Search

We have characterized, for the first time, an n-type segmented inverted coaxial point-contact detector. This novel detector technology relies on a large variation in drift time of the majority charge carriers, as well as image and net charges observed on the segments, to achieve a potential γ-ray interaction position resolution of better than 1 mm. However, the intrinsic energy resolution in this detector is poor (more than 20 keV at 1332 keV) because of charge (electron) trapping effects. We propose an algorithm that enables restoration of the resolution to a value of 3.44 ± 0.03 keV at 1332 keV for events with a single interaction. The algorithm is based on a measurement of the azimuthal angle and the electron drift time of a given event; the energy of the event is corrected as a function of these two values.

A significant event happened for electrical engineering in 2008, when researchers at HP Labs announced that they had found “the missing memristor,” a fourth basic circuit element that was postulated nearly four decades earlier by Dr. Leon Chua, who was also instrumental in developing the mathematical theories of memristive, memcapacitive, and meminductive systems, resulting in an entire class of “mem-models” that are the foundation of the present work. By applying well-known mechanical–electrical analogies, the mathematics of mem-models may be transferred to the setting of engineering mechanics, creating the mechanical counterparts of memristors, memcapacitors, etc. However, this transfer is nontrivial; for example, a new concept and state variable called “absement,” the time integral of deformation, emerge. We study these mem-models, which are characterized by a “zero-crossing” property that has interesting implications for nonlinear constitutive modeling, particularly hysteresis, and we identify some examples of “mem-dashpots” and “mem-springs,” which include displacement-dependent and variable dampers, the superelasticity found in shape-memory alloys, and the pinched hysteresis loops associated with self-centering structures. This work adds to the fast-growing body of literature on elements and systems labeled with “mem,” which is a basic branch of study in nonlinear dynamics.

Lynsey Calderwood, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2002, 13.95 £ Cracked is a personal account written by someone who had a traumatic brain injury aged 14 years, in 1992. She was left [...]

At the heart of the gender-specificity debate is the argument that gender-neutral theories cannot adequately explain female delinquency. Instead, it has been asserted that theories should incorporate risk factors that capture females' unique experiences. In this context, the current study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health to address the generality-specificity debate. The analysis includes variables not only from traditional criminological theories and the newer life-course approach but also from the feminist perspective. Results from multivariate analyses show that although there are some similarities in the predictors of male and female delinquency, differences also emerged. Variables measuring general strain and involvement are stronger predictors for males, whereas only attachment to school is stronger for females. One feminist theory variable and one life-course variable exhibit stronger effects in the models for females. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we examine the influence of pubertal development on misbehavior, as well as examine a series of Gene x Environment Interactions. Specifically, we examine whether the onset of puberty interacts with preexisting temperamental differences and whether puberty influences peer groups selection. The data for this study come from the public-use version of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative sample of 6,504 adolescents. The results show that pubertal development is a robust predictor of misbehavior (especially for boys) and that puberty interacts with individual differences and with peer group affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that a significant proportion of people with epilepsy use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM use is known to vary between different ethnic groups and cultural contexts; however, little attention has been devoted to inter-ethnic differences within the UK population. We studied the use of biomedicine, complementary and alternative medicine, and ethnomedicine in a sample of people with epilepsy of South Asian origin living in the north of England. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 30 people of South Asian origin and 16 carers drawn from a sampling frame of patients over 18 years old with epilepsy, compiled from epilepsy registers and hospital databases. All interviews were tape-recorded, translated if required and transcribed. A framework approach was adopted to analyse the data. RESULTS: All those interviewed were taking conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Most had also sought help from traditional South Asian practitioners, but only two people had tried conventional CAM. Decisions to consult a traditional healer were taken by families rather than by individuals with epilepsy. Those who made the decision to consult a traditional healer were usually older family members and their motivations and perceptions of safety and efficacy often differed from those of the recipients of the treatment. No-one had discussed the use of traditional therapies with their doctor. The patterns observed in the UK mirrored those reported among people with epilepsy in India and Pakistan. CONCLUSION: The health care-seeking behaviour of study participants, although mainly confined within the ethnomedicine sector, shared much in common with that of people who use global CAM. The appeal of traditional therapies lay in their religious and moral legitimacy within the South Asian community, especially to the older generation who were disproportionately influential in the determination of treatment choices. As a second generation made up of people of Pakistani origin born in the UK reach the age when they are the influential decision makers in their families, resort to traditional therapies may decline. People had long experience of navigating plural systems of health care and avoided potential conflict by maintaining strict separation between different sectors. Health care practitioners need to approach these issues with sensitivity and to regard traditional healers as potential allies, rather than competitors or quacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength, ductility, and failure properties of metals are tailored by plastic deformation routes. Predicting these properties requires modeling of the structural dynamics and stress evolution taking place on several length scales. Progress has been hampered by a lack of representative 3D experimental data at industrially relevant degrees of deformation. We present an X-ray imaging based 3D mapping of an aluminum polycrystal deformed to the ultimate tensile strength (32% elongation). The extensive dataset reveals significant intra-grain stress variations (36 MPa) up to at least half of the inter-grain variations (76 MPa), which are dominated by grain orientation effects. Local intra-grain stress concentrations are candidates for damage nucleation. Such data are important for models of structure-property relations and damage., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A series of isostructural imidonitridophosphates AE 2 AlP 8 N 15 (NH) (AE=Ca, Sr, Ba) was synthesized at high-pressure/high-temperature conditions (1400 °C and 5-9 GPa) from alkaline-earth metal nitrides or azides Ca 3 N 2 /Sr(N 3 ) 2 /Ba(N 3 ) 2 and the binary nitrides AlN and P 3 N 5 . NH 4 F served as a hydrogen source and mineralizing agent. The crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and feature a three-dimensional network of vertex-sharing PN 4 -tetrahedra forming diverse-sized rings that are occupied by aluminum and alkaline earth ions. These structures represent another example of nitridophosphate-based networks that simultaneously incorporate AlN 6 -octahedra and alkaline-earth-centered polyhedra, with aluminum not participating in the tetrahedra network. They differ from previously reported ones by incorporating non-condensed octahedra instead of strongly condensed octahedra units and contribute to the diversity of multicationic nitridophosphate network structures. The results are supported by atomic resolution EDX mapping, solid-state NMR and FTIR measurements. Eu 2+ -doped samples show strong luminescence with narrow emissions in the range of green to blue under UV excitation, marking another instance of Eu 2+ -luminescence within imidonitridophosphates., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The first nitridic analog of an amphibole mineral, the quaternary nitridosilicate phosphate Cr 5.7 Si 2.3 P 8 N 24 was synthesized under high-pressure high-temperature conditions at 1400 °C and 12 GPa from the binary nitrides Cr 2 N, Si 3 N 4 and P 3 N 5 , using NH 4 N 3 and NH 4 F as additional nitrogen source and mineralizing agent, respectively. The crystal structure was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with microfocused synchrotron radiation (C2/m, a=9.6002(19), b=17.107(3), c=4.8530(10) Å, β=109.65(3)°). The elemental composition was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The structure consists of vertex-sharing PN 4 -tetrahedra forming zweier double chains and edge-sharing (Si,Cr)-centered octahedra forming separated ribbons. Atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy shows ordered Si and Cr sites next to a disordered Si/Cr site. Optical spectroscopy indicates a band gap of 2.1 eV. Susceptibility measurements show paramagnetic behavior and support the oxidation state Cr +IV , which is confirmed by EPR. The comprehensive analysis expands the field of Cr-N chemistry and provides access to a nitride analog of one of the most prevalent silicate structures., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles secreted by a variety of cell types. These vesicles encapsulate a diverse range of molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, metabolites, and even organelles derived from their parental cells. While EVs have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, they also hold immense potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic agents for numerous diseases. A thorough understanding of EV biogenesis is crucial for the development of EV-based diagnostic developments since the composition of EVs can reflect the health and disease status of the donor cell. Moreover, when EVs are taken up by target cells, they can exert profound effects on gene expression, signaling pathways, and cellular behavior, which makes these biomolecules enticing targets for therapeutic interventions. Yet, despite decades of research, the intricate processes underlying EV biogenesis by donor cells and subsequent uptake by recipient cells remain poorly understood. In this review, we aim to summarize current insights and advancements in the biogenesis and uptake mechanisms of EVs. By shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms governing EV biogenesis and delivery, this review underscores the potential of basic mechanistic research to pave the way for developing novel diagnostic strategies and therapeutic applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Yu, Sane, Kim, Yun, Kim, Jo, Wright, Khoshdoozmasouleh, Lee, Oh, Thiel, Parvin, Williams, Hannon, Lee and Kim.)

Salinization of coastal freshwater wetlands is an increasingly common and widespread phenomenon resulting from climate change. The ecosystem consequences of added salinity are poorly constrained and highly variable across prior observational and experimental studies. We added 1.8 metric tons of marine salts to replicated 200 m2 plots within a restored forested wetland in Eastern North Carolina over the course of four years. Based on prior small-scale experiments at this site, we predicted that salinization would lead to slower tree growth and suppressed soil carbon cycling. Results from this large-scale field experiment were subtle and inconsistent over space and time. By the fourth year of the experiment, we observed the predicted suppression of soil respiration and a reduction of water extractable carbon from soils receiving salt treatments. However, we found no cumulative effects of four years of salinization on total soil carbon stocks, tree growth, or root biomass. We observed substantial variation in soil solution chemistry (notably, pH and base saturation) across replicated treatment blocks; the effective salt levels, ionic composition, and pH varied following treatment depending upon pre-existing differences in edaphic factors. Our multi-year monitoring also revealed an underlying trend of wetland acidification across the entire site, a suspected effect of ecosystem recovery following wetland restoration on former agricultural land. The overwhelming resistance to our salt treatments could be attributed to the vigor of a relatively young, healthy wetland ecosystem. The heterogeneous responses to salt that we observed over space and time merits further investigation into the environmental factors that control carbon cycling in wetlands. This work highlights the importance of multi-year, large-scale field experiments for investigating ecosystem responses to global environmental change., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Ury et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Aim: Pelvic exenteration is a radical procedure used to treat locally advanced and/or recurrent pelvic malignancies. Different reconstruction options exist, the most popular being the end colostomy with ileal conduit. The double barrel wet colostomy (DBWC) offers concomitant fecal and urinary diversion through a single stoma, but is infrequently utilized. We aim to review the evidence base of the postoperative complications, long-term oncologic risks and quality of life following creation of a double barrel wet colostomy., Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed evaluating the DBWC. Patient demographics, perioperative complications, operative variables, long terms oncologic outcomes and quality of life data were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to define the data., Results: Fourteen articles with a total of 300 patients undergoing DBWC following pelvic exenteration were selected. 41% of malignancies were gastrointestinal in origin while 41.7% were gynecologic and 5.3% genitourinary. 42% of patients experienced at least one complication within in 40 days of surgery, the most common being wound infection (8.7%) and urinary leak (8.3%). There was no evidence of malignancy within the DBWC during long-term surveillance. Quality of life following DBWC is comparable to other reconstructive methods., Conclusion: The DBWC is a well described reconstructive method for urinary and fecal diversion utilizing a single stoma following pelvic exenteration. The short- and long-term outcomes following DBWC are comparable to other reconstructive methods and the quality of life with a DBWC is acceptable. DBWC should remain a readily available option for reconstruction following pelvic exenteration., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rhodococcus hoagii (formerly Rhodococcus equi), originally isolated from equine species, is primarily transmitted through inhalation of contaminated aerosols such as dust and even breath of infected livestock. Pasteurella multocida is a common cause of cellulitis secondary to canine and feline bites. These are 2 zoonotic microbes that can present with potentially life-threatening, systematic illness in immunocompromised patients.In this brief report, we delineate the clinical course of a 42-year-old post-operative patient (status post-elective exploratory laparotomy, extensive adhesiolysis, and excision of enterocutaneous fistula with creation of an end ileostomy) who developed multiple infections involving these two zoonotic microbes. The patient is an enthusiast of exotic animals with an extensive occupational history as a zookeeper. She was determined to be HIV negative but has a significant history of Crohn's disease managed with systemic immunosuppressive therapy. This case highlights her unusual constellation of post-operative infections and her subsequent medical management., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Erionite is a non-asbestos fibrous zeolite classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen and is considered today similar to or even more carcinogenic than the six regulated asbestos minerals. Exposure to fibrous erionite has been unequivocally linked to cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) and this killer fibre is assumed to be directly responsible for more than 50% of all deaths in the population of the villages of Karain and Tuzköy in central Anatolia (Turkey). Erionite usually occurs in bundles of thin fibres and very rarely as single acicular or needle-like fibres. For this reason, a crystal structure of this fibre has not been attempted to date although an accurate characterization of its crystal structure is of paramount importance for our understanding of the toxicity and carcinogenicity. In this work, we report on a combined approach of microscopic (SEM, TEM, electron diffraction), spectroscopic (micro-Raman) and chemical techniques with synchrotron nano-single-crystal diffraction that allowed us to obtain the first reliable ab initio crystal structure of this killer zeolite. The refined structure showed regular T-O distances (in the range 1.61-1.65 Å) and extra-framework content in line with the chemical formula (K 2.63 Ca 1 . 57 Mg 0.76 Na 0.13 Ba 0.01 )[Si 28.62 Al 7.35 ]O 72 ·28.3H 2 O. The synchrotron nano-diffraction data combined with three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) allowed us to unequivocally rule out the presence of offretite. These results are of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms by which erionite induces toxic damage and for confirming the physical similarities with asbestos fibres., (open access.)

The mechanism of hydration of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO 4 ·0.5H 2 O) to form gypsum (CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O) was studied by combining scanning 3D X-ray diffraction (s3DXRD) and phase contrast tomography (PCT) to determine in situ the spatial and crystallographic relationship between these two phases. From s3DXRD measurements, the crystallographic structure, orientation and position of the crystalline grains in the sample during the hydration reaction were obtained, while the PCT reconstructions allowed visualization of the 3D shapes of the crystals during the reaction. This multi-scale study unfolds structural and morphological evidence of the dissolution-precipitation process of the gypsum plaster system, providing insights into the reactivity of specific crystallographic facets of the hemihydrate. In this work, epitaxial growth of gypsum crystals on the hemihydrate grains was not observed., (© Michela La Bella et al. 2023.)

Purpose: [ 18 F]-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands permit in vivo assessment of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, including aggregated neurofibrillary tau (NFT) with [ 18 F]flortaucipir. Due to structural similarities of flortaucipir with some monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors, this study aimed to evaluate flortaucipir binding to MAO-A and MAO-B and any potential impact on PET interpretation., Methods: [ 18 F]Flortaucipir autoradiography was performed on frozen human brain tissue slices, and PET imaging was conducted in rats. Dissociation constants were determined by saturation binding, association and dissociation rates were measured by kinetic binding experiments, and IC 50 values were determined by competition binding., Results: Under stringent wash conditions, specific [ 18 F]flortaucipir binding was observed on tau NFT-rich Alzheimer's disease tissue and not control tissue. In vivo PET experiments in rats revealed no evidence of [ 18 F]flortaucipir binding to MAO-A; pre-treatment with MAO inhibitor pargyline did not impact uptake or wash-out of [ 18 F]flortaucipir. [ 18 F]Flortaucipir bound with low nanomolar affinity to human MAO-A in a microsomal preparation in vitro but with a fast dissociation rate relative to MAO-A ligand fluoroethyl-harmol, consistent with no observed in vivo binding in rats of [ 18 F]flortaucipir to MAO-A. Direct binding of flortaucipir to human MAO-B was not detected in a microsomal preparation. A high concentration of flortaucipir (IC 50 of 1.3 μM) was found to block binding of the MAO-B ligand safinamide to MAO-B on microsomes suggesting that, at micromolar concentrations, flortaucipir weakly binds to MAO-B in vitro., Conclusion: These data suggest neither MAO-A nor MAO-B binding will contribute significantly to the PET signal in cortical target areas relevant to the interpretation of [ 18 F]flortaucipir., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Novel research in the field of bioelectronic medicine requires neuromodulation systems that pair high-performance neurostimulation and bio-signal acquisition hardware with advanced signal processing and control algorithms. Although mice are the most commonly used animal in medical research, the size, weight, and power requirements of such bioelectronic systems either preclude use in mice or impose significant constraints on experimental design. Here, a fully-implantable recording and stimulation neuromodulation system suitable for use in mice is presented, measuring 2.2 cm 3 and weighing 2.8 g. The bidirectional wireless interface allows simultaneous readout of multiple physiological signals and complete control over stimulation parameters, and a wirelessly rechargeable battery provides a lifetime of up to 5 days on a single charge. The device was implanted to deliver vagus nerve stimulation (n = 12 animals) and a functional neural interface (capable of inducing acute bradycardia) was demonstrated with lifetimes exceeding three weeks. The design utilizes only commercially-available electrical components and 3D-printed packaging, with the goal of facilitating widespread adoption and accelerating discovery and translation of future bioelectronic therapeutics., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Multi-anvil and laser-heated diamond anvil methods have been used to subject Ge and Si mixtures to pressures and temperatures of between 12 and 17 GPa and 1500-1800 K, respectively. Synchrotron angle dispersive X-ray diffraction, precession electron diffraction and chemical analysis using electron microscopy, reveal recovery at ambient pressure of hexagonal Ge-Si solid solutions (P6 3 /mmc). Taken together, the multi-anvil and diamond anvil results reveal that hexagonal solid solutions can be prepared for all Ge-Si compositions. This hexagonal class of solid solutions constitutes a significant expansion of the bulk Ge-Si solid solution family, and is of interest for optoelectronic applications., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Childhood lead exposure interferes with brain maturation, which adversely impacts cognitive and behavioral development. Lower intelligence scores, impairments in decision making, and increased rates of delinquent and criminal behavior are adverse outcomes linked to childhood lead absorption. The present study examined the relationships between childhood blood lead concentrations, structural brain volume, and measures of adult criminality. We hypothesized that increased rates of criminal arrests in adulthood would be inversely correlated with regional gray and white matter volumes, especially prefrontal areas responsible for decision making and self-control. We obtained childhood blood lead histories and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging from a subset of the longitudinally followed birth cohort known as the Cincinnati Lead Study. Criminality data for cohort participants were extracted from public databases. Voxel based morphometry was used to examine spatial differences in regional gray and white matter volumes associated with childhood blood lead concentrations and measures of adult criminality, respectively. Conjunction analyses allowed for the exploratory evaluation of common regions of volume change. Childhood blood lead concentrations were inversely associated with gray and white matter volume in the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. Gray matter volumes were also inversely associated with criminal arrests with key regions within the cingulate, precuneus, several frontal gyri and the supplementary motor area. Conjunction analyses identified regions in the anterior cingulate, frontal gray matter and supplementary motor area associated with childhood lead absorption and criminality. The results from this study suggest that reduced brain volumes in regions responsible for cognition and emotional regulation are associated with childhood lead exposure and criminal arrests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The high levels of flux available at a fourth-generation synchrotron are shown to have significant beam heating effects for high-energy X-rays and radiation hard samples, leading to temperature increases of over 400 K with a monochromatic beam. These effects have been investigated at the ID11 beamline at the recently upgraded ESRF Extremely Brilliant Source, using thermal lattice expansion to perform in situ measurements of beam heating. Results showed significant increases in temperature for metal and ceria samples, which are compared with a lumped thermodynamic model, providing a tool for estimating beam heating effects. These temperature increases may have a drastic effect on samples and measurements, such as the rapid recrystallization of a copper wire shown here. These results demonstrate the importance of beam heating and provide information needed to consider, predict and mitigate these effects., (open access.)

Climate change is driving ecological shifts in coastal regions of the world, where low topographic relief makes ecosystems particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, salinization, storm surge, and other effects of global climate change. The consequences of rising water tables and salinity can penetrate well inland, and lead to particularly dramatic changes in freshwater forested wetlands dominated by tree species with low salt tolerance. The resulting loss of coastal forests could have significant implications to the coastal carbon cycle. We quantified the rates of vegetation change including land loss, forest loss, and shrubland expansion in North Carolina's largest coastal wildlife refuge over 35 yr. Despite its protected status, and in the absence of any active forest management, 32% (31,600 hectares) of the refuge area has changed landcover classification during the study period. A total of 1,151 hectares of land was lost to the sea and ~19,300 hectares of coastal forest habitat was converted to shrubland or marsh habitat. As much as 11% of all forested cover in the refuge transitioned to a unique land cover type-"ghost forest"-characterized by standing dead trees and fallen tree trunks. The formation of this ghost forest transition state peaked prominently between 2011 and 2012, following Hurricane Irene and a 5-yr drought, with 4,500 ± 990 hectares of ghost forest forming during that year alone. This is the first attempt to map and quantify coastal ghost forests using remote sensing. Forest losses were greatest in the eastern portion of the refuge closest to the Croatan and Pamlico Sounds, but also occurred much further inland in low-elevation areas and alongside major canals. These unprecedented rates of deforestation and land cover change due to climate change may become the status quo for coastal regions worldwide, with implications for wetland function, wildlife habitat, and global carbon cycling., (© 2021 by the Ecological Society of America.)

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) remains a common problem for surgeons and nonsurgeons alike. Management of SBO has shifted from primarily being surgical to a nonoperative approach, which can be attributed to a multitude of reasons, including better understanding of the pathophysiology of SBO, the advent of laparoscopy, and improvement in diagnostic imaging. But given the nature of SBO, the need for surgical consultation continues to remain a necessity. This article will review the etiology, diagnosis, and management of SBO., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Using a variety of research designs and measures of lead absorption, numerous studies link childhood lead exposure to a range of cognitive and behavioral deficits, including low IQ, impulsivity, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behavior in adolescence and early adulthood. In this study, we tested the association between multiple measures of blood lead concentration assessed in childhood with criminal behavior in adulthood and across the life-course. Prospective data from the Cincinnati Lead Study (CLS) included blood lead measures quarterly across the first 78 months of life and the number of times a person was arrested across the life-course (from age 18 to 33 years) and in later adulthood (age 27 to 33 years). Childhood blood lead concentration prospectively predicted variation in adult arrests and arrests over the life-course, indicating lead absorption is implicated in the etiology of crime-especially in geographic areas where environmental sources of lead are more prevalent and concentrated. Efforts to decrease lead exposure in both developed and developing countries should be part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce social dislocation and crime., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Melanoma is the deadliest malignancy of the skin with an estimated 91 000 new annual cases with 9300 deaths in 2018. Metastatic disease generally presents with identification of known primary lesion; however, in 3.2% of patients, metastatic disease is discovered with unknown primary lesion/site. Rarely, melanoma is diagnosed as a primary lesion in visceral organs. Suspected primary hepatic melanoma is exceedingly rare and described in only a few case reports. We present the case of a 69-year-old Caucasian male who was found to have a hepatic melanoma on final pathology after resection of suspected primary hepatic malignancy. After a thorough postoperative workup, a primary lesion was unable to be identified. As such, a visceral primary lesion is considered.

Background and Aims: Understanding impacts of altered disturbance regimes on community structure and function is a key goal for community ecology. Functional traits link species composition to ecosystem functioning. Changes in the distribution of functional traits at community scales in response to disturbance can be driven not only by shifts in species composition, but also by shifts in intraspecific trait values. Understanding the relative importance of these two processes has important implications for predicting community responses to altered disturbance regimes., Methods: We experimentally manipulated fire return intervals in replicated blocks of a fire-adapted, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem in North Carolina, USA and measured specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and compositional responses along a lowland to upland gradient over a 4 year period. Plots were burned between zero and four times. Using a trait-based approach, we simulate hypothetical scenarios which allow species presence, abundance or trait values to vary over time and compare these with observed traits to understand the relative contributions of each of these three processes to observed trait patterns at the study site. We addressed the following questions. (1) How do changes in the fire regime affect community composition, structure and community-level trait responses? (2) Are these effects consistent across a gradient of fire intensity? (3) What are the relative contributions of species turnover, changes in abundance and changes in intraspecific trait values to observed changes in community-weighted mean (CWM) traits in response to altered fire regime?, Key Results: We found strong evidence that altered fire return interval impacted understorey plant communities. The number of fires a plot experienced significantly affected the magnitude of its compositional change and shifted the ecotone boundary separating shrub-dominated lowland areas from grass-dominated upland areas, with suppression sites (0 burns) experiencing an upland shift and annual burn sites a lowland shift. We found significant effects of burn regimes on the CWM of SLA, and that observed shifts in both SLA and LDMC were driven primarily by intraspecific changes in trait values., Conclusions: In a fire-adapted ecosystem, increased fire frequency altered community composition and structure of the ecosystem through changes in the position of the shrub line. We also found that plant traits responded directionally to increased fire frequency, with SLA decreasing in response to fire frequency across the environmental gradient. For both SLA and LDMC, nearly all of the observed changes in CWM traits were driven by intraspecific variation., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)