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Mechanistic models, a category encompassing both physiological and compartmental modeling, differ from empirical models' approaches to incorporating known factors about the systems being modeled. Empirical models describe data with minimal assumptions, while mechanistic models aim to provide a robust description of available data by specifying assumptions and integrating known factors about the system. Compartmental analysis is a key example of a mechanistic model in pharmacokinetics and...
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The bulk modulus is a scientific term used to describe a material's resistance to uniform compression. It is the proportionality constant that links a change in pressure to the resulting relative volume change.
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The mode is one of the commonly used measures of a central tendency. It is defined as the most frequent value in a data set.
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Deformation occurs in axial and transverse directions when an axial load is applied to a slender bar. This deformation impacts the cubic element within the bar, transforming it into either a rectangular parallelepiped or a rhombus, contingent on its orientation. This transformation process induces shearing strain. Axial loading elicits both shearing and normal strains. Applying an axial load instigates equal normal and shearing stresses on elements oriented at a 45° angle to the load axis.
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The Modular Design and Production of an Intelligent Robot Based on a Closed-Loop Control Strategy
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What does modularity mean?

Miriam L Zelditch1, Anjali Goswami2

  • 1Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Evolution & Development
|August 31, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Organismal modularity, a key evolutionary feature, is increasingly ambiguous due to varied definitions and methods. Clarifying these concepts is crucial for understanding modularity's evolutionary impact.

Area of Science:

  • Organismal biology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Modularity is a fundamental concept in organismal biology with significant evolutionary implications.
  • Research across genetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology highlights modularity's importance.
  • Existing data and theories have led to novel insights but also conceptual ambiguity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and clarify diverse concepts, metrics, and methods related to organismal modularity.
  • To address the ambiguity surrounding the definition and measurement of biological modules.
  • To provide a theoretical context for the origins and evolutionary consequences of modularity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on modularity concepts and theories.
Keywords:
evolvabilitymodularity

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  • Graphical depictions used to illustrate different module concepts.
  • Analysis of various metrics and methods for assessing modularity at different biological levels.
  • Main Results:

    • Identified increasing ambiguity in the concept of modularity due to diverse definitions, metrics, and methods.
    • Highlighted that different metrics measure distinct properties and methods use conflicting criteria for module delimitation.
    • Demonstrated how mismatches between concepts, metrics, and methods can lead to theoretical confusion.

    Conclusions:

    • A clearer understanding and better alignment of definitions, metrics, and methods are needed to resolve ambiguity in modularity research.
    • Resolving conceptual mismatches can lead to more logical interpretations of modularity's role in evolution.
    • Standardizing approaches to studying modularity will enhance its utility in evolutionary biology.