This work provides approaches to designing and fabricating soft fluidic elastomer robots. That is, three viable actuator morphologies composed entirely from soft silicone rubber are explored, and these morphologies are differentiated by their internal channel structure, namely, ribbed, cylindrical, and pleated. Additionally, three distinct casting-based fabrication processes are explored: lamin...

Elatostema pleiophlebium and Elatostema malipoense, two endemic species from southeast Yunnan of China, are described and illustrated. Their diagnostic characters, description and relationship with morphologically similar species are also given. Elatostema pleiophlebium is easily recognised by its glabrous stem and leaf blade, and its longitudinally 1-ribbed outer staminate bracts. Elatostema m...

This study introduces a new type of precast, prestressed reactive powder concrete (RPC) bottom panel for a large-span composite slab. The bottom panels, which have one or two inverted ribs with openings, act as formwork during the construction stage. The paper experimentally investigated the crack characteristics, deflection, and normal section bearing capacity of four precast, prestressed ribb...

rheumatic mitral valve stenosis is the most common form of organic heart disease encountered during pregnancy and continues to cause maternal and fetal mortality. medically refractory congestive heart failure due to mitral stenosis is a clinical challenge and its optimal management remains controversial. on the other hand due to hazard of x-ray to mother and fetus, there are some limitations fo...

INTRODUCTION Incomplete punctal canalization is an uncommon congenital disorder characterized by a dysgenetic punctum with membranes. External membranes, the most common type of incomplete punctal canalization are flat and overlie the punctum as a veil. We describe a newer variant of incomplete punctal canalization, its clinical profile, diagnostic criteria and management. CASE PRESENTATION A...

Although there is mounting evidence that biodiversity is an important and widespread driver of ecosystem multifunctionality, much of this research has focused on small-scale biodiversity manipulations. Hence, which mechanisms maintain patches of enhanced biodiversity in natural systems and if these patches elevate ecosystem multifunctionality at both local and landscape scales remain outstandin...

Airbome Laser Bathymetry (ALB) is a technique primarily aimed at augmenting nautical chart production and bathymetric mapping capability in relatively shallow coastal waters. The potential of waterpenetrating airborne laser radar to provide cost effective characterization of underwater topography to depths as great as 50 meters, depending on water clarity, has triggered a number of research and...