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Pubertal timing predicts a miscellany of negative mental and physical health outcomes. Prior work examining pubertal timing in youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has failed to investigate potential sex specificity of results. Therefore, we aim to extend past findings in a sample of female adolescents with ADHD. We compare pubertal timing (1) between females with and without carefully diagnosed ADHD and (2) between females with ADHD who do vs. do not have a history of stimulant medication use during childhood. We examine 127 adolescent females with childhood-diagnosed ADHD and 82 matched neurotypical peers (Mage: 14.2 years, range: 11.3–18.2) from the Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study (Wave 2). We measured pubertal timing using self-reported Tanner staging and age at menarche. Three strategies compared pubertal timing across groups: (1) χ 2 tests of Tanner Stages, (2) t tests of residuals of pubertal status regressed on age, and (3) t tests of age at menarche. Pubertal timing of girls with and without ADHD did not differ significantly across methods and measures. Yet females with ADHD who had received stimulant medication during childhood menstruated later than those without a stimulant history, potentially related to differences in BMI across groups. On the other hand, no significant differences between medicated vs. non-medicated participants emerged for the two Tanner staging indicators. Our findings extend prior work, suggesting that females with ADHD are developing physically at a similar time as their peers, which parallels findings from previous mixed-sex samples that did not examine effects separately by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, large-scale tree mortality events linked to global change have occurred around the world. Current forest monitoring methods are crucial for identifying mortality hotspots, but systematic assessments of isolated or scattered dead trees over large areas are needed to reduce uncertainty on the actual extent of tree mortality. Here, we mapped individual dead trees in California using sub-meter resolution aerial photographs from 2020 and deep learning-based dead tree detection. We identified 91.4 million dead trees over 27.8 million hectares of vegetated areas (16.7-24.7% underestimation bias when compared to field data). Among these, a total of 19.5 million dead trees appeared isolated, and 60% of all dead trees occurred in small groups (≤ 3 dead trees within a 30 × 30 m grid), which is largely undetected by other state-level monitoring methods. The widespread mortality of individual trees impacts the carbon budget and sequestration capacity of California forests and can be considered a threat to forest health and a fuel source for future wildfires. Tree mortality due to climate change and other disturbances is on the rise. Here, the authors use high-resolution remote sensing data, ground observations and deep learning to quantify individual dead trees and potential drivers across California in the year 2020, encompassing 91.4 million dead trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly half a million United States residents identify themselves as being of Iranian origin, and many in this population are of high socioeconomic status. Although games of chance have been a notable part of Iranian culture for thousands of years, there is almost no research exploring gambling in this population. The objective of this case study is to explore gambling pathology, gambling behavior, and gambling motives among Iranian-Americans using a convenience sample (N = 182) at a September 2010 Iranian festival in Southern California. Of this sample, 20% (n = 37) and 7% (n = 13) screened positive for problem and pathological gambling, respectively. According to the Gambling Motives Questionnaire, enhancement was the preferred motive for gambling ("because you like the feeling, because it's exciting, to get a high feeling, because it's fun, because it makes you feel good"). Pathological gamblers showed a considerable difference in subscale scores between enhancement and either coping or social motives, and problem gamblers showed a considerable difference between enhancement and coping motives. Possible explanations for the higher prevalence of gambling disorders in this sample are discussed. Our results support the notion that underlying cultural factors play a role in the development of gambling disorders.

The Risk Amplification and Abatement Model (RAAM) demonstrates that negative contact with socializing agents amplify risk, while positive contact abates risk for homeless adolescents. To test this model, the likelihood of exiting homelessness and returning to familial housing at 2 years and stably exiting over time are examined with longitudinal data collected from 183 newly homeless adolescents followed over 2 years in Los Angeles, CA. In support of RAAM, unadjusted odds of exiting at 2 years and stably exiting over 2 years revealed that engagement with prosocial peers, maternal social support, and continued school attendance all promoted exiting behaviors. Simultaneously, exposure to family violence and reliance on shelter services discouraged stably exiting behaviors. Implications for family-based interventions are proposed.

283 Background: Infertility can be a devastating consequence for adolescent or young adult (AYA) patients, posing distinct challenges for healthcare providers striving to deliver high-quality, equitable cancer care. The rising incidence of cancer and growing population of AYA cancer survivors necessitates innovative, streamlined, and efficient processes to promote fertility preservation. While guidelines from organizations like American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provide valuable recommendations, ensuring consistent adherence to these standards remains an ongoing challenge. Methods: The aim of this quality improvement project was to increase fertility preservation counseling and documentation, by 20% within 6 months without delaying chemotherapy start for newly diagnoses AYA patients (age 18-39) within a large academic medical center. Utilizing a Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) methodology, interventions were conducted through a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles that included provider and staff education, referral process standardization, implementation of a best practice advisory (BPA) within the electronic health record (EHR), revision of organizational policy, and establishment of nurse touchpoints to facilitate communication. Results: The percentage of counseling and documentation in AYA cancer patients (n=83) increased by 52%, exceeding the project aim. Statistical significance was calculated using a chi-square test. Contrary to initial concerns of potential delays in beginning chemotherapy while awaiting preservation, the average time to starting chemotherapy decreased by 43%. Conclusions: Fertility preservation counseling is a critical aspect of quality outcomes for AYA cancer patients. Strategic planning of automated methods to facilitate documentation and referral was an ideal method of building quality into a large healthcare system. Establishing methods of process improvement engrained best practices, allowing for enrichment of data collection, while driving continuous quality improvement. Increased utilization of the BPA facilitated tracking of quality metrics, while promoting a patient-centered approach to fertility preservation. Interdisciplinary collaboration between physicians, nurses, and reproductive specialists fosters holistic care to enhance long-term survivorship. Fertility preservation counseling and documentation Results. Month Month Count (%) Quarterly Count (%) 95% CI Change 95% CI P Mean days to begin chemotherapy Baseline 17 of 41 (41%) 17 of 41 (41%) 0.27 to 0.58 42 October 19 of 20 (95%) November 10 of 12 (83%) December 9 of 14 (64%) 38 of 46 (83%) 0.68 to 0.92 0.41 0.20 to 0.62 <0.001 January 10 of 12 (83%) February 7 of 7 (100%) March 12 of 12 (100%) 29 of 31 (94%) 0.77 to 0.99 0.52 0.32 to 0.72 <0.001 24 April 6 of 6 (100%) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalopods are known for their large nervous systems, complex behaviors and morphological innovations. To investigate the genomic underpinnings of these features, we assembled the chromosomes of the Boston market squid, Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii, and the California two-spot octopus, Octopus bimaculoides, and compared them with those of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes. The genomes of the soft-bodied (coleoid) cephalopods are highly rearranged relative to other extant molluscs, indicating an intense, early burst of genome restructuring. The coleoid genomes feature multi-megabase, tandem arrays of genes associated with brain development and cephalopod-specific innovations. We find that a known coleoid hallmark, extensive A-to-I mRNA editing, displays two fundamentally distinct patterns: one exclusive to the nervous system and concentrated in genic sequences, the other widespread and directed toward repetitive elements. We conclude that coleoid novelty is mediated in part by substantial genome reorganization, gene family expansion, and tissue-dependent mRNA editing. "Cephalopods are known for their large nervous systems, complex behaviors, and morphological innovations. Here, the authors find that soft-bodied cephalopod genomes are more rearranged than other extant molluscs and that mRNA editing patterns are associated with the nervous system and repetitive elements". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PCR inhibitors are a formidable problem to the study of aged, degraded, and/or low copy number DNA. As a result, there is a need to find alternate methods that ameliorate the efficacy of PCR. In this study, we attempted to use genetic methods to identify the species of salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) remains recovered from archaeological sites along the Feather River located in northern California, United States. In the process of doing so, we compared the efficacy of a PCR enhancer cocktail called "PEC-P" and a reagent rich PCR recipe called "rescue PCR" over standard PCR. Across all treatments (full concentration and 1:10 dilute eluates subjected to standard PCR, PEC-P, and rescue PCR) species identification was possible for 74 of 93 archaeological fish specimens (79.6%). Overall, six of the 93 samples (6.5%) consistently yielded species identification across all treatments. The species of ten specimens (10.8%) were uniquely identified from amplicons produced with either PEC-P or rescue PCR or both. Notably, the species of seven samples (7.5%) were uniquely identified with standard PCR over the alternative treatments. Considering both full concentration and 1:10 dilute eluates (N = 186), standard PCR performed as well as PEC-P (p = 0.1451) and rescue (p = 0.6753). Yet, considering results from full concentration eluates alone (N = 93), PEC-P (60.2%) outperformed both standard PCR (44.1%; p = 0.0277) and rescue PCR (40.9%; p = 0.0046). Stochasticity observed in our study cautions us against choosing a "best" performing method of those explored here and suggests their respective potentials to improve success may be sample dependent. When working with samples compromised by PCR inhibitors, it is useful to have alternative methodologies for subduing the problem. Both PEC-P and rescue PCR represent useful alternative methods for the study of aged, degraded, and/or low copy number DNA samples compromised by PCR inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent California legislation extends the application of prevailing wage regulations to construction workers building subsidized low-income residential projects. Econometric evidence based on micro data covering 205 residential projects subsidized by the California Low Income Housing Tax Credit since 1996 and completed by mid-2002 demonstrates that construction costs increased substantially under prevailing wage requirements. Estimates of additional construction costs in the authors' most extensive models range from 9%% to 37%. The analysis controls for variations in cost by geographical location and for differences in project characteristics, financing, and developer attributes. The authors estimate the effect of uniform imposition of these regulations on the number of new dwellings for low-income households produced under the tax credit program in California. Under reasonable assumptions, the mid-range estimate of the prospective decrease exceeds 3,100 units per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While cross-country running is a popular interscholastic sport, it also has a high incidence of running-related injuries (RRIs). Recent literature suggests that functional tests may identify athletes at increased risk of injury. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is an objective measure used to assess functional muscle strength, balance, and expose asymmetries between tested limbs. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if the YBT could predict RRI in high school cross-country runners. It was hypothesized that an asymmetric right (R)/left (L) YBT reach distance for the lower or upper extremities would be associated with an increased risk of RRI. Study Design: Prospective observational cohort Methods: One hundred forty-eight athletes (80 girls, 68 boys) who competed in interscholastic cross-country in Southern California during the 2015 season participated in the study. Prior to the cross-country season, the runners completed Lower-Quarter YBT (LQ-YBT) and Upper-Quarter YBT (UQ-YBT) testing to assess lower and upper extremity asymmetry, respectively. The runners were prospectively monitored for RRI occurrence throughout the season using the Daily Injury Report form. Results: Forty-nine runners (33.1%) incurred a RRI during the 2015 season, with the lower leg (shin/calf) and knee the most common RRI sites. Girls had a higher RRI occurrence (38.8%) than boys (26.5%) (p=0.12). Boys had greater raw scores for LQ-YBT R and L anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), posterolateral (PM) and composite reach distances than girls (p<0.05). With the exception of normalized superolateral reach distance, boys had significantly greater scores for raw and normalized R and L UQ-YBT reach distances and raw composite scores than girls (p<0.05). After adjusting for prior RRI, while boy runners with a LQ-YBT PM reach difference ≥4.0 cm were five times more likely to incur a RRI (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.05, 95% CI: 1.3-19.8; p=0.02), girl runners with a UQ-YBT inferolateral (IL) reach difference ≥4.0 cm were 75% less likely to incur a RRI (AOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7; p=0.005). By lower extremity body region, boy runners with a UQ-YBT superolateral (SL) reach difference ≥4.0 cm were seven times more likely to incur a hip/thigh/knee RRI [AOR]=7.20, 95% CI: 1.1-45.6; p=0.002). Conclusion: Greater lower extremity (PM) or upper extremity (SL) reach distance asymmetry, as measured by the LQ-YBT or UQYBT, respectively, were associated with RRI in boy high school cross-country runners. Level of Evidence: 2b [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Territoriality often arises as a way to ensure access to scarce or unevenly distributed resources. An unintended consequence, however, is a shift in the availability of other resources. We use Geographical Information Systems-based models to examine how political circumscription from territorial boundary defense affected human hunting decisions for three artiodactyl species: elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes), deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in Central California, USA. Habitat suitability for each species is compared to a database of 189 archaeofaunal assemblages from the same area and deer are found to have been hunted to a greater extent than expected. Three potential (non-mutually exclusive) causes for the disagreement between predicted and observed artiodactyl frequencies are examined: resource depression, relative encounter rates, and political circumscription. We find no decline in the relative abundances of elk and pronghorn through time relative to deer or in all artiodactyls relative to lower-ranked mammalian species. Instead, the herding behavior and mobility of pronghorn and elk, in combination with vigorously-defended political boundaries, may have made hunting opportunities for these species unpredictable and opportunistic, while deer, who occupy small home ranges, are not affected by territorial boundaries leading to an over-abundance of deer bone in the archaeological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the associations between sport specialization, running-related injury, and menstrual dysfunction in high school distance runners. Methods: A total of 126 female runners competing in crosscountry and distance track events in southern California during the 2003-2004 interscholastic sport seasons were prospectively followed. Baseline questionnaires assessed sport participation, menstrual history, demographic characteristics, and anthropometric measurements. Low back and lower extremity musculoskeletal running-related injuries were recorded using daily injury reports. Results: Fifty-seven (45.2%) runners incurred at least one musculoskeletal running-related injury. At baseline, 27 (21.4%) runners were highly specialized athletes, 38 (30.2%) were moderate specialization athletes, and 61 (48.4%) were low specialization athletes. Compared to low specialization athletes, the risk of musculoskeletal running-related injury was 75% greater (relative risk = 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 2.7) and menstrual dysfunction was four times more likely in highly specialized athletes (relative risk = 4.22; 95% CI: 1.7 to 10.8). Conclusions: High sport specialization was associated with increased running-related injury risk and menstrual dysfunction in female interscholastic runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric Resynchronization Patients Introduction Cardiac resynchronization therapy indications and management are well described in adults. Echocardiography (ECHO) has been used to optimize mechanical synchrony in these patients; however, there are issues with reproducibility and time intensity. Pediatric patients add challenges, with diverse substrates and limited capacity for cooperation. Electrocardiographic (ECG) methods to assess electrical synchrony are expeditious but have not been extensively studied in children. We sought to compare ECHO and ECG CRT optimization in children. Methods Prospective, pediatric, single-center cross-over trial comparing ECHO and ECG optimization with CRT. Patients were assigned to undergo either ECHO or ECG optimization, followed for 6 months, and crossed-over to the other assignment for another 6 months. ECHO pulsed-wave tissue Doppler and 12-lead ECG were obtained for 5 VV delays. ECG optimization was defined as the shortest QRSD and ECHO optimization as the lowest dyssynchrony index. ECHOs/ECGs were interpreted by readers blinded to optimization technique. After each 6 month period, these data were collected: ejection fraction, velocimetry-derived cardiac index, quality of life, ECHO-derived stroke distance, M-mode dyssynchrony, study cost, and time. Outcomes for each optimization method were compared. Results From June 2012 to December 2013, 19 patients enrolled. Mean age was 9.1 ± 4.3 years; 14 (74%) had structural heart disease. The mean time for optimization was shorter using ECG than ECHO (9 ± 1 min vs. 68 ± 13 min, P < 0.01). Mean cost for charges was $4,400 ± 700 less for ECG. No other outcome differed between groups. Conclusion ECHO optimization of synchrony was not superior to ECG optimization in this pilot study. ECG optimization required less time and cost than ECHO optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus sabiniana Douglas ex D. Don (gray pine) is one of the dominant species in the ubiquitous Gray Pine-Blue Oak Woodland that rings the Great Central Valley of California. The species is absent, however, in a nearly 100 km section of the Sierra Nevada foothills between the Kings and Kaweah rivers. We test several previous explanations for this biogeographic gap, including prehistoric and historic anthropogenic burning, Early Holocene pluvial lakes as a migration barrier, and unique topography as a limiting factor. Through the examination of archaeobotanical and radiocarbon evidence, we find that gray pine distribution has been stable for the past 4,000 years and likely longer. Importantly, gray pine is absent in 44 of 45 individual samples from the Wahtoke Creek Site, the only archaeological site with archaeobotanical data within the modern distribution gap. This suggests that gray pine has been largely absent from the gap for over 6,000 years and refutes several previous explanations for the biogeographical gap. Instead, data support a topographical or ecological peculiarity of the gap rather than historic or prehistoric anthropogenic burning, or an Early Holocene migration of the species that was blocked by bodies of water in the Central Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on the art and politics of the desert landscape in California and the biblical Bilderverbot. It explores the residency of writers Arnold Schoenberg, Theodor W. Adorno, and Thomas Mann in Los Angeles, California, in which they had a conflicted relationship with the place reflected through their writings. It also mentions that among their writings include the books "The Tables of the Law," by Mann, "Dialectic of Enlightenment," by Adorno, and "Moses und Aron," by Schoenberg.

Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has important fetal implications. There is increased risk for poor fetal outcomes, including preterm delivery, meconium staining of amniotic fluid, respiratory distress, fetal distress and demise. Methods: One hundred and one women diagnosed with ICP between January 2005 and March 2009 at San Francisco General Hospital were included in this study. Single predictor logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of maternal clinical and biochemical predictors with fetal complications. Clinical predictors analyzed included age, race/ethnicity, gravidity, parity, history of liver or biliary disease, history of ICP in previous pregnancies, and induction. Biochemical predictors analyzed included serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, total protein, and total bile acids (TBA). Results: The prevalence of ICP was 1.9%. Most were Latina (90%). Labor was induced in the majority (87%) and most were delivered by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (84%). Fetal complications occurred in 33% of the deliveries, with respiratory distress accounting for the majority of complications. There were no statistically significant clinical or biochemical predictors associated with an increased risk of fetal complications. Elevated TBA had little association with fetal complications until reaching greater than 100 mmoL/L, with 3 out of 5 having reported complications. ICP in previous pregnancies was associated with decreased risk of fetal complications (OR 0.21, p = 0.046). There were no cases of late term fetal demise. Conclusions: Maternal clinical and laboratory features, including elevated TBA, did not appear to be substantial predictors of fetal complications in ICP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In central California, a sequence of late Holocene cultural phases has long been recognized through the seriation of different shell-bead types. Calendrical dating of this sequence has, however, been in doubt. Based on the direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of 140 stylistically distinct Olivella shell beads, we present a refined late Holocene cultural chronology for central California that replaces Bennyhoff and Hughes' (1987) Scheme B. This study uses an empirically-derived AR value of 260±35 to calibrate marine shell dates, revealing a series of short 125-to 620-year-long shell-bead style horizons from cal A.D. 200 through approximately cal A.D. 1835, following a 1,500-year long period where little change in shell-bead styles is apparent. The new chronology supports long-recognized shifts in hunter-gatherer culture, and identifies an unexpected delay in the acceptance of bow and arrow technology in lowland central California until cal A.D. 1020-1265. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on characteristics and outcome for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) hospitalized for acute right heart failure. The pulmonary hypertension database of Stanford Hospital in California was used for the study. Most hospitalized patients were found symptomatic at rest. The study showed that some characteristics observed within the first few hours of hospitalization were linked with short-term mortality or urgent transplantation.

health systems strive to meet the needs of linguistically diverse patient populations, determining a physician's non-English language proficiency is becoming increasingly important. However, brief, validated measures are lacking. To determine if any of four self-reported measures of physician Spanish language proficiency are useful measures of fluency in Spanish. Physician self-report of Spanish proficiency was compared to Spanish-speaking patients' report of their physicians' language proficiency. 110 Spanish-speaking patients and their 46 physicians in two public hospital clinics with professional interpreters available. Physicians rated their Spanish fluency with four items: one general fluency question, two clinically specific questions, and one question on interpreter use. Patients were asked if their doctor speaks Spanish ('yes/no'). Concordance, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for each of the items, and receiver operating (ROC) curves were used to compare performance characteristics. Concordance between physician and patient reports of physician Spanish proficiency ranged from 84 to 91%. The PPV for each of the four items ranged from 91 to 99%, the NPV from 60 to 90%, and the area under their ROC curves from 90 to 95%. The general fluency question gave the best combination of PPV and NPV, and the item on holding sensitive discussions had the highest PPV, 99%. Physicians who reported fluency as 'fair' were as likely to have patients report they did not speak Spanish as that they did. Physician self-report of Spanish language proficiency is highly correlated with patient report, except when physicians report 'fair' general fluency. In settings where no financial or other incentives are linked to language skills, simple questions may be a useful way to assess physician language proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of marine shell beads in island and coastal settings was an important activity in prehistory, with important political and economic ties. Currently, there are few methods to track beads to their locus of production. Examining the spatial distribution of bead types provides one method of doing so. Chemical and stable isotopic methods provide an additional and independent means of testing hypotheses generated by spatial distributions. We use stable oxygen, carbon, and strontium isotope data to reconstruct provenance zones for 18 Olivella biplicata beads from the Los Angeles Basin and San Nicolas Island, California. We compare the results to isotopic data from modern and radiocarbon-dated whole shells collected along the Pacific Coast. Results indicate that all 18 beads were manufactured from shells growing in open coast locations south of Point Conception. Differences in isotopic composition between bead types suggest that not all were produced in the same location. Some, such as callus beads (K1), have highly variable composition, suggesting production in a range of locations. Others, such as thin lipped (E1), seem to have been produced in more restricted regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have found substantial variation in hospital resource use by expired Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. By analyzing only expired patients, these studies cannot identify differences across hospitals in health outcomes like mortality. This study examines the association between mortality and resource use at the hospital level, when all Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for heart failure are examined.Methods and Results: A total of 3999 individuals hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of heart failure at 6 California teaching hospitals between January 1, 2001, and June 30, 2005, were analyzed with multivariate risk-adjustment models for total hospital days, total hospital direct costs, and mortality within 180-days after initial admission ("Looking Forward"). A subset of 1639 individuals who died during the study period were analyzed with multivariate risk-adjustment models for total hospital days and total hospital direct costs within 180-days before death ("Looking Back"). "Looking Forward" risk-adjusted hospital means ranged from 17.0% to 26.0% for mortality, 7.8 to 14.9 days for total hospital days, and 0.66 to 1.30 times the mean value for indexed total direct costs. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were -0.68 between mortality and hospital days, and -0.93 between mortality and indexed total direct costs. "Looking Back" risk-adjusted hospital means ranged from 9.1 to 21.7 days for total hospital days and 0.91 to 1.79 times the mean value for indexed total direct costs. Variation in resource use site ranks between expired and all individuals were attributable to insignificant differences.Conclusions: California teaching hospitals that used more resources caring for patients hospitalized for heart failure had lower mortality rates. Focusing only on expired individuals may overlook mortality variation as well as associations between greater resource use and lower mortality. Reporting values without identifying significant differences may result in incorrect assumption of true differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the levels and distribution of genetic diversity in Eurasian and North American populations of Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauv. (false brome), a newly invasive perennial bunchgrass in western North America. Our goals were to identify source regions for invasive populations, determine the number of independent invasion events, and assess the possibility that postinvasion bottlenecks and hybridization have affected patterns of genetic diversity in the invaded range. We tested the hypothesis that this Eurasian grass was accidentally introduced into two areas in Oregon and one site in California by examining nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast haplotype variation in 23 introduced and 25 native populations. In the invaded range, there was significantly lower allelic richness ( RS), observed heterozygosity ( HO) and within-population gene diversity ( HS), although a formal test failed to detect a significant genetic bottleneck. Most of the genetic variation existed among populations in the native range but within populations in the invaded range. All of the allelic variation in the invaded range could be explained based on alleles found in western European populations. The distribution of identified genetic clusters in the North American populations and the unique alleles associated with them is consistent with two historical introductions in Oregon and a separate introduction to California. Further analyses of population structure indicate that intraspecific hybridization among genotypes from geographically distinct regions of western Europe occurred following colonization in Oregon. The California populations, however, are more likely to be derived from one or perhaps several genetically similar regions in the native range. The emergence and spread of novel recombinant genotypes may be facilitating the rapid spread of this invasive species in Oregon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-national comparisons of homeless youth in Melbourne, Australia, and Los Angeles, CA, United States were conducted. Newly ( n = 427) and experienced ( n = 864) homeless youth were recruited from each site. Compared to Australia, homeless youth in the United States were younger, more likely to be in school or jail, demonstrated fewer sexual and substance use risk acts, fewer suicidal acts, and reported less need for social services. Across sites, experienced homeless youth were more likely to be older, male, engage in sexual and substance use, report greater need for social services, and make greater use of work, substance use, and health-related services. Homeless youth have different behavioral profiles in Australia and the United States, reflecting differences in the effectiveness of service systems in the two countries in keeping youth with fewer problems out of homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes conventional tag-and-recapture experiments on jumbo squid in the central Gulf of California. Materials and methods; Timing of tag returns; Dependence of recapture rate on squid rate; Determination of daily growth rate.

The article analyses the link between autarchic land-use policies adopted by local governments in California and the substantial redistribution of its population during the decade of the 1990s. Changes in population growth by racial and ethnic group in California cities are related to measures of the extent to which locally adopted policy favours expansion of the single-family housing stock. Controlling for the initial conditions of housing and labour markets by relying upon census measures for 1990, the paper accounts for the potential endogeneity of contemporaneous land-use policies by relying upon exogenous measures of the 'exclusivity' and 'pro-growth' propensities of the local public sector recorded by a state-wide survey in the early 1990s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We studied physician-patient dyads to determine how physician self-rated Spanish-language ability and cultural competence affect Spanish-speaking patients' reports of interpersonal processes of care.Setting/participants: Questionnaire study of 116 Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes and 48 primary care physicians (PCPs) at a public hospital with interpreter services.Measures: Primary care physicians rated their Spanish ability on a 5-point scale and cultural competence by rating: 1) their understanding of the health-related cultural beliefs of their Spanish-speaking patients; and 2) their effectiveness with Latino patients, each on a 4-point scale. We assessed patients' experiences using the interpersonal processes of care (IPC) in diverse populations instrument. Primary care physician responses were dichotomized, as were IPC scale scores (optimal vs nonoptimal). We analyzed the relationship between language and two cultural competence items and IPC, and a summary scale and IPC, using multivariate models to adjust for known confounders of communication.Results: Greater language fluency was strongly associated with optimal IPC scores in the domain of elicitation of and responsiveness to patients, problems and concerns [Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR], 5.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59 to 17.27]. Higher score on a language-culture summary scale was associated with three IPC domains - elicitation/responsiveness (AOR, 6.34; 95% CI, 2.1 to 19.3), explanation of condition (AOR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 7.34), and patient empowerment (AOR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.19)-and not associated with two more-technical communication domains.Conclusion: Physician self-rated language ability and cultural competence are independently associated with patients' reports of interpersonal process of care in patient-centered domains. Our study provides empiric support for the importance of language and cultural competence in the primary care of Spanish-speaking patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present evidence that slab avalanching is a chaotic process. We studied a set of 8062 avalanches running on more than 140 paths at Mammoth Mountain, CA between November 1982 and May 2002. Cumulative crown size distributions over the entire mountain and on individual paths are scale invariant and appear to form a multifractal set; chaotic systems often exhibit such statistics. We examine avalanche control data from 416 days on a single path over the same 20-year period and reconstruct the phase space portrait and resulting attractor for crown size. Three independent tests indicate the time series is deterministic: plateauing of the correlation dimension with increasing embedding dimension, the correlation dimension of the attractor compared against the correlation dimensions of surrogate sets of random data and a measure of trajectory alignments for neighboring points in phase space. These tests, coupled with non-periodic and non-intersecting phase space trajectories, suggest the attractor is a strange attractor and that slab avalanching is a chaotic process. We examine and reject two likely non-chaotic sources of crown size scaling: new snow layering and topography. We discuss three factors that might contribute to chaotic avalanche behavior: scaling, the deposition and evolution of snow layers and the mechanics of slab release. If slab avalanching is a chaotic process, then subresolution processes and system sensitivity to initial conditions preclude purely physical models of long-term slab evolution and release. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reviews sea level and elevated surface observations from Point Mugu and nearby Laguna Peak in southern Ventura County, rawin/ozonesonde data from Point Mugu, and aircraft measurements in the coastal zone and offshore obtained in support of the SCOS97-NARSTO effort. Streamline analyses of SCOS97-NARSTO wind data are also presented, which reveal synoptic and mesoscale influences on air flow over the southern California area. Complex diurnal, mesoscale and synoptic wind patterns redistribute pollutants across air basins. The data show that southeasterly flow, often present from morning into early afternoon, and coastal eddies and southerly surges convey ozone and precursors westward and northward where they may appear aloft as layers with several times the concentration of ozone at the surface. This flow can transport South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) pollutants via mountain passes to the desert where mixing with pollution from the San Joaquin Valley can occur. Climatological evidence shows this tendency for southerly flow in the earlier part of the day is a recurrent feature of southern California wind patterns, and a major mechanism for transport of ozone and precursors from the SCAB to coastal, inland and desert regions to the north. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the scale and structure of capitated physician organizations in California. Acceptance of capitated contracts and utilization management functions; Shares of revenue derived by the group; Risk of sharing with health maintenance organization.

Examines how a previous infection with gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) will impact on patient's knowledge of gonorrhea. Adolescents' inaccurate foundation of knowledge regarding symptoms and sequelae of gonorrhea; Correct responses by adolescent women to symptoms and sequelae of gonorrhea infection.

Abstract. Cardiovascular abnormalities were present in 11 of 48 (23%) patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Cardiac abnormalities included congenital heart disease, compression of a major vascular structure, cardiac malposition, and abnormalities in pulmonary circulation. The differential diagnosis between isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia and coexisting cardiac abnormality may be difficult and may require echocardiographic or invasive studies. Mortality in infants with diaphragmatic hernia and cardiovascular abnormalities is 73% in contrast to 27% in those without cardiac abnormalities. Pediatrics, 57:92-97, 1976, CARDIAC ABNORMALITIES, DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study to assess California pediatrician's level of agreement with and implementation of universal infant hepatitis B immunization. Significant minority of pediatricians who do not universally immunize infants against hepatitis B; Addressing of the minority's objections through combination vaccine development and ongoing research. INSET: Methods..

Bedrock mortars were an integral part of intensive acorn economies in Native California and are a prominent feature of the Late Holocene archaeological record of the Sierra Nevada. Construction of these milling features also indicates a long-term investment in the landscape. Ethnographic evidence suggests the importance of local acorn crops and other resources led to ownership and defense of property and resource rights in many areas. Through a combination of time-sensitive projectile points and obsidian hydration dating, we show that bedrock mortars became widely used in the Sierra Nevada after 1300 cal BP, and that this was coincident with the arrival of the bow and arrow to the region. When and where bedrock milling features occur provides evidence for evolving territorial behavior during the Late Holocene and further insights into how prehistoric Californians leveraged technology and behavioral changes to solve the difficult problem of making a back-loaded resource both palatable and profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]