BOOK REVIEWS CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 108, NO. 10, 25 MAY 2015 1944 Anthropometric and Strength Data of Indian Agricultural Workers for Farm Equipment Design. L. P. Gite, J. Ma- jumdar, C. R. Mehta and A. Khadatkar (eds). Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462 038, India. 2009. 253 pp. Price: Rs 500. ISBN: 978-81-909305-0-5. This book is a compilation of many top- ics in the field of agricultural ergonom- ics. The book is in five parts. The first part covers anthropometry, anthropomet- ric data, and the use of these data in the design of machine and workplace. The second part covers anthropometric and strength parameter survey of agricultural workers in India and the basic measure- ment techniques of anthropometric data. The third part contains the measure- ment details of different anthropometric data on 79 body dimensions of 12,525 agricultural workers (8,025 male and 4,500 female) from 12 states in India. The fourth part of the book deals with 16 strength parameters of 5,937 agricultural workers (3,423 male and 2,514 female) from 6 states in India. Sample size of the data for different states was determined statistically based on their population. All the data were analysed for their mean, standard deviation, range, 5th and 95th percentile values. The fifth and last part of the book con- tains the practical application of anthro- pometric and strength data in farm equipment design for Indian agricultural workers. It is an excellent basic guide for use of anthropometric and strength data in design. The book contains useful data source on Indian agricultural workers, which were scarce to obtain. However, the number of publications are available for selected data from different states, national level database on anthropomet- ric and strength variables of Indian agri- cultural worker in this book is the first of its kind in the country, and can be used as Indian data on anthropometric and strength parameters. Anthropometric database on the Indian Army population (sex: male only, sample size: 11,458, age: 20–40 yrs) was deve- loped by Defence Research and Deve- lopment Organization, Government of India 1 . Presently it is being used only by the Indian Defence Department for its own requirements. Chakrabarti 2 com- piled anthropometric data (sex: male and female, sample size: 961, age: 20 yrs onwards) from different states of India in a book which is popularly being used all over India as ready reference for product and workstation design. USA and other European countries are already using anthropometric data of user’s population in the design of agri- cultural equipments. Prior to publication of this book, due to lack of data in India, it was not possible to go for such ergo- nomic design. Now farm equipment de- sign engineers can take advantage of the data book in designing equipment con- sidering anthropometric data. Each chapter of the book depicts clear and substantial information to the read- ers. However, there are a few minor flaws in the book. Age limits (i.e. upper and lower) of the subjects/volunteers have not been mentioned. Since age is crucially regarded as the most important factor for variability of anthropometric and muscular strength dimensions, men- tioning of age range is of prime impor- tance and it should not have been ignored. All the four coordinated centres of Ergonomics and Safety in Agriculture (ESA) and eight ad-hoc schemes through which data were collected should have been placed in under Reference, as they are of prime importance. Moreover, it would have been better to compare these data with other countries which were used earlier in India for design of various farm machineries and equipment. In spite of the aforementioned short- comings, this book meets the important need for anthropometric and strength data of Indian agricultural workers. Tra- ditionally, little attention has been paid to the efficiency, comfort and safety of the operators, but designers are now developing an ergonomic consciousness and if the anthropometric data and strength parameters are available, they could use them in the design process. A detailed anthropometric survey of the Indian agricultural workers of the re- maining Indian states is also necessary 3–5 . The editors of the book have developed a systematic and scientific way for collec- tion of these data and circulated them to each survey site to avoid improper meas- urement of data. The book provides ade- quate information that would satisfy the basic needs of designers, engineers and academicians. Such a book deserves a place not on the bookshelf, but open on the desk. 1. Zachariah, T. et al., Body Measurements: Design Applications and Body Composi- tion, DRDO Monograms/Special Publica- tion Series, printed and published by Director, DESIDOC, Metcalfe House, Delhi, (restricted circulation), 2001. 2. Chakrabarti, D., Indian Anthropometric Dimensions for Ergonomic Design Prac- tice, National Institute of Design, Ahmed- abad, 1997. 3. Gite, L. P. and Yadav, B. G., Appl. Ergon., 1989, 20, 191–196. 4. Yadav, R., Tewari, V. K. and Prasad, N., Appl. Ergon., 1997, 28(1), 69–71. 5. Dewangan, K. N., Owarya, C. and Datta, R. K., Int. J. Ind. Ergon., 2008, 38, 80–100. RAJVIR YADAV 1, * NIRANJAN PRASAD 2 PUNKAJ GUPTA 3 A. L. VADHER 4 1 Department of Farm Engineering, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh 362 001, India 2 ICAR–Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi 834 010, India 3 Department of FMP, AAU, Godhra 389 001, India 4 Department of FMP, CAET, Junagadh 362 001, India *e-mail: ryadav61@gmail.com Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2014. P. A. Insel, S. G. Amara and T. F. Blaschke (eds). Annual Reviews, 4139 El Camino Way, P.O. Box 10139, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0139, USA. Vol. 54. xiii + 629 pp. Price US$ 96. This volume contains 27 articles by emi- nent experts in different areas. There are articles on therapeutically relevant topics like central nervous system, cardiovascu- lar system, dyslipidemia, inflammation, cancer, parasitic diseases, pharmacoki-