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The use of elephant ivory as a commodity is a factor in declining elephant populations. Despite recent worldwide elephant ivory trade bans, mammoth ivory trade remains unregulated. This complicates law enforcement efforts, as distinguishing between ivory from extant and extinct species requires costly, destructive and time consuming methods. Elephant and mammoth ivory mainly consists of dentine, a mineralized connective tissue that contains an organic collagenous component and an inorganic component of calcium phosphate minerals, similar in structure to hydroxyapatite crystals. Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive laser-based technique that has previously been used for the study of bone and mineral chemistry. Ivory and bone have similar biochemical properties, making Raman spectroscopy a promising method for species identification based on ivory. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that it is possible to identify differences in the chemistry of mammoth and elephant ivory using Raman spectroscopy. Mammoth and elephant tusks were obtained from the Natural History Museum in London, UK. Included in this study were eight samples of ivory from Mammuthus primigenius , two samples of carved ivory bangles from Africa ( Loxodonta species ), and one cross section of a tusk from Elephas maximus . The ivory was scanned using an inVia Raman micro spectrometer equipped with a x50 objective lens and a 785nm laser. Spectra were acquired using line maps and individual spectral points were acquired randomly or at points of interest on all samples. The data was then analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) with use of an in-house MATLAB script. Univariate analysis of peak intensity ratios of phosphate to amide I and III peaks, and carbonate to phosphate peaks showed statistical differences (p<0.0001) in the average peak intensity ratios between Mammuthus primigenius , Loxodonta spp . and Elephas maximus . Full width at half maximum hight (FWHM)analysis of the phosphate peak demonstrated higher crystal maturity of Mammuthus primigenius compared to living elephant species. The results of the study have established that spectra acquired by Raman spectroscopy can be separated into distinct classes through PCA. In conclusion, this study has shown that well-preserved mammoth and elephant ivory has the potential to be characterized using Raman spectroscopy, providing a promising method for species identification. The results of this study will be valuable in developing quick and non-destructive methods for the identification of ivory, which will have direct applications in archaeology and the regulation of international trade.

\"Understand the human body as never before, from the smallest components of a cell to complex body systems. Explore human anatomy in incredible detail and clarity through virtually life-size 3-D illustrations and scans. Discover how the body works, how it changes from infancy to old age, and what can go wrong and why.\"--P. [4] of cover.

Inclusion of osteological material in primatological research has a long history, and use of skeletal remains continues to be important in anatomical and anthropological research. Here we report a set of proven methods, including equipment, protocol, and procedure, which enable relatively simple acquisition of skeletal material from naturally deceased animals in field sites and sanctuaries. Such skeletal material, often with extensive accompanying life-history data, is a unique and valuable source of data for both academic and conservation-based research.

\"Evolution investigates each of our ancestors in detail and in context, from the anatomy of their bones to the environment they lived in. Key fossil finds are showcased on double-page feature spreads. Detailed maps show where each species has been found and plot the gradual spread of humans around the world. The book has been fully updated to include the latest discoveries and research--including the newly discovered species Homo naledi--and presents the latest thinking on some of the most captivating questions in science, such as whether modern humans and Neanderthals interacted with each other. Written and authenticated by a team of acknowledged experts and illustrated by renowned Dutch paleoartists the Kennis brothers, Evolution presents the story of our species with unique richness, authority, and detail\"-- Provided by publisher.

Background:  The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 examined 8 components of school health programs: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. All 8 components were assessed at the state, district, and school levels. Two components, health education and physical education and activity, also were assessed at the classroom level. Methods:  Computer‐assisted telephone interviews or self‐administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of school districts (n = 538). Computer‐assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 1103), with a nationally representative sample of teachers of required health education classes or courses (n = 912), and with a nationally representative sample of teachers of required physical education classes or courses (n = 1194). Results:  This article provides a detailed description of the development of the questionnaires; sampling; data collection; and data cleaning, weighting, and analysis. Conclusions:  SHPPS 2006 is the largest and most comprehensive study of school health programs ever conducted. Fielding a study of this magnitude provides many challenges, and several recommendations for future studies emerged from the experience.

Professor Alice Roberts is making a new human being. She's five months pregnant. But as an anatomist, and doctor, Professor Roberts has a rather different perspective on her pregnancy than most mothers. As this remarkable process happens inside her, Alice sets out to discover the latest in scientific understanding about how to grow a human being, and what makes our species so special.

Many scientists had assumed that humans stopped evolving when we started insulating ourselves from the whims of nature. But the mapping of the human genome means that scientists now have a history of our evolution. Astonishingly, not only have humans continued to evolve over the past 50,000 years, we may have been evolving more quickly than at any time in our history. Dr Alice Roberts finds out how we could evolve in the future and asks if we can control the evolution of plants and animals, can we control our own evolution?

From fragments of bones to a recognisable face, prepare to meet some remarkable relatives in extraordinary detail. Using cutting-edge technology and the specialised knowledge of world-class experts, this original and extraordinary series attempts a science and television first. Gathering all the disparate, fragmentary evidence of three of our most significant prehistoric ancestors together, the team completely rebuilds their bodies, revealing how they moved, how they lived and most remarkably, how much like us they were.