scholarly journals The Euler spiral of rat whiskers

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. eaax5145
Author(s):  
Eugene L. Starostin ◽  
Robyn A. Grant ◽  
Gary Dougill ◽  
Gert H. M. van der Heijden ◽  
Victor G. A. Goss
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Mathematical Equation ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Mystacial Vibrissae ◽  
And Function ◽  
Euler Spiral ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Gaining Insight

This paper reports on an analytical study of the intrinsic shapes of 523 whiskers from 15 rats. We show that the variety of whiskers on a rat’s cheek, each of which has different lengths and shapes, can be described by a simple mathematical equation such that each whisker is represented as an interval on the Euler spiral. When all the representative curves of mystacial vibrissae for a single rat are assembled together, they span an interval extending from one coiled domain of the Euler spiral to the other. We additionally find that each whisker makes nearly the same angle of 47∘ with the normal to the spherical virtual surface formed by the tips of whiskers, which constitutes the rat’s tactile sensory shroud or “search space.” The implications of the linear curvature model for gaining insight into relationships between growth, form, and function are discussed.

Form and Function of Mediterranean Shrublands

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Adaptive Traits ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Leaf Type ◽  
Evergreen Shrub ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
And Function

The archetypal shrub type that dominates most of the regions that experience mediterranean-type climate (MTC) is an evergreen shrub with thick and leathery leaves (sclerophyllous). The occurrence of large stands of such shrubs in all MTC regions led early biogeographers to hypothesize that the MTC selects for this growth form and leaf type and that this had led to convergent evolution (see Chapters 1 and 2). This hypothesis has received considerable research interest and continues to be examined. In this chapter we consider the structure and physiology of these archetypal MTC region shrub species and examine evidence for convergent evolution in their structure and function. We also assess the key adaptive traits that enable the shrub species that compose mediterranean-type vegetation (MTV) communities to thrive in MTC regions.

Bone Grafts: An Overview of Bone Remodeling, Types and Recent Advances

2021 ◽  
pp. 6101-6105
Author(s):  
Gopala Krishna Ganta ◽  
Rama Krishna Alla ◽  
Kamala Cheruvu ◽  
Bharathi Ram Guduri
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Bone Remodeling ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Bone Grafts ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

Bone grafts are often used to retrieve the lost bone in the most acceptable, technical and skilful manner that enables to restore the form and function of the bone. Numerous bone graft materials have been developed to fill and/or remodel the bony defects. Though, autografts were considered to be the gold standard among the grafts available; they have got some inherent disadvantages. The current research is more focused on allografts, which addressed the problems associated with autografts. This article provides an insight into the remodeling process, and various types of bone grafts currently available. Also, the emphasis was given on the recent advances of the bone grafts.

Emergence of the Unmarked in Indian Englishes with Different Substrates

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline R. Wiltshire
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Indian English ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
First Languages ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

This study uses data from Indian English as a second language, spoken by speakers of five first languages, to illustrate and evaluate the role of the emergence of the unmarked (TETU) in phonological theory. The analysis focusses on word-final consonant devoicing and cluster reduction, for which the five Indian first languages have various constraints, while Indian English is relatively unrestricted. Variation in L2 Indian Englishes results from both transfer of L1 phonotactics and the emergence of the unmarked, accounted for within Optimality Theory. The use of a learning algorithm also allows us to test the relative importance of markedness and frequency and to evaluate the relative markedness of various clusters. Thus, data from Indian Englishes provides insight into the form and function of markedness constraints, as well as the mechanisms of Second Language Acquisition (SLA).

Spindle Whorls from El Purgatorio, Peru, and Their Socioeconomic Implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Vogel ◽  
Kristin Buhrow ◽  
Caroline Cornish
Keyword(s):  
Capital City ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Spindle Whorls ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Function ◽  
Archaeological Analysis ◽  
Exchange Patterns ◽  
Spindle Whorl ◽  
Insight Into

In the Andean region, spindle whorls have been the subject of archaeological analysis less often than other artifact classes, such as pottery. Nevertheless, spindle whorls may have much more to contribute to archaeological interpretations of production, status, and exchange patterns than previously acknowledged. The case study presented here examines the spindle whorl collection from the site of El Purgatorio, Peru, the capital city of the Casma polity (ca. A.D. 700–1400). Spindle whorls were not only expertly crafted utilitarian tools for spinning yarn, but also items of personal adornment, symbols of wealth or status, and possible indicators of intra-polity exchange patterns. The analysis of spindle whorls in regard to form and function provides insight into Casma social and economic organization. The spindle whorls discovered at El Purgatorio also reflect varying degrees of standardization and technical knowledge, suggesting that at least some may have been manufactured by specialists in metallurgical and ceramic workshops.

Plant Canopies: Their Growth Form and Function.

1990 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
H. G. Jones ◽  
G. Russel ◽  
B. Marshall ◽  
P. G. Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Plant Canopies ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals An Anthropological Perspective: Another Dimension to Modern Dental Wear Concepts

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Kaidonis ◽  
Sarbin Ranjitkar ◽  
Dimitra Lekkas ◽  
Grant C. Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Human Evolution ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Clinical Knowledge ◽  
Anthropological Perspective ◽  
Dental Wear ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Dental Focus ◽  
Anthropological Research ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

For many years, research on tooth wear by dental academics has been diametrically opposite to that of anthropological research, with each discipline having a different understanding as to the nature of the wear processes. Dental focus revolved around preventive and restorative considerations while the anthropological focus was a biological understanding related to human evolution, diet, environment, form, and function and included all the craniofacial structures. Introducing the anthropological perspective into modern dentistry gives an insight into the “bigger picture” of the nature and extent of tooth wear. By combining anthropological evidence with clinical knowledge and experience, it is most likely to provide the best-informed and biologically based approach to the management of tooth wear in modern societies.

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