Body satisfaction among adolescents in eight different countries

The current study examined body satisfaction and the value of body size among adolescents in Australia, Fiji, Malaysia, Tonga, Tongans in New Zealand, China, Chile and Greece. In total, 2489 adolescent females and 2152 males participated in the study. The results demonstrated that males were more satisfied with their body than females. Males generally had a lower BMI than females, except for males in China and Malaysia. Attitudes towards large bodies for males and females varied by cultural group. These results demonstrate the strong cultural similarities in body satisfaction, but the differences that occur in relation to a large body.

Control of biodegradation of a Mg alloy in simulated body fluid

Mg alloy AZ31 is an attractive candidate for coronary artery stents, as it possesses excellent biocompatibility in human body and good mechanical properties. However, AZ31 magnesium alloys generally have poor corrosion resistance in the body environment. This paper reports on the early stages of an investigation into the corrosion mechanism and the morphology of corrosion of AZ31 in simulated body fluid (SBF). The investigation will also consider ways of improving corrosion resistance of this alloy in SBF through the use of ionic liquids. The results to date have shown that AZ31 suffers severe localized pitting corrosion in SBF. The pits mainly develop adjacent to the Al-Mn intermetallic second phase in the α matrix. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy results revealed the presence of Mg, O, Ca, and P in the layer of corrosion product. Treatment of the AZ31 alloy prior to corrosion testing in SBF with the ionic liquid trimethyl (butyl) phosphonium diphenyl phosphate (P1444DPP) produced some increase in the corrosion resistance of the alloy.

Maternal 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations and offspring birth size

Context: There is inconsistent evidence that maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] deficiency may impair fetal growth.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between maternal 25-(OH)D and PTH concentrations at less than 16 and 28 wk gestation and offspring birth size.

Design: This was an observational study.

Setting: The study was set at a hospital antenatal clinic.

Participants: Women with singleton pregnancies, before 16 wk gestation, participated.

Interventions: No interventions were used.

Main Outcome Measure: Knee-heel length at birth was the main outcome measure.

Results: Altogether 374 of 475 (79%) women completed this study. We found no evident relationship between birth size measures and maternal 25-(OH)D or PTH at recruitment (∼11 wk). Gestation length was 0.7 wk (95% confidence interval −1.3, −0.1) shorter and knee-heel length was 4.3 mm smaller (−7.3, −1.3) in infants of 27 mothers with low 25-(OH)D (<28 nmol/liter) at 28–32 wk vs. babies whose mothers had higher concentrations. This latter difference was reduced to −2.7 mm (−5.4, −0.1) after adjustment for gestation length, suggesting some of the apparent growth deficit is explained by shorter gestation. There was no evidence that other birth measures were affected. Maternal PTH concentration at 28–32 wk was positively related to knee-heel length, birth weight, and mid-upper arm and calf circumferences. These associations were independent of 25-(OH)D concentration.

Conclusions: Low maternal 25-(OH)D in late pregnancy is associated with reduced intrauterine long bone growth and slightly shorter gestation. The long-term consequences for linear growth and health require follow-up. The positive relationship between maternal PTH and measures of infant size may relate to increased mineral demands by larger babies, but warrants further investigation.

Brains and bravery: little evidence of a relationship between brain size and flightiness in shorebirds

The ability of birds to perceive, assess and appropriately respond to the presence of relatively novel threats is important to their survival. We hypothesized that the cognitive capacity of birds will influence their ability for accurate response to novelty. We used brain volume as a surrogate for cognitive capacity and postulated that larger brained birds would moderate their responses when presented with a benign, frequently occurring stimulus, such as a person, because they would habituate more readily. We conducted phylogenetic generalized least square regression to investigate the relationship between brain volume and flight initiation distance (FID; the distance to which a bird can be approached before initiating escape behaviour), while controlling for confounding factors including body size (body mass and wing length) and migration status. We compared seven different models using combinations of these parameters using Akaike's information criterion to determine the best approximating model(s) explaining FID. The two best-supported models included only wing length and only body mass with Akaike weights of 0.396 and 0.311 respectively. No model including brain volume had an Akaike weight greater than 0.083 and brain volume was poorly correlated with FID in models after controlling for body mass. Thus, brain volume does not appear to strongly relate to bravery among these shorebirds.

Size-frequency distributions along a latitudinal gradient in middle permian fusulinoideans

Geographic gradients in body size within and among living species are commonly used to identify controls on the long-term evolution of organism size. However, the persistence of these gradients over evolutionary time remains largely unknown because ancient biogeographic variation in organism size is poorly documented. Middle Permian fusulinoidean foraminifera are ideal for investigating the temporal persistence of geographic gradients in organism size because they were diverse and abundant along a broad range of paleo-latitudes during this interval (~275–260 million years ago). In this study, we determined the sizes of Middle Permian fusulinoidean fossils from three different paleo-latitudinal zones in order to examine the relationship between the size of foraminifers and regional environment. We recovered the following results: keriothecal fusulinoideans are substantially larger than nonkeriothecal fusulinoideans; fusulinoideans from the equatorial zone are typically larger than those from the north and south transitional zones; neoschwagerinid specimens within a single species are generally larger in the equatorial zone than those in both transitional zones; and the nonkeriothecal fusulinoideans Staffellidae and Schubertellidae have smaller size in the north transitional zone. Fusulinoidean foraminifers differ from most other marine taxa in exhibiting larger sizes closer to the equator, contrary to Bergmann's rule. Meridional variation in seasonality, water temperature, nutrient availability, and carbonate saturation level are all likely to have favored or enabled larger sizes in equatorial regions. Temporal variation in atmospheric oxygen concentrations have been shown to account for temporal variation in fusulinoidean size during Carboniferous and Permian time, but oxygen availability appears unlikely to explain biogeographic variation in fusulinoidean sizes, because dissolved oxygen concentrations in seawater typically increase away from the equator due to declining seawater temperatures. Consequently, our findings highlight the fact that spatial gradients in organism size are not always controlled by the same factors that govern temporal trends within the same clade.

Learning architecture through ideas about the spatial body

There are many varied ways that the human body is referred to in the thinking about architecture. However, rethinking about the body in other disciplines has meant that some of the binary theories within architecture have needed to be reviewed. The spatial body is a particular conceptualisation of the body that brings a focus onto space within architecture, and proposes that rethinking space through the body produces different and new ideas of spatiality. This paper examines body-architecture relations and how they might be revised in order that a spatial body is conceptualised. While this idea of the spatial body has been theorised through research, it can also be explored through creative practices and teaching. The theory is extended by a presentation of a studio programme that tried to develop exploration of architectural space through the idea of the spatial body.

Experiences of migration and the determinants of obesity among recent Iranian immigrants in Victoria, Australia

Objectives. There is evidence to suggest that immigrant groups from low- or medium-human development index countries show a significant adoption of obesogenic behaviors and experience weight gain following migration to Australia. The objective of this study is to understand the changes that Iranian immigrants experience in relation to the determinants of obesity after migration to Victoria, Australia.

Design. We conducted five focus group discussions with 33 recent Iranian immigrants. This study took an interpretive qualitative approach to data analysis using the constant comparative method.

Results. Participants discussed individual level acculturation (e.g., in diet, body size, attitudes), as well as environmental level changes (e.g., physical/structural and sociocultural) that occurred after immigration. Stress during the initial immigration transition, which affected diet and physical activity habits, was a common experience among participants. Gender and the effect of political/religious changes were also important factors. Participants' discourse largely focused on their ability and willingness to adopt positive health behaviors after migration.

Conclusion. This study provides insight into the effect of migration on the determinants of obesity among Iranian immigrants in Victoria, Australia, and offers a contrast with the existing evidence by considering the experience of a group that is generally well educated, often emigrates for reasons related to personal freedom as opposed to material deprivation, and has rates of obesity similar to high-income countries.

The pace of life under artificial selection : personality, energy expenditure, and longevity are correlated in domestic dogs

The domestic dog has undergone extensive artificial selection resulting in an extreme diversity in body size, personality, life‐history, and metabolic traits among breeds. Here we tested whether proactive personalities (high levels of activity, boldness, and aggression) are related to a fast “pace of life” (high rates of growth, mortality, and energy expenditure). Data from the literature provide preliminary evidence that artificial selection on dogs (through domestication) generated variations in personality traits that are correlated with life histories and metabolism. We found that obedient (or docile, shy) breeds live longer than disobedient (or bold) ones and that aggressive breeds have higher energy needs than unaggressive ones. These correlations could result from either human preference for particular trait combinations or, more likely, correlated responses to artificial selection on personality. Our results suggest the existence of a general pace‐of‐life syndrome arising from the coevolution of personality, metabolic, and life‐history traits.

Interspecific differences in the Diel Vertical Migration of Marine Copepods : the Implications of size, color, and morphology

Samples collected by continuous plankton recorders (CPRs) between 1948 and 1992 were used to describe the diel vertical migration (DVM) behavior of 41 copepod taxa in the northeast Atlantic between 45 and 55?N and 11 and 31?W. A total of 13,622 samples, each representing - 18.5 km (10 nm) of tow, were analyzed. Since CPRs are towed in near-surface waters, taxa that exhibit DVM occur predominantly in samples taken at night. Larger taxa showed significantly stronger DVM, with body size explaining 47% of the intertaxa variation in DVM. For small taxa (< 1 mm wide) the residual variation in DVM was correlated with carotenoid pigment levels but not with body morphology, with more heavily pigmented taxa exhibiting DVM. For larger taxa (> 1 mm wide) the residual variation in DVM was correlated with body morphology but not with carotenoid pigment levels, with more elongate copepods not exhibiting DVM.

Clutch size for Mediterranean loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta)

We investigated the number of eggs laid and the total clutch volume for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta L.) nesting on the Greek island of Cephalonia (38° 09′ N, 20° 33′ E) during 1990. Both the number of eggs laid and clutch volume were positively related to female body size, and the mean explained variation for these relationships (36·6% and 37·7%, respectively) were not significantly different. Clutch volume decreased as the season progressed because individuals laid successively smaller clutches. The inter-nesting interval (range 15–19 days) did not significantly influence the number of eggs laid or clutch volume. For individuals seen laying more than once, female size in combination with the number of a clutch in relation to all the clutches observed for that individual, together explained 65·5% of the variation in clutch volume.

Reproductive investment and optimum clutch size of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)

(1) Data for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta L.) nesting on the Greek island of Cephalonia were used to develop a model which predicted the optimum clutch size. (2) There was a positive linear relationship between the number of clutches into which eggs could be divided and the total time spent by a nesting turtle on the beach, and hence a negative relationship between the time invested on the beach per egg and clutch size. (3) A previous study indicated that energy expenditure for nesting turtles on land is very high, so there may be a selective pressure to maximize clutch size in order to minimize the energy expended per egg laid. As there appeared to be no counterselective pressures favouring small clutches, clutch size should be constrained by a female's egg-carryingc apacity,w hich in turn could be expected to be related to her body size. Hence, a positive relationship between clutch size and body size was predicted, and was found in the population under study.

Mohair fibre quality and production as related to animal size

Mohair is a luxury fibre produced by Angora goats. Mohair has special textile properties and is famed for its lustre. There are many reports of the relationships between mohair attributes and processing. While mohair production can be profitable to farmers there are severe price discounts for faults and poor quality. While genetics is known to affect mohair quality, fundamental relationships between body size and mohair quality have not been determined. We conducted a series of investigations to quantify the relationships between important mohair quality attributes and live weight and other lifetime factors associated with Angora goats.

Preschoolers' body-knowledge inaccuracy: perceptual self-deficit and attitudinal bias

Body image research with young children has typically examined their body satisfaction and overlooked developmental theories pertaining to their emergent body-knowledge. Though existing research suggests that preschoolers do demonstrate anti-fat attitudes and weight-related stigmatisation, body dissatisfaction can be difficult to assess in preschoolers due to developmental differences in their (i) ability to perceive their actual body size accurately and (ii) make comparisons with a hypothetical ideal. We review current findings on the attitudinal component of body image in preschoolers, together with findings on the accuracy of their body size perceptions and their emergent body awareness abilities. Such an integration of the cognitive development literature is key to identifying when and how young children understand their physical size and shape; this in turn is critical for informing methodological design targeted at assessing body dissatisfaction and anti-fat attitudes in early childhood.

Sex-specific dive characteristics in a sexually size dimorphic duck

Dive duration generally increases with body size in animals including wildfowl. Therefore, diving behaviour may vary between the sexes in sexually size dimorphic species, such as the extremely sexually size dimorphic Musk Duck Biziura lobata. However, a previous study reports longer dives in the smaller sex (females) when breeding. In this study, non-breeding male Musk Ducks dived for significantly longer periods than females and tended to have longer inter-dive intervals, conforming to the general patterns described for other species. The differences in dive behaviour we describe may be explained by niche partitioning or differential oxygen requirements or uptake rates by the sexes.

Predictors and risks of body fat profiles in young New Zealand European, Māori and Pacific women: study protocol for the women's EXPLORE study.

Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2)) is used internationally to assess body mass or adiposity. However, BMI does not discriminate body fat content or distribution and may vary among ethnicities. Many women with normal BMI are considered healthy, but may have an unidentified "hidden fat" profile associated with higher metabolic disease risk. If only BMI is used to indicate healthy body size, it may fail to predict underlying risks of diseases of lifestyle among population subgroups with normal BMI and different adiposity levels or distributions. Higher body fat levels are often attributed to excessive dietary intake and/or inadequate physical activity. These environmental influences regulate genes and proteins that alter energy expenditure/storage. Micro ribonucleic acid (miRNAs) can influence these genes and proteins, are sensitive to diet and exercise and may influence the varied metabolic responses observed between individuals. The study aims are to investigate associations between different body fat profiles and metabolic disease risk; dietary and physical activity patterns as predictors of body fat profiles; and whether these risk factors are associated with the expression of microRNAs related to energy expenditure or fat storage in young New Zealand women. Given the rising prevalence of obesity globally, this research will address a unique gap of knowledge in obesity research.