireless surveillance network will be used to monitor the nesting and mating rituals of a remote North Atlantic seabird colony, providing scientists with unprecedented access to their behaviour and ecology.
Researchers from Oxford University and Microsoft Research in the UK, developed the network to monitor more than 100,000 seabirds that breed during the summer on Skomer Island, off the west coast of Wales in the North Atlantic.

Butterfly mimicry riddle solved
Two separate research papers this week show that scientists are beginning to understand how butterflies achieve their extraordinary powers of mimicry, both as caterpillars and adults.
www.ft.com
www.ox.ac.uk/media










Unique centre for studying autism spectrum disorders and the brain opened in Oxford on 12 October; attendees included the Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten.

A special brain scanner at the centre will allow researchers to study the brains of children and adults with autism in ‘real time’, as they think or complete tasks. This approach will lead to a better understanding of how the brains of people with autism spectrum disorders work differently, and ultimately perhaps to better treatments.

MEG is a non-invasive brain imaging technique which measures neuronal activity indirectly by recording induced magnetic fields. The scanner does not create any magnetic fields; it is silent and subjects sit in comfort under a helmet-shaped array of detectors. Thus the technique is particularly suitable for recording brain activity in children and adults with neurodevelopmental difficulties. Uniquely the Oxford MEG Centre houses a mock scanner and shielded room to enable participants to become accustomed to the imaging environment.

The autism research group at the University of Oxford leads an international study to identify autism susceptibility genes; uses several imaging techniques to understand the brain basis of autism; and is investigating how computer-generated worlds can be used to develop social skills. The team is currently looking for children and adults with autism to take part in their studies.
contact autism.research@psych.ox.ac.uk.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_releases_for_journalists/princess_megscanner.html