Mammalian molluscivores feed mainly by shell-crushing or suction-feeding. The extinct marine arctoid, Kolponomos, has been interpreted as an otter-like shell-crusher based on similar dentitions. However, neither the masticatory biomechanics of the shell-crushing adaptation nor the way Kolponomos may have captured hard-shelled prey have been tested. Based on mandibular symphyseal morphology shar...

Problem: It is often assumed that the heritability of performance traits (function) can be estimated by the heritability of primary traits (e.g. form). It is also frequently assumed that performance traits should be less heritable than primary traits. These assumptions should be carefully evaluated rather than assumed. One common area of study in which these assumptions have been made is anti-p...

Covering behavior refers to the propensity of echinoids (Echinoidea) to lift materials from the surrounding environment onto their aboral surfaces using their tube feet and spines. This behavior has been widely documented in regular echinoids from a variety of well-lit, shallowmarine habitats. Covering behavior in the deep sea, however, is rarely observed, and the functional significance of cov...

In the last two years we have seen seventy-five cases of pelvic girdle injuries with soft-tissue complications in patients admitted to the hospitals serving the African population of Johannesburg and its environs. These injuries had been caused by motor vehicle accidents, railway accidents, falls from heights, and assaults. Twenty of the patients died from their injuries, eight of them within f...

In this study the simple pullout concrete cylinder specimen reinforced by a single steel bar was analyzed for bond-slip behavior. Three-dimension nonlinear finite element model using ANSYS program employed to behavior of bond between and plain reinforcement. The includes eight-noded isoperimetric brick (SOLID65) while reinforcing modeled as truss member (LINK8). Interface (CONTAC52) used in ana...