NanoWalker: a fully autonomous highly integrated miniature robot for nanoscale measurements

The aim of this project is to develop the smallest and most sophisticated wireless fully autonomous instrumented robot capable of subatomic movements. The robot named 'NanoWalker' should bring a new paradigm in the way instruments are built while providing a sophisticated platform for a new range of applications. The project involves primarily the investigation of a new legged locomotion based on piezo-actuators with advanced micro-assembly techniques applied to complex embedded electronic systems; the development of new miniature instruments, micro-manipulators, integrated behavior for controlling, searching and scanning at the atomic scale; and the development of a subatomic navigation system. Besides all the new technologies and techniques that we intend to develop and which will be applicable to many areas and systems, the NanoWalker should provide a suitable yet more flexible and powerful platform compared to traditional macro-scaled instruments. It is anticipated that this new form of highly integrated autonomous microsystem will be used as the main building block for a new generation of measurement and inspection systems. In this paper, the main components of the NanoWalker are briefly described.Seaver Institut

Walking with lions: why there is no role for captive-origin lions Panthera leo in species restoration

Despite formidable challenges and few successes in reintroducing large cats from captivity to the wild, the release of captives has widespread support from the general public and local governments, and continues to occur ad hoc. Commercial so-called lion Panthera leo encounter operations in Africa exemplify the issue, in which the captive breeding of the lion is linked to claims of reintroduction and broader conservation outcomes. In this article we assess the capacity of such programmes to contribute to in situ lion conservation. By highlighting the availability of wild founders, the unsuitability of captive lions for release and the evidence-based success of wild-wild lion translocations, we show that captive-origin lions have no role in species restoration. We also argue that approaches to reintroduction exemplified by the lion encounter industry do not address the reasons for the decline of lions in situ, nor do they represent a model that can be widely applied to restoration of threatened felids elsewher

Urban Design of Bristol Waterfront, Lower Thames Street

The marketplace is going to be one of the highlights on Thames Street, serving as a destination for leisure, shopping and dining. The concept of the project is to have indoor space continue out to the water, providing an outdoor space for dining and leisure, but also giving the boardwalk a resting point. The building is planned as two floors, with the fish market and multipurpose area on the first and an eatery, sitting area, balcony and facilities on the second. The building will be made of a light metal frame with panels to enclose the space and is designed with a folded glass panel that can be opened up to the outside, yet decrease wind pressure in a storm

Biomechanical Indicators of Steeplechase Hurdle Success

The steeplechase is a long-distance running event that requires competitors to jump over 28 hurdles and 7 water jumps over the course of the race. This frequent jumping means that hurdling technique is important and the ability to maintain speed over the barriers can help a runner succeed. PURPOSE: To determine which variables predict maintenance of speed while hurdling in the steeplechase. METHODS: Data were collected at the USATF outdoor championships and Olympic Trials from 2011 to 2023 for both men and women. A Sony video camera running at 120 Hz was used to evaluate several aspects of the runner’s mechanics as well as their horizontal velocity before jumping and after landing. The ratio of exit to approach velocity was taken and used as our measure of how successful the jump was, a ratio closer to one means they lost less velocity when jumping over the hurdle. A stepwise linear regression was done for both men and women and was used to determine which variables best predicted hurdle success. RESULTS: Men and women had slightly different variables that predicted successful hurdling. The model for women had an R2 of 0.179 (p \u3c 0.001). For men the R2 was 0.060 (p\u3c0.001). Both models included increased takeoff distance and greater knee flexion angle at takeoff as beneficial. Both models also included the lead knee extension when going over the hurdle, but it was a negative relationship in women and a positive relationship in men. The model for the men also included a less extended hip at takeoff. The model for the women added the clearance of the hip over the hurdle. CONCLUSION: Coaches should focus on having athletes take off a little farther from the barrier and working to have a more flexed knee at takeoff. Men and women have differing hurdling techniques in the steeplechase. While some of the same variables are important, there are also distinct differences. When coaching athletes these differences in technique should be accounted for

Biomechanical Indicators of Water Jump Performance

During the course of the steeplechase track event athletes pass through one water jump obstacle per each of seven laps. There are many different elements of technique that can be used to improve maintenance of horizontal velocity through each obstacle. PURPOSE: This study investigated which biomechanical factors were correlated with higher ratios of exit velocity to approach velocity while negotiating the water jump obstacle. METHODS: Biomechanical data were gathered from the steeplechase event for both men and women at the USATF Outdoor Championships and Olympic Trials. Data were included from 2011 through 2023. Biomechanical data were measured from recorded video using Dartfish video analysis software. Knee and hip angles, time of stepping on the barrier, and take off and landing distances were measured at key points of the movement along with approach and exit velocities. These velocities were measured through 2m sections prior to the barrier and after leaving the water pit. A stepwise linear regression tested for correlations between the exit to approach velocities to a variety of biomechanical measurements. RESULTS: The predictor variables for both men and women were the same, including: landing distance, pushoff angle, and barrier time normalized to average velocity (Women R2=0.290, p2=0.236, pCONCLUSION: According to our data, steeplechase athletes can improve horizontal velocity maintenance through the water jump obstacle by landing further from the barrier into the water, extending more at the knee while pushing off the barrier, and spending less time on the barrier. While previous research showed women lose more velocity during the water jump, the correlated factors were the same and were even entered into the model in the same order showing coaches and athletes the importance of where to focus their technique improvements

Effect of Air Resistance on Braking and Propulsive Impulses During Treadmill Running.

Treadmill running is a convenient option for runners looking to avoid adverse environmental conditions or that prefer a gym setting. Outdoor running includes air resistance, whereas treadmill running typically does not. Very little research has been focused on the influence of air resistance and its role on kinetic factors during running. PURPOSE: To determine how anterior/posterior impulses change due to air resistance during two different treadmill speeds. METHODS: A wind tunnel was placed 0.61m from the edge of a force instrumented treadmill (Bertec, Boston, MA) while attempting to run 1.12m from the opening of it. Seven subjects ran at two speeds (3.35 m/s, 4.46 m/s) on two separate visits while alternating the order of speeds run. During each speed, runners completed one minute of running during conditions of no fan and a fan representing air resistance equal to treadmill speed. Forces were collected for the final 25s segment of each air velocity. RESULTS: At the faster treadmill speed, horizontal impulse was significantly greater in the propulsive direction during the air resistance condition (5.3% ± 7.4%, p=0.019). Braking impulses were smaller (-3.2% ± 5.1%, p=0.035) while propulsive impulse remained non-significant (2.1% ± 4.5%, p=0.104). At the slower treadmill speed, horizontal impulse was trending toward significance (3.1% ± 5.9%, p=0.080) while braking impulse remained non-significant (-1.2% ± 2.8%, p=0.147) and propulsive impulse was greater with air resistance (2.3% ± 3.3%, p=0.024). CONCLUSION: The current data begins to explain that in order to keep metabolic costs low while still compensating for air resistance during running, individuals will increase net horizontal impulse by opting to decrease braking impulse while maintaining propulsive impulse. These findings match the work of Chang and Kram (2000) who asserted that “the metabolic cost of generating horizontal propulsive forces during normal running constitutes more than one-third of the total cost of steady-speed running”

Book Reviews

Book Review 1Book Title: Waders of southern AfricaBook Author: Phil Hockey (Illustrated by Claire Douie)Struik Winchester. Cape Town. 1995. 288 pp.Book Review 2Book Title: Apple Snails in the AquariumBook Author: Gloria Perera & J.G.WallsPublished by T.F.H. Publications, Neptune, New Jersey 07753. (1996).Book Review 3Book Title: The African Leopard: Ecology and Behavior of a Solitary FelidBook Author: Theodore N. BaileyColumbia Universily Press, New York. 1993. xviii + 429pp. ISBN 0-231-07872-2 (cloth)