Occupational History Research Articles

Telomere length and chronotype among women in the California Teachers Study (CTS)

ABSTRACT While links between certain chronotypes and poorer health outcomes have been well established in previous studies, few studies have examined the relationship between chronotype and cellular aging. Using data from the California Teachers Study (CTS), the present study evaluates the relationship between cellular aging and chronobiology through an analysis of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and chronotype among 817 predominantly postmenopausal women with no history of cancer and occupations not associated with night-shift work. Unconditional logistic regression models were run to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for each chronotype category, adjusted for age, ethnicity, and smoking status. Analyses were then stratified by potential modifiers to assess whether results varied among specific subgroups within the sample. Women who reported being current evening types and evening types from teen years to now were significantly less likely to have short LTL compared to women who reported being current morning types or morning types from teen years to now (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.53-0.98; OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.39-0.84). Our results suggest that women with no history of cancer who identify as evening chronotypes may undergo decreased cellular aging compared to women in the same population who identify as morning types. Further studies on populations of postmenopausal women are warranted.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of asthma among the adults in Shendi locality, Sudan: A cross-sectional study.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition leading to intermittent airway narrowing and obstruction. Although millions suffer from asthma globally, there is limited data from African countries, particularly Sudan. This study addresses the gap in research on asthma knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the adults in Shendi locality, Northern Sudan. This cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in Kabushiya village, Shendi, Sudan, involving 148 participants selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a validated, structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and multiple linear regression. Participants demonstrated high levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding asthma. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with marital status, education, occupation, and income (P values: .040, .003, .000, and .006, respectively), with the highest medians among divorced individuals, those with higher education, professional workers, and people earning <50,000 SDGs (medians: 17, 16, 17, and 16, respectively). Attitude scores varied significantly by marital status, education, occupation, and family asthma history (P values: .001, .000, .003, and .016, respectively), with highest scores among divorced individuals, those with high school or higher education, professionals, and those with a first-degree relative with asthma (medians: 6, 5, 5, and 5, respectively). Patient practice scores differed by marital status and income (P values: .026 and .006, respectively), with higher scores among singles and those earning <50,000 SDGs. Co-patient practice scores were significantly influenced by occupation, personal or familial asthma experience, and family asthma status (P values: .026, .003, and .000, respectively). No significant differences were observed in co-patient practice scores between groups. The study highlights a generally good level of asthma knowledge and positive attitudes among participants, with some variability in practices based on socio-demographic factors. These findings emphasize the need for targeted education and intervention programs to improve asthma management in rural Sudan.

Occupational exposure to nickel or hexavalent chromium and the risk of lung cancer (SYNERGY)

Abstract Background Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and nickel (Ni) are known occupational carcinogens, with frequent exposures, for example, in welding-related activities. However, limited evidence exists on the exposure-response relationship of Cr(VI) or Ni with lung-cancer risk. We estimated lung-cancer risks based on quantitative indices of occupational exposure to each metal, and their interaction with smoking habits. Methods Fourteen case-control studies from Europe and Canada (16,901 cases, 20,965 control subjects) were pooled. A measurement-based job-exposure matrix was used to estimate year- and region-specific exposure levels for Cr(VI) and Ni, which were linked to the study subjects’ occupational histories. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, adjusting for study, age group, smoking, and exposure to other occupational lung carcinogens. Results The OR for the highest quartile (&amp;gt;99.5 μg/m3-years) of cumulative exposure to Cr(VI) in men was 1.32 (95% CI 1.19-1.47) and for nickel (highest quartile &amp;gt;78.1 μg/m3-years) OR = 1.29 (95% CI 1.15-1.45). Corresponding effect estimates in women were slightly lower. The joint effects of Cr(VI) and nickel with smoking were generally greater than additive. Conclusions We observed positive exposure-response relationships in the low-dose range of Cr(VI) and Ni exposures, based on a large study population including detailed information on smoking habits and a measurement-based job-exposure matrix. Although, we cannot rule out a combined classical measurement and Berkson error structure that may have caused bias in our risk estimates, our results provide empirical evidence to further specify preventive measures at the workplace in order to protect workers from hazardous substances. Key messages • Relatively low cumulative levels of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and Ni were associated with increased ORs for lung cancer, particularly in men. • Important empirical insights for the prevention of cancer at the workplace can be drawn from the results.

Latin American networking and cooperative struggles in Argentina: A conversation with the Movimiento de Ocupantes e Inquilinos (MOI)

This conversation examines the Movimiento de Ocupantes e Inquilinos (MOI) in Argentina, a grassroots organization promoting cooperative, self-managed housing for over 30 years. Based on a conversation with Néstor Jeifetz, the article traces the origins of the MOI from the 1980s building occupations in Buenos Aires, through its connection to the broader Latin American cooperative housing movement, including the creation of the Latin American Secretariat for Popular Housing and Habitat (SELVIHP). The article explores how MOI’s efforts to reclaim vacant urban properties—such as the La Fábrica cooperative housing project—address the critical need for secure, affordable housing in a context of neoliberal economic policies and external debt crises. Jeifetz discusses the political ramifications of recent far-right victories in Argentina, which threaten hard-won social rights and self-managed housing initiatives, as well as the MOI’s role in resisting these policies through a framework of collective ownership, democratic decision-making, and mutual aid. By highlighting the intersections of housing with education, health, and labor, and situating the MOI’s work within a larger history of land and building occupations across Abya-Yala, this article provides a nuanced understanding of the ongoing struggles for housing justice in the face of both local and global neoliberal forces.

The Effect of Occupational Therapy Intervention on Occupational Performance in the Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep disorder characterised by recurrent breathing interruptions during sleep, leading to significant health issues and impaired occupational performance. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention program tailored for OSAS patients. Methods: A total of 23 participants (18 males and 5 females) diagnosed with OSAS were included in this prospective analytical study conducted over six months at a tertiary care hospital. Participants were selected based on specific inclusion criteria, and their baseline and post-intervention assessments were performed using the Occupational Performance History Interview-II (OPHI-II). Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the significance of the results. Results: The mean age of participants was 51.96 years, with an average Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 39.87. Significant improvements were observed in occupational identity (pre-test: 25.08 ± 6.88; post-test: 30.78 ± 7.02), occupational competence (pre-test: 20.91 ± 6.37; post-test: 25.00 ± 6.65), and occupational setting (pre-test: 20.86 ± 6.00; post-test: 25.04 ± 6.58), with all p-values &lt; 0.001, indicating high statistical significance. Conclusion: The occupational therapy intervention program significantly enhanced the occupational performance and overall well-being of patients with OSAS. This study highlights the importance of integrating occupational therapy into the management of OSAS, particularly for patients facing barriers to conventional treatments. Future research should further explore the long-term effects and broader applications of such interventions.

Employment, work ability and sick leave in melanoma patients within the first year of diagnosis.

Malignant melanoma affects younger working individuals. This study investigated work ability and sick leave within one year after diagnosis, as well as the impact of rehabilitation and psycho-oncological measures on employment outcomes. In this monocentric, prospective, observational cohort study, 221 patients (62.4% females), aged 19-65, participated. 78.5% had tumor stageIB or lower at baseline. Routine clinical documentation, occupational history, work ability, subjective prognosis of employment, need for and satisfaction with rehabilitation measures were repeatedly assessed. 181 patients (82%) were employed at first visit, 172 (78%) at last visit. Approximately 75% of patients initially rated work ability as "moderate", with up to 9 sick leave days. In the following year, sick days increased significantly in patients with stageIB and IIA (p=0.044) and highly significantly in patients with stageII B and above (p<0.001). Psycho-oncologic consultation (24%) and rehabilitation (18%) did not change the significantly worse self-rated work ability of these patients. Melanoma affects work ability, even in tumor stages without lymph node involvement or distant metastasis. Controlled clinical trials would be useful to evaluate the success of rehabilitation and psycho-oncological interventions for patients with melanoma.

RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NAYARIT, MEXICO

ABSTRACT Despite chronicles from the 16th century describing fertile alluvial plains and densely populated wetlands, archaeology in western Mexico has been little studied. The Directorate of Archaeological Salvage (DSA) of National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has initiated a study of two sites in Costa Canuva, at the southern part of Nayarit state: Becerros and Naranjos. Thirty charcoal and shell samples were radiocarbon (14C) dated to determine occupation history. A Bayesian approach was used to build a chronological modeling from charcoal samples. Charcoal and shell samples found in the same context allowed us to calculate the ΔR values of marine offset for this period. In general, the archaeological sites of this area are divided into three major periods: Formative, Classic, and Postclassic. The 14C dating of Becerros recovered materials provided a chronological framework for the site’s occupation, from cal AD 169–1025, corroborating the ceramic studies in the sense that human settlement activities date from the Formative (300 BC–AD 600) to the Early Postclassic (AD 900–1200). Naranjos started in the Classic period and reached its occupancy peak in the Late Classic. The site’s occupation may have persisted for at least two centuries after the conquest of the Altiplano in 1521. The comparison of charcoal dates and associated shell samples from the Naranjos Unit gave a probability distribution for ΔR, that ranged from 118.5 to 199.5 with a mean value of 159 ± 4, slightly higher than other values obtained at nearby sites.

Evaluation and Application of the Work-Related Asthma Screening Questionnaire—Long Version (WRASQ-L)

BackgroundThe Work-related Asthma (WRA) Screening Questionnaire (Long-Version)(WRASQ-L)TM is a screening questionnaire that could improve recognition of WRA. ObjectiveTo conduct a definitive evaluation of the WRASQ-LTM to justify its implementation in clinical settings. MethodsEmployed adults aged 18-75 years with asthma confirmed by objective measures and the ability to take time off work were eligible. Participants completed the WRASQ-LTM then monitored their peak expiratory flow at and away from work or completed a specific inhalation challenge test. Data were classified as WRA or non-WRA by two asthma specialists, blinded to WRASQ-LTM answers. Sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) and Youden’s index were calculated for cut-offs of a positive screen. ResultsOf 106 participants (47.1±7.1 years (mean ± SD); 60 (57%) female), 14 (17%) were classified as WRA and were significantly younger in age than non-WRA participants (p=0.043). The questionnaire has high SN and NPV (90.9% and 93.1%, respectively), but low PPV and SP (32.1% and 26.0%, respectively). ConclusionsThe WRASQ-LTM has high SN and NPV. High SN is of primary interest to ensure that few false negative screens are missed and those with potential WRA are identified and continue to specialist care. The SN indicates utility of the questionnaire in clinical settings. Further benefits of the tool include its potential to prompt for education on the symptom-workplace relationship, workplace exposures, personal protective equipment use, and collect exposure and occupational history.

Expert-based assessment of chemical and physical exposures, and organizational factors, in past agricultural jobs

BackgroundLimited data document the spectrum of exposures in the agricultural environment. We describe here the wide range of chemical and physical agents, and organizational factors, encountered in agricultural jobs held in the past in Canada and abroad. MethodsWe used data from a population-based case-control study of prostate cancer including 3,925 male participants residing in Montreal, Canada in 2005-2012. Lifetime occupational histories and detailed job descriptions were collected in-person. Industrial hygienists and an agronomist conducted semi-quantitative evaluations of exposure, including intensity and reliability, to some 300 chemical and physical agents in each job held. Analyses focused on the 156 agricultural jobs ever held in the study population. Clusters of agricultural co-exposures were derived. ResultsAgricultural jobs had taken place in 1946-2012, 53% ending in 1970 or after. Jobs were often (43%) held in Quebec, Canada; 22% in Italy, Portugal or Greece, and 10% in Haiti. Jobs entailed exposure to an average of 10 chemical agents (± 7) and most were characterized by long working hours, high physical activity levels, and did not provoke stress or anxiety. Few involved early morning shifts. Exposure to 78 agents was assigned with probable or definite certainty. The most common definite or probable carcinogens were ultraviolet radiation (92% of jobs), environmental tobacco smoke (39%), diesel engine exhaust (23%), wood dust (20%), lubricating oils and greases (20%) and lead (15%). Pesticide exposure (as a group) occurred in 31% of jobs. Fifty-four percent of jobs entailed exposure to ≥ 2 recognized carcinogens. Exposure clusters varied according to countries and type of agricultural activities (general, animal, crops, horticulture, vineyards, etc.). ConclusionsFindings highlight the heterogeneity of exposure patterns in past agricultural environments based on their setting and activities involved. Studies on health-related effects of farming should account for numerous potential exposures, beyond their typical focus on pesticides.

Determinants of Stunting in Indonesia: Investigating Key Factors Influencing Child Growth

Stunting is a condition of growth failure that occurs in children, especially those under the age of five, caused by chronic poor nutritional intake and recurrent infectious diseases. Stunting is a social problem that has an impact on child development and the achievement of human resource quality. This study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate stunting in children in Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The sample consisted of 402 children from five districts, chosen for their focus on stunting prevention. Data collection involved mother interviews and measuring children's length/height-for-age indicators. The study examined a variety of family and child characteristics, including age, gender, father's occupation, family income, birth weight, birth length, and disease history. Multiple Logistic Regression is used to analyze the determinant impact of stunting events on children under five. It was found that 23.4% of stunted children in Tapanuli Tengah Regency. The results of the study show that there was a significant influence of birth length and history of illness on the incidence of stunting. History of illness is the dominant risk factor for stunting, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.8 with a Confidence Interval (CI) value of 1.120-2. 895. This informs that children who have a history of illness are almost 2 times more likely to be stunted than children who do not have a history of the disease. This study highlights the prevalence of stunting in Tapanuli Tengah Regency and its association with birth length and a history of illness. Interventions to combat stunting should target improving birth length and addressing children's history of illness. These findings align with existing literature on stunting in Indonesia and underscore the need for targeted interventions. Stunting remains a critical public health concern in Indonesia, necessitating context-specific efforts in Tapanuli Tengah Regency

A Rare Case of Occupational Aniline Poisoning: Management in a Limited-Facility Setting

Introduction Cyanosis along with altered mental should bring all the possible ethiologies into her mind in a minimum of time, based on the trauma, medical, environmental, and occupational history of the patient. Poisoning with methemoglobinemia inducing agents is one of the most important differentials especially when a history of occupational exposure to these agents is present. Case Report The patient, a 41-year-old healthy woman and engineer, experienced symptoms after exposure to aniline leading to dizziness and weakness, prompting a visit to the emergency department with cyanosis and low oxygen saturation. Initial vital signs showed decreased oxygen levels and elevated respiratory rate with normal ABG values despite ongoing cyanosis. Patient required intubation, mechanical ventilation, and was diagnosed with ARDS based on chest X-ray findings. Management included IV diuretics, 100% oxygen, and antioxidant treatment in the ICU. Despite treatment, oxygen saturation remained at 88% on the first day. Conclusion This case is a reminder of the importance of taking occupational history and management of aniline toxicity in a setting where methylene blue, the drug of choice for aniline toxicity, is not available in the drug stock.

One place, many worlds – nutrition strategies of human groups inhabiting the site 3 in Miechów (southern Poland) since the Neolithic until the Iron Age

Abstract Studies on the ratios of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen constitute a research tool commonly applied in bioarchaeology to reconstruct human diets, including the origins of proteins consumed, the relationship between plant and animal foods, weaning processes, and parameters of the environment from which the food was obtained. Within the comprehensive analysis of the excavation results carried out at site 3 in Miechów (approximately 30 km north of Kraków), isotope analyses of δ13C and δ15N were performed on the human groups that inhabited the site from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. In total, 41 skeletons were investigated. The analyses aimed to hypothesise the nutritional strategies of communities of successive periods and to compare the knowledge obtained with current data and interpretations on food management in prehistoric communities of Central Europe. The results indicate a general predominance of a terrestrial diet, with plant-based foods prevailing, although not conspicuously. However, there are indications of slightly varying nutritional strategies among successive human groups. These differences are related to the contribution of animal protein and the relationship between C3 and C4 plants. For instance, in the Middle Neolithic (4th millennium BC), a greater consumption of meat and/or cereals from manured fields can be postulated compared to the Early Neolithic (late 6th and 5th millennia BC). On the other hand, the proportion of meat in the diet of Early Bronze Age inhabitants (2nd millennium BC) was possibly the lowest in the entire history of site occupation. This proportion returned to near-Neolithic levels in the developed Bronze Age and Iron Age (1st millennium BC). Regarding plant food, the results indicate greater variability in the plants consumed in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Levels of δ13C imply some contribution from C4 plants, that is, millet, during these periods. This aligns with recently formulated theories suggesting the post-Neolithic beginnings of millet cultivation and consumption in Central Europe.

Exploring Text Classification Systems for Automatically Coding Historical Occupations and Causes of Death

ObjectivesText classification models can be used to automatically categorize occupations and causes of death within historical documents. It is important to classify/code these categories as different words or textual descriptions could refer to the same occupation or cause of death. Given the many historical documents that are becoming available for research, accurate classification systems can be valuable resources. ApproachWe explore different text classification techniques, from traditional machine learning to deep learning, and investigate methodologies that transform occupations and causes of death into a vectorial space and use these representations as features to train text classification systems. Our data come from IPUMS USA/International, and SCADR. ResultsHistorians have coded occupations and causes of death for some census collections (e.g., US, Canada), but not yet for others (e.g., Scotland). We train and evaluate our classification systems using data from the US and Canada and then deploy it on data from Scotland. We quantitatively measure the performance of the classification systems for historical documents that have codes available. Additionally, once we deploy the model to data that does not yet have codes, we qualitatively evaluate our results by engaging with historians working on those data. We report and discuss these results to understand where the models are performing well and where the models are underperforming. ConclusionsResults suggest that there is value in building and deploying these classification models. We recommend the use of such models in conjunction with engaging with domain experts.

Cartographies of infrastructural imaginations: mapping ecological utopias and dystopias in the Global South

This article provides the reader with a theoretical framework and a method of representing cities called cartographies of infrastructural imaginations. The study employs mapping methods from the fields of architecture, urban geography and visual cultures. The research inquires about the role of cartography in the analysis of discourses that define policies of water supply, food distribution and land-use regulation, which are three environmental challenges in cities. How can we identify and situate the urban actors that attend to such challenges in cities from the Global South? The research is empirically grounded in Mexico City, Shanghai and Bangalore, urban settlements with a history of colonial occupation in previous centuries. Their foreign interventions still shape urban imaginaries of these cities. The method of blending photographic analysis with maps aims to offer objective precision of geographical data and subjective street-level views of local stories. The intention is to understand where the infrastructural ideas come from, and how imaginaries flow to communicate visions about the development of the city. A central task here is to frame how power structures interact and represent their interests via utopian and dystopian narratives.

Spatiotemporal distribution and risk factors for patient and diagnostic delays among groups with tuberculous pleurisy: an analysis of 5-year surveillance data in eastern China.

To understand and analyze the factors relating to patient and diagnostic delays among groups with tuberculous pleurisy (TP), and its spatiotemporal distribution in Zhejiang Province. Data of all tuberculous pleurisy patients were collected from the existing Tuberculosis Information Management System. A time interval of > 2 weeks between first symptom onset and visit to the designated hospital was considered a patient delay, and a time interval of > 2 weeks between the first visit and a confirmed TP diagnosis was considered a diagnostic delay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore factors influencing patient and diagnostic delays in patients with TP. Spatial autocorrelation and spatiotemporal scan analyses were used to identify hot spots and risk clusters, respectively. In total, 10,044 patients with TP were included. The median time and interquartile range for patients seeking medical care and diagnosis were 15 (7-30) and 1 (0-8) days, respectively. The results showed that people aged > 65 years, retirees, and residents of Jinhua, Lishui, and Quzhou were positively correlated with patient delay, whereas retreatment patients, houseworkers, unemployed people, and residents of Zhoushan or Ningbo were positively correlated with diagnostic delay. Additionally, high-risk clusters of patient delays were observed in the midwestern Zhejiang Province. The most likely clusters of TP diagnostic delays were found in southeast Zhejiang Province. In summary, patient delay of TP in Zhejiang province was shorter than for pulmonary tuberculosis in China, while the diagnostic delay had no difference. Age, city, occupation, and treatment history were related to both patient and diagnostic delays in TP. Interventions in central and western regions of Zhejiang Province should be initiated to improve the early detection of TP. Additionally, the allocation of health resources and accessibility of health services should be improved in the central and eastern regions of Zhejiang Province.

Study of Differences in Blood Sugar Levels of Diabetes Mellitus Patients Who Consume Rice Cooked with the Rice Cooker Method and The Steaming Method

The 2023 Indonesian Health Survey Report issued by the Ministry of Health revealed that there was an increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the population aged over 15 years based on the results of blood sugar level measurements. In the 2018 Basic Health Research, it was recorded that the prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia reached 10.9%. Now, the prevalence has reached 11.7% in 2023. The Aceh Health Office recorded that sufferers of Diabetes Mellitus until early 2023 reached 154,889 cases. The purpose of this study is to find out the difference in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes mellitus who consume rice after cooking with the rice cooker method and with the steaming method. This quantitative analytical research uses a cross-sectional study design. The population of the study was all people with diabetes mellitus at the Calang Health Center, Aceh Jaya Regency, totaling 50 people. Data collection was carried out from January 15 to March 15, 2024 using nonprobability sampling techniques. This study also took direct data by looking at the sugar content of the respondents by eating rice cooked by the rice cooker method and 1 month later by measuring the sugar content of the respondents consuming rice by cooking the rice by steaming. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical tests. The results of the study showed that factors related to blood sugar levels in DM patients were gender, age, education, occupation, income, physical activity, nutritional status, smoking behavior, and family history of diabetes. The factors most related to increased blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus patients were steaming with OR=7.47, use of a rice cooker of 11.2 and family history of diabetes mellitus of 7.50. It is expected that respondents will control their blood sugar levels, so that DM sufferers and their families will cook rice using the steaming method, and control other risk factors that can cause high blood sugar levels.

Spatial Histories of Occupation: Colonialism, Conquest, and Foreign Control in Asia

Spatial Histories of Occupation: Colonialism, Conquest, and Foreign Control in Asia

The correlation between the thyroid function and urinary iodine/creatinine ratio of pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China, during different trimesters

ObjectiveThis study investigated the correlation between thyroid function and urinary iodine/creatinine ratio (UI/Cr) in pregnant women during different trimesters and explored potential influencing factors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and UI/Cr were measured in 450 pregnant women. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, body mass index (BMI), parity, gestational age, education, occupation, and family history of thyroid disorders.ResultsUI/Cr was positively correlated with FT4 levels in the first and second trimesters, particularly in women with older age, higher BMI, multiparity, higher education, and employment. No significant correlations were found between UI/Cr and TSH or FT3 levels.ConclusionUI/Cr is positively correlated with FT4 levels in early pregnancy, especially in women with certain risk factors. Regular monitoring of iodine status and thyroid function is recommended for pregnant women to ensure optimal maternal and fetal health.

Goldfinger: A case of metal tattooing mimicking recurrent melanoma.

Metal tattooing can be a clinical mimic of melanoma of which dermatologists should be aware. Metal tattoos can vary in size and shape depending on the causative injury, usually they are blue, grey or black in colour. We report the case of a 73-year-old patient diagnosed with a nodular subungal melanoma on his middle left finger. Six months following his amputation he attended dermatology follow-up and was noted to have multiple blue-grey cutaneous macules measuring 1-2mm in size proximal to the amputation scar. While a careful occupational history, in this case, suggested the source of the dermal blue grey deposits around the scar, it remains important to confirm histologically especially in patients at high risk of recurrent melanoma.

Magnetic Gradiometry Survey at the Urban Centre of Türkmen‐Karahöyük (Turkey)

ABSTRACTThe understanding of urban centres in the ancient Near East, one of the main regions for investigating the development of cities, has been transformed in recent years through investigations using archaeological geophysical prospection tools. This paper presents results of our recent magnetic gradiometry survey at the large urban site of Türkmen‐Karahöyük (Konya Plain, Turkey) conducted using a SENSYS Magneto MXPDA cart‐based system. Results of the survey have successfully identified and characterized numerous areas of ancient settlement, industrial activity and burials across the massive site, offering new insights into the history of occupation at Türkmen‐Karahöyük. Our findings are thereby helping to shape future investigations at the site and, more broadly, demonstrate the opportunities and challenges presented by cart‐based geophysical survey instruments for archaeological investigations of mounded urban sites with extensive lower towns.