Incidence of anatomical variations and disease of the maxillary sinuses as identified by cone beam computed tomography: a systematic review.

PURPOSE To analyze available evidence on the incidence of anatomical variations or disease of the maxillary sinuses as identified by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS A focused question was developed to search the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, and CENTRAL and identify all relevant papers published between 1980 and January 19, 2013. Unpublished literature at ClinicalTrials.gov, in the National Research Register, and in the Pro-Quest Dissertation Abstracts and Thesis database was also included. Studies were included irrespective of language. These results were supplemented by hand and gray literature searches. RESULTS Twenty-two studies were identified. Twenty were retrospective cohort studies, one was a prospective cohort study, and one was a case control study. The main indication for CBCT was dental implant treatment planning, and the majority of studies used a small field of view for imaging. The most common anatomical variations included increased thickness of the sinus membrane, the presence of sinus septa, and pneumatization. Reported sinus disease frequency varied widely, ranging from 14.3% to 82%. There was a wide range in the reported prevalence of mucosal thickening related to apical pathology, the degree of lumenal opacification, features of sinusitis, and the presence of retention cysts and polyps. More pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus were reported in men than in women, and the medial wall and sinus floor were most frequently affected. CONCLUSION CBCT is used primarily to evaluate bony anatomy and to screen for overt pathology of the maxillary sinuses prior to dental implant treatment. Differences in the classification of mucosal findings are problematic in the consistent and valid assessment of health and disease of the maxillary sinus.

Clinical Performance of Screw- Versus Cement-Retained Fixed Implant-Supported Reconstructions- A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE To assess the survival outcomes and reported complications of screw- and cement-retained fixed reconstructions supported on dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane electronic database search from 2000 to September 2012 using MeSH and free-text terms was conducted. Selected inclusion and exclusion criteria guided the search. All studies were first reviewed by abstract and subsequently by full-text reading by two examiners independently. Data were extracted by two examiners and statistically analyzed using a random effects Poisson regression. RESULTS From 4,324 abstracts, 321 full-text articles were reviewed. Seventy-three articles were found to qualify for inclusion. Five-year survival rates of 96.03% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93.85% to 97.43%) and 95.55% (95% CI: 92.96% to 97.19%) were calculated for cemented and screw-retained reconstructions, respectively (P = .69). Comparison of cement and screw retention showed no difference when grouped as single crowns (I-SC) (P = .10) or fixed partial dentures (I-FDP) (P = .49). The 5-year survival rate for screw-retained full-arch reconstructions was 96.71% (95% CI: 93.66% to 98.31). All-ceramic reconstruction material exhibited a significantly higher failure rate than porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) in cemented reconstructions (P = .01) but not when comparing screw-retained reconstructions (P = .66). Technical and biologic complications demonstrating a statistically significant difference included loss of retention (P ≤ .01), abutment loosening (P ≤ .01), porcelain fracture and/or chipping (P = .02), presence of fistula/suppuration (P ≤ .001), total technical events (P = .03), and total biologic events (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Although no statistical difference was found between cement- and screw-retained reconstructions for survival or failure rates, screw-retained reconstructions exhibited fewer technical and biologic complications overall. There were no statistically significant differences between the failure rates of the different reconstruction types (I-SCs, I-FDPs, full-arch I-FDPs) or abutment materials (titanium, gold, ceramic). The failure rate of cemented reconstructions was not influenced by the choice of a specific cement, though cement type did influence loss of retention.

All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part I: Single crowns (SCs).

OBJECTIVE To assess the 5-year survival of metal-ceramic and all-ceramic tooth-supported single crowns (SCs) and to describe the incidence of biological, technical and esthetic complications. METHODS Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) searches (2006-2013) were performed for clinical studies focusing on tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with a mean follow-up of at least 3 years. This was complimented by an additional hand search and the inclusion of 34 studies from a previous systematic review [1,2]. Survival and complication rates were analyzed using robust Poisson's regression models to obtain summary estimates of 5-year proportions. RESULTS Sixty-seven studies reporting on 4663 metal-ceramic and 9434 all-ceramic SCs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies reported on metal-ceramic crowns, and 54 studies reported on all-ceramic crowns. Meta-analysis of the included studies indicated an estimated survival rate of metal-ceramic SCs of 94.7% (95% CI: 94.1-96.9%) after 5 years. This was similar to the estimated 5-year survival rate of leucit or lithium-disilicate reinforced glass ceramic SCs (96.6%; 95% CI: 94.9-96.7%), of glass infiltrated alumina SCs (94.6%; 95% CI: 92.7-96%) and densely sintered alumina and zirconia SCs (96%; 95% CI: 93.8-97.5%; 92.1%; 95% CI: 82.8-95.6%). In contrast, the 5-year survival rates of feldspathic/silica-based ceramic crowns were lower (p<0.001). When the outcomes in anterior and posterior regions were compared feldspathic/silica-based ceramic and zirconia crowns exhibited significantly lower survival rates in the posterior region (p<0.0001), the other crown types performed similarly. Densely sintered zirconia SCs were more frequently lost due to veneering ceramic fractures than metal-ceramic SCs (p<0.001), and had significantly more loss of retention (p<0.001). In total higher 5 year rates of framework fracture were reported for the all-ceramic SCs than for metal-ceramic SCs. CONCLUSIONS Survival rates of most types of all-ceramic SCs were similar to those reported for metal-ceramic SCs, both in anterior and posterior regions. Weaker feldspathic/silica-based ceramics should be limited to applications in the anterior region. Zirconia-based SCs should not be considered as primary option due to their high incidence of technical problems.

All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part II: Multiple-unit FDPs.

OBJECTIVE To assess the 5-year survival of metal-ceramic and all-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and to describe the incidence of biological, technical and esthetic complications. METHODS Medline (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) searches (2006-2013) were performed for clinical studies focusing on tooth-supported FDPs with a mean follow-up of at least 3 years. This was complemented by an additional hand search and the inclusion of 10 studies from a previous systematic review [1]. Survival and complication rates were analyzed using robust Poisson's regression models to obtain summary estimates of 5-year proportions. RESULTS Forty studies reporting on 1796 metal-ceramic and 1110 all-ceramic FDPs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of the included studies indicated an estimated 5-year survival rate of metal-ceramic FDPs of 94.4% (95% CI: 91.2-96.5%). The estimated survival rate of reinforced glass ceramic FDPs was 89.1% (95% CI: 80.4-94.0%), the survival rate of glass-infiltrated alumina FDPs was 86.2% (95% CI: 69.3-94.2%) and the survival rate of densely sintered zirconia FDPs was 90.4% (95% CI: 84.8-94.0%) in 5 years of function. Even though the survival rate of all-ceramic FDPs was lower than for metal-ceramic FDPs, the differences did not reach statistical significance except for the glass-infiltrated alumina FDPs (p=0.05). A significantly higher incidence of caries in abutment teeth was observed for densely sintered zirconia FDPs compared to metal-ceramic FDPs. Significantly more framework fractures were reported for reinforced glass ceramic FDPs (8.0%) and glass-infiltrated alumina FDPs (12.9%) compared to metal-ceramic FDPs (0.6%) and densely sintered zirconia FDPs (1.9%) in 5 years in function. However, the incidence of ceramic fractures and loss of retention was significantly (p=0.018 and 0.028 respectively) higher for densely sintered zirconia FDPs compared to all other types of FDPs. CONCLUSIONS Survival rates of all types of all-ceramic FDPs were lower than those reported for metal-ceramic FDPs. The incidence of framework fractures was significantly higher for reinforced glass ceramic FDPs and infiltrated glass ceramic FDPs, and the incidence for ceramic fractures and loss of retention was significantly higher for densely sintered zirconia FDPs compared to metal-ceramic FDPs.

OSL-thermochronometry of feldspar from the KTB borehole, Germany

The reconstruction of thermal histories of rocks (thermochronometry) is a fundamental tool both in Earth science and in geological exploration. However, few methods are currently capable of resolving the low-temperature thermal evolution of the upper ∼2 km of the Earth's crust. Here we introduce a new thermochronometer based on the infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) from feldspar, and validate the extrapolation of its response to artificial radiation and heat in the laboratory to natural environmental conditions. Specifically, we present a new detailed Na-feldspar IRSL thermochronology from a well-documented thermally-stable crustal environment at the German Continental Deep Drilling Program (KTB). There, the natural luminescence of Na-feldspar extracted from twelve borehole samples (0.1–2.3 km depth, corresponding to 10–70 °C) can be either (i) predicted within uncertainties from the current geothermal gradient, or (ii) inverted into a geothermal palaeogradient of 29 ± 2  °C km−1, integrating natural thermal conditions over the last ∼65 ka. The demonstrated ability to invert a depth–luminescence dataset into a meaningful geothermal palaeogradient opens new venues for reconstructing recent ambient temperatures of the shallow crust (<0.3 Ma, 40–70 °C range), or for studying equally recent and rapid transient cooling in active orogens (<0.3 Ma, >200 °C Ma−1 range). Although Na-feldspar IRSL is prone to field saturation in colder or slower environments, the method's primary relevance appears to be for borehole and tunnel studies, where it may offer remarkably recent (<0.3 Ma) information on the thermal structure and history of hydrothermal fields, nuclear waste repositories and hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Impact of the Ebola epidemic on general and HIV care in Macenta, Forest Guinea, 2014.

OBJECTIVE The current Ebola epidemic massively affected the Macenta district in Forest Guinea. We aimed at investigating its impact on general and HIV care at the only HIV care facility in the district. DESIGN Prospective observational single-facility study. METHODS Routinely collected data on use of general hospital services and HIV care were linked to Ebola surveillance data published by the Guinea Ministry of Health. In addition, we compared retention among HIV-infected patients enrolled into care in the first semesters of 2013 and 2014. RESULTS Throughout 2014, service offer was continuous and unaltered at the facility. During the main epidemic period (August-December 2014), compared with the same period of 2013, there were important reductions in attendance at the primary care outpatient clinic (-40%), in HIV tests done (-46%), in new diagnoses of tuberculosis (-53%) and in patients enrolled into HIV care (-47%). There was a smaller reduction in attendance at the HIV follow-up clinic (-11%). Kaplan-Meier estimates of retention were similar among the patients enrolled into care in 2014 and 2013. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, the year of enrolment was not associated with attrition (hazard ratio 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.43). CONCLUSION The Ebola epidemic resulted in an important decrease in utilization of the facility despite unaltered service offer. Effects on care of HIV-positive patients enrolled prior to the epidemic were limited. HIV care in such circumstances is challenging, but not impossible.

Low Risk of Death, but Substantial Program Attrition, in Pediatric HIV Treatment Cohorts in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND: To date, an estimated 10% of children eligible for antiretroviral treatment (ART) receive it, and the frequency of retention in programs is unknown. We evaluated the 2-year risks of death and loss to follow-up (LTFU) of children after ART initiation in a multicenter study in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Pooled analysis of routine individual data from 16 participating clinics produced overall Kaplan-Meier estimates of the probabilities of death or LTFU after ART initiation. Risk factors analysis used Weibull regression, accounting for between-cohort heterogeneity. RESULTS: The median age of 2405 children at ART initiation was 4.9 years (12%, younger than 12 months), 52% were male, 70% had severe immunodeficiency, and 59% started ART with a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The 2-year risk of death after ART initiation was 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9 to 8.1), independently associated with baseline severe anemia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 4.10 [CI: 2.36 to 7.13]), immunodeficiency (adjusted aHR: 2.95 [CI: 1.49 to 5.82]), and severe clinical status (adjusted aHR: 3.64 [CI: 1.95 to 6.81]); the 2-year risk of LTFU was 10.3% (CI: 8.9 to 11.9), higher in children with severe clinical status. CONCLUSIONS: Once on treatment, the 2-year risk of death is low but the LTFU risk is substantial. ART is still mainly initiated at advanced disease stage in African children, reinforcing the need for early HIV diagnosis, early initiation of ART, and procedures to increase program retention.

Nonperturbative estimate of the heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient

We estimate the momentum diffusion coefficient of a heavy quark within a pure SU(3) plasma at a temperature of about 1.5Tc. Large-scale Monte Carlo simulations on a series of lattices extending up to 1923×48 permit us to carry out a continuum extrapolation of the so-called color-electric imaginary-time correlator. The extrapolated correlator is analyzed with the help of theoretically motivated models for the corresponding spectral function. Evidence for a nonzero transport coefficient is found and, incorporating systematic uncertainties reflecting model assumptions, we obtain κ=(1.8–3.4)T3. This implies that the “drag coefficient,” characterizing the time scale at which heavy quarks adjust to hydrodynamic flow, is η−1D=(1.8–3.4)(Tc/T)2(M/1.5  GeV)  fm/c, where M is the heavy quark kinetic mass. The results apply to bottom and, with somewhat larger systematic uncertainties, to charm quarks.

The glacier inventory of Salzburg, Austria, 2007/2009

A third glacier inventory (GI3) is presented for the province of Salzburg where 173 glaciers are located in the seven mountain ranges: Ankogel (47°4'N, 13°14'E), Glockner, Granatspitz, Sonnblick (Goldberg), Hochkönig, Venediger and Zillertal (47°8'N, 12°7'E). The basis for the new GI3 are orthophotos of 2007 and 2009 and the digital elevation model (DEM) of the southern part of Salzburg. On the basis of former inventories, area- and volume changes have been calculated. The biggest relative loss of glacier area per mountain range was found in the Ankogel range and on Hochkönig as a result of the disrupted structure of their small and thin glaciers. In terms of absolute values, the largest changes took place in the Glockner- and Venediger range with an area loss of -10.1 km**2 and -9.7 km**2 during the period between GI1 (1969) and GI3 (2007/2009), respectively. Volume changes have been calculated for nearly half of the glacier area in Salzburg, where DEMs were available. The Glockner, Granatspitz and Sonnblick mountain ranges showed a volume loss of -0.481 km**3 which corresponds to a mean thickness change of -10.5 m. An extrapolation of these changes to all of the 173 glaciers in Salzburg results in a loss of about 1.04 km**3 between GI1 and GI3 and 0.44 km**3 between GI2 and GI3. Overall annual changes in the province of Salzburg between GI2 and GI3 were higher than between GI1 and GI2 and show likewise changes such as those of Tyrol.

Fission track analyses of ODP Hole 129-800A samples

Four models of fission track annealing in apatite are compared with measured fission track lengths in samples from Site 800 in the East Mariana Basin, Ocean Drilling Program Leg 129, given an independently determined temperature history. The temperature history of Site 800 was calculated using a one-dimensional, compactive, conductive heat flow model assuming two end-member thermal cases: one for cooling of Jurassic ocean crust that has experienced no subsequent heating, and one for cooling of Cretaceous ocean crust. Because the samples analyzed were only shallowly buried and because the tectonic history of the area since sample deposition is simple, resolution of the temperature history is high. The maximum temperature experienced by the sampled bed is between 16°-21°C and occurs at 96 Ma; temperatures since the Cretaceous have dropped in spite of continued pelagic sediment deposition because heat flow has continued to decay exponentially and bottom-water temperatures have dropped. Fission tracks observed within apatite grains from the sampled bed are 14.6 +/- 0.1 µm (1 sigma) long. Given the proposed temperature history of the samples, one unpublished and three published models of fission track annealing predict mean track lengths from 14.8 to 15.9 µm. These models require temperatures as much as 40°C higher than the calculated paleotemperature maximum of the sampled bed to produce the same degree of track annealing. Measured and predicted values are different because annealing models are based on extrapolation of high temperature laboratory data to geologic times. The model that makes the closest prediction is based on the greatest number of experiments performed at low temperature and on an apatite having composition closest to that of the core samples.

Chronostratigraphy of sediments from the Bahamas

Continuous cores drilled during the Bahamas Drilling Project (BDP) and the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 166 along a transect from the top of Great Bahama Bank to the basin in the Straits of Florida provide a unique data set to test the assumption in seismic stratigraphy that seismic reflections are time lines and, thus, have a chronostratigraphic significance. Seismic reflections that are identified as seismic sequence boundaries (SSBs) were dated by means of biostratigraphy in the five ODP sites and by a combination of biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and Sr isotope stratigraphy in the two BDP sites. The seismic reflection horizons are carried across a variety of facies belts from shallow-water carbonates over slope carbonates to drift deposits in the Straits of Florida. Within this system 17 SSBs were identified and dated. Despite the fact that the seismic reflections cross several facies belts, their ages remain remarkably constant. The average offset in all sites is 0.38 Myr. In no cases do the seismic reflections cut across time lines. The age differences are the combined result of the biostratigraphic sampling frequency, the spacing of marker species that required extrapolation of ages, and the resolution of the seismic data. In addition, uncertainties of age determination in the proximal sites where age-diagnostic fauna are rare add to the age differences between sites. Therefore, it can be concluded that the seismic reflections, which mark the SSBs along the Bahamas Transect, are time lines and can be used as stratigraphic markers. This finding implies that depositional surfaces are preferentially imaged by reflected seismic waves and that an impedance contrast exists across these surfaces. Facies successions across the sequence boundaries indicate that the sequence boundaries coincide with the change of deposition from times of high to low sea level. In the carbonate setting of Great Bahama Bank, sea-level changes produce changes in sediment composition, sedimentation rate and diagenesis from the platform top to the basin. The combination of these factors generates differences in sonic velocity and, thus, in impedance that cause the seismic reflection. The impedance contrasts decrease from the proximal to the distal sites, which is reflected in the seismic data by a decrease of the seismic amplitude in the basinal area.

Maps and acoustic profiles of free gas distribution, Western Baltic Sea and Kattgat-Skagerrak area

A shallow gas depth-contour map covering the Skagerrak-western Baltic Sea region has been constructed using a relatively dense grid of existing shallow seismic lines. The digital map is stored as an ESRI shape file in order to facilitate comparison with other data from the region. Free gas usually occurs in mud and sandy mud but is observed only when sediment thickness exceeds a certain threshold value, depending on the water depth of the area in question. Gassy sediments exist at all water depths from approx. 20 m in the coastal waters of the Kattegat to 360 m in the Skagerrak. In spite of the large difference in water depths, the depth of free gas below seabed varies only little within the region, indicating a relatively fast movement of methane in the gas phase towards the seabed compared to the rate of diffusion of dissolved methane. Seeps of old microbial methane occur in the northern Kattegat where a relatively thin cover of sandy sediments exists over shallow, glacially deformed Pleistocene marine sediments. Previous estimates of total methane escape from the area may be correct but the extrapolation of local methane seepage rate data to much larger areas on the continental shelf is probably not justified. Preliminary data on porewater chemistry were compared with the free gas depth contours in the Aarhus Bay area, which occasionally suffers from oxygen deficiency, in order to examine if acoustic gas mapping may be used for monitoring the condition of the bay.

Geochemistry of Miocene "blue tuff" samples

Distinctive, massive to stratified, pale blue volcaniclastics, initially referred to as the "blue tuff," were encountered at all four sites drilled during ODP Leg 127 in the Japan Sea. Detailed vertical sequence analysis, plagioclase chemistry, plagioclase 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition, and 40Ar/39Ar age dating indicate that thick sequences of the blue tuff are not genetically related. Blue tuffs at Hole 794B were apparently deposited by density flows at ambient temperature. Deposition was penecontemporaneous with a large submarine phreatomagmatic eruption at 14.9 Ma in bathyal or deeper water depths. The blue tuffs at this location comprise mostly reworked hydroclastic glass shards and lesser amounts of plagioclase crystals. Pyrogenic plagioclase has an average An mole% of 18±3. Comparison of blue tuff plagioclase compositions with the composition of plagioclase from acoustic basement at Site 794 suggests that these rocks are not genetically related. As such, the extrapolation of sediment accumulation rate data in conjunction with this more precise age for the blue tuff corroborates previous minimum age estimates of 16.2 Ma for acoustic basement at Site 794. Blue tuffs at Hole 796B were probably deposited at ambient temperatures by downslope slumping and density flow of reworked pyrogenic debris. This debris includes abundant bubble wall glass shards and plagioclase crystals, with variable admixture of volcanic lithic and intrabasinal fragments. Pyrogenic fragments were produced by subaerial or shallow submarine, magmatic eruptions dated at 7.6 Ma. Blue tuffs contain a heterogeneous mixture of unrelated fragments including a mixed population of plagioclase crystals. The average An mole% of the predominant, probable comagmatic, plagioclase population is 30±4. The two sequences of blue tuff studied are distinct in age, mineral composition, and the eruptive origin of pyroclastic fragments. Preliminary 87Sr/86Sr isotopic compositions of plagioclase, however, indicates that blue tuffs at both locations are the product of typical, subduction-related island arc magmatism. Based on the results of this study, there is no justification for stratigraphic correlation of widespread, Miocene, blue to blue-gray bentonitic tuff and tuffaceous sandstones nor the interpretation that these strata are indicative of regional, explosive submarine volcanism genetically related to rifting and formation of the Japan Sea. Rather, these reworked pyroclastic strata of intermediate composition were deposited over a protracted 6-8 m.y. period in association with widespread, subduction-related submarine to subaerial volcanism in the Japan Sea backarc basin.

U-Th dating of marine sediments from the Bahamas slope

In order to understand the driving forces for Pleistocene climate change more fully we need to compare the timing of climate events with their possible forcing. In contrast to the last interglacial (marine isotope stage (MIS) 5) the timing of the penultimate interglacial (MIS 7) is poorly constrained. This study constrains its timing and structure by precise U-Th dating of high-resolution delta18O records from aragonite-rich Bahamian slope sediments of ODP Leg 166 (Sites 1008 and 1009). The major glacial-interglacial cycles in delta18O are distinct within these cores and some MIS 7 substages can be identified. These sediments are well suited for U-Th dating because they have uranium concentrations of up to 12 ppm and very low initial 230Th contributions with most samples showing 230Th/232Th activity ratio of >75. U and Th concentrations and isotope ratios were measured by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry and multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, with the latter providing dramatically better precision. Twenty-nine of the 41 samples measured have a delta234U value close to modern seawater suggesting that they have experienced little diagenesis. Ages from 27 of the 41 samples were deemed reliable on the basis of both their U and their Th isotope ratios. Ages generally increase with depth, although we see a repeated section of stratigraphy in one core. Extrapolation of constant sedimentation rate through each substage suggests that the peak of MIS 7e lasted from ~237 to 228 ka and that 7c began at 215 ka. This timing is consistent with existing low precision radiometric dates from speleothem deposits. The beginning of both these substages appears to be slightly later than in orbitally tuned timescales. The end of MIS 7 is complex, but also appears to be somewhat later than is suggested by orbitally tuned timescales, although this event is not particularly well defined in these cores.

Ages and two-way travel times of ODP Sites 180-1109, 180-1115 and 180-1118

Synthetic seismograms are constructed from check shot-corrected velocity and density measurements collected during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 180 at Sites 1109, 1115, and 1118. The synthetic seismograms facilitate direct correlation of a coincident multichannel seismic (MCS) profile with borehole data collected at the three sites. The MCS data and the synthetic seismograms correlate very well, with most major reflectors successfully reproduced in the synthetics. Our results enable a direct calibration of the MCS data in terms of age, paleoenvironment, and subsidence history. Seismic reflectors are time correlative within stratigraphic resolution but are often observed to result from different lithologies across strike. Our results facilitate the extrapolation of the sedimentation history into an unsampled section of Site 1118 and enable a full correlation between the three sites using all the data collected during ODP Leg 180. This study forms the foundation for regionalizing the site data to the northern margin of the Woodlark Basin, where the transition from continental rifting to seafloor spreading is taking place.