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Although slab-derived fluid significantly affects melt generation and dynamics within subduction zones, its amount and distribution are not sufficiently constrained at present. Herein, we use isotopic systematics of arc volcanic rocks, subducting materials, and intrinsic mantle components prior to metasomatism, to quantify the contribution of the slab-derived fluid that metasomatizes the overlying mantle wedge beneath the entire area of Japan arcs. Simultaneous application of several multivariate statistical analyses (clustering analysis and principal/independent component analyses) to the isotopic data set allows Japan arcs to be broadly divided into eastern and western parts at the first order. Moreover, a clear higher-order inter-arc segmentation is observed, together with some intra-arc variations that possibly correspond to the heterogeneity of incoming plates. Inter-arc segmentation is shown to be primarily controlled by the geometrical parameters of the slab and the arc (e.g., subduction of a single plate or double plates beneath either oceanic or continental crust), which results in differences between mantle wedge and slab thermal conditions. Accordingly, the Kuril and Izu arcs, which have thin arc crusts (~20 km), exhibit the lowest extent of slab-derived fluid addition (0.1 wt%) to the mantle wedge, while the NE Japan arc, with a thicker arc crust (up to 36 km), features a higher value of 0.2 wt%, although the slab thermal parameters for these three arcs are essentially the same. The Central Japan arc shows the highest extent of slab-derived fluid addition (>1.0 wt%) because of the overlapping subduction of Pacific and Philippine Sea slabs, while the SW Japan and Ryukyu arcs feature moderate values of ~0.5 wt%. Moreover, a clear exotic plume zone and spots are observed in SW Japan and the Japan Sea. In addition to the variability of slab-derived fluid composition, the intrinsic mantle composition (before slab-derived fluid–induced metasomatism) shows a clear along-arc variation that is possibly caused by a large-scale mantle flow from the continental side. Thus, slab-derived fluid addition and mantle composition variability equally contribute to inter-arc segmentation, which highlights the importance of both local and regional thermal flow structures of slab-mantle systems. Unlabelled Image • To quantify the contribution of the slab-derived fluid beneath the entire area of Japan arcs. • Multivariate statistical analyses to isotopic data allows Japan arcs to be broadly divided into eastern and western parts. • Inter-arc segmentation is primarily controlled by the slab-arc geometrical parameters, causing different thermal condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) contributes to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, and preterm birth complications. This project assessed PM exposure in Eastern Indonesia's largest city, where air quality has not been comprehensively monitored. We examined the efficacy of wearing masks as an individual intervention effort to reduce in-transit PM exposures. Handheld particulate counters were used to investigate ambient air quality for spatial analysis, as well as the differences in exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 (μg/m 3 ) by different transportation methods [e.g. motorcycle (n = 97), pete-pete (n = 53), and car (n = 55); note: n = 1 means 1 m 3 of air sample]. Mask efficacy to reduce PM exposure was evaluated [e.g. surgical masks (n = 39), bandanas (n = 52), and motorcycle masks (n = 39)]. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to provide a range of uncertainty in exposure assessment. Overall PM 10 levels (91 ± 124 μg/m 3 ) were elevated compared to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s 24-hour air quality guideline (50 μg/m 3 ). While average PM 2.5 levels (9 ± 14 μg/m 3 ) were below the WHO's guideline (25 μg/m 3 ), measurements up to 139 μg/m 3 were observed. Compared to cars, average motorcycle and pete-pete PM exposures were four and three times higher for PM 2.5 , and 13 and 10 times higher for PM 10 , respectively. Only surgical masks were consistent in lowering PM 2.5 and PM 10 (p < 0.01). Young children (≤ 5) were the most vulnerable age group, and could not reach the safe dosage even when wearing surgical masks. Individual interventions can effectively reduce individual PM exposures; however, policy interventions will be needed to improve the overall air quality and create safer transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People living in slums can be considered left behind with regard to national successes in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the living and working conditions of waste pickers and their children in a landfill slum located in the largest city in eastern Indonesia. A total of 113 people from the landfill slum and 1184 people from the general population participated in face-to-face interviews. Municipal solid waste (MSW) was analyzed for metals, metalloids and fecal indicator bacteria. Ambient air quality including particulate matter was measured in the landfill. Households in the landfill slum were 5.73 (p = 0.04) times more likely to be below the international poverty line (MDG 1: Poverty) and 15.6 times (p < 0.01) more likely to have no one in the household possessing a primary education (MDG 2: Universal Education), and 107 times (p < 0.01) more likely not to have improved sanitation facilities (MDG 7: Environmental Sustainability) when compared to the general population. Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in children under five in Indonesia. Young children living in the landfill slum were 2.87 times (p = 0.02) more likely to develop diarrhea than their general population counterparts. Other survey results and environmental measurements suggest that landfill slum children have additional adverse health effects (e.g. infections and poisoning). Poverty underlies several MDG issues that directly or indirectly affect child health. Therefore, eradicating extreme poverty will continue to be the most critical challenge for the MDGs beyond 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We propose an efficient and generic facial feature localization method based on a weighted vector concentration approach. Our method does not require any specific priors on facial shape but implicitly learns its structural information from a training data. Unlike previous work, facial feature points are globally estimated by the concentration of directional vectors from sampling points on a face region, and those vectors are weighted by using local likelihood patterns which discriminate the appropriate position of the feature points. The directional vectors and local likelihood patterns are provided through nearest neighbor search between local patterns around the sampling points and a trained codebook of extended templates. The combination of the global vector concentration and the verification with the local likelihood patterns achieves robust facial feature point detection. We demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art method based on the Active Shape Models in our evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Therapeutic strategies for flat elevated (0-IIa) lesions in the stomach diagnosed as adenoma by biopsy are currently not established, because some difficulties have previously been reported in the evaluation of vascular patterns alone for the differential diagnosis between adenoma and carcinoma. Objective: We attempted to evaluate the 0-IIa lesions diagnosed as adenoma by using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (MENBI) to distinguish them as either adenoma or carcinoma. Setting: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University. Patients: Fourteen adenomatous lesions (6 adenomas and 8 carcinomas confirmed postoperatively) diagnosed with preoperative biopsies from patients who had undergone endoscopic submucosal dissection were evaluated. Interventions: We selected 5 sites per lesion for MENBI. Selected sites were divided into superficial structures (SSs) and irregular microvascular patterns (IMVPs). Main Outcome Measurements: The rate of SSs and IMVPs in adenoma and carcinoma. Results: Significant SSs were tubular in the adenoma and unclear in the carcinoma. Regarding IMVP subcategories, (1) slight intrastructual irregular microvascular patterns (ISIMVPs) accounted for 97%, (2) severe ISIMVPs accounted for 0%, (3) fine networks accounted for 3%, and (4) corkscrews accounted for 0% of cases in the adenomas. The corresponding proportions in the carcinomas were (1) 40%, (2) 15%, (3) 45%, and (4) 0%. Severe ISIMVPs and fine networks were significant findings for carcinomas. Limitations: The number of cases was limited. Conclusions: Our combined evaluation method using MENBI offers the ability to establish proper therapeutic strategies for lesions that are difficult to identify as adenoma or carcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Traditionally, the use of enterococci has been recommended as the fecal indicator bacteria of choice for testing marine recreational water quality, and prior studies have shown that bathers shed large numbers of enterococci into the water. The current study expands upon prior research by evaluating shedding from both toddlers and adults, and by the expansion of measurements to include enterococci shedding via three different methods (membrane filter (MF), chromogenic substrate (CS), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)) and shedding of alternative fecal indicator bacteria (Bacteroidales human markers UCD and HF8 via qPCR). Two sets of experiments were conducted. The first experiment consisted of two groups of 10 adults who bathed together in a large pool. The second study consisted of 14 toddlers who bathed individually in a small pool which allowed for sand recovery. Sand recovery was used to estimate the amount of sand transported on the bodies of toddlers and to estimate the number of fecal indicator bacteria released from this sand. The numbers of estimated enterococci shed per adult ranged from 1.8×104 to 2.8×106 CFU, from 1.9×103 to 4.5×106 MPN, and from 3.8×105 to 5.5×106 GEU based on the MF, CS, and qPCR methods, respectively. The estimated numbers of Bacteroidales human markers ranged from 1.8×104 to 1.3×106 for UCD, and ranged from the below detection limit to 1.6×105 for HF8. The estimated amount of sand transported per toddler (n =14) into the water column after sand exposure was 8±6g on average. When normalizing the numbers of enterococci shed from toddlers via sand by the 3.9 body surface area ratio, the differences between toddlers and adults were insignificant. Contributions of sands to the total enterococci (MF) shed per toddler was 3.7±4.4% on average. Although shedding via beach sand may contribute a small fraction of the microbial load during initial bathing, it may have a significant role if bathers go to water repetitively after sand exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Magnifying narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy clearly visualizes superficial gastric mucosal patterns and capillary patterns. Objective: To investigate gastric mucosal patterns by using magnifying NBI endoscopy and identify any relationship between those patterns and Helicobacter pylori–induced gastritis. Design: Gastric mucosal patterns seen with magnifying NBI in uninvolved gastric corpus were divided into the following categories: normal—small, round pits with regular subepithelial capillary networks; type 1—slightly enlarged, round pits with unclear or irregular subepithelial capillary networks; type 2—obviously enlarged, oval or prolonged pits with increased density of irregular vessels; and type 3—well-demarcated oval or tubulovillous pits with clearly visible coiled or wavy vessels. Setting: Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University. Patients: This study involved 106 participants undergoing upper endoscopy. Results: H pylori infection–positive ratios of normal and types 1, 2, and 3 patterns were 7.5%, 92.9%, 94.5%, and 66.7%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for types 1 + 2 + 3 for detection of H pylori positivity and type 3 for detection of intestinal metaplasia were 95.2%, 82.2%, 73.3%, and 95.6%, respectively. Development of mucosal patterns from normal to types 1, 2, and 3 was correlated with all histological parameters (P < .0001), lower pepsinogen I/II ratios (P < .0001), and degree of endoscopic atrophy (P < .0001). Sensitivity and specificity of type 3 for the prediction of severe histological atrophy was also better than those of serum pepsinogen level and standard endoscopy. Limitations: Only 1 endoscopist performed endoscopic procedures, and interobserver agreement could not be assessed. Conclusions: Magnifying NBI endoscopy is useful for predicting H pylori infection and the histological severity of gastritis and is valuable for predicting gastric atrophy in the entire stomach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-17F play a role in tissue inflammation by inducing release of proinflammatory and neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines. We investigated the associations between gastric cancer and polymorphisms of IL-17A (rs2275913, G-197A) and -17F (rs763780, 7488 T/C) genes. The study was performed in 811 subjects (524 without gastric cancer and 287 with gastric cancer). We used the multiplex PCR-SSCP method to detect gene polymorphisms. Overall, the number of IL-17A/−197A allele was significantly correlated to the development of gastric cancer (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09–1.85; p = 0.010). The frequency of IL-17A/−197 A/A homozygote was also significantly higher in gastric cancer group than in non-cancer group (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.86–4.91; p < 0.0001). The IL-17A/G-197A polymorphism was more closely correlated to intestinal-type cancer than diffuse-type cancer. In addition, IL-17A/−197A allele carriers had an increased risk of the development of gastric mucosal atrophy (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.06–2.65; p = 0.026), and a positive relationship between the inflammation score and the number of −197A allele was observed (p = 0.022). We concluded that G-197A polymorphism of IL-17A gene was significantly associated with the development of gastric cancer, especially intestinal-type cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of handheld XRF analyzers on wood that has been treated with a preservative containing arsenic. Experiments were designed to evaluate precision, detection limit, effective depth of analysis, and accuracy of the XRF arsenic readings. Results showed that the precision of the XRF improved with increased sample concentration and longer analysis times. Reported detection limits decreased with longer analysis times to values of less than 1mg/kg or 18mg/kg, depending on the model used. The effective depth of analysis was within the top 1.2cm and 2.0cm of sample for wood containing natural gradients of chemical preservative and concentration extremes, respectively. XRF results were found to be 1.5–2.3 times higher than measurements from traditional laboratory analysis. Equations can be developed to convert XRF values to results which are consistent with traditional laboratory testing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many existing residential wood structures, such as playsets and decks, have been treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). This preservative chemical can be released from these structures incrementally over time through contact with rainfall. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of arsenic and chromium leached from an in-service CCA-treated deck exposed to rainfall, as well as their possible impacts on soils and shallow groundwater. Two monitoring stations, one containing a CCA-treated deck and the other containing an untreated deck as a control, were constructed outside for this study. Rainfall, runoff water from the decks, soils below the decks, and infiltrated water through 0. 7-m depth of soil were monitored for arsenic and chromium over a period of 3 years. The concentration of the CCA-treated deck runoff for arsenic (0. 114–4. 66 mg/L) and chromium (0. 008–0. 470 mg/L) were significantly (p <0. 001) higher than the untreated deck runoff (≤0. 002 mg/L for both). During the 3-year monitoring period, 13% of the arsenic and 1. 4% of the chromium were leached from the amount initially present in the CCA-treated wood. Arsenic levels (<0. 1–46 mg/kg) in soils under the CCA-treated deck were significantly (p <0. 001) higher than under the untreated deck (<0. 1–2. 7 mg/kg), while chromium levels were statistically the same below the two decks (2. 4–9. 6 mg/kg). Approximately 94% of the arsenic from the runoff was absorbed in the soils below the CCA-treated deck; the upper 2. 5 cm of the soils captured 42% of the total. The infiltrated water concentrations for arsenic (<0. 001–0. 085 mg/L) and chromium (<0. 001–0. 010 mg/L) below the CCA-treated deck were both significantly (p <0. 001) higher than below the untreated deck (≤0. 006 mg/L). The amounts of arsenic found in the infiltrated water below the CCA-treated deck represented 6% of total arsenic leached and less than 0. 7% of the initial mass in the wood. The study demonstrated that exposure of a CCA-treated deck to rainfall resulted in elevated arsenic concentrations in both runoff and soil. Although only a relatively small fraction of the initial arsenic from the wood was found to infiltrate through the soil, these impacts were significant and caused the infiltrated water to exceed drinking water standards. The study suggests that potential exposures to arsenic exist indirectly through an environment that is contaminated with arsenic leached from in-service CCA-treated wood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The microbial water quality at two beaches, Hobie Beach and Crandon Beach, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA was measured using multiple microbial indicators for the purpose of evaluating correlations between microbes and for identifying possible sources of contamination. The indicator microbes chosen for this study (enterococci, Escherichia coli, fecal coliform, total coliform and C. perfringens) were evaluated through three different sampling efforts. These efforts included daily measurements at four locations during a wet season month and a dry season month, spatially intensive water sampling during low- and high-tide periods, and a sand sampling effort. Results indicated that concentrations did not vary in a consistent fashion between one indicator microbe and another. Daily water quality frequently exceeded guideline levels at Hobie Beach for all indicator microbes except for fecal coliform, which never exceeded the guideline. Except for total coliform, the concentrations of microbes did not change significantly between seasons in spite of the fact that the physical–chemical parameters (rainfall, temperature, pH, and salinity) changed significantly between the two monitoring periods. Spatially intense water sampling showed that the concentrations of microbes were significantly different with distance from the shoreline. The highest concentrations were observed at shoreline points and decreased at offshore points. Furthermore, the highest concentrations of indicator microbe concentrations were observed at high tide, when the wash zone area of the beach was submerged. Beach sands within the wash zone tested positive for all indicator microbes, thereby suggesting that this zone may serve as the source of indicator microbes. Ultimate sources of indicator microbes to this zone may include humans, animals, and possibly the survival and regrowth of indicator microbes due to the unique environmental conditions found within this zone. Overall, the results of this study indicated that the concentrations of indicator microbes do not necessarily correlate with one another. Exceedence of water quality guidelines, and thus the frequency of beach advisories, depends upon which indicator microbe is chosen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims We aimed to establish a comorbidity index for small bowel vascular diseases (SBVD) associated with small bowel bleeding (SBB) and recurrent bleeding. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 404 patients diagnosed with SBB via double-balloon enteroscopy, at 2 hospitals in Japan from June 2003 through July 2016. We collected data on comorbidities, computed Charlson Comorbidity Index and anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation (ATRIA) scores, and analyzed associations with SBVD, rebleeding, and overall survival associated with bleeding and/or comorbidities. We used these data to develop a comorbidity index to identify patients at risk for SBVD, rebleeding, and reduced survival time. We validated our findings in a separate, prospective cohort of 88 patients with SBB. Results We developed a weighted index (the Ohmiya index) that identified patients who developed SBVD with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.7758; this value was higher than that of the Charlson index score (0.6828; P <.0001) or ATRIA score (0.6728; P <.0001) alone. Among the 51 patients taking oral anticoagulants, there was no significant difference in AUROCs for the Ohmiya score (0.5254) vs the outcomes registry for better informed treatment score (0.5857; P =.4300). In the retrospective cohort, the Ohmiya index identified patients with SBVD with 68% sensitivity (93/137), 84% specificity (223/267), and 78% accuracy (316/404); in the validation cohort, these values were 63% (22/35), 85% (45/53), and 76% (67/88), respectively. Onset age <50 years and index score <2 identified patients with Meckel's diverticulum and Crohn's disease with 53% accuracy. Onset age ≥50 years and index score <2 identified patients with inflammatory diseases, drug-induced injuries, or tumors with 72% accuracy. An index score ≥2 identified patients with SBVD with 68% accuracy, regardless of age. Among patients with Ohmiya index scores ≥2, 33% had rebleeding; among patients with scores <2, 15% had rebleeding (hazard ratio for score ≥2, 1.729; 95% CI, 1.038–2.882; P =.0355). Conclusion We developed an index, based on comorbidities and age of onset of SBB, that identified patients at risk for rebleeding and vascular disease (for example, enteroscopic hemostasis for SBVD, medication for inflammatory diseases, surgery with enteroscopic tattooing for tumors and diverticula). UMIN: 000025693. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]