Anthropological Applications Research Articles

Mandibular shape prediction using cephalometric analysis: applications in craniofacial analysis, forensic anthropology and archaeological reconstruction

BackgroundThe human mandible is variable in shape, size and position and any deviation from normal can affect the facial appearance and dental occlusion.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine whether the Sassouni cephalometric analysis could help predict two-dimensional mandibular shape in humans using cephalometric planes and landmarks.Materials and methodsA retrospective computerised analysis of 100 lateral cephalometric radiographs taken at Kingston Hospital Orthodontic Department was carried out.ResultsResults showed that the Euclidean straight-line mean difference between the estimated position of gonion and traced position of gonion was 7.89 mm and the Euclidean straight-line mean difference between the estimated position of pogonion and the traced position of pogonion was 11.15 mm. The length of the anterior cranial base as measured by sella-nasion was positively correlated with the length of the mandibular body gonion-menton, r = 0.381 and regression analysis showed the length of the anterior cranial base sella-nasion could be predictive of the length of the mandibular body gonion-menton by the equation 22.65 + 0.5426x, where x = length of the anterior cranial base (SN). There was a significant association with convex shaped palates and oblique shaped mandibles, p = 0.0004.ConclusionsThe method described in this study can be used to help estimate the position of cephalometric points gonion and pogonion and thereby sagittal mandibular length. This method is more accurate in skeletal class I cases and therefore has potential applications in craniofacial anthropology and the ‘missing mandible’ problem in forensic and archaeological reconstruction.

AUTOMATED DIGITAL ODONTOMETRY: MEASUREMENT DATA ANALYSES IN CASES OF COMPLICATED DENTAL MORPHOLOGY

Abstract. 3D imaging techniques, which started to be exact in regard to the current study with photogrammetry, have brought to development of measurement method – automated digital odontometry (aDo) – with wider opportunities in terms of understanding morphological characteristics of human (or, non-human) teeth and dentition. Revealing them through odontometric parameters, not as visual descriptions, as it has been accepted for decades and is widespread till today, digital measurement methods provide for various previously unattainable detailed objective studies including descriptions or comparisons. These types of studies, carried out for dental and anthropological applications, are of high demand in palaeoanthropology, especially in cases of rare combination of finding uniqueness and preservation degree with considerations of unusual morphology. Thus odontological samples from the Upper Palaeolithic Sunghir’ (individual C2) are of particular interest in the current study which is aimed to detect distinctive parameters related to morphological features and to compare the degree of feature expression on antimere teeth and teeth with lower degree of that feature expression.

A novel method for producing 3D models of paranasal sinuses for forensic anthropology applications

ABSTRACT Human identifications are made difficult when the remains are severely fragmented or burned. In cases such as these, alternative methods of identification become vital. Three-dimensional reconstructions have increased the potential for utilizing qualitative and quantitative analysis of anatomical structures within forensic anthropology approaches. This paper presents a method to produce three-dimensional reconstructions of paranasal sinuses for biological analysis of skeletal remains. Previous published research has quantified the variability of the paranasal sinuses and has begun to explore their ability to provide biological information within forensic science contexts. However, the complex anatomical structure of the sinuses has led to significant limitations in the ability to produce three-dimensional reconstructions for analysis using an automatic approach. Therefore, this new method for developing three-dimensional models of the paranasal sinuses using an automatic approach that is suitable for a large sample size is timely. It offers a new pathway to more sophisticated methods of analysis that ultimately offer the potential to provide valid and robust distinctions between individuals and identifications in crime reconstructions.

Voices: A memorial, a history, and a call for the future of the practice and application of feminist anthropology

AbstractThis article examines Voices: A Publication of the Association for Feminist Anthropology (1995‐2018) as a collection of feminist anthropology articles, arguing that an analysis of Voices represents an interrogation of feminist anthropology in general. Voices was a transformative publication for many in feminist anthropology—somewhat subversive (not peer‐reviewed!), a dedicated space for straightforward truth speaking over time, a space for an alignment of the personal and the political, and the location for setting feminist anthropology agendas. Using a grounded theory framework, 138 articles across seventeen issues (509 pages) were analyzed to identify thematic trends and chronological shifts through time. The grounded theory analysis revealed that the most frequently appearing themes include inclusivity and diversity, women's bodies, teaching and mentoring, and policy. While the first two themes maintained or increased in prominence over time, the themes of teaching and mentoring and policy decreased in Voices contributions through time. Thus, what is stunning and alarming in the Voices data is the shift away from the practice and application of feminist anthropology. Therefore, the future of feminist anthropology must include fierce protection for the practice and application of feminist anthropology, which is vital to the discipline and to our efforts to improve the human condition.

Skull Sex Estimation Based on Wavelet Transform and Fourier Transform.

Skull sex estimation is one of the hot research topics in forensic anthropology, and has important research value in the fields of criminal investigation, archeology, anthropology, and so on. Sex estimation of skull is crucial in forensic investigations, whether in legal situations that involve living people or to identify mortal remains. The aim of this study is to establish a skull-based sex estimation model in Chinese population, providing a scientific reference for the practical application of forensic medicine and anthropology. We take the superior orbital margin and frontal bone of the skull as the research object and proposed a technology of objective sex estimation of the skull using wavelet transform and Fourier transform. Firstly, the supraorbital margin and frontal bone were quantified by wavelet transform and Fourier transform, and then the extracted features were classified by SVM, and the model was tested. The experimental results show that the accuracy rate of male and female sex discrimination is 90.9% and 94.4%, respectively, which is higher than that of morphological and measurement methods. Compared with the traditional methods, the method has more theoretical basis and objectivity, and the correct rate is higher.

A Systematic Literature Review and Case Report of Bilateral Two-Rooted Mandibular Deciduous Canines and Their Usefulness in Forensic Identification

A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was made by combining the terms “cuspid” and “tooth root” as MeSH health descriptors, combined with the Boolean operators “+” and “&” to obtain describing publications about two roots canines in order to sustain, on scientific evidence, the application of dental anthropology (dental morphological variations) in forensic science (forensic processes of dental identification). This literature review identified reports that describe the presence of two-rooted canines and the number and distribution of root canals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; and one report in which description was performed for forensic identification purposes. The descriptions corresponded to different cases of permanent maxillary canines with left unilateral expression, permanent mandibular canines with right unilateral expression, left unilateral expression with bilateral expression. There were no reports of deciduous dentition. Likewise, a case report in which skeletonized human remains were identified by the presence of bilateral two-root mandibular deciduous canines is described.

Vizuelna istraživanja - glavne metodološke dileme

The last few years have seen a rapid increase in the use of visual research in a growing number of academic disciplines. In addition to its well-established applications in anthropology, ethnology, psychology, sociology and geography, the approach has been gaining popularity in applied research in a range of fields such as healthcare, culture, urban studies, educational research, social politics and social work. The key advantage of using visual materials, according to existing research is, that it can provide valuable insights into various areas of social life and reveal the often invisible everyday experiences of social stakeholders and important social processes. The application of a visual approach yields rich datasets which can be analysed from multiple perspectives, while the original records can be preserved for future reference. This paper aims to introduce the visual approach to researchers interested in applying visual research in practice. After a brief overview of the emergence and development of the approach, we provide an outline of the main methodological issues in application of visual materials in the era of digital data. The virtually ubiquitous use of different ICT products in visual research has brought about fundamental changes in all stages of the research process: from visual data collection to the way in which visual data are stored, searched, coded, analysed and interpreted.

Applying Anthropology on the Journey Towards Self-Directed Learning and Community Advocacy

Abstract Anthropologist, health disparities researcher, health services administration faculty, community health worker trainer, evaluator, board co-chair, research center director, grant writer, special populations recruitment consultant, Montessori teacher educator, breastfeeding advocate, school wellness evaluator and advocate, unschooling parent of four, health leadership fellow—one could never have drawn me a road map of where I would be and what I would be doing. This paper will offer insights on a career and personal path that diverged from a traditional academic one and emerged in response to the needs of community, the opportunities presented, and a flexibility that sees applications of anthropology everywhere.

Respeito à Participação de Pais Aborígenes com a Aprendizagem de seus Filhos

Resumo: Na Austrália (e possivelmente em muitos outros países), a participação parental na aprendizagem dos filhos é dominada por noções ocidentais de aprendizagem, educação, pedagogia e conhecimento. Discutimos a aplicação de uma antropologia crítica sob o ângulo da educação a estes discursos e recursos metodológicos dominantes, pois nos incentiva a estar no campo, despender tempo e, com reflexividade crítica, escutar e aprender. Descrevemos como trabalhamos para criar uma abordagem Aborígene-Orientada e nos embasamos em Protocolos de Pesquisa Aborígene para manter uma ênfase firme e acentuada sobre nossa prática como pesquisadoras.

Contribution of Medical Anthropology in the Treatment of Health Care

This study deals with the achievements of medical anthropology, as one of the subdivisions of Anthropology, little or not known until now in Albania. It relies, first of all, on the health culture of the peoples and their social construct in relation to health, which is dictated – among others- by cultural norms and local decisionmaking institutions. The article further discusses the connections of Anthropology with medical practice, the areas of application of medical anthropology and the current agenda of its action. The second part is dedicated to the Anthropology of COVID-19. According to the author, this new pandemic has hit human populations, perhaps like never before, at least in terms of the extent shown by previous models and forecasts, changing their environmental balance. It brings the personal experiences of 15 medical anthropologists, who have researched specific aspects of the pandemic in different areas of the globe. Their involvement in the analysis of the facts so far and in terms of the socio-cultural response of different population groups to it deserve special attention, as well as the interaction of emergencies involving universal health care, climate change and civil liberties.

Interdisciplinary explorations of the Mesoamerican past

Bioarchaeology of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica: an interdisciplinary approach is the latest volume in a series from the University Press of Florida ‘Bioarchaeological Interpretations of the Human Past: Local, Regional, and Global Perspectives’, edited by Clark Spencer Larsen. With this contribution the series now comprises 20 published volumes that take a bioarchaeological approach to the study of ancient human remains from various regions and time periods. Bioarchaeology is a term that was introduced in the USA in the late 1970s by biological anthropologist Jane Buikstra to describe the application of biological anthropology to archaeological research questions. Its use has become increasingly common in recent decades among scholars in the USA, Latin America and Europe, although in the UK the term Osteoarchaeology is more commonly used to describe this research. Whichever name one prefers, a common thread is the shift from typological and descriptive osteological monographs towards an emphasis on applying theoretical models and interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing the life histories, health and population dynamics of past societies from the analysis of human remains.

Variation within physical and digital craniometrics

Metric assessment of human crania can provide forensic practitioners and anthropological researchers with information on an individual’s sex and biogeographical ancestry. However, metric methods rely on the ability of users to remain consistent with themselves and others, with any error in the data rendering conclusions invalid.Digital anthropology is a growing sub-field where human remains are digitised using a growing range of methods and technologies. These models have the potential to boost research collaboration and public engagement. However, not all of these digitisation methods have been examined critically to explore the veracity of their use within a research environment. There has also been limited research into the application of digital anthropology to craniometric analysis. This study examined the intra- and inter- observer variation of seven participants taking physical measurements from a human cranial cast with an associated set of reference values. The same measurements were also taken from three digital models of the cranial cast which were created using digital photogrammetry and laser scanning. This data was then compared to the reference values and the physical measurements taken by the lead author.This study found that there was excellent statistical agreement between the reference values and the measurements taken from the cranial cast, both physical and digital. However, the participants still exhibited variation within a range of −18mm and +30mm from the reference values. MANOVA tests showed between-subject effects on nine measurements across the participant data, and 12 measurements between the digital models. However, there is little consistency between this study and the anthropological literature as to which measurements are most prone to between-subject effects. Despite the excellent agreement shown between the reference values and the digital models this study raises a number of methodological questions regarding inter-observer error and the varying levels of data processing present in different digitisation methods.

Missing Data Imputation Using Morphoscopic Traits and Their Performance in the Estimation of Ancestry

Missing data are an inherent problem in biological anthropology for both reference data sets and individual cases. The goal of data imputation for forensic anthropological applications is to accurately estimate missing values by using other, observed values. To quantify the accuracy of macromorphoscopic data in conditions with slight (10%), moderate (25%), and severe (50%, 75%, and 90%) amounts of missing data, we selected four data-imputation techniques: Hot Deck, iterative robust model-based imputation (IRMI), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and the variable medians. Hefner’s Macromorphoscopic Databank was used (Hefner 2018); the full sample consisted of 688 individuals from 3 U.S. populations (Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites). Six cranial macromorphoscopic variants were scored in accordance with Hefner (2009). The five data sets with missing data were randomly simulated over multiple iterations (N = 500 each) from the original data. These data sets were compared for agreement using weighted Cohen’s kappa and correct classification accuracies over multiple iterations (N = 500) calculated for the original data set. The latter comparisons were also used to examine the effects of imputed data on classification accuracies. Results suggest that IRMI is the most accurate method for imputing missing data, followed by k-NN, in each of the comparisons for nearly all of the variables imputed.

An Autopsy based Study for Estimation of Stature from Anthropometry of Combined Length of Forearm and Hand in Female Population of Indore Region (M.P.)

Identifying unknown individuals is a key part of the forensic anthropology. Anthropologists assist in identifications primarily by constructing a biological profile. The most important applications of anthropology at field level include biological anthropology, epidemiology, clinical application and in metabolic research. [1, 2] The stature prediction occupies relatively a central position both in the anthropological research and in the identification necessitated by the medical jurisprudence or by the medico-legal experts. So it is important for medico-legal as well as humanitarian reasons. The present study will be conducted to find out possible correlation between stature of an individual & combined length of forearm & hand and derive regression formula to estimate the stature from anthropometry of combined length of forearm & hand. This crosssectional study was carried out on 250 deceased Females of age 21 years and above brought for post mortem examination in mortuary of Forensic Medicine Department, M.G.M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore (M.P.). The mean combined length of right and left forearm and hand in Females was 42.99 ± 1.70 cm and 42.82 ± 1.70 cm respectively, whereas mean stature was found to be 156.25 ± 5.29 cm in Females.. In this study maximum stature in Females was found to be 167.3 cm, while minimum stature was found to be 145.0 cm. It can be concluded that the present study has provided regression equations for parameters that can be used for stature estimation in the population of Indore. These equations should not be used for other Indian population groups. Definite proportion exists between the stature and combined length of forearm and hand in all individuals

Dental Age Estimation by Demirjian’s and Nolla’s Method in Children of Jorpati, Kathmandu

Background: Growing individuals not only differ in the timing of the maturational events, but also in the sequence of these events. Age is one of the essential factors, which play an important role in every aspect of life like in clinical, medico-legal, forensic and anthropological applications and in planning treatment of orthodontic and pedodontic patients. The aim of the study was to determine dental age from orthopantomogram using Demirjian’s method and Nolla’s method and to evaluate the interrelationship between chronological and dental age according to both these methods. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 177 orthopantomograms of the patient aged between 5 to 15 years. Dental age estimation was done with Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method. Results: The mean chronological age 10.14 + 3.16 compared with the mean Demirjian age 9.58 + 3.39 was statistically non significant p > 0.05 whereas comparision with mean Nolla age 7.88+ 1.56 was significant statistically. Conclusions: Both methods showed delayed dental age compared to chronological age. Demirjian’s method was more applicable to assess the dental age in Nepalese children compared to Nolla’s method.Keywords: chronological age; dental age; Demirjian’s method; Nolla’s method.

Correlations Among New Dental and Cranial Measurements

Cranial and dental anthropometry is commonly used in many areas of research, e.g., in forensicanthropology and paleoanthropology. We propose new craniometric and dental landmarks and distancesthat may have important applications in physical anthropology. Furthermore, a classical anthropometricalapproach was applied to quantify the correlation between dental and cranial measurements,which were taken on 30 Middle Ages adult crania from Sardinia (Italy).Principal components analysis was performed to explore the correlations among inter-landmark distances.The first component showed correlations between the cranial base and maxillary inter-landmarkdistances (the ‘cranial base’ system). The second component exclusively demonstrated correlationsamong maxillary and dental inter-landmark distances (the ‘oral cavity’ system). The third componentshowed positive correlations between the zygomatic and midline maxillary inter-landmark distances,and high negative loadings that include the bilateral styloid process and midline maxillary landmarks(the ‘upper cranium’ system).The inter-landmark dental distances correlate with inter-landmark cranial distances that have notbeen described previously. These data can be applied in other research and clinical areas.

Yleaf: Software for Human Y-Chromosomal Haplogroup Inference from Next-Generation Sequencing Data.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer immense possibilities given the large genomic data they simultaneously deliver. The human Y-chromosome serves as good example how NGS benefits various applications in evolution, anthropology, genealogy, and forensics. Prior to NGS, the Y-chromosome phylogenetic tree consisted of a few hundred branches, based on NGS data, it now contains many thousands. The complexity of both, Y tree and NGS data provide challenges for haplogroup assignment. For effective analysis and interpretation of Y-chromosome NGS data, we present Yleaf, a publically available, automated, user-friendly software for high-resolution Y-chromosome haplogroup inference independently of library and sequencing methods.

Yleaf: Software for Human Y-Chromosomal Haplogroup Inference from Next-Generation Sequencing Data.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer immense possibilities given the large genomic data they simultaneously deliver. The human Y-chromosome serves as good example how NGS benefits various applications in evolution, anthropology, genealogy, and forensics. Prior to NGS, the Y-chromosome phylogenetic tree consisted of a few hundred branches, based on NGS data, it now contains many thousands. The complexity of both, Y tree and NGS data provide challenges for haplogroup assignment. For effective analysis and interpretation of Y-chromosome NGS data, we present Yleaf, a publically available, automated, user-friendly software for high-resolution Y-chromosome haplogroup inference independently of library and sequencing methods.

Genetic characterisation of 19 autosomal STR loci in a population sample from the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey

Background: Southeastern Anatolia is the smallest, yet the most densely populated region among the seven major geographic constituents of Turkey. Situated in the Upper Mesopotamia, Southeastern Anatolia was also the northernmost extension of the Fertile Crescent, which is often considered as the earliest cradle of civilisation.Aim: To investigate the autosomal STR polymorphisms associated with a truly representative population sample pool from Southeastern Anatolia.Subjects and methods: Samples from a total of 257 volunteers were analysed by 19-loci autosomal STRs using the commercially available COrDIS Plus Kit. Allele frequencies, statistical parameters of forensic interest and Nei’s DA distances with respect to the nearby and distant populations were calculated, besides performing exact tests of population differentiation with the same populations.Results: A combined matching probability of 1.49978 × 10−23 and a combined power of exclusion of 0.999999961 were obtained for the novel Southeastern Anatolian autosomal STR dataset. Furthermore, the Southeastern Anatolia population was found to have close genetic affinities with the other regional populations from Turkey, along with those from an apparent genetic continuum extending from the Near East to Southeastern Europe.Conclusions: The novel Southeastern Anatolian dataset is expected to be useful in regional forensic genetics investigations and molecular anthropology applications.

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ЗАСАД ПЕДАГОГІЧНОЇ АНТРОПОЛОГІЇ У ВИВЧЕННІ ОБРАЗІВ-ПЕРСОНАЖІВ ХУДОЖНІХ ТВОРІВ ЗАРУБІЖНОЇ ЛІТЕРАТУРИ

This work is dedicated to the application of the foundations of pedagogic anthropology in the study of foreign literary characters. Foreign literature as a subject and the study of literature characters is a natural environment for the application of pedagogic anthropology in the middle school, as for the readers literary heroes become role models in the development of their personality and worldview, they are the prism through which life values are perceived and evaluated and personal worldview is developed. Anthropologic component humanizes the process of learning, ensures anthropologically oriented interpretation of its contents and makes applied methodology more efficient. Here we argue for the necessity of taking into consideration distinctive features of individual pupil’s psyche in the choice of educational methodology in the study of literary characters, in particular its socio-historic nature, goal setting and prediction, abstraction, activity, creative character, self-control, articulation of ideas and results and reflection. Methods and forms of work have to motivate pupils to independently determine their readiness to work, estimate personal development, note changes in personal view and convictions, set desired trajectory for further development. The content of educational material must ensure the formation of basic cultural values in pupils and nurture a person capable of knowingly live a life in harmony of “science, art and morals”. In these conditions literary education becomes an important factor of spiritual development of pupil readers, an important part of their consciousness and activity, facilitate spreading and following of cultural norms, values and knowledge, which are represented in literary works and their characters.