scholarly journals Organismal Design and Biomimetics: A Problem of Scale

Biomimetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Valentina Perricone ◽  
Carlo Santulli ◽  
Francesco Rendina ◽  
Carla Langella
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Macroscopic Scale ◽  
Related Discipline ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Biological Structures ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Design Dimension

Organisms and their features represent a complex system of solutions that can efficiently inspire the development of original and cutting-edge design applications: the related discipline is known as biomimetics. From the smallest to the largest, every species has developed and adapted different working principles based on their relative dimensional realm. In nature, size changes determine remarkable effects in organismal structures, functions, and evolutionary innovations. Similarly, size and scaling rules need to be considered in the biomimetic transfer of solutions to different dimensions, from nature to artefacts. The observation of principles that occur at very small scales, such as for nano- and microstructures, can often be seen and transferred to a macroscopic scale. However, this transfer is not always possible; numerous biological structures lose their functionality when applied to different scale dimensions. Hence, the evaluation of the effects and changes in scaling biological working principles to the final design dimension is crucial for the success of any biomimetic transfer process. This review intends to provide biologists and designers with an overview regarding scale-related principles in organismal design and their application to technical projects regarding mechanics, optics, electricity, and acoustics.

The “Madame Butterfly” Robot

2011 ◽  
pp. 419-430
Author(s):  
Luisa Fontana ◽  
Davide Fornari
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Robot ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Change Points ◽  
Development Phase ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Madame Butterfly

“Madam Butterfly” is an industrial robot produced by Euroimpianti Spa. It is the result of the unusual cooperation between a cutting-edge robot factory and Fontanatelier, an unconventional architecture studio. Although it had all started as a common machinery project, and it was almost at the end of its development phase, the need for an iconic design led the designer to involve the architect Luisa Fontana in the project. The contrasting opinions between the engineers and the architect forced everybody to change points of view, in such a complicated and challenging field as robot production. The final design conveys a strong image of the product, very uncommon for the automation industry, maintaining the functionality of a standard robot, with improvements for some specific usage.

A Reproducible Selective Stain for Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 214-215
Author(s):  
R. A. Waugh ◽  
J. R. Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Transmission Electron

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a complex system of intracellular tubules that, due to their small size and juxtaposition to such electron-dense structures as mitochondria and myofibrils, are often inconspicuous in conventionally prepared electron microscopic material. This study reports a method with which the SR is selectively “stained” which facilitates visualizationwith the transmission electron microscope.

Plastic Deformation in Microtomed Sections

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
J. Temple Black
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Deformation ◽  
Plastic Strain ◽  
Applied Stress ◽  
Elastic Strain ◽  
High Strain ◽  
Tool Material ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Material Structure ◽  
Geometrical Constraints

The output of the ultramicrotomy process with its high strain levels is dependent upon the input, ie., the nature of the material being machined. Apart from the geometrical constraints offered by the rake and clearance faces of the tool, each material is free to deform in whatever manner necessary to satisfy its material structure and interatomic constraints. Noncrystalline materials appear to survive the process undamaged when observed in the TEM. As has been demonstrated however microtomed plastics do in fact suffer damage to the top and bottom surfaces of the section regardless of the sharpness of the cutting edge or the tool material. The energy required to seperate the section from the block is not easily propogated through the section because the material is amorphous in nature and has no preferred crystalline planes upon which defects can move large distances to relieve the applied stress. Thus, the cutting stresses are supported elastically in the internal or bulk and plastically in the surfaces. The elastic strain can be recovered while the plastic strain is not reversible and will remain in the section after cutting is complete.

Biogenesis of Catalase-Positive Rods in Excretory Duct Cells of Salivary Glands

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 62-63
Author(s):  
Dwight K. Romanovicz ◽  
Jacob S. Hanker
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Submandibular Gland ◽  
Excretory Duct ◽  
Exocrine Glands ◽  
Duct Cells ◽  
Peroxidatic Activity ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Different Dimensions

The presence of catalase-positive rods (Fig. 1) of different dimensions, which frequently have a crystalline appearance by light microscopy, has been reported. They seem to be related to peroxisomes which were characterized morphologically and cytochemically in parotid and other exocrine glands of the rat by Hand in 1973. Our light microscopic studies of these spherical microbodies and rods of different sizes, stained by virtue of the peroxidatic activity of their catalase, indicate that they are almost entirely confined to the cells of the striated and execretory ducts of the submandibular gland in the mouse. The rods were usually noted only in the proximity of the ductal microbodies. The latter frequently showed a tendency to appear in linear close array, or even to be contiguous (Fig. 2). This suggested that the rods could be formed by the fusion of microbodies.

The Embittered Mind

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansjörg Znoj ◽  
Sandra Abegglen ◽  
Ulrike Buchkremer ◽  
Michael Linden
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
First Time ◽  
Common Understanding

Abstract. There is a growing interest in embitterment as psychological concept. However, little systematic research has been conducted to characterize this emotional reaction. Still, there is an ongoing debate about the distinctiveness of embitterment and its dimensions. Additionally, a categorical and a dimensional perspective on embitterment have been developed independently over the last decade. The present study investigates the dimensions of embitterment by bringing these two different approaches together, for the first time. The Bern Embitterment Inventory (BEI) was given to 49 patients diagnosed with “Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED)” and a matched control group of 49 patients with psychological disorders with other dominant emotional dysregulations. The ability to discriminate between the two groups was assessed by t-tests and Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (ROC curve analysis). PTED patients scored significantly higher on the BEI than the patients of the control group. ROC analyses indicated diagnostic accuracy of the inventory. Further, we conducted Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) to examine the different dimensions of embitterment and their relations. As a result, we found four characteristic dimensions of embitterment, namely disappointment, lack of acknowledge, pessimism, and misanthropy. In general, our findings showed a common understanding of embitterment as a unique but multidimensional emotional reaction to distressful life-events.

Perceived Realism of Television Medical Dramas and Perceptions About Physicians

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunyi Cho ◽  
Kari Wilson ◽  
Jounghwa Choi
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Perceived Realism ◽  
Medical Dramas ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Different Dimensions

This study investigated whether and how dimensions of perceived realism of television medical dramas are linked to perceptions of physicians. The three dimensions of perceived realism were considered: plausibility, typicality, and narrative consistency. Data from a survey of college students were examined with confirmatory factor analyses and hierarchical regression analyses. Across the three dramas (ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and House), narrative consistency predicted positive perceptions about physicians. Perceived plausibility and typicality of the medical dramas showed no significant association with perceptions about physicians. These results illustrate the importance of distinguishing different dimensions of perceived realism and the importance of narrative consistency in influencing social beliefs.

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