bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diet and status at Chalcatzingo: Some empirical and technical aspects of strontium analysis
Authors: Schoeninger Margaret J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractDetermination of the levels of particular trace elements preserved in bone provides a potential pathway for reconstructing the diet of extinct primate species and archaic human groups. Strontium is one of the most useful trace elements for dietary reconstruction but several empirical properties of strontium must be considered during the interpretation of results. (1) Strontium is distributed unevenly throughout the physical environment. (2) Plants, in general, do not discriminate against strontium. (3) During ionic transfer across biological membranes, strontium is discriminated against by terrestrial vertebrates. (4) It is unlikely that strontium would be selectively removed from bone mineral during diagenesis.A particular difficulty in trace element analysis is caused by interaction between analytical technique and sample matrix. To assess this problem the skeletal population from Chalcatzingo was analyzed by two techniques: atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. The results from the two techniques compared favorably indicating that the pattern of bone strontium levels could be accepted as an accurate reflection of the distribution of bone strontium within the population.After demonstrating the internal accuracy of the results, the bone strontium level and position of social rank within Chalcatzingo were compared. Ethnographic and archaeological evidence on chiefdoms and states indicate that dietary differences in the amount of meat consumed occur between social ranks. The relative social ranks were reconstructed by using a “pattern analysis” of the burial goods accompanying each individual. The individuals accompanied by jade had the lowest mean bone strontium level (X̄=532). Those individuals buried with a shallow dish had a slightly higher level (X̄=635). A third group, which had no grave goods, had the highest mean bone strontium level (X̄=700) which suggests that their diet contained less meat than was available to the rest of the community.
Skeletal maturity in Danish schoolchildren assessed by the TW2 method
Authors: Helm Sven 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSkeletal maturity was assessed from hand‐wrist radiographs in a sample of 3,817 Danish schoolchildren aged 7 to 18 years using the new version of the bone‐specific Tanner‐Whitehouse scoring system, the TW2 method. In most of the age groups in both sexes the distributions of the bone maturity scores displayed marked departures from normality; percentiles for the scores were therefore counted from the raw data. On the average, over the total age range, the differences between the age equivalents (bone ages) for the fiftieth percentile and chronological age were close to zero in both sexes, indicating good agreement with the British standards. However, in the individual age groups, and in particular at adolescence, characteristic divergences from the standards occurred, apparently reflecting the developmental spurt.
Patterns of dental wear and the role of the canine in Cercopithecinae
Authors: Gantt David G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe importance of dental wear patterns in understanding masticatory functions in primates has long been appreciated. However, studies of wear patterns among populations of nonhuman primates are few. The purpose of this investigation is to establish the developmental aspects of dental wear in the Cercopithecinae and to describe certain relevant morphological traits.Studies were made of dental casts from 200 primate specimens of Macaca nemestrina, Macaca mulatta, and Papio cynocephalus. These casts were taken at four‐month intervals, beginning at two years of age and continuing over a period of six to seven years.The wear pattern starts with the rounding and eventual flattening of the protoconid and protocone of the erupted first molars. Once this stage is reached, the hypoconid and metaconid of the mandibular, and the hypocone and paracone of the maxillary molars are rounded and eventually flattened. This pattern is maintained until the cusp tips are removed and the dentin exposed, however, the entoconid and metacone are not subjected to significant wear at this stage.Analysis of these dental casts and museum specimens has provided data on the development of dental wear during the maturation of these primates. The distribution of forces acting upon the teeth produce diagnostic patterns of wear, which provide evidence of the force location and magnitude. In examining the data, the hypothesis of canine guidance and its limitation of mandibular motion was evaluated. Specimens whose canines were removed demonstrate that the canines play no significant role in the development or maintenance of dental wear planes.
Lung function in highlander bods of Ladakh
Authors: Malik S. L. , Singh Indera P. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA cross‐sectional sample of 221 male Bods, 11 to 19 years, from Leh, Ladakh, was studied to determine some biological responses to the environment. The higher forced vital capacity and increased association between chest measurements and respiratory function as well as increased chest dimensions of the Bods resemble the findings on highland Peruvians. These differences from lowland Bods and Indians may partially be attributable to low oxygen pressure in higher areas. However, the contributing effect of factors, viz. varying activity levels and genetics, cannot be dismissed.
Absence of triradius d in a three‐generation pedigree and other variations of main‐line D
Authors: Roche E. M. , Roche A. F. , Siervogel R. M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAn example is reported of a rare dermatoglyphic variant (absence of triradius d) in a woman of mixed European and Cherokee American Indian ancestry. This variant was not present in her parents, her five siblings, four nephews or one niece. Attention is drawn to the continuum from an absent triradius d to a triradius with an abbreviated main‐line associated with either an open field in interdigital area IV, or a loop in interdigital area IV or a tented arch at d. This same continuum occurs at c. The absent triradius at d is extremely rare and the tented arch at d is very rare.
Trends and developments in physical anthropology, 1978–1979
Authors: Bennett Kenneth A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMembers of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists were asked to supply information about their current programs and their own graduate training in order to compile a training directory and to analyze certain aspects of the discipline. The data indicate that the majority consider their graduate training to have been deficient, mainly in statistics, genetics, chemistry, physiology, and mathematics. The areas thought most important for future research in physical anthropology include fields such as genetics, anatomy, ecology, physiology, and paleontology, although a great many individuals are engaged in teaching and research in other areas. A brief analysis of relative growth in the field over the last few decades indicates a serious imbalance between the number of new Ph.D.'s and available employment opportunities.
New conversion formulae for light‐skinned populations using Photovolt and E.E.L. Reflectometers
Authors: Lees Francis C. , Byard Pamela J. , Relethford John H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRecent research in Belize revealed that published conversion coefficients for use between the two most commonly used reflectance spectro‐photometers were inadequate when applied to dark‐skinned populations. New research in Ireland shows that the published conversion coefficients for light‐skinned populations are also inadequate.A total of 320 school children from Longford, Ireland were measured for skin reflectances at the upper inner arm site with the Photovolt Model 670 and the E.E.L. Reflectance Spectrophotometers. Six and nine filters respectively were used to sample the visible spectrum.Multiple regression techniques were then used to estimate new conversion coefficients which accurately predict readings for one instrument by using some or all of the measurements from the other. Double cross‐validation techniques showed the inadequacy of the old (1967) formulae and the very high accuracy of the new ones.Some problems encountered in this study, but not in the one which produced new formulae for dark‐skinned populations, suggest further work may be necessary. Additional independently sampled light‐skinned populations have not been measured on both machines, so conclusive cross‐validation of the new coefficients must remain tentative. Despite this drawback, the new formulae presented here are almost certainly an improvement over the old ones.These new conversion formulae may allow previously impossible comparisons of worldwide data on similar populations.
Further morphometric studies of the ulna from the Omo Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Feldesman Marc R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA reanalysis of the L40–19 fossil ulna from the Omo Basin, Ethiopia is presented. Using covariance adjustment rather than ratios to correct metric data for variations due to body size, a comparative sample reflecting 21 contemporary Anthropoid taxa, and both distribution‐free and multivari‐ate statistical procedures, this study indicates that the earlier conclusion drawn by McHenry et al. (76), viz., that the fossil is “unique” among Hominoids, is essentially correct. This study also concludes, however, that although the fossil is projected closer to Pan and Homo than to Pongo, the distances are considerably greater than found between behaviorally similar modern forms. Consequently, aside from assigning the fossil on morphometric grounds to the Hominoidea, little else can be said about its possible locomotor habits or its ancestry.
The depth of the lingual fossa in permanent maxillary incisors of Norwegian Lapps
Authors: Monrad Aas I. H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe depth of the lingual fossa in permanent maxillary incisors of three groups of Norwegian Lapps was measured. No statistically significant sex differences or group differences were found. The assembled weighted estimates for lingual fossa depth of three groups of Norwegian Lapps were for I1 sup: 0.44 mm and I2 sup: 0.30 mm. Mean lingual fossae depths in Norwegian Lapps clearly fall within the Caucasoid range.
Growth, function and homology: Aspects of dental replacement in toothcombed strepsirhines
Authors: Schwartz Jeffrey H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn maturing juvenile lemurs and lorises, it was found that the anteriormost lower deciduous premolar migrates forward and may become associated with the teeth of the toothcomb; this is similar to previous observations on the dentition of indriines. The mesial shift of dp2 appears to be associated with the eruption of P2 but, more importantly, also with replacement of the deciduous by the permanent teeth of the toothcomb‐which is a period of functional disruption at the front of the jaw. It is suggested that this growth‐related phenomenon should not be confused with other aspects of dental development and eruption which might be indicative of homology.
An experimental analysis of temporomandibular joint reaction force in macaques
Authors: Hylander William L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMandibular bone strain in the region immediately below the temporomandibular ligament was analyzed in adult and sub‐adult Macaca fas‐cicularis and mulatta. Following recovery from the general anesthetic, the monkeys were presented food objects, a wooden rod, or a specially designed bite‐force transducer. Bone strain was recorded during incisal biting and mastication of food, and also during isometric biting of the rod and/or the transducer.The bone strain data suggest the following: The macaque TMJ is loaded by a compressive reaction force during the power stroke of mastication and incision of food, and during isometric molar and incisor biting. TMJ reaction forces are larger on the contralateral side during both mastication and isometric molar biting. Patterns of ipsilateral TMJ reaction force in macaques during isometric biting vary markedly in response to the position of the bite point. During biting along the premolars or first two molars a compressive reaction force acts about the ipsilateral TMJ; however, when the bite point is positioned along the M3, the ipsilateral TMJ has either very little compressive stress, no stress, or it is loaded in tension.
Aspects of the middle and external ear of early South African hominids
Authors: Rak Yoel , Clarke Ronald J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA brief description of the exposed middle ear from two Swartkrans specimens demonstrates the feasibility of examining the inner auditory structures of existing fossil hominid material. These Swartkrans fossils provide the first clear view of the early hominid middle ear, and their structures appear to be morphologically distinct. The bony anatomy of the external ear of Australopithecus robustus is found to be unique among the South African hominids.
Analysis of dorsal pitting in the Os pubis in an extensive sample of modern American females
Authors: Suchey Judy Myers , Wiseley Dean V. , Green Richard F. , Noguchi Thomas T. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPubic bones from 486 modern American females between the ages of 13 and 99 were studied in an attempt to explore the relationship between the degree of dorsal pitting and the following variables: (1) number of full term pregnancies, (2) interval since last pregnancy, (3) age of decedent. A statistical association was found between the number of full term pregnancies and the degree of dorsal pitting. However, the correlation is not strong; 17 females reported as being nulliparous have “medium to large” dorsal changes whereas 22 females having from one to five full term pregnancies have an absence of dorsal changes. Females who had their last child 15 or more years prior to death are more apt to have “medium to large” dorsal changes than are females who have more recently given birth. This effect appears to be independent of the number of full term pregnancies, but is probably related to age. When the data are analyzed by multiple regression analysis, it is found that age and number of pregnancies are most important in predicting the degree of pitting and the effect of interval on pitting is not significant. Age is found to be an important variable independent of the number of full term pregnancies. In nulliparas, an absence of dorsal pitting is far more frequently found in females younger than 30 than in those over 30.
Classification systems for discrete variables used in forensic anthropology
Authors: Finnegan Michael , McGuire Stephen A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn recent years a number of papers have been presented on the usefulness of non‐metric traits of the cranial and infracranial skeleton in order that one, some few, or a subsample of crania may be allocated to a pair, family, or larger group. These papers have explored (1) which traits should be used, (2) the theoretical implications of assignment, and (3) the methodology for making these assignments. This paper addresses itself to the theoretical implications of assignment and the methodology for making these assignments. Classification techniques based on the Bayes' theorem, weight of evidence procedures, linear discriminant functions, tally method and the Rubison procedure, were utilized in the first level of analysis. The result suggests that methodologies used must contain an accommodation for correlation between bilateral traits and that pairwise classification procedures are often more applicable than multiple classification procedures considering a large number of groups. The accuracy of various methods starts at slightly better than 50%, while the better methods produce results above the 90% level. Results further show that when acceptable assignments are made the theoretical implications of these assignments do not necessarily suggest the use of a particular methodology, and for ease of analysis the simplest methodology should be used.
Morphometrics of compact bone: An example from Sudanese Nubia
Authors: Martin Debra L. , Armelagos George J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMorphometric analysis of compact femoral tissue was applied to a prehistoric population from Sudanese Nubia. Microradiographs of thin sections from below the lesser trochanter were examined. A total of 74 adults (40 females, 34 males) from the X‐Group population (A.D. 350–550) were used to determine the underlying processes of bone remodeling in skeletal growth and maintenance. The relationship of bone turnover to the age of onset, patterning and frequency of cortical bone loss (osteoporosis) as a function of age and sex was examined. The cortical thickness, cortical area and formation/resorption frequencies were determined. Males exhibit a 4.9% net loss in cortical area, while females show a 10.7% loss. A substantial amount of female loss occurs in the third decade, with a slight gain in the fourth and a steady loss up to the sixth decade. These trends were further explored and refined histologically. The periosteal and endosteal frequencies for males show a variable but definite decrease in mineralization (i.e., increased numbers of osteons in the forming stage) and a slight increase in resorption. Third decade females show a marked difference with high frequencies of resorption spaces and forming osteons. It is suggested that in this population, stress related to childbearing and childrearing may be effecting the frequencies of formation foci and resorption spaces.
New approaches to the pre‐ and post‐contact history of Arctic peoples
Authors: Laughlin W. S. , Harper A. B. , Thompson D. D. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe last few years have witnessed the addition of new techniques and research strategies to the study of the population history of Arctic peoples. Osteon‐photon analysis of bone cores provides an improved method of assigning age at death to skeletons. Consequently, it is possible to improve calculations of life expectancy and relate them to pathological correlates such as osteoporosis, separate neural arches, spina bifida and arthritis along with regular growth changes. This capability enables much better utilization of pre‐contact skeletons and therefore of the numbers, density and composition of populations before European contact.The general picture emerging from skeletal studies, census records and living populations is, in Arctic Eskimos, one of high fertility, high mortality and short length of life, with a slow population growth rate. Aleuts show lower fertility, lower mortality and longer length of life, also with a low population growth rate.
Disease and mortality in the early bronze age people of Bab edh‐Dhra, Jordan
Authors: Ortner Donald J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractDuring the 1977 field season at the Early Bronze Age site of Bab edh‐Dhra 92 individuals were recovered from underground shaft tomb chambers. Morbid conditions found in these skeletons include trauma, possibly two cases of tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, post‐menopausal osteoporosis and congenital anomalies. Of the 92 skeletons recovered 56 (61%) were 18 years of age or older, 28 (30%) were between 1 and 18 years of age and 8 (9%) were less than one year of age.
Dental anthropological indications of agriculture among the Jomon people of central Japan. X. Peopling of the Pacific
Authors: Turner Christy G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe high rate of crown caries (8.6%; 119/1,377 teeth) and other oral pathologies in 101 central Japan Middle to Late Jomon Period (ca. 1000 B.C.) crania indicate a level of carbohydrate consumption consistent with an agriculture hypothesis. Because Jomon dental crown and root morphology shows strong resemblances with past and present Southeast Asians, but not with ancient Chinese or modern Japanese, Jomon agriculture could be of great antiquity in the isolated Japanese islands. These dental data and other assembled facts suggest that ancestral Jomonese might have carried to Japan a cariogenic cultigen such as taro before the end of the Pleistocene from tropical Sundaland by way of the now‐submerged east Asian continental shelf.
The effect of prenatal factors on crown dimensions
Authors: Garn S. M. , Osborne R. H. , McCabe K. D. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAs shown in 870 white participants in the National Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP), maternal health status during pregnancy and birth size are systematically related to mesiodistal and buccolingual crown dimensions of I1, I2, dc, dm1, dm2 and M1. Maternal diabetes, maternal hypothyroidism and large size at birth are associated with larger maxillary and mandibular teeth in white children. Conversely, deciduous and permanent crown diameters are diminished in maternal hypertension, and in low birthweight and small birth‐length conditions. These findings suggest that maternal and fetal (or gestational) determinants of both deciduous and permanent tooth crown dimensions may account for as much as half of crown‐size variability with major implications to population comparisons and historical odontometric differences and trends.
The feasibility of dental strontium analysis for diet‐assessment of human populations
Authors: Elias Michael 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIt has been suggested that bone and dental strontium contents of extinct terrestrial vertebrates vary in direct proportion to the strontium levels present in the animals' diets. It has been hypothesized that these trace quantities decrease as one moves upward along the food chain—herbivores having more strontium than primary carnivores, primary carnivores more than secondary carnivores, and so on.The present study was desgined to determine the feasibility of dental strontium analysis for diet‐assessment of human fossil populations. Human vegetarian and nonvegetarian teeth were analyzed for strontium. It was hoped that by comparing the strontium levels of these two groups, one might determine conclusively whether the nature of diet plays an important role in the determination of dental strontium levels within a species.Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyze seven vegetarian and seven nonvegetarian teeth. Strontium levels varied considerably within both groups of teeth and no significant difference in strontium levels existed between the vegetarian and nonvegetarian teeth. These results suggest that dental strontium analysis may not be a useful indicator of the dietary habits of human fossil populations.
Areal growth in the human fetal parietal bone
Authors: Ohtsuki Fumio 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe areal growth of the human fetal parietal bone is described using 51 dissected right parietal bones of Japanese fetuses ranging from the fifth month to term. Their shadows were taken on printing paper and analyzed by a sonic digitizer.The absolute growth of the projected area of the fetal parietal bones progresses at a fairly constant rate during the latter half of the fetal period, despite some deceleration in the 9–10th month. By allometric analysis, the allometric coefficients against crown‐rump length are 2.201 for males, 2.202 for females, and 2.204 for both sexes, respectively. The allometry is essentially monophasic, showing no inflection point, indicating a change in the slope of the regression line; that is, the growth of the human fetal parietal bone is continuous with a constant specific growth rate. These results are discussed in connection with growth in thickness of the bone.