Problem: Article: If the sesame seeds you bought are already toasted, you can skip this step. Otherwise, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. After about 2 minutes, they will turn golden and fragrant. Pour them onto a small dish so that they can cool off. You can peel them completely, or peel them in alternating stripes for a nicer presentation. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Scrape the seeds out with a spoon and discard them. You should do this even if you are using a "seedless" variety. You can do this with a sharp knife or a food processor. The slices need to be almost paper thin. Cover your work surface with a paper towel. Spread the cucumbers in an even layer on top, then lay another paper towel on top. Gently pat the paper towel to soak up any excess moisture. Pour the vinegar into a medium-sized serving bowl. Add the sugar and the salt. Stir everything together with a fork or mini whisk until the salt and sugar dissolve. Toss everything together with a pair of salad tongs. Make sure that you grab the cucumbers from the bottom of the bowl as well. Japanese cucumber salad is a great accompaniment to many Japanese dishes, including sushi and sashimi.
Summary: Toast the sesame seeds, if needed. Peel the cucumbers. Core the cucumbers. Cut the cucumbers into very thin slices. Press the cucumbers between paper towels to soak up any moisture. Prepare the dressing in the serving bowl. Add the cucumbers the sesame seeds into the bowl. Serve the salad immediately.

Problem: Article: Make sure that the stain remover and water are thoroughly mixed.  This method is best used on bears with a voice box. The oxygen stain remover will help get rid of any difficult spots, but a mild detergent will also work. Completely cover the spot with the water and stain remover liquid. Wait 5-10 minutes for the mixture to absorb, but don’t let it dry completely. Use small, circular motions to rub the mixture into the spot. If it is still visible, repeat the first four steps.  You can also use a paper towel for blotting. Depending on the nature of each spot and how much the stain has soaked in, you may need to repeat the process. You may blot the bear until it is dry, or you can leave it to air dry.
Summary: Mix a quarter capful of oxygen stain remover into a bowl of warm water. Saturate the dirty spot with the mixture. Rub the mixture into the bear with a clean towel. Blot the spot with a clean towel. Rinse the spot with cold water and blot again with a clean towel.

Problem: Article: If you have 3 microtubes, you could create 3 balance tubes and situate the 3 pairs across from one another. Alternately, balance the centrifuge without using balance tubes by positioning the 3 microtubes at 2 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 10 o’clock. The clock positions work well when balancing a 12-hole centrifuge. Other common sizes include centrifuges with 24 and 30 holes. To balance the centrifuge using 5 microtubes, first fill 1 balance tube with water. Then position 3 tubes at 11, 12, and 1 o’clock. Position the other 3 tubes at 5, 6, and 7 o’clock. The balance tube can be located in any of these positions. Balance the centrifuge with 6 microtubes using the same configuration, but swap out the balance tube for a sample-filled microtube. Place 2 sets of 4 microtubes in a way that the sets will counterbalance one another and center the weight in the centrifuge. Place 4 microtubes (including the balance tube) at 11, 12, 1, and 2 o’clock. Then place 4 more microtubes at 5, 6, 7, and 8 o’clock. You can balance a centrifuge using 8 microtubes in the same configuration. Just replace one of the microtubes with a sample-filled tube.
Summary: Balance 3 microtubes by placing tubes at even intervals. Position 5 microtubes with 1 balance tube. Situate 7 microtubes and 1 balance tube in the centrifuge.

Problem: Article: To make a fan fold, you will need a pressed square napkin, a flat surface to work on, and either a glass or plate. You can either place the finished fan fold on a dinner plate, or in an empty glass. You can use either cloth or paper napkins, though cloth will look more elegant and refined. Cloth napkins are also reusable so you can continue to use them for other special occasions. The bigger the napkin, the larger your fan will be. Smooth the napkin out by hand so there aren’t any wrinkles. The napkin should now be a rectangle. Orient the open half where the two edges meet towards you. Starting on one end, take approximately two inches of fabric and fold it in towards the center. You will continue folding the napkin like an accordion, taking two inches of fabric and folding it towards the center of the napkin. Stop folding when you have approximately four inches of unfolded napkin left. Now, fold the napkin in half horizontally bringing the two bottom edges of the fan together. Your fan should now be folded in half with the extra four inches of unfolded napkin hanging on the inside fold of the fan. If the unfolded napkin is on the outside of the fan, unfold the fan and refold it the opposite way. Take the unfolded corners that are part of the four inches of unfolded napkin section. Tuck the top corners unfolded napkin section into where the two halves of the fan meet. This will make a triangular edge along the unfolded section. Make sure to tuck it securely to make a sturdy base. Let the napkin fan out into a semi-circle. The base that you’ve created from folding the unfolded corners of the napkin will act as a base to keep your napkin fan standing. Be aware that this fan is delicate. The fan may fall and unfold if you try to move the dinner plate that it is resting on. You can use the same basic technique of the standing fold to create a fan that can be placed inside of a glass. Rather than leaving four unfolded inches, fold the entire napkin like an accordion.  Now that the napkin is fully folded, take one end of the fan and fold approximately one inch over. Allow the fan to open up. Place the folded end of the fan into your glass and spread the rest of the fan out. This technique is called the goblet fan.
Summary:
Collect your materials. Set a pressed square napkin onto a dinner table. Fold the napkin in half horizontally. Fold the napkin 2 inches in from the side. Grasp the fan on either edge. Grasp the unfolded corners of the napkin. Set the base of the fan on the plate. Modify the fan, if desired.