scholarly journals On the Nature of Organs and Organ Systems – A Chapter in the History and Philosophy of Biology

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Minelli
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Clear Distinction ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Developmental Genetics ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
And Function

Contrasting definitions of organs based either on function or on strictly morphological criteria are the legacy of a tradition starting with Aristotle. This floating characterization of organs in terms of both form and function extends also to organ systems. The first section of this review outlines the notions of organ and body part as defined, explicitly or implicitly, in representative works of nineteenth century’s comparative morphology. The lack of a clear distinction between the two notions led to problems in Owen’s approach to the comparative method (definition of homolog vs. nature of the vertebrate archetype) and to a paradoxical formulation, by Anton Dohrn, of the principle of functional change. Starting from the second half of the twentieth century, with the extensive use of morphological data in phylogenetic analyses, both terms – organ and body part – have been often set aside, to leave room for a comparison between variously characterized attributes (character states) of the taxa to be compared. Throughout the last two centuries, there have been also efforts to characterize organs or body parts in terms of the underlying developmental dynamics, both in the context of classical descriptive embryology and according to models suggested by developmental genetics. Functionally defined organ are occasionally co-extensive with morphologically defined body parts, nevertheless a clear distinction between the former and the latter is a necessary prerequisite to a study of their evolution: this issue is discussed here on the example of the evolution of hermaphroditism and gonad structure and function.

scholarly journals A Semantic Analysis of Normal Derivatives of Body Part Terms in Jordanian Arabic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. p28
Author(s):  
Mahmud Hussein Wardat
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Semantic Association ◽  
Jordanian Arabic ◽  
Lexical Semantic ◽  
And Function ◽  
Derivatives Of

This study deals with nouns derived from body part terminology in Jordanian Arabic. It aims at identifying those nouns and examining their semantic association with body part terms. It indicates that a large number of the nouns are semantically related to their corresponding body parts; thus, their meaning could be predicted from the meaning of body part terms. Further, the physical characteristics of position, shape and function of body parts are the basis of the semantic association. However, very few of the derived nouns are not semantically related to body part terms. In addition, all the derived nouns designate objects in a variety of lexical semantic domains external to the body part domain. Finally, it is concluded that Jordanian Arabic has the capability of expanding its lexicon on the basis of body part terminology.

scholarly journals Molecular studies (ISSR, cpDNA) in Tragopogon buphthalmoides (Asteraceae): Population genetics and taxonomic implication

Genetika ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 775-789
Author(s):  
Hejraneh Azizi ◽  
Masoud Sheidai ◽  
Valiollah Mozaffarian ◽  
Zahra Noormohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Assignment Test ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Population Genetic Study ◽  
Complex Species ◽  
Morphological Criteria

The genus Tragopogon L. with about 110-150 species is distributed in Asia and Europe, while it is represented by 26 species in Iran. Hybridization and polyploidy occurs in the genus Tragopogon that bring about extensive morphological variation in its species. Tragopogon buphthalmoides (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb with common Persian name "Sheng e Iran" and "Sheng e cheshmgaavi" and is used as traditional medicine. Two varieties have been cited for this species in the country, but due to extensive morphological variability, it is difficult to delimit the two varieties. Therefore, the present study was performed to delimit these varieties by using both morphological and molecular markers (cpDNA and ISSRs). We also aimed to provide data on population genetics of the studied species due to its medicinal importance. In total 134 plant specimens of T. buphthalmoides were randomly collected from 16 geographical populations in 7 provinces. The studied plants were considered as two different varieties based on morphological criteria and were subjected to numerical and phylogenetic analyses. PCOA plot of morphological data, identified some plants with intermediate characters. Moreover, MDS plot of ISSR data and ML tree of cpDNA sequences, did not separate plants of the two varieties and the plants were placed intermixed. Therefore, we consider T. buphthalmoides as a single species with extensive morphological variability and it is complex species. Population genetic study identified four genetic groups in the country, while, STRUCTURE analysis based on admixture model as well as population assignment test revealed some degree of gene flow in the studied populations.

An exploration of recreational therapy in the Veterans Health Administration polytrauma system of care

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Morgan Ferrante, CTRS ◽  
Heather R. Porter, PhD, CTRS
Keyword(s):  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
The United States ◽  
System Of Care ◽  
Recreational Therapy ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
And Function ◽  
Role And Function

Polytraumatic injuries, defined as two or more injuries sustained in the same incident that affect multiple body parts or organ systems and result in physical, cognitive, psychological, or psychosocial impairments, emerged during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). These injuries are complex and require special care. In response, the US Veterans Health Administration established the polytrauma system of care (PSC) in 2005. Current research identifies recreational therapy (RT) is a primary healthcare service within the PSC; however, given its recent creation, little is known about the role and function of RT in this setting. This study explored the role and function of RT in the PSC using a Delphi design across five PSC sites in the United States, with special emphasis on RT assessments used, diagnoses seen, RT interventions applied, RT outcomes targeted, RT discharge planning processes, and team collaboration. Seven of a possible 30 recreational therapists participated yielding a 23 percent response rate. The results may serve as a springboard for identifying best practices, strengthening evidence-based practice, and advancing RT research in polytrauma care.

scholarly journals Systems and Causal Loop Thinking in Medicine: From Healthcare Delivery to Healthcare Policy Making

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 327-338
Author(s):  
Charalampos Theocharopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Healthcare Policy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
Evolving System

The human body is regarded as a system of high complexity, not only because it is consisted of millions of interrelated and interdependent functional units -the cells-, but because it is also an evolving system. It changes over time, initially to achieve the full growth of organs and bones but subsequently as a response to environmental factors to retain its vital internal indexes stable, to achieve homeostasis. In this context, the in depth understanding of the connections between these indexes that drive the dynamics of the system is crucial. Yet, malfunctions occur and their accumulation causes diseases, which are regarded as internal crises that due to tight relations between the different organ systems, affect various body parts. The application of systems and causal loop thinking while combating diseases is examined and the need to treat not the body part that is ailing, but the patient as a system is underscored through examples of diseases. The importance of examining the risk and trigger factors of diseases from a systemic perspective is also highlighted through examples from the medical literature. The patient itself is viewed in the context of the Swiss Cheese Model and the causal agents that lead to a system failure and patient harm are examined, as well as ways of strengthening the healthcare system in order to minimize the vulnerabilities and the possibility of failures, with particular regard at modelling doctor-patient relations as Paskian Conversations. The Triumvirate of Public Health concept is discussed as a valuable practice in the healthcare policy making sector, regarding both top-down and bottom-up modes.

Some key body parts and polysemy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Priestley
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Cultural Bias ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Visible Body

This chapter discusses body part nouns, a part of language that is central to human life, and the polysemy that arises in connection with them. Examples from everyday speech and narrative in various contexts are examined in a Papuan language called Koromu and semantic characteristics of body part nouns in other studies are also considered. Semantic templates are developed for nouns that represent highly visible body parts: for example, wapi ‘hands/arms’, ehi ‘feet/legs’, and their related parts. Culture-specific explications are expressed in a natural metalanguage that can be translated into Koromu to avoid the cultural bias inherent in using other languages and to reveal both distinctive semantic components and similarities to cross-linguistic examples.

scholarly journals The signing body: extensive sign language practice shapes the size of hands and face

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mora ◽  
Anna Sedda ◽  
Teresa Esteban ◽  
Gianna Cocchini
Keyword(s):  
Sign Language ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Spatial Context ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Space Condition ◽  
Hand Size ◽  
Stable Representation ◽  
The Face

AbstractThe representation of the metrics of the hands is distorted, but is susceptible to malleability due to expert dexterity (magicians) and long-term tool use (baseball players). However, it remains unclear whether modulation leads to a stable representation of the hand that is adopted in every circumstance, or whether the modulation is closely linked to the spatial context where the expertise occurs. To this aim, a group of 10 experienced Sign Language (SL) interpreters were recruited to study the selective influence of expertise and space localisation in the metric representation of hands. Experiment 1 explored differences in hands’ size representation between the SL interpreters and 10 age-matched controls in near-reaching (Condition 1) and far-reaching space (Condition 2), using the localisation task. SL interpreters presented reduced hand size in near-reaching condition, with characteristic underestimation of finger lengths, and reduced overestimation of hands and wrists widths in comparison with controls. This difference was lost in far-reaching space, confirming the effect of expertise on hand representations is closely linked to the spatial context where an action is performed. As SL interpreters are also experts in the use of their face with communication purposes, the effects of expertise in the metrics of the face were also studied (Experiment 2). SL interpreters were more accurate than controls, with overall reduction of width overestimation. Overall, expertise modifies the representation of relevant body parts in a specific and context-dependent manner. Hence, different representations of the same body part can coexist simultaneously.

scholarly journals Disentangling relationships among eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria including description of a novel species from the southern Peloponnese (Greece)

2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.

scholarly journals Combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers as a useful tool to identify Ctenophthalmus species and subspecies (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Zurita ◽  
Cristina Cutillas
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Mtdna Markers

AbstractCtenophthalmus is considered the largest genus within the Order Siphonaptera. From a morphological point of view, only males of this genus can be identified at species and subspecies levels using morphological keys, whereas there are no morphological criteria in order to classify females at these taxonomical levels. Furthermore, the amount of available molecular and phylogenetic data for this genus is quite scarce so far. The main objective of this work was to assess the utility of the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers with respect to their ability to differentiate among different subspecies within the Ctenophthalmus genus. With this purpose, we carried out a comparative morphological and molecular study of three different subspecies (Ctenophthalmus baeticus arvernus, Ctenophthalmus nobilis dobyi, and Ctenophthalmus andorrensis catalaniensis) in order to clarify and discuss its taxonomic status. In addition, our study complemented the molecular data previously provided for Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani subspecies. We sequenced five different molecular markers: EF1-α, ITS1, ITS2, cox1, and cytb. Our results confirmed that morphological data by themselves are not able to discriminate among Ctenophthalmus female taxa; however, the combination of the nuclear marker EF1-α together with mtDNA markers cytb and cox1 constituted a useful taxonomical and phylogenetic tool to solve this issue. Based on these results, we consider that the use of this molecular approach should be gradually used within Ctenophthalmus genus in order to complement its classical taxonomy and clarifying the complex taxonomy of other congeneric species of fleas.

scholarly journals High parasite diversity in a neglected host: larval trematodes of Bithynia tentaculata in Central Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Schwelm ◽  
O. Kudlai ◽  
N.J. Smit ◽  
C. Selbach ◽  
B. Sures
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Snail Host ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Curonian Lagoon ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Bithynia Tentaculata ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Families ◽  
High Parasite

Abstract Bithynids snails are a widespread group of molluscs in European freshwater systems. However, not much information is available on trematode communities from molluscs of this family. Here, we investigate the trematode diversity of Bithynia tentaculata, based on molecular and morphological data. A total of 682 snails from the rivers Lippe and Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and 121 B. tentaculata from Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania were screened for infections with digeneans. In total, B. tentaculata showed a trematode prevalence of 12.9% and 14%, respectively. The phylogenetic analyses based on 55 novel sequences for 36 isolates demonstrated a high diversity of digeneans. Analyses of the molecular and morphological data revealed a species-rich trematode fauna, comprising 20 species, belonging to ten families. Interestingly, the larval trematode community of B. tentaculata shows little overlap with the well-studied trematode fauna of lymnaeids and planorbids, and some of the detected species (Echinochasmus beleocephalus and E. coaxatus) constitute first records for B. tentaculata in Central Europe. Our study revealed an abundant, diverse and distinct trematode fauna in B. tentaculata, which highlights the need for further research on this so far understudied host–parasite system. Therefore, we might currently be underestimating the ecological roles of several parasite communities of non-pulmonate snail host families in European fresh waters.

Maximizing Recall of Gruesome Images for Health Effects Advertising: An Experimental Investigation

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brennen W. Mills ◽  
Owen B. J. Carter ◽  
Robert J. Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Body Part ◽  
The Body ◽  
Advertising Effectiveness ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Video Clips ◽  
Video Images ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this case study was to experimentally manipulate the impact on arousal and recall of two characteristics frequently occurring in gruesome depictions of body parts in smoking cessation advertisements: the presence or absence of an external physical insult to the body part depicted; whether or not the image contains a clear figure/ground demarcation. Three hundred participants (46% male, 54% female; mean age 27.3 years, SD = 11.4) participated in a two-stage online study wherein they viewed and responded to a series of gruesome 4-s video images. Seventy-two video clips were created to provide a sample of images across the two conditions: physical insult versus no insult and clear figure/ground demarcation versus merged or no clear figure/ground demarcation. In stage one, participants viewed a randomly ordered series of 36 video clips and rated how “confronting” they considered each to be. Seven days later (stage two), to test recall of each video image, participants viewed all 72 clips and were asked to identify those they had seen previously. Images containing a physical insult were consistently rated more confronting and were remembered more accurately than images with no physical insult. Images with a clear figure/ground demarcation were rated as no more confronting but were consistently recalled with greater accuracy than those with unclear figure/ground demarcation. Makers of gruesome health warning television advertisements should incorporate some form of physical insult and use a clear figure/ground demarcation to maximize image recall and subsequent potential advertising effectiveness.

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