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Why do humans have chins? Testing the mechanical significance of modern human symphyseal morphology with finite element analysis (2010)
Journal Article
Gröning, F., Liu, J., Fagan, M. J., & O'Higgins, P. (2011). Why do humans have chins? Testing the mechanical significance of modern human symphyseal morphology with finite element analysis. American journal of physical anthropology, 144(4), 593-606. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.21447

The modern human mandibular symphysis differs from those of all other primates in being vertically orientated and possessing a chin, but the functional significance of this unique morphology is not well understood. Some hypotheses propose that it is... Read More about Why do humans have chins? Testing the mechanical significance of modern human symphyseal morphology with finite element analysis.

Combining geometric morphometrics and functional simulation: an emerging toolkit for virtual functional analyses (2010)
Journal Article
O'Higgins, P., Cobb, S. N., Fitton, L. C., Gröning, F., Phillips, R., Liu, J., & Fagan, M. J. (2011). Combining geometric morphometrics and functional simulation: an emerging toolkit for virtual functional analyses. Journal of anatomy, 218(1), 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01301.x

The development of virtual methods for anatomical reconstruction and functional simulation of skeletal structures offers great promise in evolutionary and ontogenetic investigations of form-function relationships. Key developments reviewed here inclu... Read More about Combining geometric morphometrics and functional simulation: an emerging toolkit for virtual functional analyses.

Isolated word recognition of silent speech using magnetic implants and sensors (2010)
Journal Article
Gilbert, J. M., Rybchenko, S. I., Hofe, R., Ell, S. R., Fagan, M. J., Moore, R. K., & Green, P. (2010). Isolated word recognition of silent speech using magnetic implants and sensors. Medical engineering & physics, 32(10), 1189-1197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.08.011

There are a number of situations where individuals wish to communicate verbally but are unable to use conventional means so called 'silent speech'. These include speakers in noisy and covert situations as well as patients who have lost their voice as... Read More about Isolated word recognition of silent speech using magnetic implants and sensors.

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.

Validation of a morphometric reconstruction technique applied to a juvenile pelvis (2010)
Journal Article
Watson, P., O'Higgins, P., Fagan, M. J., & Dobson, C. A. (2011). Validation of a morphometric reconstruction technique applied to a juvenile pelvis. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 225(1), 48-57. https://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim810

Three-dimensional reconstructions of bone geometry from microCT (computed tomography) data are frequently used in biomechanical and finite element analyses. Digitization of bone models is usually a simple process for specimens with a complete geometr... Read More about Validation of a morphometric reconstruction technique applied to a juvenile pelvis.

Circadian variation of human ventricular fibrillation dominant frequency (2010)
Journal Article
Langley, P., MacGowan, G. A., & Murray, A. (2010). Circadian variation of human ventricular fibrillation dominant frequency. Resuscitation, 81(8), 950-955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.03.026

Aim
Circadian variation in human ventricular fibrillation (VF) dominant frequency is unknown. If present this would provide evidence of physiological influence on VF. The objective was to quantify the circadian variation in human VF dominant frequen... Read More about Circadian variation of human ventricular fibrillation dominant frequency.

Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on bone material properties (2010)
Journal Article
Finnilä, M. A., Zioupos, P., Herlin, M., Miettinen, H. M., Simanainen, U., Håkansson, H., Tuukkanen, J., Viluksela, M., & Jämsä, T. (2010). Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on bone material properties. Journal of biomechanics, 43(6), 1097-1103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.12.011

Dioxins are known to decrease bone strength, architecture and density. However, their detailed effects on bone material properties are unknown. Here we used nanoindentation methods to characterize the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (T... Read More about Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on bone material properties.

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.

A single-channel telemetric intramedullary nail for in vivo measurement of fracture healing (2009)
Journal Article
Wilson, D. J., Morgan, R. L., Hesselden, K. L., Dodd, J. R., Janna, S. W., & Fagan, M. J. (2009). A single-channel telemetric intramedullary nail for in vivo measurement of fracture healing. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 23(10), 702-709. https://doi.org/10.1097/bot.0b013e3181b01c49

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a single-channel telemetric intramedullary nail that measures anterior-posterior bending strains and determine whether these forces decrease sigmoidally when normalized to the ground reaction forc... Read More about A single-channel telemetric intramedullary nail for in vivo measurement of fracture healing.

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.

Validating a voxel-based finite element model of a human mandible using digital speckle pattern interferometry (2009)
Journal Article
Gröning, F., Liu, J.-S., Fagan, M. J., & O'Higgins, P. (2009). Validating a voxel-based finite element model of a human mandible using digital speckle pattern interferometry. Journal of biomechanics, 42(9), 1224-1229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.03.025

Finite element analysis is a powerful tool for predicting the mechanical behaviour of complex biological structures like bones, but to be confident in the results of an analysis, the model should be validated against experimental data. In such valida... Read More about Validating a voxel-based finite element model of a human mandible using digital speckle pattern interferometry.

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.

Principal component analysis as a tool for analyzing beat-to-beat changes in ECG features: application to ECG-derived respiration (2009)
Journal Article
Langley, P., Bowers, E. J., & Murray, A. (2010). Principal component analysis as a tool for analyzing beat-to-beat changes in ECG features: application to ECG-derived respiration. IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering / Bio-medical Engineering Group, 57(4), 821-829. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2009.2018297

An algorithm for analyzing changes in ECG morphology based on principal component analysis (PCA) is presented and applied to the derivation of surrogate respiratory signals from single-lead ECGs. The respiratory-induced variability of ECG features, P... Read More about Principal component analysis as a tool for analyzing beat-to-beat changes in ECG features: application to ECG-derived respiration.

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.

Masticatory loading and bone adaptation in the supraorbital torus of developing macaques (2008)
Journal Article
Kupczik, K., Dobson, C. A., Crompton, R. H., Phillips, R., Oxnard, C. E., Fagan, M. J., & O'Higgins, P. (2009). Masticatory loading and bone adaptation in the supraorbital torus of developing macaques. American journal of physical anthropology, 139(2), 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20972

Research on the evolution and adaptive significance of primate craniofacial morphologies has focused on adult, fully developed individuals. Here, we investigate the possible relationship between the local stress environment arising from masticatory l... Read More about Masticatory loading and bone adaptation in the supraorbital torus of developing macaques.

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.