Developments in the identification of human skeletal material (1968-1978).

A review of publications over the last ten years of methods in the field of physical anthropology for determining age, sex, race and stature of human skeletal material is presented. Comparisons are made with the types of papers published in the previous ten years (1958-1968) in six categories: (1) Visual examination of bones (2) Anthropometric measurements of bones (3) Anthropometric measurements with subsequent use of statistics in the form of discriminate function analyses (4) Time and sequence of eruption of the teeth (5) X-ray examination of the internal structure of bone sections (6) Microscopic examination of the internal structure of bone.     

Predictive regression modeling of body segment parameters using individual-based anthropometric measurements

Body segment parameters such as segment mass, center of mass, and radius of gyration are used as inputs in static and dynamic ergonomic and biomechanical models used to predict joint and muscle forces, and to assess risks of musculoskeletal injury. Previous work has predicted body segment parameters (BSPs) in the general population using age and obesity levels as statistical predictors (Merrill et al., 2017). Estimated errors in the prediction of BSPs can be as large as 40%, depending on age, and the prediction method employed (Durkin and Dowling, 2003). Thus, more accurate and representative segment parameter inputs are required for attempting to predict modeling outputs such as joint contact forces, muscle forces, and injury risk in individuals. This study aims to provide statistical models for predicting torso, thigh, shank, upper arm, and forearm segment parameters in working adults using whole body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan data along with a set of anthropometric measurements. The statistical models were developed on a training data set, and independently validated on a separate test data set. The predicted BSPs in validation data were, on average, within 5% of the actual in vivo DXA-based BSPs, while previously developed predictions (de Leva, 1996) had average errors of up to 60%, indicating that the new models greatly increase the accuracy in predicting segment parameters. These final developed models can be used for calculating representative BSPs in individuals for use in modeling applications dependent on these parameters.     

Biological affinities between the migrant groups of fishermen of Puri Coast, Orissa, India

Biological affinities between the three endogamous groups of marine fishermen of Puri are examined with the help of nine anthropometric measurements and 22 dermatoglyphic traits of fingers and palms. The results are interpreted in the light of their ethnic, geographical, and migrational backgrounds. Multiple discriminant analysis and Mahalanobis's generalized distances suggest higher discrimination of populations with reference to anthropometric traits as compared to that in dermatoglyphic variables. While the nature of interpopulation distances conforms to the geographic pattern in anthropometrics, no clear picture emerges in the dermatoglyphic distances supporting either ethnic or geographic evidence.     

A note on interobserver error in multivariate analyses of populations

The effect of interobserver error on a principal components analysis of a small sample of human crania is examined. A comparison of individual specimen scores for components is made to find rotated principal components which identify interobserver error. The individual variables which load highly on such components are then tested for interobserver error univariately. Multivariate components which must identify interobserver error contain no high loadings for variables which demonstrate interobserver error in the univariate case. Principal component analysis, in defining new component variables, extracts such error in an easily identified way which makes comparison of samples measured by more than one anthropometrist more reliable.     

Age-related Patterns of Upper Arm Muscle and Fat Area in Turkish Children and Assessment of Nutritional Status

Anthropometric estimation of midarm muscularity and fatness was employed as a general index of nutritional status in developing countries. The present study attempts to evaluate the sex- and age-related pattern of regional muscle and fat area characteristics in Turkish children. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,068 10- to 14-year-old children (583 boys and 485 girls) from junior high schools in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. According to general anthropometric protocols, weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm circumference measurements were taken and socioeconomic data were collected. Arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) were calculated and centile curves were evaluated using least median squares method. Results showed significant sexual dimorphism in muscle and fat patterning. AFA was found to be higher among girls and AMA among boys. The present findings suggest that the different levels of socioeconomic status (SES) appeared to be more prevalent on muscularity among boys (p < 0.05) and adiposity among girls (p < 0.001).     

Achilles tendon moment arm length is smaller in children with cerebral palsy than in typically developing children

When studying muscle and whole-body function in children with cerebral palsy (CP), knowledge about both internal and external moment arms is essential since they determine the mechanical advantage of a muscle over an external force. Here we asked if Achilles tendon moment arm (MA_AT) length is different in children with CP and age-matched typically developing (TD) children, and if MA_AT can be predicted from anthropometric measurements. Sixteen children with CP (age: 10y 7 m ± 3y, 7 hemiplegia, 12 diplegia, GMFCS level: I (11) and II (8)) and twenty TD children (age: 10y 6 m ± 3y) participated in this case-control study. MA_AT was calculated at 20° plantarflexion by differentiating calcaneus displacement with respect to ankle angle. Seven anthropometric variables were measured and related to MA_AT. We found normalized MA_AT to be 15% (∼7 mm) smaller in children with CP compared to TD children (p = 0.003). MA_AT could be predicted by all anthropometric measurements with tibia length explaining 79% and 72% of variance in children with CP and TD children, respectively. Our findings have important implications for clinical decision making since MA_AT influences the mechanical advantage about the ankle, which contributes to movement function and is manipulated surgically.     

The effects of maternal education versus cognitive test scores on child nutrition in Kenya

This paper estimates dynamic random effects models for intakes by dietary energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamins A, C, D, and E 100 of Kenyan school children (6-9 years) within a multivariate longitudinal framework. The explanatory variables were socioeconomic and background variables, children's body mass index, and maternal education, cognitive test scores and morbidity spells. The model parameters are estimated using the maximum likelihood method controlling for unobserved between-children differences. The main finding is that while maternal education was usually not a significant predictor of dietary intakes, maternal scores on cognitive tests did strongly predict them. Moreover, the paternal cognitive scores and maternal morbidity levels were not significantly associated with the intakes, but an index of socioeconomic status and cash income was a significant predictor. The results indicate the need to consider broader measures of human development and of devising suitable educational programs for women without formal education.     

布依族人手的应用人类学研究

本文探讨了布依族人手的形态特征, 为体质人类学积累资料和整形外科、机械设备、工具制造、手防护用具等设计提供形态学依据。采用国际通用的手部测量方法, 测量了312名(男153,女159) 布依族人手44项指标。所测数据均为男性大于女性(P<0.01), 测量项目右侧大于左侧的男性为75%, 女性为81.82%; 手形厚度、围度、长度和宽度差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01); 掌指数男性为96.56、女性为93.84, 手指数男性为46.12、女性为45.66。结果表明, 布依族人手形态具有左右侧非对称性和明显的性别差异; 手型呈短宽型, 指型呈短粗型。     

贵州侗族体质人类学研究

本文对生活在贵州的侗族526人(男280人, 女246人)进行了活体观察和调查(观察项目28个,测量项目64个)。调查对象年龄20—55岁, 三代均为侗族。分析结果表明: 贵州侗族男性属中头型、阔面型, 女性属圆头型、超阔面型; 男女均属中鼻型、宽手型、窄肩型、中间体型、中腿型、矮型身材。与我国南方其他31个少数民族群体聚类分析, 结果显示贵州侗族的体质特征与广西瑶族、贵州布依族最为接近, 与湖南瑶族、土家族、贵州台江苗族次之。贵州侗族属蒙古人种南亚类型。     

4308例四川地区汉族2—25岁眼距测量及生长发育分析

为探讨四川地区汉族人眼部形态及生长发育规律。采用摄影测量和活体测量的方法,对四川地区4308例(男女各2154例)2—25岁汉族人眼部4项人类学指标进行测量, 按年龄划分为29个年龄段, 每一年龄段分为男、女2个组。计算各年龄段各项指标的均数与标准误; 并观察性别差异及年龄发育规律。结果显示: 眼外角间距、瞳孔间距多个年龄段男性大于女性, 差异具有显著性意义; 眼内角间距、眼裂宽男性略大于女性, 差异无显著性意义。眼部生长发育曲线随年龄增长而上升, 并有1—2个发育高峰, 生长发育具有阶段性发育的特点, 在某些年龄段女性发育快于男性。