Exploration of a hybrid locomotion robot

In this work, a hybrid locomotion robotic platform is evaluated. This system combines the benefits of both rolling and walking, with the intent on having the ability to traverse variable terrain. A quadruped leg-wheeled robot was designed, built, and tested. Experimental trials were conducted to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the design. Finally, important conclusions about the effectiveness and value of hybrid locomotion were reached. Posturecontrol is specifically identified as an effective area with great potential

The Role of Student Major in Grade Perception in Chemistry Courses

The Kruger-Dunning effect was studied as it related to performance in chemistry courses based on student differences in academic background. Student major was chosen as the classification to look at the effect of students with different interests/specializations. Chemistry majors tended to predict lower performance than biology majors, while unexpectedly many non-natural science majors predicted higher examination scores than those majoring in the physical sciences

The mayflies of Saskatchewan

One hundred-seven species belonging to 54 genera and 18 families of Ephemeroptera are reported from Saskatchewan. An additional two species, Callibaetis skokianus Needham and Procloeon rivulare (Traver), are reported in the literature but their presence in Saskatchewan cannot be confirmed. Twenty-seven species are reported from Saskatchewan for the first time: Acerpenna sp. A Jacobus and McCafferty, Baetis bicaudatus Dodds, B. bundyae Lehmkuhl, B. intercalaris McDunnough, Centroptilum album McDunnough, C. conturbatum McDunnough, Cloeon dipterum (Eaton), Plauditus cestus (Provonsha and McCafferty), P. gloveri McCafferty and Waltz, Procloeon ingens (McDunnough), Pr. irrubrum Lowen and Flannagan, Pr. sp.1, Pr. rufostrigatum (McDunnough), Pr. simplex (McDunnough), Baetisca laurentina McDunnough, Brachycercus edmundsi Soldan, Caenis hilaris (Say), Cercobrachys cree Sun, Webb and McCafferty, Ephemerella needhami McDunnough, Eurylophella bicolor (Clemens), Serratella serrata (Morgan), S. tibialis (McDunnough), Leucrocuta maculipennis (Walsh), Asioplax edmundsi (Allen), Siphloplecton basale (Walker), Parameletus chelifer, and Siphlonurus sp. 1. Cercobrachys cree is new to science. Species-level identification keys are provided for all known larvae, except for those of Leptophlebia Westwood, and for all known adult males except for those of Plauditus Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty. Diagnostic characters useful for differentiating each species from other Saskatchewan species, selected references, Saskatchewan distribution maps, biological notes, material examined, and illustrations of taxonomically important characters, are provided for each species. Three main faunal zones are observed: Saskatchewan River system, lentic, and boreal forest. Within each of the faunal zones several sub-zones occur. The distribution patterns observed in mayflies correspond closely to those observed in other groups of aquatic insects, except that few montane species are present in the Cypress Hills. Some of the large river-specialist species of mayflies present in pristine portions of the Saskatchewan River system have been extirpated from much of their North American range. Analetris eximia Edmunds, Macdunnoa nipawinia Lehmkuhl and Lachlania saskatchewanensis Ide are known from only a few North American locations and should be considered 'rare'. Anepeorus rusticus McDunnough and Acanthamola pubescens Whiting and Lehmkuhl are endangered and possibly extinct

Analysis of Economic Depreciation for Multi-Family Property

This paper uses a hedonic pricing model and National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries data to estimate economic depreciation for multi-family real estate. The findings indicate that investment grade multi-family housing depreciates approximately 2.7% per year in real terms based on total property value. This implies a depreciation rate for just the building of about 3.25% per year. With 2% inflation, this suggests a nominal depreciation rate of about 5.25% per year. Converted into a straight-line depreciation rate that has the same present value, this suggests a depreciable life of 30.5 years - as compared to 27.5 years allowed under the current tax laws. Thus, these laws are slightly favorable to multi-family properties by providing a tax depreciation rate that exceeds economic depreciation, which is in part due to inflation that has been less than expected during the past decade.

American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore

Folklore has been a part of American culture for as long as humans have inhabited North America, and increasingly formed an intrinsic part of American culture as diverse peoples from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania arrived. In modern times, folklore and tall tales experienced a rejuvenation with the emergence of urban legends and the growing popularity of science fiction and conspiracy theories, with mass media such as comic books, television, and films contributing to the retelling of old myths. This multi-volume encyclopedia will teach readers the central myths and legends that have formed American culture since its earliest years of settlement. Its entries provide a fascinating glimpse into the collective American imagination over the past 400 years through the stories that have shaped it. [From the Publisher]https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/books/1095/thumbnail.jp

Lovington MainStreet: Community Economic Assessment

An analysis of economic conditions in Lovington, New Mexico, commissioned for its MainStreet program. The regional trade area surrounding Lovington (as determined by drive time analysis), and its downtown MainStreet district are described and displayed in color maps. Selected demographic, housing, and economic data for both Lovington and Lea County are examined. An analysis of pull factors revealed that Lovington has a net inflow of gross receipt tax revenues, largely due to oil and gas industry revenues. Lovington faces many challenges, including flat population growth, low educational achievement levels, a severe housing shortage, and the volatility of the petroleum industry. The authors recommend diversifying the economic base and attracting more accommodations and retail businesses to the MainStreet district. Illustrated with tables and charts

MexLog Saddle

MexLog, a company specializing in the initial delivery of semi-trucks from production to sales, requires a simpler, smaller, and lighter weight system for the transportation of modern semi trucks. MexLog currently uses two saddles: The FES saddle (Rhino) and combo saddle. The combo cannot be used in the US for highway trucks due to height.The Rhino weighs 2200 lbs and is roughly 24 ft long. Therefore, MexLog cannot ship back more than 18 saddles due to a 39,500 lb limit, which means MexLog has to spend more money to return saddles than anything else. The new proposed design is constructed with I-beams and the same material the Rhino is made from(carbon steel) but shortened by about 10 ft from the back beam of the Rhino to make it roughly 14.2 ft long. In addition, the design of the connection point has been changed to include the head of a combo saddle to the end of the beam. Furthermore, to reduce the high moment that the kingpin might experience, a support beam has been added to the rear end of the semi truck frame. The estimated total weight of the proposed design is 650 lbs, which allows MexLog to ship 60 saddles