0000000000206761
AUTHOR
Ariane Kemkes-grottenthaler
showing 7 related works from this author
Parental effects on offspring longevity--evidence from 17th to 19th century reproductive histories.
2004
Family studies provide support for a modest genetic influence on offspring life span, although the magnitude of these correlations is small.The study aimed to clarify the relative contributions of parental age at birth and overall parental longevity on offspring lifespan, and to identify the biological and cultural mechanisms.Information was derived from two village genealogies (1650-1927) encompassing 9979 births (5315 males, 4664 females). Data selection was guided by the inclusion of information about parental age at birth and lifespan, offspring lifespan and cohort-specific life expectancy.Parental age at reproduction displayed a negative association with offspring survivability, which …
POSTPONING OR REJECTING PARENTHOOD? RESULTS OF A SURVEY AMONG FEMALE ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS
2003
The current surge in childlessness is often seen as an alternative lifestyle amidst growing pluralism and individualism. The results of this study indicate that several subgroups of childless women need to be differentiated: those who actively decide to forgo children in favour of other life pursuits and those who merely defer the decision. Both have accumulated a high degree of human capital in their education or career-building paths. Thus, the increase of a woman's time invested in education or career formation takes its toll on the time available for childrearing. A survey performed among female academics (N=193) brought to light that among childless women, many merely mean to postpone …
The reliability of forensic osteology — a case in point
2001
The medico-legal investigation of skeletons is a trans-disciplinary effort by forensic scientists as well as physical anthropologists. The advent of DNA extraction and amplification from bones and teeth has led to the assumption that morphological assessment of skeletal remains might soon become obsolete. But despite the introduction and success of molecular biology, the analysis of skeletal biology will remain an integral part of the identification process. This is due to the fact, that the skeletal record allows relatively fast and accurate inferences about the identity of the victim. Moreover, a standard biological profile may be established to effectively narrow the police investigator'…
Sex determination by discriminant analysis: an evaluation of the reliability of patella measurements
2004
Recently, a method which estimates the sex of unknown skeletal remains by discriminant function analysis of the patella has received much recognition. With seven simple measurements and a sexing accuracy of almost 84% this morphometric approach would be very suitable both in the forensic and anthropological context. In order to put this method to the test, 52 unfractured and non-pathological left and right patellae (26 males, 26 females) from a prehistoric skeletal sample were analyzed. In addition, 30 patellae were randomly selected which were not part of the original reference series. The first 15 (4 males, 11 females) had the same sample origin as the 30 target specimen but were of medio…
The short die young: the interrelationship between stature and longevity-evidence from skeletal remains.
2005
It has long been observed that tall people display longer life spans. The current data were employed to verify this association within the bioarchaeological context. To this end, stature and its association with age-at-death were analyzed in a pooled sample of 2,923 skeletons. Height was estimated from proxy indicators based on the maximum length of the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia. Stature estimation followed the procedure outlined by Pearson ([1899] Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. [A] 192:169-244), incorporating minor modifications by Rosing ([ 1988] Handbuch der vergleichenden Biologie des Menschen; Stuttgart: Gustave Fischer, p 586-600). Individual age estimates were classified into t…
More than a leap of faith: the impact of biological and religious correlates on reproductive behavior.
2004
Using a conceptual model that integrates both social and biomedical factors of causation, this paper tries to delineate the pathways through which the reproductive characteristics of a multidenominational community are characterized. In total, 5513 historical entries from family reconstitution were available. Selection of data was guided by the inclusion of information about religious affiliation. Only married couples with children as well as single mothers with the relevant information were considered. Of these, 1855 entries were of Roman Catholic (C), 1143 of Lutheran/Protestant (L/P2), and 609 of Reformed Calvinist (R) denomination. The analysis documented differential nuptiality and fer…
God, Faith, and Death: The Impact of Biological and Religious Correlates on Mortality
2004
Marked denominational mortality differentials have been documented for various time periods and geographic locations. From a historical perspective, death rates among Catholics are often found to be higher than those among Protestants or Jews. Using a conceptual model based on the life history approach, biomedical and sociocultural factors of causation are extrapolated. In total, 5513 historical entries from family reconstitution were available. Selection of data was guided by the inclusion of information about religious affiliation. Only married couples with children as well as single mothers were considered. Of these, 1855 entries were of Roman Catholic (C), 1143 of Lutheran/Protestant (L…