bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in Foramen Magnum Size and Shape among Sexes in Diverse Populations
Authors: Koons Aaron W , Russell Michelle L , Bliss Kaitlyn N , Mangus Kelsey R , Zdilla Matthew J 
Published: November 2023

Study of the foramen magnum has cross‐disciplinary implications. Many studies have identified differences in the size of the foramen magnum among sexes; however, few have assessed the possibility of sexual differences in the shape of the foramen. Therefore, this study analyzed the size and shape foramen magnum in crania of diverse populations of males and females. Morphometric data demonstrated that males had a significantly longer transverse length than females with a mean difference of 1.56±0.44mm and a significantly longer sagittal length than females with a mean difference of 2.18±0.65mm. There was also a statistically significant difference between male and female foramen magnum area with a mean difference of 98.78±23.16mm 2. However, morphologic data did not reveal significant difference in circularity, solidity, aspect ratio, or roundness of the foramen magnum between sexes. Additionally, discriminant function analysis revealed no differences in the shape of female and male foramen magnums. Sexual dimorphism was determined to be present among morphometric measurements but not among morphologic measurements. Males had foramina that were larger than those of females but males and females have foramina that are the same shape, independent of size.Support or Funding InformationWV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.14.13]
The effect of dental senescence on fecal particle size for Propithecus diadema in the fragmented and pristine forests of Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar
Authors: Heffernan Katie SusAnn , Samonds Karen Elizabeth , Irwin Mitchell 
Published: November 2023

Primate teeth wear over each animal's lifetime and this change in topography has the potential to affect nutrients absorbed, reproductive success, and fitness. There is therefore a complex interplay between tooth morphology and the evolution of primate diets and life history strategies. Many primates eat foods that require substantial processing to break into digestible pieces (e.g., leaves and hard fruit and seeds); changes in diet may increase rates of tooth wear and have deleterious effects on individuals' fitness and populations' long‐term viability. For example, King et al. suggested that for Propithecus edwardsi older females with dental senescence are unable to process certain types of foods, as demonstrated by larger particles in their feces, and suggested that this caused higher infant mortality rate during weaning in years with insufficient rain. However, King's hypothesis had a small sample size (n=1) and was not rigorously tested. Fecal particle size is an excellent non‐invasive tool to examine chewing efficiency in wild animals, especially when data can be linked to an individual animal's age, sex, and tooth topography. We analyzed 128 fecal samples from Propithecus diadema individuals collected in 2016. Fecal pellets were processed by water suspension and poured through a series of sieves in decreasing size. Particles were dried and weighed to calculate a dMEAN of fecal particle size, and variation linked to age, sex and habitat was assessed. Preliminary data contradicts the King et al. hypothesis, with no clear relationship between older animals (with more highly worn teeth) and particle sizes, suggesting that fitness may not be adversely affected by dental senescence. Future work will compare particle size directly to dental senescence using a more precise topographical scoring system of teeth.Support or Funding InformationAmerican Anatomist Association NIU Graduate School Travel GrantGraduate Women in ScienceNIU Biological Sciences Graduate GrantIdea Wild Equipment Donations
Synchondroses of the anterior chondrocranium in primates
Authors: Engel Serena , Wu Judi L , Llera Catherine , Zumpano Michael P , DeLeon Valerie B , Smith Timothy 
Published: November 2023

The sphenoethmoidal synchondrosis or prespheno‐septal synchondrosis (PSept) is a chondrocranial joint_that does not fuse in humans until age six or seven and is suggested to fuse near birth in non‐human primates. As such, the PSept may play a role in variation in basicranial angulation or midfacial protrusion. Here, we assess indicators of cartilage growth and modeling activity at birth at the anterior end of the presphenoid bone in a broad range of primate species. A serially sectioned sample of 36 infant non‐human primates were studied using light microscopy. The cranial base region was examined to verify whether a synchondrosis separates the sphenoid and septum as well as distribution of osteoclasts along the anterior aspect of the presphenoid. Contrary to previous statements, all primates possess a synchondrosis on the anterior face of the presphenoid bone. In long faced primates (lemurs and lorises), the nasal septal cartilage articulates with the presphenoid in a blunt ended PSept. In contrast, the presphenoid invades the nasal septum in monkeys. Modeling patterns of the presphenoid differed among monkey species. For example, there is resorption of the lateral side of the presphenoid in small species such as marmosets and squirrel monkeys, resulting in a narrow interorbital septum. These findings demonstrate that the PSept is not fused in all non‐human primates at birth, as previously suggested. Because the presphenoid projects anteriorly to a different extent in the primate species under study, we suggest that the nature of PSept growth may affect variation in the facial shape more than basicranial angulation.Support or Funding InformationFunded by the National Science Foundation; Grant numbers: BCS‐1231350, BCS‐1231717, BCS‐0959438, BCS/IOS‐0924592
Seriated CT‐scan of an egg in Aepornis maximus (Madagascar) and reconstructions
Authors: Le Floch‐Prigent Patrice Pierre , Gillot Jean‐Bernard , Verdeille Stéphane 
Published: November 2023

Materialan egg in Aepornys (Madagascar, an extinct species) was 32,5 cm high, 22,5 cm wide, and 77,5cm in its largest, horizontal circumference. It weighed 1919 g and presented numerous, secondarily grossly stucked, natural fragments. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom sensitive one with 64 detectors.Methodthe egg was firstly CT‐scanned (thickness of about 1mm with jointed cross‐sections) all along its greatest axis. It was then reconstructed from the native sections in the two other planes. At last, external and internal surfaces' reconstruction were performed.Resultsthe egg was totally empty with an homogeneous (near 1 cm) thickness and a good congruence of the fragments which largest ones had a curvature impossible to be given by an oystrich's egg (which shell is far more thinner); the radiological density of the shell was very high.Conclusionthe CT‐scan proved that this reconstructed shell of a bird's egg was a very thick and dense, natural, real one which was reconstituted from an unique sample. It proved that it was really an Aepornys one. This species limited to the Madagascar Island disappeared five centuries ago. It exists written, european, historical testimonies which prove the existence of these enormous (500 kilograms) non flighting birds.
Changes in pectoral appendicular muscle anatomy and function over the water‐land transition in tetrapods
Authors: Molnar Julia , Hutchinson John , Diogo Rui , Pierce Stephanie 
Published: November 2023

The question of how tetrapod limbs evolved from fins is one of the great puzzles of vertebrate biology. While paleontologists, developmental biologists, and geneticists have made great strides in explaining the origin and early evolution of limb skeletal structures, that of the muscles remains largely unknown. We sought to fill this gap by reconstructing pectoral appendicular muscles in three fossil taxa and measuring changes in muscle leverage about the shoulder and elbow joints over the fin‐limb and water‐land transitions. Building upon hypotheses of muscle homology recently published by our group and osteological correlates from the literature, we used extant phylogenetic bracketing and character optimization to reconstruct pectoral appendicular muscles in fossil taxa spanning the fin‐limb and water‐land transitions: the tetrapodomorph fish Eusthenopteron and the stem tetrapods Acanthostega and Pederpes. Then, we built 3D biomechanical models of the three fossil taxa, plus an extant lungfish and an extant coelacanth to compare the leverage of various muscle groups over a range of limb postures. Our preliminary results support the idea that one of the first major functional changes in the ancestors of tetrapods was the division of the superficial dorsal muscle mass of the shoulder into deltoid and latissimus dorsi muscles. This division would have provided leverage for forelimb protraction and retraction over a larger range of motion, likely facilitating tetrapod‐like gaits.Support or Funding InformationAAA Post‐doctoral Fellowship to J. Molnar
MacAnatomy Pathology Learning Tool Project
Authors: Cao Belle , Brual Xyza , Kurdina Anna , Bayer Ilana , Wainman Bruce 
Published: November 2023

MacAnatomy is the current online portal, which was developed for the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster that allows students to easily access learning content. Previous analysis of student perceptions of the website have guided the development of specific pathology learning tools. Prototypes were then developed using the six themes elucidated from student interviews that were most requested: design & layout, user interface, learning approach, assessment, multimedia, and maintenance.Data was collected from 24 interviewees that had all participated in the anatomy curriculum, then those transcripts were analyzed by five independent assessors. We found that students predominantly placed value in having self‐assessments that were seamlessly integrated within their content. These could be as simple as incorporating exercises that allow for the comparison of pathological states to normal. One important aspect of increasing the appeal to students is ensuring the interface is maintained and updated, as well as having a modern aesthetic to design and layout. Another highly requested feature was to ensure that the learning tool content was relatable and relevant to course material.With the increased student demand for accessible online content, there is an opportunity for anatomical education to move and adapt towards utilizing various technological platforms. Our prototypes were developed to reflect student demand and preference in order to create an optimal learning tool that will be beneficial to both students and educators in the Anatomy Program at McMaster.
Use of OneNote as a Platform for Anatomical Education
Authors: Campbell Anna , Wilson Katrina , Olson John 
Published: November 2023

In anatomy courses, medical students are often overwhelmed by a daunting amount of resources, e.g., videos, podcasts, lectures, readings, anatomical plates, live demonstrations, and hands‐on dissections. Organizing a myriad of multi‐media materials into a cohesive and useful study resource has often times been difficult and inefficient because of the complex and vastly different formats of the material. Further, studies have demonstrated that physical note‐taking and kinesthetic learning (e.g., drawing instead of typing or audio recordings) lead to better educational outcomes for long‐term recall and high‐level understanding. We developed a pilot program to implement the use of an interactive, computer based note‐taking system to efficiently access, create, distribute, and organize study material. Multimedia course content was distributed in a cloud‐based OneNote class notebook, and was utilized by the students and faculty as a collaborative resource. Students were instructed in how to use the platform, including customizing the content library, taking digital longhand notes, generating digital renderings, concept maps, and audio/video recordings, collaborative note‐sharing, and utilizing complex search methods to organize content in a manner best suited to their individual learning styles. After the course was completed, surveys were distributed to the students (n=90) to gauge use and determine their level of acceptance of this technology. Our results demonstrate that though the learning curve was relatively steep and students were initially skeptical of using a university mandated electronic resource as a note‐taking tool, many reported increased efficiency and organization in their studying methods. The majority (97%) reported their intent to create a digital repository of content and plan to continue use of OneNote for the remainder of their medical education (88%). The preliminary findings of this study suggest that further integration of OneNote into anatomy and other areas of our curriculum is warranted. Future studies should evaluate the effect of this software platform on learning outcomes.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by an internal institutional grant from A.T. Still University.
A Pilot Study Into Flipping Neuroanatomy – Student Performance And Experience Results
Authors: Jennings Ernie , Long Sharron 
Published: November 2023

Background & AimJames Cook University (JCU) has an undergraduate entry Dentistry Course where students are taught with the more traditional face –to – face method using lectures and practicals. Like many universities JCU is moving towards a blended approach to learning, offering a more interactive, self‐guided learning experience (Ma'arop and Embi 2016). The students admitted to dentistry are high achieving, and could be expected to readily engage with online material, and an earlier study (Long and Jennings 2016) indicates that this is the case. The aim of this study was to examine student engagement, experience and performance in neuroanatomy content usually delivered in 1 week.MethodsDe‐identified student data and responses were collected following roll out of the content. This study was covered by the College of Medicine and Dentistry's Teaching Evaluation Human Ethics Approval. Eight short (10–20 mins) videos of the content were developed. These contained embedded multiple choice questions (MCQ). The videos were delivered over the Blackboard Student Learning System and averaged data of engagement with material and performance in the embedded MCQs is presented here. A survey looking at student experience was administered at the end of semester.ResultsIn the six weeks since the videos were made available, there were 1961 hits on these videos. Of the 87 students enrolled in the Anatomy subject an average of 44 (range 41–46) completed the MCQs in the eight videos gaining an average score of 75% (range 62 – 91 %).ConclusionsSimilar to the results of Gaida et al 2016, our students referred to the online material numerous times and most found it helpful in their studies. There was a strong indication that the students would like more online material to assist them in their studies of the subject especially the anatomical component. These preliminary data indicate that the dentistry students are willing to interact with online videos.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported the the College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University.
Developing a Team‐Based Learning Module for Large Classes in Medical School
Authors: Prange‐Kiel Janine , Champine Julie G. , Winkler Alisa J. , Twickler Diane M. 
Published: November 2023

In addition to early exposure to clinically relevant topics and integration of various disciplines, teaching team skills has become a priority in medical education. Many forms of small‐group teaching, which promote the development of team skills, require a large number of teaching personnel. This can be problematic when these activities are to be implemented in the large classes (i.e., more than 100 students) typical of many Medical Schools. Team‐based learning (TBL) is considered to be a strategy for active learning that enables a single teacher to facilitate learning in multiple small groups simultaneously in the same room. We have developed a TBL module for medical students in the pre‐clerkship period that integrates embryology, anatomy, and radiology of the head and neck region. The TBL module was developed initially in 2015 for a class of 234 students and has been used in 2016 for the second time with a class of comparable size (231 students). Here, we describe the resources available through our institution's Office of Medical Education, and how they were used to adapt TBL for a large class: (1) Various tools of the school's online learning management system, MoodleRooms, were utilized to deliver the pre‐reading material and to present the applications to the students. (2) The computer‐based testing tool, ExamSoft, was used to deliver the questions for the readiness assurance tests (RATs). While the individual RAT was completely performed in ExamSoft, the answers for the group RAT questions were recorded with Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique scratch cards. (3) A dedicated room had been built to accommodate the entire class engaged in small‐group activities (in particular TBL). The room includes 40 tables; each is seating a TBL group and is equipped with a microphone and a monitor the students can connect to wirelessly. There are additional monitors on the walls, and a central instructor station enables the facilitator to control all monitors in the room.A student survey was performed after each of the TBLs; in both years the students evaluated the TBL positively, with even better results in the second year. In our experience, exact time management and aiming for a seamless transition between activities during a TBL session are important to keep students motivated and engaged. In conclusion, TBL with large classes has specific challenges, most of which can be overcome with appropriate measures including institutional support and careful planning.
The Use of Clay Models to Teach Pelvic Anatomy to First and Second Year Medical Students at OUWB School of Medicine
Authors: Schmidt Brianna , Thompson Brent J , Chang Aleah 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPelvic anatomy is often a difficult concept for medical students to grasp due to difficulties in dissections and visualization of the three‐dimensional aspects of anatomical relationships. To improve student knowledge of pelvic anatomy and increase student perceptions of confidence in that knowledge, a new pelvic anatomy workshop has been developed.MethodsSecond year Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) students attended a workshop employing a new method of teaching pelvic anatomy. This workshop assisted students in assembling pelvic structures using a bony pelvis and colored clay. The efficacy of this workshop in helping medical students learn and retain the anatomical relationships of the pelvis was assessed using pre‐ and post‐surveys with Likert scales, and multiple choice questions. Since the participation number was small (n=16), we assessed changes in confidence and knowledge for the group rather than the individual. Descriptive statistical analysis will compare frequencies and mean scores of the pre and post data.ResultsThe preliminary data show that students attending the workshops had a statistically significant increase in their confidence of knowledge of the pelvis/perineum, average increase of 1.36 (p<0.001). The testing was done using a paired t‐test. Students also had an average increase of 1.86 in their confidence to teach another student the anatomy of the pelvis/perineum (p<0.05). An exact McNemar test was used to examine the pretest‐posttest changes in the proportion of students that reported correct responses before and after the workshop.ConclusionExpanding the use of learning styles that go beyond the standard lectures and dissections, used in most first and second year medical school courses, will allow students to take what they learn and create a simpler, visually concrete model to study from. Quantitate data from this preliminary study indicate that the use of clay modeling to learn pelvic anatomy increases students' confidence in their knowledge of pelvic anatomy and in their ability to share this knowledge with other students. Based on these findings we believe that the use of modeling to learn pelvic anatomy warrants further investigation.
Effectiveness of computer assisted learning in anatomy and physiology
Authors: Hilvano Nestor T 
Published: November 2023

Traditional hands‐on learning continues to provide benefits using anatomic models, histology slides and dissections to convey knowledge about the relevant organ system. Hands‐on laboratory experience is perceived to enhance students' ability to apply information and widen their appreciation of knowledge gain. Recent investigation shows that computer assisted learning (CAL) may improve teaching and learning environment to provide an effective supplement for the better understanding of materials and create interactive opportunities for the learners. The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of CAL in teaching anatomy and physiology course for nursing, physical therapy and other allied health undergraduate education. The majority of students felt that CAL enabled laboratory sessions to gain more information with use of digital histology images (95%) and help them to understand better the material presented in lectures (95%). They perceived that digital anatomy dissections improve understanding of the location and relationship of structures and functions of the musculoskeletal system (89%). However, 70% of students thought that CAL influence them into student‐directed studies prior to actual laboratory sessions.Support or Funding InformationNone