Laredo, Texas: Gateway Community on the Texas Borderlands, Archaeological and Historical Investigations for the Laredo City Toll Plaza

In July 1980, the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted archaeological and historical investigations at sites designated as 41 WB 36,41 WB 37, and 41 WB 38, which are located in a residential district on the east side of the town of Laredo, Texas. These sites are represented by late historic foundations which were uncovered after a group of houses were razed to make way for a new toll bridge complex to facilitate international travel between the United States and the Republic of Mexico. A short history of Laredo and of the four house foundations excavated by the Center for Archaeological Research is presented in this report. The archaeological investigations of the structures and their associated artifacts are described and interpreted to provide a better understanding of sociocultural activities in Laredo from early historic times to the present

Toward CP-even Neutrino Beam

The best method of measuring CP violating effect in neutrino oscillation experiments is to construct and use a neutrino beam made of an ideal mixture of $\bar{\nu}_e$ and $\nu_e$ of monochromatic lines. The conceptual design of such a beam is described, together with how to measure the CP-odd quantity. We propose to exploit an accelerated unstable hydrogen-like heavy ion in a storage ring, whose decay has both electron capture and bound beta decay with a comparable fraction.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Published versio

A Performance-Based Scenario Methodology to Assess Collaborative Networks Business Model Dynamicity

[EN] In today's business marketplace many enterprises collaborate forming a collaborative network (CN) in order to achieve competitive and sustainable advantages. In this context, CNs should have not only well-defined business models but also mechanisms and tools that help them out to assess such business models as well as other CN operations at their early stages. Due to shorter life-cycles and to the current fierce competition such an evaluation should be made as quickly as possible and analyzing real data rather than based on opinions and subjective judgments. This paper presents the application of a methodology that allows such an assessment as well as the generation of business scenarios based on the performance of the CN. Then, it first defines the appropriate CN key performance indicators (KPIs), gathering data for a certain time-period; then, it applies multivariate techniques to this data, identifying relationships between the KPIs, and being able to build the timely evolution of the CN based on this data; next, it is able to design a business scenario based on the timely evolution that the CN should have according to its business models and operations results achieved so far. With all this additional information decision-makers could decide whether the CN's business models succeeded or not so far and what actions to take in order to achieve the future desirable scenario.This work has been developed within the research project called “Design of business scenarios to improve the efficiency and management of industrial supply chain” (reference GV/2013/045).Rodríguez Rodríguez, R.; Alfaro Saiz, JJ.; Verdecho Sáez, MJ. (2015). A Performance-Based Scenario Methodology to Assess Collaborative Networks Business Model Dynamicity. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 463:511-517. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24141-8_47S511517463Achtenhagen, L., Melin, L., Naldi, L.: Dynamics of business models – strategizing, critical capabilities and activities for sustained value creation. Long Range Plann. 46, 427–442 (2013)Chesbrough, H.: Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long Range Plann. 43, 354–363 (2010)Chermack, T.J.: Studying scenario planning: theory, research, suggestions, and hypotheses. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 72, 59–73 (2005)Harries, C.: Correspondence to what? Coherence to what? What is good scenario-based decision making? Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 70, 797–817 (2003)Gunasekaran, A., Patel, C., Tirtiroglu, E.: Performance measures and metrics in a supply chain environment. Int. J. Oper. Prod. Manage. 21, 71–87 (2001)Bullinger, H.J., Kühner, M., Hoof, A.V.: Analysing supply chain performance using a balanced measurement method. Int. J. Prod. Res. 40, 3533–3543 (2002)Folan, P., Browne, J.: Development of an extended enterprise performance measurement system. Prod. Plann. Control 16, 531–544 (2005)Fink, A., Marr, B., Siebe, A., Khule, J.-P.: The future scorecard: combining external and internal scenarios to create strategic foresight. Manage. Decis. 43, 360–381 (2005)Othman, R.: Enhancing the effectiveness of the balanced scorecard with scenario planning. Int. J. Prod. Perform. Manage. 57, 259–266 (2008)Rodriguez-Rodriguez, R., Saiz, J.J.A., Bas, A.O., Carot, J.M., Jabaloyes, J.M.: Building internal business scenarios based on real data from a performance measurement system. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 77, 50–62 (2010

The COVID-19 pandemic and children’s engagement with learning in rural Sierra Leone

The COVID-19 pandemic caused worldwide educational disruption. This paper addresses a gap in the literature relating to the impact of the pandemic on learning experiences of children in rural communities in the Global South, particularly in earlier years of schooling. Children in these communities are at considerable disadvantage in comparison to their urban peers due to poor school infrastructure and challenges in recruitment and retention of teachers. Drawing on a mixed-methods study of primary school children, their teachers and families in rural Sierra Leone, both during and immediately after school closures, the paper highlights how primary schools and their communities responded to the pandemic and how this influenced children’s engagement with their learning. While national planning focused on pandemic control measures and provision of some remote learning support, findings highlight challenges for poor rural communities in accessing basic learning supports and the consequent disruption to children’s education

Development and evaluation of a patient decision aid for patients considering ongoing medical or surgical treatment options for ulcerative colitis using a mixed-methods approach : protocol for DISCUSS study

Introduction: Approximately 20%–30% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) require surgery, the majority of these being elective due to chronic symptoms refractory to medical treatment. The decision for surgery is difficult and dependent on patient preferences. Current resources for patients considering surgery have been found not to meet minimum international standards. The overall aim of the ‘DISCUSS’ study is to develop and evaluate a new patient decision aid (PtDA) for patients considering surgery for UC created in line with international minimum standards. Methods and analysis: This is a prospective mixed-methods study of adults (18+ years) who are considering surgical intervention for UC across two regional centres in Yorkshire, UK. This study is in three stages. In stage 1 we will develop the PtDA and its content via systematic reviews and a patient questionnaire. In stage 2 we will assess the face validity of the PtDA using mixed-methods on key stakeholders using both semistructured interviews and questionnaires, following which the PtDA will be refined. In stage 3 we will assess the acceptability of using the PtDA in clinical practice. This will use a mixed-methods approach on clinicians and patients who are considering undergoing elective surgery. Questionnaires including the Preparation for Decision-Making Scale, a measure of anxiety and decisional conflict will be analysed at two timepoints using paired sample t-tests and CIs. Interviews with patients and clinicians will be analysed using thematic analysis. Ethics and dissemination: Research ethics approval from North East–Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 19/NE/0073) and Health Research Authority approval (Ref: 257044) have been granted. Results will be published in open access peer-reviewed journals, presented in conferences and distributed through the Crohn’s and Colitis UK charity. External endorsement will be sought from the International Patient Decision Aid Standards Collaboration inventory of PtDAs

A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes after elective surgery for ulcerative colitis.

AIM: Approximately 20%-30% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will undergo surgery during their disease course, the vast majority being elective due to chronic refractory disease. The risks of elective surgery are reported variably. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the outcomes after elective surgery for UC. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted that analysed studies reporting outcomes for elective surgery in the modern era (>2002). It was prospectively registered on the PROSPERO database (ref: CRD42018115513). Searches were performed of Embase and MEDLINE on 15 January 2019. Outcomes were split by operation performed. Primary outcome was quality of life; secondary outcomes were early, late and functional outcomes after surgery. Outcomes reported in five or more studies underwent a meta-analysis of incidence using random effects. Heterogeneity is reported with I2 , and publication bias was assessed using Doi plots and the Luis Furuya-Kanamori index. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included (11 774 patients). Quality of life was reported in 12 studies, with variable and contrasting results. Thirteen outcomes (eight early surgical complications, five functional outcomes) were included in the formal meta-analysis, all of which were outcomes for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). A further 71 outcomes were reported (50 IPAA, 21 end ileostomy). Only 14 of 84 outcomes received formal definitions, with high inter-study variation of definitions. CONCLUSION: Outcomes after elective surgery for UC are variably defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the range of reported incidences and provides practical information that facilitates shared decision making in clinical practice

A survey of patient informational preferences when choosing between medical and surgical therapy for ulcerative colitis:a sub‐study from the DISCUSS project

Aim: People living with ulcerative colitis (UC) have two broad treatment avenues, namely medical or surgical therapy. The choice between these can depend on patient preference as well as the receipt of relevant information. The aim of this study was to define the informational needs of patients with UC.Method: A postal survey was designed to capture respondent demographics, treatment experienced within the previous 12 months and informational preferences by rating a long list of items. It was delivered through two hospitals that provide tertiary inflammatory bowel disease services. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe demographics and experiences. Principal component analysis was carried out using a varimax rotation to investigate informational needs.Results: A total of 101 responses were returned (20.1% response rate). The median age of respondents was 45 years and the median time since diagnosis was 10 years. Control preferences skewed towards shared (42.6%) or patient-led but clinician-informed (35.6%). Decision regret was low for the population (median 12.5/100, range 0–100). Key informational needs related to medical therapy were benefits and risks of long-term therapy, burden of hospital attendance, reproductive health, need for steroid treatment and impact on personal life. For surgery, these were stoma information, effect on daily life, effect on sexual and reproductive health, risks and benefits and disruption of life due to surgery.Conclusion: This study has identified key areas for discussion when counselling patients about treatment decisions around medical therapy and surgery for UC

Addressing fraudulent responses in quantitative and qualitative internet research: case studies from body image and appearance research

The rise of online research methods has expanded the scope of research globally and has made research more inclusive. However, it has also led to a surge in fraudulent research participation, with individuals and bots infiltrating studies for personal gain or disruption. This is of particular concern in mental health studies, as fraudulent responses jeopardize interventions and care efforts. This paper addresses these challenges, presenting case studies from psychological research. The urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of fraudulent responses in both quantitative and qualitative online research is emphasized, urging the research community to confront and mitigate this issue effectively

The Influence of Enhanced Post-Glacial Coastal Margin Productivity on the Emergence of Complex Societies

Abstract We analyze the dynamics of post-glacial coastal margin (CM) productivity and explore how it affected the emergence of six complex CM societies. Following deglaciation, global relative sea level stabilized after ~7000 BP and CM productivity significantly increased in many areas. Primary and secondary productivity (fish) likely increased by an order of magnitude or more. Aquatic animals were readily available in the CM providing sources of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, high quality protein, and nutrients, especially essential to human nutrition. In all six case studies, mature CMs appear to have been occupied by Neolithic agricultural and fishing villages within ~500 years of sea-level stabilization. Within a few hundred years population densities increased and roughly a millennium later social ranking and monumental architecture appeared. Sea-level stabilization and increased CM productivity in conjunction with agricultural intensification in lower alluvial floodplains were major contributors to the origins of many complex CM societies. Keyword