Mock Grant Proposal - Senior Experience Project

Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013

(Mock Grant Proposal: Senior Experience Project)

Gaither Foundation: Science of AnthropologyGrant Submission

Deadline: May 8th, 2013 (Submitted to: CatherineGaither, Ph.D)

Cover Sheet:

Research Focus: Determining the presence of quantifiable sexual dimorphism as it relates to the metatarsal dimensions of immature remains.

Total Funding Requested:

$17,646.00

Name and Contact information of Primary Researcher:

Alanna Mayberry – [email protected]

Metropolitan State University of Denver

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mailto:[email protected]


Grantee Signature: ______________________ Date:_________

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Overview

In humans, most of the morphological characteristics that

allow one to determine the sex of a set of skeletal remains are

only viable in adults. Most often these characteristics do not

show sexual dimorphism in the immature skeleton until well after

the onset of puberty (Baker et al. 2010). This limitation is

seen when attempting to sex remains determined to be under the

age of 18, specifically those under the age of 16 (Baker et al.

2010). Due to this limitation there is currently no academically

accepted method of sexing immature remains (Schaefer et al.

2009). Several research studies have been conducted in an effort

to establish an acceptable set of standards for sexing the

skeletal remains of juveniles (Gould et al. 1990, Boucher 1955,

Fazekas and Kosa 1978, Mountrakis et al. 2010, Rosing 1983, Sauzo

et al. 2008, Smith 1997, Zadsinska et al. 2008). Research has

tested characteristics related to the structure of the mandible,

metric measurements of dentition, and even the lateral angle of

the internal auditory canal(Sauzo et al. 2008, Franklin et al.

2007, Goncalves et al. 2011). While each of these studies show

some level of success in the method being tested no one study

produced results with a high enough level of accuracy and

population consistency to support the creation of a new standard

of evaluation.

The proposed research will focus on the use of measureable

characteristics of the metatarsals, which have been shown to be

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accurate in determining sex in adult remains, as a reliable

method of sex estimation in immature remains. If the metatarsals

prove to be a consistent measurement of sexual dimorphism in pre-

pubescent remains, it would establish a foundation for setting a

standard of sex estimation in juveniles. The creation of an

academically recognized standard for sex determination in

immature remains would be a huge step forward for physical

anthropology. This type of standard would benefit several of the

applied sub-disciplines of physical anthropology including those

that work with human biological remains from either the past or

the present.

While the contribution this research can make to physical

anthropology is vast, the methods and materials needed are

actually quite minimal. In defining a method of measurement and

evaluation related to previous studies completed on adult

metatarsals, I was able to identify an osteological collection

that would provide a large enough test sample for accurate and

complete testing. Furthermore, I have created a comprehensive

list of materials needed for this study that can be found below.

Additionally, I have also included an overall concept of the

methodology and structure of data collection I plan to use in

completing the proposed research, as well as the expectations I

have for my findings. Finally, I have provided a clear outline

of the timeframe and an accounting of the financial resources

needed to complete the proposed research. I believe the balance

between the research and expected expenses are well worth the of 21


investment when weighed against the overall data this study can

produce, whether the findings are as expected or not.

Literature Review

As previously noted, there is no current standard for sex

estimation in immature skeletal remains; however, there have been

numerous studies that have focused on one characteristic or

another in an effort to create a global standard (Gould et al.

1990, Boucher 1955, Fazekas and Kosa 1978, Mountrakis et al.

2010, Rosing 1983, Sauzo et al. 2008, Smith 1997, Zadsinska et

al. 2008). The studies that have shown measurable success have

focused on the use of perinatal remains but have proved to be

unreliable when applied to older pre-pubescent remains. Those

that have shown success in older immature remains have been found

to be applicable only to certain populations and cannot be easily

tailored to other populations. One such study, done by B.J.

Boucher (1955), focused on the depth and width of the sciatic

notch of the ilium and successfully showed sexual dimorphism in

British Caucasoid and North American Negroid fetal remains.

Boucher’s success was also shared by Fazekas and Kosa (1978),

when they conducted a second study using Hungarian forensic fetal

material and obtained similar results. However, when additional

studies were conducted by different researchers, including one

completed by D.S. Weaver (1979), who utilized recent US fetal and

infant remains, and Molleson and Cox (1993) who worked with

British archaeological remains of known sex, no such sexual

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dimorphism was found. These inconsistencies established an

obvious pattern of population dependent dimorphism that would

continue to plague further attempts to establish practical

techniques for juvenile sex estimation (Cox, Mays 2006).

Another factor that also affected the accuracy of sex

determination studies in immature remains was the variation of

growth based on the age of the individual. A published study by

F.W. Rosing specified that “of all the morphological structures

and regions of the human skeleton there was only one which does

not change size or shape after initial development: the teeth”

(Rosing 1983; pg. 149). It was with this thought in mind that

Rosing (1983) developed a metric evaluation of human adult teeth

to establish a standard that could be also used on immature

remains. While his discriminate function analysis yielded a high

rate of success for each established measurement combination, his

focus on adult dentition limited its practical application to

deciduous teeth. Additionally the use of discriminant functions

meant the results would only be applicable to the populations

used in the study and would not be useful for other populations

not specified (Rosing 1983).

A later study used deciduous dentition to diagnose sex of

sub-adult specimens from Medieval Polish archaeological sites.

To ensure the accuracy of the methods being tested, the research

team first established the genetic sex of each specimen using

three sex-associated DNA sequences. While the initial results

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indicated a much larger measurement for male molars than female

molars, final evaluations of the data collected showed human

deciduous dentition to exhibit a low level of sexual dimorphism.

In addition to yielding less than statistically significant

results, the use of deciduous teeth also proved to be heavily

swayed by population differences. (Zadsinska et al. 2008)

Accuracy studies have also been conducted on methods that

have boasted favorable results. One such method tested was the

use of mandibular morphology as a sex indicator in sub-adult

mandibles. This accuracy study was conducted as a blind test of

the results reported by Loth and Henneberg in 2001 that claimed a

high degree of accuracy (80%) in sex determination was obtained

by observing the mandibular body shape of juvenile remains. The

study utilized 33 immature mandibles of known sex, 20 males and

13 females. While the process was completed to the specification

of Loth and Henneberg, the results did not reach the same level

of accuracy. The blind test was completed by two different

analysts with unbiased observers watching each evaluation. Both

analyses yielded an accuracy level of 70% when assessing male

measurements but only a 38% and 46% level of accuracy for

determining female dentition measurements. Neither evaluation

was able to reproduce the 80% accuracy level reported in the

original study. Also noted in this study was an academic

evaluation of the dentition research done by Rosing explaining an

additional limitation to his study: the need for an eruption

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tooth and dissection of the intraosseous region was required for

evaluation (Sauzo et al. 2008).

By reviewing several of the previously completed studies

that have focused on sexing sub-adults, it was clear the common

path was to utilize characteristics that had shown success in

adult remains. Based on the varying degrees of success and the

limitations that were encountered, it is likely that the missing

factor when trying to apply adult measurements to children is

accounting for the growth patterns of children at different

developmental stages. A study conducted on the growth of

children’s feet from the ages of 1 to 5 showed that while the

growth in boys and girls feet are parallel in rate, the average

boys foot was one size longer and one size wider than a females

of the same age (Gould et al. 1990). An additional study

conducted using the metatarsals of adults from a modern Athens

collection also determined that metatarsal bones may be used for

sex determination in adult skeletal remains from Greece. The

results suggested that the metatarsal bones exhibited a

significant sexual dimorphism in the studied population.

Additionally the results were cross-validated and provided 77.9-

86.4% level of accuracy in the sex determination of adult

metatarsals. (Mountrakis et al. 2010)

Methods and Materials

Based on the conclusions from Gould et al. (1990) and

Mountrakis et al. (2010) it is my belief that a correlation may

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very well exist between the metatarsal lengths of children in

relation to sex and stage of development. To establish if this

correlation exists I have laid out a method of study and the

materials needed to complete each task. The first task was to

find an osteological collection that provided a large sample of

immature remains where the sex was predetermined, this allowed

for verification of any findings that had a relation to the sex

of the subject. The collection I found that best fit the needs

of this study is located at the Cleveland Museum of Natural

History (CMNH) in Ohio, known as the Hamann-Todd Human

Collection. This collection offers 50 immature sets of remains

0-17 years of age that include the postcranial skeleton.

Additionally, these 50 subjects are divided almost evenly with 23

males and 27 females, which should allow for more accurate data.

Permission for use of this collection based on the research being

proposed has been granted by the Physical Anthropology

Collections Manager of the CMNH, Lyman Jellema (Cleveland Museum

of Natural History 2013).

The initial step was to outline the data to be collected.

To do this I had to consider the type of parameters I would be

evaluating. As previously noted, the data should account for

variations related to both age and population; this should be

represented with each sample. Additionally data will need to be

collected in two manners: 1.) Accounting for the number of

metatarsals available for each subject and ensuring uniformity in

the available number of specimens being measured and, 2.) of 21


Consideration for the incomplete growth that will be seen since

the samples are from immature skeletal remains. While a sample

does not have to be discarded if not all metatarsals are

available for measurement, it should be removed from any

calculations that are dependent upon the relational measurements

of each metatarsal for one subject. Each measurement taken will

be taken as outlined by Martin and Saller (Stuttgart, Lehrbuch der

Anthropologie, 1959) and Smith (1997), however, to compensate for

the varying level of epiphyseal closure the measurements will be

collected twice, once including the epiphysis and once without.

Each metatarsal will be measured by two different analysts

including myself and one other person for each set of data

needed. I have created a standard form for each measurement

record that will be collected from each sample for use by every

analyst (Appendix A).

Additional accommodations in the methods of evaluation also

need to be considered. In an effort to limit the role population

and age may play in the results of the data several aspects need

to be recognized as possible barriers. The first being the

overall sample size and population variation. Currently the

sample selected will only encompass populations of American black

and American white, which can easily tender results that are

population specific. One possible method that may eliminate any

bias related to population may include the use of blind

measurements. Since it is not possible to understand the type of

effect population will have on the measurements, the measurements of 21


will need to be evaluated on the basis of population affiliation

as well as on the whole with population being a blind value. A

second consideration needs to look at the role the overall sample

size will play in the final statistical analysis. The smaller a

sample size is the more effect it will have on the accuracy of a

calculated confidence interval. Due to the limited sample size

available for this particular study, I will incorporate multiple

statistical evaluations to help ensure and increase the level of

accuracy. While not all statistical evaluations that can be

completed are evident at this point, certain approaches are

absolutely necessary. Some basic statistical analysis will be

required to evaluate the different group measurements including

population group measurements, age group measurements, and each

blind measurement group. The expected statistical tools would

include confidence interval evaluation of the calculated null

hypothesis for the different types of measurement groups,

statistical averaging, measuring anthropometric differences, and

calculating the level of significance to check the likelihood of

a type 1 error (rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually

true) (Bluman 2011).

Outside of the mathematical methods and establishing the

measuring groups, the other important aspect of this study is the

manpower needed to be successful in completing the proposed

research. Because each metatarsal will be measured twice, once

by me and a second time by a second staff member, the number of

measurements being taken may reach as many as 7,000. Based on of 21


the sheer number of measurements expected to be collected it

would be useful to have a minimum of 3 additional people to

collect measurement data on site at the CMNH. If fully staffed

with myself and 3 additional students, the amount of time being

requested for data collection will be 10 days. This timeframe

should allow for the initial data collection, an accuracy review

for missing or incorrect data including measurement variations

outside of the academically acceptable range (a 2 mm variation

will be the standard) as well as time to return to the collection

to correct any mistakes. Once all the data is collected and

reviewed for accuracy, the analysis of this data will also

require additional help upon return to the Metropolitan State

University of Denver. The same three students or interns would

be ideal for all data entry of the collected measurements and a

statistician or mathematician would be ideal for verification of

all statistical analyses. The students selected to complete the

measurements at the CMNH are required to be at a junior level

status or higher, anthropology majors, and have completed a

minimum of two osteology or forensic anthropology related

courses. A projected budget assessing the expected financial

needs to cover all materials and related staff for completion of

the proposed research can be found below in the budget section.

Expected Results

The proposed research will outline the presence of any

quantifiable sexual dimorphism as it relates to the metatarsal

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dimensions of immature remains. It is specifically designed to

address research identified issues related to the morphological

changes that occur at different stages of growth development. It

should also recognize and account for variations that occur in

human remains from one population to the next. While not all

parameters can be known until the data has been collected, the

expectations of this research is to show that sexual differences

are present in the metatarsals of immature remains and can be

used to estimate sex.

While the focus of this research is clearly defined, the

results can be represented on different levels. One possible

outcome is that no relationship can be established between

metatarsal dimensions and a specimen’s sex. While this is the

least desirable outcome of this study, it would still provide new

insight in the effort to establish an academically recognized

standard for immature sex estimation. A second possible outcome

would show sexual dimorphism in the metatarsal measurements but

would have limitations, either related to population affiliation,

stage of development, or some combination of both. While still

not the ideal outcome for this research, it would present a new

avenue of study to consider. If sexual dimorphism does exist,

even with limitations, the study can be repeated on a larger

sample that incorporates more variety in the populations and age

groups represented. If an overarching standard cannot be created

maybe a population specific database similar to what we see with

FORDISC 3.0 (Ousley and Jantz, 2005) can. As useful as this type of 21


of database has proven to be, it would require a large effort on

the part of the researchers involved. It would also require

input from the anthropology community at large to ensure all

possible sampling is collected. The most ideal situation would

be results, which show a clearly defined relationship between

metatarsal measurements and the sex of the remains that is not

dependent on age grouping or population affiliation. These

results would be a promising start to creating a global standard

that can be applied to any set of immature remains that still

retain one or more metatarsals. If the data represents

unfettered results then further research will need to be

completed on larger samples representing as much population

diversity as possible to ensure there are global applications to

the methods being developed.

When considering the conclusions that have been reached in

prior studies related to immature sex estimation, it is difficult

to define what results are expected of this proposed study.

Realistically, understanding the previously reached limitations

of prior studies and taking into account the success seen in the

Mountrakis et al. (2010), it is not exceptional to expect this

study will show a quantifiable level of sexual dimorphism in the

sample selected. The cause for consternation lies with the

unknown of how population affiliation and the stages of growth

development will affect the practical application of the expected

results. Additional efforts will be taken to ensure these

limitations are evaluated in every possible respect. Overall of 21


this study will provide valuable insight to the currently

recognized issue of calculating sex in pre-pubescent remains.

Budget

I, Alanna Mayberry, will be the principle anthropologist

conducting this research. Additional input on the data collected

and the methods used may also be conferred upon by additional

anthropology staff at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Further resources of study will also be available through the

above mentioned institution including but not limited to:

academic texts, access to peer reviewed materials, work space

facilities, and computer access. Taking into account the

resources already available, listed below is a table that covers

additional funding needed to complete the proposed research.

This table includes personnel costs, office supplies and

equipment expenses as well as travel accommodations. The

outlined budget would include full travel and room accommodations

for the principal researcher as well as room and board for the

accompanying student interns needed for data collection. Each

listed expense was carefully researched and established based on

industry standards. However, variations in travel expenses may

occur based on the actual timeframe of when travel will be

completed.

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Requested Additional Funding:

Gaither Foundation Proposed Research Expenses

Research Focus:Sex Estimation of Immature Remains using

Metatarsal Measurements

Personnel Title Funding TypeRequested Total

Alanna MayberryAnthropologist

Salary/Wages: Grantfunded 5% time ($45,810 @ 5%)

$2,291.00

$2,291.00

Student Workers x 3 (Cleveland Museum of Natural History) Intern (3)

Stipend ($70/weekdayx 8 weekdays)

$1,680.00

$1,680.00

Student Workers x 3 (Data entry/analysis) Intern (3)

Wages: $9/hrx 36 hr max $972.00 $972.00

Statistician or Mathematician Consultant

Contracted Srvs: $20/hrx 168 hr

$3,360.00

$3,360.00

Subtotal$8,303.

00$8,303.

00

Supplies DescriptionRequested Total

Office suppliesPaper, writing utensils, etc… $78.00 $78.00

Printer Inkprinter toner - high yield (5k) $80.00 $80.00

CameraDigital camera minimum 10MP $350.00 $350.00

Photo scales L shaped photo scale x 3 $15.00 $15.00

Memory cardMemory card 2 x 8gb or 1 x 16gb $25.00 $25.00

Flash drive Flash drive 5 x 1gb $50.00 $50.00

Photo developingPhoto Developing x 2100 max $190.00 $190.00

Subtotal $788.00 $788.00

Equipment DescriptionRequested Total

Printer Monochrome laser printer $100.00 $100.00

Digital sliding calipersPaleotech sliding calipers x 4

$1,400.00

$1,400.00

Spreading calipers Paleotech spreading $2,200. $2,200. of 21


calipers x 4 00 00

Subtotal$3,700.

00$3,700.

00

Software DescriptionRequested Total

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel 2010 N/A N/ASubtotal $0.00 $0.00

Travel and Accommodations DescriptionRequested Total

Roundtrip FlightDenver to Cleveland to Denver $465.00 $465.00

Hotel AccommodationsHotel : 9 nights x 4 persons

$2,652.00

$2,652.00

Car Rental Car Rental 10 days $338.00 $338.00

Gas,Food, Other

Daily stipend: A. Mayberry $50/day, Student(3) $30/day

$1,400.00

$1,400.00

Subtotal$4,855.

00$4,855.

00

Grand Total$17,646

.00$17,646

.00References Cited:

Baker, Brenda J., Tosha L. Dupras, Matthew W. Tocheri2010 The Osteology of Infants and Children. Texas A&M University

Press, Texas.Bluman, Allan G.

2008 Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill, New York.Boucher, BJ

1955 Sex Difference in the Feotal Sciatic Notch. US: Journal of Forensic Medicine. 1955 (tDAR ID: 125201)

Cleveland Museum of Natural History2013 Hamann-Todd Human Collection Database. Electronic document,http://www.cmnh.org/site/ResearchandCollections/PhysicalAnthropology/Collections/Hamann-ToddCollection/Databases.aspx, accessed May 2, 2013.

Cox, Margaret, Simon Mays

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http://www.cmnh.org/site/ResearchandCollections/PhysicalAnthropology/Collections/Hamann-ToddCollection/Databases.aspx




2006 Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science. Cambridge University Press, New York

Fazekas and Kosa1978 Forensic Fetal Osteology. Akademiai Kiado Publishing, Hungary

Franklin, Daniel, Oxnard, Charles, Higgins, Paul, Dadour, Ian2007 Sexual Dimorphism in the Subadult Mandible: Quantification Using Geometric Morphometrics. Journal of Forensic Science 52 (1): 6-10

Goncalves, David, Campanacho, Vanessa, Cardoso, Hugo2011 Reliability of the Lateral Angle of the Internal

Auditory Canal for Sex Determinationof Subadult Skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

18: 121-124Gould, Nathaniel, Morey Moreland, Saul Trevino, Richard Alvarez, James Fenwick, Nguyen Bach

1990 Foot Growth in Children Age One to Five Years. Foot & Ankle International 10(4): 211-213

Martin, Rudolf, Karl Saller1959 Lehrbuch der Anthropologie, Gustav Fischer Veriag, Stuttgart

Molleson and Cox1993 The Spitafields Project, vol. 2: The Anthropology. TheMiddling Sort. Council for British Archaeology, York

Mountrakis, Constantine, Constantine Eliopoulos, Christos G. Koilias, Sotiris K. Manolis

2010 Sex Determination Using Metatarsal Osteometrics from the Athens Collection. Forensic Science International 200: 178.e1-178.e7

Ousley, S.D., and R.L. Jantz 2005 FORDISC 3.0: Personal Computer Forensic Discriminant

Functions. University of Tennessee: Knoxville. Rosing, F.W.

1983 Sexing Immature Human Skeletons. Journal of Human Evolution12(2): 149-155Sauzo, Ivan Claudo, Daniella Alejandro Zavando, Ricardo Luiz Smith

2008 Blind Test of Mandibular Morphology with Sex Indicator in Subadult Mandibles. International Journal of Morphology 26(4): 845-848

Schaefer, Maureen, Sue Black, Louise Scheuer of 21


2009 Juvenile Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. Academic Press, Burlington, MA

Smith, S. L1997 Attribution of Foot Bones to Sex and Population Groups.Journal of Forensic Sciences 42 (2): 186-195

Weaver, David S1979 Application of the Likelihood Ratio Test to Age Estimation Using the Infant and Child Temporal Bone. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 50: 263-269

Zadsinska, E., M. Karasinska, K. Jedrychowska-Danska, C. Watala, H.W. Witas

2008 Sex Diagnosis of Subadult Specimens from Medieval Polish Archaeological Sites: Metric Analysis of Deciduous Dentition. Journal of Comparative Human Biology 59: 175-187

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Appendix A: Measurement Collection Form

Analyst_______________________Sample #:________Date: ________

Time: ________Population: ___

Age: ____Sex: ____

Max Length –Left (w/oepiphysis)

MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5

Max Length –Right (w/oepiphysis)

MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5

Max Length –Left

(w/epiphysis)MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5

Max Length –Right

(w/epiphysis)MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5

Width – Left (w/oepiphysis)

MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5

Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base

Width – Right (w/oepiphysis)

MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5

Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaft

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Medio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base

Width – Left(w/epiphysis)

MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5

Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base

Width – Right (w/epiphysis)

MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5

Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base*Measurements completed in millimeters (mm) Population: White (W), Black (B)Sex: Male (M), Female (F)

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Mock Grant Proposal - Senior Experience Project

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