Discovery of Crystallizable Organic Semiconductors with Machine Learning.

Crystalline organic semiconductors are known to have improved charge carrier mobility and exciton diffusion length in comparison to their amorphous counterparts. Certain organic molecular thin films can be transitioned from initially prepared amorphous layers to large-scale crystalline films via abrupt thermal annealing. Ideally, these films crystallize as platelets with long-range-ordered domains on the scale of tens to hundreds of microns. However, other organic molecular thin films may instead crystallize as spherulites or resist crystallization entirely. Organic molecules that have the capability of transforming into a platelet morphology feature both high melting point (Tm) and crystallization driving force (ΔGc). In this work, we employed machine learning (ML) to identify candidate organic materials with the potential to crystallize into platelets by estimating the aforementioned thermal properties. Six organic molecules identified by the ML algorithm were experimentally evaluated; three crystallized as platelets, one crystallized as a spherulite, and two resisted thin film crystallization. These results demonstrate a successful application of ML in the scope of predicting thermal properties of organic molecules and reinforce the principles of Tm and ΔGc as metrics that aid in predicting the crystallization behavior of organic thin films.

Percutaneous distal bicortical proximal phalanx osteotomy for second toe deformities - A two-year prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of our study was to evaluate satisfaction, recurrence, bone union and other complications after a minimum of two years follow-up in patients who had percutaneous claw and hammer (CHT) second toe correction utilizing a novel distal and bicortical proximal phalanx osteotomy (DBPPO). METHODS: A minimum two-year follow-up prospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients with symptomatic CHT deformities of the second toe corrected with percutaneous surgery. Primary outcomes included satisfaction, recurrence, bony union, and other complication rates specific to the second toe deformity correction. Secondary outcomes included Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal AOFAS scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Between January and October 2020, 34 patients (43 feet) were clinically and radiologically evaluated pre and postoperatively at a mean of 26.6 months. Thirty-eight feet (88.4 %) were satisfied or very satisfied with their second toe deformity correction and 41 feet (95.3 %) would undergo surgery on this toe again. No deformity recurrence requiring revision was found. There were two complications (4.7 %): one toe (2.3 %) with persistent numbness and one (2.3 %) had a simple infection that resolved with oral antibiotics. All 43 s toe osteotomies demonstrated bony consolidation. Stiffness was reported in nine second toes (20.9 %), seven of them (77.8 %) having a rigid pre-operative deformity. Secondary outcomes demonstrated significant improvement in the mean ( ± standard deviation) AOFAS score which increased from 47.5 ± 17.9 preoperatively to 95.7 ± 7.7 postoperatively (p < .001). Mean VAS significantly improved from 4.9 ± 2.5 preoperatively to 0.3 ± 1.3 postoperatively (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous treatment of claw and hammer second toe deformities utilizing a DBPPO resulted in high levels of satisfaction with bony consolidation, no recurrence and low complication rates at two years follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II - Prospective cohort study.

A Novel Technique for Intraoperative Mapping of the Somatosensory Cortex.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative mapping of the nervous system is used to identify "eloquent" cortical areas. In this technical report, we describe a novel way of mapping the somatosensory cortex so that injury to those critical pathways can be avoided. METHODS: An 8-year-old female with drug resistant epilepsy presented for resection of a right posterior parietal focal cortical dysplasia. Left median nerve stimulation was used to record somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) directly from the somatosensory cortex with a strip electrode. A handheld monopolar electrode was also used to record both the median and tibial SEP. Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used. RESULTS: SEP recordings were obtained from a 4-contact strip electrode placed across the central sulcus. A phase reversal was identified and the most likely post central gyrus was noted. With the strip electrode left in place, a monopolar handheld electrode was used to record the median nerve SEPs from different locations on the postcentral gyrus. The tibial nerve was also stimulated to record where the highest amplitude tibial nerve SEP was present. This map was used delineate functionally "eloquent" areas to avoid during surgery. During resection, the median nerve SEP was recorded from the strip electrode continuously. No significant change in the SEP was noted, and the patient awoke without any sensory deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory mapping of the cortex is possible with a handheld monopolar electrode. This technique is easy to perform and can help reduce neurological morbidity.

Facilitation of motor evoked potentials after tetanic peripheral nerve stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Tetanic stimulation of a peripheral nerve prior to transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) may enhance motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the post-tetanic MEP (p-MEP) technique in improving MEP amplitudes. METHODS: Conventional TES MEPs (c-MEP) and p-MEPs with left upper limb stimulation (p-MEPUL) or left lower limb stimulation (p-MEPLL) were performed in 26 patients. Bilateral hand and foot MEP amplitudes obtained with each protocol were compared. Subgroup comparisons were performed for myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy patients. Within-subject amplitude differences between c-MEP and each p-MEP technique were compared using a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.7 years (range, 12-79 years). Overall, p-MEPUL resulted in MEP improvement in 25 of 26 (96%) patients, and p-MEPLL improved MEPs in 19 of 26 (73%) patients. The increase in MEP amplitudes were statistically significant in all muscle groups except left foot. Similar improvements were seen in the myelopathy group; in the neuropathy group, p-MEPUL produced similar results, but p-MEPLL did not. CONCLUSIONS: The p-MEP technique can improve MEP amplitudes, including in patients with myelopathy. In patients with peripheral neuropathy, the results were mixed. SIGNIFICANCE: Tetanic stimulation can enhance intraoperative MEP amplitudes.

Advancing botanical safety: A strategy for selecting, sourcing, and characterizing botanicals for developing toxicological tools.

Increases in botanical use, encompassing herbal medicines and dietary supplements, have underlined a critical need for an advancement in safety assessment methodologies. However, botanicals present unique challenges for safety assessment due to their complex and variable composition arising from diverse growing conditions, processing methods, and plant varieties. Historically, botanicals have been largely evaluated based on their history of use information, based primarily on traditional use or dietary history. However, this presumption lacks comprehensive toxicological evaluation, demanding innovative and consistent assessment strategies. To address these challenges, the Botanical Safety Consortium (BSC) was formed as an international, cross-sector forum of experts to identify fit-for purpose assays that can be used to evaluate botanical safety. This global effort aims to assess botanical safety assessment methodologies, merging traditional knowledge with modern in vitro and in silico assays. The ultimate goal is to champion the development of toxicity tools for botanicals. This manuscript highlights: 1) BSC's strategy for botanical selection, sourcing, and preparation of extracts to be used in in vitro assays, and 2) the approach utilized to characterize botanical extracts, using green tea and Asian ginseng as examples, to build confidence for use in biological assays.

Sublimed C60 for efficient and repeatable perovskite-based solar cells.

Thermally evaporated C60 is a near-ubiquitous electron transport layer in state-of-the-art p-i-n perovskite-based solar cells. As perovskite photovoltaic technologies are moving toward industrialization, batch-to-batch reproducibility of device performances becomes crucial. Here, we show that commercial as-received (99.75% pure) C60 source materials may coalesce during repeated thermal evaporation processes, jeopardizing such reproducibility. We find that the coalescence is due to oxygen present in the initial source powder and leads to the formation of deep states within the perovskite bandgap, resulting in a systematic decrease in solar cell performance. However, further purification (through sublimation) of the C60 to 99.95% before evaporation is found to hinder coalescence, with the associated solar cell performances being fully reproducible after repeated processing. We verify the universality of this behavior on perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells by demonstrating their open-circuit voltages and fill factors to remain at 1950 mV and 81% respectively, over eight repeated processes using the same sublimed C60 source material. Notably, one of these cells achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 30.9%. These findings provide insights crucial for the advancement of perovskite photovoltaic technologies towards scaled production with high process yield.

Lung-specific MCEMP1 functions as an adaptor for KIT to promote SCF-mediated mast cell proliferation.

Lung mast cells are important in host defense, and excessive proliferation or activation of these cells can cause chronic inflammatory disorders like asthma. Two parallel pathways induced by KIT-stem cell factor (SCF) and FcεRI-immunoglobulin E interactions are critical for the proliferation and activation of mast cells, respectively. Here, we report that mast cell-expressed membrane protein1 (MCEMP1), a lung-specific surface protein, functions as an adaptor for KIT, which promotes SCF-mediated mast cell proliferation. MCEMP1 elicits intracellular signaling through its cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif and forms a complex with KIT to enhance its autophosphorylation and activation. Consequently, MCEMP1 deficiency impairs SCF-induced peritoneal mast cell proliferation in vitro and lung mast cell expansion in vivo. Mcemp1-deficient mice exhibit reduced airway inflammation and lung impairment in chronic asthma mouse models. This study shows lung-specific MCEMP1 as an adaptor for KIT to facilitate SCF-mediated mast cell proliferation.

School-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports and students with extensive support needs: a scoping review.

School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is an inclusive multi-tiered system of behavioral supports that has been widely adopted by K-12 schools in the United States. SWPBIS focuses on creating safe, equitable, and inclusive school environments and has been linked to both positive behavioral and academic outcomes for students and improved perceptions of efficacy and job satisfaction for school personnel. However, there remain concerns about the involvement of students with extensive support needs (ESN) in SWPBIS despite calls to action in 2006 and 2016 for research in this area. Addressing these concerns, we conducted a scoping review to examine the current research literature on SWPBIS and students with ESN. We found that only 10 studies have been conducted since the 2006 call to action. Studies primarily focused on stakeholder perspectives regarding the importance or availability of SWPBIS for students with ESN. Although few studies examined SWPBIS effectiveness, findings from these studies lend support to the effectiveness of Tier 1 SWPBIS for students with ESN. We describe several key implications for supporting the inclusion of students with ESN in SWPBIS and future research initiatives.

Pharmacogenomic Profiling of Pediatric Patients on Psychotropic Medications in an Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of a combinatorial pharmacogenomic test to predict medication blood levels and relative clinical improvements in a selected pediatric population. METHODS: This study enrolled patients between ages 3 to 18 years who presented to a pediatric emergency department with acute psychiatric, behavioral, or mental health crisis and/or concerns, and had previously been prescribed psychotropic medications. Patients received combinatorial pharmacogenomic testing with medications categorized according to gene-drug interactions (GDIs); medications with a GDI were considered "incongruent," and medications without a GDI were considered "congruent." Blood levels for escitalopram, fluoxetine, aripiprazole, and clonidine were evaluated according to level of GDI. Relative clinical improvements in response to the prescribed psychotropic medications were measured using a parent-rated Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) assessment, where lower scores corresponded with greater improvement. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients enrolled, 73% reported taking ≥1 incongruent medication. There was no significant difference in CGI-I scores between patients prescribed congruent versus incongruent medications (3.37 vs 3.68, P = 0.343). Among patients who presented for depression or suicidal ideation, those prescribed congruent medications had significantly lower CGI-I scores compared with those taking incongruent medications ( P = 0.036 for depression, P = 0.018 for suicidal ideation). There was a significant association between medication GDI and blood levels for aripiprazole (n = 15, P = 0.01) and escitalopram (n = 10, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings suggest that combinatorial pharmacogenomic testing can predict medication blood levels and relative outcomes based on medication congruency in children presenting to an emergency department with acute psychiatric/behavioral crises. Additional studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

A 10-Year Review of Designated Leadership Positions of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS).

Background: In 2019 the majority of US medical students were women (50.5%). However, despite this representation, female representation within orthopaedic surgery remains low when compared to male counterparts. Previously, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) published their gender diversity data. No such study has been conducted in the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), which is the largest membership organization for foot and ankle-trained orthopaedic surgeons. This study sought to investigate whether increased female representation in the AOFAS membership roster is reflected in different levels within the organization. Methods: The 2012-2022 membership rosters were obtained from the AOFAS and compared by gender. Volunteer, elected, and appointed leadership positions as well as rates of engagement were compared for each of the activities. Leadership positions were defined as committee chair, vice chair, or board of directors (BOD). When available, time for advancement through leadership positions to the presidential role was analyzed by gender. Comparative data were available for 2 other respective subspecialty groups, ASSH and POSNA, from previously published studies. Results: Between 2012 and 2022, the percentage of female membership in the AOFAS has continued to increase from 7.5% (n=76) to 13% (n=163). Engagement in committee membership positions during this time has more than doubled from 11 of 26 (14.4%) to 57 of 163 (34.9%). When participation trends were evaluated by gender, women showed higher rates of committee involvement than their male counterparts. In 2021 compared to 2012, the percentage of female committee members more than doubled compared with their male counterparts (female 34.9% to male 23.2% vs female 14.4% to male 16.8%). This increase in female gender committee composition trend has been seen in the ASSH and POSNA, but it is more pronounced in the AOFAS. Representation of women in committee chair positions and elected positions has not seen this same parallel increase. Conclusion: The female membership of the AOFAS has a similar gender composition to other orthopaedic subspecialities. Female membership within the society has increased over the past 10 years. The rates of female involvement within committee membership positions have seen a parallel increase. It will take time to mature into leadership roles as we continue to increase diversity within our respective subspecialty organizations. Inception of the AOFAS Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Women's Subcommittee demonstrate a continued emphasis on this core value within the society. Level of Evidence: Level IV, cohort study.

Review and Meta-analysis on the Impact of the ADRA2A Variant rs1800544 on Methylphenidate Outcomes in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Background: Methylphenidate is among the most prescribed medications for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, nearly half of pediatric patients with ADHD do not respond to methylphenidate treatment. Pharmacogenetic testing can aid in identifying patients for whom methylphenidate is unlikely to be safe or effective, leading to improved methylphenidate outcomes and increased use of alternative treatment options for ADHD. This article aimed to summarize findings from studies of the ADRA2A gene variant, rs1800544, and its association with methylphenidate outcomes in ADHD. Methods: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed available literature on the impact of rs1800544 on methylphenidate outcomes in ADHD. Results: Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria for review, 9 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The included studies compared methylphenidate outcomes in patients with ADHD categorized by rs1800544 genotype. G-allele carriers experienced significantly greater improvements in ADHD symptom scores (Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version-IV Scale or ADHD Rating Scale-IV) relative to noncarriers (odds ratio 3.08, 95% confidence interval 1.71-5.56, p = .0002) and greater response rates as measured by a ≥50% improvement in symptom scores (odds ratio 2.68, 95% confidence interval 1.23-5.82, p = .01); no significant difference in response rate as measured by Clinical Global Impressions score ≤2 was found. Stouffer's z-score method showed significant improvement across all methylphenidate outcomes in G-allele carriers relative to noncarriers (z = 3.03, p = .002). Conclusions: These findings suggest that carriers of rs1800544 may have improved ADHD outcomes following methylphenidate treatment. However, the extent to which these improvements are clinically impactful remain unclear. Additional studies are required to determine if rs1800544 carrier status should influence clinical recommendations for treatment of ADHD symptoms.

Characterisation of seven medications approved for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using in vitro models of hepatic metabolism.

The metabolism of most medications approved for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully understood.In vitro studies using cryopreserved, plated human hepatocytes (cPHHs) and pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) were performed to more thoroughly characterise the metabolism of several ADHD medications.The use of enzyme-specific chemical inhibitors indicated a role for CYP2D6 in atomoxetine (ATX) metabolism, and roles for CYP3A4/5 in guanfacine (GUA) metabolism.The 4-hydroxy-atomoxetine and N-desmethyl-atomoxetine pathways represented 98.4% and 1.5% of ATX metabolism in cPHHs, respectively. The 3-OH-guanfacine pathway represented at least 2.6% of GUA metabolism in cPHHs, and 71% in HLMs.The major metabolising enzyme for methylphenidate (MPH) and dexmethylphenidate (dMPH) could not be identified using these methods because these compounds were too unstable. Hydrolysis of these medications was spontaneous and did not require the presence of protein to occur.Clonidine (CLD), amphetamine (AMPH), and dextroamphetamine (dAMPH) did not deplete substantially in cPHHs nor HLMs, suggesting that these compounds may not undergo considerable hepatic metabolism. The major circulating metabolites of AMPH and dAMPH (benzoic acid and hippuric acid) were not observed in either system, and therefore could not be characterised. Additionally, inhibition experiments suggested a very minimal role for CYP2D6 in CLD and AMPH metabolism.

Understanding plant to extract ratios in botanical extracts.

Dietary supplement current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) requires establishment of quality parameters for each component used in the manufacture of a dietary supplement to ensure that specifications for the identity, purity, strength, composition, and limits on contaminants are met. Compliance with botanical extract ingredient specifications is assured by using scientifically valid methods of analysis, the results of which are reported on certificates of analysis (CoAs). However, CoAs routinely include additional data that are not amenable to verification through methods of analysis. Such descriptive information may include Plant to Extract ratios, which are ratios of the quantity of botanical article used in the manufacture of the extract to the quantity of extract obtained. Plant to Extract ratios can be misleading when their meaning is not clearly understood. Plant to Extract ratios do not completely describe botanical extracts because other important factors influence the make-up of final extracts, such as the quality of the raw starting material (as can defined by pharmacopeial standards), extraction solvent(s) used, duration and temperature of extraction, and percentage and type of excipients present. Other important qualitative descriptions may include constituent "fingerprinting." Despite these issues, Plant to Extract ratios are often used as a measure of extract strength for dosage calculations. This article defines and clarifies the meaning of Plant to Extract ratios and their proper use in describing and labeling botanical extract ingredients and finished products containing them.

A comprehensive picture of roughness evolution in organic crystalline growth: the role of molecular aspect ratio.

Exploiting the capabilities of organic semiconductors for applications ranging from light-emitting diodes to photovoltaics to lasers relies on the creation of ordered, smooth layers for optimal charge carrier mobilities and exciton diffusion. This, in turn, creates a demand for organic small molecules that can form smooth thin film crystals via homoepitaxy. We have studied a set of small-molecule organic semiconductors that serve as templates for homoepitaxy. The surface roughness of these materials is measured as a function of adlayer film thickness from which the growth exponent (ß) is extracted. Notably, we find that three-dimensional molecules that have low molecular aspect ratios (AR) tend to remain smooth as thickness increases (small ß). This is in contrast to planar or rod-like molecules with high AR that quickly roughen (large ß). Molecular dynamics simulations find that the Ehrlich-Schwöbel barrier (EES) alone is unable to fully explain this trend. We further investigated the mobility of ad-molecules on the crystalline surface to categorize their diffusion behaviors and the effects of aggregation to account for the different degrees of roughness that we observed. Our results suggest that low AR molecules have low molecular mobility and moderate EES which creates a downward funneling effect leading to smooth crystal growth.

Measuring the Impact of an Educational Intervention on Evidence-Based Practice.

Background With an increasingly complex health care system, there are greater demands for nurses to have a strong foundation in evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies because of their relationship to improved patient and organizational outcomes. Attributes such as knowledge, skills, and attitudes contribute to the development of EBP competencies. Method A quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest design was conducted to evaluate the outcomes for 30 RNs in an acute care setting who attended a 3-hour EBP educational intervention using the Healthcare EBP Assessment Tool questionnaire. Results The nurses demonstrated a significant improvement in their perceived understanding of EBP after the intervention (p = .005). Statistically significant improvements were also noted on the subscales of frequency, ability, desire, and barriers. Conclusion Advances in the perception of EBP competencies made by the participants of this intervention may enhance their feeling of contributing to the organization and result in improved patient outcomes and work environment. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of other interventions, including opportunities to be involved in quality improvement projects and research studies. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(3):109-114.].

Psychological Autopsy: A Method to Assist in the Identification of Risk and Protective Factors for Intimate Partner Femicide.

The most common form of violence experienced by women is that perpetrated by intimate partners, and the gendered nature of intimate partner femicide (IPF) has received particular attention. Few studies to date have delved into the limitations associated with methods used in IPF research, and particularly the methods used to study homicide victims (rather than homicide perpetrators). This article outlines dominant methodologies used to study IPF, and considers a novel method of investigation-the "psychological autopsy"-that may help to improve existing knowledge about IPF.

Applying an Ecological Framework to Factors Associated With Non-Spousal Sexual Assault Among Women in Canada.

An ecological framework is useful for understanding how individual, relationship, community, and societal level factors can affect women's vulnerability to sexual assault. However, most studies have focused on examining individual and relationship factors only, due to measurement challenges and a lack of data at the societal level. The purpose of this study was to use data from a nationally representative victimization survey to identify salient predictors of sexual assaults not committed by common-law or marital partners among women across all levels of the ecological framework. Out of 16,738 female respondents, 1.9% (n = 319) experienced one or more incidents of non-spousal sexual assault in the 12 months preceding the survey. Logistic regression modeling indicated that at the individual level, statistically significant factors associated with non-spousal sexual assault included age, Indigenous status, marital status, mental disability, education, main activity, and homelessness or precarious housing. Relationship level predictors of non-spousal sexual assault were a history of child sexual abuse and witnessing violence between parents. Community level predictors were a weak sense of belonging in the local community, low likelihood that neighbors would contact police if they witnessed family violence in the respondents' home, and high likelihood that neighbors would contact police if they witnessed other criminal behavior. Societal level factors were perceptions that local police do a poor job promptly responding to calls, perceptions that local police do a poor job treating people fairly, and having experienced discrimination in the previous 5 years. The results demonstrated that community and societal level factors are critical components of an ecological framework and are important to understanding and addressing the many factors which are independently associated with vulnerability to sexual assault.

Coaching paraeducators to implement functional communication training involving augmentative and alternative communication for students with autism spectrum disorder.

Paraeducators play an important role in assisting teachers and other professionals to support students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including delivering positive behavioral supports to those students who engage in persistent challenging behavior. The purpose of this multiple baseline design across participants study was to support paraeducators to implement functional communication training (FCT) to address challenging behavior among three students with ASD who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Paraeducators implemented FCT with high levels of fidelity after participating in an initial training session and follow-up coaching and generally found the initial training and coaching strategies to be effective and feasible. Reductions in challenging behavior were variable across student participants. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed in relation to FCT for students with ASD who use AAC and paraeducator training.

Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomology Among Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault in Canada.

There is a dearth of information about the association of victim-related and assailant-related characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among sexually assaulted women. Recently, Statistics Canada included items measuring the possible presence of PTSD symptoms in their 2014 nationally representative General Social Survey on Victimization (GSS-V), for the purpose of improving the understanding of mental health impacts associated with sexual victimization. The present study used the GSS-V to examine the association of sociodemographic, health, and assailant characteristics and prior traumatic experiences in the form of physical or sexual dating violence, physical assault, stalking, childhood abuse, and witnessing of violence between parents with PTSD symptomology among sexually assaulted women. Among 319 women who reported experiencing at least one incident of sexual assault in the 12 months prior to the survey, 68.6% had experienced at least one negative emotional impact as a result, among whom, 43.6% reported past-month PTSD symptoms. Logistic regression modeling revealed that prior traumatic events in the form of physical or sexual dating violence, stalking, and having witnessed violence between parents were associated with higher odds of experiencing PTSD symptoms, as was having been sexually assaulted by a known assailant. In contrast, the odds of experiencing PTSD symptoms was lower for Aboriginal or visible minority women. The results suggest that PTSD symptoms in the near aftermath of sexual victimization are common, and there are a range of factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing these symptoms. Implications for future research are discussed.

Criminal Careers Among Female Perpetrators of Family and Nonfamily Homicide in Australia.

Knowledge of women's pathways to serious offending, including homicide, is limited. This study contributes to a small but growing body of literature examining the criminal careers of serious female offenders by using interview data with females convicted of murder or manslaughter in Australia to examine various dimensions of their criminal careers, specifically, prevalence, frequency, age of onset, duration, and offending variety. In particular, in this study we compared criminal career dimensions across women who had killed a family member (e.g., intimate partner, children) and those whose victims were not part of the family unit (i.e., acquaintances or strangers). Our findings reveal differences between female homicide offenders who kill within and outside of the family unit. Although both groups had comparable overall lifetime prevalence of self-reported participation in criminal offending, findings indicate that participation among the family group was typically at low levels of frequency, of limited duration, and with relatively little variety in categories of offending. The family group also reported lower contact with the criminal justice system compared with the nonfamily group, and were less likely to have experienced some form of criminal/legal sanction in the 12 months prior to the homicide incident. This suggests that women who kill family members are more "conventional" than their nonfamily counterparts, in terms of having low and time-limited (i.e., short duration) lifetime participation in criminal offending.