Identification of key somatic features that are common and the ones that differ between swim strokes through allometric modeling.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore which key somatic features are common to four swim strokes and medley, and specifically to identify which characteristics benefit only specific strokes. Methods: The sample was composed of 130 swimmers (95 males aged 19.5 ± 2.9 years and 35 females aged 18.4 ± 2.8 years). A set of anthropometric variables was used to predict swimming speed in the four swimming strokes and medley. Results: A multiplicative model with allometric body size components was used to identify the demographic and anthropometric predictors of swimming speed. Trunk height and waist circumference were the only variables significantly different among swimming strokes (p < 0.05). Associations between swimming speed and arm length were similar in breaststroke and medley, and in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly (R2 = 60.9%). The model retained as swimming speed predictors the age2, upper body circumference, hand breadth, waist circumference, and subscapular skinfold thickness (these last two had negative associations). Conclusion: All these predictors were common to all four swim strokes and medley. Arm length was also retained as a significant predictor, but this one varied significantly between the four different swim strokes and medley. These findings highlight the importance of having a "V-shape" trunk, longer upper limbs, and large hands as predictors of swimming performance.

Screening Indels from the whole genome to identify the candidates and their association with economic traits in several goat breeds.

In the present study, the re-sequencing of our previous whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for selected individuals of Dazu-black goat (DBG) and Inner-Mongolia Cashmere goat (IMCG) breeds was used to detect and compare the differentiation in Indels depending on the reference genome of goat. Then, three selected candidate Indels rs668795676, rs657996810, and rs669452874 of the three genes SUFU, SYCP2L and GLIPR1L1, respectively, have been chosen, based on the results of prior GWAS across the genome, and examined for their association with body weight and dimensions (body height, body length, heart girth, chest width, cannon circumference, and chest depth) by kompetitive allele specific PCR assay for 342 goats from the three studied goat breeds (DBG, n = 203; ♂99, ♀104), IMCG (n = 65; 15♂, 50♀), and Hechuan white goat (HWG, n = 74; 34♂, 40♀) breeds. The analysis of 192.747 Gb WGS revealed an average 334,151 Indels in the whole genome of DBG and IMCG breeds. Chromosome 1 had a maximum number of mutations (Indels) of 58,497 and 55,527 for IMCG and DBG, respectively, while chromosome 25 had the least number of mutations of 15,680 and 16,103 for IMCG and DBG, respectively. The majority of Indels were either Ins or Del of short fragments of 1-5 bp, which covered 79.06 and 71.78% of the total number of Indels mutations in IMCG and DBG, respectively. Comparing the differences of Indels between the studied goat breeds revealed 100 and 110 unique Indels for IMCG and DBG, respectively. The Indels loci in the intron region were unique for both studied goat breeds which were related to 30 and 38 candidate genes in IMCG and DBG, respectively, including SUFU, SYCP2L, and GLIPR1L1 genes. Concerning rs669452874 locus, body height and body length of Del/Del genotype in DBG were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of Ins/Del genotype, while body height and body length of Del/Del genotype in IMCG were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of Ins/Ins genotype, whereas body height and body length and heart girth of Del/Del genotype in HWG were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of the Ins/Del and Ins/Ins genotypes. Thus, Del/Del genotype of rs669452874 locus can be used as a candidate molecular marker related to the body dimensions in the studied goat breeds.

Relationship of Polymorphisms of the Mutation (225131) of the pou1f1 Gene with some Productive Traits in Iraqi Camel Females (Camelus bactrianus).

Camels are semi-ruminant placental mammals, classified as two-toed, padded-footed mammals, and belong to the family Camelidae, which includes the one-humped camels (Camelus dromedaries), and the two-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus), llama, Alpaca, Vicuna, and Guanaco. The study used 50 Iraqi single-humped camel females who belonged to private fields in the AL-Furat AL-Awsat region, which involved three Iraqi cities (Babylon, Diwaniyah, and Muthanna). All the Biotechnological and Molecular Genetics analyses were performed in the Altakadum Laboratory, Baghdad, in order to determine the genotypes and their distribution ratios for the POU1F1 gene and the relationship of the Polymorphism of the gene with some productive traits, growth characteristics (weight and body dimensions) and blood biochemical parameters of animals. The mutation 225131 was in the second exon region, in which there was a change in the amino acid C.49 CAA>CAC Gln>His. Three genotypes were discovered in this mutation in the second studied piece, which included the region of the first intron and the second exon, with a length of 777 base pairs using DNA sequencing technology. The results indicated that there were highly significant differences (P≤0.01) in the distribution ratios of the genotypes resulting from the mutation. The results also showed a significant relationship between these genotypes with somebody dimensions, as there was a significant superiority (P≤0.05) for individuals with mutant CC genotype over the wild AA and hetero AC genotypes in each of the traits, body height from the front (220.66±1.76, 215.12±0.92, 212.80 ±2.33) cm and body length (186.66±1.20, 179.47±1.10, 170.00±4.96) cm and head length (55.00±2.08, 50.78±0.46, 51.20 ±1.31) cm for the mutant, wild and hetero, genotypes respectively. Concerning the characteristics of the length of the milking season, daily and total milk production, and its chemical components, there was no significant relationship between the genotypes resulting from the studied mutation.

Ergonomic Consideration in Pillow Height Determinants and Evaluation.

(1) Background: Sleep problems have become one of the current serious public health issues. Pillow height affects the alignment of the cervical spine and is closely related to the mechanical environment of the cervical spine. An appropriate pillow height can provide adequate support for the head and neck to reduce the stress in the cervical spine and relax the muscles of the neck and shoulder, thereby relieving pain and improving sleep quality. (2) Methods: We reviewed the current trends, research methodologies, and determinants of pillow height evaluation, summarizing the evidences published since 1997. In particular, we scrutinized articles dealing with the physiological and mechanical characteristics of the head-neck-shoulder complex. (3) Results: Through the investigation and analysis of these articles, we presented several quantitative and objective determinants for pillow height evaluation, including cervical spine alignment, body dimension, contact pressure, and muscle activity. The measurement methods and selection criteria for these parameters are described in detail. However, the suggested range for achieving optimal cervical spine alignment, appropriate pressure distribution, and minimal muscle activity during sleep cannot yet be identified considering the lack of sufficient evidence. Moreover, there remain no firm conclusions about the optimal pillow height for the supine and lateral positions. (4) Conclusions: A comprehensive evaluation combining the above determinants provides a unique solution for ergonomic pillow design and proper pillow height selection, which can effectively promote the public sleep health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a reasonable algorithm to weigh multiple determinants.

Biometric Characterization of the Portuguese Autochthonous Hens Breeds.

Promotion of the conservation and preservation of local breed's biodiversity combined with the concept of sustainable agriculture and development of economically marginal areas are important policies to implement in modern society. The biometric characterization, contributing to maintain phenotypic traits, is a significant tool in breeding programs, which revaluate local breeds, allow the preservation of animal biodiversity and support consumer demands. This paper approaches the biometric characterization of the Portuguese poultry breeds through the study of sexual dimorphism and breed differentiation using six zoometric measures as differentiation criteria. A total of 429 fowl (66 males and 426 females) were studied and the parameters recorded were body weight, body length, chest circumference, shank length, shank diameter and wingspan. A highly sexual dimorphism was evident, in all breeds, with the "Branca" breed being the most zoometrically distant. Concerning Principal Component Analysis, the highly correlations observed between body length, wingspan and shank length, determined the generalized animal form and could be used as selection criteria for improving body size. Breeding programs aiming to preserve these local genetic resources should consider the dual purpose of these breeds: sustainability and cultural legacy, and the offer to urban consumers a source of differentiated high-quality products.

Development of the Biomechanical Technologies for the Modeling of Major Segments of the Human Body: Linking the Past with the Present.

The knowledge of human body proportions and segmental properties of limbs, head and trunk is of fundamental importance in biomechanical research. Given that many methods are employed, it is important to know which ones are currently available, which data on human body masses, lengths, center of mass (COM) location, weights and moment of inertia (MOI) are available and which methods are most suitable for specific research purposes. Graphical, optical, x-ray and derived techniques, MRI, laser, thermography, has been employed for in-vivo measurement, while direct measurements involve cadaveric studies with dissection and various methods of acquiring shape and size of body segments. The present review examines the literature concerning human body segments' properties for biomechanical purposes starting with a historical examination. It emerges that data obtained in studies on cadaveric specimens are still accurate in comparison to more recent technologies, whilst technological tools currently available are manifolds, each one with proper advantages and disadvantages. Classical studies were focused mainly on white men, while in recent years, the available data on body segments have been extended to children, women, and other races. Additionally, data on special populations (obese, pregnant women) are starting to appear in the scientific literature.

Evaluation of growth performance on family breeding of the Leizhou Black Duck: A preliminary study.

This study determined the growth performance, correlations of linear body dimensions, slaughter performance and the fitting model of two generations of Leizhou Black Ducks. Fifteen (15) male and 225 female parents forming generation 0 were selected from the Leizhou duck population. Fifteen (15) families were created in the ratio of 1 male:15 females. Eggs from all the families were collected and numbered according to the family. Generation 1 ducklings were selected and grouped into families in the same ratio. Body weights (BWs) and linear body dimensions were recorded every 2 weeks from weeks 0 to 16. Logistic, Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy models were employed to ascertain the growth model of both sexes of Leizhou Black Ducks. Except for weeks 0-2, generation 1 families had greater BWs than the generation 0 families (p < .05). Males from both generations had significantly higher (p < .01) BWs than females at 16 weeks old. Significant positive correlations were observed between BWs and measured body dimensions for both sexes except for between BW and pelvis width (PW) where negative correlations (p > .05) were observed for males at week 10 and females at 16 weeks old. There was a significant negative correlation (p < .01) between body length and PW in males at 10 weeks. The accuracy rate of Logistic, Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy models was at 0.972 and similar was obtained by all three models with Von Bertalanffy being the best model. Live weight of generation 1 before slaughter was significantly higher (p < .01) than generation 0, whereas no significant differences were seen in the other carcass traits. These findings provide insights into breeding Leizhou Black Duck to enhance growth performance and hybrid production.

Relationship between thrust, anthropometrics, and dry-land strength in a national junior swimming team.

Objectives: This study aimed to (i) assess an anthropometric and thrust inter-limb asymmetry, and; (ii) determine the contribution of anthropometrics, and dry-land upper-body strength and power to the thrust of talented adolescent swimmers. Methods: Eighteen talented adolescent swimmers (12 boys and 6 girls: 15.81 ± 1.62 years old) were evaluated. A set of anthropometric, dry-land upper-body strength and power, and in-water thrust were assessed. Results: Despite the fact that the dominant side presented higher values in anthropometrics (except for the hand surface area) and thrust, non-significant inter-limb differences were found. The symmetry index indicated a symmetry between upper-limbs. Hierarchical linear modeling retained as main predictors of each upper-limb thrust the respective hand surface area (dominant upper limb: estimate = 0.293, 95CI: 0.117; 0.469, p = 0.005; non-dominant upper limb: estimate = 0.295, 95CI: 0.063; 0.526, p = 0.025). The full stroke cycle retained the upper-body dry-land strength as main predictor (estimate = 0.397, 95CI: 0.189; 0.605, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The hand surface area and upper-body strength were the main predictors of each upper-limb and full stroke cycle thrust, respectively. Hence, coaches and practitioners should aim to carefully maximize the hand surface area (by finger spreading) while performing the stroke, as well as dry-land upper-body strength in order to enhance the performance.

Basic Human Body Dimensions Relate to Alcohol Dependence and Predict Hospital Readmission.

Alcohol dependence is a severe mental illness and there is a need for more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Translational research suggests that intrauterine sex hormone exposure modulates the risk and course of alcohol dependence during adulthood. During development, sex hormones permanently shape sexually dimorphic body dimensions. Thus, these dimensions may provide insight into sex hormone organization. Here, we compared body measurements (absolute, relative to, and residualized on height) between 200 alcohol-dependent in-patients and 240 age-matched healthy control subjects and investigated how these measurements associate with the patients' prospective 12- and 24-month outcome. The results show that alcohol dependence is related to lower absolute, relative, and residualized body measurements for height and weight, head circumference, bitragion head arc, lip-chin distance, hip, thigh, and calf circumference, and foot length and breadth. In male alcohol-dependent in-patients, higher risk, shorter latency, and more alcohol-related readmissions were predicted by higher absolute, relative, and residualized thigh and calf circumferences. The second-to-fourth finger length ratio, a putative proxy for prenatal sex hormone organization, was not convincingly correlated with the body dimensions, suggesting that the results represent pubertal (or later) effects. The study's findings have implications for further research. The body measurements' high accessibility may facilitate the future transition into clinical settings.

Body Dimension Measurements of Qinchuan Cattle with Transfer Learning from LiDAR Sensing.

For the time-consuming and stressful body measuring task of Qinchuan cattle and farmers, the demand for the automatic measurement of body dimensions has become more and more urgent. It is necessary to explore automatic measurements with deep learning to improve breeding efficiency and promote the development of industry. In this paper, a novel approach to measuring the body dimensions of live Qinchuan cattle with on transfer learning is proposed. Deep learning of the Kd-network was trained with classical three-dimensional (3D) point cloud datasets (PCD) of the ShapeNet datasets. After a series of processes of PCD sensed by the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, the cattle silhouettes could be extracted, which after augmentation could be applied as an input layer to the Kd-network. With the output of a convolutional layer of the trained deep model, the output layer of the deep model could be applied to pre-train the full connection network. The TrAdaBoost algorithm was employed to transfer the pre-trained convolutional layer and full connection of the deep model. To classify and recognize the PCD of the cattle silhouette, the average accuracy rate after training with transfer learning could reach up to 93.6%. On the basis of silhouette extraction, the candidate region of the feature surface shape could be extracted with mean curvature and Gaussian curvature. After the computation of the FPFH (fast point feature histogram) of the surface shape, the center of the feature surface could be recognized and the body dimensions of the cattle could finally be calculated. The experimental results showed that the comprehensive error of body dimensions was close to 2%, which could provide a feasible approach to the non-contact observations of the bodies of large physique livestock without any human intervention.

Performance of ad libitum fed dairy calves weaned using fixed and individual methods.

The increasing availability of automated milk dispensers on dairy farms facilitates ad libitum milk supply but weaning calves from high milk allowances is challenging. This study evaluated effects of gradual weaning methods on starter intake, growth, selected blood parameters and weaning distress in ad libitum fed dairy calves during weaning and early post-weaning periods. Thirty-six male Holstein (n = 30) or crossbred (n = 6) calves were individually housed from days 2 to 14 of age and had ad libitum access to milk replacer (MR) from teat buckets. From days 15 to 84 of age, calves were grouped and had ad libitum access to MR, starter, straw and water from automated feeders. At day 35, calves were blocked (age and breed), and randomly assigned to a weaning method: (1) linear fixed (LIN), MR supply was stepped down to 6 l/day on day 36, and linearly reduced between days 36 to 63 from 6 to 2 l/day. (2) Step-down (STEP), MR supply was stepped down to 6 l/day from days 36 to 48, 4 l/day from days 49 to 56 and 2 l/day from days 57 to 63. (3) Dynamic (DYN), at day 36, MR supply was reduced for each individual calf to 75% of the average voluntary consumption between day 29 and 35, then maintained for 9 days, reduced to 50% for 10 days, and to 25% for 9 days. The DYN calves received more MR during weaning than LIN calves, whereas STEP calves had intermediate MR intake. Starter intake was not affected by weaning method. The DYN calves (1.33±0.08 kg/day) grew faster and were heavier than STEP calves (1.10±0.08 kg/day) during post-weaning period, whereas no difference was observed between LIN calves (1.23±0.08 kg/day) and others. At days 70 and 84, concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyric acid were higher in LIN calves compared to STEP and DYN calves. Hair cortisol concentrations were not affected by weaning method. During the gradual weaning process CP intake seemed to recovered earlier than metabolizable energy (ME) intake in all treatments, suggesting that ME rather than CP could be the first limiting factor for growth during weaning. These results highlight the post-weaning benefits of DYN and LIN weaning methods when compared with more abrupt step-down strategies.

Trends in Physical Fitness Among 12-Year-Old Children in Urban and Rural Areas During the Social Transformation Period in China.

AIMS: To investigate the 29-year (1985-2014) trends in body dimensions and physical fitness test performances among 12-year-old Chinese children living in urban and rural areas. METHODS: The data were from the findings of seven cross-sectional surveys from the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health. In the seven surveys, there were 34,238; 11,664; 17,485; 18,057; 19,254; 17,962; and 17,906 children, respectively. Anthropometric measurements and physical fitness performances of 12-year-old Chinese children living in rural and urban areas were analyzed. Polynomial models were used to analyze trends in test performances. Analysis of variance was used to assess the urban-rural differentials. RESULTS: The height and weight of both urban and rural children substantially increased from 1985 to 2014. Urban children were taller and heavier than rural children. A slight narrowing of the urban-rural differential in height was observed. The disparity in weight increased from 1985 to 2000 and decreased thereafter. Urban children performed better in most of the physical fitness tests examined, such as standing long jump, 50-m run, and sit-ups. The urban-rural disparity decreased from 1985 to 2014 in 50-m run, standing long jump, and sit-up score; the largest difference in 10 × 50 m run and pull-up score was observed in 2000 and 2005, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a general decline in physical fitness in both urban and rural children after 2000. Urgent, targeted actions need to be taken by public health policy officials and parents to maintain or improve the physical fitness of children.

Non-Contact Body Measurement for Qinchuan Cattle with LiDAR Sensor.

The body dimension measurement of large animals plays a significant role in quality improvement and genetic breeding, and the non-contact measurements by computer vision-based remote sensing could represent great progress in the case of dangerous stress responses and time-costing manual measurements. This paper presents a novel approach for three-dimensional digital modeling of live adult Qinchuan cattle for body size measurement. On the basis of capturing the original point data series of live cattle by a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor, the conditional, statistical outliers and voxel grid filtering methods are fused to cancel the background and outliers. After the segmentation of K-means clustering extraction and the RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm, the Fast Point Feature Histogram (FPFH) is put forward to get the cattle data automatically. The cattle surface is reconstructed to get the 3D cattle model using fast Iterative Closest Point (ICP) matching with Bi-directional Random K-D Trees and a Greedy Projection Triangulation (GPT) reconstruction method by which the feature points of cattle silhouettes could be clicked and calculated. Finally, the five body parameters (withers height, chest depth, back height, body length, and waist height) are measured in the field and verified within an accuracy of 2 mm and an error close to 2%. The experimental results show that this approach could be considered as a new feasible method towards the non-contact body measurement for large physique livestock.

Do Pigs Have Adequate Space in Animal Transportation Vehicles?-Planimetric Measurement of the Floor Area Covered by Finishing Pigs in Various Body Positions.

In this study, the floor area covered by individual finishing pigs in various body positions was measured using a contrast-based planimetric method for computer-assisted analysis of two-dimensional images. Two hundred and thirty-two finishing pigs were weighed during the last fifth of the fattening period and measured in different body positions using contrast-based planimetry. Thirteen body positions were defined based on characteristic directions of the head, legs and body. The lowest average covered floor area was found for body position A (pig standing up straight, nose touching the ground) with 0.288 ± 0.026 m2. The highest average covered floor area for a standing pig amounted to 0.335 ± 0.030 m2 in body posture ES (pig standing curved sideways, head raised above the dorsal line) and, for a lying pig, 0.486 ± 0.040 m2 (posture LL, pig lying in fully lateral recumbent position). The covered floor surface significantly depended on the weight of the animal and the body posture. Allometric estimations previously described for calculating the floor area physically covered by a pig's body are not consistently precise in depicting the actual areas covered. The minimal floor area offered in animal transportation vehicles, according to European legislation, is insufficient in the case of all pigs lying in the fully recumbent position simultaneously, without the pigs being forced to partially overlap one another. Therefore, both allometric formulas and legislation should be modified on the basis of these results and further studies with pigs of modern genetic origin should be conducted.

Changes in Anterior Segment Parameters Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy Measured by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM).

Despite being a posterior segment ocular surgery, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) may also affect anterior segment parameters. We aimed to investigate anterior segment alterations following PPV using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to visualize the structural anatomy of the eye. In this study, we enrolled phakic patients undergoing PPV (as the sole procedure). The anterior chamber depth, crystalline lens anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, anterior chamber angle, ciliary body dimensions, and integrity of the ciliary zonules and posterior capsule were assessed using UBM before and at least 3 months after PPV. Seven eyes from seven patients were included in the study. The indications for PPV were rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (57%), epiretinal membrane (29%), and macular hole (14%). The mean age of the patients was 57.86 ± 6.56 years, and they were followed up for a mean of 131.57 ± 29.99 days. The crystalline lens AP diameter was the only parameter that changed significantly following PPV (p = 0.042). Thus, increases in the crystalline lens AP diameter, without significant changes in the anterior chamber depth, can be expected after PPV due to the development of nuclear sclerotic cataracts.

Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses.

BACKGROUND: The heart's physiological adaptation to aerobic training leads to an increase in heart chamber size, and is referred to as the Athlete's heart. However, heart dimensions are also related to body weight (BWT), body size, growth and (in some species) breed. There are few published data on the relationships between heart dimensions and growth or aerobic training in Arabian and Arabian-related endurance horses. Therefore the objective of the present study was to describe the influence of body dimensions (body length (BL), thoracic circumference (TC), withers height (WH)), BWT, age, gender, breed (purebred Arabians, part-bred Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, and Others) and the initiation of endurance training on echocardiographic measurements in competition-fit endurance horses aged 4 to 6 years. RESULTS: Most left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions increased with age, whereas LA and LV functional indices did not. Although there was no gender difference for LV dimensions, females had larger LA dimensions. In terms of breed, Anglo-Arabians had the largest LV dimensions. Regression models indicated that the included explanatory factors had a weak influence on heart dimensions. Age, body dimensions, breed and gender showed the most consistent influence on LA dimensions, whereas BWT, breed and kilometres covered in competition showed the most consistent influence on LV dimensions. CONCLUSION: The increase in echocardiographic dimensions with age indicates on-going growth in our population of 4 to 6 year-old horses. We also observed small changes associated with the initiation of endurance training. Morphometric dimensions had a greater influence on LA dimensions, whereas LV dimensions were also influenced (albeit weakly) by parameters associated with exercise intensity. These results may therefore reflect early adaptations linked to the initiation of endurance training.

Biomass estimation of Triplectides egleri Sattler (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) in a stream at Ducke Reserve, Central Amazonia

ABSTRACT Biomass is a fundamental measure for understanding the structure and functioning (e.g. fluxes of energy and nutrients in the food chain) of aquatic ecosystems. We aim to provide predictive models to estimate the biomass of Triplectides egleri Sattler, 1963, in a stream in Central Amazonia, based on body and case dimensions. We used body length, head-capsule width, interocular distance and case length and width to derive biomass estimations. Linear, exponential and power regression models were used to assess the relationship between biomass and body or case dimensions. All regression models used in the biomass estimation of T. egleri were significant. The best fit between biomass and body or case dimensions was obtained using the power model, followed by the exponential and linear models. Body length provided the best estimate of biomass. However, the dimensions of sclerotized structures (interocular distance and head-capsule width) also provided good biomass predictions, and may be useful in estimating biomass of preserved and/or damaged material. Case width was the dimension of the case that provided the best estimate of biomass. Despite the low relation, case width may be useful in studies that require low stress on individuals.

Nutrition and health in hotel staff on different shift patterns.

BACKGROUND: Limited research is available that examines the nutritional behaviour and health of hotel staff working alternating and regular shifts. AIMS: To analyse the nutritional behaviour and health of employees working in alternating and regular shifts. METHODS: The study used an ex post facto cross-sectional analysis to compare the nutritional behaviour and health parameters of workers with alternating shifts and regular shift workers. Nutritional behaviour was assessed with the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Body dimensions (body mass index, waist hip ratio, fat mass and active cell mass), metabolic values (glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and low- and high-density lipoprotein), diseases and health complaints were included as health parameters. RESULTS: Participants worked in alternating (n = 53) and regular shifts (n = 97). The average age of subjects was 35 ± 10 years. There was no significant difference in nutritional behaviour, most surveyed body dimensions or metabolic values between the two groups. However, alternating shift workers had significantly lower fat mass and higher active cell mass but nevertheless reported more pronounced health complaints. Sex and age were also confirmed as influencing the surveyed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Shift-dependent nutritional problems were not conspicuously apparent in this sample of hotel industry workers. Health parameters did not show significantly negative attributes for alternating shift workers. Conceivably, both groups could have the same level of knowledge on the health effects of nutrition and comparable opportunities to apply this. Further studies on nutritional and health behaviour in the hotel industry are necessary in order to create validated screening programmes.

Student's Body Dimensions in Relation to Classroom Furniture.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate the fit between university student's anthropometry and classroom furniture dimensions. METHOD: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analyzing study conducted in 2012, a total of 194 students (aged 18 through 30 years), were recruited randomly from Tabriz University of Medical Science community. The body size of each student was assessed using anthropometric measurements including shoulder height, elbow height, popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length, hip breadth and distance between elbows. Combinational equations defined the acceptable furni-ture dimensions according to anthropometry and match percentages were computed, according to either the existing situations assuming that they could use the most appropriate of the sizes available. RESULTS: Desk and seat height were higher than the accepted limits for most students (92.5% and 98.4%, respectively), while seat depth was appropriate for only 84.6% of students. The data indicate a mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom furniture available to them. The chairs are too high and too deep and desks are also too high for the pupils. This situation may have negative effects on the sitting posture of the students especially when reading and writing. CONCLUSION: High mismatch percentages were found between furniture and stu-dents' anthropometry. The results confirm that furniture for university students should be selected and designed busied on their anthropometric dimensions.