Understanding function and function-to-form evolution

This is a report on a workshop held at Cambridge University Engineering Design Centre, 17-10 June 1992. This workshop was held to discuss the issue of 'function' and 'function-to-form' evolution in mechanical design. The authors organised this workshop as they felt that their understanding of these topics was incomplete and that discussions between researchers might help to clarify some key issues.

The topic chosen for the workshop proved to be a stimulating one. The term 'function' is part of a designer's daily vocabulary, however there is poor agreement about its definition. In order to develop computer systems to support product evolution, a precise definition is required. Further the value of 'function' and 'function-to-form' evolution as a good choice of workshop topic is evident from the lack of firm conclusions that resulted from the sessions. This lack of consensus made for lively discussion and left participants questioning many of their preconceived ideas.

Attendance at the workshop was by invitation only. A list of the participants (not all those invited could attend due to time and financial constraints) is given in Appendix 1.

Extended bidirectional reflectance distribution function for polarized light scattering from subsurface defects under a smooth surface

By introducing the scattering probability of a subsurface defect (SSD) and statistical distribution functions of SSD radius, refractive index, and position, we derive an extended bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) from the Jones scattering matrix. This function is applicable to the calculation for comparison with measurement of polarized light-scattering resulting from a SSD. A numerical calculation of the extended BRDF for the case of p-polarized incident light was performed by means of the Monte Carlo method. Our numerical results indicate that the extended BRDF strongly depends on the light incidence angle, the light scattering angle, and the out-of-plane azimuth angle. We observe a 180 degrees symmetry with respect to the azimuth angle. We further investigate the influence of the SSD density, the substrate refractive index, and the statistical distributions of the SSD radius and refractive index on the extended BRDF. For transparent substrates, we also find the dependence of the extended BRDF on the SSD positions. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.

A note on the von Bertalanffy growth function concerning the allocation of surplus energy to reproduction

We propose an extended form of the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF), where the allocation of surplus energy to reproduction is considered. Any function can be used in our model to describe the ratio of energy allocation for reproduction to that for somatic growth. As an example, two models for energy allocation were derived: a step-function and a logistic function. The extended model can jointly describe growth in adult and juvenile stages. The change in growth rate between the two stages can be either gradual or steep; the latter gives a biphasic VBGF. The results of curve fitting indicated that a consideration of reproductive energy is meaningful for model extension. By controlling parameter values, our comprehensive model gives various growth curve shapes ranging from indeterminate to determinate growth. An increase in the number of parameters is unavoidable in practical applications of this new model. Additional information on reproduction will improve the reliability of model estimates.

Effects of rapid decompression and exposure to bright light on visual function in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)

Demersal fishes hauled up from depth experience rapid decompression. In physoclists, this can cause overexpansion of the swim bladder and resultant injuries to multiple organs (barotrauma), including severe exophthalmia (“pop-eye”). Before release, fishes can also be subjected to asphyxia and exposure to direct sunlight. Little is known, however, about possible sensory deficits resulting from the events accompanying capture. To address this issue, electroretinography was used to measure the changes in retinal light sensitivity, flicker fusion frequency, and spectral sensitivity in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) subjected to rapid decompression (from 4 atmospheres absolute [ATA] to 1 ATA) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) exposed to 15 minutes of simulated sunlight. Rapid decompression had no measurable influence on retinal function in black rockfish. In contrast, exposure to bright light significantly reduced retinal light sensitivity of Pacific halibut, predominately by affecting the photopigment which absorbs the green wavelengths of light (≈520–580 nm) most strongly. This detriment is likely to have severe consequences for postrelease foraging success in green-wavelength-dominated coastal waters. The visual system of Pacific halibut has characteristics typical of species adapted to low light environments, and these characteristics may underlie their vulnerability to injury from exposure to bright light.

An allometric smoothing function to describe the relation between otolith and somatic growth over the lifespan of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

We propose a new equation to describe the relation between otolith length (OL) and somatic length (fork length [FL]) of fish for the entire lifespan of the fish. The equation was developed by applying a mathematical smoothing method based on an allometric equation with a constant term for walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) —a species that shows an extended longevity (>20 years). The most appropriate equation for defining the relation between OL and FL was a four-phase allometric smoothing function with three inflection points. The inflection points correspond to the timing of settlement of walleye pollock, changes in sexual maturity, and direction of otolith growth. Allometric smoothing functions describing the relation between short otolith radius and FL, long otolith radius and FL, and FL and body weight were also developed. The proposed allometric smoothing functions cover the entire lifespan of walleye pollock. We term these equations “allometric smoothing functions for otolith and somatic growth over the lifespan of walleye pollock.”

A novel brain partition highlights the modular skeleton shared by structure and function

Elucidating the intricate relationship between brain structure and function, both in healthy and pathological conditions, is a key challenge for modern neuroscience. Recent progress in neuroimaging has helped advance our understanding of this important issue, with diffusion images providing information about structural connectivity (SC) and functional magnetic resonance imaging shedding light on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC). Here, we adopt a systems approach, relying on modular hierarchical clustering, to study together SC and rsFC datasets gathered independently from healthy human subjects. Our novel approach allows us to find a common skeleton shared by structure and function from which a new, optimal, brain partition can be extracted. We describe the emerging common structure-function modules (SFMs) in detail and compare them with commonly employed anatomical or functional parcellations. Our results underline the strong correspondence between brain structure and resting-state dynamics as well as the emerging coherent organization of the human brain.