All Outputs (23)

Masticatory biomechanics in the rabbit: a multi-body dynamics analysis (2014)
Journal Article
Watson, P. J., Gröning, F., Curtis, N., Fitton, L. C., Herrel, A., McCormack, S. W., & Fagan, M. J. (2014). Masticatory biomechanics in the rabbit: a multi-body dynamics analysis. Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 11(99), Article 20140564. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0564

Multi-body dynamics is a powerful engineering tool which is becoming increasingly popular for the simulation and analysis of skull biomechanics. This paper presents the first application of multi-body dynamics to analyse the biomechanics of the rabbi... Read More about Masticatory biomechanics in the rabbit: a multi-body dynamics analysis.

Development and three-dimensional morphology of the zygomaticotemporal suture in primate skulls (2014)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Witzel, U., & Fagan, M. J. (2014). Development and three-dimensional morphology of the zygomaticotemporal suture in primate skulls. Folia primatologica, 85(2), 77-87. https://doi.org/10.1159/000357526

Cranial sutures are an essential part of the growing skull, allowing bones to increase in size during growth, with their morphology widely believed to be dictated by the forces and displacements that they experience. The zygomaticotemporal suture in... Read More about Development and three-dimensional morphology of the zygomaticotemporal suture in primate skulls.

Erratum: Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull (Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2013) 10 (2013044) DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0442) (2013)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E., Evans, S. E., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2013). Erratum: Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull (Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2013) 10 (2013044) DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0442). Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 10(87), Article 2013044. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0584

Figure 4 was presented incorrectly, with (a) and (b) displaying the same bite position. The corrected figure below shows different bite positions for (a) and (b) as was initially intended.

The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: A case study with a lizard skull (2013)
Journal Article
Gröning, F., Jones, M. E., Curtis, N., Herrel, A., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2013). The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: A case study with a lizard skull. Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 10(84), Article 20130216. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0216

Computer-based simulation techniques such as multi-body dynamics analysis are becoming increasingly popular in the field of skull mechanics. Multi-body models can be used for studying the relationships between skull architecture, muscle morphology an... Read More about The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: A case study with a lizard skull.

Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull (2013)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Fagan, M. J., Evans, S. E., Jones, M. E. H., & O'Higgins, P. (2013). Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull. Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 10(86), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0442

The skull is composed of many bones that come together at sutures. These sutures are important sites of growth, and as growth ceases some become fused while others remain patent. Their mechanical behaviour and how they interact with changing form and... Read More about Cranial sutures work collectively to distribute strain throughout the reptile skull.

The Head and Neck Anatomy of Sea Turtles (Cryptodira: Chelonioidea) and Skull Shape in Testudines (2012)
Journal Article
Jones, M. E., Werneburg, I., Curtis, N., Penrose, R., O'Higgins, P., Fagan, M. J., & Evans, S. E. (2012). The Head and Neck Anatomy of Sea Turtles (Cryptodira: Chelonioidea) and Skull Shape in Testudines. PLoS ONE, 7(11), Article e47852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047852

Background: Sea turtles (Chelonoidea) are a charismatic group of marine reptiles that occupy a range of important ecological roles. However, the diversity and evolution of their feeding anatomy remain incompletely known. Methodology/Principal Finding... Read More about The Head and Neck Anatomy of Sea Turtles (Cryptodira: Chelonioidea) and Skull Shape in Testudines.

Developing a musculoskeletal model of the primate skull: Predicting muscle activations, bite force, and joint reaction forces using multibody dynamics analysis and advanced optimisation methods (2012)
Journal Article
Shi, J., Curtis, N., Fitton, L. C., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2012). Developing a musculoskeletal model of the primate skull: Predicting muscle activations, bite force, and joint reaction forces using multibody dynamics analysis and advanced optimisation methods. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 310, 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.06.006

An accurate, dynamic, functional model of the skull that can be used to predict muscle forces, bite forces, and joint reaction forces would have many uses across a broad range of disciplines. One major issue however with musculoskeletal analyses is t... Read More about Developing a musculoskeletal model of the primate skull: Predicting muscle activations, bite force, and joint reaction forces using multibody dynamics analysis and advanced optimisation methods.

Shearing Mechanics and the Influence of a Flexible Symphysis During Oral Food Processing in Sphenodon (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia) (2012)
Journal Article
Jones, M. E. H., Evans, S. E., Curtis, N., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2012). Shearing Mechanics and the Influence of a Flexible Symphysis During Oral Food Processing in Sphenodon (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia). Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 295(7), 1075-1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.22487

The head and neck muscles associated with feeding in sphenodon (Reptilia: Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia) (2011)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E., Junfen, S., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. (2011). The head and neck muscles associated with feeding in sphenodon (Reptilia: Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia). Palaeontologia electronica, 12(2), 0 - 0. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029804

Feeding in Sphenodon, the tuatara of New Zealand, is of interest for several reasons. First, the modern animal is threatened by extinction, and some populations are in competition for food with Pacific rats. Second, Sphenodon demonstrates a feeding a... Read More about The head and neck muscles associated with feeding in sphenodon (Reptilia: Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia).

Functional relationship between skull form and feeding mechanics in Sphenodon, and implications for diapsid skull development (2011)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E. H., Shi, J., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2011). Functional relationship between skull form and feeding mechanics in Sphenodon, and implications for diapsid skull development. PLoS ONE, 6(12), Article ARTN e29804. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029804

The vertebrate skull evolved to protect the brain and sense organs, but with the appearance of jaws and associated forces there was a remarkable structural diversification. This suggests that the evolution of skull form may be linked to these forces,... Read More about Functional relationship between skull form and feeding mechanics in Sphenodon, and implications for diapsid skull development.

The Mechanical Significance of the Temporal Fasciae in Macaca fascicularis: An Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis (2011)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Witzel, U., Fitton, L., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. (2011). The Mechanical Significance of the Temporal Fasciae in Macaca fascicularis: An Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis. Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 294(7), 1178-1190. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.21415

Computational finite element analyses (FEAs) of the skull predict structural deformations under user specified loads and constraints, with results normally presented as stress and strain distributions over the skull's surface. The applied loads are g... Read More about The Mechanical Significance of the Temporal Fasciae in Macaca fascicularis: An Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis.

Feedback control from the jaw joints during biting: An investigation of the reptile Sphenodon using multibody modelling (2010)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E. H., Evans, S., Evans, S. E., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2010). Feedback control from the jaw joints during biting: An investigation of the reptile Sphenodon using multibody modelling. Journal of biomechanics, 43(16), 3132-3137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.08.001

Sphenodon, a lizard-like reptile, is the only living representative of a group that was once widespread at the time of the dinosaurs. Unique jaw mechanics incorporate crushing and shearing motions to breakdown food, but during this process excessive... Read More about Feedback control from the jaw joints during biting: An investigation of the reptile Sphenodon using multibody modelling.

Comparison between in vivo and theoretical bite performance: Using multi-body modelling to predict muscle and bite forces in a reptile skull (2010)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E. H., Lappin, A. K., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2010). Comparison between in vivo and theoretical bite performance: Using multi-body modelling to predict muscle and bite forces in a reptile skull. Journal of biomechanics, 43(14), 2804-2809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.05.037

In biomechanical investigations, geometrically accurate computer models of anatomical structures can be created readily using computed-tomography scan images. However, representation of soft tissue structures is more challenging, relying on approxima... Read More about Comparison between in vivo and theoretical bite performance: Using multi-body modelling to predict muscle and bite forces in a reptile skull.

Visualising muscle anatomy using three-dimensional computer models - an example using the head and neck muscles of Sphenodon (2009)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E., Evans, S. E., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2009). Visualising muscle anatomy using three-dimensional computer models - an example using the head and neck muscles of Sphenodon. Palaeontologia electronica, 12(3), Article 12.3.7T

We demonstrate how the computer-based technique of multi-body dynamics analysis (MDA) can be used to create schematic, but informative three-dimensional (3D) representations of complex muscle anatomy. As an example we provide an overview of the head... Read More about Visualising muscle anatomy using three-dimensional computer models - an example using the head and neck muscles of Sphenodon.

Predicting muscle activation patterns from motion and anatomy: modelling the skull of Sphenodon (Diapsida: Rhynchocephalia) (2009)
Journal Article
Curtis, N., Jones, M. E., Evans, S. E., Shi, J., O'Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2010). Predicting muscle activation patterns from motion and anatomy: modelling the skull of Sphenodon (Diapsida: Rhynchocephalia). Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 7(42), 153-160. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0139

The relationship between skull shape and the forces generated during feeding is currently under widespread scrutiny and increasingly involves the use of computer simulations such as finite element analysis. The computer models used to represent skull... Read More about Predicting muscle activation patterns from motion and anatomy: modelling the skull of Sphenodon (Diapsida: Rhynchocephalia).

Biomechanical assessment of evolutionary changes in the lepidosaurian skull (2009)
Journal Article
Moazen, M., Curtis, N., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2009). Biomechanical assessment of evolutionary changes in the lepidosaurian skull. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(20), 8273-8277. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0813156106

The lepidosaurian skull has long been of interest to functional morphologists and evolutionary biologists. Patterns of bone loss and gain, particularly in relation to bars and fenestrae, have led to a variety of hypotheses concerning skull use and ki... Read More about Biomechanical assessment of evolutionary changes in the lepidosaurian skull.

γ-Secretase-dependent cleavage of amyloid precursor protein regulates osteoblast behavior (2009)
Journal Article
McLeod, J., Curtis, N., Lewis, H. D., Good, M. A., Fagan, M. J., & Genever, P. G. (2009). γ-Secretase-dependent cleavage of amyloid precursor protein regulates osteoblast behavior. FASEB Journal, 23(9), 2942-2955. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.08-121657

gamma-Secretase cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP) to generate amyloid-beta (A beta) peptides, which aggregate in the brain in Alzheimer's disease (AD). gamma-Secretase also cleaves molecules that regulate osteoblast activity, such as Notch and... Read More about γ-Secretase-dependent cleavage of amyloid precursor protein regulates osteoblast behavior.

Assessment of the role of sutures in a lizard skull: a computer modelling study (2009)
Journal Article
Moazen, M., Curtis, N., O'Higgins, P., Jones, M. E., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2009). Assessment of the role of sutures in a lizard skull: a computer modelling study. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1654), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2008.0863

Sutures form an integral part of the functioning skull, but their role has long been debated among vertebrate morphologists and palaeontologists. Furthermore, the relationship between typical skull sutures, and those involved in cranial kinesis, is p... Read More about Assessment of the role of sutures in a lizard skull: a computer modelling study.

Combined finite element and multibody dynamics analysis of biting in aUromastyx hardwickiilizard skull (2008)
Journal Article
Moazen, M., Curtis, N., Evans, S. E., O’Higgins, P., & Fagan, M. J. (2008). Combined finite element and multibody dynamics analysis of biting in aUromastyx hardwickiilizard skull. Journal of anatomy, 213(5), 499-508. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00980.x

Lizard skulls vary greatly in shape and construction, and radical changes in skull form during evolution have made this an intriguing subject of research. The mechanics of feeding have surely been affected by this change in skull form, but whether th... Read More about Combined finite element and multibody dynamics analysis of biting in aUromastyx hardwickiilizard skull.

A new approach to amino acid racemization in enamel: testing of a less destructive sampling methodology (2008)
Journal Article
Griffin, R. C., Moody, H., Penkman, K. E. H., Fagan, M. J., Curtis, N., & Collins, M. J. (2008). A new approach to amino acid racemization in enamel: testing of a less destructive sampling methodology. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 53(4), 910-916. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00753.x

Aspartic acid racemization has been found to be an accurate measure of age at death for recent forensic material. This paper examines the practicality of using acid etching of the tooth surface to extract amino acids from the enamel for racemization... Read More about A new approach to amino acid racemization in enamel: testing of a less destructive sampling methodology.