San Antonio Mission Trails Statewide Transportation Enhancement Project Volume II Construction Packages 2 and 3: Archaeological Testing and Monitoring Construction of the Mission Trails Hike and Bike Trails, City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Beginning in October 1998, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) provided archival research and archaeological services to the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as part of the Mission Trails Statewide Transportation Enhancement Project. The project was intended to create a hike and bike trail system connecting the five Spanish missions in San Antonio. The trail should provide easier access to the missions for visitors, allow easier access to pleasant places to walk and cycle, and greatly improve the condition of some of the city streets. This is the second and final volume issued by the CAR in the series of reports on the Mission Trails project. It describes the findings from archaeological work associated with Packages 2 and 3 of the five part Construction Package, including archival research, intensive survey, and monitoring of the portion of the Mission Trails project from Mitchell Street near Mission Concepción to Padre Drive at SE Military Drive. Both a “Direct” route, consisting of designated lanes along existing roads, and a “Scenic” route, consisting of new hike and bike trails near the San Antonio River, were included. In addition, new utility lines were placed under some streets, in particular Roosevelt Avenue, and Mission and Mitchell Roads. This report provides a historic background based on archival research for the project area and a detailed description of the intensive survey and monitoring done as part of these two Packages. After preliminary examination of the archives and previous archaeological work (Cox 2000), areas where there was reason to believe that significant cultural resources would be impacted by the project were designated “Areas of Concern”. As part of archaeological investigations associated with Package 3, an intensive survey was undertaken in these areas, including shovel testing and backhoe trenching when appropriate, to assess the potential of an adverse impact to significant cultural resources. Shovel testing was conducted at the following locations: (1) Outside the south and west walls of Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo (41BX3), where 50 shovel tests were completed to inspect the proposed route of a new section of hike and bike trail; (2) At the Pyron Homestead (41BX279), where 40 shovel tests were completed to examine the proposed route of an extension of Padre Road; (3) At the Brown Site (41BX241), where eight shovel test were excavated to confirm that no remnant of the previously recorded site was extant; (4) Along the southern edge of Padre Park, where 39 shovel tests were completed to investigate the proposed route of a new section of hike and bike trail. In addition to the shovel testing, three backhoe trenches were dug along the route of a proposed utility line near Mission Road north of the San Antonio River. Undisturbed sediments were located in two trenches, at 140 cmbs and 360 cmbs respectively, but no evidence of cultural deposits was seen. Ten backhoe trenches also were dug along the north bank of the river south of Concepción Park, where they revealed only modern fill. CAR concluded that the project would result in no adverse impact to significant cultural resources in these areas. Finally, in consultation with TxDOT-ENV and the Texas Historical Commission, and in accord with the original Scope of Work and project protocol, archaeological monitoring was conducted in selected parts of the project area. Specifically, monitoring of construction took place in the following locations: (1) Along the footprint of the hike and bike trail on the grounds of Mission San José; (2) On Mission Road where buried utility lines were being replaced; (3) On Roosevelt Avenue where new utility lines were being installed and old utility lines were being replaced. None of the sub-surface investigations located undisturbed cultural deposits. All artifacts collected from the shovel tests were in mixed context. Based on the results of these investigations, CAR recommended that continuation of the construction project would not result in adverse impacts to cultural resources in these areas. This recommendation was accepted by TxDOT-ENV and the Texas Historical Commission (TxDOT-ENV letter dated to THC dated 02-26-2007 with THC concurrence signature dated 03-01-2007). All artifacts and project-associated records are permanently curated at the curation facility of the Center for Archaeological Research

The development and evaluation of exercises in meaningful word practice in grade one

Research chapter for this study will be found in Ash, Dorothea: "Development and evaluation of silent reading exercises in grade one" Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

The development and evaluation of exercises in meaningful word practice in grade one

Research chapter for this study will be found in Ash, Dorothea: "Development and evaluation of silent reading exercises in grade one" Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Assessing the Perceived Effectiveness of the Basic Communication Course: An Examination of the Mass-Lecture Format Versus the Self-Contained Format

This article evaluates the most effective and efficient instructional format for basic communication courses. The results of the analysis lend support to the use of the mass-lecture/laboratory format. Although B. Erikson and D. Strommer indicated that feelings of anonymity, common in the large lecture class, diminished motivation, commitment and personal responsibility of the students, this study did not find similar results. Students indicated, across both instructional formats, comparable perceptions of student motivation, teacher nonverbal immediacy and teacher credibility. It appears that the mass-lecture/laboratory format was perceived by students as being as effective as self-contained sections of basic courses

Archaeological Investigations at Four San Antonio Missions: Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project

This report contains the results of archaeological work performed by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) for City Public Service (CPS). The archaeological investigation and monitoring for the Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project was carried out under Texas Historical Commission (THC) Permit Number: 2020, and the work was conducted at each of the four historical San Antonio missions which make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project was created to enhance and upgrade electrical and utility connections by replacing aboveground connections with underground connections at each ofthe four missions. Mission San Juan (41BX5)-In October of 1998, personnel from CAR began archaeological investigations at Mission San Juan Capistrano in advance of the proposed installation of underground utility lines for the Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project. The purpose of the investigation was to test for intact, buried cultural features in advance of trenching activities involved in the relocation of utility lines and connections. CAR archaeologists developed a plan regarding the area to be impacted which included ten 1 x 1-m excavations units and a series of twelve shovel tests along the proposed path of the utility trench. Excavation units uncovered evidence of existing buildings, wall foundations and Colonial-period flooring episodes, revealing new data west of the known structures and not previously accounted for. Further excavations are warranted to determine the nature of features such as a Colonial-period wall revealed near one of the excavation units. This material discovered by the archaeological investigations resulted in the altering of the projected utility trench alignment to avoid disturbing deposits. Further archaeological investigations are recommended for the newly revealed features. Mission San Jose (41BX3)- In January of 1999, personnel from CAR began archaeological investigations at Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo in advance of the proposed installation of underground utility lines for the Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project. The purpose of the investigation was to test for intact, buried cultural features in advance of trenching activities involved in the relocation of utility lines and connections. CAR archaeologists conducted a series of shovel tests along the center-lines of the proposed utility trenches to identifY areas of possible impact to intact Spanish Colonial cultural materials. In addition to shovel testing, monitoring of the trenching was conducted in areas where the possibility of impacting cultural material was high. An early-twentieth century trash midden was encountered during monitoring of the trench where it paralleled the Service Drive in the northwest comer of the Mission compound. This material did not warrant altering the course of the trench, and no further archaeological work is recommended at this time. Mission Concepcion (41BX12)- In January of 1999, personnel from CAR began archaeological investigations at Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion as part of the Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project. A construction crew, while excavating a manhole designed to provide access to underground electrical utilities, had unearthed a large number of animal bones. After concluding a large feature had been unexpectedly impacted, CAR conducted test excavations to ascertain the nature of this feature. It was determined to be a section of an acequia which had been refilled during the Colonial period with construction debris and trash, including a large number of animal bones. Test units and the original manhole excavations allowed for a profile of the acequia to be constructed. This information combined with previous archaeological work and historical research, allowed a tentative proposal on the sequence of acequia construction and re-routing for the Concepcion mission. Monitoring of other underground work conducted in the area resulted in the discovery of a location of a Colonial-period wall, southeast of the Visitors\u27 Center, which may be a portion of the original south wall of the mission. It is recommended that if any further work is required, consideration should be given to testing and/or monitoring to reduce the risk of negative impact to historic remains. Mission Espada (41BX4)- In July of 1999, personnel from CAR began archaeological investigations at Mission San Francisco de la Espada in advance of the proposed installation of underground utility lines for the Mission Trails Underground Conversion Project. From initial discussions, it was noted that the proximity of the proposed route of the underground utility trench could have an impact on the old compound walls of the mission and the path was altered to avoid any possible impact. A series of thirteen shovel tests were conducted in advance along the altered path of the proposed utility trench as it progressed from the southwest comer of the mission compound across the dry irrigation ditch or acequia to the northwest. Monitoring of the trenching activities followed with no significant deposits being exposed. No further work is recommended within the project area, but if future construction is to occur in the area between the utility trench and the Church at Mission Espada, monitoring should then be considered

San Antonio Mission Trails Statewide Transportation Enhancement Project Volume I

This report represents the first volume detailing the results of archeological and archival investigations associated with the San Antonio Mission Trails Project. The project consists of a system of hike-and-bike trails under development by the City of San Antonio. Its purpose of the trails is to connect the Alamo with the four other Spanish Colonial missions in San Antonio. The project is divided into five packages or phases. Only the first four phases include archeological investigations. Because the project is estimated to last several years, rather than waiting for the completion of the entire project before issuing the report of findings, each volume issued in this series will report on the findings of a specific package or closely related packages. Archeological investigations performed for all phases of the Mission Trails Project were, or will be, conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2051. In October of 1998, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of the University of Texas at San Antonio contracted with the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, to provide archeological services to assess damage done by unmonitored construction activities to areas surrounding Mission San Francisco de la Espada, San Antonio, Texas. These investigators were part of the Mission Trails Project which was intended to provide archival research and monitoring of all construction activities in areas of the project that had the potential to impact cultural resources eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as State Archeological Landmarks. Between December 1998 and April 1999, CAR performed the archeological investigations at Mission Espada. A total of 49 units was excavated in three areas designated as the Northwest Gateway, the Hike-and-Bike Trail, and Drainage System A. In addition, excavation by construction crews in Drainage Systems A and B and replacement of pipes within the Espada Acequia was monitored. Two blackhoe trenches were excavated in the Drainage System A and seven in Drainage System B. Sixteen test units excavated in the Northwest Gateway revealed the remnants of a limestone foundation wall; possibly a portion of the original west wall of the mission, built around 1756. The units also revealed limestone paving outside the wall. Evidence seen during the excavation of the Northwest Gateway units shows that the area has been disturbed many times, probably beginning in Colonial times and continuing to the present. Damage to what remains of the foundations is due, among other things, to the multiple attempts to insert posts in this area and possibly to road grading as well. Installation of utilities through the area has also had an impact. Even though the area has been badly damaged by various activities through time, a large number of Colonial artifacts are still present, and evidence of the unreconstructed southern gate room is still present. Twenty-six units were excavated in the Hike-and-Bike Trail area. This area presents a picture of varied disturbance; some units appeared to be in areas of essentially intact deposits and had no twentieth-century artifacts below the first 10-cm level, while others were in extensively disturbed areas. A portion of the Hike-and-Bike Trail was bladed prior to CAR’s monitoring of the construction activities. The historic deposits along the Hike-and-Bike Trail are not deeply buried, and although in some areas there may have been little or no damage done to these deposits by the blading of the trail, in other areas significant damage was done. Test units revealed that at least some areas of the trail have essentially intact Colonial deposits, and these deposits tend to be near the ground surface. Seven test units and two backhoe trenches were excavated in Drainage System A. A Colonial-period pottery kiln and a pit feature were encountered. The pit feature was located near the kiln and may have been a borrow pit for clay. No significant cultural deposits were identified during the monitoring of the replacement of pipes in the Espada Acequia and the excavation of the seven backhoe trenches in Drainage System B

Excavations at Mission San Jose Y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio, Texas

This report details an archaeological study of Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo conducted during the spring and summer of 1993. The study was undertaken by the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio, in accordance with a contract between the National Park Service (owner) and Cox/Croslin and Associates (sponsor). The principal research objective focused on determining the extent of impact the planned visitors\u27 center construction and improvements would have on the mission\u27s Spanish colonial features. Backhoe trenching, shovel testing, and unit excavations were used in the areas to be impacted by the visitors\u27 center. Additionally, shovel testing was conducted on a 50-ft grid within the mission compound to obtain information for future correction of drainage problems. Analyses of ceramics, faunal remains, stratigraphy, and artifact distribution allow inferences concerning diet, temporal contexts, and recognition of intact Colonial deposits. Recommendations are made concerning present and future construction

Measurement error in a multi-level analysis of air pollution and health: a simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Spatio-temporal models are increasingly being used to predict exposure to ambient outdoor air pollution at high spatial resolution for inclusion in epidemiological analyses of air pollution and health. Measurement error in these predictions can nevertheless have impacts on health effect estimation. Using statistical simulation we aim to investigate the effects of such error within a multi-level model analysis of long and short-term pollutant exposure and health. METHODS: Our study was based on a theoretical sample of 1000 geographical sites within Greater London. Simulations of "true" site-specific daily mean and 5-year mean NO2 and PM10 concentrations, incorporating both temporal variation and spatial covariance, were informed by an analysis of daily measurements over the period 2009-2013 from fixed location urban background monitors in the London area. In the context of a multi-level single-pollutant Poisson regression analysis of mortality, we investigated scenarios in which we specified: the Pearson correlation between modelled and "true" data and the ratio of their variances (model versus "true") and assumed these parameters were the same spatially and temporally. RESULTS: In general, health effect estimates associated with both long and short-term exposure were biased towards the null with the level of bias increasing to over 60% as the correlation coefficient decreased from 0.9 to 0.5 and the variance ratio increased from 0.5 to 2. However, for a combination of high correlation (0.9) and small variance ratio (0.5) non-trivial bias (> 25%) away from the null was observed. Standard errors of health effect estimates, though unaffected by changes in the correlation coefficient, appeared to be attenuated for variance ratios > 1 but inflated for variance ratios < 1. CONCLUSION: While our findings suggest that in most cases modelling errors result in attenuation of the effect estimate towards the null, in some situations a non-trivial bias away from the null may occur. The magnitude and direction of bias appears to depend on the relationship between modelled and "true" data in terms of their correlation and the ratio of their variances. These factors should be taken into account when assessing the validity of modelled air pollution predictions for use in complex epidemiological models