Helen J. Chatterjee

Estimating the phylogeny and divergence times of primates using a supermatrix approach

BackgroundThe primates are among the most broadly studied mammalian orders, with the published literature containing extensive analyses of their behavior, physiology, genetics and ecology. The importance of this group in medical and biological research is well appreciated, and explains the numerous molecular phylogenies that have been proposed for most primate families and genera. Composite estimates for the entire order have been infrequently attempted, with the last phylogenetic reconstruction spanning the full range of primate evolutionary relationships having been conducted over a decade ago.ResultsTo estimate the structure and tempo of primate evolutionary history, we employed Bayesian phylogenetic methods to analyze data supermatrices comprising 7 mitochondrial genes (6,138 nucleotides) from 219 species across 67 genera and 3 nuclear genes (2,157 nucleotides) from 26 genera. Many taxa were only partially represented, with an average of 3.95 and 5.43 mitochondrial genes per species and per genus, respectively, and 2.23 nuclear genes per genus. Our analyses of mitochondrial DNA place Tarsiiformes as the sister group of Strepsirrhini. Within Haplorrhini, we find support for the primary divergence of Pitheciidae in Platyrrhini, and our results suggest a sister grouping of African and non-African colobines within Colobinae and of Cercopithecini and Papionini within Cercopthecinae. Date estimates for nodes within each family and genus are presented, with estimates for key splits including: Strepsirrhini-Haplorrhini 64 million years ago (MYA), Lemuriformes-Lorisiformes 52 MYA, Platyrrhini-Catarrhini 43 MYA and Cercopithecoidea-Hominoidea 29 MYA.ConclusionWe present an up-to-date, comprehensive estimate of the structure and tempo of primate evolutionary history. Although considerable gaps remain in our knowledge of the primate phylogeny, increased data sampling, particularly from nuclear loci, will be able to provide further resolution.

Museums and art galleries as partners for public health interventions

The majority of public health programmes are based in schools, places of employment and in community settings. Likewise, nearly all health-care interventions occur in clinics and hospitals. An underdeveloped area for public health-related planning that carries international implications is the cultural heritage sector, and specifically museums and art galleries. This paper presents a rationale for the use of museums and art galleries as sites for public health interventions and health promotion programmes through discussing the social role of these organisations in the health and well-being of the communities they serve. Recent research from several countries is reviewed and integrated into a proposed framework for future collaboration between cultural heritage, health-care and university sectors to further advance research, policy development and evidence-based practice.

Phylogeny and Biogeography of Gibbons: A Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis

Phylogenetic relationships within Hylobatidae are controversial. Numerous studies based on molecular, morphological and behavioral characteristics have provided conflicting results. I reanalyzed published cytochrome b gene sequence data to provide a new estimate of gibbon phylogeny. My results indicate that Nomascus, Symphalangus and Hoolock are successively more closely related to Hylobates. Molecular clock analyses provide estimates of divergence times within Hylobatidae, indicating that the radiation dates to ca. 10.5 million years ago. Scientists have little understanding of the biogeographic history of gibbons, largely because of a sparse fossil record. I combined the estimate of gibbon phylogeny with distribution data in a dispersal-vicariance analysis and present a new scenario for the pattern and timing of gibbon radiation.

Museums, health and well-being

Contents: Foreword Museums, health and well-being The role of arts in health The link between museums and health and well-being Museums and health in practice Measuring health and well-being Moving forward and final conclusions Index.

Inter‐ and intra‐specific scaling of articular surface areas in the hominoid talus

The morphology of postcranial articular surfaces is expected to reflect their weight‐bearing properties, as well as the stability and mobility of the articulations to which they contribute. Previous studies have mainly confirmed earlier predictions of isometric scaling between articular surface areas and body mass; the exception to this is ‘male‐type’, convex articular surface areas, which may scale allometrically due to differences in locomotor strategies within the analysed samples. In the present study, we used new surface scanning technology to quantify more accurately articular surface areas and to test those predictions within the talus of hominoid primates, including modern humans. Our results, contrary to predictions, suggest that there are no generalised rules of articular scaling within the talus of hominoids. Instead, we suggest that articular scaling patterns are highly context‐specific, depending on the role of each articulation during locomotion, as well as taxon‐ and sex‐specific differences in locomotion and ontogenetic growth trajectories within any given sample. While this may prove problematic for inferring body mass based on articular surface area, it also offers new opportunities of gaining substantial insights into the locomotor patterns of extinct species.

Investigating the therapeutic potential of a heritage-object focused intervention: a qualitative study

This study explores the therapeutic potential of heritage-object handling in nurse-patient encounters with women facing cancer. Ten women participated in an object-focused conversation with a nurse specialist. Sessions were audio-tape recorded and transcribed. Kleinian theory framed the analysis to reveal the individual ways women ‘used’ the object in the session. Professionally observed heritage-object handling provides an aid to discussion with patients and has potential as an assessment platform for therapeutic work or as an intervention approach in its own right. Further longitudinal controlled trials are needed to evaluate such benefits, particularly given the depth of the talk revealed in this study.

Heritage, health and well-being: assessing the impact of a heritage focused intervention on health and well-being

Do museums and other heritage organisations have something to offer the healthcare sector? Do they have a role in improving health and well-being? Increasingly both heritage and healthcare organisations think they do. A broader definition of health including well-being and an emphasis on preventative medicine and multi-agency approaches to care within the UK’s National Health Service has facilitated the work of museums and galleries in this area. However, there are still few specific heritage programmes in healthcare organisations and very little evaluation of these. Here we present key findings from a qualitative evaluation of a heritage focused intervention carried out in a range of healthcare settings. The aim of the research project was to assess the impact on well-being of taking museum objects into hospitals and healthcare contexts.

Quantitative evidence for wellbeing benefits from a heritage-in-health intervention with hospital patients

Abstract The benefits of a heritage-in-health intervention were assessed using clinically accepted psychometric measures of wellbeing and happiness. Positive outcomes of arts-in-health activities are well documented and reviewed yet little empirical research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of heritage-in-health activities. The research drew upon art therapy, psychology and education for a conceptual framework. General healthcare patients participated in one-to-one, facilitated sessions of around 40 minutes that involved discussing factual and emotional properties of a selection of museum objects. Questions followed a standardised protocol with a semi-structured interview format. In the experimental group, participants handled the objects (tactile condition) whereas in the comparison group, participants looked at pictures of these objects (visual condition). Baseline and intervention self-report measures (Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale and Visual Analogue Scales) were used to evaluate the sessions. Quantitative comparison of pre- and post-session scores showed significant increases in wellbeing and happiness and an advantage for the tactile condition over the visual condition. Museum object handling sessions appeared to produce therapeutic effects on patient welfare, at least in the short term. Findings add weight to the need for provision of heritage-focused activities by museums and galleries for excluded audiences in healthcare settings.

Evolutionary Relationships Among the Gibbons: A Biogeographic Perspective

The debate regarding gibbon taxonomy and phylogeny has flourished for well over one hundred years. The first gibbon,Homo lar, was described by Linnaeus (1771); the siamang as Simia syndactyla by Raffles (1821); the first concolor gibbon as Simia concolor by Harlan (1826); and the hoolock as Simia hoolock by Harlan (1834) (Groves 1972, 2001). Throughout the 19th century, gibbon nomenclature diversified until, by the end of the century, most of the taxonomic names and divisions recognized today had been established. Phylogenetic relationships amongst these taxa have continued to cause discussion and debate, with the advent of molecular methods only serving to accelerate the discourse. In contrast, there has been startlingly little research into the biogeographic history of gibbons, largely due to their incredibly sparse fossil record. This chapter will outline current views regarding gibbon taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography, providing an overview of the main areas of consensus and continuing debate.

Using museum objects to improve wellbeing in mental health service users and neurological rehabilitation clients

Introduction: The study investigated the impact of museum object handling sessions on hospital clients receiving occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation and in an older adult acute inpatient mental health service. Methods: The research used a qualitative approach based on objectivist and constructionist methods, from which themes typical of the object handling sessions were derived. Results: Themes emerging from detailed analysis of discourse involving clients (n = 82) and healthcare staff (n = 8) comprised: distraction and decreasing negative emotion; increasing vitality and participation; tactile stimulation; conversational and social skills; increasing a sense of identity; novel perspectives and thoughts; learning new things; enjoyment and positive emotion. Critical success factors included good session facilitation for mitigating insecurity, ward staff support and the use of authentic heritage objects. Conclusion: Museums and their collections can be a valuable addition to cultural and arts occupations, in particular for long-stay hospital clients.