Article
Biology
Hugo Dutel, Flora Groning, Alana C. Sharp, Peter J. Watson, Anthony Herrel, Callum F. Ross, Marc E. H. Jones, Susan E. Evans, Michael J. Fagan
Summary: Cranial morphology in lepidosaurs varies greatly with frequent loss or reduction of bony elements, but the mechanical principles underlying these variations remain poorly understood. Through computer-based simulation, it was found that despite differences in strain gradients, the overall strain magnitude and distribution across the cranium were similar in two large, active foragers, highlighting the importance of the postorbital bar in resistance to feeding loads. The reduction of the postorbital bar did not impair biting performance or structural resistance to feeding loads in Varanus niloticus.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yujun Li, Lishuai Sun, Zhiyong Zhao, Chuang Liu, Xiaowei Xu, Junbiao Wang
Summary: This study explains the influence of main geometric parameters on the curing deformation of asymmetric C-shaped composites. A numerical model is used to evaluate the parameters, and it is found that the mold's radius has the most significant effect on the deformation. Other parameters also have an impact on the twist angles, but in different ways.
MECHANICS OF ADVANCED MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Biology
A. H. van Heteren, S. Wroe, L. R. Tsang, D. R. Mitchell, P. Ross, J. A. Ledogar, M. R. G. Attard, D. Sustaita, P. Clausen, R. P. Scofield, G. Sansalone
Summary: By comparing the shape and biomechanical performance of Haast's eagle with five extant scavenging and predatory birds, it was found that the neurocranium of Haast's eagle is vulture-like, the beak is eagle-like, and the talons are similar to eagles, with high load-bearing capacity. The results suggest that Haast's eagle may have habitually hunted prey larger than itself and utilized feeding methods similar to vultures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robyn A. Grant, Luca Taraborrelli, Tom Allen
Summary: This study quantified the changes in tennis racket shape over time by conducting a two-dimensional morphometric analysis on 514 rackets dating from 1874 to 2017. The results showed that head width and length were strongly correlated to Principal Component 1, which accounted for 87% of the variation in racket shape. Principal Component 1 was also correlated to the Polar and Transverse moments of inertia. Racket age and material had a small to medium effect on Principal Component 1. Mean racket shapes were generated for different material and age groupings, providing insights into how these shape changes may have influenced performance and injury risk.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leila Siciliano-Martina, Jessica E. Light, A. Michelle Lawing
Summary: Research shows that captive canid populations, including both hypercarnivores and hypocarnivores, exhibit cranial shape changes, especially among hypercarnivorous species. These changes may affect the animals' ability to hunt and eat, potentially hindering their reintroduction success in the future.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Allison M. Luger, Peter J. Watson, Hugo Dutel, Michael J. Fagan, Luc Van Hoorebeke, Anthony Herrel, Dominique Adriaens
Summary: This study aimed to test the impact of caudal vertebral shape variation on tail function using multibody dynamic analysis (MDA). The results showed that models with distal musculature are the most efficient and the m. ilio-caudalis pars dorsalis is least efficient. The study reveals the importance of vertebral shape and muscular arrangement on the total force the tail can generate.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Aurelien Lowie, Barbara De Kegel, Mark Wilkinson, John Measey, James C. O'Reilly, Nathan J. Kley, Philippe Gaucher, Jonathan Brecko, Thomas Kleinteich, Luc Van Hoorebeke, Anthony Herrel, Dominique Adriaens
Summary: Differences in maximal push forces were found among caecilian species, with the aquatic Typhlonectes producing lower force compared to others. Despite significant variation in head morphology across species, no relationship between overall skull shape and push force was detected. The study confirms previous findings that differences in fossorial behavior do not appear to be driving the evolution of caecilian head shape.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Sara Rolfe, Christopher Davis, A. Murat Maga
Summary: This study implements and compares three strategies to more densely sample a 3D image surface, with results showing that Patch-TPS and pseudo-landmarking provide more robust performance in the presence of noise and variability in the dataset.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong Chen, Shiqun Dai, Mingxiong Ou, Shengfang Li, Chenyang Wang, Ziyu Li, Guanqun Wang, Yu Chen, Weidong Jia
Summary: The operational safety of high clearance sprayers was validated through finite element simulation and vibration testing. The results showed that the static performance of the sprayer frames under different conditions was satisfactory and there was no occurrence of resonance. These findings provide valuable reference for the overall design of high clearance sprayers.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
J. B. Blaauw, J. P. Schilder
Summary: This research presents a novel method to determine transient stresses in fairground attractions using a combination of Ansys' finite element models, model order reduction, and Simscape Multibody. The method provides similar accuracy to a full transient study but requires less computational time, making it suitable for real-time applications. The method also allows for the application of powerful tools within the electrical and control domain. Extensive comparisons are made between the new method and quasi-static structural analysis as well as full transient structural analysis, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each method on different structures.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Nicole D. S. Grunstra, Silvester J. Bartsch, Anne Le Maitre, Philipp Mitteroecker
Summary: Phylogenetic reconstruction based on morphometric data is hindered by homoplasies, with similarities in cranial form reflecting ecological similarities rather than phylogenetic relatedness. Bone contributions and small-scale shape features show high correlation with phylogenetic distances in papionin monkeys, contrasting with the stronger association of ecological and behavioral variables with outline shape and large-scale shape features. Studies benefit from decomposing shape variation into different spatial scales.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
L. Chapuis, K. E. Yopak, C. A. Radford
Summary: This article presents advanced opportunities to study the relationship between inner ear structure and auditory capacity in fishes, particularly elasmobranchs. The use of 3D bioimaging, geometric morphometrics, and finite element analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the morphological and biomechanical mechanisms underlying hearing functions. The article identifies research questions, justifies the methods used, and highlights future challenges and directions.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
D. Sampayo, P. Luque, D. A. Mantaras, E. Rodriguez
Summary: This article discusses the necessity of combining multibody dynamics computer simulations with finite element structural analysis for accurate design of certain mechanisms, especially for multibody mechanisms. The traditional approach to go-kart chassis design is reviewed, and a new design methodology is proposed that combines multibody simulation and finite elements to address existing issues.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SIMULATION MODELLING
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ozan Gundemir, Loukas Koungoulos, Tomasz Szara, Sokol Duro, Mihaela-Claudia Spataru, Margot Michaud, Vedat Onar
Summary: This study aims to characterize cranial morphology in specific Balkan and West Asian larger domestic dog breeds. The results indicate that Balkan and Anatolian LGDs form a distinct cluster within a relatively large dog cranial size and shape diversity. Most LGDs display a cranial morphology that could be described as intermediate to the mastiff breeds and large herding dogs.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hirofumi Matsumura, Toyohisa Tanijiri, Makiko Kouchi, Tsunehiko Hanihara, Martin Friess, Vyacheslav Moiseyev, Chris Stringer, Kengo Miyahara
Summary: This study assessed the regional diversity of human cranial form using geometric homologous models. The largest variation was found in overall size, followed by the length/breadth proportion of the neurocranium. Facial features were correlated with the calvarial outline, and facial proportions varied in relation to overall cranial size.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Daniel Garcia-Martinez, Markus Bastir, Nicole Torres-Tamayo, Paul O'Higgins, Isabel Torres-Sanchez, Francisco Garcia-Rio, Yann Heuze
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Ecology
Rodrigo S. Lacruz, Chris B. Stringer, William H. Kimbel, Bernard Wood, Katerina Harvati, Paul O'Higgins, Timothy G. Bromage, Juan-Luis Arsuaga
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Andrea Cardini, Paul O'Higgins, F. James Rohlf
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Anthropology
Myra F. Laird, Callum F. Ross, Paul O'Higgins
JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Anthropology
Ricardo Miguel Godinho, Paul O'Higgins, Celia Goncalves
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Garcia-Martinez, Markus Bastir, Chiara Villa, Francisco Garcia-Rio, Isabel Torres-Sanchez, Wolfgang Recheis, Alon Barash, Roman Hossein Khonsari, Paul O'Higgins, Marc R. Meyer, Yann Heuze
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Anthropology
Antonio Profico, Luca Bondioli, Pasquale Raia, Paul O'Higgins, Damiano Marchi
Summary: This study introduces a new R package, morphomap, for extracting shape information, building cortical thickness maps, and calculating biomechanical parameters on long bones. It greatly facilitates rapid analysis of long bone form, proving to be a valuable addition to historical analysis software for osteology.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandro Mondanaro, Marina Melchionna, Mirko Di Febbraro, Silvia Castiglione, Philip B. Holden, Neil R. Edwards, Francesco Carotenuto, Luigi Maiorano, Maria Modafferi, Carmela Serio, Jose A. F. Diniz-Filho, Thiago Rangel, Lorenzo Rook, Paul O'Higgins, Penny Spikins, Antonio Profico, Pasquale Raia
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Olivia A. M. Smith, Youssef S. G. Nashed, Christian Duncan, Nick Pears, Antonio Profico, Paul O'Higgins
Summary: The study developed a statistical model to compare craniofacial ontogeny between different age groups and sexes. Results showed that children aged 3-10 undergo greater changes than adolescents aged 11-20, and males extend growth allometrically into larger size ranges. While no significant differences were found in ontogenetic trajectories between sexes, there was a significant residual sexual dimorphism in the older age group.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Olivia A. M. Smith, Christian Duncan, Nick Pears, Antonio Profico, Paul O'Higgins
Summary: This study developed statistical models of craniofacial aging to compare the aging process between males and females throughout adulthood. It found significant differences in the way males and females age, as well as in the characteristics, timing, and rates of aging between early and later phases of adulthood. Further research is needed to assess generalizability and provide better data for clinical assessment and treatment planning.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Federica Landi, James Barraclough, Andrej Evteev, Anatoliy Anikin, Leonid Satanin, Paul O'Higgins
Summary: This study found that the nasal and subnasal regions make significant contributions to facial development in children during early ontogeny, with the nasal septum and developing dentition playing crucial roles. Additionally, while soft tissues have local contributions to the development of certain skeletal elements, they have a less pronounced effect on facial height compared to skeletal components.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Profico, Carlotta Zeppilli, Ileana Micarelli, Alessandro Mondanaro, Pasquale Raia, Damiano Marchi, Giorgio Manzi, Paul O'Higgins
Summary: In biological anthropology, parameters related to cross-sectional geometry are calculated to evaluate the degree of lateralization in paired long bones. Both males and females exhibit right lateralization, with males showing higher lateralization than females. Occupation and loading history do not show significant association with lateralization. Body weight, height, and long-bone length are major factors in asymmetry in the humerus, with the degree of lateralization decreasing in older individuals.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher Lyon, Erin E. Saupe, Christopher J. Smith, Daniel J. Hill, Andrew P. Beckerman, Lindsay C. Stringer, Robert Marchant, James McKay, Ariane Burke, Paul O'Higgins, Alexander M. Dunhill, Bethany J. Allen, Julien Riel-Salvatore, Tracy Aze
Summary: Anthropogenic activity is altering Earth's climate and ecosystems in ways that could be dangerous and disruptive to humans. The rise in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is projected to have lasting effects beyond 2100. This calls for a need to focus on long-term planning and policy measures to address the impacts of climate change.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wuyang Shui, Antonio Profico, Paul O'Higgins
Summary: This study extends previous research on the effects of different approaches to locating semilandmarks on the estimates of average shape and shape variation. The findings suggest that these different approaches can yield different estimates of surface shapes. The study highlights the importance of considering the particular study context and aims when choosing semilandmarking approaches.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Costantino Buzi, Antonio Profico, Ce Liang, Roman H. Khonsari, Paul O'Higgins, Mehran Moazen, Katerina Harvati
Summary: The use of non-destructive approaches such as computerised tomography (CT) allows detailed study of internal structures of skeletal material. We introduce a new R-based software tool, Icex, for the study of skeletal cavities and fossae in 3D digital images. Icex enables rapid quantification of these structures.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)