Relationships between stress states and slab morphology of subducting slabs

Subduction represents one of the most fundamental processes on earth, with the negative buoyancy or slab pull that it provides being the driving force behind plate tectonics. The stress states within subducting slabs coupled with the types of seismicity occurring throughout are important as it gives us a better insight into how these key features deform and evolve over time. This study seeks to investigate whether there is a correlation or relationship between the slab depth and the depth at which the stresses within the bending region of the slab (outer rise) as well as within the deep slab, transition from extension to compression. By using tomography models from previous research along with python scripts and the Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) to extract data and make cross-sectional plots of these subduction zones, this research aims to develop a better understanding of the shape and progression of these slabs as they subduct further into the mantle. Using the information from these models, correlational graphs were used to determine the presence of any relationships and the findings analyzed and discussed, using previous research studies as a guide for categorizing and making conclusions about the patterns and relationships discovered in this research study. We find that there seems to be no correlation between the outer rise stress transition depth and the slab depth as well as the slab depth and slab transition depth. However, there were interesting relationships found between slab depths and slab transition depths in subduction zones that had slab depths than 1000km, more than 1000km and that flattened before or in close proximity to the viscosity interface boundary

Mammographic detection of breast arterial calcification as an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic disease in a single ethnic cohort of African American women

Objective: Accumulating data on predominantly Caucasian women suggests an association between breast arterial calcification (BAC) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to comprehensively examine the correlation between mammographic BAC and CAD endpoints detected by cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in African American (AA) women. Methods: Consecutive AA women who underwent digital screening mammography and CCT were identified. In blinded fashion, mammographic and CCT studies were reviewed. Patient-related pertinent covariates were assessed. Results: Two-hundred-four AA women (median age, 52.5 years) were included. BAC was present in 42 women (20.6%). BAC was significantly associated with coronary artery calcium score >100 (odds ratio [OR], 7.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.75-21.29; P <0.001), atherosclerotic luminal narrowing (OR, 9.99; CI, 3.65-27.32; P <0.001), and stenosis >50% (OR, 5.48; CI, 1.97-15.23; P = 0.001) by CCT. Conclusion: In AA women, BAC is associated with increased probability of coronary calcification, atherosclerosis, and CAD on CCT. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved